Our first general meeting in western New York, beginning August 18, was held at Volney, in Brother David Arnold's barn. About thirty-five were present,--all the friends that could be collected in that part of the State. But of this number there were hardly two agreed. Some were holding serious errors, and each strenuously urged his own views, declaring that they were according to the Scriptures.  {LS 110.4}
     One brother held that the one thousand years of the twentieth chapter of Revelation were in the past, and that the one hundred and forty-four thousand mentioned in the seventh and fourteenth chapters of Revelation, were those raised at Christ's resurrection.  {LS 110.5}

 

 

The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spoke the time, He poured upon us the Holy Ghost, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God, as Moses' did when he came down from Mount Sinai.  {EW 14}

 

 

It is not His plan that His people shall present something which they have to suppose, which is not taught in the Word. It is not His will that they shall get into controversy over questions which will not help them spiritually, such as, Who is to compose the hundred and forty-four thousand? This those who are the elect of God will in a short time know without question.  {1SM 174.3}

 

It is not His will that they shall get into controversy over questions which will not help them spiritually, such as, Who is to compose the hundred and forty-four thousand. This those who are the elect of God will in a short time know without question.  {7BC 978.4}
     My brethren and sisters, appreciate and study the truths God has given for you and your children. Spend not your time in seeking to know that which will be no spiritual help. "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" This is the all-important question, and it has been clearly answered. "What is written in the law? how readest thou? (MS 26, 1901).  {7BC 978.5}

 

When asked about who they were and about the number, Ellen White said she had no light on the subject of the 144,000.

 

I have no light on the subject [as to just who would constitute the 144,000]. . . . Please tell my brethren that I have nothing presented before me regarding the circumstances concerning which they write, and I can set before them only that which has been presented to me.--Quoted in a letter by C. C. Crisler to E. E. Andross, Dec. 8, 1914. (In White Estate Document File, Number 164.)  {3SM

51.2}

 

 

By their own painful experience they learned the evil of sin, its power, its guilt, its woe; and they look upon it with abhorrence. A sense of the infinite sacrifice made for its cure humbles them in their own sight and fills their hearts with gratitude and praise which those who have never fallen cannot appreciate. They love much because they have been forgiven much. Having been partakers of Christ's sufferings, they are fitted to be partakers with Him of His glory.  {GC 649.1}

 

 

The spotless robe of Christ's righteousness is placed upon the tried, tempted, faithful children of God. The despised remnant are clothed in glorious apparel, nevermore to be defiled by the corruptions of the world. Their names are retained in the Lamb's book of life, enrolled among the faithful of all ages. They have resisted the wiles of the deceiver; they have not been turned from their loyalty by the dragon's roar. Now they are eternally secure from the tempter's devices. Their sins are transferred to the originator of sin. A "fair miter" is set upon their heads. While Satan has been urging his accusations, holy angels, unseen, have been passing to and fro, placing upon the faithful ones the seal of the living God. These are they that stand upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having the Father's name written in their foreheads. They sing the new song before the throne, that song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth. "These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." Revelation 14:4, 5.  {PK 591, 2}

 

 Some Conclusions

 

The 144,000 are the living saint's, the first fruits of those who have gone through the time of trouble, and meet Jesus when he comes.

They are not male virgins, because EG White is among them. It is not a super race of perfect people who have never sinned or are saved by sanctificationism. They are saved the same way we all must be, by grace through faith.

 

They are composed of the living saints and not the great multitude in the general resurrection. So is it a literal number? Are there only 144,000 saved, as the Jehovah's Witness' teach? I think not. This is a perfect, complete number representing everyone who is alive when Jesus comes, who are not defiled by the false teachings of Babylon, and is not comprised of only men, or virgins in the literal sense. This is what my teaching is on this subject. However, if you agree with the J.W. and think it literal, I do not enter into controversy with you. Believe as you will.

 

EGW had no definitive light on that issue and neither do I! I do know this, they were great sinners, but JESUS IS A GREAT SAVIOR!

 

AMEN AND AMEN!