THE FINAL SEALING

GET READY GET READY GET READY

S. N. Haskell
The one hundred and forty-four thousand are distinguished from all others by their having the seal of the living God in their foreheads. All who have this seal are included in this company. (REVELATION. 7:24)This distinguishing mark is called the Fathers name. (REVELATION. 14:1) Ezekiel was evidently shown the same work, and speaks of it as a mark upon the forehead. (EZEKIEL. 9:4) We are familiar with the term seal in connection with legal documents. A seal contains the name of the person issuing the document, his office or authority, and the extent of his jurisdiction. The seal placed upon the foreheads of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, is the seal of the living God. Seals are attached to laws and legal documents; therefore we should look for Gods seal to be attached to His law. The prophet Isaiah, looking down through the ages, saw a people who were expecting Christ to come from the heavenly sanctuary to the earth, and the message of God to them was, Seal the law among My disciples.(ISAIAH. 8:16) {THE CROSS & SHADOW p. 151}

The fourth commandment contains, first, the name, the Lord thy God; second, the statement that the Lord thy God is the Creator of all things, and therefore has power to issue this law; third, a record of His territory, which consists of heaven and earth, which He created. (Exodus 20:8-11) The fourth commandment requires all who dwell in the territory of the Lord God the Creator, to keep holy the seventh day of the week, which He has sanctified and blessed, (Genesis 2:2,3 ) as a memorial of His creative work. The Sabbath commandment contains the seal of the law. The word sign is sometimes used as a synonym for seal. (Romans 4:11) Of the Sabbath God says: It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever. (Exodus 31:13,16,17) THE SHADOW & CROSS p. 152)

Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. (Ezekiel 20:12) God blessed and sanctified the Sabbath; (Genesis 2:2,3) and to the one who will keep it holy, it is a sign, or seal, of Gods power to sanctify him. (Isaiah 58:13,14)There is a knowledge of God in the proper observance of the Sabbath. Hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. (Ezekiel 20:20) {THE SHADOW & CROSS p. 152)

The forehead is the seat of the intellect; and when the honest in heart see and acknowledge the binding claims of Gods law, they will keep holy the Sabbath. The seal placed in the forehead by the angel can not be read by man, for God alone can read the heart. Simply resting upon the seventh day from all physical work will not place the seal upon the forehead of any one. The resting is necessary, but with the rest must be also the holy and sanctified life that is in harmony with the holy and sanctified day. Isaiah 58:13 Ezekiel saw an angel placing a mark upon the foreheads of those who were distressed because of the abominations practised by the professed people of God. (Ezekiel 9:1-4) Those who are at ease in Zion drifting with the current, their hearts affections centered on the world, will never receive the seal of the living God. (THE SHADOW & CROSS p. 153 )

The Sabbath reform the sealing work of Rev. 7:1-4 arose as the sun. For some years there were only a few that kept the Sabbath of the fourth commandment; but as individuals here and there, in all parts of the world, found that the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation teaches that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and that Christ (Luke 4:16; Matthew 5:17,18) and the apostles (Luke 23:54-56; Acts 17:2; 16:13; 18:4,11) kept it, they accepted it; (Romans 3:19) and today in every division of the earth there are those who honor God as the Creator, by keeping holy the day which He sanctified and blessed as a memorial of His creative work. (THE SHADOW & CROSS p. 153)

The one hundred and forty-four thousand receive the seal of the living God in their foreheads. Rev. 7:2-4. They obtain the victory over the beast and his image. Rev. 15:2. Are redeemed from among men. Rev. 14:3,4. Stand upon Mount Zion. Rev. 14:1. Follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. Rev. 14:4. Sing a song that no one else can sing. Rev. 14: 3. Serve Christ in the heavenly temple. Rev. 7:15. A seal attached to a legal document must give the name, office, or authority, of the one issuing the document, and the territory over which he rules. God has a seal; this seal is connected with His law. Rev. 7:3,4; Isa. 8:16. The fourth commandment contains the seal of the law of God. It gives His name, Lord God; His authority, the Creator; and His territory, the heaven and earth which He has made. Ex. 20:8-11. Sign and seal are synonymous terms. Rom. 4:11. The Sabbath is the sign, or seal, of the law of God. Eze. 20:12,20. A blessing is pronounced upon the one who will keep the Sabbath. Is. 56:1,2. (THE SHADOW & CROSS p. 155 )

Death The Day & Hr. Decree Armageddon

"Said the angel, "Deny self; ye must step fast." Some of us have had time to saw get the truth and . to advance stepthe by step, and every step we I"Time also that many do not what they must be in is almost finished Do you realize reflect lovely image of Jesus as CHURCH CHURCH have taken has given us strength to take the next. But now there time is in CHURCH you should?" Then I was pointed to the earth and saw that Trouble Continuing order to live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS almost finished, and what we have beenthose years who learning, they will have MILLITANT would have to be a getting ready among have of late the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who to learn in a few months. They will also much to unlearn and Little Time ofhave Trouble embraced the third angel's message. Said the angel, "Get ready, get Trouble Coming receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the much to learn again. Those who not receive the of thethan ready, get ready . Ye will have towould die a greater death tomark the world Country Living the beast and his image when the decree goes forth, must have decision time of ever trouble must reflect the image of Jesus ye Upon have yet Earth died." I saw that there was a great work to do for Growing own Food now to say,but Nay, we will not regard to the institution ofWRITINGS the beast.{Early them and little time in which do it. EARLY PAG 64 fully . {Early Writings page 71.1} Writings page 67.2}

SARAH PECK
The Sabbath commandment as God's seal makes the law of God "a perpetual covenant" between God and man "forever," Ex. 31:16,17, having the authority of the Creator of heaven and earth and sea. As a seal ratifies a document, so the Creator's seal ratifies His law. Without this, none of His law would have any divine authority. Without the fourth commandment the law being without God's seal, would lose its validity. The Holy Spirit is the instrument that stamps the seal of God on the heart. Eph. 4:30. Without this, the Sabbath loses its sacredness and becomes merely a day of physical rest and recreation - not a holy day. If we keep the Sabbath "holy," the Holy Spirit will place the seal of God upon us, and we shall have "the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." II Cor. 1:22. The Holy Spirit is the "earnest," the pledge or the assurance, whereby we obtain our divine inheritance. No one can truly keep the Sabbath "holy" without the Holy Spirit in his heart. (PTG, p. 139)

We are now in the last hour of the Judgment. It is the hour when Isaiah's prophecy, "Seal the law among My disciples," Isa. 8:16, is being fulfilled. It is the time when 144,000 who will be living on the earth when Jesus comes, will be sealed, "having the Father's name (His sign or signature) written in their foreheads," Rev. 14:1 - reflecting His righteous character in their very countenances. No mere nominal profession will answer now. The Sabbath of the Lord is a special test, - a test of loyalty to God, even to those who profess to be Sabbath keepers. Are we meeting the test? Or are we grieving the Holy Spirit of God "whereby" we are "sealed unto the day of redemption"? Eph. 4:30. (PTG, p. 142)

It is the same Sabbath that the apostles and the early Christian church kept holy "According to the commandment," Luke 23:56, and which has been restored to God's people in these last days, Isa. 58:12,13, - on this very same Sabbath in the new earth "shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord." Isa. 66:23. Thus the Sabbath, the seal of God's eternal law, is most exalted. How precious will be these Sabbath occasions - the Sabbath, not two or three hours a day, but the entire day from its beginning to its close, - when God's "whole family in heaven and earth" meet together with Him. From the remotest corners of the earth, all are present and on time to welcome its opening hours with lofty choruses of adoration and thankful praise, and to listen to messages of love and joy and peace from the Father and the Son. During the day, they may have the pleasure and comfort of the "many mansions" which Jesus has prepared for them. John 14:2. Thus the New Jerusalem with the redeemed will indeed be "a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of our God." Isa. 62:3. This is God's "Glorious plan" for the most holy place of the temple eternal. (PTG, p. 194)

URIAH SMITH We have seen above that in Scripture usage, sign, seal, token, and mark are synonymous terms. Now the Lord expressly says that the Sabbath is a sign between him and his people. "Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep; for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you." Ex.31:13. The same fact is again stated by the prophet Ezekiel, chapter 20:12,20. Here the Lord told his people that the very object of their keeping the Sabbath, that is, observing the fourth commandment, was that they might know that he was the true God. This is the same as if the Lord had said, "The Sabbath is a seal. On my part it is the seal of my authority, the sign that I have the right to command obedience; on your part it is a token that you take me to be your God. (DANIEL AND REVELATION, p. 247)

M.L. ADREASON
This is the supreme hour and opportunity of the church. The world is due a demonstration that there is a people who remain faithful in a faithless generation; who have respect for their own word as well as for God's; who are true to the faith once delivered to the saints. The manifestation of the sons of God is overdue. (Romans 8:19) This revelation of the sons of God is not only the earnest expectation of the creature, but the whole creation groans and travails in pain together for it. Verse 22. And this manifestation will reveal a people who have the seal of God's approval. They keep the commandments. They have the faith of Jesus. They are without fault, even before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:12, 5; James 5:12) (S, SERVICE p. 44)

A. T. Jones
If the Lord has brought up sins to us that we never thought of before, that only shows that He is going down to the depths and He will reach the bottom at last and when He finds the last thing that is unclean or impure and that is out of harmony with His will and brings that up and shows that to us and we say, I would rather have the Lord than that, then the work is complete and the seal of the living God can be fixed upon that character How in the world can that seal of God, which is the impress of His perfect character revealed in us, be put upon us when there are sins about us? He cannot put the seal, the impress of His perfect character, upon us until He sees it there. And so He has got to dig down to the deep places we never dreamed of, because we cannot understand our hearts. But the Lord knows the heart. He tries the conscience. He will cleanse the heart, and bring up the last vestige of wickedness. Let Him go on, brethren; let Him keep on His searching work. 1893 GCB 404

ELLEN G. WHITE
What is the seal of the living God, which is placed in the foreheads of His people? It is a mark which angels, but not human eyes, can read; for the destroying angel must see this mark of redemption. The intelligent mind has seen the sign of the cross of Calvary in the Lords adopted sons and daughters. The sin of the transgression of the law of God is taken away. They have on the wedding garment, and are obedient and faithful to all Gods commands. -7 Bible Commentary, 968/2:4. Only those who receive the seal of the living God will have the passport through the gates of the Holy City.-7 Bible Commentary, 970/1:1. Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (REVELATION. 22:14)

The seal of the living God will be placed upon those only who bear a likeness to Christ in character.- 7 Bible Commentary, 970/1:3. (REVELATION. 14:4-5). The seal of the living God is placed upon those who conscientiously keep the Sabbath of the Lord.- 7 Bible Commentary, 980/1:2. Those who would have the seal of God in their foreheads must keep the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.- 7 Bible Commentary, 970/1:2. True observance of the Sabbath is the sign of loyalty to God.-7 Bible Commentary, 981/2:1. The fourth commandment alone of all the ten contains the seal of the great Lawgiver, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. - 6 Testimonies, 350:3. The observance of the Lords memorial, the Sabbath instituted in Eden, the seventh-day Sabbath, is the test of our loyalty to God. -Last Day Events, 220:5.

Through the enabling grace of Christ, we are to strive to put away sin and obey Gods will -that we may become complete in Him.
Are we striving with all our God-given powers to reach the measure of the stature of men and women In Christ? Are we seeking for His fullness, ever reaching higher and higher, trying to attain to the perfection of His character? When Gods servants reach this point, they will be sealed in their foreheads. The recording angel will declare, It is done. They will be complete in Him whose they are by creation and by redemption.-3 Selected Messages, 427:2.

SEAL OF GOD

VS MARK OF THE BEAST

The mark of the beast is a subject we all need to understand. It is in the interest of all to understand what the mark of the beast is, and how they may escape the dread threatenings of God. Why are men not interested to know what constitutes the mark of the beast and his image? It is in direct contrast with the mark of God. -7 Bible Commentary, 979/2:2. It is important that we know how to avoid receiving the mark. The fearful judgments denounced against the worship of the beast and his image, should lead all to a diligent study of the prophecies to learn what the mark of the beast is, and how they are to avoid receiving it. Great Controversy, 594:2.

The test of the mark is yet future. Sundaykeeplng is not yet the mark of the beast, and will not be until the decree goes forth causing men to worship this idol Sabbath. The time will come when this day will be the test, but that time has not come yet. 7 Bible Commentary, 977/2:4.

The sign of Satans authority:

The spurious Sabbath. . Satan has exalted as the sign of his authority. But God has set His seal upon His royal requirement. Each Sabbath Institution bears the name of its author, an ineffaceable mark that shows the authority of each. It is our work to lead the people to understand this. We are to show that It is of vital consequence whether they bear the mark of Gods kingdom or the mark of rebellion, for they acknowledge themselves subjects of the kingdom whose mark they bear.- 6 Testimonies, 352:1.

The attempted change of the Sabbath to Sunday is the mark. As the sign of the authority of the Catholic Church, papist writers cite this very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday. -Signs, March 22, 1910. John was called to behold a people distinct from those who worship the beast and his image, by keeping the first day of the week. The observance of this day is the mark of the beast. -7 Bible Commentary, 979/2:4. Knowing acceptance of enforced Sunday keeping is the worship of the beast. The enforcement of Sunday keeping on the part of the Protestant churches is an enforcement of the worship of the papacy -of the beast. Those who, understanding the claims of the fourth commandment, choose to observe the false instead of the true Sabbath are thereby paying homage to that power by which alone it is commanded. GC 448-449:0.

The papal Sabbath is the mark of the beast; it is his identifying signet.
The change of the Sabbath is the sign or mark of the authority of the Romish church. . The mark of the beast is the papal Sabbath. Evangelism, 234:1. The false Sabbath is the basis of Romes authority over the people. Roman Catholics acknowledge that the change in the Sabbath was made by their church, and they cite this very change as evidence of the supreme authority of the church. -Manuscript 51, 1899

They are totally different identifying labels; they are two separate marks of opposing authority.
The sign, or seal, of God is revealed in the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, the Lords memorial of creation. The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Exodus 31:1213. Here the Sabbath is clearly designated as a sign between God and His people. The mark of the beast is the opposite of this -the observance of the first day of the week. This mark distinguishes those who acknowledge the supremacy of the papal authority from those who acknowledge the authority of God.- 8 Testimonies, 117:4.

One class will receive the mark; the other will receive the seal. The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty; for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. While the observance of the false Sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to Gods law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other, choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God. -Great Controversy, 605:2.

ANOTHER SEQUENCE: *1+ No one has yet received the mark of the beast. [2] The testing time has not yet come. There are true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion. [3] None are condemned until they have had the light and have seen the obligation of the fourth commandment. [4] But when the decree shall go forth enforcing the counterfeit Sabbath, and [in the case of those who had not previously heard or understood our message,] [5] the loud cry of the third angel shall warn men against the worship of the beast and his image, the line will be clearly drawn between the false and the true. [6] Then those who still continue in transgression will receive the mark of the beast. Evangelism, 234:2-235:0.

The sequence is this: (1) The judgment does not pass to the living until the national Sunday law is enacted and the sealing begins. (2) With the exception of those who die, probation closes for no one until they make their decision in that crisis. (3) Within a short time after the national Sunday law is enacted, those who already know the basics of the third angels message will be brought to the test and have to make their decision for Sabbath or Sunday. Each will then make his decision and be marked or sealed. At that moment, the investigative judgment will pass to his name, his case will be decided, and his probation closed. (4) In the few days or weeks necessary in each nation for that test to pass upon the church, the probation of its members and backsliders will close. (5) As soon as that decision is made, the faithful will receive the seal, latter rain, and begin giving the loud cry. Why will they then give the loud cry? Because probation has not closed for the majority of those out in the world; they have not yet heard the Sabbath truth and understand the issues involved. So that message is taken to them so they also can make their decisions. (END OF TIME SERIES p. 72)

Death The Day & Hr. Decree Armageddon

"Said the angel, "Deny self; ye must step fast." Some of us have had time to saw get the truth and . to advance stepthe by step, and every step we I"Time also that many do not what they must be in is almost finished Do you realize reflect lovely image of Jesus as CHURCH CHURCH have taken has given us strength to take the next. But now there time is in CHURCH you should?" Then I was pointed to the earth and saw that Trouble Continuing order to live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS almost finished, and what we have beenthose years who learning, they will have MILLITANT would have to be a getting ready among have of late the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who to learn in a few months. They will also much to unlearn and Little Time ofhave Trouble embraced the third angel's message. Said the angel, "Get ready, get Trouble Coming receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the much to learn again. Those who not receive the of thethan ready, get ready . Ye will have towould die a greater death tomark the world Country Living the beast and his image when the decree goes forth, must have decision time of ever trouble must reflect the image of Jesus ye Upon have yet Earth died." I saw that there was a great work to do for Growing own Food now to say,but Nay, we will not regard to the institution ofWRITINGS the beast.{Early them and little time in which do it. EARLY PAG 64 fully . {Early Writings page 71.1} Writings page 67.2}