We have spoken of the work of God throughout the ages. Let us think of this work for a moment from the standpoint of his calling or invitation to those whom he has been selecting and preparing during the present age to be the rulers and servants in the Messianic kingdom. Christ began the calling of those who are to live and reign with him. The first of these were the remnant of Israel who responded to his message and accepted him as the promised Messiah. These were called to be sons of God, members of his divine and future ruling family.—John 1:11,12

Later this same call was extended to the Gentiles, those responding being a “people for his name.” (Acts 15:14-17) James explains that after this people for his name is called out from the Gentiles, the Lord returns to “build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down,” that the “residue of men,” the rest of the world of mankind, might seek after the Lord. He makes no mention of the calling of another class at the end of the age. If millions were to be called and brought under a theocratic government at the end of the age and thus saved from death in Armageddon, this would have been a most logical place for the Lord, through the apostle, to so state. James concludes his summary of the divine plan by saying that “known unto God are all his works from the foundation of the world.” This implies that he had mentioned all the main features of God’s plan for the salvation of the world, yet he said nothing about a special class being called at this end of the age.

Those reached by the truth during this age are said to be called in “one hope” of their calling. (Eph. 4:4) They are called according to God’s purpose. They are called of God to be “priests,” as typed by Aaron. (Heb. 3:1,6; 5:4) The whole world is not called—only “as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39) There has been no other call during the present Gospel Age, nor is there any other call now. The “great multitude” does not come into existence under a special call.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3) All of Jesus’ disciples from then until now, obeying his word, and trusting in the merit of his shed blood, are thus made clean, being represented as wearing robes of righteousness. (Isa. 61:10) They are urged to keep themselves “unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27) When the number of the elect little flock is complete, they will be presented to the Lord without “spot, or wrinkle.” (Eph. 5:27) But the Bible indicates that there are many who do not keep themselves unspotted, and through lack of zeal their robes become soiled and in need of cleansing.

These love the Lord, and in a final test do not deny him. They are represented as a class that comes through great tribulation, washing their spotted robes. There are no direct promises made to these. Such promises would tend to encourage laxity; but the God of all mercy and grace, who is longsuffering and “not willing that any should perish,” in his wise economy will give them a place as servants in his kingdom arrangements. Having been given spiritual hopes, they will become spirit beings. They will not be a part of the temple class, but will serve God in his temple. In Psalm 45:14,15 they are represented as being virgins and companions of the bride, and will enter into the “King’s palace.”

That these are a called out, spiritual class, as is the bride, the little flock, is indicated in Revelation 7:9 by the fact that the Greek word, ek meaning “out of” is used in connection with their having been called “out of” all nations, not “of” all nations as given in the King James Version. It is the same Greek word used in the 14th verse, where it is correctly translated, “out of.” The text reads, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”