Because the prophecy says that the 144,000 are made up of all the tribes of the children of Israel, we should not understand that they are the literal tribes. Notice the following reasons:

a) In the list of the twelve tribes of Israel in Revelation 7, the tribe of Dan is left out.

b) Of the tribe of Joseph two are included: Joseph and his son Manasseh.

c) The clear distinctions between the original twelve tribes have ceased long ago.

When the apostle James wrote his epistle to the Christians he addressed it to the twelve tribes:

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting” (James 1:1).

To whom did James send his letter? If he sent it to the literal tribes of Israel, we have nothing to do with that letter; it is not for us. But all Christians recognize and accept his epistle as being sent to the Christians, even to us in the end of time, to the spiritual tribes of Israel.

If we keep in mind that by rejecting the Messiah, the literal Jewish nation was rejected, and the Gentiles were grafted in the true olive tree, we will understand that in Revelation 7, John is speaking of spiritual Israel.

“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Romans 2:28, 29). (Read also Romans 9:6-8; Galatians 3:7, 27-29.)

The holy city has twelve foundations and twelve gates, and on the gates are written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (Revelation 21:12). The twelve tribes are used to represent the whole Israel of God, and the repetition of 12 x 12,000 suggests the distinguishing characteristics of the tribes of Israel. S. N. Haskell explains this as follows:

“The redeemed of the Lord are an innumerable company, which no man can number; but among that multitude is one separate company, who are numbered and are designated by their number - one hundred and forty-four thousand. This company is composed of twelve different divisions, each containing twelve thousand redeemed souls; and each division bears the name of the twelve tribes of Israel. The list given in Revelation varies somewhat from the list of the twelve sons of Jacob, as Dan is omitted, and the extra division is given the name of Manasseh, Joseph’s eldest son.”1

The above objection is based on the following quotation:

“The 144,000 shouted, ‘Alleluia!’ as they recognized their friends who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air” (EW 16).

We have seen in previous chapters that the remnant of the period of Philadelphia are sealed and counted as members of the 144,000. It is remarkable that the 144,000 do not recognize “their friends” at the partial resurrection, but at the first general resurrection.

Sister White knew many who were preaching the gospel of the kingdom before 1844. She knew William Miller personally:

“At the age of thirteen I heard William Miller deliver his second course of lectures in Portland, Maine.”2

We understand from our study that those who are resurrected at the partial resurrection are those who have died in the faith of the third angel’s message (GC 637). It is obvious that Sister White, Bro. and Sis. Nichols, Sister Hastings mentioned in 2SM 263, and others, are expected to be resurrected in the partial resurrection at the voice of God. But when will W. Miller be resurrected? We read thus:

“So also, I saw that William Miller erred as he was soon to enter the heavenly Canaan, in suffering his influence to go against the truth. Others led him to this; others must account for it. But angels watch the precious dust of this servant of God, and he will come forth at the sound of the last trump.”3

Those who died in the faith of the third angel’s message who had known William Miller and are resurrected at the voice of God, being included in the 144,000, will recognize him when he comes forth from the grave at the sound of Jesus’ silver trumpet (EW 16).

Besides W. Miller, the names of two other persons are mentioned in Early Writings. They were known to the early Adventists. Of them we read:

“We all went under the tree and sat down to look at the glory of the place, when brethren Fitch and Stockman, who had preached the gospel of the kingdom, and whom God had laid in the grave to save them, came up to us and asked us what we had passed through while they were sleeping.”4

“In the account of her first vision Mrs. White makes reference to ‘Brethren Fitch and Stockman’ as men she met and conversed with in the New Jerusalem. Both were ministers with whom Ellen White had been acquainted and who had taken an active part in proclaiming the message of the expected advent of Christ, but who had died shortly before the disappointment of October 22, 1844.”5

These two ministers could not be sealed with the seal of the living God, the Sabbath, because they died before the Sabbath truth came. The sealing work had not yet started. Therefore they are not resurrected at the partial resurrection but at the first general resurrection. And then it is that the 144,000 recognize them.

There may be some in our day who have never heard the Sabbath truth or do not understand it, but who sincerely keep Sunday believing that they keep the true Sabbath. These cannot be sealed with the seal of the living God (the Sabbath) but they can be saved in the great multitude. We mentioned the case of W. Miller who died in 1849, and the Testimonies say that he rests in hope. He will not be sealed, but will be saved. The Spirit of Prophecy speaks about others as follows:

“But Christians of past generations observed the Sunday, supposing that in so doing they were keeping the Bible Sabbath; and there are now true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion, who honestly believe that Sunday is the Sabbath of divine appointment. God accepts their sincerity of purpose and their integrity before Him.”6

In our days it is possible for two friends to be saved, one in the 144,000, and the other in the great multitude. For example:

Two Christian friends of any church who had not yet accepted the Sabbath, live near each other. They are very faithful to their beliefs. We call them conventionally Peter and Paul. Peter dies without the knowledge of the Sabbath and, because he was faithful to what he knew, he will be saved (GC 449). After Peter’s death, Paul accepts the Sabbath truth. So, he dies also, being faithful in the third angel’s message. Both of them will be resurrected, but on different occasions. Paul is resurrected in the partial resurrection (GC 637) and Peter in the first general resurrection (GC 644). When Peter is resurrected Paul will surely recognize him. In our days two friends may be saved, belonging to different companies, under the circumstances we just explained.

We, the SDA Reform Movement, have never claimed that the book Daniel and the Revelation by U. Smith is inspired. We all know that U. Smith was not a prophet. But this does not mean that his writings cannot be used. We have many other books written by people who are not prophets, and their writings are not inspired, but we still read them and believe in them because they are in harmony with the Bible and the Testimonies. All writings should be tested by the “Law and the Testimony.”

We do not need the book of U. Smith to explain the sealing message. We have enough evidence in the Bible and in the Testimonies about the subject. But we can use it and we do use it because what it says is truth. Were U. Smith’s writings wrong on this subject? If so, Sister White would not have recommended them. She wrote:

“Instruction has been given me that the important books containing the light that God has given regarding Satan’s apostasy in heaven should be given a wide circulation just now; for through them the truth will reach many minds. Patriarchs and Prophets, Daniel and the Revelation, and The Great Controversy, are needed now as never before. They should be widely circulated because the truths they emphasize will open many blind eyes.

“The light given was that Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation, The Great Controversy, and Patriarchs and Prophets would make their way. They contain the very message the people must have, the special light God had given His people. The angels of God would prepare the way for these books in the hearts of the people.”7

“In The Desire of Ages, Patriarchs and Prophets, The Great Controversy, and in Daniel and the Revelation, there is precious instruction. These books must be regarded as of special importance, and every effort should be made to get them before the people.”8

“Especially should the book Daniel and the Revelation be brought before the people as the very book for this time. This book contains the message which all need to read and understand. Translated into many different languages, it will be a power to enlighten the world. This book has had a large sale in Australia and New Zealand. By reading it many souls have come to a knowledge of the truth. I have received many letters expressing appreciation of this book.

“Let our canvassers urge this book upon the attention of all. The Lord has shown me that this book will do a great work in enlightening those who become interested in the truth for this time. Those who embrace the truth now, who have not shared in the experiences of those who entered the work in the early history of the message, should study the instruction given in Daniel and the Revelation, becoming familiar with the truth it presents.

“Those who are preparing to enter the ministry, who desire to become successful students of the prophecies, will find Daniel and the Revelation an invaluable help. They need to understand this book. It speaks of past, present, and future, laying out the path so plainly that none need err therein. Those who will diligently study this book will have no relish for the cheap sentiments presented by those who have a burning desire to get out something new and strange to present to the flock of God. The rebuke of God is upon all such teachers. They need that one teach them what is meant by godliness and truth. The great, essential questions which God would have presented to the people are found in Daniel and the Revelation. There is found solid, eternal truth for this time. Everyone needs the light and information it contains. . . .

“The truth for this time has been brought out in many books. Let those who have been dealing in cheap sentiments and foolish tests, cease this work and study Daniel and the Revelation. They will then have something to talk about that will help the mind. As they receive the knowledge contained in this book, they will have in the treasure house of the mind a store from which they continually draw as they communicate to others the great, essential truth of God’s Word.

“The interest in Daniel and the Revelation is to continue as long as probationary time shall last. God used the author of this book as a channel through which to communicate light to direct minds to the truth. Shall we not appreciate this light, which points us to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, our King? . . .

“Young men, take up the work of canvassing for Daniel and the Revelation. Do all you possibly can to sell this book. Enter upon the work with as much earnestness as if it were a new book. And remember that as you canvass for it, you are to become familiar with the truths it contains. As you ponder these truths, you will receive ideas that will enable you not only to receive light, but to let light shine forth to others in clear, bright rays.

“Now is come the time of the revelation of the grace of God. Now is the gospel of Jesus Christ to be proclaimed. Satan will seek to divert the minds of those who should be established, strengthened, and settled in the truths of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. . . . I speak of this book because it is a means of educating those who need to understand the truth of the Word. This book should be highly appreciated. It covers much of the ground we have been over in our experience. If the youth will study this book and learn for themselves what is truth, they will be saved from many perils.”9

“I feel very tender toward Elder Smith. My life interest in the publishing work is bound up with his. He came to us as a young man, possessing talents that qualified him to stand in his lot and place as an editor. How I rejoice as I read his articles in the Review - so excellent, so full of spiritual truth. I thank God for them. I feel strong sympathy for Elder Smith, and I believe that his name should always appear in the Review as the name of the leading editor. Thus God would have it. When, some years ago, his name was placed second, I felt hurt. When it was again placed first, I wept, and said, ‘Thank God.’ May it always be there, as God designs it shall be, while Elder Smith’s right hand can hold a pen. And when the power of his hand fails, let his sons write at his dictation.”10

Besides all that has been said, we read this statement in the Spirit of Prophecy concerning the teachings of Uriah Smith:

“The plan that has been adopted, to have Elder Smith hold Biblical institutes in different states, is approved of God.”11

See U. Smith’s article on the 144,000 published in Synopsis of the Present Truth.