The 144,000 and Others | Part 1: Jews and Gentiles

 Written by Samuel Gonzalez

Introduction

   The 144,000 and Others—Jews and Gentiles is one of the most mooted subjects in the Shepherd’s Rod and has caused much debate, confusion, and even discord among Davidians. The Shepherd’s Rod teaches that 144,000 Israelites and an unknown number of Gentiles will survive the Judgment of the Living (Ezekiel 9) in the House of God. Unfortunately, after the death of Victor Houteff many errors crept in among Davidians, one of which came in the 1980’s. The proponents of this error say the Shepherd’s Rod states that only 144,000 are to survive Ezekiel 9. This theory contradicts what was commonly understood by Davidians. It is believed that this misunderstanding was derived from “cherry-picking” certain statements in the writings of the Shepherd’s Rod while ignoring and even discrediting others.

   In an attempt to defend the original and correct position, its advocates began privately interpreting and “cherry-picking” statements themselves which caused further confusion. They also began to refer to these Gentiles as “those with” or “one with” the 144,000. These phrases were specifically reserved for those who will be laid to rest before the Judgment of the Living and/or who died under the third angel’s message since 1844 up to Ezekiel 9 and thus come up in the resurrection of Daniel 12 and be “with the 144,000” or “one with the 144,000.” In order to remedy the confusion caused by this phraseology and to clear-up who they were exactly referring to, i.e., resurrected or living, they added new verbiage to make a distinction between “those with” (resurrected) and “those with” (living) by referring to these Gentiles as a “living those with.” Unfortunately, this didn’t alleviate the problem but aggravated it as the opponents of this doctrine could not find such a phrase in the Shepherd’s Rod referring to these Gentiles thus “validating” their erroneous position. Unbeknownst to either of these opposing groups, Victor Houteff never referred to these Gentiles as “those with,” “one with,” or even a “living those with” in the Shepherd’s Rod but generically referred to these Gentiles as “others.” More details on this will be provided later. Since this exposition, many honest Davidians have returned to the original and correct position of 144,000 Israelites with an unknown number of Gentiles will be saved in the first fruit harvest—the harvest from the church.

   Recently, new information has been uncovered from a first-edition tract published in 1940 that has shed new light on what may have been the origin statement of this subject. This exposition is based on Victor Houteff’s understanding throughout his ministry up until his last known statement related to this topic. These statements will be only those that make a clear distinction as to who will be saved during the first-fruit harvest—the harvest from the church. All the statements corresponding with this subject have been evaluated in their entirety for “No one by beginning to study a subject from the middle, backward or forward, can learn its continuity and know what it is all about.  If one is to learn the full truth of a subject, he must study it in its entirety.”—Timely Greetings (revised edition), 1953, Vol. 1, Nos. 5, 6, pg. 3. The majority of the statements speak for themselves; however, due to all of the confusion associated with this subject, some statements needed more attention than others to clarify their meaning. This exposition will provide the necessary evidence to allow the reader to intelligently decide if only 144,000 Israelites will survive the Judgment of the Living or if it will also include Gentiles.

Thoughts to Ponder

“Not until our minds have been cleared from all these false theories can we comprehend the truth . . . Find your explanations ‘in the Bowl,’ and you will have no trouble in knowing the truth, or of avoiding the ever ready trap of deception.  Thus the difficulty in knowing the difference between truth and error is eliminated.” Emphasis added. —The Shepherd's Rod, 1932, Vol. 2 pg. 288

If the mind is replete with presuppositions, pet ideas, or traditions by uninspired men , it will never be able to grasp the truth as it is plainly written in the writings of the Shepherds’ Rod. Unfortunately, Davidians believe that just because they have the books of the Shepherd’s Rod they have the truth in the Shepherd’s Rod. If that were the case, there wouldn’t be any division among Davidians but just the opposite is true. What’s “in the Bowl” are the words of Inspiration. Anything other than what Inspiration has made known on a particular subject is private interpretation.

The Most Common Cause of Doctrinal Confusion Among Bible Students

“The most common cause of doctrinal confusion among Bible students lies in their so very frequently failing to view a subject in full perspective from the writer's point of view,—a failing which results in their seeing it from some foreign standpoint so narrowing their view that instead of gaining the writer's idea on the subject, they gain a false idea on it.” Emphasis added. —Tract 3: The Judgment and the Harvest (third-edition), 1942, pg. 91

This is the reason why so many have failed to understand the Scriptures, Spirit of Prophecy, and The Shepherd’s Rod. Unfortunately, these individuals will read a few statements and take a stand without evaluating the whole of what an author has said on a particular subject. This practice has led many to discredit the very truths that have been written for their guidance and admonition.

Bro. Houteff Wants Us to Remember

“Remember, too, that the practice of comparing statements stripped of their context is fundamentally disingenuous, and leads today to as many perversions and misapplications of truth as does the deliberate wresting practiced in Satan's challenge to Christ: "If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.’  Matt. 9:6.” Emphasis added. —The Symbolic Code, Texas, 1942, Vol. 8, Nos. 1-12, pg. 4

The context from where a statement is taken is the source material of the author’s thoughts. A statement removed from its contextual setting cannot be understood correctly without reading from where it was sourced; however, there are standalone statements that must be viewed based on what else the writer has said on a subject.

The Hardest Ones to Rescue from Satan’s Bottomless Pit

“The acceptance of so-called truth, without inspiration, is the devil's trap of deception, and they who advocate such fallacious teachings are the hardest and most impossible ones to rescue from Satan's bottomless pit; for he makes them believe that confession of their errors would disqualify them for teachers, and dishonor their high standing.  He who denies inspired interpretation of the Scriptures is denying the office of the Holy Spirit, and is sinning against Him—committing the unpardonable sin!” Emphasis added.—The Shepherd's Rod, 1932, Vol. 2 pg. 286

The summation of these statements are for individuals who believe they have been instruments in the hand of God to guide others into the truth but instead have been leading many astray. Unfortunately, they feel that if their errors are confessed, they will lose credibility with the people but this is not true. In many instances in the past, faithful men of God have misunderstood certain doctrines but when the truth has been revealed they have come up to the light and have discarded and repented of their errors. This is very honorable to both God and men.

The 144,000 and Others—Jews and Gentiles

What did Bro. Houteff say in 1935 when he was directly asked if others were to be saved from the church besides the 144,000 during the slaughter of Ezekiel chapter 9?

“All but those who do not receive the mark or seal, old or young, male or female, will fall under the slaughter weapons of the angels. (Ezek. 9:6.) Only those who sigh and cry for all the abominations in the midst thereof will receive the mark. (verse 4.) John saw 144,000 sealed (marked). If others from within the S.D.A. denomination besides the 144,000 should escape, it is not known to us.” Emphasis added. —The Symbolic Code, Texas, 1935, Vol. 1, No. 15, pg. 9

Answer: In 1935, after specifically being asked if others were to escape the slaughter of Ezek. chapter 9, Bro. Houteff said, “If others from within the S.D.A. denomination besides the 144,000 should escape, it is not known to us.” By his own admission, the idea of others surviving the slaughter of Ezekiel chapter 9 besides the 144,000 was foreign, strange, or unfamiliar to him. If something is strange or unfamiliar to someone, that person is not aware of it or simply does not know about it. So, in 1935, Bro. Houteff was unfamiliar or simply did not know if others were to escape the slaughter of Ezekiel chapter 9 besides the 144,000. In 1934, Bro. Carver shared his testimony about Bro. Houteff: “We find Bro. Houteff very earnest, sincere, and a deep student both of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. When questioned about a part of Scripture, he either explains it with convincing evidence or else he says, ‘I do not know’.” Emphasis added. —The Symbolic Code, California, 1934, Vol. 1, No. 6, pg. 3. If Bro. Houteff did not know something, he did not have a problem admitting it. It’s good to know Bro. Houteff bears this testimony. Inasmuch as others escaping besides the 144,000 was unknown to him at the time, he stated, “John saw 144,000 sealed (marked).” In other words, he stated what was known—144,000 marked. These being Israelites per John’s vision.

In 1940, as light progressed, what class of saints did Bro. Houteff say would be included in the harvest from the church?

“This class of saints must be those who have at one time been married to some unchristian mistress, a heathen church, and who consequently are not descendants of either Jacob or the Christian church. Hence, there is to be a harvest from the church and a harvest from the world, in both of which harvests are Jews and Gentiles.”—Tract 9: "Behold, I Make All Things New" (first-edition), 1940, pg. 45

Answer: This quote is taken from the first-edition of Tract 9: "Behold, I Make All Things New" which was originally published in 1940 and later revised in 1942. (See Image 1). In this first-edition, Bro. Houteff makes a comparison between two classes of saints: “A Group Not Defiled with Women” and “A Group Defiled with Women,”—Jews and Gentiles, respectively. In regards to the former class on page 44, he states, “According to John, the 144,000 are of the twelve tribes,—Israel and Judah,—not of the Gentiles.” By the aforementioned statement, he makes evident that the 144,000 are not Gentiles but Jews. Furthermore, in respect to the latter class, he writes, “This class of saints must be those who have at one time been married to some unchristian mistress, a heathen church, and who consequently are not descendants of either Jacob or the Christian church.” Ibid, pg. 45. In other words, those referred to are Gentiles.

In the next paragraph, after differentiating between the two classes (Jews and Gentiles), Bro. Houteff proceeds to break down the two harvests and their constituents, “Hence, there is to be a harvest from the church and a harvest from the world, in both of which harvests are Jews and Gentiles.” Emphasis added, Ibid, pg. 45. This statement is proof-positive that Bro. Houteff believed that Jews and Gentiles were to compose both harvests, i.e., the one from the church and the one from the world. Thus, it was no longer “not known” to Bro. Houteff if others were to survive the slaughter of Ezekiel chapter 9 besides the 144,000. Sometime between the years of 1935 and 1940 he received more light about who were to compose the first-fruit harvest. Indeed, truth is progressive, “Moreover, you never see the whole world at a glance. You only see a part of it at a time. Likewise you cannot expect to see the whole Truth all at once, but only a little at a time. Cling to that little, and as you continue in prayer and study, it will all become as clear as the sun and you will begin to comprehend the subject in its entirety.”—Timely Greetings, Vol. 2 (1949), No. 39, pg. 23.

Two years later, in 1942, what did Bro. Houteff state in the revised-edition of Tract 9: "Behold, I Make All Things New"?

“This class of saints [Gentiles] must be those who have at one time been married to some unchristian mistress, a heathen church, and who consequently are not descendants of either Jacob or the Christian church [Jews]. So there are to be two harvests—one from the church and one from the world: the record of the former, mentions only Israelites, the 144,000, those not defiled with women, though it does not say that there may not be others; while the record of the latter, however, definitely embraces a ‘great multitude’ from all nations which must necessarily be both of undefiled and defiled ones—Jews and Gentiles.” Emphasis and brackets added.—Tract 9: "Behold, I Make All Things New" (second-edition), 1942, pg. 56

Answer: This quote was taken from the 1942 update to Tract 9: “Behold, I Make All Things New” which reflects what he said in 1940; however, the language employed is slightly different but his sentiments are still the same, to wit: “Consequently, anytime he sees the possibility of making the inspired idea stand forth more clearly and powerfully, the messenger is under deepest moral obligation to revise his language. Only thus can the stream of inspired ideation become progressively more lucid and beautiful.”—The Answerer, Book No. 1, 1944, pg. 49. In his revision, he stated, “...there are to be two harvests—one from the church and one from the world: the record of the former harvest [the one from the church] mentions only Israelites, though it does not say there may not be others....” In his statement, Bro. Houteff used a double-negative to denote a positive, i.e., “...though it does not say that there may not be others...” to indicate that there may be others saved from the first-fruit harvest, i.e., the harvest from the church. A double-negative is an affirmative constructed from two negatives. In other words, he affirmed that there may be others saved in the first-fruit harvest besides 144,000 Israelites. The “others” spoken of here are Gentiles—those defiled with woman. His sentiments are in perfect harmony with what he said in the first-edition of this tract in 1940. This is the second time he referred to these Gentiles as “others” that were to be part of the first-fruit harvest besides the 144,000.

In 1944, what did Bro. Houteff say may be found to include in the first-fruit harvest?

“Writing in 1930, the Rod was necessarily speaking in terms, not of the then unknown membership of today, but of the established membership at that time. And though the number then (300,000) did naturally suggest about an even division of members (two classes, good and bad—‘wise virgins’ and ‘foolish virgins’), yet as there are only 144,000 Israelites to be sealed, the number of the unsealed would have even then exceeded the number of the sealed.

In the final analysis, however, it is neither the Rod's purpose nor its intent to say just how many wise and how many foolish there will be in this first-fruit harvest, for when the whole truth is made known, the figure of the ‘five wise virgins,’ besides comprehending the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, may be found to include a considerable number from the Gentile nations.” Emphasis Added—The Answerer, Book No. 4, 1944, pgs. 34, 35

Answer: This statement is quite clear but since it has been misconstrued in so many ways by private interpreters that it requires that his answer to this questioner be broken down to ascertain its context and meaning because “…there are circumstances in connection with certain aspects of every message which necessitate clarification. . . . And the light may come solely from within the message itself...”—The Answerer, Book No. 1, 1944, pg. 49.

• Question, No 1: How many are to be sealed?

Answer: In the first paragraph of his answer he states, “…there are only 144,000 Israelites to be sealed.” Notice he’s stating there are only 144,000 Israelites to be sealed. He is acknowledging that there will be no more Israelites other than 144,000.

• Question, No. 2: What does the phrase “In the final analysis” mean?

Answer: This phrase is used when something is being discussed that is most important or true in a given situation after everything has been considered.

• Question, No. 3: What does the word “however” mean?

Answer: The adverb “However” is used to introduce a statement that seems to contradict something that has been said previously. In this case, he appears to be contradicting what he said in the paragraph before the statement in question, i.e., “…there are only 144,000 Israelites to be sealed…” from the first fruit harvest (Ezekiel chapter 9) by stating that it, “…may be found to include a considerable number from the Gentile nations.”

Question, No. 4: What is not the Rod’s “purpose nor its intent”?

Answer: “…it is neither the Rod's purpose nor its intent to say just how many wise and how many foolish [virgins] there will be in this first-fruit harvest…” Emphasis and brackets added.

• Question, No. 5: What harvest is being discussed: The first-fruit harvest or the second-fruit harvest?

Answer: “…in this first-fruit harvest.” He is referring strictly to the first fruit harvest.

Question, No. 6: What is the first-fruit harvest?

“In other words, at the first-fruit harvest, when all the sinners have been taken out of the church, and the righteous left by themselves as were the 120 disciples in the upper room, then and only then can the Lord finally pour out His Spirit's power upon all, so that all (all the ‘escaped’ ones) shall prophesy, dream dreams, and see visions.” —The Answerer, Book No. 1, 1944, pg. 91

See also: The Symbolic Code, Texas, 1943, Vol. 9, Nos. 1-12, pg. 6; Tract 3: The Judgment and the Harvest (third-edition), 1942, pg. 71

Answer: He is discussing the first-fruit harvest which solely pertains to the church, whereas, the second-fruit harvest is the ingathering from the world.

• Question, No. 7: What did he mean when he said, “…for when the whole truth is made known”?

Answer: It simply means when all the truth is completely understood. In other words, the whole truth was not completely understood at the time the statement in question was written. In Timely Greetings, 1949, Vol. 2, Nos. 39, 40, pg. 23, Bro. Houteff said, “Moreover, you never see the whole world at a glance.  You only see a part of it at a time.  Likewise you cannot expect to see the whole Truth all at once, but only a little at a time.  Cling to that little, and as you continue in prayer and study, it will all become as clear as the sun and you will begin to comprehend the subject in its entirety.” Emphasis added.

• Question, No. 8: To whom does the figure of the “wise and foolish virgins” apply?

“The virgins are a figure of the church.  Number ‘ten,’ has the symbolic meaning of universal (the church as a body).” Emphasis added.—The Shepherd’s Rod, 1932, Vol. 2, pg. 181

“The ‘cry’ for the living being of a greater importance to the world than the one for the dead, and as the ‘virgins’ are a figure of the living church, the parable must have a direct application to the church at this present time,—the coming of the bridegroom for the judgment of the living.” Emphasis added.—The Shepherd’s Rod, 1932, Vol. 2, pg. 181

Answer: The figure of the five wise and foolish virgins are a figure of the church.

• Question, No. 9: What may be found to be included in the figure of the five wise virgins?

Answer: “…a considerable number from the Gentile nations.”

Putting it All Together

Now that the contents of this statement have been unpacked by the Shepherd’s Rod itself can the magnitude of his answer to the questioner be understood in respect to the number of the “five wise and five foolish virgins.” This same statement is going to be repeated below but with the addition of brackets with the meanings defined above to facilitate a thorough understanding of this profound statement, to wit: On page 34, Bro, Houteff stated, “…there are only 144,000 Israelites to be sealed…” Then he continued with his answer on page 35, “In the final analysis [after all has been considered], however [what I am about to say is seemingly going to contradict what I just said a moment ago about there being only 144,000 Israelites sealed], it is neither the Rod's purpose nor its intent [to give a specific number] to say just how many wise and how many foolish there will be in this first-fruit harvest [the harvest in the church] for when the whole truth is made known [when all the truth is revealed], the figure of the ‘five wise virgins,’ [figure of the church universally as a body] besides comprehending [only] the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, may be [possibly] found to include a considerable number from the Gentile nations.” This statement now stands clear as crystal to the wise and prudent. After Bro. Houteff’s acknowledgment that there will be only 144,000 Israelites from the first-fruit harvest, the one from the church, he goes on to say that it may be found to include a considerable number from the Gentile nations. Nevertheless, was the whole truth made known on this subject in 1944? No, Bro. Houteff wrote as truth was revealed. He was very careful in his delineations of scripture and spoke as he was led by Inspiration, “Thus must it be today, because ‘the secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.’ Deut. 29:29. God knows how to lead and how to save.  I cannot, therefore, give you light beyond what inspiration makes known.  I can only speak of the things that are revealed.” Emphasis added.—Timely Greetings, 1949, Vol. 2, Nos. 41, 42, pg. 4.

In 1946, how many “life savers” was the Lord advertising for?

“Right now the Lord is advertising for at least 144,000 life-savers, with headquarters on famous Mt. Zion—a greater post than was held by Joseph.  Will you be one of them?” Emphasis added.—Timely Greetings (revised edition), 1953, Vol. 1, Nos. 1, 2, pg. 27

Answer: “Right now the Lord is advertising for at least 144,000 life-savers…” This statement reads without equivocation. It really requires no comment. Nonetheless, it will be viewed under the light of other SRod statements to thoroughly understand exactly what he was expressing. Again, this necessitates definitions derived from the SRod. These definitions will be formed into questions to allow the SRod to speak for itself beginning with when this Timely Greetings was initially published:

• Question, No. 1: When was Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 2 published?

“Right now the Lord is advertising for at least 144,000 life-savers, with headquarters on famous Mt. Zion—a greater post than was held by Joseph. Will you be one of them?”—Timely Greetings (first-edition), 1946, Vol. 1, No. 2, pg. 11.

Answer: This statement was originally penned in 1946 but reads exactly the same as the aforementioned 1953 revised-edition. In other words, the statement in question does not find its origin in 1953 but in 1946. Notice the page number of the first-edition where this statement is found. It’s page 11, whereas, the revised-edition was an expansion of this same Timely Greetings and finds this same statement on page 27. In other words, this Timely Greetings was revised, expanded, and reprinted in 1953 but the actual statement itself was written in 1946. (See Image 2). This is important for the reason that it was an earlier statement versus a later statement.

Question, No. 2: Bro. Houteff stated, “Right now the Lord is advertising for at least 144,000 life-savers …” This begs the question: What time are we in now?

“The very fact that Inspiration has now unfolded these prophecies, and has brought them to the attention of the church, leads us to know for a certainty that the time for the restoration of the Kingdom is at hand; that we are now in the sealing time of the 144,000; and that if we are faithful we shall be among them, and stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion.” Emphasis added.—Timely Greetings, 1948, Vol. 2, Nos. 1, 2, pg. 11

Answer: We are now in the sealing time of the 144,000.

• Question, No. 3: What is the “Sealing time of the 144,000”?

"The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord, and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God.  Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the 144,000." Emphasis added.—The Shepherd's Rod, 1932, Vol. 2 pg. 165, 166

Answer: The sealing time of the 144,000 is the closing work for the church.

• Question, No. 4: What time period is the “closing work for the church”?

“The ‘rain’ falls in the ‘first month,’ that is, the month by which the closing work for the church is represented—the sealing time of the 144,000.  Therefore, in that period of time (before Ezekiel Nine)...” Emphasis added.—The Shepherd's Rod, 1932, Vol. 2 pg. 257

Answer: The “closing work for the church” is the period of time before Ezekiel 9.

• Question, No. 5: What does the phrase “at least” mean?

 Answer: According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary the noun “at least” means: “at a minimum.”

By the foregoing facts, the “right now” Bro. Houteff was referring to was the time we are now in—the sealing time of the 144,000—the closing work for the church which is before Ezekiel 9 in which he said, “…the Lord is advertising for at least 144,000 life-savers.” This statement doesn’t read the Lord is advertising for only 144,000 but at least 144,000. The least of some number is its minimum. In other words, Bro. Houteff was not talking about only 144,000 in this statement but the possibility of more; furthermore, neither does he use nouns such as: “Jews,” “Israelites,” “Jacobites,” etc. as in other statements but “lifesavers.” Since nothing in the publications of the SRod states there are to be other Israelites sealed other than a 144,000 in the first-fruit harvest, who else was he referring to when he stated, “…the Lord is advertising for at least 144,000 lifesavers…”. The reader would have to make that determination.

In 1947, who did Bro. Houteff say would be among the first-fruits of the Harvest?

“Here is seen that from among the first fruits of the harvest, come the 144,000, the servants of God for the closing work of the great harvest.  These are the first saints ever to have been relieved of the ‘tares’ among them.  Get ready, Brother, Sister, for the time is at hand. This phase of truth reveals the sealing of the first and second fruits: From among the first fruits come the 144,000— 12,000 out of each of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.  Down through the centuries they have descended first as Jacobites and then as Christians.  After these, come the second fruits, the great multitude out ‘of all nations.’ Rev. 7:9-17.” Emphasis added.—Tract 15: To the Seven Churches, 1947, pgs. 62, 63

Answer: He states, “…from among the first-fruits of the harvest, come the 144,000…” denoting that the 144,000 are just part of the first-fruits but not all of the first-fruits! In other words, there are other first-fruits that are to compose the first-fruits other than the 144,000. Inasmuch as this statement speaks volumes, it can be better understood after it’s broken down into its component parts:

• What is called “the first-fruits of the Harvest”?

“The purification of God's church marks the harvest or the ‘Loud cry’ of the Third Angel's Message, for the Lord of the harvest declares, ‘Let both grow together until the harvest.’  The wheat gathered at the commencement of the harvest and at the separation from the tares in the church, is called the first-fruits of the harvest.” Emphasis added.—The Shepherd's Rod, 1932, Vol. 2 pg. 102

Answer: The wheat gathered at the commencement of the harvest at the separation from the tares in the church is called the “first-fruits of the Harvest.”

• Who are the “first-fruits of the Harvest”?

The first-born

“Having taken charge of the first-born, the first fruits of the harvest, He will use them to gather The Second Fruits.” Emphasis added.—Tract 4: The Latest News for "Mother" (third-edition), 1942, pg. 49

The servants of God in the time of the “Loud Cry”

“The first fruits of the harvest, are the servants of God in the time of the ‘loud cry’ of the Third Angel's Message.” Emphasis added.—The Shepherd's Rod, 1932, Vol. 2 pg. 169

The 144,000

“Hence these escaped (remaining) ones are God's remnant, His first fruits of the harvest, His guileless servants, the 144,000—the elect.” Emphasis added.—The White-House Recruiter, 1951, pg. 24

“Since this is so you certainly see that our elders are now doing what the priests in Christ's day were doing, and also what the religious leaders down through the Reformation were doing, and are no less determined to keep this message away from the laity, and to thereby deceive even the very elect, the 144,000, the very first fruits of the harvest, those who are to survive the Judgment ‘in the house of God’ (1 Pet. 4:17), the future servants of God!” Emphasis added.—Jezreel Letter, No. 2, circa 1951-1952, pg. 7

Answer: The 144,000.

The statements above make it clear that not only are the 144,000 the “first born” and “the servants of God during the time of the ‘Loud Cry’” but also the “first fruits of the harvest.” Does this contradict what Bro. Houteff said in Tract 15: To the Seven Churches, pg. 62? No, there is no contradiction. These statements are both true. What he said in 1947 must be harmonized with what he said in 1951, “Moreover, whatever interpretation we may place on any statement in reference to any truth, must be in harmony with every other statement on the subject.” Emphasis added.—The Symbolic Code, Texas, 1937, Vol. 3, No. 1, pg. 11. In other words, all statements related to “the first fruits of the harvest” must be harmonized to avoid the pitfall of agreeing with one passage while disagreeing with another, “We would never try to establish an idea on the basis of agreeing with one passage of Scripture while disagreeing with another, for such a conclusion is as sure to be erroneous as if one should conclude that when the sun sets in the evening, it will never arise in the morning.”—The Symbolic Code, Texas, 1936, Vol. 2, No. 1, pg. 5. In one place, he may state the 144,000 are the “first fruits of the harvest” and yet in another he may say the 144,000 are to be among the “first fruits of the harvest.” These statements are in perfect harmony when viewed in the light of all the SRod has stated on the subject. Bear in mind, he’s been stating there will be more than 144,000 in the “first fruit Harvest” since as early as 1940. The 144,000 are just the Israelites in the “first fruit Harvest.” Notice what he says on page 63 of the same tract, “…From among the first fruits come the 144,000—12,000 out of each of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.  Down through the centuries they have descended first as Jacobites and then as Christians.” Inasmuch as the 144,000 are the “first fruits of the Harvest” they do not compose the “first-fruits of the harvest” alone but just those that are from the twelve tribes of Israel.

In 1953, who did Bro. Houteff say would survive the Judgment for the living?

“So, only those who survive the Judgment for the Living, in the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17), those whose names are not blotted out from the Book (Rev. 3:5) will comprise the church, among whom are to be 144,000 sons of Jacob (Rev. 7:3-8), and when Michael stands up then those whose names are left in the Book will be delivered from the ‘trouble such as never was’ (Daniel 12:1).  They are ‘the remnant,’ the ones who escape alive from the Judgment for the Living in the House of God.  Thus the antitypical temple is to be built (Ezekiel chapters 40-43) and the cities are to be spread abroad.” Emphasis added.—Timely Greetings (revised edition), 1953, Vol. 1, Nos. 11, 12, pg. 11

Answer: This statement is further evidence that 144,000 will be among the survivors of Ezekiel Chapter Nine—the Judgment for the Living. It is as plain as the English language can make it. However, due to the seemingly complexity of this statement, it will be unpacked in its entirety. Consider the SRod’s definitions of the terms contained therein.

• What is the “Judgment for the living in the House of God”?

“…the slaughter takes place only among God's people; that it is the Judgment for the Living in the ‘house of God’ (1 Pet. 4:17); that shepherds are slain because they have kept the sheep away from the Lord's green pasture (present Truth); that the faithful laity take their places; that then the church, ‘bright as the sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners,’ ‘goes forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer.’  Thus is the gospel work finished and the wicked world brought to an end.”—Timely Greetings (revised edition), 1953, Vol. 1, Nos. 44, 45, pg. 20

Answer: The slaughter of Ezekiel 9 is synonymous with the Judgment for the Living in the house of God—the church.

• The blotting out of names from the Book (Rev. 3:5) is paralleled with what event?

“That part of the Investigative Judgment of the living, by which is determined who are to have their sins blotted out and, as a result, be given eternal life, is paralleled on earth by the work of the angel with the ‘writer's inkhorn,’ who is charged to ‘mark’ (seal) everyone who sighs and cries for all the abominations in Judah and Israel—the church. And the work of the five others who follow on to slay all who have not the ‘mark’ (seal), is paralleled in heaven by the blotting out of the sinners' names from the Book of Life. (See Ezekiel 9; Testimonies to Ministers, p. 445; Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 211).” Emphasis added.—The Answerer, Book No. 2, 1944, pg. 41

Answer: The slaughter of those who have not the seal is paralleled in heaven with the blotting out of the sinners’ name from the lamb’s Book of Life.

• When does Michael stand-up?

“Then when we have accomplished this work (when the ‘firstfruits’ therein have been sealed), Michael will stand up to deliver every one whose name is found written in the book (Dan. 12:1)—every one who has the seal: for they are then entering into the time of trouble such as never was.  And while standing, He shall send ‘this pure, true, sanctified ministry’—B:55-1886, 144,000 in number, ‘unto the nations’ to declare His glory among the Gentiles’ (Isa. 66:19), and to deliver the rest of His people.” Emphasis added.—The Symbolic Code, Texas, 1941, Vol. 7, Nos. 7-12, pgs. 17, 18

Answer: Michael stands-up when the first fruits are sealed.

• How does Bro. Houteff use the phrase “among whom” in the SRod?

“In the former harvest [First Fruit harvest] are the 144,000–those not defiled with women [Christian Jews]; in the latter harvest [Second Fruit harvest] is the great multitude, among whom there is also a group “not defiled with women. [Christian Jews]” Emphasis and brackets added.—“Behold, I Make All Things New” (1940, First-Edition), pg. 45

Christian Jews (the 144,000) are those “not defiled with women”

“In the cumulative light focusing to this point the 144,000, ‘the firstfruits,’ stand forth clearly as Christian Jews who are found in the church at the commencement of the harvest. In this respect they are not defiled with women.  They have, in other words, from their birth been God's people (Jews)—not defiled with heathen worship.  They ‘follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth,’ with the result that when He stands on Mt. Zion, they, too, stand there.” Emphasis added.—Tract 9: "Behold, I Make All Things New" (second-edition), 1942, pg. 55

Answer: In this example, Bro. Houteff states, “…in the latter harvest [second fruits] is the great multitude, among whom there is also a group “not defiled with women [Christian Jews].” In other words, the phrase “among whom” is used to indicate that there is a group to be found among or within another group. In this case, he makes clear that Jews will be among Gentiles in the second fruit harvest.

As the terms of this statement have been unpacked by the sure word of truth, the reader can now confidentially proceed with a thorough understanding of “who” and “what” Bro. Houteff was referring to when he said, “…among whom are to be 144,000 sons of Jacob…” In this statement, similar verbiage was employed as in 1947 when he stated, “Here is seen that from among the first fruits of the harvest, come the 144,000...” indicating that the 144,000 were to be found among the “first fruits of the Harvest.” The “first fruits of the Harvest” are the “survivors” or “escapees” of Ezekiel Chapter 9’s slaughter, “Now you can clearly see that those who escape the slaughter foreseen in Ezekiel nine, are…the first fruits of the harvest…”—Timely Greetings (revised edition), 1953, Vol. 1, Nos. 51, 52, pgs. 20, 21. However, in the statement in question he states, “…those who survive the Judgment for the Living, in the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17)…”, “…those whose names are not blotted out from the Book (Rev. 3:5) will comprise the church among whom are to be 144,000 sons of Jacob (Rev. 7:3-8)…” The first and second clause of the statement under discussion gives the impression that the 144,000 are the ones being discussed until he states “…among whom are to be 144,000 sons of Jacob…” indicating that 144,000 are to be among whom “…those who survive the Judgment for the Living, in the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17)…” and among whom “…those whose names are not blotted out from the Book (Rev. 3:5)…” that will comprise the church. He then continues by saying, “They are ‘the remnant,’ the ones who escape alive from the Judgment for the Living in the House of God.” The “they” here mentioned are not only classified as the remnant but are also said to escape alive from the Judgment for the Living in the House of God. Furthermore, “they” are “…only those…” and “…those whose…” the 144,000 are to be among as employed by the phrase “…among whom are to be 144,000 sons of Jacob…”! In other words, whoever these are, the 144,000 sons of Jacob are to be found among them thus numbering more than 144,000 survivors from the Judgment for the Living in the House of God.

Summary

• In 1935, it was unknown to Bro. Houteff if others were to survive Ezekiel 9 besides 144,000 Israelites.

• In 1940, after receiving more light, he stated both Jews (144,000) and Gentiles were to compose the harvest in the church and the harvest from the world.

• In 1942, he practically states the same thing but different verbiage.

• In 1944, he stated besides comprehending 144,000 sons of Jacob (Israelites), the first-fruit harvest—the harvest in the church, may be found to include a considerable number from the Gentile nations.

• In 1946, only two years later, he states, “Right now the Lord is advertising for at least 144,000 life-savers.”

• One year later, in1947, Bro. Houteff stated, “…from among the first-fruits of the harvest, come the 144,000…” which means that the 144,000 are to be among the first-fruits but are not the first-fruits as a whole.

• In 1953, he states the same but summarizes it with an abbreviated timeline of subsequent events and uses more definitive language, “So, only those who survive the Judgment for the Living, in the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17), those whose names are not blotted out from the Book (Rev. 3:5) will comprise the church, among whom are to be 144,000 sons of Jacob…”