There are numerous members of God's elect who are bruised reeds. They need an opportunity to grow in Christ if they are to serve as members of the new Jerusalem.

So, as it was true that David ruled Judah for several years before He governed all of Israel, it appears Christ will for a season govern only a portion of His inheritance. The partial rule of Christ will take place during the thousand-year period, often referred to as the Millennium. After the thousand years have been completed, and the new Jerusalem has been established on the new earth, the complete rule of Christ will continue for eternity.

It is my opinion that during the thousand years (whether a literal or a figurative thousand years) the victorious saints will minister wisdom and life to the weaker members of the Body of Christ until they have been made ready to descend through the new sky as part of the new Jerusalem.

The new heaven and earth reign of Jesus Christ is so far beyond anything we have understood or even imagined that the most devout among us is hardly prepared for such dazzling glory. In comparison with the holiness that is to descend to the earth, we are as creatures of the mud. We have so much more to receive from the Lord Jesus Christ!

This, I believe, is the purpose for the thousand-year Kingdom Age. It is to give the whole Bride of the Lamb an opportunity to be dressed for the wedding.

All of the feasts of the Lord point to the feast of Tabernacles. The experience typified by the feast of Tabernacles is the goal toward which we are pressing.

The blood atonement gives us the authority to press toward the feast of Tabernacles.

The Holy Spirit provides us with the wisdom and power to press toward the feast of Tabernacles.

However, it is the feast of Tabernacles that is the Kingdom of God in us that will make it possible for us to serve God and man in the manner we outlined toward the beginning of this essay.

We cannot arrive at maturity except as the Father and the Son are dwelling in us.

We cannot serve as an eternal priest of God except as the Father and the Son are dwelling in us.

We cannot attain the holiness and righteousness we desire except as the Father and the Son are dwelling in us.

We cannot be the witness of God to the nations to the extent we desire except as the Father and the Son are dwelling in us.

We cannot be the Presence of God among men except as the Father and the Son are dwelling in us.

We cannot remove all tears, death, mourning, and pain from the members of the saved nations except as the Father and the Son are dwelling in us.

We cannot be a source of the River of Life except as the Father and the Son are dwelling in us.

To be continued.