The Blessed, Victorious Flock

The Blessed, Victorious Flock

This flock is found in various places in the Scriptures, one of which is in James 1:12: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

In this flock Jesus is the first and the greatest among the brethren. He was tempted and tried in all things as we are. Heb. 4:15. He endured in all temptations, and He passed all the tests perfectly. He did not sin in one single temptation or trial. He endured because He loved His heavenly Father and all mankind with a perfect love. He was the radiance of God’s glory and the express image of His being. He was the light of the world in every trial.

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” Jas. 1:13-15.

If Jesus had been God in the trials, without the flesh and blood that we have, He would not have been tempted and tried in a single thing as we are. It is not sin to have a flesh from which we are tempted. But if we agree with the temptation so that conception takes place, sin is born. If we then do not ask for forgiveness but continue to sin, death—which is separation from God—is brought forth.

“For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Heb. 2:18. Now Jesus can help us to enter into that blessed and victorious flock. He wants to have brothers and fellow heirs together with Him. Only those who are victorious will be blessed and crowned. The crown of life has been promised to those who love Him. “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” John 14:21. Our reactions in the various trials of life show whether we love Him or not.

Only fervent love for Christ can open the doors for us into that small, victorious, and blessed flock of followers who walk in His steps—into that same glory. We have been called and chosen for that purpose. 1 Pet. 2:21-23. We are called to follow Him who did not sin. V. 22. We can maintain a firm and unshakable position on firm ground—in all temptations and trials—in Jesus’ Spirit and power, in a hatred against sin and a love for the laws of life.

We find this blessed and victorious flock that Jesus will soon fetch home to His glory, as the five wise virgins whose lamps did not go out at midnight. Matt. 25.

We find them as the good and faithful servants who will be put in charge of many things and who can enter into the joy of their Lord. Matt. 25:21. Jesus says to them in verse 34, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Jesus loves this little flock, and He is their most powerful protector. In Luke 12:32 He says, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” He keeps His promises.

The door into this small, blessed flock is narrow, and in Luke 13:24 Jesus says, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” You have to forsake everything to go through that door into the brotherhood. Here it becomes evident that the majority love their lusts and not Jesus and His Word. Outside this narrow gate and narrow way are a multitude of religious denominations without the cross over their “I” and what is theirs, over honor, gain, and “great, greater, greatest.”

This little, blessed, victorious flock is firmly united in one body, one Spirit, one faith, and one mind; they speak the same thing and are of the same opinion. Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 1:10, and 12-13; Eph. 1:22-23. They are the habitation of the Spirit filled with Christ’s glory and united with Christ at His coming. Rom. 8:11. They are the bride, the wife of the Lamb, who are united as living stones in the new, holy Jerusalem which will shine and radiate for all eternity. Rev. 21:9-11.

All this is a work of grace—and only those who are humble and faithful can be molded into this eternal glory.