The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Ark of His Covenant, continued

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1)

Some further types and statements that suggest to us the temporary division of the Church are as follows:

* The very concept of a firstfruits. The mention of Mount Zion (above) suggests the Tabernacle of David in that David placed the Ark of the Covenant in his city of Zion, a small area within the city of Jerusalem.

* The "great people and a strong" of the second chapter of Joel, and similar passages of the Old Testament speaking of the army of the Lord. This expression does not appear to refer to all Israel.

A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. (Joel 2:2)

* The "ten thousands of his saints" suggests an army drawn from the total ranks of Israel.

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (Jude 1:14)

* The concept of David's "mighty men"—warriors distinguished by prowess in battle.

Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three. (II Samuel 23:19)

It is interesting that of all the ways an Israelite could be distinguished, as a teacher, a writer, a musician, a poet, a farmer, a builder, a businessman, the evidence of honor during the reign of King David was prowess in war. So it is that from the present hour forward there will be a need for saints who are strong in spiritual warfare. There is an enemy to be crushed, a righteous King to be installed, before true and lasting peace and joy can come to the earth.

* The bride "terrible as an army with banners"—the "only one of her mother."

My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. (Song of Solomon 6:9)

* The three taken from the twelve in order to behold the Glory of the Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration.

* The very wording of Revelation 20:4-6, suggesting a part of the Church that is distinguished by being blessed and holy and by being free from the authority of the second death.

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: . . . Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power [authority], . . . .

It is the overcomer, the victorious saint, who is free from the authority of the second death, which is the Lake of Fire.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Revelation 2:11)

To be continued.