I have lately been trying to disseminate a little understanding about the Kingdom of God and our potential part in it. Only those who have been made into God’s image will have any right to rule in that kingdom called New Jerusalem. Many of Jesus’ parables and teachings also deal with this.
The people God has called out of the world to become part of His Kingdom comprise what He calls “the church.” Many Christians call the building they worship in the church, but the word actually refers to the people. The word church, our translation of the Greek word ekklesia, means “the ones called out.” This refers to the people to whom God has revealed His Word to some extent.
Think of the word of faith in Jesus as a seed. God scatters His seed throughout the world. Many hear the truth, but they do not understand it. Some of these say they believe in Jesus after hearing this word, but they have not a clue about what faith in Jesus means and the changes that such faith must bring to them. These may even join a group of Christians and begin going “to church.” Doubtless, many crusades and revivals have counted these “converts” numerous times. “This is what was sown along the path,” said Jesus. (Matthew 13:19) Satan snatches away all gospel truth sown in their hearts and leaves them with no spiritual reality.
Other people are a little more productive in the Christian faith, but they too end up being unfruitful Christians. These are those who ultimately reject the mystery of the gospel (being made in God’s image) because of trials, persucutions, the cares of this world, or the love of money. These are represented by the rocky ground and those who grew up among thorns in Jesus’ parable of the seeds. An amazing truth, though, is that many of these remain in their congregations called churches. Some of these have even risen to high offices in their denominations. Some are pastors, some bishops, some are called elders, but many of them have perverted themselves and partake of the abominations of Mystery Babylon. (When John saw these Christians as part and parcel of the Whore of Babylon in Revelation 17:6 he was amazed and “marveled greatly.”)
Finally, in Jesus’ parable, we find seeds planted in good soil. These produce fruit of varying yield. These are God’s overcomers, the firstfruits of creation, the first fully made into His image.
All four types of seed are called out of the world. All four comprise the ekklesia, the church. Yet, only one type, the ones of good soil, understand the gospel. Only one type understands that to please God and produce fruit fit for the Kingdom one must “come out” of Babylon the Great.
Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ASV)
Notice how this one passage quoted above contains virtually all aspects of the mystery of the Gospel of being conformed into God’s image.
God calls all four types of seed out of the world and into His Kingdom, but only one responds. “Many are called, but few are chosen,” said Jesus. (Matthew 22:14) Yes, only few in this present age respond to the Gospel of the Kingdom and become chosen to rule in New Jerusalem.
