Exodus 20:8-11(KJV) reads:

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

The Sabbath Commandment, the FOURTH Commandment, found in the Bible in Exodus 20:8-11 contains a special blessing in it. It also contains the SEAL

, or SIGN, or STAMP, also called a SIGNET RING, a symbolic "ring" of "authority" upon the hand of those who obey and keep it holy. 

OPEN=OBEDIENCE: Like Noah's Ark today, our only safety today in these end times is to obey all the Commandments of God and to go by faith into the City of God, the "church" triumphant today in the Most Holy Place in the Heavenly Sanctuary. The "church" in Heaven. Our Commandment keeping bodies represent the "Body of Christ" which is the "Church Triumphant". There are twelve gates into the City of God. Each one of the 10 Commandments of God represents a Pearly Gate in the Heavenly City of God. When we obey each one of the 10 Commandments, this OPENS the doors into the City of God for us! There are two gates, two tables of stone that swing open to allow entrance into the City of God when we obey what was written in stone by the finger of God!

"The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass" Revelation 21:21.

"The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve angels at the gates" 

Revelation 21:12

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"down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, producing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree (Bible verse promises) are for the healing of the nations" 

Revelation 22:2

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Revelation 7King James Version (KJV):

7 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 

Please take time to read this absolutely amazing article on the 144,000 and who they are... download the PDF here:

• Smith – A Study of the 144,000.pdf
  
   Learn more from the 144,000 of which you have a chance to become if you faithfully live and give the Three Angel's Messages found in Revelation 14:6-12 here.
  
  

[Jesus says those who obey me are my Mother, brother and sister = Spiritual Israel today are those who obey God's Commandments, the promise given to Abraham that his seed would be as the sands of the sea = those who obey God and believe His Word, without doubting His promises: "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother" Matthew 12:50.]

NAMES INSCRIBED ABOVE THE 12 GATES ON THE CITY OF GOD THAT WE ARE TO ENTER BY FAITH THROUGH OBEDIENCE TO THE TWELVE PEARLY COMMANDMENTS ARE THE TWELVE PEARLY GATES INTO THE CITY OF GOD. THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST WHICH IS THE VISIBLE MANIFESTATION OF JESUS CHRIST THE ANNOINTED ONE ENTERS OUR BODY UPON INVITATION AND CONFORMS US INTO AN OBEDIENCE TO THE 10 COMMANDMENTS. THE FRUIT OF OUR BELIEF IN CHRIST IS THE WEDDING GARMENT WE WEAR TO THE WEDDING "

Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.)" Revelation 19:8:

1. JUDA = 12,000 = BRIDES OF CHRIST = THRONE OF GOD = NEW JERUSALEM = CHURCH TRIUMPHANT = CITY OF GOD
2. REUBEN = 12,000, BRIDES OF CHRIST, THRONE OF GOD, NEW JERUSALEM, CHURCH TRIUMPHANT, CITY OF GOD
3. GAD = 12,000, BRIDES OF CHRIST, THRONE OF GOD, NEW JERUSALEM, CHURCH TRIUMPHANT, CITY OF GOD
4. ASER = 12,000 = 12,000, BRIDES OF CHRIST, THRONE OF GOD, NEW JERUSALEM, CHURCH TRIUMPHANT, CITY OF GOD
5. NEPHHALIM = 12,000, BRIDES OF CHRIST, THRONE OF GOD, NEW JERUSALEM, CHURCH TRIUMPHANT, CITY OF GOD
6. MANASSES = 12,000, BRIDES OF CHRIST, THRONE OF GOD, NEW JERUSALEM, CHURCH TRIUMPHANT, CITY OF GOD
7. SIMEON = 12,000, BRIDES OF CHRIST, THRONE OF GOD, NEW JERUSALEM, CHURCH TRIUMPHANT, CITY OF GOD
8. LEVI = 12,000, BRIDES OF CHRIST, THRONE OF GOD, NEW JERUSALEM, CHURCH TRIUMPHANT, CITY OF GOD
9. ISSACHAR = 12,000, BRIDES OF CHRIST, THRONE OF GOD, NEW JERUSALEM, CHURCH TRIUMPHANT, CITY OF GOD
10. ZABULON = 12,000, BRIDES OF CHRIST, THRONE OF GOD, NEW JERUSALEM, CHURCH TRIUMPHANT, CITY OF GOD
11. JOSEPH = 12,000, BRIDES OF CHRIST, THRONE OF GOD, NEW JERUSALEM, CHURCH TRIUMPHANT, CITY OF GOD
12. BENJAMIN = 12,000, BRIDES OF CHRIST, THRONE OF GOD, NEW JERUSALEM, CHURCH TRIUMPHANT, CITY OF GOD
    
    12,000 x 12 = 144,000 = BRIDE OF CHRIST, THRONE OF GOD AND THE LAMB, NEW JERUSALEM, CHURCH TRIUMPHANT, CITY OF GOD.

BIRTH STONES WERE UPON THE EPHOD FOR EACH OF THE TWELVE SON'S OF JACOB WHICH REPRESENTED THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL. COULD THE STONE REPRESENTED BY YOUR BIRTH MONTH REPRESENT THE TRIBE OF ISRAEL YOU ARE FROM? ASK GOD TO REVEAL THIS TO YOU IF YOU ARE INTERESTED BY CLAIMING JER 33:3 in the Most Holy Place.

Revelation 7:5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

Revelation 7:

6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses (Joseph's Son) were sealed twelve thousand.

Revelation 7:7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

Revelation 7:8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

Revelation 7:9 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;

Revelation 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

Revelation 7:11 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,

THE SEALING IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW by the choices we make every day to keep the 3 Angel's messages - for or against the law of God. DO YOU WANT THE SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD OR THE MARK OF THE BEAST, WHICH IS THE SEAL OF SATAN? The seal of Satan means that we DO the bidding of Satan and his agents. Agents of Satan are those who do not keep the Commandments of God, but teach that the Commandments of God are "changed". Many do this unknowingly, but when God's people become aware that they are breaking one or more of God's Commandments, they change and obey God's law.

Think of this as a race, a race or game for LIFE [read article here about the GAME OF LIFE by James S. White

], with a HUGE life changing prize at the end of it. Only a FEW, will "get it", because only a few will strive with all their might to actually do, or actually believe God's WORDS and DO what HE wants us to do. It's very easy to tell if someone does not teach the right Way or the Truth. If a church does not keep all the Commandments of God or if anyone tells you to break one or more of the Commandments of God, they are going against the TRUE JESUS and the only living God.

We do not understand as we should the great conflict going on between invisible agencies, the controversy between loyal and disloyal angels. Over every man, good and evil angels strive. This is no make-believe conflict. It is no mimic battle in which we are engaged. We have to meet most powerful adversaries, and it rests with us to determine which shall win. We are to find our strength where the early disciples found theirs.

"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Romans 6:16 KJV.

"Because strait is the gate [10 Commandments], and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" Matthew 7:14 KJV.

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom" Luke 12:32.

Those who obey all of God's Commandments and Statutes today and delight in them and help to give and live the Three Angel's messages, found in Revelation 14:6-12 become one of the 144,000 (Rev Chapters 7 and 14), a special elite task force, known also as the "Bride of Christ" who stand up for the honor of God no matter what the cost. 

God Himself is choosing a Bride for His Son. 144,000 who will become the Bride of God's Son, Jesus Christ for eternity. This is an Honor we all should strive for with all of our might. What this calls for is to give up all, surrender all to Christ. To come to Him, just as we are, and invite the Spirit of Christ, the visible manifestation of the Holy Spirit into our body, to take control of our daily little choices. To make our choices one with the choices of God, we can obey the Commandments of God and open these 12 pearly gates only through the indwelling Spirit of Christ living in our bodies, writing the Twelve Commandments to our fleshy hearts, or carnal desires, our daily little choices become transformed into Christlike choices per Romans 8:9 and 1 Cor 15:45.

Is Jesus knocking at your door? The door of your daily choices? Will you choose to serve God in the name of His Son today? No matter what the cost? Or will you worry what your friends, your family, your parents or spouse will say more than what God says? Will you be one of the FEW who STANDS UP FOR THE HONOR OF GOD TODAY? God NEEDS us to vindicate His name! Who can He count on no matter how hot the fire gets? No matter WHO taunts you or mocks you or KILLS you for obeying the Commandments of God? 

REMEMBER? Jesus IS the pearl of GREAT PRICE. Jesus is the gate or "door". Our "heart" represents our "desires" or our "daily little choices". Every thing we do we are to do to the glory of God. This means even what we eat and drink! What we eat and drink every day, every single daily choice of what we put in, on and in our body that already belongs to Jesus determines our eternal destiny.

WE open the doors into the City of God, our ONLY place of safety today, BY FAITH, through obedience to His words, His Commandments. The Words, the Commandments His Father gave His Son to GIVE US! Amazing Bible verse promises for us to claim BY FAITH, today, in the City of God, in the Most Holy Place in the Heavenly Sanctuary.

Revelation 14:6-12King James Version (KJV)

1st Angel's Message: 6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel (the TRUTH ABOUT JESUS) to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear (obey) God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

2nd Angel's Message: 8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

3rd Angel's Message: 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark (baptized heathen/pagan doctrines simply counterfeit doctrines or old heathen ideas renamed into "Biblical "sounding" ideas aka renamed heathen doctrines setup to deceive if possible the very elect in these end times today) in his forehead (what we think), or in his hand (what we do),

10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Here is a great article on the Three Angel's Messages by James Springer White

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• James White – A Brief Exposition of the Angels of Revelation 14.pdf
  
  

The greatest test given to mankind is upon us today. Will we obey the Commandments of God, or will we obey the commands and traditions of mortal men?

An old sea captain who lived from 1792 - 1872 named Joseph Bates became a Seventh-day or "FOURTH COMMANDMENT of God" convert in 1845. When he was young his family moved from Rochester, Massachusetts, to the port city of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, where he became fascinated with the sea. He set out from Fairhaven at the age of 15 as a cabin boy. He experienced shipwreck, capture, and forced service in the British Navy, and for two-and-a-half years was a prisoner of war in England, being released in 1815 at 23 years of age. Bates eventually served as captain of his own ship, beginning in 1820 at the age of 28. In 1821 he gave up smoking and chewing tobacco as well as the use of profane language. He later quit using tea and coffee and in 1843 became a vegetarian.

Bates retired from the sea in 1827 at the age of 35 with $11,000, a small fortune for the time. Converted during his years at sea, after his retirement at age 35 Bates became associated with several reforms, including temperance and antislavery. In 1839 he accepted the second advent/coming of Christ preaching of William Miller and became an active, successful Millerite preacher. Like Noah, he eventually invested all of his money telling others about the soon coming of Christ. Telling them to go by faith into the City of God. To open the doors in the City of God by faith through obedience to the law of God. Noah preached for 120 years before the end came. God in his mercy has allowed time to continue to save you and even me living today, in this wicked world. Like it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the coming of the Son of Man, Jesus Christ.

Bates experienced the 1844 disappointment without losing his faith in God similar to the 12 Apostles at the crucifixion of Christ. In 1845 he read a tract by T. M. Preble on the Sabbath, published near Washington, New Hampshire. Bates traveled there to study for himself. On returning to Fairhaven, he met a friend, Captain Hall, at the old bridge approach. Hall asked him, “What’s the news, Captain Bates?” He replied, “The news is that the seventh day is the Sabbath.” Hall became a convert to the Sabbath as well.

The next year, 1846, Bates wrote a tract of his own about the Bible Sabbath. 

• Bates – The Seventh Day Sabbath, A Perpetual Sign (Sabbath Controversy 1).pdf
• Bates – The Seventh Day Sabbath, A Perpetual Sign (Sabbath Controversy 2).pdf
• Bates – A Vindication of the Seventh-day Sabbath, and the Commandments of God (Sabbath Controversy 3).pdf
  
  

This tract came to the attention of James and Ellen White around the time of their marriage in August of that year, 1846. They accepted the seventh-day Sabbath from studying the Bible evidence for it.

In the tract Bates argued for beginning the Sabbath at 6 p.m. Friday, and many Sabbath keepers, including the Whites, did so for nearly ten years. Other Adventists kept it from sunrise, sunset, or midnight. In 1855 James White asked J. N. Andrews to make a study of the Bible on the subject. At a meeting in Battle Creek in November he presented his paper, which supported sunset. After the meeting, Ellen White had a vision confirming the result of his Bible study, and unity on the subject was gained.

Joseph Bates often chaired the “Sabbath conferences” of 1848-1850. He became more closely associated with the Whites at that time. He traveled to many places, including Battle Creek, winning the first convert there. In his last year of life he preached at least 100 times. He died at the age of 80 at the Health Reform Institute in Battle Creek and is buried at Monterey, Michigan.

Dear Friends,

My Sabbath Trivia question for you today:

Exactly WHEN did Christ bless, sanctify and hallow the Seventh day? The answer is in this verse: "And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he HAD rested from all his work which God created and made" Genesis 2:3.

SO again, my question to you is WHEN did Christ bless, sanctify and hallow the Sabbath day? "HAD" is past tense. Possess, own, or hold. experience; undergo. That is ALL the hints I'm giving you now!

The answer can be found in this SDA Pioneer book called "History of the Sabbath and the First Day by J. N. Andrews.

The first one to reply with the right answer will win a prize. Be sure to send your name, mailing address and contact info so I can mail it out to you!

Learn more and proclaim the Sabbath more fully with me!

Going forth to proclaim the Sabbath more fully!

Read a tract written in 1845 by Elihu on the Sabbath here.

Read a tract written in 1845 by T. M. Preble on the Sabbath here.

Read three tracts written by Joesph Bates on the Sabbath here.

James 5:19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
James 5:20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.