Because of the willingness of the remnant to flow with the Spirit of God, to point to the immediate Presence of Christ among us, and to seek the approval of Christ whether or not people also give their approval, Christ confesses the name of each member of the remnant in the Presence of the Father and of the holy angels.

First, Christ knows each conqueror by name. Notice that Jesus says, "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis." As the name of Jesus is the sweetest of all sounds to each true Christian on earth, so the name of each true Christian becomes exceedingly precious to Christ in Heaven.

Christ never will allow the name of one of His true saints to be blotted out of the Book of Life. Instead the name of each overcomer will be announced before the Throne of God in the presence of the holy angels who excel in strength.

The Father, God Almighty, pays careful attention to each name proclaimed in His Presence. The attention of God is drawn to that individual saint because he or she has lifted up the name of God's beloved Son in the midst of human beings who are determined to seek their own welfare, who scorn the thought of laying aside their interests in favor of exalting the Lord Jesus.

The overcomer, having been announced in the Divine courtroom, is well on his way toward becoming a pillar in the Temple of God, toward being seated with Christ in His throne.

The holy angels who perform God's will take special note of each name confessed by Christ in the Presence of the Almighty, for the elect angels are spirits who minister to the heirs of salvation. They have been charged with the welfare of the sons of God (I Timothy 5:21).

The elect angels are careful observers of all that takes place on the earth. They know the name of each of Christ's conquerors. But all who choose to worship and serve Antichrist will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels (Revelation 14:10).

Ours may be the greatest period of all, in the Kingdom of God, because it appears that the Lord is emphasizing the forming of the firstfruits of the Bride. As we understand the Scriptures, the Church is the Bride of the Lamb. God's elect, including first Jews, and then Gentiles, are the Church, the Body of Christ.

There are several types and statements, both in the New Testament and the Old, that indicate there will be a firstfruits of the Church, a Gideon's army. The firstfruits stand on Mount Zion. It is our point of view that it is the firstfruits, not the entire Bride, that will appear with the Lord at His coming.

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1)

To be continued.