I do not believe the 144,000 will feel more holy or righteous. They may feel less holy and righteous than others have felt. But I believe they will actually be more righteous. We have scripture for this.

Read Revelation 14:1-6 carefully and see what you think. Then read Mrs. White's comments on why the 144,000 sing a song that no one else can sing. Then realize that the 144k will also be able to enter a temple in Heaven, throughout eternity, that no one else will be eligible to enter. These are especially special to God. Why is this?

I don't necessarily espouse the idea that the 144k is an exact number. It may or may not be. It is noteworthy, however, that they are said to stand in a perfect square, and there is no exact square root of this number. There are various ways to interpret this, of course.

I agree that some in past ages will have become perfect as well. It is my personal belief that the 144k is not composed only of those who are translated without seeing death. Some will have died. It is my opinion that some who have died after 1844 and have not perfected themselves fully may be saved but not be a part of the 144k. I won't argue this point. We are told not to speculate too much about this group. But my opinion is based on the evidence as I see it that this group has become perfect in God's sight.



Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

GC, thank you for sharing. Excellent points to ponder.

Excellent thread. A good case can be made from prophecy as well that Pr. Priebe is on the right track. In addition to the description of the 144k, end-time prophecies are full of indicators that Christ is waiting for full co-operation from His Bride:


This issue is so important to God and to the plan of salvation that Christ makes a rare oath, swearing by God himself that He will bring it to fulfilment:


In fact, Christ underlines this by taking the oath twice. In the first version of it, notice that the issue is again character perfection in verse 10:



But the greatest proof to me besides Revelation 7 and 14 that the perfection of the 144,000 is central to the plan of salvation is Daniel 9 which shows that the Lord was ready to bring in everlasting righteousness, atone for and put an end to sin and purify his people at the end of the 70 weeks. Daniel 9 affirms that the plan of salvation could have been completed within 3.5 years of the crucifixion of Christ if spiritual Isreal, that is the twelve spiritual tribes, had received Him. James mournfully addresses his letter to "the twelve tribes scattered abroad". In other words in the time of the apostles, even in a period of relative church purity, the church and her twelve spiritual tribes was not gathered. The good news is that the gathering of the 12 tribes is assured on oath by Christ Himself, not because of our righteousness. The oath is sworn or made on the righteousness of God.

But my issue is with the idea that salvation is dependent on the righteousness of man. True, it is the 144k, who are a fairly righteous lot, but men nonetheless.

Does the sanctuary system teach that the sinner has a part in the atonement after the High Priest has entered the Most Holy Place? As far as I can tell, the sinner's role ends in the Outer Court. And even then, he is a recipient of the atonement, not a foundational part of the plan.

It was in order that the heavenly universe might see the conditions of the covenant of redemption that Christ bore the penalty in behalf of the human race. The throne of Justice must be eternally and forever made secure, even tho the race be wiped out, and another creation populate the earth. By the sacrifice Christ was about to make, all doubts would be forever settled, and the human race would be saved if they would return to their allegiance. Christ alone could restore honor to God's government. The cross of Calvary would be looked upon by the unfallen worlds, by the heavenly universe, by Satanic agencies, by the fallen race, and every mouth would be stopped. {ST, July 12, 1899 par. 2}

Calvary sealed the deal. Whether or not any of us accept the deal will not change the fact that God already won the war. It's just a matter of determining whose side each individual wants to join.