The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-24


the light John 2:1O.
When the wheat supply procured from
Egypt began to run low Jacob urged
his sons to go for more. But they posi-
lively refused to do so, unless Benja-
min went along. Judah became surety
for Benjamin. Jacob finally consented,
sending with them a present and double
money and praying Gods blessing upon
them.
Again they were expected by Joseph,
who gave instructions that they dine in
his presence. They were in fear. how
ever, but Josephs steward put them at
ease, assuring them that God was deal
ing with them. Then he brought SIM
con out to them.T Finally he gave them
water wherewith to refresh themselves
and provender for their asses, and made
ready for the repast.
Joseph came In, robed as an Egyptian
prince. They bowed themselves to the
earth and rendered their present He In
qulred for their father, and then in re-
spect to Benjamin. So deep was his emo-
ton that he was obliged to retire for a
time to shed tears of joy. Then he re-
turned and the meal proceeded From
his own table he sent portions to his
brethren, having already directed that
they be seated according to their age
and birthright. This astonished the
tonished when they perceived that Ben
jamin's portion was five-fold-a mark of
special favor.
The Spiritual Lesson Taught
Bible students, realizing that Joseph
was a type of the Messiah think that
Benjamin, Josephs younger brother by
the same mother, was also a type. As
Abrahafn's wives typified different COW
enants, SO Rachel, mother of Joseph and
Benjamin, seems to typify special COW
enant-the covenant of sacrifice, which
has operated during this GOSPEL age and
which brings forth two distinctly sep
arate classes of saints.
The higher class is represented in Jo-
seph-the Messiah cass-the class which
includes the especially faithful of God IS
people during this gospel age-Jesus and
His footstep followers. This class will
reach the throne of empire, becoming
ruler of the universe, next to the AL
mighty, who is typif1ed by Pharaoh, and
who took Jesus out of the prison mouse
OI uealn ana highly tAdllSu Ilili W 6ICdt
power and glory
1t has escaped the attention of Bible
students, until recently that two classes
of sanity Christians are being developed
during this gospel age-a superior class,
represented by Joseph, and an inferior
class represented by Benjamin. The
word Benjamin means son of my right
hand" The name Benoni-"son of my
pain''-was given him by his mother,
who died in giving him birth.
The antitypcal lesson here would be
that this special covenant typified by
Rachel gives birth to the elect church,
the Messiah class. of which Jesus is the
head and will also give birth to an
other class, and then cease-expire. The
secondary class is scripturally designat-
ed tribulation saints, the declaration be-
ing made that they shall come up out
of great tribulation' to the blessing
which they shall inherit.
"Little Flock'-"Great Company"
In order to present this view clearly
we must refer to Revelation, seventh
chapter There we are given the picture
of la 600 sealed in their foreheads. These
are the same that are elsewhere repre-
sented as standing with the Lamb. See
Revelation 14:1-3, 15:2 This little group
seems to represent the very elect, the
little flock. to whom it will be the
Fathers good pleasure to give the mill
lennial kingdom, as joint heirs with their
Lord and Redeemer
The sealing of the elect has been IN
nrogress for nearly 19 centuries. Alto
Gather from Jews and Gentiles there
will be 14400O-kings and priests unto
God followers of the Lamb and His
Joint heirs in the kingdom. These con-
stitute the spiritual seed of Abraham,
to bless all the families of the earth.
Natural Israel, however, still are heirs
to the secondary promises.
After the account of the sealing or the
very elect in the same chapter we have
an account of the great company. All
the circumstances attest that this great
cor,pany before the throne. with palm
branches in their hands, are wholly
different company from the elect, who
will share Messiah's throne and glory.
This great company is elsewhere referred
to symbolically as the virgins" the
brides companions, who will follow her.
Psalm 45:14-15.
Two Tribulation Classes
The elect church, of which Jesus is the
head will indeed pass through tribula-
tions. So It is written. Through much
tribulation shall ye enter the kingdom
The Lord Himself passed through great
ribulation-shame, suffering and death.