Right from the beginning it must be pointed out that the true Church of God can neither be Christendom as a whole, nor any individual denomination of Christendom. However, individual members of the true Church of God are being found among all of Christendom throughout the Gospel age, as clearly stated by Jesus in the parable of the wheat and the tares:

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares (Matthew 13:24–43)

:24–25  “Another parable put he forth unto them [his disciples], saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man [Christ Jesus], which sowed good seed in his field [the good seed are the members of the true Church of God, those who have “an ear to hear” and respond, and the field is the world]: but while men slept [those of the early Church who, after the Apostles had died, should have been the protectors of the Virgin Church], his enemy came [the devil] and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

:26–28  “But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.

:28–30  “The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Then, in verses 36–43, Jesus explains:

:36–39  “And his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man [he himself]; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom [those who absorb the Truth and make it their own]; but the tares are the children of the wicked one [all those who follow false, man-made religious systems with their man-made doctrines, traditions, and ceremonies, even ignorantly, because they do not follow the Apostle’s advice to “prove all things” — 1 Thess. 5:21; also Eph. 4:14]; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world [Gr. aion, age; the Gospel age]; and the reapers are the angels [God’s messengers].

:40–42  “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire [not the people, but the bundles: the systems, the groups, the organizations within the religious world; they will be destroyed as such]; so shall it be in the end of this world [in the end of this “present evil world”, in preparation for the next world to come: the new world of God’s true Kingdom]. The Son of man shall send forth his angels [his messengers], and they shall gather out of his [true] kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity [which do their own thing, and not the will of God; John 15:10]; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire [God will cause conditions and circumstances and developments to be such that their lives become so unpleasant as if being in a fire — as a people’s proverb puts it: to get from the frying pan into the fire]: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth [great disappointment, sorrow, pain, trouble, and anguish, throughout Christendom].

:43  “Then shall the righteous shine forth [the true wheat] as the sun in the kingdom of their Father”, for which reason Jesus said, in Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Who Are These “Righteous” Ones?

Who are these “righteous” ones, who shall “shine forth as the sun” (who shine above all others of the people of the world in God’s established Kingdom)? Who, or of whom, is this “little flock” made up? Who constitutes God’s true Church? Who are the ones so specifically referred to in the following verses from the Emphatic Diaglott, the direct Greek-English translation?

“And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion [the symbolic mount Zion is: the future Kingdom of God, with Christ as the “Lord of lords and King of kings”], and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand, having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. … And they sing a new song in the presence of the Throne, and in the presence of the Four Living ones, and the Elders; and no one was able to learn the song except the hundred forty-four thousand — those who were redeemed from the earth [those 144,000 raised from the earth, no one else]. These are those who were not defiled with women [a woman is symbolic of a religious system; therefore, these were not contaminated by the false doctrines of those existing religious systems, denominations, groups, sects] for they are virgins [they remain pure and faithful, waiting patiently for the Bridegroom — the Lord Jesus]. These are those who follow the Lamb [who follow Christ, and none other — John 10:3–5] wherever he goes. These were redeemed from men [the first in order from among men], a First-fruit to God and to the Lamb.” (Rev. 14:1–4)

These are the righteous ones; these are the members of the little flock; these are the members of the true Church, which collectively are also referred to as “the body of Christ”:

1 Cor. 12:27  “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

Eph. 1:22–23  “… and gave him [Christ] to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body …”

Pertaining to these, the Scriptures also tell us the following:

1 Thess. 4:7  “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”

1 Thess. 2:12  “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

Rom. 1:6–7  “… among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints …”

The Apostle Peter also said:

2 Pet. 1:2–3  “… through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”

They are also referred to as being elected:

1 Pet. 1:1–2  “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia [to the true wheat in those areas], elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ …”

1 Thess. 1:4  “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.”

Rom. 11:5–7  “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for [viz, Israel, as the covenanted people of God: to remain and be the elect of God to bless all the families on the earth, based on God’s promise to Abraham]; but the election hath obtained it [those elected out of all the people on earth during the Gospel age, those worthy to become members of the LITTLE FLOCK; those worthy to become THE BRIDE OF CHRIST; those who are THE WHEAT among all the mass of tares …], and the rest were blinded.”

Indeed, as Jesus also said:

Matth. 22:14; 20:16  “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

But to be called and to be chosen, requires a very specific action on the part of the called and chosen ones: They must respond! How? They — each one of them, as individuals — must make a personal, full consecration to God Almighty. The effect of a consecrated life is well pointed out by the Apostle Paul in the sixth chapter to the Romans. Here is all of it:

The Effect of a Consecrated Life (Romans 6:1–23)

:1  “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

:2  “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

:3  “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

:4  “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

:5  “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

:6  “Knowing this, that our old man [our former life with the worldly spirit] is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

:7  “For he that is dead [before God, because of full consecration by the baptism into the death of Christ] is freed from sin [from the inherited Adamic sin which rests upon all mankind].

:8  “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him [in glory as his espoused wife]:

:9  “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion [power] over him.

:10  “For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

:11  “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

:12  “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

:13  “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

:14  “For sin shall not have dominion [power] over you: for ye are not under the law [as the Jews were and still are], but under grace.

:15  “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

:16  “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

:17  “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

:18  “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

:19  “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity [before]; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

:20  “For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness [did not know righteousness and, therefore, were not bothered by it, had no scruples when doing wrong or evil things].

:21  “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those [unrighteous, evil] things is death.

:22  “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end [is] everlasting life.

:23  “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Characteristics and Requirements of These Called Ones

With regard to these CALLED ONES to be CHOSEN to become members of the LITTLE FLOCK, to constitute the true CHURCH, the true BODY OF CHRIST: they all must develop specific characteristics and requirements, as for instance:

John 8:31—32  “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 15:8,10  “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye [my true followers] bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. … If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”

Col. 1:9–10  “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the LORD unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

2 Pet. 3:18  “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

2 Pet. 1:5–10  “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity [love is the proper translation]. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”

In a very concise and very clear way, the Apostle Paul addresses the members of this called and chosen class — the true Church of God, in these words:

Rom. 12:1–2  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies [yourselves, with all your heart, and all your mind, with all your being] a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service [reasonable, because that is exactly the essence of your consecration, your “baptism” into “His” death]. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

It is only these to whom Jesus is referring in his prayer to his Father:

John 17:9,20  “I pray for them: I pray not for the world [because the world of mankind is going to be dealt with in the coming age, during “the times of restitution of all things”], but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. … Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word”, all those: who will become the true members of HIS body throughout the Gospel age, the period of time during which HIS Bride is being selected.

No wonder God himself speaks of these in the Prophets in these words:

Ps. 50:5  “Gather my saints together unto me [during the Gospel age]; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

Mal. 3:17  “And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day [the Gospel age] when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them [protect them], as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” These are the true saints of God!

Can it be understood why Jesus said the following?

Matth. 7:20–21  “By their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven [as the chosen ones, to “reign with him a thousand years” — not on the earth, but over the earth, from heaven]; but he that doeth the will of my Father.”

Can it be understood what the real meaning is of the following Scriptures?

Rev. 3:5  “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment [a symbolic feature representing being clothed in righteousness]; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life [applicable only to those who, on the basis of their consecration, had made “a convenant with [God] by sacrifice” (Ps. 50:5)], but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”

Rev. 3:12  “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God [the temple of God is the true Church of Christ, the LITTLE FLOCK of 144,000], and he shall go no more out [because such a one will have a permanent place in the glorified Church]: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God [not literally, as human beings, because their humanity was offered up, but, with the authority of God: they, together with their Lord, will bring down to earth their spiritual Government to reign over the people of mankind — the then-ruling power of God’s true Kingdom, when God’s will: will “be done on earth, as it is in heaven” — Matth. 6:10]: and I will write upon him my new name.”

Rev. 3:21  “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

Rev. 2:26–27  “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end [he who is faithful unto death], to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron [in and with true justice and in righteousness with all its consequences]; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers [the nations as systems, and all their organizations, their laws, their rules, their traditions, etc., etc., as well]: even as I received of my Father.”

Rev. 2:17  “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches [not to many churches, but to The Church in its several phases of development during the Gospel age]; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna [the secrets of God’s true Truth, of His plans and purposes pertaining to the salvation of the Adamic race], and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it” (a white stone: a precious token of Divine love, the seal of the holy Spirit in the heart; a new name: the name of the Bridegroom).

In conclusion, these four Scriptures:

John 17:16  “They are not of the world [all of his true followers, in whom the holy Spirit works to the praise and glory of God], even as I am not of the world.” (They and their Lord were and are in the world, but they are not of the world.)

John 13:16  “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.”

Matth. 10:22  “And ye shall be hated of all men [because of your endeavour to be righteous] for my name’s sake.”

1 John 3:1  “… the world knoweth us not [does not recognize us as true saints of God among them], because it knew him not [as the one who “gave himself a ransom for all”, viz, primarily for Adam, but by extension for all his posterity as well, and for his Bride in particular!].”

The following was written just over one hundred years ago:

Why did “the times of restitution of all things”, the reign of Christ in God’s true Kingdom, with its favorable conditions and powerful restraints, not begin at once, as soon as Christ had given the ransom price at Calvary; instead of compelling those who would follow righteousness, to sail through bloody seas and suffer for righteousness sake? Or else, why not have postponed the giving of the ransom until the close of the Gospel age and the inauguration of “the times of restitution of all things” with the reign of “the Lord of lords and King of kings”? Or, at least, if the present order of events is best in the divine wisdom, why does not God specially protect from calamities, accidents, sorrow, pain, death, etc., those who have fully accepted of Christ and who have sacrificed and are using their all in the service of righteousness?

Ah yes! The subject would be incomplete were this point left untouched. The consecrated saints, the [true] church of the Gospel age, are a “peculiar people”, different from the rest of the redeemed race; and God’s dealings with them are peculiar and different also. Inasmuch as it was God’s purpose to highly honor and exalt our Lord Jesus far above all others, because of his faithful obedience even to self-sacrifice, so it was his purpose to select a “little flock” for his companionship in glory, who, after being justified by Christ’s sacrifice and reconciled to God by the death of his Son, should develop so much of a likeness to his Son, by intently following his words and example, that they, like him (though far less fully than he because of weaknesses of the flesh), should likewise so love righteousness and truth, and so delight to do God’s will, that they would do it at any cost or sacrifice of earthly pleasures, or comforts, or esteem among men — even unto death.

The space of time between the giving of the ransom for all, and the establishment of the Kingdom which is to bestow upon mankind the blessings purchased, is for the very purpose of selecting a “little flock” of under kings and priests, Christ’s companions in the honors and work of the Kingdom, otherwise called, as a class, “the Bride, the Lamb’s wife”. The selection of this class must take place during a time when evil, trouble and sin have sway in the world; for it is by the special opposition of evil and sin, to God’s plan and to all in harmony with it, that these are to be specially tried and tested; that only “overcomers” shall be selected and given this very honorable and responsible position.

Not only is this class required to follow after righteousness and truth, and to support them and oppose sin, to their present discomfort and loss, but they are required to do all this on the strength of faith, outward evidences being often contrary to faith. A part of their test is, that they must walk by faith and not by sight. They are to believe God’s promises though every outward circumstance seems to contradict it. This is part of their lesson as well as part of their trial.

They are to believe God’s testimony, that death and trouble entered the world as a result of Adam’s sin, and that a fall from perfection took place in Eden, no matter what speculations among scientists may suggest to the contrary, — as that Adam was evolved from an ape, or in some other form, and that the Bible story of the fall, the condemnation and the redemption are alike unscientific; that Christ, like Confucius, was a great teacher, but nothing more; that he accomplished no redemption and that none could have been needful or required. The saints are to shun babblings of science and philosophy, falsely so-called, and to walk by faith in God’s revelation. (Rom. 5:12–20)

Though they see errors flourish and Scriptural truths spurned and disregarded, they are to disregard numbers and human traditions and, by faith, hold to God’s Word. Though told by God that they are redeemed and no longer under his condemnation and disfavor with the rest of the world, they are to believe and walk by faith, nothing doubting, even though they are not the recipients of special earthly favors, and even though they, like others, have a share of sickness, pain and death.

Their advantages are often less than those of other men, and their course often much more up-hill and rough. They walk by faith and not by sight, however; they endure as seeing him who is invisible, and the crown which is invisible, and the Kingdom which is invisible, and as though they already had everlasting life, though they die like other men. In all these things, yea, in everything, they are required to walk by faith and not by sight, if they would be crowned overcomers and made heirs in the coming Kingdom.

Their advantages are all invisible to the world, and are seen only by the eye of faith. Their peace and joy are dependent upon their knowledge and trust of God and his plan; and their knowledge and trust depend upon their faith in his Word of promise. By faith they “know [even when outward evidences seem contrary] that all things are working together” for their ultimate good, and that the glories and blessings of the future shall far over-balance all the trials and troubles and wounds of the present; and so believing from such a standpoint, it is well said that these have a joy and peace, even amid tribulation, which the world can neither give nor take away.

What advantage, then, hath a true, consecrated Christian in the present time? Much every way; both in the life that now is, and also in that which is to come. All things are yours; for ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s, and ye are accepted of God in and through the merit of Christ.

Soul, then know thy full salvation, Rise o’er sin and fear and care; Joy to find in every station, Something still to do or bear.

Like their Master, such shall yet see results for all their travail of soul which will fully recompense or satisfy them. Such may rejoice even in tribulation, knowing the results. Even the families of the saints, and all that concerns them, are precious to the LORD for their sakes.

Courage, then, dear family of God! Be strong! Endure hardness as good soldiers; endure as seeing the Lord and the prize, though they are invisible except to your eye of faith. Expect not to reign, nor to be exempted from trial and sufferings, until the battle is ended — until Evil (sin, as well as disaster, trouble and death, its accompaniments) shall be removed by our Redeemer, who soon is to take his great power and reign to deliver the groaning creation from all its present distresses.

“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be unto all people.” (Luke 2:10.) Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord; for though for a little moment he hid his face and permitted calamities to scourge and destroy his creatures because of their transgression, yet in great mercy he hath provided our ransom price; yea, he hath highly exalted him to be both Priest and King to cleanse from sin, and to rule to perfect all who will then submit their hearts to him and obey him. From such he shall wipe away all tears; and sorrow and dying, and every evil, shall be no more. “Behold, I make all things new.”

Ch. T. Russell, July 1889
Herald of Christ’s Presence