The design of the Tabernacle of the Congregation portrays the relationship of the Church to the nations of the saved of the earth.

Outside the linen fence surrounding the Courtyard lies outer darkness. The outer darkness is reserved for those who are not accepted by the Lord.

Inside the area marked off by the linen fence abides every person who will be permitted to enter the new heaven and earth reign of Christ—every person who is saved from the Divine wrath.

Placed in the Courtyard, in the area of the saved, is the Tabernacle tent, consisting of the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The Tabernacle tent represents the Church, the new Jerusalem, the Wife of the Lamb, the eternal Temple of God, the governing city of the Kingdom of God.

The Tabernacle tent, being divided into the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, reveals in its design the two parts of the Church: the firstfruits of the Church, and then the remainder of the elect who did not attain the firstfruits. This is our understanding in the present hour, and it fits the type of David and his mighty men (firstfruits) who were a part of all Israel.

There is a firstfruits to God and to the Lamb (Revelation 14:4).

We see, therefore, that the Church will be placed among the nations of the earth so the nations may walk in the Presence and blessing of God, being ruled by the Lord God in Christ in the saints. The Book of Revelation declares that the "tabernacle of God," that is the Church, will abide "with" men, with the saved peoples of the earth (Revelation 21:3).

The new Jerusalem, which is the Church, the light of the world, will be established for eternity on a "great and high mountain" of the new earth. The nations of the saved will walk in the light of it and bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. This is taught in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Those persons who, after all the work of Christ and His saints, still refuse to allow Christ to rule in their personalities, will have their permanent abode in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

The Courtyard of the Tabernacle represents, as we have said, the nations of those who are saved but who are not members of the Church, the Body of Christ.

The tent in the Courtyard portrays God's elect—the individuals who have been called out from the nations of the earth so they may be the dwelling place of God.

God in Christ, according to His own grace and mercy, has called out of the world people whom He has chosen for His own purposes. He did not call them on the basis of anything they have accomplished but according to His own wisdom and foreknowledge.

To be continued.