The "Christian" who chooses to wait until the Lord returns before he makes the effort to achieve victory over sin may find himself rejected by the Lord in that Day. The branches that do not bear fruit shall be cut out of the Vine according to the Word.

It is true also there are ranks in the Kingdom of God. Not every Israelite was a member of Gideon's army. The members of Gideon's army (which is a type of the Lord's firstfruits) were chosen by the Lord to overcome the enemy on behalf of all Israel. Gideon's 300 soldiers are a type of a chosen firstfruits being used by the Lord to achieve victory for all Israel, that is, for all the members of the new Jerusalem.

Those who have been given the opportunity to attain the first resurrection but who choose to save their life in this present world will be dealt with by the Lord as lazy, disobedient servants.

Ranks in the Kingdom are by Divine election. But each member of the elect must grasp the inheritance to which he has been called. If he does not, his place will be taken by another and the neglectful believer will be cast into outer darkness.

The disciples who become spiritually strong in this life, who achieve victory through Jesus, who are attaining the first resurrection from among the dead, are charged with building up all Israel, including the weakest members.

If we are conquerors, we are soldiers in the Lord's army. We will ride to victory with Him in the Battle of Armageddon, as well as in the lesser everyday battles that are the prelude to Armageddon. We will gain back our bodies from the grave and will be revealed together with Christ.

Notice that before the thousand-year Kingdom Age, at the time of the Battle of Armageddon, the Wife of the Lamb is "arrayed in fine linen," the fine linen being the righteous conduct of the saints (Revelation 19:8). This means those who through the grace of Jesus are able to attain righteous conduct will be a firstfruits of the Bride and will ride with Jesus in the Battle of Armageddon.

Notice also after the thousand-year period, when there is a new sky and a new earth, the Wife of the Lamb will descend from Heaven through the new sky and be established for eternity on the new earth. Now we are not beholding a firstfruits of the Bride. Now we are viewing the completed and perfected Bride, including all who truly are of Israel (Hebrews 8:11; Romans 9:6). This is why the number twelve is employed in the description of the holy city.

If it is only a righteous firstfruits, a remnant, who appear at the beginning of the thousand-year period, that is, at the return of Christ to the earth. If the whole perfected Bride does not appear until the conclusion of the thousand-year Kingdom Age, then we understand the Kingdom Age to be a time of growth for the members of the Body of Christ.

Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time. (Isaiah 60:21,22)

To be continued.