Trumpet Ministries The Nations of the Saved
Back to FIFTY-TWO KINGDOM TOPICS
Of the many scriptural doctrines being restored to the churches in our day, one of the most surprising appears to be that of the nations of saved people who are not part of the Church. Yet without an understanding of the saved nations, much of Isaiah, for example, becomes difficult of interpretation.
In fact, the very term church means "called-out." The emphasis on the Church is not on those who are saved, although the members of the Church are saved. Rather the idea is that of an elect who are called out from the ranks of mankind to be a firstfruits to God.
The concept of the firstfruits is very important in the Scriptures. Because God had slain the firstborn of the Egyptians, the firstborn of every creature in the land of Israel, whether human or animal, had to be redeemed with money or by death.
The firstborn, or firstfruits, belonged to the Lord in a special way. Whatever opened the womb was the Lord's portion.
The Church is not merely mankind but is taken from mankind to belong to God as a representative of mankind. Once the firstfruits has been waved before the Lord the remainder of the harvest can be gathered.
We see, then, a whole new concept, as far as our thinking is concerned. The Church is not the only group of individuals who are to enter eternal life. The "sheep nations" also will enter eternal life, into the kingdom prepared for them from the beginning of the world.
The Church properly is the Kingdom, the government of God. The saved peoples of the earth will be governed and blessed by the Church.
We of the Church are God's elect, having been predestined from the beginning of the world. We are Israel, including those who are Jewish and Gentile by race.
The purpose of the Church Age has been to call out from every nation God's elect, those ordained to eternal life. Because we do not know who the elect are we have been commanded to preach the Gospel to every creature. Then God will draw to the Lord Jesus those whom God has called to be part of His firstfruits.
Remember, the Lord said, "You did not choose me. I chose you and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit."
The fruit that we bear is the moral image of Christ in our own personality, and then in the personality of others.
Sometimes we are told we will have precious jewels in Heaven. This is part of our mythical eternal residence in a mansion in the spirit world.
The truth is, our inheritance, since we are coheirs with Christ, is people. In fact, the only inheritance worth having is first the Lord (always the most important inheritance of the royal priesthood), and then people. All else is nothing more than environment.
As soon as Christ gives you His love for people you will understand what I am talking about.
The grand design, prefigured in the arrangement of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, is the new Jerusalem, which is the glorified Church, dwelling on the new earth so the nations of saved people can go up from time to time and be refreshed by the Presence of God in Christ in the saints. These are the trees of life growing by the River of Life, the eternal incorruptible resurrection life of the Holy Spirit.
The saints will govern saved mankind for eternity, because Christ is in them and God is in Christ. Thus when all have been brought into subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father will then be All in all. This is the wheel in the wheel, as described in the Book of Ezekiel.
All the elect are the seamless robe of the one Lord Jesus Christ. The nations of the earth will walk forever in the Light of God streaming from the persons of the saints in whom the Lamb is dwelling. The Throne of God and of the Lamb is in them forever.
Apart from the nations of saved people we would have no inheritance. We would be priests with no one to love and serve. We would be kings with no one to govern and guide.
We certainly must be drawing near to the return of Christ in His Kingdom, for it appears even such a basic understanding of the Kingdom of God—that it will govern the nations of saved people on the earth—has not been common knowledge until the present hour. Yet, this is the very meaning of what the Church is and will do throughout eternity.
The garden of Paradise cannot be installed and maintained apart from saints who have come to know the Lord. And this is why you, dear reader, are going through the pains and problems of the present hour. It is to provide you with the knowledge of the Lord so you may be equipped to return with Him and revel in the love of the people whom God will bring to you as your inheritance. For they will not come to drink of your adamic personality but of the Life of Christ that has been formed in you through the fiery trials of earth.
Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3)
For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined. (Isaiah 60:12)
The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. (Revelation 21:24)
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)
Back to FIFTY-TWO KINGDOM TOPICS