Few believers in Jesus live as true disciples. The majority of the churchgoers are not worthy of Him. It is our belief that such will be chastened severely when the Lord comes. Some may be cast into outer darkness or the Lake of Fire.

There is a firstfruits of those whom the Lord has called. There is a firstfruits of the family of God. There is one who is "the only one of her mother" (Song of Solomon 6:9).

Let us see now how the story of Rebekah reveals the selection of the firstfruits of the family of God, the Church within the churches.

And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. (Genesis 24:2-4)

Although the churches are filled with sins and problems of all kinds, it is true, nevertheless, that the Lamb will seek His Bride from among His own people. Sometimes we Christians turn away from the believers and seek fellowship (or a wife or husband) from people of the world whom we esteem.

This can prove to be a mistake. The Lord's people, in spite of all their problems, have been called out of the world by the Holy Spirit. The peoples of the world are spiritually dead in their sins, being ruled by the spirit of Satan. No matter how much integrity the unsaved may demonstrate, no matter how honorable they may be or how friendly, we are not to enter alliances with them. Sooner or later a conflict will result.

And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. (Genesis 24:8)

Being a member of the firstfruits of the Church is our choice. The Lord Jesus never will force anyone to be part of His loved one.

Eliezer made his journey from Canaan to Haran.

And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. (Genesis 24:11)

Calling the Bride out from the Christian churches will take place "at the time of the evening." It is in the present hour, in the "evening" of the Church Age, that the Lamb is drawing out His Bride.

While the marriage of the Lamb will take place at the time of the Lord's return to earth, the all-important decisions are being made now. We now are being invited to enter eternal union with Christ. Those who do not obey the Spirit in the present hour will not be married to the Lamb at His coming whether or not they profess faith in Christ.

To be continued.