In our previous post we mentioned how the majority of professed believers have never fully responded to the privileges afforded them at this time.

IT IS IMPORTANT to understand that ONLY those who have fully consecrated themselves to the Lord have the merit of Christ’ righteousness imputed to them and are actually justified in the fullest sense of the word.

Those who merely make a profession of faith in Christ and in the work of redemption accomplish at Calvary have only taken the first step towards justification. That is the reason for the Apostle Paul’s injunction in Rom 12:1 he would have them continue on or follow through and take the “second step” of a full consecration to the Lord.

Only after having fully consecrated one’s self as was typified by the tying of the goats at the door of the Tabernacle does our Lord impute the merit of his righteousness to the individual thereby fully justifying them and as such making their sacrifice (through or in Him) “holy and acceptable” to God. Only then having been baptized into Christ death were we begotten by the Father through the Holy Spirit to a “new nature”.

Prior to our being actually justified, having received of the robe of Christ righteousness we were first justified by faith, through belief in Christ. This justification otherwise known as tentative justification was meant to give us a standing by which we might take the “second step” of a full consecration, following in the Master’s footsteps. Nevertheless faith-justification does not cease when this next step of sanctification (consecration) is taken. It continues with us as New Creatures.  

Unfortunately many at this time have “received this grace (this special favor or opportunity of tentative justification) in vain” (2 Cor 6:1), having never gone on to a full consecration of themselves, this because having been led astray (deceived) by the blind guides of Christendom they believe a mere profession of faith is all that is necessary to secure one’s heavenly inheritance.

In this segment we see that the “good”, the “just” (i.e. the righteous), in the eyes of God are those only who have fully consecrated themselves and have received the robe of Christ righteousness to cover their shortcomings. Though all men are to be saved in the sense of being brought to the knowledge and opportunity of salvation, none have Christ as their justification, the covering of their imperfections, imputing his righteousness to them, except the fully consecrated.

In the next age the world will not receive imputed righteousness (or justification) in order to make them just, no! They will receive actual justification, justification bought with the precious blood of Christ through the ransom sacrifice paid to justice.

Now since only the fully consecrated (viz. the “Little Flock” and the Great Company class) have received of the imputed righteousness of Christ during the Gospel age and by this time (during the great time of trouble) they will have all been taken from the earth, in truth there will be no truly “good” people left.

But alas there are still some who will SEEK for righteousness (seek to be good) even during this trouble, who still hold out hope of salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord and long for the promised kingdom, even as the “holy remnant” of Israel (those devout Jews who possessed “the faith of Abraham”, who trusted in the promises) sought out God in the time of Jacobs trouble.

If you recall we mentioned that when the last of the Lord’s true people (the Great Company class) are taken from the earth through the mechanics of the apostate church (the “beast” and the “false prophet”) workings in conjunction with civil authorities (the “dragon”), then will the false church be exposed for what it truly is and the masses will turn and rend her. Then will the tares be burned, destroyed, as imitation wheat, “killed by the sword” of the spirit, the truth, specifically that truth which confirms that they were never part the true Church as they supposed.

Now among these who are “burned” are some who more morally inclined than others who accepting the fact that they are not nor ever were a part of the body of Christ and thus will have no share in the heavenly phase of the kingdom still hold out hope (are still believers) in salvation of Christ and the promised restitution of all things.

These are some of the “good” of the earth which remains these are those who the Lord refers to in Zephaniah.

“Seek ye Jehovah, all ye meek (humble) of the earth, that have kept his ordinances (who have loved justice and sought for peace even in this trouble); seek righteousness, seek meekness (practice righteousness, truth, godliness, kindness, benevolence, even now when every man’s hand is turned against his brothers, trust in the Lord even now during this great calamity to save you): it may (as a consequence of this) be that you will be (somewhat) hidden in the day of Jehovah’s anger (when the four winds are let loosed).” Zep 2:3

In the French revolution which is but a type of the Day of Vengeance, a small picture of this great revolution to come, favors were shown to the just, generous and kind, and extreme wrath upon oppressors.

Thus we conclude our study which proves conclusively that there will indeed be survivors of Armageddon and that the earth is not going to be destroyed, emptied, darkened, silent, and devoid of all life as some believe.