Adventistische Schriften über: "Will many martyrs precede the 144,000?"

Based on the provided documents it becomes clear that there are differing views on the question of martyrs before the time of the 144,000. While some sources emphasize that God will protect His people in the coming tribulation and not many will have to die, other texts point to a group of martyrs who are already in heaven and are distinct from the 144,000. In the writings it is explained that the faithfulness of believers in the final crisis would no longer be a testimony for unbelievers, therefore a protection of the saints by divine intervention is expected. The 144,000 are described as a special group that alone may enter the heavenly temple, while martyrs are seen as a separate group with distinctive markings on their garments. ### The Protection of the Saints in the Tribulation

»A period of persecution has been expected and predicted for about fifty years. It has now begun... but this does not at all mean that all, and we do not even believe that many, will be killed, even though a corresponding decree will be issued; for as the prophet explains elsewhere, God does not leave His people in this dreadful conflict to defeat, but grants them a complete victory over the beast, its image, its mark, and the number of its name.«

1 - Uriah Smith, Daniel and The Revelation (DAR1909 622.3)

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### Martyrs and the 144,000 in Heaven

»Then we encountered a group that also beheld the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments... Jesus said they were martyrs who had been killed for Him. ... And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised His sweet voice and said, “Only the 144,000 may enter this place,” and we shouted, “Hallelujah.” ... I saw stone tablets there on which the names of the 144,000 were engraved in golden letters.«

2 - Ellen Gould White, Early Writings (EW 18.2)

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### Why No Comprehensive Martyrdom Occurs at the End

»If the blood of Christ’s faithful witnesses were shed at this time, it would not be like the blood of martyrs, sown as seed to bring a harvest for God. Their faithfulness would not be a testimony to convince others of the truth; for the hardened heart has rebounded the waves of grace until they no longer return. If the righteous were now left to fall as victims to their enemies, it would be a triumph for the Prince of Darkness.«

3 - Ellen Gould White, The Great Controversy (1888 ed.) (GC88 634.1)

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### The Expectation of the Completion of the Martyr Number

»Under the fifth seal, the souls who had been killed for the sake of God’s word appeared... They were told that they must rest for a little while longer until their fellow servants and brothers, who, like them, were to be killed, would be completed. It was only a short time until the number of the redeemed would be completed and God would avenge the blood of His saints.«

4 - Josiah Litch, The Probability of the Second Coming of Christ About A.D. 1843 (PSC 140.1)

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• Who are the 144,000 in Adventist doctrine?
• God’s protection in the time of the tribulation
• Meaning of the fifth seal and the martyrs