We of the race of Adam do not understand this. We do not realize God is not impressed with rank or title, only with faithfulness.

The person of lowly calling who does his or her job faithfully and patiently is as highly esteemed by the Lord as the individual who has been placed at the right hand of Christ in His Kingdom.

Those who are great in the Kingdom are the servants of all. Our Lord set us an example by living as a poor man, serving those with needs. He could have been a king and have required people to wait on His pleasure, but He did not.

All who have been chosen to be of high rank in the Kingdom are brought low in this life that they might learn of God's humble Nature. God loves children because they usually do not strive for importance or authority over others.

We must grow accustomed to the idea that there will be ranks in the Kingdom of God. As I said, the Kingdom of God is not a democracy. If we love God we will rejoice when He chooses someone to occupy a high role of authority, power, or fame. We rejoice because we love God and want Him to be satisfied with the work of His hands.

It is all the same to us whether we sit in the head chariot or sweep up behind the horses in the royal parade. All that matters is that we have added to God's pleasure.

It may take a lifetime for our personality to be instructed in true humility and love for God, but every such lesson is worth far more than its weight in rubies.

The goal of every one of us, whether or not we realize it, is love, joy, and peace. Love, joy, and peace do not come through high rank, only through a right relationship with God and people.

The Second Stage

Seventy "sevens" are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. (Daniel 9:24—NIV)

"To put an end to sin."

From the time Satan lifted himself against the Father, the determination of God has been to put an end to sin; not to put an end to the guilt of sin but to put an end to sin itself, to all disobedience to the Father.

As part of the Father's program, man was created. God permitted Satan to infect man with the sin that originated in Heaven so through man God could put an end to sin. God will have no more rebellions in His creation!

God sent Jesus Christ into the world to put an end to sin, both the guilt of sin and the desire to sin. It was necessary that Christ die for the sins of the world. God could not put into effect His plan for the removal of sin until first the people He intended to save were forgiven.

To be continued.