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The Daily Word of Righteousness
From Imputed to Actual Righteousness, #11
The length of time David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. (II Samuel 2:11—NIV)
The rule of David over Judah and then over all Israel.
When Saul died, David governed the tribe of Judah for seven years and six months. After that he was appointed king over the remainder of Israel for an additional thirty-three years.
Here is a symbolic portrayal of the rule of Christ over a part of the Church prior to His rule over the whole. All of these Old Testament events had as their purpose to serve as examples for us, that we might understand God's great plan—His plan to bring forth righteousness, holiness, and obedience on the part of His creatures.
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. (I Corinthians 10:11—NIV)
The firstfruits, of Revelation, Chapter Fourteen.
Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1—NIV)
Have you ever wondered why there will be people who are reaped, so to speak, before the remainder of mankind?
The fact that they stand on Mount Zion is significant. Zion was the location of the Ark of the Covenant, which we have discussed previously.
The writing of the names of the Father and the Son on their foreheads means they have given themselves over completely to the will of God—to do God's will instead of their own. In this way they are different from most of the Christian people of today. God's believers of our time have a difficult time getting rid of their own plans and desires and putting on the mind of Christ.
We came across the same thought previously when discussing Revelation 20:4-6—the resurrection of the royal priesthood: "And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God." God's firstfruits, His warlike remnant, are distinguished from the remainder of the church people by their utter consecration to the will of God. They indeed have been "beheaded" because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the Word of God.
Forsaking our carnal mind, which always fights against God, and adopting the mind of the Lord, is required if we are to pass from imputed righteousness to actual righteousness of personality and behavior.
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5—NIV)
There will be a firstfruits of mankind and they will follow the Lord wherever He goes. They are characterized by the fact that they are free from guile, from lying, from all idolatry.
God is calling for such today, for those who will forsake all and follow Him. You can be such a person if this is what you desire with all your heart. There is no place in this group for the lukewarm, casual Christian who has been filled with the lawless grace-rapture-Heaven doctrine, who has never denied himself, taken up his cross, and consecrated himself to the will of God without reservation.
To be continued.