Sometimes, the Lord keeps a little secret for a while and then reveals it at just the right time for maximum effect. For 2700 years, a tiny artifact about the size of a fingertip, lay buried in the dirt just south of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. In 2009, it was recovered from the earth and identified as a seal impression in clay (called a bulla), catalogued, and stored in a university closet. It lay there in the dark several more years before it was analyzed more closely, and the inscription was understood to be that of one of the most famous biblical kings, King Hezekiah!

When the value of this treasure was understood, it was finally announced to the public after so many centuries of obscurity, on a very special day: December 2, 2015.^[1] “What makes this day special?” you might ask. For the unwitting public, the day was like every other, but for one who recognizes God’s voice in Orion, the day is very significant. Not only were we expecting a blessing according to our application of Daniel 12:12 as explained in the previous article, but the plagues cycle of Orion marks that very day with a throne line, indicating that it is something especially relating to the Godhead. I will explain that relation later in this article.

The professor who conducted the excavation noted what makes this a remarkable find for the rest of the world: “This is the first time that a seal impression of an Israelite or Judean king has ever come to light in a scientific archaeological excavation.”^[2] In other words, this finding comes with strong scientific backing to substantiate its authenticity, since it is known to have originated directly from a site just south of the Temple Mount, adjacent to a royal building.

Signs from God

When the voice of God speaks, the wise listen, rather than mock as though it were merely thunder. As we discussed previously, when His voice spoke at the beginning of the plagues cycle, there was a great sign: as the sun set in Mexico, beginning the High Sabbath of Yom Kippur, 2015, which we had recognized was marked by the Clock of God in Orion from the beginning of this ministry,^[3] the most powerful storm ever recorded, hurricane Patricia, threatened to wreak terrible havoc on the inhabitants ashore.^[4] But despite its arrival with looming destructive potential, there was little actual damage, because the time for unrestrained devastation was still a bit in the future.

God is showing the world His tears in El Niño, as the loosening of the four winds begins. As yet, the strife is held in check until the harvest is gathered in, as it was prophesied:

All who have not the spirit of truth will unite under the leadership of Satanic agencies, but they are to be kept under control till the time shall come for the great battle of Armageddon.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:967 (1900). {LDE 238.3}^[5]

The voice of God spoke again on December 2, 2015 at the second plague, and there was another great sign amidst the mountains of evidence that became visible on that day. This time, it was a sign of approval and blessing upon those who heard it like God gave His Son at His baptism.

And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Mark 1:10-11)

The Father gave His approval by a voice from heaven, at which time, the Holy Spirit came down upon Him. The divine testimony proclaimed that Jesus was the Son of God. In like manner, the Holy Spirit came down in 2010, when the Father’s voice began to be heard from heaven in Orion, and together, they have been proclaiming the virtues of Jesus, the Wounded One. The sign that was given was the revelation of the tiny seal impression mentioned above, exactly on the date when we had been expecting a blessing. It may not seem like much, but it is replete with significance, which we shall explore.

Right from the get-go, it is a righteous king’s seal of authority! It is as though God is saying, “This is my beloved Son [as seen in Orion], in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”^[6] The LastCountdown is the only ministry that was waiting expectantly for a blessing on that date. For everyone else, the discovery of the seal is a nice find, but they cannot hear the voice of God in it. Only those who understand the significance of the timing may discern the blessing.

When a find like this comes exactly at the termination of the Daniel timeline, and even coincides with a key marker on the Orion clock, we can discern a relationship. And as we explore, we discover many more details to further substantiate it. For example, the seal was revealed on a throne-line date, which indicates that it has something to do with God and His seat of authority. With this find, God would have the world know to whom He has given the signet of His right hand.

Sealed with God’s Authority

A seal attests to the authorship or ownership of that which is sealed (for example, a document or container), and is also used as a mark of authority, as with the book of seven seals, which could only be opened by Him who was found worthy to loosen its seals. No one else was found with the proper authority. A complete seal expresses three key attributes that identify the authority behind it:

1. Name
2. Title
3. Territory

A common example of a biblical seal containing these elements is, “The Lord (1), Creator (2) of Heaven and Earth (3).” One instance where we find an impression of this seal is on the Sabbath commandment from the law of God:

For in six days the LORD [name] made [title: Maker] heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is [territory], and rested the seventh day: wherefore [by the stated authority] the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:11)

We can be sure of the authenticity of the Sabbath and the territory over which it applies by referring to the seal affixed to it. (Those who contest the applicability of the seventh-day Sabbath should question what seal of authority declares any other day to be sacred, and consider which seal bears the greater authority.)

Authority may also be bestowed upon one’s subjects, as was the case with Adam:

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth [territory delegated to man]. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:26-27)

God bestowed authority upon man, giving them a portion of His own territory to have dominion over. God’s seal of authority is expressed (God, man’s Maker) and He figuratively engraves man’s signet as well, designating his territory, and his capacity as an image or reflection of God (man’s title). God’s seal was impressed upon mankind the way He created them: as a complimentary pair: male and female. No other combination (male and male, female and female, or the role-reversed female and male) bears the seal of God. The image of God is effaced in these other combinations, and the authority God bestowed upon man as He created him, male and female, is forfeited. It’s not hate speech to say so, it’s just the reality.

And [they] changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man... For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (Romans 1:23, 26-27)

When the pope says things like “Who am I to judge?” do you, dear Catholic reader, understand that it is contrary to the doctrine of the apostle Paul? He warned us not to allow those living in open sin to remain in the church. By doing so, although the sinners feel comfortable, the church has lost its effectiveness and cannot accomplish its work. Now, we must stand independent of any church organization.

But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without [outside the church]? do not ye judge them that are within? (1 Corinthians 5:11-12)

A Love to Die For

The Creator invests everything with meaning. Nothing He does or allows is without purpose. He has given us many puzzle pieces to fit together, and it is our job as kings and priests, to work with the Holy Spirit to assemble the puzzle, as the proverb says:

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. (Proverbs 25:2)

Even the fact that it was a seal impression that God chose as the medium for communicating the blessing bears remarkable significance, for it points us to God’s own seal! In the Song of Solomon (the man gifted with wisdom more than all others), the love story of Christ and His people (who are represented by the beloved Shulamite) is related, and it shows us something important about His signet. The story features not only the Man and His beloved, but there is a chorus of onlookers who sing along from time to time as well. Speaking of His beloved, He says,

“My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her.” (Song of Solomon 6:9)

She is described as “the choice one”, like the delicious, first-ripe figs of the fig harvest^[7] and “undefiled” like those who seek God with their whole heart:

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. (Psalm 119:1-3)

And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:3-5)

But in the song, He includes a note of uncertainty, saying,

I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether [or not] the vine flourished, and the pomegranates budded. I knew not, my soul set me on the chariots of my willing people. (Song of Solomon 6:11, 12, margin)

He didn’t know whether the fruit would be flourishing, yet He put Himself in the care of His willing people. Would the fruit of faith be found? Would any be willing to follow Jesus’ example of selfless love? God gave His Son to make it possible, and He made His own life dependent on whether they could be found. Is it a wonder that the chorus of voices joins in, calling for Jesus’ beloved, that they may see her?!

Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies. (Song of Solomon 6:13)

As the song continues, the beloved expresses her love:^[8]

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. (Song of Solomon 8:6-7)

The imagery is that of her hands clinging to His arm and her face pressed against His heart as one would press a signet into clay. Her love is like a signet, and is represented as being as strong as death, and as a fire so fierce that no amount of water can quench it. The language is that which is used in relation to the wrath of God upon the wicked.^[9] In other words, her love is as strong as the second death! She represents His willing people—willing to give their own eternal lives for love! They possess the faith that Jesus earnestly asked if He would find, knowing that even the Father Himself was depending on it!

Imagine! The Almighty, entrusting His own life, in which is wrapped the existence of the whole Universe, into the “chariots” of love of weak, erring humans! He trusts that His own deep love—like Jesus demonstrated on the cross—will be manifest in His people of the last generation. Truly God is love, and that love is a fountain of water of life that flows through His Son and refreshes those who appreciate what Jesus did for them, for when they consider the depth of His sacrifice, in giving them deliverance from the bondage of the sin they hate, that same love begins to spring up in themselves, enabling them to return it back to the Father as a token of gratitude and praise. They have love because He first loved them. They walk in His ways without regard to cost or reward, simply because they love Him more than anything else. His law is written on their heart. They have the faith of Jesus and they sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, having willingly followed their Master in drinking the dregs from the Holy Grail. It is all an outflow of the Father’s love, and it is embodied in His signet ring.

Length of Days and Long Life

Hezekiah had two different seals that he used during his reign, and he made the switch after an important event in his life. It was when he was sick unto death, and at his request of God, was granted an extension of life.^[10] The Seal impression that was found on December 2 was his later one from after his healing experience, and therefore includes especially that event in the message that God is communicating.

The symbols on the seal impression from the Ophel suggest that they were made late in his life, when both the Royal administrative authority and the King’s personal symbols changed from the winged scarab (dung beetle)—the symbol of power and rule that had been familiar throughout the Ancient Near East, to that of the winged sun—a motif that proclaimed God’s protection, which gave the regime its legitimacy and power, also widespread throughout the Ancient Near East and used by the Assyrian Kings.^[11]

Although there is definite Egyptian influence, Hezekiah was a devout follower of Yahweh and no sun worshipper. We must understand the symbols as Hezekiah would have meant them—in the same way that Malachi spoke regarding the sun: “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.”^[12] He was simply utilizing a common and widely understood symbol of the winged sun and applying its meaning to his God. It is important to understand these symbols in the proper light, lest interpret them according to a wrong context.

Not only does the sun, represent God’s provision, and the downward-pointing wings, His protection, as though ready to embrace and shield, but because God gave Hezekiah a sign in the sun that he would be healed, for him, it would have been doubly representative of God’s protection and care!

The ankhs on either side of the wings were another common Egyptian symbol that represented life. The association of these ankhs with the protecting sun and its rays of blessing and provision reiterates the reference to his healing.

His story is a well-known Bible story retold in three books of the Bible. God honored Hezekiah with a great sign in the sun—a sign of life that was marked on a great “clock”—the sundial of Ahaz—by moving the shadow backward 10 degrees! It was a disproportionately grand sign in comparison to the event, which shows that it pointed to something much greater! The honor God bestowed on him also served to test the king’s pride, however, and he failed the test by not giving God the glory, but pointing to his own achievements as though they were meritorious. Nevertheless, his repentance for his pride is recorded in Scripture.^[13] The change in his seal shows the genuineness of his repentance for his pride, for he no longer identified with the former symbol, which gave tribute to his own power and dominion, but designed his later seal to give the glory to God, acknowledging His provision and protection over him and expressing gratitude for life. Not only has God now honored his repentance by pointing to this discovery with His heavenly clock in Orion, but He incorporates the lesson of humility and faith into the message, for though the 144,000 do a great work, it is Christ who does the work through them, for of themselves, they can do nothing.

Not only does the Orion clock point to the bulla from the timing, but even the symbols on the seal itself are intimately related to this message! In the Orion clock, the outer stars are represented in Scripture by seraphim with six wings; two to cover the face, two to cover the feet, and two outstretched wings to fly!^[14] Thus, the motif combines the outstretched wings of the seraphim with the suns of Orion, which the seraphim represent in reality, and together, they form a sign that reiterates the significance of the timing as a pointer to this message!

But the ankhs also point to this message, for they are a symbol of life, and in our modern world today, the well-known natural symbol of life is DNA. What we commonly refer to as the “Orion Message,” includes not just the Orion clocks, but also the High Sabbath List, also known as the Vessel of Time, which has many allegorical relationships to DNA!^[15]

Engraved Like a Signet

The signet ring of God is like no other, but it serves the same purposes as the physical variety. In symbolic terms, the Bible describes how this special signet is designed. As Moses was given instructions regarding the garments of the priest, three times he was instructed to make engravings “like the engravings of a signet.”^[16] The language is significant. God does not use words without purpose or intent. He could have described the depth of the engravings, for example, but He chose to associate them with a signet. In order for the text engraved on a signet to be legible on the seal, it is necessary to be deeply engraved. Simply scratching the surface, while it would be visible on the signet ring itself, it would not be enough to transfer to the clay into which it is pressed. By relating the engravings for the priest to that of a signet, the Scripture points to something greater—God’s own signet.

In the design of the priest’s ephod, there were twelve precious stones on the breastplate that were engraved with the names of the children of Israel—one name per stone. Near to the heart, the children of God are individually represented according to their tribe. On the priest’s shoulders, however, the names of the children of Israel were again engraved in two precious stones, only this time, they are represented collectively, with six names engraved on each of the two shoulder stones. By symbolically placing the children of Israel on His shoulders, He shows us that it is He who upholds us and is our strength in time of trouble.

Dividing the twelve tribes into two sets of six is not common, but we see the same pattern in the show-bread that was continually present in the sanctuary. There were twelve loaves of unleavened bread in two stacks of six that were set on a table for display before God continually, being refreshed weekly. The bread represents the body of Christ—the church—but especially that last generation, who fulfills the purpose of the church as Paul stated:

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:11-13)

The bread was on display before God as a reminder of the end result of salvation—that generation possessing the unity of the faith and the completion of man’s growth and maturity into that which fills Christ, i.e. Christlikeness, particularly His self-sacrificial love. The shoulder stones in the ephod represent the last generation as well, being upheld from sin by Christ and set on display as the first fruits of salvation. The weight of the world’s sin rested upon the shoulders of Christ, our High Priest, and the weight of this burden is lifted through that upheld people, being interposed between His shoulders and the burden. Theirs is not a role of strength, for they could lift nothing apart from Christ, but they see in themselves what He can do, and this is a necessary part of the plan. They prove the effectiveness of Christ’s salvation and they reign with Him. Consider when Israel was given his name, representing His victory through claiming God’s power by faith:

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed [overcome]. (Genesis 32:28)

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:21)

The last generation of spiritual Israel have the same characteristics. They are overcomers—the first fruits of salvation, who have allowed the blood of Christ to cleanse them from sin while on earth. They validate the plan of salvation by proving that it is effective. It is a routine practice in the analytical industry. When a batch of samples is analyzed, several other prepared samples, called checks, must be analyzed with them. If they give the expected results, then you know that you can trust the results of the unknown samples. Without them, however, you have no proof that the analysis of the unknown samples was valid, and the results cannot be trusted. The 144,000 are the required check that the salvation which the great multitude of “unknown samples” receive at their resurrection, actually serves its intended purpose—the complete deliverance of the individual from sin.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. (John 8:34)

These [the 144,000] were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:4-5)

The third item of the priest’s attire that was engraved like a signet, was the golden plate affixed to the headwear, which bore the inscription, “Holiness to the Lord.” This also applies to the 144,000 because they are consecrated wholly to God. With implicit trust, they desire to follow His every word, not deviating this way or that, and they join the Psalmist, saying,

With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:10-11)

The law of God is the foundation of His government. This is represented in the sanctuary by its position directly beneath His throne—the mercy seat. It is universally obeyed in every province of His entire kingdom, and it is precisely that law, which is the central theme of the great conflict between the government of God and that of Satan. The devil’s kingdom consists of those who choose to disregard that law. Though they may profess to love the Lord, they do not love His nature, nor do they respect the authority of His seal, which is found in the law as we saw earlier. On the other hand, God’s people love His government and have His law written in their hearts and minds. These words express the sentiment of one who knows and loves the Lord:

I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love... Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. (Psalm 119:163, 165-167)

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:33-34)

Therefore, the engraving of “Holiness to the Lord” at the forehead represents the entire kingdom of God—the territory where His law is cherished and obeyed.

Do you understand what these things mean? The signet of God, as illustrated by the engravings, describes His people—His last generation! They are His living temple, in whom God dwells, and through whom His stamp of approval and authority is given! That temple is built during the great day of the Lord, when the character of God, as presented in His signet, is at last fully developed in that generation of His people!

The Day of the Lord

In the Bible, when Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, oversaw the laying of the foundation for the new temple, God said,

I will shake the heavens and the earth; And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts. (Haggai 2:21-23)

There is a clear application to the last days in this passage; it is not just a reference to the time of Jesus’ first advent. The more literal application is directly associated with the time of God’s wrath—the time in which we have been living since October 25, 2015!

Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof [Strong’s: Orion] shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible... Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger. (Isaiah 13:9-11, 13)

Note that the day (year) of the Lord^[17] is a time when God said that Orion would cease to give its light. Physically, the amount of light coming from Orion, or even all of the stars together, is rather miniscule, so it must be speaking spiritually. From Orion, the earth has been lightened with His glory, but the inhabitants of this world have rejected the light. Therefore, He has left them to wander in darkness.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:19-21)

When the light came, it was to bring conviction to the hearts of God’s people and prepare them for His return. But how few have taken advantage of that opportunity?! Now the light of the Holy Spirit is withheld from those who have rejected Him. Foreshadowed by the solar eclipse in the middle of the prophetic blood moon tetrad, even the sun and the moon, God’s bright lights of the Bible and the testimonies, no longer shine! Although the words are still available, the Spirit of understanding has left, and though they search with great intensity, they will not find the light...

...because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)

[The Lord has sent] a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it [because they rejected Him while He was available]. (Amos 8:11-12)

As Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity and became as an animal, so is humanity losing its sanity for having turned away from the Spirit of understanding. God is laying low their pride, but unlike Nebuchadnezzar, they won’t repent, because they can’t. Their lives are burdened with unforgiven and unforgivable sin, because they did not repent while Jesus was still interceding on their behalf. Now He is no longer pleading His blood (without which, there can be no forgiveness), but has left the sanctuary, and is waiting to harvest His people, as you will see in the next article.

Here is the patience [Strong’s: cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy] of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:12-13)

Once Jesus stopped His intercession, the death of the righteous became a blessing, for if they have not the endurance to stand the great trials without falling into sin, they would lose their eternal life, since sin can no longer be forgiven. Those who have the faith of Jesus to endure in their keeping of the commandments of God, were therefore given the seal of the Living God,^[18] granted “daily provisions” of the Holy Spirit to uphold them, and are prepared to take the role of His signet in the time of darkness.

A Living Signet

In the previous section, we saw how Zerubbabel was chosen by God to be as a signet. This was in association with the laying of the foundation of the temple whose glory exceeded that of Solomon’s temple by virtue of receiving Jesus, the Son of God in the flesh, within its walls. This also has a parallel for our time. The temple of Ezekiel’s vision, which was never physically built on the earth, is symbolic of the spiritual temple of the 144,000, whose foundation was laid by the message from Orion. John Scotram was the chosen instrument to oversee the laying of that foundation, and to be as a signet. In turn, the rest of the 144,000 are also to serve as His signet.

How does God use His living sealing ring? As I mentioned earlier, a seal was used in ancient times to declare ownership and authority. God uses His people for both purposes. He has established His authority through them. Because the 144,000 are the first fruits that validate the plan of salvation, they are the seal of assurance that the redeemed may be legitimately called children of God. This concept may be difficult to grasp, so let me explain.

Remember, because all have sinned, the devil has had claim to every human being from Adam to yourself, with the lone exception of Jesus Christ, who never sinned. Sinners are marked by Satan as subjects of his kingdom, and he is jealous to keep all who were once his. Those who received a love of the truth that they might be saved by the grace of Christ, must have a genuine mark of God’s authority to be claimed as His own—a mark that cannot be contested! The 144,000 are the living proof of God’s authority to claim a lover of truth as His own.

God’s provision for the church has been for it to grow up into the likeness of Christ,^[19] but not all of the saved throughout history have reached that measure and completely overcome sin. Rather, they had faith in Christ’s plan to bring them to that point, if time should allow. That faith consists of two elements. First, it is faith in Christ’s perfect sacrifice, without which, no flesh could be saved. But it is also faith that that perfect sacrifice would produce fruit on earth. While the 144,000 can do nothing to save a person, they do what Christ Himself could not do: they prove that humans, having once been trapped in sin, can indeed overcome that sin and live a Christlike life in the flesh in the midst of a polluted and exceedingly sinful world.

It is one thing to grow up into Christ in a heavenly atmosphere, where all things are supportive of that growth, as most of the redeemed will do, but it is an entirely different thing to grow up into the fullness of His stature against the tide of wickedness in the earth and the pressure to conform to one degree or another. The 144,000 come from the weakest, most degenerate and decrepit generation, but they have a love for the truth, as have all of God’s children, and Christ proves with them that that love is sufficient to overcome all obstacles. They are the proof that all people throughout all ages who demonstrate a love for truth, would, if they had the time and were given the light, come to the same point of victory. They prove that all that is necessary for salvation to be effective, is a supreme love for truth, or a desire to be Christlike, for their victory over sin was accomplished by faith without any other advantage of circumstance.

Jesus takes their love—their willingness to put Him first, no matter the cost to themselves—and indwells them by His Spirit. With His Spirit in them, He upholds them so that they are able to stand without sin in the time of plagues, against all the odds of their circumstances, which is one thing the devil can use against them to tempt them to turn away from the path of life to what he promises will be more pleasant circumstances.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him [from sin]: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. (Psalm 91:14-16)

God will not suffer one of His true-hearted workers to be left alone to struggle against great odds and be overcome. He preserves as a precious jewel every one whose life is hid with Christ in God. Of every such an one He says, “I... will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee” {7T 67.3}^[20]

The process of cleansing is not a pleasant one, but despite the pain, if one has a love for the truth that is greater than all else, having allowed God’s love in them to unstop that spring, the experience is blessed, however severe it may be. God can accomplish the cleansing work when we simply allow His love to wash away our pride and resistance.^[21]

Watching for His Coming

By bringing to light one square centimeter of ancient testimony on the day when He designated a special blessing, we see how the Lord uses the story of Hezekiah’s healing and the sign of the regressing sun to point to the grand climax of history, when the first-fruits of Salvation finally ripen and give their sweet fragrance. Even the origins of the artifact parallel the message to which it points!

The bulla was used originally to sign a document written on papyrus and kept rolled and tied with thin twine whose subtle marks can be seen on the back of the bulla... King Hezekiah’s bulla was discovered in a garbage heap that was dumped during or shortly after Hezekiah’s time, from a royal building that was used to store food.^[22]

A legitimate announcement of the return of Christ could not be given without proper authority. Orion is the document sealed with seven seals, which comes from a royal building (Orion, where the King dwells) that is used to store food (spiritual nourishment: the profound message of Orion). But much like Hezekiah’s seal, this message has been thrown out with the garbage by the majority of the world who don’t recognize its immense value.

Contrary to popular belief, the Bible does not say that no one will ever know the time of His return. Jesus did say that it wasn’t known when He was on the earth, but His counsel to watch because we don’t know the hour is best understood that we should watch so that we might learn the hour when it is revealed! This is made clear in Jesus’ message to the church of Sardis:

If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (Revelation 3:3)

Jesus draws a contrast between those who watch and those who don’t. By saying that if we don’t watch, He will come upon us as a thief, and we won’t know the hour of His coming, He also says that if we do watch, He will not come upon us as a thief, and we will know the hour of His coming. “Hour” is the most precise unit of time in the Bible. If He only wanted us to know the general season according to the signs of the times, as many suggest, He would not have used such a specific term.

It is like the times when you wait for a special delivery. When you check the tracking info, it is marked as “out for delivery.” But you don’t know whether it will come in the morning, midday, or in the evening! Several times, I requested that the driver call me shortly before delivery so that I could meet him at the delivery location. On these occasions, I would watch for their call to make sure I didn’t miss it, so I could have time to prepare to meet them. It is the same with Jesus. Notice how He explains it:

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:32-37)

Just as I didn’t know when to expect the delivery driver’s call during the day, humanity didn’t know when to expect the message of Jesus’ return, but they could know that it was near. In the parable, Jesus commanded the porter to watch. The porter was the door keeper, and he would watch for a messenger! This is brought out very clearly in the parable of the ten virgins, when a messenger comes announcing that the bridegroom was on his way:

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. (Matthew 25:6)

The messenger bears the authority of the one who sent him. In the case of a royal announcement, it would be sealed with the king’s signet ring so that the people would know that it was authentic. In the case of the announcement of Jesus’ return, the authority must come from the Father, for Jesus said that the times are in the Father’s authority.^[23] The good news of the coming of God’s Kingdom has arrived, and God has sealed that message with His own signet ring in Orion!

And this gospel [good news] of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14)

A witness gives evidence. As the mountains of evidence build that we are in the time of the final reaping, it catches the attention of a wider and wider class of people, until the evidence is so unmistakable that every sensible person on the planet will realize that it is time for the end of the world, “and then shall the end come.” The question you should ask yourself is, in which reaping will you be gathered? Will you be bundled among the tares to be burned, or will you be gathered into the barn with the wheat?

Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

The harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; (Matthew 13:30, 39-41)

It takes some time to sort and harvest a crop. The end of the world is a period of time, not a moment. When Jesus stepped out of the heavenly sanctuary and put on His kingly garments, He was crowned and the time of the end of the world began. Soon is the time of harvest—when the crop is mature and the good grain is separated from the pretentious weeds. In the next article, you will discover how this theme is repeated in the Revelation with a beautiful fit into the “end-of-the-world cycle” of the Orion clock (the plagues cycle).

A Revelation of Time

Not long ago, we discovered a simple clock in the story of Hezekiah’s healing and the sign in the sun. In the article, In the Shadow of Time, we called it the Reformation Clock, because it covers the span of the great Reformation of the church at the beginning of the modern era of history, highlighting the last phase of that Reformation, which was the Great Advent Movement of the 19^th century, and culminating with the present time and the completed reformation from sin.

Thus, God took a small clay bulla showing Hezekiah’s gratitude for the healing he received, and made it into a sign for the message of healing from sin overarching all humanity through all time! That simple clock gives us a measure for the shortening of the time of the end, as Jesus said must be the case:

And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. (Matthew 24:22)

The precious gift of the understanding of time, which God has given to all who will receive it through this ministry, reveals many things and answers many deep questions that people have been asking for ages. God has done this, not merely to satisfy our curiosity, but to teach important lessons. The Orion Message, with all of its temporal components, gives a framework of time from Creation until the Second Coming, into which biblical chronology has a splendidly perfect fit that should be the envy of every Christian chronologist!^[24]

But the Orion timeline is not the only timeline on the scale of the whole of Earth’s history! Please indulge me in reiterating what was presented previously, adding a few details to solidify the concept. Peter warned of the scoffers who would come in the last days, denying the promise of Jesus’ coming,

And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (2 Peter 3:4)

His explanation of their end gives us a working span of time for the judgment against the ungodly:

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:7-9)

The unwillingness of Jesus that any should perish for their sin is what prompted the first sacrifice at the gate of Eden, the garden of God, which prefigured the sacrifice of our Savior four thousand years later! The relationship of time that Peter establishes is that a thousand years represents one day, and he sets one day apart from the rest, saying,

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10)

Now I ask, which day is the day of the Lord? We need not look to tradition for an answer, but to the Bible:

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work... (Exodus 20:10)

Only one day is identified as the Lord’s, and it is distinguished from the rest of the week as a day of rest. Not only that, but the Sabbath is also associated with the promised rest from our earthly labors, as we enter into the heavenly Canaan:

Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (Hebrews 4:7-11)

It is clear, then, that the seven-day week, culminating with the seventh day, which is the Lord’s day—His Sabbath of rest—is the span of time which Peter identifies. Six millennial days of labor are given before the Lord’s day, when the people of God finally enter into His rest. Therefore, we understand that six thousand years are allotted for the labor against sin, before Jesus comes and gives us rest.

Now, the Word of God is not just a casual expression, but a sharp and discerning weapon:

For the word of God is quick [living], and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

How carefully and respectfully, then, should we handle it?! If we do, and we take seriously the six thousand years of labor for sin, rather than assuming it is a casual expression, then we discover a hidden treasure! Without going into detail here about the numeric symbolism, suffice it to say that the six millennia are divided into four and two. The divisive moment being in AD 31, when our Lord was crucified.^[25] Once again, we are reminded that at the focal point of all of God’s timelines, there stands the sacrifice of our Savior. He is the center of attention for all time. At the entrance of sin, the sacrifice was promised; after four millennia, the promise was realized; after two more millennia, the fruit of that sacrifice is harvested; and at the culmination of the millennial week after the thousand years of rest in heaven, sin will be eradicated and the promise of deliverance from it will be completely fulfilled!

And here is the simplicity of the measurement: the year in which the Lord should be expected to harvest the fruit of His sacrifice when He returns (were time not shortened), would be two thousand years after the crucifixion, or AD 2031. As we detailed before, however, the shortening of that time is given a measure in the extended life that Hezekiah received! His life was to be shortened, and fifteen years would have been taken away. Thus, the true year of Jesus’ return is not AD 2031, but fifteen years earlier, or AD 2016!

As we have come to expect of our amazing God, this is in perfect harmony with His other clocks! The last day of the Jewish feasts is the 8^th day of the feast of Tabernacles, called the Great Day or Shemini Atzeret. It is the feast day that prefigures Jesus’ return after a long wandering,^[26] and thus, in a simple way, we can discern the very day in which the Lord will return! That day begins at sunset on October 23, 2016, and the 24 hours of that day will live up to its name, for great indeed, is the day when “he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him.”^[27] As the earth makes its rotation, every eye will behold the King of Kings. The righteous dead will be raised and the 144,000 will join them in the cloud to welcome Him as their deliverer from a planet overcome by sin, while the wicked who remain until then will be destroyed at His coming on that day.

This is the second witness^[28] to the 372 days of special provision of the Holy Spirit that were discovered from a study of the meaning and counts of the sanctuary sacrifices, and which connect the other clocks directly to the day of the Second Coming.

How many who profess to await His return, hope for a Jesus that the Bible does not describe—one who accepts sinners living in sin?! No, no. He who thinks to see the Lord in peace when He returns, while he yet cherishes sin, will be bitterly disappointed.

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)

How few have heeded the counsel to the Hebrews to harden not your hearts, having heard God’s voice? Have you heard His voice in this message without becoming hardened against its correction? Have you sighed and cried for your own sin, preparing the way for God to cleanse you from it? If you see light reflecting from the facets of the beautiful gem of time, please make haste and drink from the fountain of life, for the great day is but months away, and you have A LOT to learn!

A Little Season

We are entering upon the millennial Sabbath of rest in Christ! For nearly six thousand years, the world has suffered under the burden of sin, but at the cross, the Way of salvation was prepared, and at this climactic year of history, He finally has a generation who will walk in that Way, unwilling to yield to sin. This is what He has been waiting for! In a matter of months, the wheat harvest will be gathered, the grapes of wrath crushed, and the devil will be bound, having no man to lead for a thousand years. But then, he is unchained, for the wicked are raised and live for “a little season” to be deceived again. Hear the biblical narrative about the devil:

And he [an angel] laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit [an abyss], and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

[In heaven during the thousand years:]

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

But the rest of the dead lived not again [note that they aren’t in hell, but dead!] until the thousand years were finished. This [the righteous dead who live and reign] is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations [who were raised after the thousand years] which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (Revelation 20:2-8)

At the end of the millennium, Satan is loosed for “a little season.” That expression is used only three other times in the New Testament (all by the apostle John; Strong’s numbers are G3398 and G5550), and they all refer to the same duration of time! The first two occurrences are in the Gospel of John:

Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. (John 7:33)

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. (John 12:35)

They both refer to the duration of Christ’s ministry on earth, which was three and a half years. The other occurrence is found in the Revelation, relating to the symbolic souls under the altar:

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (Revelation 6:9-11)

As we explained in the Orion Presentation,^[29] this period refers to the time of the judgment of the living, which is also shown to be three and a half years! From this, we can safely conclude that this phrase is specific to that duration of time. Incidentally, the number itself is half of seven, the number of completion. Therefore, it represents an incomplete work! Many claim that Jesus “did it all at the cross,” but this is not entirely true! He did complete the work that God gave Him to do on earth, but He has been waiting for the other half that completes the seven years. The last three and a half years of the judgment were the other half: the ministry of the Holy Spirit to find and seal the 144,000 with the seal of the Living God.

The Controversy Etched in Time

The battle between Christ and Satan is depicted in the timelines of Orion and the millennial week. These are two timelines that span from the Garden of Eden all the way until the millennium is completed, during which the righteous reign with Christ in heaven while the wicked rest in their graves.^[30] The millennial week is exactly 7000 years in duration, beginning with the entrance of sin into the world, while the Orion timeline is a little bit longer, beginning with the creation of man and continuing 7056 years. The Orion millennium is 1008 years long,^[31] so the seven millennia by this scale is 7 x 1008 = 7056 years. Beginning at the Creation in 4037 BC, 7056 years brings us to AD 3020. On the other hand, the 7000-year timeline begins in 3970 BC, exactly 4000 years before the crucifixion of Jesus, and ends in AD 3016, taking the 15-year shortening of time into account.

Both are God’s timelines, but one (the 7056-year week of time in Orion) highlights the workings of the Spirit of God, while the other (the 7000-year millennial week) shows the workings of the spirit of the devil. The Orion timeline begins during Creation, when the Spirit of God was breathed into Adam, and he became a living being. On the other timeline, the beginning came after sixty-six years and six months, when Satan, indwelling the body of the flying serpent, managed to bring the holy pair of Eden into the filth of sin. This was the beginning of the destructive work of the unholy spirit of Satan, whose hatred for God’s law is encapsulated in the number 666, the number of Adam^[32] when he fell into sin.

At the end of the Great Cycle of Orion, the birth of the Son of God is marked, whom the Holy Spirit indwelt from the womb. This was God’s answer to the introduction of sin: He introduced His Son as the Savior! And on the other hand, the spirit of hatred was manifested by Satan at the cross, when the unfallen Universe saw clearly the extent of depravation that sin brings one to, for Satan so hated Christ, that he would spare no effort to see the Son of God dead. His exultation was to see Jesus hanging, all bleeding and in physical agony (although His greater agony was spiritual). And his defeat is seen in an empty cross, which points to the resurrection of Jesus. Whether one considers the cross a failure^[33] or a success depends on whether they see Jesus hanging on it, or whether He had risen from the dead, and was beyond death’s grasp.

The next time that is marked out was at the end of the judgment of the dead in 2012. Because Jesus was raised from the dead and sent the Holy Spirit into the world, the success of the cross can be seen in the maturity of those who would receive the Spirit and follow Jesus, even yielding their eternal life if necessary. But if Satan hated God so much that he wanted to see Him dead, we can be sure that he hates the 144,000 willing ones equally vehemently! If given the opportunity, he would destroy the entire world to kill them, in order to prevent them from giving their testimony! And that is exactly what he will do! Revelation describes the loosening of the winds of strife, which usher in a great time of trouble on the earth. It even indicates that there are some who, inspired with the spirit of destruction from Satan, destroy the earth in their anger! At the same time, their destruction of the earth (which is a self-destruction!) serves as God’s wrath against sin:

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:18)

Jesus, looking ahead to that fearful time of trouble, notes that it is for the elect’s sake that He shortens the time, thus indicating that they are indeed the target for the destruction, for if God would not set a time limit, then the devil would surely be successful in his mission of destruction of the 144,000 elect! Note also, that once again, it is time that factors into their deliverance! Do you see the importance of understanding the time in which we live?

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22)

In each of the markers, we see the Spirit of God at work first, followed closely by the destructive work of the spirit of Satan. Thankfully, however, the last markers of the timeline—the pair coming after the millennium during which Satan is bound, are reversed! When the Lord raises up the wicked, indicating that the life that He purchased by His death and resurrection is given also to them, the spirit of hatred and destruction takes complete hold of them as they are gathered for battle. Rather than receiving life gratefully, they choose a course of self-destruction! Then God, the Beginning and the End, who declared the end through Orion from the beginning of Creation, comes after Satan’s last act, and makes a final end.

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (Revelation 20:7-9)

For three and a half years, Satan—this time appearing as the prince of the world, taking advantage of the ignorance of the wicked, having now been raised—tricks the people into thinking he is their savior, who raised them from the dead. The nations are deceived once again and he marshals them to mount an attack against the city of God:

Now Satan prepares for a last mighty struggle for the supremacy. While deprived of his power and cut off from his work of deception, the prince of evil was miserable and dejected; but as the wicked dead are raised and he sees the vast multitudes upon his side, his hopes revive, and he determines not to yield the great controversy. He will marshal all the armies of the lost under his banner and through them endeavor to execute his plans. The wicked are Satan’s captives. In rejecting Christ they have accepted the rule of the rebel leader. They are ready to receive his suggestions and to do his bidding. Yet, true to his early cunning, he does not acknowledge himself to be Satan. He claims to be the prince who is the rightful owner of the world and whose inheritance has been unlawfully wrested from him. He represents himself to his deluded subjects as a redeemer, assuring them that his power has brought them forth from their graves and that he is about to rescue them from the most cruel tyranny. The presence of Christ having been removed, Satan works wonders to support his claims. He makes the weak strong and inspires all with his own spirit and energy. He proposes to lead them against the camp of the saints and to take possession of the City of God. With fiendish exultation he points to the unnumbered millions who have been raised from the dead and declares that as their leader he is well able to overthrow the city and regain his throne and his kingdom. {GC 663.1}^[34]

Before they are able to reach the beloved city and camp of the saints for their attack, however, they are stopped in their tracks as they are brought to the judgment bar of God The scales are finally removed from their eyes as they see the reason that there is no place for them inside that beautiful city:

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth [man] and the heaven [fallen angels] fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:11-12)

Then they understand their course and that “the wages of sin is death.”^[35] They see that theirs was a course of self-destruction. They earned their reward! Then, when the whole of humanity who ever lived, “small and great” (for those living before the flood were of much greater stature) see with clarity, the workings of the Spirit of God and the spirit of Satan, they acknowledge the sovereignty and righteousness and wisdom of God.

I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. (Isaiah 45:23-24)

The wicked would be entirely out of place in heaven and they are ashamed of their choice. While the righteous loved the truth and would give their eternal lives before violating God’s law, the wicked would rather forfeit their eternal lives than live in harmony with that Law! They were strangely enraptured with the things of earth and gave up their place in heaven.

It is now evident to all that the wages of sin is not noble independence and eternal life, but slavery, ruin, and death. The wicked see what they have forfeited by their life of rebellion. The far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory was despised when offered them; but how desirable it now appears. “All this,” cries the lost soul, “I might have had; but I chose to put these things far from me. Oh, strange infatuation! I have exchanged peace, happiness, and honor for wretchedness, infamy, and despair.” All see that their exclusion from heaven is just. By their lives they have declared: “We will not have this Man [Jesus] to reign over us.” {GC 668.3}^[36]

After this acknowledgement, the last word goes to God, who sends fire from heaven to devour sin and sinners, and then the sin-decontamination zone of the Universe is re-created, having been thoroughly cleansed from sin, now with greater splendor than at the beginning.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)

The Lake of Fire

Notice that Satan’s thousand-year imprisonment begins in the autumn of this year, 2016. That means that it continues until the autumn of 3016, exactly four years before the Orion timeline of 7056 years comes to the end of its millennial rest day in the autumn of 3020. That allows for the three and a half years of Satan’s “little season” of deceiving the nations after the resurrection of the wicked in 3016, followed by six months given for punishment in the lake of fire and the re-creation of heaven and earth.

Many times, our concepts of religious subjects develop more from cultural influence rather than biblical instruction. The doctrine of an eternally burning hell is one of them. It is true that the Bible uses the term “tormented day and night for ever and ever,”^[37] but we must also realize that the term is often used in reference to an unspecified length of time, much as we use the expression in modern speech: “Oh, it took me forever to finish that project!” And when we couple that with the understanding of death being the absence of life, rather than the entrance into the spirit world, then we can understand verses like these:

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14)

There comes an end to death as well as hell. The lake of fire may not be forcibly quenched, but it does not burn forever. It is called the second (as in, “final”) death. Even death dies! That is, it ceases to exist! Hell is in the same category. If you think about religious subjects with a scientific approach, you are forced to recognize that in order to have fire, there must be something to burn, and as it burns, it gets consumed! The only fire in Scripture that burns without being consumed is God!^[38] But the fires of hell, while they are kindled by God, are not His presence, and they burn only so long as they have fuel. Once the sin-laden planet and the people thereon are burned up, the fire will go out. The more guilt of sin one is burdened with, the more fuel their fire will have, and they will burn longer. The devil, who will also be cast into the lake of fire, rather than being in charge of it, as some fanciful ideas suggest, will burn the longest, but even he will ultimately be reduced to ashes:

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root [the instigator: Satan] nor branch [the sinner]... And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 4:1, 3)

Deceiver of the Nations

The little season during which the devil is loosed begs for a symmetrical counterpart before the thousand years! Indeed, there are also four years on this side just before the thousand years begin. And this is where it gets interesting! Just as Jesus’ ministry was divided, with the first half done by Jesus, and the second half done by the Holy Spirit in our day, so is Satan’s “ministry” of deception divided. We saw the little season at the end, but there must be another three and a half years when he is deceiving the nations in our day to compliment and complete it!

Do you see Satan on the earth deceiving the world now? If you haven’t read our articles on the subject, hold on to your seat, because you might be surprised! Indeed, the Angel of Light is here, walking the earth, and has been here since the spring of 2013 in the body of Pope Francis—three and a half years before the autumn of 2016, when the millennium begins—in perfect chiastic symmetry with the other side of the millennium.

But what does this mean? What is the storyline? To answer, let’s start at the roots. Abraham was given a promise from God. He was promised an uncountable number of descendants—like the sand of the sea or the stars of heaven in number! The promised Redeemer—the hope of all the earth—was to come through his seed. After many generations, the time came for the Desire of all nations^[39] to enter into His public ministry to the seed of Abraham, but they refused Him. Jesus was the gift of the Father, therefore, in their rejection of Jesus, they rejected the Father and became as the heathen, who never knew the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob!

A very small remnant of the Jews—the twelve apostles—are the ones whom Jesus used to establish His spiritual kingdom. Revelation describes the foundations of the city of God as having the names of the twelve apostles in them.^[40] But even Christianity became corrupt and fell away from their first love, allowing apostasy to grow in their midst. Ultimately, they lost many of the truths that the apostles may have taken for granted! Therefore, Jesus sent many reformers, among whom, Martin Luther was one of the most well-known, to bring the church back to the uncompromised truths of God. At each stage along the reformation timeline, those who accepted the reforms came closer and closer to the law that is the foundation of God’s government. They were growing up into the fullness of Christ’s stature.

The final stage of the Reformation was the acceptance of God’s Sabbath—the day that bears the impress of His seal. It was a special gift from the Lord, and those who loved Him with all their heart, cherished it and learned to appreciate it for the blessing that it is. It is, after all, the Lord’s day—“the Sabbath of the Lord thy God”!^[41] When the church refused the Sabbath, they refused Jesus, and joined the ranks of the heathen and the Jews, who never knew the Lord!

Only a very small remnant of Christianity—some twelve young people—were the ones to whom this blessed truth was revealed in their study (because they remained faithful to God, despite the trials and disappointments they went through), and with their efforts, their numbers grew until they established the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The process of maturing God’s people was not yet complete, however. There was a repetition of the history of the Christian church, complete with the loss of their first love, compromise, and eventually, total apostasy. In its last moments (since 2010), the Holy Spirit sent a precious gift in this message, but as was the case before, the body to whom it was given, rejected it. By rejecting the Orion message, they rejected the Holy Spirit who gave it, and classed themselves with the heathen, Jews, and apostate Christians, who never knew the Holy Spirit!

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. (Matthew 12:31)

The word translated “blasphemy” means “vilification.”^[42] That is exactly what the people have done. They have vilified the Holy Spirit, saying His message is from the devil! Forgiveness was still available for the Jews who rejected the Father’s gift of His Son, if they repented, and forgiveness was still available for the Christians who rejected Jesus’ gift of the Sabbath, if they repented, but the gift of the Holy Spirit heralds the close of the door of mercy, so there can be no forgiveness if it is rejected!

Have you questioned what it means that the pope would open the door of mercy at a time, when according to God’s clock, mercy has ended? Even many Catholics are questioning whether Pope Francis is really the Vicar of Christ! God’s Timekeepers tell the story that settles the question!

Imagine the sadness of the Godhead, when for the third time, They were rejected by the majority of those who professed to love Them! When the Seventh-day Adventist Church spurned its last moments of grace and continued in its rebellious course, the darkness over the earth became universal. The Orion message, which they rejected, pointed to the autumn of 2012 as the end of the judgment of the dead, and on the very day of its end, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in official capacity,^[43] mocked the Sabbath upon which it was built. They denied not only the gift of the Holy Spirit, but that of the Son as well, all the while, keeping the form of the Sabbath. No official organization exists today that represents the Lord. All are subservient to the UN, which operates according to the devil’s principles. The 144,000 churchless ones, beginning with twelve who were faithful to the Adventist message and received the light of Orion, stand individually as His representatives.

There is much more that could be said about that sad day, but it represents the rejection of everything that God wanted to give to them. By thus rejecting God, they allowed Satan to take control of the church, and having conquered the last resistance, the way was cleared for him to ascend the throne. This, he did the following spring, when the first Jesuit pope took office and began his three-and-a-half-year revolution of deception. Have you been deceived as well? So many do not even realize how they are united with a false system of worship. Even if you are not a Catholic and feel distanced from the pope, the church to which you belong has drunk of his wine and will receive judgment. Now is the time to cleanly separate from every form of organized religion! Rather, worship at home with your like-minded friends!^[44]

After the thousand years, when the dead receive the gift of life from Christ and are resurrected, the deception continues unabated for another three and a half years before it falls apart in the light of God’s glory. When the last bastion of God’s truth at last rejected Him, it unknowingly embraced death, and after Satan’s reign of deception, that reality becomes clear to them. It is then that they finally reject the devil’s rule. Oh, stubborn and rebellious souls! Only the blazing eye of the King of kings compels them to acknowledge their guilt and the supremacy of God’s law! How much effort has been expended on them to open their eyes while there was opportunity? But they would not see. They preferred darkness to light, and after gazing into the face of their Judge, bright with infinite love, they turn away, unable to endure the sight any longer. Then, they knowingly embrace death, for they cannot endure the everlasting burnings of God.

Notwithstanding that Satan has been constrained to acknowledge God’s justice and to bow to the supremacy of Christ, his character remains unchanged. The spirit of rebellion, like a mighty torrent, again bursts forth. Filled with frenzy, he determines not to yield the great controversy. The time has come for a last desperate struggle against the King of heaven. He rushes into the midst of his subjects and endeavors to inspire them with his own fury and arouse them to instant battle. But of all the countless millions whom he has allured into rebellion, there are none now to acknowledge his supremacy. His power is at an end. The wicked are filled with the same hatred of God that inspires Satan; but they see that their case is hopeless, that they cannot prevail against Jehovah. Their rage is kindled against Satan and those who have been his agents in deception, and with the fury of demons they turn upon them. {GC 671.2}^[45]

At that time, in the closing moments of the great day of the Lord, the consuming fire does His cleansing work, bringing the fateful decision of earth in 2012 to its full realization.

The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; (Isaiah 33:14-15)

On the larger scale, we see that the entire 7000-years of the devil’s timeline (which was cut short) falls within the larger 7056-year timeline of Orion and God’s movements. At first, the devil had a 66-year-and-6-month lead over God, but because the time was shortened, his lead disappeared, and as the deception of sin becomes fully revealed during the seventh millennium, in the end, God’s timekeepers have the last word.

It is at the end of the Orion millennial Sabbath, in 3020, when the Universe will at last be healed from the sickness of sin, pulsing with the 144,000 antibodies, who share their story of how Jesus gave them victory in the worst of circumstances. Every question about the benevolence of God’s law is dispelled in the light of the marks in Jesus’ hands and feet and His human form, as it is explained how He gave His life because of the tiniest deviation from that holy law. All can see that the power of Jesus to save was sufficient to completely restore lost humanity, and all who desired that restoration received it. There remains no question as to the righteousness and perfection of the law, and they offer their praise in lines of sweet melody. The health of the Universe will thereby be maintained, nevermore to be attacked by the virus of sin again.

The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love. {GC 678.3}^[46]

An Open Door

The Bible indicates that the 144,000 have all already been sealed with the seal of the Living God. The cleansing of sanctification and character growth continues forever, but they have the Holy Spirit, and He upholds them to keep them from that which they hate: sin. But there is more that God has for them than simply to be sealed. He also wants to make them like a signet, as we saw before.

To the church of Philadelphia, Jesus gave no rebuke, but encouraged them to remain faithful, not letting anyone take their crown (by luring them into sin), and He promises to preserve them from the “hour of temptation.” They must, therefore, represent the 144,000 and all who are faithful to God’s law, who will be kept from, or preserved through that hour. With the wise man, God says,

Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. (Proverbs 7:2)

Because despite their disadvantages being the weakest generation, they have gained the victory over sin (which is transgression of God’s law^[47]), as represented by their crown, they are blessed with life and have the seal of the Living God. Jesus presented to them an open door,^[48] whereby they may become like a signet.

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast [only] a little strength, and [yet] hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8)

The psalmist sang about this door, or gate, and those who would enter through it:

The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:
This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.
I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:16-23)

This inspired song is filled with allusions to the 144,000! They have been severely chastened, but cleansed and not given to death, and David sings of the hope they have of entering through that gate—the door that Jesus opens for the church of Philadelphia, which no man can close. He gives us an important clue regarding it, by saying that the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Jesus quoted from this passage and applied the rejected stone to Himself.

In Orion, this prophecy finds a repeat fulfillment, and the stone is still Jesus Christ. It is He, whom the clocks are centered and focused on. It is He, whose character is highlighted in the starry lesson book through comparison and contrast. It is His body and blood that are represented in Orion and the High Sabbath List. He is the door of Orion.

As the stone was rejected by the builders, so it is today—this message with its unwelcome time-setting and unpleasant revelations of personal character flaws, is not the choice stone upon which the pastors and church elders would choose to build the symbolic temple of the 144,000! They rejected it, mostly without more than a cursory glance, but now, in the end of the world, Jesus in Orion is revealed as the cornerstone of God’s choosing.

And why does Jesus present this door for us? If we consider what Orion says about God, it will give us a clue. One thing stands out very clearly: From the beginning of Creation, when God placed the stars of Orion, He foreknew the path that history would take, for many key moments and periods are marked there and described in the inspired commentary of Scripture.

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: (Isaiah 46:9-10)

God uses this quality of knowing the end from the beginning as a mark of His authority! He distinguishes Himself from all other contenders for the throne by His ability to prophesy with accuracy. This characteristic is epitomized in the Orion message, which is effectively a declaration of the end (of the world) from the beginning (of Creation)! It is the Father’s authority that Jesus presents through the open door of Orion to those of the church of Philadelphia who would believe before the evidence mounted! Orion reveals the authority inherent in God’s signet ring. Therefore, the 144,000 who belong to Philadelphia, must come through that open door to receive God’s authority before they may serve as His signet, sealing the children of His kingdom according to His good pleasure. This is what the sign of the discovery of Hezekiah’s seal impression on the blessing date points to. He has given us the blessing of His authority to seal His people!

In the war between Christ and Satan, we must understand that Satan is a copycat. He sees God’s example, and devises something similar to suit his own purposes. Just as the open door in Orion teaches us about God, so the devil has his own open door by which he deceives the people into believing a lie about God. On December 8, 2015, Pope Francis set an open door of mercy before the people. It sounds good—after all, the same Psalm quoted above begins with thanksgiving that the Lord’s “mercy endureth for ever”,^[49] but although God is merciful, it is not always for everyone! There was a time for mercy toward the sinner, but that time has passed, contrary to what the pope says.

Not only does he copy the open door, but also the seal of authority written on those who enter! He seeks to imitate God’s ability to declare the end from the beginning, by making his own predictions, based on what he knows from what God has already revealed! He gets his information second-hand, but presents it as though it were his own prediction!

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (Revelation 3:12)

This seal can only be properly understood through the knowledge of Orion. There is a great depth of meaning in this seal (which we would like to study with those who love the Truth of this message, and have familiarized themselves with it), and we received that understanding on January 12, 2013. Exactly 3 years later to the day, Pope Francis released his new book: The Name of God is Mercy!^[50] It is no coincidence that his book about what he considers is a key mark of God’s identity^[51] is released on the very anniversary of the day when God revealed the true mark of His identity, appropriate for this time!

When one understands that this Jesuit pope is not Jorge Bergoglio, but that this man surrendered himself completely to become as a corpse,^[52] fully in control of Satan, we can begin to comprehend the significance of his words. We can understand why the devil wants people to believe it is a time of mercy, because he knows that any sin that is committed now cannot be forgiven by God, because Jesus is no longer interceding on man’s behalf. The devil is on a mission of destruction, and the vast majority of the people don’t even realize they’re in danger! Oh, how my heart yearns for them—God’s little children, oblivious to the dangers around them! Thus, many will be laid to rest as a measure of protection in the coming months, and those whose mind is sealed with the seal of the Living God, having a deep desire to live without sin, are granted the Holy Spirit, who upholds them, lest they fall:

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness... For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. (Isaiah 41:10, 13)

The belief that God’s timeless identity is mercy, is the devil’s counterfeit to the seal of Philadelphia, which through Orion, reveals His true universal identity. But that is not in harmony with the time of the end of the world, when God pours out His wrath unmixed!^[53] There was a time for mercy, but now is the time for wrath. God’s mercy does not endure forever toward the sinner, but only toward those who fear Him!

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, (Psalm 103:17)

The church of brotherly love (Philadelphia) reflects the image of Christ, and they hear His voice from heaven, and are to be sealed with that understanding. They meet the requirements, and now they must be gathered through the open door that Jesus presents to them. In the next article, brother Gerhard will share exactly when that gathering time will arrive, when the sheep from other folds will hear His voice and be brought out of Babylon, ultimately through the open door that He presents to them in Orion.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16)

Blessed Are Those Who Hear

In the Orion message, we eat Jesus, the manna from heaven—the food that “endureth unto everlasting life,” as Jesus said:

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (John 6:27)

The gift of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus promised, has never been so generously poured out as in this message—this food that endureth unto everlasting life! The entire Godhead is behind this message, for it comes as the latter rain refreshing of the Holy Spirit and it is the revelation of Jesus Christ, upon whom the Father, Himself, has placed His seal of authority!

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel [the Holy Spirit] unto his servant John:... Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1:1,3)

Do you hear the words of the revelation of Jesus Christ from heaven? Or do you hear only thunder, as those who could not hear the voice of God from heaven in affirmation of His Son, who was troubled as He contemplated what He must do:

Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. (John 12:27-29)

The 144,000 have a similar experience as they are brought to realization that their eternal lives may be required, but they settle it that their own self-interest is not important, but only that the Father’s name be glorified! The Father did not directly glorify His own name. Rather, He glorified His Son, who in turn, glorified Him.

These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: (John 17:1)

And He continues, explaining what glory He referred to:

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (John 17:5)

For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received [heard] them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. (John 17:8)

And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. (John 17:10)

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:22-23)

Oh, dear reader, we can discern but a faint glimmer of what these precious words mean! How can we comprehend the extent of what it means to be one with divinity and even to sit with Him on His throne?!^[54] Have you heard the words of the revelation of Jesus Christ in Orion, which the Father gave to Him, who gave them to the Holy Spirit, who gave them to us? Have you received the promise of this indescribably wonderful blessing? Have you known surely that this message comes from the Father and believe that it is Jesus, whom He sent thereby? The world will soon recognize that this is the chief cornerstone, as they learn that the Father loves us as He has loved His own Son!

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (Revelation 3:9)

This, dear reader—the blessing that the Father would be in us through Christ—is a permanent gift to those of this generation, who enter heaven through the open door in Orion!

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. (Isaiah 64:4)

Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. (Daniel 12:12)

For several years, Jesus pled with the inhabitants of the world through this ministry:

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:20-21)

Sadly, so very few heard His voice from Orion and opened the door while He knocked. Now there is silence at the door for those who ignored His plea. He has left them desolate of the divine presence. His Spirit no longer strives with them, which is becoming more and more noticeable as the image of God, which characterized man from his Creation, is being effaced as completely as possible in every aspect of life.

The Reality of Heaven

Many people have a bogus concept of heaven. They think of a place where people go to sit on a white cloud playing a harp. I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty boring in my opinion! But that is a concept that thankfully has no root in Scripture! Rather, the Bible and Creation itself gives a much more inspiring view of heaven. Throughout the ages, the starry skies have been a source of awe and wonder for millions. It virtually demands your imagination! What would it be like to travel through space faster than the speed of light (because light-speed is positively too slow to be a practical speed limit for intergalactic travel!)? Or what would the sunset look like on an Earth-like planet with rings like Saturn and multiple moons? Or just imagine cruising through the colorful clouds of a nebula! The vastness and grandeur of space offers an incredible amount to feast the imagination on! Let this little animation give you a little taste of the immense scale of God’s Universe!^[55]

Does your imagination of heaven include scenes like these? Or do you think that Jesus will simply whisk us away in an instant, and poof, we’re at the pearly gates? Don’t you think Jesus might have some travel plans lined up? The reality is that He has even given us some details about the itinerary! You’ll discover that in the last article of this series. Or what of the pearly gates? Have you spent time thinking about your home in the New Jerusalem, or the place Jesus prepared for you? The Bible gives a little bit of information to wrap your imagination around:

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones.... And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. (Revelation 21:18-19, 21)

It sounds beautiful, doesn’t it? God is a God of beauty. The city is full of beautiful gems and materials to pique any scientist’s curiosity and inquiring mind. The sheer size of it is no small wonder, either, for it is nearly as big as a small planet, with a habitable surface probably considerably larger than that of multiple Earth-sized planets! Wouldn’t you like to see its architecture? To see how the twelve foundations are situated? To sit by the stream that flows from the tree of life, enjoying the beauty, cleanliness, and pleasure of all aspects of it? It beats the white cloud and a harp, doesn’t it?

Heaven is a real place, and it’s big, spacious, and full of life, wonder, and love. But it might be something of a culture shock, coming from this sin-laden planet—the lost sheep of God’s fold! Do you think that God will just wipe away our memories and make us new? God is not like that. While nothing defiling will enter heaven, the Bible speaks of a transition period:

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

There will be tears in heaven, as we realize that most of our friends and loved ones chose to keep their eyes fixed on earthly things and forfeit this blessing. But God will tenderly wipe away those tears, and then, after every life has been reviewed according to the heavenly records, the former things are passed away into oblivion.

As for humanity, not one of us is worthy of the least of that wonderful blessing. It is a gift to those who believe. The 144,000 desire to walk in the ways of God, living according to His law of liberty.^[56] They do this because that is the way they want to live, not for reward or from fear of punishment. Though it cost their eternal lives, it cannot change the way they live. They stand for God because they have His law written in their hearts—it is their adopted lifestyle, and nothing can separate them from it. They are citizens of heaven, even while on earth, and the character of heaven is written in their heart!

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21)

Do you love God and the Truth enough to give your life like Jesus did, even if it means no heaven for you? Do you see the bigger picture, and desire to stand for God in validation of salvation, so that others might experience heaven, even if it means you yourself will not? If so, Jesus presents to you the open door of Orion, and will make you as His signet.

The Lord has His secrets. When Hezekiah pressed his signet into that little blob of clay, he couldn’t know how God would use that inscription of gratitude for his extended life. He couldn’t know that twenty-seven centuries later, it would be used to point to the starry heavens and the message of the returning of our Savior! He just wanted to say, “Thank You, Lord!” And that is the reason I have desired to write this article. I want to say, “Thank You, Lord!”

Thank You for stepping down to this dark and filthy planet and humbling Yourself in every way until You hung naked on the cross, despising the shame. Thank You for the gift of life, which freed me from the bondage to sin! My only request has ever been best-expressed by David: “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”^[57] I did not ask for space travel or to have a high place in Your kingdom. I will be satisfied to have Your likeness and to see Your face! Beyond that, may our Father’s name be glorified, whether through my life or death. Amen.

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