Death of saints after Ezek. 9 begins

Although it is stated in 2SR

…The great multitude of Revelation 7:9, living at the time of the close of probation for the world, shall also never die, of whom the 144,000 were a type.…—2SR:162.3

Let us read about the saints who do die "in the TIME of harvest" after the separation in the SDA Church who will not form a part of the GM "second fruits" who will taste death, yet they shall be resurrected at the Second Coming.

    While the world has wondered after the beast, God has 144,000 who "have not bowed a knee to Baal."  Though they seem to be lost without a shepherd, the arm of Omnipotence is watching over them.  In the statement previously quoted from Volume 6, page 15, speaking of the terrible apostasy everywhere prevalent at this time, (in the sense that the world has wondered after the beast) says, "But as he [John] looked with intense interest, he beheld the company of God's commandment-keeping people [the 144,000].  They had upon their foreheads the seal of the living God,…and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth." Note that after the sealing of the 144,000 there would be some who would die in the Lord (saved), for the scripture reads "from henceforth," meaning from the time this company was sealed. {1SR:218.3} 

    The 144,000 are living saints, to be translated without seeing death.  "The Lord has shut them in.  Their destination is inscribed—GOD, NEW JERUSALEM." Testimonies to Ministers, page 446.  Therefore, those who die "in the Lord" must be of those who are saved, after the separation (in the time of harvest) under which Isa. 52:1 and Zeph. 3:13, are fulfilled.  Those who die at that time are perhaps those who cannot stand the hardship while the judgments of God are falling upon the land in the time of the plagues.  While God clears the way for the seven last plagues by laying some of His people to sleep in the grave, He has done the same for the event to take place in 1931 (if that date be correct).  For we read in Isa. 57:1, "The righteous perisheth and no man layeth it to heart: And merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come." {1SR:219.1} 

    Again, we call your attention to the past and future tense of the scripture; while Rev. 14:13, is in future tense, Isa. 57:1, is in past.  This being present truth, it is easy to see that we, at the present time, stand between these two scriptures.  The predicted event for the purification of God's church is by no means a small one.  Those who cannot undergo the trial are laid in their graves, while 144,000 remain and will escape, but the balance in the church (now) shall perish in the ruin.  May God help His people.—1SR:218.3-219.2

    "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Rev. 14:13.)  "Which die from henceforth," that is, from the commencement of the "loud cry."  Thus the word declares that some of the saints will be laid in the grave even during the time of the harvest (loud cry).  We quote from "Counsels on Health," p. 375 "Many will be laid away to sleep before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble shall come upon the world." {2SR:172.4} 

    While some of the saints shall be laid to sleep in the time of the "loud cry," it is made clear by Revelation 15:1, 2, that all who are alive after probation has closed and before the commencement of the pouring out of the plagues will be translated without tasting death: "And I saw another sign in heaven, great, and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.  And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass having the harps of God."  The "sea of glass" is a symbol of life eternal. (Explained in another chapter.)  In as much as all who had gotten the victory stand on the sea, it denotes that they have passed from death to life, and their destination now is "God, new Jerusalem."—2SR:172.4-173.1

Now for Rev. 20:4

Bro. Houteff just quotes the verse but does not give his input. However, the rule is "the language of the Bible should be explained according to its obvious meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed."—GC:598.3

And every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God shall be fulfilled (Isa. 55:11).

    Then, as the saints enter in through the pearly gates John's vision will meet its fulfillment: "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." (Rev. 20:4.)   The righteous shall spend a thousand years judging the wicked dead.  For further study of the millennium see "Patriarchs and Prophets," p. 103; "The Great Controversy," pp. 321, 662.—2SR:115.3

(See also: 9Tr:4.3; 35.1; 2TG7:12.1, 2.)

Those who would receive the seal of protection must come out of Babylon:

    Then the warning against receiving the mark (Rev. 14:9-11), along with the call to come out will be repeated with an exceeding loud cry throughout Babylon's dominion. {12Tr:36.3}

    Both those who find themselves in her dominion, and those who find themselves out of it, must then immediately decide to receive the seal of God instead of the mark of the beast if they want to escape the wrath of God.  To do this, the former class must come out of her, and the latter class must stay out of her.  Despite the death penalty for taking such a stand (Rev. 13:15), there must be no hesitancy or indecision on the part of either class. {12Tr:37.1} 

    Those who are in Babylon must heed the Voice which says: "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Rev. 18:4.  And those who are out, must carefully heed the warning: "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb." Rev. 14:9, 10.—12Tr:36.3-37.2

    While multitudes are falling into the snares of the devil, and as he is endeavoring to wipe out the church, the "Third Angel's Message" breaks through with mighty power and a "loud cry," saying, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Rev. 18:4.)  And as the "Cry" of the angel (messenger) rings through the earth a great multitude of all nations leave the false, but popular system of worship, and against all earthly favor take their stand with the saints under the protection of divine power.  This will incur the wrath of the dragon. {2SR:160.1}

    After the purification of the church and the sealing of the servants of God, then the message in the 18th chapter of Revelation shall culminate in a "loud cry:"  "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Rev. 18:4.)  As the saints hear the voice of the good Shepherd in the gospel message, they separate themselves from the world and join the 144,000.  While this sifting process in the fallen churches is in progress, the man with the writer's inkhorn seals THOSE who come out.  When all the saints shall come out of Babylon into the church, then the work of the man with the writer's inkhorn shall cease and probation will close. (See "Early Writings," p. 279.)  Therefore, the activity of the five men with the slaughter weapons shall continue and their work will cease when Christ comes to take His saints for it is they who have charge of the city—church.  (See Ezek. 9:1; "The Great Controversy," p. 656.)  Then the present world will come to an end and the millennium of desolation commence; during which time the saints shall judge the wicked.—2SR:160.1; 169.3

If Rev. 20:4 cannot be understood another way other than what is written there then it is reasonable that if some of God's saints choose to witness in Babylon in order to prepare souls to come out and win them to Christ they will do so by risking their lives until they are caught and beheaded. But they die in Christ because they did not receive the mark of the Beast.