Even though there was a priestly caste within the ranks of Israel, the entire nation is destined to be a priesthood that will govern the works of God's hands forever. This is why the governing city of the future is called the new Jerusalem, the names of the twelve tribes are written on the twelve gates, and the names of the twelve Jewish apostles are written on the twelve foundations of the wall of the city.

So it is with the Christian Church. The setting aside of the Church from the ranks of mankind (the term church means "called out from") does not indicate the remainder of mankind is doomed to be cast into the Lake of Fire, there to be tormented forever. Rather it is through the Church that mankind is to be saved and blessed, as we read so many times in the Book of Isaiah.

We see then that there is a great difference between being saved from wrath and becoming a member of the royal priesthood.

The members of the sheep nations will be saved from wrath and brought into the Kingdom of God on the basis of rendering assistance to the brothers of Christ, that is, to the members of the royal priesthood.

Now, why is God going to such great lengths to bring forth from mankind a governing priesthood, a firstfruits of His creatures as James says? It is because the original problem was one of rebellion, of disobedience, of self-will. All that has transpired since self-will was conceived in the heart of Satan can be understood only by viewing it against the backdrop of the original rebellion.

Paul told us the saints are struggling against rulers in the heavens. The battle is in the heavens. Fleshly weapons are useless in fighting the problems found in the world. The source of the problems is Satan and the rulers who followed him. Therefore the battle is fought in the realm of righteousness, holiness, stern obedience to God, truth, and our choosing to grasp truth and obey it.

When one of God's elect is called from the world he is regarded as crucified with Christ. He is regarded as resurrected from the dead with Christ. He is regarded as raised with Christ and seated with Christ at the right hand of God, the place of supreme authority and power.

Think about this. We usually view our salvation as preparing us to go to Paradise when we die physically. Isn't that so?

But this is not the case. Paradise is not our goal. Our goal is to maintain our place at the right hand of authority and power in Heaven. This has little to do with reclining on a sofa in a mansion in Paradise.

Why are we placed immediately at the right hand of authority and power in Heaven? It is because we were brought into the world in order to govern the works of God's hands. This is why we were created. Our calling always has been in the past tense.

To be continued.