Many are called, but then do not enter Christ as they should. They do not devote themselves to abiding in Him. Therefore they do not attain the rewards designated for the sons of God. Only a few are chosen. Only a few press through to the fullness of the inheritance in Christ. This is what the Scriptures teach plainly. The way to eternal life is difficult to find and difficult to walk. Few there are who find it and travel in it.

It is clear from the Scriptures that one of the techniques the Lord will use to make the branch of the Lord "beautiful and glorious" is to create a holy remnant.

From the present day forward until the Lord returns we can expect forces to enter our environment that will result in a division between the true elect and the greater part of those who name the name of Christ.

If we would insure our participation in the Body of Christ we must watch and pray without ceasing. We must follow Jesus carefully in every aspect of life. Even today many Christians are walking in deception, believing they will be caught up to Heaven in a "rapture" whether or not they truly are serving the Lord. Already we see the beginning of the division between the godly remnant and the majority of the believers.

Notice the fiery trials that are to come upon God's people:

When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning. (Isaiah 4:4)

The same tribulation is prophesied in Zechariah:

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. (Zechariah 13:9)

Again:

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3:3)

And in the New Testament:

Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:12)

Peter warns the Body of Christ of the final judgments that will purify the Wife of the Lamb, making her perfect in the sight of her Lord:

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved [is saved with difficulty], where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (I Peter 4:17,18)

There will be fiery trials in the last days that will bring forth a glorious church on the earth. The branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious for those of Israel who have escaped the seductions, lies, and terrors of Antichrist. The perfect Head will be placed on a perfect body.

To be continued.