“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh (philosophers, educators, etc.), not many mighty (politicians, leaders, etc.), not many noble (royalty, aristocrats, etc.) are called (to salvation, to a relationship with God). But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world (the common folk) to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world (the nobodies) to confound the things which are mighty. And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not (are of no reputation) to bring to nought things that are., that no flesh should glory in his presence” (I Corinthians 1:26-29). (Note: All comments inside of parentheses are those of the author). The call for all others will come at a later time – after Jesus Christ returns and sets up His kingdom on this earth.
“Ye know that ye were Gentiles (prior to conversion) carried away unto these dumb idols even as ye were led (by Satan and his demons)” (I Corinthians 12:2). “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him. In love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will….that we should be, to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ” (Ephesians 1:4-5, 12). Yes, those described in I Corinthians 1 verses 26 through 29 are merely the FIRST to trust in Christ, submitting their lives to His direction and guidance.
“Wherefore remember that ye being IN TIME PAST Gentiles in the flesh….that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world, but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off (from Israel, the covenants of promise and God) are made nigh by the blood of Christ, for he is our peace, who hath made both (Israelite and Gentile) one (family), and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us (that divided the court of the Gentiles from Israel)…..for to make in himself of twain (the two groups) one new man (a spiritual Israelite), and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body (the body of Christ, the church, the family of God) by the cross, having slain the enmity (hostility) thereby….For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye (Gentiles) are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens (of Israel) with the saints, and of the household of God. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles AND PROPHETS, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone” (See Ephesians 2:11-20).
“For the earnest expectation of the creature (the remainder of humanity) waits for the manifestation (revealing) of the sons of God, for the creature (humanity) was made subject to vanity (a more or less vain existence, cut off from God), not willingly (having no choice in the matter), but by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope (of a future relationship with their Creator), because the creature (creation) itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God, for we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body (by the coming resurrection from the dead)”
(See Romans 8:19-23). Yes, those called to join the family of God now, in this era, actually extending from the time of Adam forward, are merely the firstfruits of salvation. Only after Christ’s return will mankind as a whole comprise the great harvest of humanity to hear the truth, react to the same and be granted immortality – eternal life!
“In the last days….many nations shall come, and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord (Zion, or Jerusalem), and to the house of the God of Jacob (God’s temple), and He will teach us of His ways (via His now resurrected and glorified elect sons and daughters), and we will walk in his paths (forsaking Islam, Buddhism, Shintoism, Hinduism, etc.), for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off (great military powers distant from the Middle East), and they shall beat their swords into plowshares (military armaments will be melted down and recast into agricultural implements – then used to sustain life rather than to snuff out precious human lives), and their spears (will be converted) into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (See Micah 4:1-3). That, my friend, is what awaits mankind – not to be tortured in the fires of hell throughout all eternity. Only the incorrigible wicked, human refuse will suffer the second death – death in eternal fire that reduces the physical human bodies cast therein to ash, ascending into the sky as far as the eye can see. (See Malachi 4:1-3 and Matthew 10:28). And even the incorrigible will have knowingly chosen the way of rebellion against their Creator rather than submission to the Lord. My prayer is that God will give you understanding in these truths.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley