We continue with our look at what distinguishes the “Little Flock” from those who will comprise the “Great Company”
All discipline is severe and painful, yet necessary, both as training for our future office as Priests unto God, and as filling up the measure of the afflictions of Christ now. It was experienced by our Head unto the bitter end – death, and that without a murmur. “He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth”. Isa. 53:7
He was led, not driven to death. He willingly permitted the sick and afflicted to partake of his vitality, his strength, and himself bore their infirmities to the extent necessary for their healing. In Gethsemane, knowing that his hour was come, he gave himself into the hands of his betrayers. He willingly endured the disapproval of men and denied himself the blessing of men that he might spend his time and talents according to his Father’s will, esteeming it his meat and drink to do that will at any cost.
All his sacrifice from the beginning to the end was rendered cheerfully, without a murmur, and even with delight.
Why?
Because he looked not at the things behind, which he had given up, but to the things before. He never even mentioned the things behind, but he had much to say of the things to come.
To follow in his footsteps then is to sacrifice ourselves as he did, with the same uncomplaining cheerful submission, delighting to do the Father’s will. To obey grudgingly, reluctantly, with slow and halting step, with much complaining and frequently looking back to lament over the loss of the things behind, holding back, loving the world, its ways and its things, and driven forward mainly by the scourge of tribulation and fear, are marks of those developing for the “great company,” and to such there is danger of not only being “cast away” from the anointed body, but also of not even gaining a position in the “great company.”
To gain a position in the latter even, they must give heed to the discipline, and in it, must wash their robes and make them white. The robe given to each saint is at first pure and spotless – Christ’s righteousness is imputed to them. Those who fail to overcome and to keep their garments un-spotted from the world must have the tribulation of washing them, and must rightly appreciate and use it, else they are unfit for either company.
In the case of Jesus and all who joyfully surrender themselves, it is called “SACRIFICE” of the flesh or human nature, and such are called “OVER-COMERS.” In the case of those who hold back and wait for tribulation before rendering obedience, it is called “DESTRUCTION of the flesh” or human nature.
The one class of which Jesus is the head, overcome the world; the other is overcome by the world, but finally delivered by the Lord through tribulations. And the rewards of these two classes, as stated by the Lord, will differ.
The “over-comers,” a “little flock,” as members of His body, will sit with him in (or on) the throne, and be members of the spiritual temple, and wear the crown. The others – a “great company” will serve God in or through his temple (the Body of Christ) and praise him before his throne and have “palms” of victory at last, though they failed to win the crowns.
In what a precarious situation we stand. O that all may be fully awake to the solemn responsibilities and issues of this, the Judgment Day of the Church – of all who have put on the name of Christ. All discipline indeed, as it respects the present, seems not to be of joy, but of grief; yet afterwards it returns the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hold fast. Let no man take thy crown. Do not let the gratification of the present moment rob you of the great prize of our high calling which God desires to bestow upon you. Lay aside every weight and hindrance and count present sacrifices all joy, and by cheerful, prompt sacrifice, work out, make your calling and election sure; work out your salvation while God by his truth and his providence shall work in you.
“Therefore brace up the wearied hands and the enfeebled knees,” make a desperate and continuous effort to render such a sacrifice as will be acceptable and well pleasing to God through Jesus; and “Make level paths for your feet” – i.e., arrange your circumstances, etc., as far as possible, so as to help and not hinder you, “lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed” (Heb. 12:13.) – lameness or liking for certain things which as consecrated ones we have no right to. Make your circumstances favor self-denial in this way as much as possible, that you may not be severely tempted on this weak or lame point of your character.
What great advantage accrues to the willing sacrificers – the little flock? They run with joy, realizing the Father’s approval, and inspired by the glory of the prize kept constantly in view, while the great company of consecrated ones limp painfully along, many of them through the very same outward experiences, harassed by fears, worried by doubts, saddened by the loss of the things behind which they cannot now enjoy, yet failing to clearly discern the glory before, and driven by circumstances, fear, etc., to the fulfillment of their covenant.
And then this great company shall not be esteemed worthy to be of the Bride of Christ. That intimate relationship and communion is reserved only for those who have proved their devoutness by prompt, cheerful, willing sacrifices, even unto death. But the great company chastened, refined, purified shall be beloved and honored also with the next most favored position, because they were rightly exercised by the chastening rod.
In view of the momentous issues of this time of trial, let our efforts be constantly supplemented by our prayers that the Lord may give us grace to let him work in us, to will and to do his good pleasure, for unaided by divine grace none of us can make our election sure.” [R772]
All discipline is severe and painful, yet necessary, both as training for our future office as Priests unto God, and as filling up the measure of the afflictions of Christ now. It was experienced by our Head unto the bitter end – death, and that without a murmur. “He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth”. Isa. 53:7
He was led, not driven to death. He willingly permitted the sick and afflicted to partake of his vitality, his strength, and himself bore their infirmities to the extent necessary for their healing. In Gethsemane, knowing that his hour was come, he gave himself into the hands of his betrayers. He willingly endured the disapproval of men and denied himself the blessing of men that he might spend his time and talents according to his Father’s will, esteeming it his meat and drink to do that will at any cost.
All his sacrifice from the beginning to the end was rendered cheerfully, without a murmur, and even with delight.
Why?
Because he looked not at the things behind, which he had given up, but to the things before. He never even mentioned the things behind, but he had much to say of the things to come.
To follow in his footsteps then is to sacrifice ourselves as he did, with the same uncomplaining cheerful submission, delighting to do the Father’s will. To obey grudgingly, reluctantly, with slow and halting step, with much complaining and frequently looking back to lament over the loss of the things behind, holding back, loving the world, its ways and its things, and driven forward mainly by the scourge of tribulation and fear, are marks of those developing for the “great company,” and to such there is danger of not only being “cast away” from the anointed body, but also of not even gaining a position in the “great company.”
To gain a position in the latter even, they must give heed to the discipline, and in it, must wash their robes and make them white. The robe given to each saint is at first pure and spotless – Christ’s righteousness is imputed to them. Those who fail to overcome and to keep their garments un-spotted from the world must have the tribulation of washing them, and must rightly appreciate and use it, else they are unfit for either company.
In the case of Jesus and all who joyfully surrender themselves, it is called “SACRIFICE” of the flesh or human nature, and such are called “OVER-COMERS.” In the case of those who hold back and wait for tribulation before rendering obedience, it is called “DESTRUCTION of the flesh” or human nature.
The one class of which Jesus is the head, overcome the world; the other is overcome by the world, but finally delivered by the Lord through tribulations. And the rewards of these two classes, as stated by the Lord, will differ.
The “over-comers,” a “little flock,” as members of His body, will sit with him in (or on) the throne, and be members of the spiritual temple, and wear the crown. The others – a “great company” will serve God in or through his temple (the Body of Christ) and praise him before his throne and have “palms” of victory at last, though they failed to win the crowns.
In what a precarious situation we stand. O that all may be fully awake to the solemn responsibilities and issues of this, the Judgment Day of the Church – of all who have put on the name of Christ. All discipline indeed, as it respects the present, seems not to be of joy, but of grief; yet afterwards it returns the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hold fast. Let no man take thy crown. Do not let the gratification of the present moment rob you of the great prize of our high calling which God desires to bestow upon you. Lay aside every weight and hindrance and count present sacrifices all joy, and by cheerful, prompt sacrifice, work out, make your calling and election sure; work out your salvation while God by his truth and his providence shall work in you.
“Therefore brace up the wearied hands and the enfeebled knees,” make a desperate and continuous effort to render such a sacrifice as will be acceptable and well pleasing to God through Jesus; and “Make level paths for your feet” – i.e., arrange your circumstances, etc., as far as possible, so as to help and not hinder you, “lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed” (Heb. 12:13.) – lameness or liking for certain things which as consecrated ones we have no right to. Make your circumstances favor self-denial in this way as much as possible, that you may not be severely tempted on this weak or lame point of your character.
What great advantage accrues to the willing sacrificers – the little flock? They run with joy, realizing the Father’s approval, and inspired by the glory of the prize kept constantly in view, while the great company of consecrated ones limp painfully along, many of them through the very same outward experiences, harassed by fears, worried by doubts, saddened by the loss of the things behind which they cannot now enjoy, yet failing to clearly discern the glory before, and driven by circumstances, fear, etc., to the fulfillment of their covenant.
And then this great company shall not be esteemed worthy to be of the Bride of Christ. That intimate relationship and communion is reserved only for those who have proved their devoutness by prompt, cheerful, willing sacrifices, even unto death. But the great company chastened, refined, purified shall be beloved and honored also with the next most favored position, because they were rightly exercised by the chastening rod.
In view of the momentous issues of this time of trial, let our efforts be constantly supplemented by our prayers that the Lord may give us grace to let him work in us, to will and to do his good pleasure, for unaided by divine grace none of us can make our election sure.” [R772]
