The creating and indwelling of Christ in the saints requires a group of Christians who are willing to trust in the blood of the Lamb for the forgiveness of their sins, to live and preach by the Spirit a clear profession of faith in the whole Word of God, and to let go of their lives until the will of God is performed in them perfectly.

These are the "mighty men" of the Son of David. They are a firstfruits to God and to the Lamb and will follow the Lamb forever. They are among those who are first in the Kingdom even though they have emerged in the last days.

Everything hinges on the travail of the Church and the bringing forth of Christ in a company of victorious saints. Will you choose to be one of these? Will you give yourself to the work of the Lord so redemption may come to all Israel and then to the nations of the earth?

We do not pay the price of redemption in the same manner that was true of the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary. But unless we are willing to pay the price of laying down our life for the Lord Jesus and His Gospel it is not possible for the full victory of Jesus to be expressed in and through us.

The Lord has a company of people whom He has afflicted who are not "at home" in the churches.

In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth [the lame], and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; (Micah 4:6)

What will the Lord do with this humbled remnant, these lame "Jacobs" whom He has brought to grief?

And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. (Micah 4:7)

"Zion" is the citadel of Jerusalem, the first line of defense of the city. The despised remnant of believers, those who do not "fit" the ways of the churches, will be God's Zion.

And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem. (Micah 4:8)

Zion shall enter travail and bring forth the King within herself. Then she shall cast down every spiritual foe and every natural foe.

Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. (Micah 4:13)

The Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem before Zion travailed.

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2)

To be continued.