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====The Nations of the Saved====
If 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 first fruits to God.

The concept of the first fruits 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 of , whether human or animal, had to be redeemed with money or by death. The firstborn, or first fruits, always belongs to the Lord in a special way. Whatever opens the womb is 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 first fruits has been waved before the Lord, then 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.

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 of , the eternal incorruptible resurrection life of the Holy Spirit.

Primary Scriptures

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 that 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)