The one offering of Christ has forgiven the guilt of sins of the royal priesthood, and also of the world for all who will receive. The royal priesthood now is being judged and delivered from the power of sin in advance of the judgment of the world.

The judgment of the royal priesthood, but not of the world, is symbolized in the following verses:

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. (Revelation 11:1,2)

"Measure the temple of God." "But the court which is without the temple [the world] leave out, and measure it not."

It is time now for God to judge His temple, that is, His Church—especially the firstfruits of the Church. The firstfruits of the Church are those who are worshiping at the Altar of Incense, at the place of sacrificial prayer and praise.

The whole Church is a firstfruits of mankind. Then there is a firstfruits of the Church itself, a "Gideon's army," that will achieve victory over sin as an advance guard of the Church. These "mighty men," to use an expression from the reign of King David, will make it possible for the remainder of the Church to join in the crushing of the enemy—following the type of the victory over the Midianites at the hands of Gideon.

It is an honor to be in the advance guard of the Church:

These are they which were not defiled with women [with marriage to a spirit other than Christ, not referring to proper human marriage, which is undefiled]; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Revelation 14:4,5)

The "firstfruits of the firstfruits" will have been brought to unity and maturity prior to the appearing of Christ from Heaven and will be part of His glorious appearing to the world. These are the royal priests who are clothed in white raiment (Revelation 19:8—but note Revelation 3:4,5).

The remainder of Israel, of the royal priesthood, the firstfruits of mankind, the new Jerusalem, the Body of Christ, will be perfected during the thousand-year Kingdom Age, as we understand it, so the holy city may be ready for its descent to the new earth.

The promises of life, of authority, of nearness to God, of opportunities for service, of glory, are for those who overcome through Christ every obstacle to their inheritance. The victorious saints shall inherit all things.

The royal priesthood is holy and undefiled. Christ gave us His righteousness before the creation of the world and now is perfecting us in righteousness, in holiness, and in obedience to God.

To be continued.