The Firstfruits Barley Bride

of Yahushua, our Christ -

The 144,000 Who Awaken

All Ten Virgins

"The people of God, symbolized by a holy woman and her children, were

represented as greatly in the minority. In the last days only a remnant still

existed. Of these John speaks as they 'which keep the commandments of God,

and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." E. G. White, SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 972.

The bride of Jesus Christ is Zion. In Isaiah 62:1-5, it is she that is married. She

has sons (verse 5) and a daughter (verse 11).

1 For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not

rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation

thereof as a lamp that burneth.

2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou

shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. [Rev.

3:10-12)

3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal

diadem in the hand of thy God.

4 Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be

termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for

the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.

5 For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as

the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

6 I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold

their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,

Zion, the bride, the 144,000, are the faithful watchmen who do not hold their

peace day nor night.

7 And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in

the earth.

8 The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength,

Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of

the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:

9 But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that

have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.

10 Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast

up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the

people.

It is the bride, Zion, who prepares the way of the people by her torchlight

symbolized by light and spiritual discernment. It is she who lifts up a standard

for the people of God.

11 Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the

daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him,

and his work before him.

This is a paraphrase of the Loud Cry call of the bride in Christ’s Object Lessons,

405-6, “Behold the bridegroom cometh, Go ye out to meet Him.” On page 406,

it is the voice of God and the voice of the bride that awakens all ten bridesmaids

virgins: “The sleepers, suddenly awaking, spring to their feet. They see the

procession moving on, bright with torches and glad with music. They hear the

voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride.”

12 And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and

thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.

June 1, 1895 "Freely Ye Have Received, Freely Give."

By Mrs. E. G. White.

All day the people had pressed about Jesus, eager to hear his words and to

see his wondrous works. As evening began to fall, the sympathies of the

disciples were roused for the great multitude, who were now faint and weary

after the long, exciting day. They came to Jesus for permission to send the

crowds away--away from Jesus--to find refreshment. In amazement they heard

the Saviour's answer. "Give ye them to eat." "Master," they said, "we have here

but five loaves and two fishes." Yet at his command they brought their little

store to him; and, "looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the

loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude." {SSW, June 1, 1895

par. 1}

Christ did not himself pass around among the hungry multitude and place in

their hands the portion to supply their necessities. When he would feed the

five thousand by the Sea of Galilee, he broke the bread, blessed it, and gave it

to his disciples. They placed it in the hands of the hungry ones. These men were

ministering for Christ. The people took the provision from Christ's appointed

agencies as if they were taking it from the hand of Christ. When they looked up

with grateful response upon their lips, their expressions of gratitude were

accepted by Christ as given to himself. The various instrumentalities are to be

used by the Lord Jesus; ministers, evangelists, teachers, friends, companions--

all are workers together with God. {SSW, June 1, 1895 par. 2}

The “appointed agencies,” are the appointed barley bride of Christ. Some teach

that the bride of Christ, the 144,000 will not be formed until the close of

probation. Read Desire of Ages, 179, to find that Jesus had a bride in His

disciples. Will that bride be raised in the last days to be translated without

seeing death? Yes indeed. The Lord has been pleased to show this writer that

the disciples of Christ will not cease to be His bride because they were not born

in the last generation.

“When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the

fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the

appointed barley and the rie in their place?” Isaiah 28:25. The bride is

appointed (chosen) because of her deep, intense devotion to Christ, to wit:

"Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan,

but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with

deep, intense devotion. Next are those who perfected Christian characters in

the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when

the Christian world declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were

martyred for their faith. And beyond is the "great multitude, which no man

could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, . . . before

the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their

hands." Revelation 7:9. Their warfare is ended, their victory won. They have

run the race and reached the prize. The palm branch in their hands is a symbol

of their triumph, the white robe an emblem of the spotless righteousness of

Christ which now is theirs." E.G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 665.

Additional evidence that the bride is beginning to ripen (mature in the Word)

BEFORE the close of probation and even before the harvest is the fact that the

firstfruits crop of barley had to ripen and be presented to the Lord as the wave

sheaf BEFORE the harvest could begin:

“The Passover was followed by the seven day’s feast of unleavened bread. The

first and the seventh day were days of holy convocation, when no servile work

was to be performed. On the second day of the feast, the first fruits of the year’s

harvest were presented before God. BARLEY was the earliest grain in Palestine,

and at the opening of the feast it was beginning to ripen. A sheaf of this grain

was waved by the priest before the altar of God, as an acknowledgement that all

was His. Not until this ceremony had been performed was the harvest to be

gathered.” Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 539.

Another evidence that the bride is readied before she makes the Loud Cry, is the

fact that she gives the cry that awakens the 10 virgins. The bride is settled into

the truth so that she cannot be moved, even before the Loud Cry is given. COL

405-6.

The Barley Bride – The Firstfruits – The Wave Sheaf – The 144,000

“The Passover was followed by the seven days’ feast of unleavened bread. On

the second day of the feast, the first fruits of the year’s harvest, a sheaf of

BARLEY, was presented before the Lord. All the ceremonies of the feast were

types of the work of Christ. The deliverance of Israel from Egypt was an object-

lesson of redemption, which the Passover was intended to keep in memory.

The slain lamb, the unleavened bread, the sheaf of the first fruits, represented

the Saviour.” Desire of Ages, p. 77.

Ron’s Commentary: Christ was the firstfruits of all who ever rise from the dead,

as well as the firstfruits of those that are Christ’s (bride) at His coming. The

144,000 are types of the work of Christ in that they represent His Kingdom, the

New Jerusalem, GC 426, and they represent deliverance from sin—the

firstfruits of those who will have been delivered from the sin symbolized by

Egypt. They vindicate [are living proof] of the Holy Spirit’s power to cure sin and

regenerate man into the image of God. It was for this purpose that the Son of

God was raised: “The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the

kingdom, is called "the bride, the Lamb's wife." Said the angel to John: "Come hither, I will show thee the bride,

the Lamb's wife." "He carried me away in the spirit," says the prophet, "and showed me that great city, the holy

Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God." Revelation 21:9, 10. Clearly, then, the bride represents the

Holy City, and the virgins that go out to meet the bridegroom are a symbol of the church. GC 426

Act 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless

you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Jam 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be

a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are

virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These

were redeemed from among men, [being] the firstfruits unto God and to the

Lamb.

1Cr 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of

them that slept.

1Cr 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they

that are Christ's at his coming.

The Hidden Meaning in the Five Barley Loaves

and the Twelve Baskets of Fragments

The multitude was fed by the five barley loaves, and everyone had a

sufficiency; their hunger was perfectly satisfied. How surprised they were to

hear the voice of the great Teacher say, "Gather up the fragments that remain,

that nothing be lost!" And there were twelve baskets full gathered up. All this

the people rehearsed over and over again to friends, and relatives, and

acquaintances. There was in it a hidden meaning which they did not then

discern; it had a lesson for his disciples. The Lord would place in the hands of

his delegated servants the bread of life, to be given to the multitude. The

Jewish religion was one of exclusiveness. They built up the partition walls as

high as possible between themselves and the world. They would not accept the

words of Christ, that there is no respect of persons with God, although the

prophets had borne to them this testimony for centuries. They thought that

God loved the Jew only and hated the gentile. This error Christ was seeking to

correct. {SSW, June 1, 1895 par. 3}

Ron’s Commentary: The hidden meaning in the five barley loaves and the 12

baskets of fragments left over after feeding the five thousand is this: The 12

baskets of Fragments symbolized the 12 disciples, God’s delegated servants

who were to give the bread of life to the then known world and the 144,000

who will give it to the world at the end of time. Barley, being the first crop to

ripen in the Holy Land, was presented as the wave sheaf firstfruits offering of

the harvest. So, at the end of the world, the 144,000 strong bride of Christ, is

the firstfruits offering to Christ as His bride.

1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an

hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their

foreheads. [Philadelphians--See Rev. 3:10-12].

2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the

voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their

harps:

3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four

beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and

forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.

These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were

redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the

throne of God.

Zion is the earthly representative of the heavenly Jerusalem, Philadelphia, a

faultless church of men made perfect. Philadelphia is not faulted for one thing.

The bride is the representative of the heavenly church, Jerusalem:

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion [Zion], and unto the city of the living God,

the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn [firstfruits], which are

written [registered] in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of

just men made perfect,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of

sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused

him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from

him that speaketh from heaven:

"Characteristics of True Reformers.—Here [Isa. 8:11-14] are given the

characteristics of those who shall be reformers, who will bear the banner of the

third angel’s message, these who avow themselves God's commandment-

keeping people, and who honor God, and are earnestly engaged, in the sight of

all the universe, in building up the old waste places. Who is it that calls them,

The repairer of the breach, The restorers of paths to dwell in? It is God. Their

names are registered [written--Heb. 12:22, 23] in heaven as reformers,

restorers, as raising the foundations of many generations." E. G. White, SDA

Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, 1151.

The church triumphant of true reformers has always been in existence to come

to the aid of the sleeping virgin church militant is she will receive that aid:

"The members of the church triumphant--the church in heaven--will be

permitted to draw near to the members of the church militant, to aid them in

their necessity." E. G. White, The Southern Watchman, Sep. 8, 1903.

The 5000 Were Besides (In Addition to) Women and Children

As the sun was setting, Jesus saw before him five thousand people besides

women and children, who had been all day without food. He inquired of Philip

concerning the probability of obtaining bread for so large a number, that they

might not return to their homes unrefreshed nor faint by the way. This he did to

test the faith of his disciples, for he himself was at no loss how to provide food.

He who would not work a miracle to satisfy his own hunger in the wilderness,

would not allow the multitude to suffer for lack of food. Philip looked over the

sea of heads and thought how impossible it would be to obtain sufficient food to

satisfy the wants of such a crowd. He answered that two hundred penny-worth

of bread would not be nearly enough to divide among them so that each one

might have a little. Jesus inquired how much food could be found among the

company. He was told that Andrew had discovered a lad who had with him five

barley loaves, and two small fishes. But this was nothing among so many, and

they were in a desert place, where no more could be obtained. {2SP 261.2}

“The Saviour's act in breaking the bread and placing it in the hands of the

disciples for them to distribute, returning to Jesus to receive again, represents

the very work which is to be carried on in his spiritual kingdom. The treasures

of the grace of God are open to his believing agents, and they are constantly

receiving light and knowledge to impart to others. Those who freely receive

are to freely give. Christ bids us give to all, high or low, bond or free, of

whatever caste or nationality. Nothing is to exclude any from the privilege of

receiving the precious gifts of heaven. As the loaves and fishes, multiplied by

the power of Christ, were given by the disciples to the multitude, so the gift of

the precious, saving truth is imparted in rich abundance to all who will pass it

on to others and then expect fresh and new supplies from the great Center to

bestow upon all. "Freely ye have received, freely give." {SSW, June 1, 1895 par.

4}

Ron’s Commentary: It is the 144,000 who will be constantly receiving light and

knowledge to impart to others. They will be the Generals in God’s Army of Joel

2. The 144,000 will be an example of how God can multiply the bread of life in

the hands of His believing, appointed agents.

Joe 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the

cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I

sent among you.

“The narrow conceptions of God's grace and love which had been

propagated by the teachings of the rabbis and elders, were being swept away

by the words and works of Christ. The operations of Providence in the work of

Jesus were to impress upon the minds of the people the fact that in God is an

inexhaustible treasure house for his church. Whatever is imparted by Christ to

individual workers is to be passed on to those that need the light. Every ray of

light emanating from Christ is to be faithfully put to use to bless others. Thus

the divine agencies can cooperate with the human. As light is imparted, more

light is given. {SSW, June 1, 1895 par. 5}

"Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost." Do you believe

that the Lord still moves upon men to speak as the Holy Ghost gives them

utterance? Appreciate the blessing; let thanksgiving be offered to God. Gather

up the precious light, and impart it to others. Study to devise ways and means

of spreading the light. {SSW, June 1, 1895 par. 6}

Page 405

"To Meet the Bridegroom"

[This chapter is based on Matt. 25:1-13.]

Christ with His disciples is seated upon the Mount of Olives. The sun has set

behind the mountains, and the heavens are curtained with the shades of evening.

In full view is a dwelling house lighted up brilliantly as if for some festive

scene. The light streams from the openings, and an expectant company wait

around, indicating that a marriage procession is soon to appear. In many parts of

the East, wedding festivities are held in the evening. The bridegroom goes forth

to meet his bride and bring her to his home. By torchlight the bridal party

proceed from her father's house to his own, where a feast is provided for the

invited guests. In the scene upon which Christ looks, a company are awaiting the

appearance of the bridal party, intending to join the procession.

Lingering near the bride's house are ten young women robed in white. Each

carries a lighted lamp and a small flagon for oil. All are anxiously watching for

the appearance of the bridegroom. But there is a delay. Hour after hour passes;

the watchers become weary and fall asleep. At midnight the cry is heard,

"Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." The sleepers,

suddenly awaking, spring to their feet. They see the procession moving on,

bright with torches and glad with music. They hear the voice of the bridegroom

and the voice of the bride. The ten maidens seize their lamps and begin to trim

them, in haste to go forth. But five have neglected to fill their flasks with oil.

They did not anticipate so long a delay, and they have not prepared for the

emergency. In distress they appeal to their wiser companions saying, "Give us of

your oil; for our lamps are going out." (Margin.) But the waiting five, with their

freshly trimmed lamps, have emptied their flagons. They have no oil to spare,

and they answer, "Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye

rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves."

"Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan,

but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with

deep, intense devotion.

Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood

and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when the Christian world

declared it void, and the millions, of all ages, who were martyred for their faith.

And beyond is the "great multitude, which no man could number, of all

nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, . . . before the throne, and

before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands."

Revelation 7:9. Their warfare is ended, their victory won. They have run the

race and reached the prize. The palm branch in their hands is a symbol of their

triumph, the white robe an emblem of the spotless righteousness of Christ

which now is theirs." E.G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 665.

Obviously, the bride would be nearest the throne. This is why she is given more

light. She follows the Saviour with deep, intense devotion. She is willing to take

the calumnies that come with the act of giving new light and discovering to

God’s people their sins, deficiencies and gross abominations that He may head

those who have not willfully, knowingly participated in such after knowing the

truth.

In the summer and autumn of 1844 the proclamation, "Behold, the Bridegroom

cometh," was given. The two classes represented by the wise and foolish virgins

were then developed--one class who looked with joy to the Lord's appearing,

and who had been diligently preparing to meet Him; another class that,

influenced by fear and acting from impulse, had been satisfied with a theory of

the truth, but were destitute of the grace of God. In the parable, when the

bridegroom came, "they that were ready went in with him to the marriage." The

coming of the bridegroom, here brought to view, takes place before the

marriage. The marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom. The

Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the

kingdom, is called "the bride, the Lamb's wife." Said the angel to John:

"Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife." "He carried me away

in the spirit," says the prophet, "and showed me that great city, the holy

Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God." Revelation 21:9, 10. Clearly,

then, the bride represents the Holy City, and the virgins that go out to meet

the bridegroom are a symbol of the church. In the Revelation the people of

God are said to be the guests at the marriage supper. Revelation 19:9. If

guests, they cannot be represented also as the bride.

Christ, as stated by the prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of Days in

heaven, "dominion, and glory, and a kingdom;" He will receive the New

Jerusalem, the capital of His kingdom, "prepared as a bride adorned for her

husband." Daniel 7:14; Revelation 21:2. Having received the kingdom, He will

come in His glory, as King of kings and Lord of lords, for the redemption of His

people, who are to "sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob," at His table

in His kingdom (Matthew 8:11; Luke 22:30), to partake of the marriage supper

of the Lamb. E.G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 426

The bride is very different from the wheat and tare ten virgins who co-dwell

together. She is represented by the barley grain, the wave sheaf of the first

crop—the firstfruits unto God.

Man tends to believe that God needs Him to finish His work no matter what

man does. This is not the case in any wise. God will finish His work with 144,000

faithful Generals, just as He did with His twelve disciples and the 70 in His day.

There is another incidence wherein God fed one-hundred men with twenty-

loaves of BARLEY and full ears of corn:

“Read the account of how the prophet fed one hundred men: “There came a

man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the first-fruits,

twenty loaves of BARLEY, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said,

Give unto the people, that they may eat. And his servitor said, What, should I

set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may

eat: for thus saith the Lord, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. So he set it

before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the

Lord.” E.G. White, PH 008, An Appeal in Behalf of Our Work in Scandinavia, p.

22.

2Ki 4:42 And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of

God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the

husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat.

So God is proving to us that though He wants us to participate in the giving of

the gospel to the world, He does not need us by way of being dependent upon

us. The Jews made a mistake in thinking God needed them no matter what

they did, and Adventists are making the same mistake. But God is not

worshipped with men’s hands as though He needs anything:

"The Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people to serve Him. When the

Jewish people rejected Christ, the Prince of life, He took from them the

kingdom of God and gave it unto the Gentiles. God will continue to work on

this principle with every branch of His work. When a church proves unfaithful

to the work of the Lord, whatever their position may be, however high and

sacred their calling, the Lord can no longer work with them. Others are then

chosen to bear important responsibilities. But, if these in turn do not purify

their lives from every wrong action, if they do not establish pure and holy

principles in all their borders, then the Lord will grievously afflict and humble

them and, unless they repent, will remove them from their place and make

them a reproach.

God is not 'worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything (Acts

17:25)." E.G. White, The Upward Look, 131.

July 1, 1895 The Work before Us. By Mrs. E. G. White

The important truth that is presented before the people by the living

preacher, should be published in as compact a form as possible, and circulated

widely. Thus the truth which was placed before a limited number, may find

access to many minds. But let no extravagant expressions be used; do not

present the most startling points of truth before the people are prepared to

receive them; for all this would give occasion for the enemies of truth to

misconstrue and misrepresent it. Those who have become interested are

compelled to meet sophistry and misrepresentation from popular ministers,

and they know not how to answer these things. Satan is wide-awake; he never

gives himself a vacation, but is on the track of every soul who is convicted of

the truth. Therefore let the reasons of our faith, which have been presented to

the people in clear lines, be furnished them in printed form, so that they can

read what the minister has said, and give it to their friends. Let these

publications be widely scattered. Truth has been strangely perverted, all evil

influences are at work, and we must work with persevering, determined effort,

for "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against

powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual

wickedness in high places." Then "quit you like men, be strong." {SSW, July 1,

1895 par. 1}

After the five thousand had been fed, there were twelve baskets of food

gathered up; the one basketful had increased to twelve. So when our means

are wholly inadequate for the needs of the work, let none of the Lord's workers

become discouraged at the situation. To depend upon what we can see is not

faith. Faith depends upon God's promises. It is "the substance of things hoped

for, the evidence of things not seen. "The precious things of God, if appreciated

and imparted, will be more abundantly bestowed. The Lord is not pleased with

our unbelief. If those upon whom rests the management of the great interests

of the cause speak uncertainly, unbelievingly, the Lord is grieved, for they are

robbing themselves of the rich treasures of his grace. When one refuses to

move unless he can walk by sight, his faith amounts to nothing. If we were

placed in a position similar to that of the disciples, with the great multitude and

the five little barley loaves, would it be hard for us to believe, hard to trust in

God? {SSW, July 1, 1895 par. 2}

The Lord expects his agents to do their best. The fragments are to be

gathered up; all needless expenditures for selfish gratification are to be cut off.

Let self-denial and the cross become a portion of our individual experience. The

Lord Jesus would have us study his word faithfully. The unbelieving will not be

quick to discern the movings of Providence, but we should cultivate faith, and

use every talent that can be employed in dispensing to others the bread of life.

We can never be better employed than in imparting the light received. By every

whole-hearted, earnest sacrifice we make for the Master's service, our talents

will be increased. But we are to be only the instruments for the Holy Spirit's

working. Thus the grace of God will work in us to form new habits, to overcome

powerful propensities, and to deny old inclinations. {SSW, July 1, 1895 par. 3}

Unbelief regards the precious light, the precious evidences which God gives,

as a matter of no special importance. This is why the Lord can do nothing for

those who have not faith; the Holy Spirit would be treated by them as a

common thing. This unbelief will bind about the work of God. {SSW, July 1,

1895 par. 4}

Oh, there is too much arguing on the side of unbelief! When a worker loses

his faith, he needs to take a vacation, have little or nothing to do, until the Lord

shall work in his behalf, and imbue him with the Holy Spirit. He needs to have

his perceptive faculties sharpened that he may discern the works and ways of

God. He has received an education of an objectionable character, and he needs

reshaping. The light of heaven must shine upon him. {SSW, July 1, 1895 par. 5}

Christ says to his disciples, "Cast the net on the right of the ship, and ye shall

find." We must work on the faith side. The proper enlargement of the work is

an impossibility unless we dare to press our way against forbidding

circumstances. Those who fear to risk something will never attain an

experience of the greatness, value, and security of the unfailing resources of

heaven. {SSW, July 1, 1895 par. 6}

The Lord has thrown open before us the door of heavenly commerce. We

are to trade on our Lord's goods. He himself is our security if we walk and work

by faith. The humblest believer may trade upon the entrusted capital; he may

employ all his powers to the glory of God; and the one talent, thus consecrated

to the Master's use, will increase unto precious treasures. {SSW, July 1, 1895

par. 7}

Signs of the Times, July 21, 1898 Counting the Cost.

"If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and

children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he can not be My

disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, can not be

My disciple." {ST, July 21, 1898 par. 1}

“Great multitudes followed Christ, and He welcomed with joy all who came

to Him for instruction; but the Searcher of hearts knew who in the throngs that

daily pressed about Him were really disposed to own Him as the promised

Messiah. Many who witnessed His miracles thought that the power which

could heal the sick, feed five thousand men with five barley loaves and two

small fishes, and raise the dead, would be a great help to them in their

temporal necessities. They had followed Christ in the hope that He would be

exalted to David's throne.

They wanted the highest place. But Christ would not have men count upon

ease and earthly advantages in connecting themselves with Him. In His lesson

He taught them that self-denial and the most difficult sacrifice must be

expected of all who would become His disciples. Those who engage in His

service must be ready to give up their dearest friends and relatives, to be

despised as fanatics and fools, and to suffer bodily harm for His name's sake. If

they should become discouraged by what the world might say or do; if they

should not endure the test of their love and loyalty; if they refused to keep

God's commandments because their neighbors made sport of them, they could

not perfect that faith which works by love, and purifies the soul. {ST, July 21,

1898 par. 2}

Barley loaf a Symbol of Victory at Last—The Church Triumphant

July 14, 1881 Victory at Last. By Mrs. E. G. White.

When Gideon stood at the head of thirty thousand men to make war

against the Midianites, he felt that unless God should work for Israel, their

cause would be hopeless. At the divine command the Hebrew force had been

reduced by successive tests, until there remained with him, only three hundred

men to oppose that countless multitude. What wonder that his heart sunk

within him as he thought of the conflict of the morrow. {ST, July 14, 1881 par.

1}

But the Lord did not leave his faithful servant to despair. He spoke to

Gideon in the night season, and bade him, with Phurah, his trusty attendant, go

down to the camp of the Midianites, intimating that he would there hear

matter for his encouragement. He went, and waiting there in darkness and

silence, he heard one soldier, just awakened, relate a dream to his companion:

"Lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a

tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it that the tent lay along. {ST,

July 14, 1881 par. 2}

The other answered in words that stirred the heart of that unseen listener,

"This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel;

for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host." {ST, July 14,

1881 par. 3}

Gideon recognized the voice of God speaking to him through the words of

these Midianitish strangers. His faith and courage were greatly strengthened,

and he rejoiced that Israel's God could work through the humblest means to

abase the pride of men. With confidence and hope, he returned to the few

men under his command, saying, "Arise, for the Lord hath delivered into your

hand the host of Midian." {ST, July 14, 1881 par. 4}

The apparently powerless condition of that little company of Israelites,

compared with the vast host of the enemy, was fitly represented by the cake

of barley bread. But as that loaf overthrew the tent upon which it fell, so

would the handful of Israelites destroy their numerous and powerful

enemies. The Lord himself directed Gideon's mind in the adoption of a plan

which the latter immediately set out to execute. He divided his three hundred

men into three companies. To every man was given a trumpet, and a pitcher

containing a lighted lamp. He then stationed his men in such a manner that

they surrounded the entire camp of Midian. They had been previously

instructed how to proceed, and at midnight, at a signal from Gideon, all the

three companies blew their trumpets, uncovered their lamps, and broke the

pitchers, at the same time shouting, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!"

The light of three hundred lamps, piercing the midnight darkness, and that

mighty shout from three hundred voices, suddenly aroused the sleeping army.

Believing themselves at the mercy of an overwhelming force, the Midianites

were panic-stricken. A terrible scene of confusion ensued. In their fright they

fled in all directions, and mistaking their own companions for enemies they

slew one another. {ST, July 14, 1881 par. 5}

As the news of Israel's victory spread, many who had been sent to their

homes returned, and joined in the pursuit of their fleeing enemies. Gideon also

sent messengers to the Ephraimites, requesting them to seize the fords of the

Jordan that the fugitives might not escape eastward. {ST, July 14, 1881 par. 6}

In this terrible overthrow, not less than one hundred and twenty thousand

of the invaders were slain, and so completely were the Midianites subdued that

they were never again able to make war upon Israel. A remnant of fifteen

thousand who managed to escape across the river, were pursued by Gideon

and his faithful three hundred, and utterly defeated, and Zebah and Zalmunna,

two Midianite princes, were slain. {ST, July 14, 1881 par. 7}

Nothing can happen in any part of the universe without the knowledge of

Him who is omnipresent. Not a single event of human life is unknown to our

Maker. While Satan is constantly devising evil, the Lord our God overrules all,

so that it will not harm his obedient, trusting children. The same power that

controls the boisterous waves of the ocean can hold in check all the power of

rebellion and of crime. God says to one as to the other, "Thus far shalt thou go,

and no farther." {ST, July 14, 1881 par. 8}

What lessons of humility and faith may we not learn as we trace the dealings

of God with his creatures. The Lord can do but little for the children of men,

because they are so full of pride and vain glory. They exalt self, magnifying their

own strength, learning, and wisdom. It is necessary for God to disappoint their

hopes and frustrate their plans, that they may learn to trust in him alone. All

our powers are from God; we can do nothing independent of the strength

which he has given us. Where is the man or woman or child that God does not

sustain? Where is the desolate place which God does not fill? Where is the

want that any but God can supply? {ST, July 14, 1881 par. 9}

The psalmist represents the presence of the Infinite One as pervading the

universe. "If I ascend up into Heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell,

behold, thou art there." We can never find a solitude where God is not. The

ever watchful eye of Omniscience is upon all our works, and although he can

marshal the armies of Heaven to do his will, he condescends to accept the

services of frail, erring mortals. {ST, July 14, 1881 par. 10}

Because of the pride and ambition of the children of men, God has chosen to

perform his mighty works by the most simple and humble means. It is not the

men whom the world honors as great, talented, or brilliant, that God selects.

He chooses those who will work in meekness and simplicity, acknowledging

him as their leader and their source of strength. He would have us make him

our protector and our guide in all the duties and affairs of life. {ST, July 14, 1881

par. 11}

His care for the works of his creation is unwearied and incessant. When men

go forth to their daily toil, as when they engage in prayer; when they lie down

at night, and when they rise in the morning; when the rich man feasts in his

palace, when the poor man gathers his children about the scanty board, each is

tenderly watched by his Heavenly Father. No tears can be shed that God does

not notice. There is no smile that he does not mark. Those to whom he has

committed important trusts he regards with vigilance. All their actions and

most secret motives must pass his scrutiny. He has bestowed upon them all

their talents and abilities, and he will hold them to a strict account for the

improvement of these gifts. If they attain success, it is because the God of

wisdom has prospered them. {ST, July 14, 1881 par. 12}

The Majesty of Heaven works by whom he will. His providence sometimes

selects the humblest instruments to do the greatest work; for his power is

revealed through the weakness of men. We have our standard of reckoning,

and by it we pronounce one thing great, and another small; but God estimates

not according to the standard of men; he does not graduate his scale by theirs.

We are not to suppose that what is great to us must be great to God, and what

is small to us must be small to him. {ST, July 14, 1881 par. 13}

He who upholds the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity, at the

same time cares for the wants of the little brown sparrow that sings its humble

song without a fear. He cares for everything and sustains everything

throughout the universe that he has created. {ST, July 14, 1881 par. 14}

If we would but fully believe this, all undue anxieties would be dismissed.

With humble prayer and trusting faith, we would seek counsel from God in all

our plans and purposes of life. Then all our acts would be governed by

discretion, our energies would be rightly directed.

Then our lives would not be so filled with disappointment as now; for

everything, small or great, would be left in the hands of God, who is not

perplexed by the multiplicity of cares, nor overwhelmed by their weight. We

should then enjoy a rest of soul to which many have long been strangers. {ST,

July 14, 1881 par. 15}

Ruth and Boaz

For those who can discern it, there is symbolism in the betrothel of Ruth to

Boaz during the barley threshing season. Boaz is a type of Christ and Ruth is the

barley bride. The maidens (bridesmaids) symbolize the ten virgins.

Rth 2:8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to

glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my

maidens:

Rth 2:22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, [It is] good, my

daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any

other field.

Rth 2:23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of

barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

Rth 3:2 And now [is] not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast?

Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.

Rth 3:9 And he said, Who [art] thou? And she answered, I [am] Ruth thine

handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou [art] a near

kinsman.

I am providing the verses with the words SKIRT and SKIRTS in them so you may

discern the symbolism therein:

Deu 22:30 A man shall not take his father's wife, nor discover his father's skirt.

Deu 27:20 Cursed [be] he that lieth with his father's wife; because he

uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Rth 3:9 And he said, Who [art] thou? And she answered, I [am] Ruth thine

handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou [art] a near

kinsman.

1Sa 15:27 And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt

of his mantle, and it rent.

1Sa 24:4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the

LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that

thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and

cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.

1Sa 24:5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because

he had cut off Saul's skirt.

1Sa 24:11 Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand:

for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see

that [there is] neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not

sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

Eze 16:8 Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time

[was] the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy

nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith

the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

Hag 2:12 If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do

touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the

priests answered and said, No.

Zec 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days [it shall come to pass],

that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take

hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have

heard [that] God [is] with you.

The Word Skirts

Psa 133:2 [It is] like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon

the beard, [even] Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

Jer 2:34 Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents:

I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.

Jer 13:22 And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon

me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, [and] thy

heels made bare.

Jer 13:26 Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may

appear.

Lam 1:9 Her filthiness [is] in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end;

therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold

my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified [himself].

Eze 5:3 Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy

skirts.

Nah 3:5 Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover

thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the

kingdoms thy shame.

Ezekiel 5:3 is especially symbolic of the remnant that is left after the Ezekiel 9

slaughter of the apostate church, verses 1and 2.

The meaning for skirt and skirts is the same, #3671. It symbolizes the

REMNANT.

Number 3671 Transliteration: kanaph {kaw-nawf'}

Word Origin: from 3670 TWOT: 1003a

Part of Speech: noun feminine Usage in the KJV:

wing 74, skirt 14, borders 2, corners 2, ends 2, feathered 2,

sort 2, winged 2, misc 8 Total: 108

Definition:

1. wing, extremity, edge, winged, border, corner, shirt

A. wing

B. extremity

a. skirt, corner (of garment)

TDNT - Theological Dictionary of the New Testament

TWOT - Theological Word Book of the Old Testament

A corner of garment symbolizes the remnant of the garment which

symbolizes the final barley bride remnant who are translated without seeing

death.

August 6, 1894 The Ten Virgins. By Mrs. E. G. White.

Seated upon the Mount of Olives, which was over against the temple, with

his disciples around him, Jesus seeks to make clear in a prophetic discourse the

deeper mysteries of the kingdom of God. Through his favorite medium, by

parables, he endeavors to imprint upon their minds the special truths

connected with his second coming to our world. The sun has set behind the

mountains, and the heavens are curtained with the shades of evening. A

dwelling house is lighted up brilliantly, as though for some festive scene. The

lights shine from the open spaces, and an expectant company wait around,

indicating that a marriage procession is soon to appear. In many parts of the

East wedding festivities are held in the evening. The bridegroom goes forth to

meet his bride, and bring her to his home. By torchlight he will bring her along

the streets from her father's house to his own, where a supper is prepared for

the guests invited to the wedding. {ST, August 6, 1894 par. 1}

Lingering near the bride's house are ten young women, in attire suitable for

the occasion. Ten was the usual number who were chosen as bridesmaids.

Each of the bridal attendants has a lamp and a small vessel for oil. Their lamps

are lighted, and as hour after hour of waiting goes by, they grow weary of

watching, and, one after another, they fall asleep. About midnight the

sleepers [they all slumbered and slept—Matt. 25:5] are awakened with the

cry, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh." They exchange their slumbers for life

and activity. They spring to their feet. The wedding procession is in sight, with

the brilliant torches shining, and they can hear the joyous music as they

approach. The ten virgins seize their lamps, and begin to trim them to go forth;

but five of the watchers have been wise and five foolish. Five have neglected to

fill their vessels with oil. They have not expected the bridegroom to tarry so

long, and have not prepared for the emergency. They are in distress, not

because they see that their lamps are going out, but because they know that

there is nothing in their vessels by which to replenish them. They address a

piteous appeal to those who have provided themselves with oil; but they are

denied, for the wise virgins have only enough to fill their own lamps, and they

are bidden to hasten away and buy oil from the dealer. And while they are

away on this errand, the bridegroom comes. The wise virgins, with lamps

trimmed and burning, join the procession, and go in to the wedding, and the

door is shut. {ST, August 6, 1894 par. 2}

Ron’s Commentary: The voice of God AND THE VOICE OF THE BRIDE, awakens

all ten of the sleeping virgins. This distinguishes the bride from the 10

bridesmaidens who are guests at the wedding.

In the message to Laodicea, Rev. 3, we are counseled to buy gold tried in the

fire. This is character—faith that works by the indwelling self-sacrificing love of

Christ. This is not transferable, thus the foolish virgins try to buy oil (character)

too late.

"The people of God, symbolized by a holy woman and her children, were

represented as greatly in the minority. In the last days only a remnant still

existed. Of these John speaks as they 'which keep the commandments of God,

and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." E. G. White, Signs of the Times, Nov. 1,

1899, and Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 972.

Soon after the door is shut, the foolish virgins come, knocking for

admittance to the banquet hall, but they meet with an unexpected answer to

their call. The Master of the feast says, "I know you not." There is no evidence

given that the foolish virgins did obtain oil, but there is abundant evidence that

they did not enter into the marriage feast, but were left standing outside in the

empty streets in the blackness of the night. {ST, August 6, 1894 par. 3}

Jesus used the parable of the ten virgins to represent the condition of the

church before his coming, and the question that concerns each one of us is, Are

we among the five wise or the five foolish virgins? Without going into the

details of the parable, we may ask ourselves, What is our condition before

God? Those that were wise went in to the wedding. We shall make it manifest

what is our true condition by our conduct and conversation. Jesus has warned

us as to what should be our position at this time. He says, "Watch therefore, for

ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh." {ST,

August 6, 1894 par. 4}

He who relaxes his vigilance because he knows not the day nor the hour

when his Lord shall come, who becomes careless, and neglects to have his

vessel filled with oil (the grace of Christ), will be found unprepared, and will not

go in to the wedding. How solemn is the oft-repeated warning that our Lord

has given to watch! He says, "Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think

not the Son of Man cometh." If a much-loved friend in the last hours of his

association with us should give us counsel, warning, or instruction, how

carefully would we treasure his words, how faithfully would we follow his

instruction, and give attention to his cautions! Christ is our best Friend, for he

has purchased us at infinite cost, and has made us his sons and daughters, and

these soul-stirring words have been uttered by him for our benefit. Shall we

not regard his claim upon us, and give him our service and our sympathy? If we

do this, we shall not be neglectful of his warning, "Watch ye therefore; for ye

know not when the Master of the house cometh, at evening, or at midnight, or

at the cock crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you

sleeping. And what I say unto you [my disciples] I say unto all, Watch." "Let

your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto

men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that, when

he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately." {ST, August 6,

1894 par. 5}

Now is the time to look to it that we have on hand an abundant supply of

the oil of the grace of Christ. It was the wisdom of the wise virgins in supplying

themselves with oil that made the difference between their fate and that of the

foolish virgins, who had neglected to keep oil in their vessels with their lamps.

In the Scripture, oil is used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The wise virgins are

those who have faith and love and patience, whose experience day by day is

nourished by the Holy Spirit. They do not conform to the world in careless

inattention. They do not put off their daily preparation, but follow Jesus

wherever he leads the way. God is not pleased with a flickering faith. It is

compared to a lamp that is going out. He is pleased with those whose

experience is like that of a lamp that is burning brightly. His followers are to

shine as lights in the world. Christ's servants are to keep their lamps trimmed

and burning, that they may add their light to the light of others who are

following Christ. Those who are not daily desirous of gaining a living, daily

experience in the things of God, will not meet his approval, but will be found

with those whose lamps are going out, and will not be prepared to go in to the

marriage supper of the Lamb. We cannot be ready to meet the Lord by waking

up at the last minute, when the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,"

gathering up our lamps, from which the oil has burned away, and thinking then

to have them replenished. Our only hope is daily to love God, to love the truth,

not for the sake of its clear arguments, but for truth's sake alone. We must

bring the truth into our hearts and minds, and every day be living, shining

lights, learning daily more and more of Jesus. Our conversation must be in

heaven, from whence we look for our Lord Jesus Christ. We should talk much of

his coming; then we shall be constantly receiving the grace which cometh from

above, from the Source of all spiritual power. {ST, August 6, 1894 par. 6}

The time is far spent. It is too late now to sleep the careless sleep of

indifference. It is time now to rejoice greatly because of the Bridegroom's

voice. It is time to sing of the marriage supper of the Lamb. The question for us

to settle is, Which class shall we be among, the wise or the foolish? God help us

to be among the wise. "Blessed are they that are called unto the marriage

supper of the Lamb."

"The watchmen on the mountains

Proclaim the Bridegroom near;

Go meet him as he cometh

With hallelujahs clear.

"The marriage feast is waiting;

The gates wide open stand;

Up, up, ye heirs of glory,

The Bridegroom is at hand."

{ST, August 6, 1894 par. 7}

The miracle of the loaves teaches a lesson of dependence upon God. When

Christ fed the five thousand, the food was not nigh at hand. Apparently He had

no means at His command. Here He was, with five thousand men, besides

women and children, in the wilderness. He had not invited the large multitude

to follow Him; they came without invitation or command; but He knew that

after they had listened so long to His instruction, they would feel hungry and

faint; for He was one with them in their need of food. They were far from

home, and the night was close at hand. Many of them were without means to

purchase food. He who for their sake had fasted forty days in the wilderness

would not suffer them to return fasting to their homes. The providence of God

had placed Jesus where He was; and He depended on His heavenly Father for

the means to relieve the necessity. {DA 368.2}

And when we are brought into strait places, we are to depend on God. We

are to exercise wisdom and judgment in every action of life, that we may not,

by reckless movements, place ourselves in trial. We are not to plunge into

difficulties, neglecting the means God has provided, and misusing the faculties

He has given us. Christ's workers are to obey His instructions implicitly. The

work is God's, and if we would bless others His plans must be followed. Self

cannot be made a center; self can receive no honor. If we plan according to our

own ideas, the Lord will leave us to our own mistakes. But when, after

following His directions, we are brought into strait places, He will deliver us.

We are not to give up in discouragement, but in every emergency we are to

seek help from Him who has infinite resources at His command. Often we shall

be surrounded with trying circumstances, and then, in the fullest confidence,

we must depend upon God. He will keep every soul that is brought into

perplexity through trying to keep the way of the Lord. {DA 369.1}

Christ has bidden us, through the prophet, "Deal thy bread to the hungry,"

and "satisfy the afflicted soul;" "when thou seest the naked, that thou cover

him," and "bring the poor that are cast out to thy house." Isa. 58:7-10. He has

bidden us, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

Mark 16:15. But how often our hearts sink, and faith fails us, as we see how

great is the need, and how small the means in our hands. Like Andrew looking

upon the five barley loaves and the two little fishes, we exclaim, "What are

they among so many?" Often we hesitate, unwilling to give all that we have,

fearing to spend and to be spent for others. But Jesus has bidden us, "Give ye

them to eat." His command is a promise; and behind it is the same power that

fed the multitude beside the sea. {DA 369.2}

In Christ's act of supplying the temporal necessities of a hungry multitude is

wrapped up a deep spiritual lesson for all His workers. Christ received from the

Father; He imparted to the disciples; they imparted to the multitude; and the

people to one another. So all who are united to Christ will receive from Him the

bread of life, the heavenly food, and impart it to others. {DA 369.3}

God bless, and may we all strive to be among the 144,000. Though she will not

know that she is of the 144,000 for sure, and will not technically be the 144,000

per say until she passes through the great time of Jacob’s trouble, she will have

a good idea by her response to truth.

When the bride comes to day 1335 after the initial legislation of the Sunday

law, she will know that she is part of the 144,000. That is the blessing in

reaching that point (Dan. 12:12). The worse martyrdom will occur during a 45

day period from day 1290-1335, after the initial legislation of the Sunday law.

That is the prime time that martyrs will function as seed for fruit. This

knowledge is to give her courage during the great time of Jacob’s trouble.

The first 3 ½ period of time after the initial legislation of the Sunday law, is

according to the prefigure of A.D. 66-70, the period of respite during which the

Jews fled to the mountains. See Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. 451 and 464. However,

during that time we move from the cities to smaller towns preparatory to

leaving for the mountains at the time the Sunday law will be enforced by

penalty of no buy and sell and death. There will be many martyrs as seed for

fruit.

Here is what happened in the prefigure as referred to in The Great Controversy,

p. 25, 1911 edition:

Jews flee before A.D. 70 fulfillment of Ezekiel 9:

“In the autumn of A.D. 66, Cestius next concentrated his entire force upon

Jerusalem. He arrived during the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, and

although it was Sabbath, the Jews abandoned their religious rites and rushed

out to attack Cestius’ troops. To the amazement of both Romans and Jews,

they broke the Roman ranks. Indeed, Josephus declares that only a flank attack

by a force of footmen and cavalry saved Cestius’ forces. More than 500 Roman

soldiers were killed whereas the Jews lost only 22 men (War ii. 198, 2 [519]). At

this point Agrippa sent an embassy to the Jews; their reaction was to attack his

representatives, killing one and wounding the other. Encouraged by a promise

of the royalist party in Jerusalem to open the gates for him, Cestius then

gathered his troops to a fresh assault, and penetrated as far as the north wall

of the Temple. Then an astounding thing happened:

Cestius withdrew his troops, and placed himself strategically in such a poor

position among the Judean hills that the Jews were able to attack him and kill

more than 5,000 infantry and nearly 500 cavalry, including many officers, as

well as to capture much materiel.

A Lull in the Storm.—The defeat and withdrawal of Cestius gave many of the

conservative Jews a chance to flee from Jerusalem. Some of them joined

Agrippa, others sought quiet in country places, and still others left the country

entirely. It was at this time that the Christians in Jerusalem fled in accordance

with the warning of Jesus recorded in Matt. 24:15-19. According to Eusebius,

the 4th-century historian, the Christians in Jerusalem had been warned by

prophets before the war began that they should leave the doomed city and find

refuge at Pella in Peraea. They now took this opportunity to make good their

escape (Ecclesiastical History iii. 5, 3).” SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, 74, 75.

The wound of Revelation 13:1-5 will not be fully healed until after 3 ½ years

after the initial Sunday law at which time there will be a 30 day warning period.

The end of that 30 day warning will be day 1290 of Daniel 12:11, 12.

Martyrdom will begin at that time and some martyrdom will even be

committed in anticipation of that date. The beginning of day 1290 from the

inception of the Sunday law, is when the wound is fully healed and there will be

another 1260 day period AFTER the wound is healed, Revelation 13:1-5.

(Rev. 7:2.) Seal Is a Settling Into Truth.--Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads--it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved--just as soon as God's people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning, that we may know what is coming (MS 173, 1902). {4BC 1161.6}.

The bride is settled into truth so that she cannot be moved BEFORE the Loud Cry. That is why it is she who awakens all ten virgins!!! COL, 405-6.

"Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads--it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved—just as soon as God's people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed it has BEGUN ALREADY...." E.G. White, SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, pp.1161. cf. the following statement:

God's Measurement of Those Who Walk in the Light They Have.—The Lord will give His message to those who have walked in accordance with the light they have had, and will recognize them as true and faithful, according to the measurement of God. These men will take the place of those who, having light and knowledge, have walked not in the way of the Lord, but in the imagination of their own unsanctified hearts. {3SM 422.1}

All blessings,

Ron W. Beaulieu