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39. THE TEMPLE ETERNAL - ITS HOLY PLACE

The Temple Outside the City. We have seen that the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary was a type not only of the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary where Christ now ministers as Judge, but also of the most holy place of the temple eternal, the New Jerusalem when located on the new earth. We may now ask, Does the holy place of the earthly sanctuary, with its golden table, its golden altar, and its golden candlestick, have its final antitype as part of the temple eternal? And if so, where is it located, and what is its nature and its purpose?

When God creates a "new heaven" - and a new firmament - and "a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness," II Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:1, will there be in it a holy place, or temple outside the New Jerusalem, even as in the earthly sanctuary there was a holy place just outside the most holy? Eze. 37:26-28. Does not this include the entire sanctuary. its holy place as well as its most holy? Continuing, we read: "And David My servant shall be king over them; (the redeemed) . . . (he) shall be their prince forever." vs. 24,25.

Who is this king and prince that shall occupy the throne of David forever? Let Gabriel answer - the angel who was sent from God to Mary with a message concerning Jesus, the "Son of the Highest." He says, "The Lord God shall give unto Him (Jesus) the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end." Luke 1:26, 31-33. "The throne of His father David" is evidently not "the throne of God and of the Lamb," Rev. 22:1, which is in the City. The throne of David is where "the house of Jacob," - redeemed Israel - live.

Through a later prophet God has given quite a detailed picture of a temple which is "outside of the City," "on the way to Mount Zion," "just before" it. It is "a glorious temple," on a mount, and "about it seven other mountains, on which (grow) roses and lilies . . . There (are) all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place; the box, the pine, and the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figs, - these make the place all over glorious." This temple is "supported by seven pillars, all of transparent gold, set with pearls most glorious." In it are "tables of stone in which the names of the 144,000 (are) engraved in letters of gold;" in it "only the 144,000 enter." EW 18,19. These are they who "serve God day and night in His temple," Rev. 7:15, and who "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." Rev. 14:4.

From these inspired authorities, it would seem that while the sanctuary in the new earth will necessarily differ materially from any that has gone before, yet there will be a sanctuary, or temple, in the new earth, outside the City. This temple corresponds, at least in its location, to the holy place of the earthly sanctuary which was just outside the most holy place. The City being the most holy place of the temple eternal, the temple just outside the City would be its holy place.

Houses Resembling Silver near the Temple. Near the new earth temple there will be special houses "inhabited by the saints." Unlike the Eden homes that the great multitude of the redeemed build in connection with the vineyards they plant, these houses have "the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls, most glorious to behold." EW 18. In the earthly sanctuary, the Levites as "ministers of the sanctuary," "lodged round about the house of God" where they served "day and night." I Chron. 9:26,27,33. In the temple eternal, the 144,000, successors of the Levites, also serve God "day and night in His temple." Rev. 7:15. They, doubtless, are "the saints" who occupy these 'host glorious" houses near the temple. How significant then, that these houses resemble silver, symbol of the ransome paid for the soul! Es. 30:12,13. How significant that each is supported by four pillars indicating that Christ is the Head of the house! How significant that the pillars are set with pearls, emblem of the great tribulation such as the 144,000 pass through! Rev. 7:14.

The Temple of Wisdom. In Proverbs 9:1, Solomon has described a temple which also is "supported by seven pillars." He says, Wisdom has built her mansion, and set up her seven pillars." Moffatt. Someone has said that these pillars upholding the temple of wisdom represent:

1. Knowlddge - Prov. 2:6

2. Understanding - Prov. 2:6

3. Judgment - Prov. 2:8

4. Equity - Prov. 2:9

5. Discretion - Prov. 2:11,12

6. Prudence - Prov. 8:12

7. Justice - Prov. 8:15

(From Sabbath School Quarterly on Proverbs) Surely this is the wisdom of God, the wisdom that cometh out of His mouth, Prov. 2:6. It is the wisdom that is "from above," which James summarizes in seven words: "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." James 3:17. Job sums it up in these words: "The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom: and to depart from evil is understanding." Job 28:28. This is heavenly wisdom, and while the same righteous principles underlie all true wisdom, it is not perfected in halls of learning in this present world, - it will be found in its perfection only in the temple of wisdom in the new earth. “When this wisdom entereth into thine heart, says the wise man, "knowledge is pleasant unto the soul." Prov. 2: 10.

“The School of the Hereafter.” Since in the highest sense, the work of education and the work of redemption are one," Ed. 30, may it not be that this temple of wisdom upheld by seven pillars, and the temple in which are engraved the names of the 144,000, likewise having seven pillars, are one and the same, and that here, at the temple of wisdom, the School of the Hereafter will be conducted? What better place could there be for this school?

The location of this temple which was revealed to the Remnant church in the early days of its history, being outside the City, amid the rolling hills, in a beautiful landscape of ornamental and fruit-bearing trees and lovely flowers, agrees perfectly with later instruction given as to the location of Christian schools at the present time. It is indeed an ideal location for Heaven's temple of wisdom, the School of the Hereafter. And here "in His temple doth everyone speak of His glory," Ps. 29:9, - the natural fruitage of any Christian School.

As in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary, sanctification, the development of Christian character, was symbolized, so in the holy place of the temple eternal in the temple of wisdom, the redeemed, ever learning more and more of the wisdom of God will retain and strengthen a righteous character.

Teachers in This School. Who will be the teachers in the School of the Hereafter? In the earthly sanctuary, the priests and the Levites were the teachers of Israel. Ed. 78,148: 11 Chron. 39:21,22; Neh. 8:9. Is this God-given plan to be perpetuated with redeemed Israel? Let us see. During the one thousand years when the wicked are judged, all the redeemed act with Christ as priests in the capacity of judges. Rev. 29:6; 1 Cor. 6:2,3; Dan. 7:22. When the one thousand years are past, redemption being ended, this service automatically ceases. But the 144,000 serve Him "day and night in His temple." Rev. 7:15.

Their service continues, but not as priests in the ordinary sense - priests who minister for the sins of the people, neither as judges, for probation has closed and the Judgment is past. How, then, do they serve? As successors of the Levites, is it not in the capacity of teachers - assistants of Christ, the High Priest and Master Teacher "in the school above?" CT 209. These may be called the faculty of this school, the redeemed are the students.

Since only the 144,000 "enter" this temple of wisdom, the redeemed from time to time will assemble at the temple, (not in it where only the faculty gather). Here Christ "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," Col. 2:2,3, assisted by the 144,000, will, throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity unfold more and more to the astonished and delighted understanding of

the redeemed, that science of sciences and that song of songs - the science and the song of redemption.

In the type, the Levites, divided into courses, had charge of the earthly sanctuary, I Chron. 23:6,32, each group "after seven days, from time to time" I Chron. 9:25, having an appropriately assigned service. Some were porters who opened the gates and doors. Some were over the treasuries, others had charge of the ministering vessels, still others looked after the fine flour, the oil, the wine, the frankincense, and spices. The Kohathites prepared the shewbread every Sabbath. Others were appointed to make the ointment of the spices. Besides these were the singers who were "employed in that work day and night." I Chron. 9:26-33; Lev. 24:5-8. The duties of all these groups were necessary to the sanctuary service.

From this, and from the fact that “the life on earth is the beginning of the life in Heaven; education on earth. . . an initiation into the principles of Heaven; the lifework here. . . a training for the life-work there” Ed. 307, may we not learn that, while the grand central theme of the teaching of the 144,000 in the School of the Hereafter will be redemption, this infinite subject will be approached by different groups from various angles according to their "education on earth"? One group will present it from the wonders and beauties of nature, another from the glories revealed in astronomy, another from the accuracy and perfection of mathematics, another from the "infinite scope" of history, another from all the marvels of the human body, still another from the soul inspiration of music and poetry, and so on? But the purpose of all their teaching will be, as it should be in Christian schools today, to show the wisdom, the greatness, and the power, the goodness and the love of God.

The Golden Table in the Temple of Wisdom. We have seen that in its location the holy place of the temple eternal corresponds to the holy place of the earthly sanctuary. We now ask, what about the types in the holy place - the golden table, the golden altar, and the golden candlestick? Of what are they symbols in the temple of the new earth? Take first the table. The bread on the table, the "continual" bread, represented Christ, "the Bread of God. . . which cometh down from Heaven," the living Word, the Word of God, our spiritual food, of which "if any man eat. . . he shall live forever." John 6:33,51. This living Word, the source of all true wisdom, is found in the temple of Wisdom, Here, in the School of the Hereafter, Christ spreads before the redeemed the riches of His wisdom. Thus the "banquet table" of the earthly sanctuary becomes, in the holy place of the temple eternal, the banqueting hall of the redeemed.

The New Earth University. What will be the course of study in this school? "Heaven is a school; its field of study, the universe." Ed. 301. Thus the School of the Hereafter, the school of the new earth, will be a real university in its truest, fullest sense. Here all the redeemed will be privileged to take a full university course of study - one entirely free from error, well worth the best effort of the most talented. Here with "immortal minds" the redeemed "will contemplate with never failing delight, the wonders of creative power, the mysteries of redeeming love." GC 677.

In this university, the full beauty of nature of which we now catch only “glimpses through the microscope,” "the glories of the Heavens now scanned afar through the telescope," will be opened to the eye of the redeemed. Ed. 303. There "the innumerable worlds in their orderly revolution, 'the balancing of the clouds"' Job 37:16; Ed. 21, the mysteries of sight and hearing and all the other marvels of the human body, - all that has puzzled and baffled our study here will be opened to our astonished understanding, for "the veil that interposes between the visible and the invisible world will be drawn aside, and wonderful things will be revealed." Ed. 304.

"All the treasures of the universe will be opened to the study of God's children. . . and the years of eternity, as they roll, will continue to bring more glorious revelations - 'exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think."' Eph. 3:20; Ed. 307. A wonderful university! Who would not earnestly desire to attend it?

Not only science in all its phases, but the "infinite scope" of history - history gained through contact with unfallen beings who through ages have witnessed its development - such sources of

history will reveal a knowledge of which the wisest of earth have never dreamed. "There will be music there, and song, such music and song as. . . no mortal ear has heard." "As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there." Ps. 87:7; Ed. 304,307.

There "every faculty will be developed, every capacity increased. The acquirement of knowledge will not weary the mind or exhaust the energies. The grandest enterprises may be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations reached, the highest ambitions realized; and still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of mind and soul and body." GC 677. There immortal minds will contemplate with never failing delight not only the wonders of creative power, but above all, the mysteries of redemptive power and love will be opened to grateful hearts. As we contemplate the wonderful opportunities for true education that await us, we can but exclaim with the Psalmist: "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it." Ps. 139:6.

In this life we can only begin to understand the wonderful theme of redemption. With our finite comprehension we may consider most earnestly the shame and the glory, the life and the death, the justice and the mercy, that meet in the cross; yet with the utmost stretch of our mental powers, we fail to grasp its full significance. . . But through the eternal ages, new truth will continually unfold to the wondering and delighted mind." GC 651. Instead of the printed Word from which we now study the science of redemption, Christ, the living Word. our Master Teacher, will enable us to comprehend more and more fully "what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." Eph. 3:18,19. How grateful we should be that this living bread, like the bread in the type, will be "continual!"

Then "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Heb. 2:14. All this is typified in the golden table of the earthly sanctuary; all this, and much more, will be found in the holy place of the temple eternal. How great the privilege to be permitted to feast at this, the true "table of the Lord!" As the most holy place of the temple eternal is the CHURCH of the redeemed, so the holy place is their SCHOOL.

“The Golden Alter in the Temple Eternal.” As elsewhere in the construction of the earthly sanctuary, so the "gold" of the altar represented "the Almighty."

Job 22:25, margin. Here the incense which like the bread was “continual,” was burned morning and evening, diffusing its fragrance day and night. The incense

represented the never-failing righteousness of Christ which He imparts to those who truly seek it. To those who "hunger and thirst after righteousness" the promise is, "they shall be filled." Matt. 5:6. As in the type the fragrance of the incense not only filled the sanctuary, but it was diffused "without, far around the tabernacle," PP 348, so in the temple eternal, the righteousness of Christ manifest in the redeemed, will not only fill the new earth continually, but its sweet fragrance will extend beyond to other worlds, thus proclaiming the joyful story of redemption.

When the morning and evening incense was offered, all Israel, in sorrow for sin, and in rededication to God, bowed in humble confession and prayer with their faces toward the sanctuary. In the great antitype, the temple eternal, praise takes the place of prayer; "Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody." Isa. 51:3.

The incense burned on the altar, and that placed on the bread of the table and afterward burned on the altar, illustrates the union of praise and thanksgiving with the wisdom received in the School of the Hereafter. Thus in the temple eternal is fulfilled the promise, "The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Isa. 35:10.

The Golden Candlestick in the Temple. In the earthly sanctuary the purpose of the candlestick was to give light. It represented not only Christ, the Light of the world, but also His followers whom He declared to be "the light of the world." Matt. 5:14. While this applies to every true Christian in this present life, it will be most fully revealed in the life to come. In that life, where "everyone doth speak of His glory," everyone reflects in his deeds, in his words, and in his

countenance the light of the glory of God. "The theme of redemption will employ the hearts and minds and tongues of the redeemed through the everlasting ages." Signs of the Times, April 18, 1906, p. 246.

The Witness of the Redeemed. Light-bearing means service. The last commandment that Christ gave the apostles was, "Ye shall be witnesses unto Me." Acts 1: 7-9. "This also we shall be in eternity," Ed. 308, for of that time it is written, "His servants shall serve Him." Rev. 22:3. Of what are the redeemed to be witnesses in eternity? "Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord. . . . that I am He; before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and beside Me there is no Saviour." Isa. 43:10,11. Witnessing, ever witnessing of the power and love of our Creator and Redeemer, 'land ever as we witness, learning anew 'the riches of the glory of this mystery'; 'which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."' Col. 1:27. In this service will be found “our greatest joy and our highest education.” Ed. 309.

The 144,000 as Special Witnesses. Among the redeemed a special witnessing will be given by the 144,000, and for this they receive special preparation. As the result of earnest, faithful, prayerful study of God's Word, this company have a pure faith, - "for they are virgins," Rev. 14:4, - a faith untainted with the deceptive errors of antichrist who is called "the beast and his image," the "dragon," "that old serpent. . . . the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world." Rev. 12:9. Through the "little horn" of Daniel 8:9, Satan for centuries has "magnified himself" and "cast down the truth to the ground; and it (the horn) practiced and prospered." v. 11,12. But the end of the 2300 days was God's appointed time when His sanctuary - His church - was to be cleansed from all these deceptive errors, v. 14, and the pure truth of God's Word was to shine forth. During these closing days of probation, those who love and obey God will give special and earnest study to the Word of God, comparing scripture with scripture. As one truth after another is rescued from the rubbish of error under which Satan has buried it, they not only accept these truths and gladly obey God, but they share their new-found faith with others, many of whom also accept and obey. This continues until 144,000 of these faithful students of God's Word have come into the blaze of the pure and everlasting gospel truth. Therefore, they are called "virgins."

As Satan, the "mighty" and "terrible" one, sees his deceptive errors exposed and his "captives. . . taken away, and. . . delivered," Isa. 49:25, his frenzy is so aroused that, says John, he "went to make war with the remnant. . . which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. 12:17. This warfare, grows more and more fierce as the end approaches, yet through it they "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Rev. 7:14. They have come forth with praise in their hearts and a song on their lips, - a song of deliverance which "none but the 144,000 can learn" because "It is the song of their experience - an experience such as no other company has ever had." GC 649. This experience has prepared them to witness for God and His everlasting truth as no other group can. Therefore, as teachers, they not only “serve God day and night in His temple,” Rev. 7:15, but they also serve Him more widely as they "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." Rev. 14:4. What an infinite and thrilling experience is wrapped up in the words: They follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth! Where does the Lamb lead them Let us see.

Creation and Re-creation, or Redemption. When the awful tragedy of sin overtook this newly created world and plunged it into misery and woe, the universe of God was stunned with horror and grief. But, although Satan had brought death into the world, he can not thwart God's plan, for though "The wages of sin is death; . . . the gift of God is eternal life." Rom 6:23. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." I Cor. 15:22. Sin has marred this entire world; the image of God in which man was created, Gen. 1:26, has been all but lost, but is the Omnipotent One discouraged? 0, no! "He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set

judgment in the earth." Isa. 42:4. "I am the Lord," He says, "I change not," Mal. 3:6. God begins at once the great work of re-creation, or redemption - restoring that which through sin was lost.

Fulfilling the compact with the Father made with the Son before the world was, the three persons of the Godhead - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - inseparable associates in creation, Gen. 1:1,2; John 1:1-3,14, united their divine power in the restoration of fallen man. From this time, "The science of redemption. . . engages the attention of our Lord and Saviour." Signs of the Times, April 18, 1906, p. 246. Jesus, "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world," Rev. 13: 8, "ever liveth to make intercession for them." Heb. 7:25. Nor does He work alone. "I do nothing of Myself," He says (John 8:28); "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." John 5:17. "I and My Father are one." John 10:30; 14:20. Not only God the Father and God the Son are now centering their attention to recreate fallen man, to restore in him the image of God, but the Father has also sent "the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost" to co-operate in this work. John 14:26. The angels, too, are "ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation." Heb. 1:14. Redemption "engages the attention" not only of Jesus but all of Heaven.

In the very midst of sin and apparent defeat, God's work of recreation is achieved. He hears the prayer of the contrite soul, “Create in me a clean heart, 0 God,” Ps. 51:10, and "the new man. . . is created in righteousness and true holiness." Eph. 4:24. Thus, the work of redemption, the recreation of human beings, continues until God's "family. . . in earth" is made up, Eph. 3:15, a sufficient number to "replenish" the earth as He originally planned. Gen. 1:28.

The "Increase" of Christ's Government. At the close of the section of eternity which we call time, the "attention" of the Creator is no longer engaged in recreating man. This is now fully and successfully accomplished. Sin is abolished forever, Nahum 1:9, and "death is swallowed up in victory." I Cor. 15:54. Time merges into the eternity of the future and the work of creation, interrupted by sin, is resumed, being manifest first in the creation of other worlds of which "there shall be no end." Isa. 9.7.

Although in the beginning the first Adam failed, and Satan by trickery and falsehood usurped the kingdom and for a time has been allowed to bear sway, yet the government of this earth shall finally be placed upon the shoulder of Christ, the last Adam, its Redeemer. Isa. 9:6; 1 Cor. 15:45-47. When Christ becomes "the Governor among the nations" of the new earth, Ps. 22:23, and new worlds are added to the universe, the prophecy of Luke 1:33 "of His kingdom there shall be no end," begins to unfold. While this prophecy applies to the new earth over which Christ on the throne of David shall reign forever, does it not also have a wider application as stated by Isaiah: "Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end?" Isa. 9:7. Through Ezekiel, "the word of the Lord" states it this way: 'Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, (His people) . . and I will... multiply them." Eze. 37:15,16.

This multiplying of His people, could not apply to the redeemed inhabitants of the new earth, because when probation closes, the family of God for this earth is fully made up; the command given at creation: "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth," Gen. 1:28, has been carried out, and no more inhabitants will be added. This earth has then been "replenished," or filled up as Webster defines this word. "The number of His subjects is made up." GC 613.

Jesus, answering the Sadducees who were troubled on this matter, explains it this way: "When they (the righteous) shall rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in Heaven." Mark 12:18-25. The finally redeemed make up God's "whole family" for the new earth, Eph. 3:15, and no more will be born. Quoting from Hebrews 4:3, "the works were finished from the foundation of the world," there are some who conclude that, after this earth is recreated, God's work of creation will cease. These apparently overlook the fact that this text applies to this world only, for we read: "As regards this world, God's work of creation is completed. For 'the works were finished from the foundation of the world."' PP 115. The context of this scripture sustains this truth, for the next verse, v. 4, reads: "And God did rest the seventh day from all His works." "He rested from all His work which He had made," Gen. 2:1-3 - not from all the work which He ever would create in the future. The reason these Sadducees did not understand

this question, is revealed in the words of Christ to them, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." Matt. 22:29; Mark 12:24.

That we do not err, not knowing the power of God, let us look again at the prophecies of Isaiah and Ezekiel regarding the unlimited government of Christ. Isaiah states that there shall be an "increase" of His government "of which there shall be no end," Isa. 9:7, and Ezekiel says He will “multiply” His people. Eze. 37:25. The Hebrew definition of the noun ‘increase’ used in Isaiah is enlargement, increase in territory or in number, and its verb form translated multiply in Ezekiel and also in Genesis 1:28, contains the same thought - to increase in number. This "increase" or "enlargement" in number or territory in no way diminishes the enlargement of our comprehension and appreciation of God's great work, but rather emphasizes it. But does it not make plain that after this earth has been recreated God will continue His creative work of which "there shall be no end, upon the throne of David. (Christ, Zech. 3:8) and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever?" This work being infinite, finite beings cannot fathom it, so the prophet adds, "The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." Isa. 9:7. Thus throughout eternity the work of creation will go forward, new worlds will be added to the universe, the kingdom of God will be continually expanding, and Christ “upon the throne of David” will rule over an ever enlarging dominion. And, as the great Jehovah continues His creative work, He becomes continually and everlastingly distinguished throughout His entire universe as the Great Creator, the only true and living God.

His "Many Crowns," "Seven in Number." Is Christ's third and "final coronation" the last of His coronations? So far as this world is concerned, it is. But John saw Him when "on His head were many crowns," Rev. 19:12, and another inspired writer, speaking of His crowns, states: "His crown looked brilliant and glorious. It was a crown within a crown, seven in number," - seven, expressive of perfection and completeness. EW 53,54. When does He receive these “many crowns,” "seven in number?" Does this not indicate that after His "final coronation" He receives other crowns? And are these not given when new worlds are created, the "increase of His government," the "enlargement" of His kingdom over which He reigns as "KING OF ETERNITY" I Tim. 1:17, Moffatt, over God's entire universe? Paul states it this way: God hath "set Him. . . far above all principality and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, (every title of sovereignty, Weymouth, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all," (that filleth the universe entirely, Moffatt). Eph. 1:20, 24.

The Witness of Those Who Follow the Lamb. As successors of the Levites, who with the priests, were the teachers of ancient Israel, the 144,000, especially sealed from all the tribes of redeemed Israel, Rev. 7:4-8, act as under-teachers in the School of the Hereafter, Christ Himself the heavenly High Priest being the Master Teacher. This position of "highest honor" is supplemented by another, when, like a bodyguard of honor, they are permitted to "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth," Rev. 14:1,4. As new worlds are created, the 144,000 follow Christ in this work. What a marvelous privilege! - to be with the great Creator when a new world is called into existence! - a privilege which all the redeemed shall have when the Divine fiat goes forth concerning this world: "Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth," Isa. 65:17; "Behold, I make all things new." Rev. 21:5.

What part have the 144,000 in connection with this work of creating new worlds? Let David answer: "They shall come, and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born," or as Moffatt translates it: "His saving deeds shall be declared to generations yet unborn." Ps. 22:31. While this scripture may have a partial application to the extension of the gospel in this world in its present state, does it not also reach forward to all the generations yet unborn-those yet to be created? The newly created worlds, the "increase," or enlargement, of His government, the "multiplying" of His people, the "generations yet unborn," desire to understand the mystery of the

"cross of Christ" which will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout eternity. Ed. 126.

Whenever a new world is created, the 144,000 "follow the Lamb," Rev. 14:4, declaring His saving deeds to generations yet unborn, witnessing of the power of salvation and redeeming love in a mighty and triumphant chorus expressive of their own experience. As they thus witness, these newly created worlds are welcomed into the family of God.

The Fruit of Their Witness. Will sin ever again enter God's universe? Some seem troubled on this point. They think (but without Biblical authority) that when a new world is created, there will be the same possibility that sin will re-enter the universe as when Adam and Eve fell under the power of the enemy, It is true that when Eve was exposed to "the wiles (sly tricks, Webster) of the devil," Eph. 6:11, she, being deceived, forgot God and fell a victim to the "Cruel, deceptive foe." But in the restoration, every trace of sin and evil is utterly destroyed, "root and branch," Mal. 4:1, Satan the root, his associates the branches. Then the devil, the originator of sin and the source of all evil, "is cast into the lake of fire," Rev. 20:10, where he perishes eternally, never again to mar God's dominion. Then "there will be no cruel, deceptive foe to tempt to forgetfulness of God." GC 679. "No tempter is there, no possibility of wrong." Ed. 302. When the triumphant cry of Jesus "It is finished" reaches its entire fulfillment, there will be an eternal end of sin, "It is finished." John 19:30. Uriah Smith, generally recognized as a reliable Bible expositor, puts it this way: "The reconciliation effected by Christ not only takes man (those who have been redeemed from this world) out of his actual rebellion, but sweeps through the universe to settle and ground all worlds against any possible disharmony with God (in reference to this great controversy) in all the ages to come." W 35, Italics supplied. The death of Christ will eventually make an eternal end of all sin - "It is finished."

Not only will there be no tempter, and consequently no temptation, on all God's universe, but as new worlds are created, and the 144,000 unfold to their understanding the love and salvation of God manifest in redemption; as they see the wounds that Christ bears in His body, - wounds caused by sin; as they learn of the suffering that sin has cost all Heaven; as they grasp the truth that "with the existence of God's law is bound up the happiness of all the beings He has created," GC 671, will they, understanding all this, and with no wicked tempter to deceive them, - will they, beings of sound mind, deliberately and willfully disobey God and thus bring death and destruction upon themselves?

Moreover, God, who "cannot lie," Titus 1:2, foreseeing the end from the beginning, has pledge His word: "Affliction shall not rise up the second time." Nahum 1:9. This assuring promise is absolute and unconditional. Then will be fulfilled the prophecy of Daniel 9:24 that the sacrifice of Christ was "to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins (plural) and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness."

Do not these assurancesmake it clear that sin will never again mar God's universe? If this be not true, but if through some failure to meet a "test" of obedience (of which the Scripture makes no mention), if evil should enter the universe "the second time," would Jesus, "the blessed and only Potentate," I Tim. 6:15, and the only Redeemer, die again to redeem the lost? No! no! "Christ was once offered" "to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." Heb. 9:25-28. Never again will the tragedy of sin be re-enacted.

Then, wonder of wonders! will be fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir," Isa. 13:12; for as gold stabilizes an earthly government, so the redeemed by their witnessing will be, as it were, the stabilizers of God's universal government throughout eternity. For this purpose, "He hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." Eph. 2:6,7.

Visiting the Unfallen Worlds. When the 144,000 teachers in the School of the Hereafter, follow the Lamb in the creation of a new world, how will the students continue their education? Are the 144,000 the only ones among the redeemed who will have the privilege of going to other worlds? Listen! "Unfettered by mortality, they (the redeemed) wing their tireless flight to worlds afar, worlds that thrilled with sorrow at the spectacle of human woe, and rang with songs of gladness at the tidings of a ransomed soul." GC 677. For 6,000 years these unfallen worlds have watched with intense interest the unfolding of the plan of redemption, and during all these years they have learned more and more fully the mysteries of redeeming love.

With this knowledge of redemption already possessed by these unfallen worlds, what is the special purpose of the redeemed as they visit these worlds? The answer is found in a continuation of the foregoing quotation: "With unutterable delight, the children of earth enter into the joy and the wisdom of unfallen beings. They share (with the redeemed) the treasures of knowledge and understanding gained through ages upon ages in contemplation of God's handiwork." See also Ed.

307. This, then, is the wonderful provision made for the students of the New Earth University to continue their education while their teachers are absent with Christ as He creates a new world.

Thus in the temple eternal, the witness of all the redeemed becomes the light of the universe, the most complete possible antitype of the seven-branched candlestick of beaten gold, with Christ Himself as its central shaft.

Sanctification Eternal. As typified in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary, sanctification is the result of a lifelong experience, so in the holy place of the temple eternal, the wisdom of Christ, symbolized by the golden table, the righteousness of Christ by the incense at the golden altar, and the service of and for Christ by the golden candlestick - all of which as types were “continual” - all these unite in the "continual" and eternal sanctification of redeemed Israel. Thus sanctification becomes an eternal principle in the lives of the redeemed, and the holy place of the temple eternal is a complete and final antitype of the holy place of the earthly sanctuary.

Quarantined Did you ever stop to think about

This place we call the earth,

And why you’ve never left it Since the moment of your birth? And how the folk in other worlds Can all go out and in,

While you're restricted to this earth? - You're quarantined for sin!

God put up the quarantine

With a bright and flaming sword, When the Father drove our parents From the "Garden of the Lord." But His heart was filled with pity When He saw our sad estate,

And the world that He had quarantined, He moved near heaven's gate.

Then He sent the Great Physician To this earth to save the lost,

And reveal the love of God to man; Nor did He count the cost

Too great to pay; but gave His life A ransom full and free,

So He could lift the quarantine That's over you and me.

In the glad time before us,

When He comes to claim His own, He will take the ones He's purified Back to His Father's home.

When the guarantine is lifted, We may all go out and in, And tell how He redeemed us Who were quarantined for sin.

- Adele R. Dewey

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