When Shall the 144,000 see eye to eye?

     Satan worked out a similar plot in the Medo-Persian government with plans that were carried out by intrigue, taking the king unawares.  Though Daniel was cast into the lion's den, he too, came out unharmed, but his enemies perished as did those who threw the three Hebrews into the fiery furnace.  Thus Satan's power was broken in both of these ancient empires.  Had there been such men as these Hebrews in the days of the establishment of the Roman monarchy, or at the closing of the Old Testament history and during the commencement of the New, conditions would have been entirely different. The world is in urgent need at this time of men like the three Hebrews, who would rather yield this present life than to offend their God—men like Daniel, who looked with strong faith to the Lord and was without fault in his religious and secular duties.  By such men as these the world has been blessed with everlasting benefits and rewards that no human lips can describe. {2SR:61.3}

     "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion." (Isa. 52:7, 8.)—2SR:61.3-62.1  (1932)

 

When are they “watchmen”? When shall they lift up the voice together? Can unsanctified minds survive the “firstfruits” harvest?

 

     Will you not then, my brethren, praise God  for "taking the reins in His Own hands"?  Will you not sing: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!  Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring, again Zion"?  (Isa. 52:7, 8.) {3SC5,6:9.11}

     We are commissioned to "Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts;" and to "turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers."  (Joel 2:16; Mal. 4:6.) {3SC5,6:10.1}

     God regards those who fail to comply with His requirements as unfaithful and disloyal to Christ, the Master Teacher, and to His cause.…—3SC5,6:9.11-10.2  (1937)

 

When are we commissioned to “gather the people, sanctify the congregation…” before or after Ezek. 9?

 

     I am deeply concerned for your welfare, and trust that you are for mine.  Therefore, as together we consider the following words from God, may we as friends see eye to eye, and may our hearts beat in unison. {3SC7:13.7}

     As we endeavor to compare ourselves with the perfect Pattern, we find first that "Self-righteousness is not true righteousness, and those who cling to it will be left to take the consequences of holding a fatal deception.  Many today claim to obey the commandments of God, but they have not the love of God in their hearts to flow forth to others. Christ calls them to unite with Him in His work for the saving of the world, but they content themselves with saying, 'I go, sir.'  They do not go.  They do not co-operate with those who are doing God's service.  They are idlers.  Like the unfaithful son, they make false promises to God. In taking upon themselves the solemn covenant of the church they have pledged themselves to receive and obey the word of God, to give themselves to God's service, but they do not do this. In profession they claim to be sons of God, but in life and character they deny the relationship.  They do not surrender the will to God.  They are living a lie."—"Christ's Object Lessons," p. 281, N. E.; p. 279, O. E.—3SC7:13.7, 8  (1937)

 

     "The entire church, acting as one, blending in perfect union, is to be a living, active missionary agency, moved and controlled by the Holy Spirit."  "All that the apostles did, every church-member today is to do."  "His workers will then see eye to eye, and the arm of the Lord, the power of which was seen in the life of Christ, will be revealed."—Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 47; Vol. 7, p. 33; Vol. 9, p. 33. {8Tr:26.1}

     Then it shall come to pass, saith the Lord, that "I will sanctify My great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them, and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.  For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. {8Tr:26.2}

     "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.  And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.  And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be My people, and I will be your God.  I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.  And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen.—8Tr:26.1-3

 

Does the Lord have an unrevealed arm with power before it is revealed or does He instantly creates an arm He did not have before for the occasion? Can profane minds survive Ezek. 9?

 

     "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.  Shake thyself from the dust arise, and sit down [on thy throne], O Jerusalem:  loose thyself from the [man-wrought] bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.  For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.  For thus saith the Lord God My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.  Now therefore, what have I here, saith the Lord, that My people is taken away for nought?  they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the Lord; and My name continually every day is blasphemed.  Therefore My people shall know My name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am He that doth speak: behold, it is I. {8Tr:75.1}

     "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!  Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. {8Tr:75.2}

     "Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted His people, He hath redeemed Jerusalem.  The Lord hath made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.—8Tr:75.1-76.1  (1941)

 

HOW MAY UNITY BE MAINTAINED?

Question No. 234:

     As Present Truth teachers and believers, what can we do to avoid bringing in among ourselves dissension, discord, strife, and division, all of which result in the disruption rather than the building up and forwarding of the work in unity? {7SC7-12:18.5}

Answer:

     As only where there is union there is strength and true Christianity, the question is certainly worthy of the most earnest consideration. {7SC7-12:18.6}

     If Christians never accuse one another, never communicate other's mistakes, shortcomings, failures, and troubles, they will find themselves so united that nothing can dissipate or destroy the love of Christ among them.  But such a spirit of oneness can be maintained only by a people who see eye to eye, and who speak the same thing.  And the ONLY way that this can be accomplished is that each forsake his own ways and thoughts, and in exchange avail himself of the Lord's. {7SC7-12:18.7}

     It is imperative, therefore, that every Present Truth believer teach and practice only Present Truth; that is, teach nothing more or less than what is published, and do nothing more or less than what the message calls for. {7SC7-12:18.8}

     Thus putting aside your own thoughts and your own ways, and availing yourselves of the Lord's (Isa. 55:8, 9), in exclusive devotion to the Spirit of Truth, you will see eye to eye, and speak the same thing.  Then only will you be able to dispel the spirit of confusion and to retain the Spirit of love and unity.—7SC7-12:18.5-9  (1941)

 

When will the 144,000 forsake their “own ways and thoughts” in exchange for the Lord’s, before Ezek. 9 or after?

 

     The only way for the "angel" of Laodicea (upon whom is the condemnation of being "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked," and yet satisfied) to enter into this glorious kingdom, is for him voluntarily to yield the reins of control over the church, as he sees the Lord Himself taking them into His Own hands (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 300).  Arouse, therefore, O "angel" of the Laodiceans, to Heaven's stirring cry: {14Tr:23.2}

     "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.  Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.  Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion." Isa. 52:1, 2, 8. {14Tr:24.1}

     If the present World War is the one predicted by Nahum, and if the sealing or marking of the "servants of God" is to be completed without the angels' having again to tighten their hold on the winds (Rev. 7:1, Early Writings, p. 38), then the time to restore the excellency of Jacob and of Israel is at hand.  At long last has come the hour for Zion's deliverance from Gentile bondage, and for her children to return to the land of their fathers  (Ezek. 36:23-38), the vineyard of the Lord of hosts.  So let her stand ready and eager, awaiting her Lord's order to start marching thitherward.—14Tr:23.2-24.2  (1943)

 

If the stirring cry is to the “angel” of the Laodiceans then when does it make sense for him to receive it for a witness before or after Ezek. 9?

 

     If Christians never accuse one another, never communicate one another's mistakes, shortcomings, failures, and troubles, they will find themselves so united that nothing can break their common Christian bond. But such a spirit of oneness can be maintained only by a people who keep a tireless vigil over themselves, always to see eye to eye and to speak the same things by forsaking their own ways and thoughts in exchange for the Lord's. {4An:68.4}

     It is imperative, therefore, that every Present-truth believer teach and practice only Present Truth—teach not short of nor beyond what is published, weave not into it private interpretations or constructions, theories and ideas, and do nothing less or nothing more than what the message calls for. {4An:69.1}

     Thus putting aside your own thoughts and your own ways, and availing yourselves of the Lord's (Isa. 55:8, 9), in exclusive devotion to the Spirit of Truth, you will really see eye to eye, and speak the same things. Then only will you be able to dispel the spirit of confusion and to retain the spirit of love and unity. {4An:69.2}

     And since there is strength and spirituality only where there is union, no member of a group of people can afford to neglect his duty in maintaining such Christian unity.—4An:68.4-69.3  (1944)

 

     Here we are told that at the time the war is fought someone is to be publishing inspired revelations of newly revealed Truth, the Truth of the Judgment of the Living, the which is to forever separate the wheat from the tares (Matt. 13:30), the good fish from the bad (Matt. 13:47, 48), the sheep from the goats (Matt. 25:32), and the wise virgins from the foolish ones (Matt. 25:1-12).  These shall "no more pass through" the church, declares the scripture, they are "utterly cut off." Thus urging Judah, the church, to keep this antitypical atonement feast and to perform her vows to God so as to be found worthy of escaping the judgments of God.  Hence God's plea to His church is now ringing throughout the land, saying, "Awake, awake: put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and unclean." (Isa. 52:1) {1TG3:15.2}

     With these positive signs of the times Inspiration lets each individual decide for himself whether to put confidence in the Voice which Inspiration Itself recommends, or in a voice which uninspired human beings recommend.  Henceforth there is to be no confusion among God's true people.  His "...watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion." (Isa. 52:8.)—1TG3:15.2, 3  (1946)

 

Does wheat exist first before it is separated from the tares? Are there good fish before they are separated from the bad? Are there sheep before they are separated from the goats? Are there wise virgins before the foolish are brought to view by their own actions?

What is “the Voice” which inspiration Itself recommends? Is that “the [same] Voice” lifted before the purification of the SDA Church?

 

     What can all this mean?—Just this: Joshua is Heaven's appointed judge, ruler.  He himself is crowned as such.  And in response to the Lord's Own command, Joshua crowns (authorizes) his helpers whom the Lord Himself names.  In other words, as members of "the house of David," Joshua authorizes them to engage in the work.  So, Joshua is responsible to the Lord, but his helpers are responsible to Joshua.  Here is seen an organization having a Leader and an under leader—the Lord and Joshua.  Thus it is that whatever is to be bound on earth, is also to be bound in Heaven (Matt. 16:19.) {1TG8:26.5}

     As concretely as Heaven can make it, this symbolism depicts that God's people in this final work are not to labor at cross purposes.  All are to speak the same thing.  So it is that His "Watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion." Isa. 52:8.  Then His people shall be called "The Holy people, The redeemed of the Lord," "Sought out, A city not forsaken" (Isa. 62:12).—1TG8:26.5, 6  (1946)

 

Do workers that work at cross purposes and speak different things qualify for the seal of the living God?

     Christians are working at cross-purposes among themselves.  One Christian brother is betraying another.  Christian ministers, rather than preaching the Truth, are preaching against one another.  One goes ahead to build up, and another trails behind to tear down.  They do not see eye to eye; nor do they understand one another even as much as did the confused tower-builders. {1TG14:15.1}

     Just so long as such selfishness and dishonesty, confusion and animosity, exist among Christians, their bridge and their tower, so to speak, will come to naught as certainly as did the bridge of the six covenant-breakers and as did the tower of the prophet Noah's mockers.  There is no way of stopping ism trouble without removing the cause -- no, no more than a splinter wound can heal before the splinter has been removed.—1TG14:15.1, 2  (1946)

 

Can selfish dishonest confusion and animosity producers receive the seal of the living God?

 

     Obviously, the system of Bible interpretation, described by Zechariah, is the Lord's only system.  It is the only remedy for isms and discord among Christians.  Thus it is that His "watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion." Isa. 52:8.—1TG14:22.5  (1946)

 

By whom is Zechariah’s system of Bible interpretation observed before the purification commences?

 

     These verses can mean only one thing, and that is, that God will thoroughly purge His floor.  He will take the fan in His hand and blow out the chaff, He will destroy the sinners that are among His people.  In thus purifying His church, He will create a clean people, a united and zeal-filled ministry.  "Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice;" He declares, "with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion." Isa. 52:8.—1TG26:21.5  (1947)

 

Can sinners survive the purification of the church?

 

Isa. 52:8—"Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion." {1TG38:27.1}

     All God's servants shall together, and with joy, exalt His message (the Voice), because when the Lord again brings Zion they shall see eye to eye.  What a difference between Zion's watchmen of tomorrow, and her watchmen of today among whom hardly two actually see eye to eye!  "Only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it [the Third Angel's Message] when it shall have swelled into the Loud Cry." -- "Review and Herald," Nov. 19, 1908.—1TG38:27.2

 

When must we overcome temptation in the strength of the Mighty One? When is God’s watchmen together with joy exalt the SRod message (the Voice) together?

 

     BRIEFLY TO SUMMARIZE OUR STUDY: We see that the time of purification of the church is at hand; that Zion (the General Conference) and Jerusalem (the local conferences) are called to "awake," so that the daughter of Zion, the church, might be clothed with the righteousness of Christ; that she is weak; that she has not the righteousness of Christ; that the day of her redemption is now at hand; that she is to be freed from man's rule and from hypocrisy; that Zion and Jerusalem as they are today, are no less oppressing the laity than were the Assyrian lords oppressing the children of ancient Israel; that God will not leave His people in ignorance; that they shall know it is He speaking, not an enemy as they are made to believe; that the message of the Kingdom of God is a message of comfort; that His faithful servants shall exalt His message (the Voice); that after Zion and Jerusalem awake they shall see “eye to eye,” and only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One will have a part in proclaiming this message in the Loud Cry ("Review and Herald," Nov. 19, 1908); that then all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God; that God sends His Truth, not through those who are exalted and idolized by men, but through unsuspected servants; that those who do not turn from man shall fall, whereas the followers of Truth and righteousness shall live forever; that it is a sacred duty of all Truth-bearers to proclaim the message to all the brethren, for if they be not awakened now, they may sleep on forever.—1TG38:30.2  (1947)

 

Who is Zion all along in this verse of scripture? So to “bring again Zion” is to bring what into reality?

 

     We all somewhat agree, I know, that this woman of Revelation 12 is symbolical of the Church; that the Dragon is symbolical of Satan; and that the child represents Christ.  But inasmuch as we may not agree as to whether the woman is symbolical of the Old Testament church or of the New or of both, it is essential that we study to see eye to eye.—2TG16:16.2

 

Is 2TG16:16.2 true or false? If it were impossible for the 144,000 to come and see eye to eye before Ezek. 9 do you believe the Spirit of Truth who leads into all truth would have allowed His mouthpiece to write, “it is essential that we study to see eye to eye”?

 

     This scripture shows, moreover, that the manifestation of the Spirit, in the second Pentecost, is to be much greater than the former, that in comparison the former was but a sample. {2TG19:10.3}

     When will this be?—It will have to be just as soon as God can get a company of people to "see eye to eye" (Isa. 52:8) that their own so-called good deeds are but filthy rags, and thus be of one accord.  The only such company in prophecy, you know, is the 144,000, the first fruits, the servants of God who stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb without guile in their mouths (Rev. 14:1, 4, 5).  To achieve such a happy holy state the Church must experience a mighty revival and reformation, a shaking, a sifting, such as she has never yet experienced.  Yes, if everyone were to cast away his private ideas and opinions, it would indeed bring the greatest revival and reformation since the day of Pentecost.  This is what now must take place, and it will take place exactly as the following Scripture reveals:  "He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.  And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.... And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.  And to the others He said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.  Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house." Ezek. 9:1, 2 4-6.—2TG19:10.3, 4  (1947)

 

What is the phrase “When will this be” referring too? Do we cast our private ideas and opinions (idols) before Ezek. 9 or is it after? Will God get a company that will qualify themselves to receive the seal of the living God before the separation?

 

     Since it is therefore strictly Biblical that God will not bestow the gift of miracles upon a people other than those who as a group come to one accord, who come to "see eye to eye" (Isa. 52:8), and since the Spirit cannot effect this unity and harmony now while the tares are commingled with the wheat, then all might as well reconcile themselves to the educative and redemptive discipline of waiting on the Lord until "harvest"—till the tares, the discordant or false ones, are purged out.  Those who will not wait, but are impatient to possess the power right now to work wonders, will beguile themselves with a spurious gift.  Bent on having the gift of miracle-working power that is being acclaimed rather than the gifts made available for the hastening of the harvest, they satisfy themselves with the counterfeit which is current, just as Pharaoh satisfied himself with the counterfeit serpents which his great men brought forth against the serpents of Moses (Ex. 7:10-12).  If these counterfeit miracle-workers and miracle-hunters of today will not repent themselves of this folly, then they will have to pay the penalty for playing the fool.—2TG46:26.2  (1950)

 

Is there a difference between Joel 2:23 and vs. 28? In which verse are the tares present? When does “those who as a group come to one accord” occur, in verse 23 or in verse 28?

 

     Since there is general agreement that Inspiration direct from the Throne of God is our only spiritual eyesight, then we should be able to see eye to eye if we let the Spirit of God have His way with us.—GCS:4.1  (1950)

 

After assembling all 23 references concerning when Zion shall see eye to eye in the order it was revealed it is unambiguously self-evident that it transpires before the SDA Church is purified while they are yet in the wilderness comingled with the tares, especially among those who are to compose the 144,000. However, it will be perfectly revealed, unveiled to the world as soon as the tares are removed out of the way.