No, the SDA Church
As noted by the South Pacific Division of the SDA Church
“The Book of Revelation, a highly symbolic and visionary book of the Bible, mentions the number 144,000 in chapter 7. Though the Adventist Church
Seventh-day Adventists believe that when Jesus Christ returns to earth for the second time, He will take to heaven His people. We also believe that faithful people from all ages, not just Adventists, are the people of God.”
Some Adventists do attempt to identity the 144,000, with claims that it represents a literal number. However, Ellen White herself instructed that the identity of the 144,000 was not a question about which people should speculate:
“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.” (Selected Messages, book 1, pp. 174, 175)
But she clearly said Adventists are the only people taken to Heaven and you know it. Everyone else will remain on a hellish godless Earth for a thousand years while god and Adventists sit in judgement over them! Come on say it all here.
ReplyDeleteShe clearly does not. Faithful people to God from all walks will be saved. I won't get into the "Do the 144,000 represent a literal or symbolic number," but I will point you to Revelation 7:9-12, 14-17
Delete9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
14 ...These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
The 144,000 represent (those among) God's faithful servants calling the world out of Babylon. But it says a great multitude which can't be numbered would be saved beyond the 144,000.
And if we take this understanding, it gives more insight into Revelation 22:17
"17 And the Spirit and the bride (God's church - see Eph 5:25) say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
So first, the church through the power of the Holy Spirit calm those out of a Babylon. Then those coming out call even more people out. And after all is said and done, a great multitude that cannot be numbered with by man would have come through those tribulations and been saved. Amen!
Isaiah 55:6-9
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.