How do the Commandments, Statutes, and Judgments relate to the 144,000?

Fact 1: The Bible and Sister White tell us that the Statutes and Judgments which were given to “explain”, “illustrate”, and “guard” the Ten Commandments are part of God’s Covenant with His people. (PP ch. 27 and Ex. 19-23). We are still under obligation to obey these Statutes and Judgments:

“In the day of judgment we shall be asked whether we have lived in harmony with these specifications.” {AUCR, March 25, 1907 par. 3}

“These statutes were explicitly given to guard the ten commandments. They were not shadowy types to pass away with the death of Christ. They were to be binding upon man in every age as long as time should last. These commands were enforced by the power of the moral law, and they clearly and definitely explained that law.” {RH, May 6, 1875 par. 10}

Fact 2: Spirit of Prophecy says that terms and conditions of our Covenant with God are still the same as they were when given to Israel.

“Under the new covenant, the conditions by which eternal life may be gained are the same as under the old. The conditions are, and ever have been, based on perfect obedience…Mercy and forgiveness are the reward of all who come to Christ trusting in His merits to take away their sins. We are cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ Jesus our Saviour.–Letter 216, 1906, p. 2. {8MR 31.1}

“The covenant God made at Sinai is for the Israel of God for all time. Herein is revealed God’s purpose for us, if we will only cooperate with Him.” {1MR 108.2}

“The covenant that God made with His people at Sinai is to be our refuge and defense…This covenant is of just as much force today as it was when the Lord made it with ancient Israel.” The Southern Watchman, March 1, 1904, p. 142. (“Hold Fast the Faith”)

Fact 3: We must keep all the terms and conditions of God’s Covenant if we want to be among His Covenant keeping people. If we break any of these terms we have broken the whole covenant. (The feasts, as well as many other things are among these terms.) The terms of God’s Contract, or Covenant with us are found in the following places:

Exodus 20-23
Almost the entire book of Deuteronomy
Much of Leviticus
As well as some in Numbers
And expounded upon throughout the rest of the Bible!
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (1 John 3:4)
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all. (Jas 2:10)

Conclusion:

I believe the 144,000 will be obeying all of God’s Covenant – they will not be breaking any part of it. They are said to be from the twelve tribes of Israel (“They which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”) They are faithfully obeying all of the requirements of God’s Covenant. Following is a very interesting description of what the living saints will experience just before Jesus’ Second Coming:

“The voice of God is heard from Heaven declaring the day and hour of Jesus’ coming, and delivering the everlasting covenant to his people. Like peals of loudest thunder, his words roll through the earth. The Israel of God stand listening, with their eyes fixed upward. Their countenances are lighted up with his glory, and shine as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. The wicked cannot look upon them. And when the blessing is pronounced on those who have honored God by keeping his Sabbath holy, there is a mighty shout of victory.” p. 458, Para. 1, [4SP].

It is very interesting to compare this description with the experience the Children of Israel had at Mt. Sinai. Except this time the Israel of God will not flee in terror from His presence and ask to not hear His laws anymore. They will be able to stand in His presence like Moses and listen with joy as God makes His everlasting Covenant with them. They have the laws of His Covenant already written on their hearts. They are sealed and will never break His Covenant. God renews His Everlasting Covenant with them just before they enter the Promised Land, just like He renewed it with Israel as they were about to enter the Promised Land.

I know I want to be among the 144,000, so by God’s grace I want to keep His whole Covenant – including the Ten Commandments and the Statutes and Judgments!

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