“Are the 144,000 immune to death while in conflict in ‘the time of trouble’?”

There is nothing that can take the life of the 144,000. “Satan wished to have the privilege of destroying the saints of the Most High; but Jesus bade His angels watch over them. God would be honored by making a covenant with those who had kept His law, in the sight of the heathen round about them; and Jesus would be honored by translating, without their seeing death, the faithful, waiting ones who had so long expected Him.”–“Early Writings,” p. 283.

The Bible says, “Death shall flee from them.” (Rev. 9:6.)

Doubly conclusive proof of this is that the Spirit of Prophecy states that “the true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord,…will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins…. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand….” This special work of purification and “sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision.” — Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 266; Testimonies to Ministers, p. 445.

“This was the time of Jacob’s trouble. Then all the saints cried out with anguish of spirit, and were delivered by the voice of God. The one hundred and forty-four thousand triumphed. Their faces were lighted up with the glory of God.” — “Life Sketches,” page 117. {EW 36.2}

Note that the 144,000 in number, were present in “the time of Jacob’s trouble.” According to the following quotation, that time of trouble commences immediately after the close of probation in the Church:

“When Christ shall cease His work as mediator in man’s behalf, then this time of trouble will begin.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, page 201.

“In 1844 our great High Priest entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, to begin the work of the investigative judgment. The cases of the righteous dead have been passing in review before God. When that work shall be completed, judgment is to be pronounced upon the living.” {1SM 125.1}

“The judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. For many years this work has been in progress. Soon—none know how soon—it will pass to the cases of the living. In the awful presence of God our lives are to come up in review. At this time above all others it behooves every soul to heed the Saviour’s admonition: “Watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” Mark 13:33.” Counsels for the Church page 348.5

“The Lord Jesus shall rise up from His mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary, and shall clothe himself with the garments of vengeance, and surprise them at their unholy feast; and they will find themselves unprepared for the marriage supper of the Lamb.“ Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 690.

“The words of the prophet Malachi concerning the matter of giving, have a special reference to our own time: “The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.” The coming of Christ which is here referred to is not his second advent to this earth, but his coming to the investigative judgment in the most holy place of the sanctuary in heaven. Thus the message is especially to us, who are living in the time of the judgment.” RH, May 9, 1893 par. 8

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17.

“The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out—the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place.” {2SM 380.2}

“There is chaff among us, and this is why we are so weak.” {1T 288.2}

“God’s displeasure is upon His people, and He will not manifest His power in the midst of them while sins exist among them and are fostered by those in responsible positions.” {3T 270.2}

”If the presence of one Achan was sufficient to weaken the whole camp of Israel, can we be surprised at the little success which attends our efforts when every church and almost every family has its Achan?” {5T 157.1}

“The tares are mingled with the wheat, error with truth, coldness with zeal, darkness with light. There must be a returning to our first love.” Review and Herald, January 1, 1889.

Large Numbers Accept the Truth—The time of God’s destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter. Large numbers will be admitted who in these last days hear the truth for the first time.” (The Review and Herald, July 5, 1906). {7BC 979.3}