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The Daily Word of Righteousness
The Three Separations of the Royal Priesthood, #7
As thou hast given him power [authority] over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:2,9,16)
John, Chapter 17 is not saying eleven men were predestined to be saved and go to Heaven while the remainder of mankind is to be cast into the Lake of Fire. Rather, it indicates that specific people have been predestined from before the creation of the world to become a part of God; and when they attain their place in God the world will believe in Christ:
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23)
The "they" and the "them" of the above verse are the saints, the holy ones, both Jews and Gentiles, whom God has called to be part of Christ. The "world," of the same verse, is the remainder of mankind. If a member of the world receives Christ and Christ's saints, that individual will be saved. Remember—he who receives those whom Christ sends is receiving Christ Himself. Whoever receives Christ receives God (compare Matthew 10:40-42; 25:31-46).
If a member of the world signifies his rejection of Christ by rejecting Christ's true saints he will come under the judgment of God.
The world of today is not having an opportunity to clearly accept or clearly reject Christ. The reason is that the spiritual darkness of the world is in the churches and the light of Christ is not shining clearly and brightly. When the Lord purifies His Church there will be a clear testimony. In that day, people will have a chance to accept or reject Christ.
The ascended Christ gave gifts to His churches. The purpose of the gifts given to men is that the royal priesthood, the Body of Christ, may come to the fullness of the stature of Christ.
As soon as the ministries of the Church have finished their task, and the saints have come to the unity of the faith and the full knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians 4:13), God and Christ will fill the completed Tabernacle and the world will believe in Christ.
The best service we can render to the world is to live a holy, separated life in the Presence of the Lord. The more we grow in Christ the more of Christ we can receive. The more of Christ we receive, the more the world can see and be benefited by the Glory of God in us.
The Christian who does not lead a holy, separated life to the Lord is of no value to God or man. He is as salt that has lost its flavor.
The members of the nations of the earth will be judged when they are raised from the dead. Those who have performed wicked deeds will experience the wrath of God and those who have performed righteous deeds will enter eternal life (John 5:28,29).
To be continued.