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KevinB
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You may feel the other sheep are not the ones referred to in the locust plague, because they do not have the seal of anointing. However, in regard to those not anointed notice Paul's words in Romans 4:11 - “And he (Abraham) received a sign—namely, circumcision—as a seal of the righteousness by the faith he had while in his uncircumcised state, so that he might be the father of all those having faith while uncircumcised, in order for righteousness to be counted to them”. Remember circumcision was merely a sign of that 'seal of righteousness' given to Abraham, and he was referred to as the father to all those having faith. Similar to the anointed, the other sheep must demonstrate they have a ‘seal of righteousness' during the 3 ½ years by refusing to worship the wild beast or except its mark.
Therefore when the locusts are instructed to harm only those who do not have the seal, the other sheep could be included in that directive based on the following words of Paul: “You see that his faith was active along with his works and his faith was perfected by his works, and the scripture was fulfilled that says: “Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness and he came to be called Jehovah’s friend.” (Jas 2:21-23) The 3 ½ years will be one of the greatest tests the other sheep will face, on an Abrahamic level, this side of Armageddon. Therefore its stands to reason that they must demonstrate that they have the 'seal of righteousness', as a friend of God, while supporting their anointed brothers and sisters.
In another portion of Romans, in referring to the anointed, Paul applied prophecies of the nations or gentiles being gathered with his people, with both groups being anointed and having a sharing with Christ. But the principle obviously goes beyond that and must also be extended to include the other sheep being joined with the anointed as God’s people. Paul stated - “For I tell you that Christ became a minister of those who are circumcised in behalf of God’s truthfulness, so as to verify the promises He made to their forefathers, and that the nations might glorify God for his mercy. Just as it is written: “That is why I will openly acknowledge you among the nations, and to your name I will sing praises.” And again he says: “Be glad, you nations, with his people.” And again: “Praise Jehovah, all you nations, and let all the peoples praise him.” And again Isaiah says: “There will be the root of Jesse, the one arising to rule nations; on him nations will rest their hope.” (Ro 15:7-12) When the prophecies being quoted by Paul are fulfilled among the anointed, they must out of necessity extend to the other sheep.
It should go without saying that the other sheep’s share in Christ is different than the anointed, but still they have a sharing in union with Christ in harmony with their hope to inherit the earth as “children of God”. (See: Ro 8:19-21) Because of Christ’s ransom, Jehovah can say to those faithful of the other sheep, “those not my people I will call ‘my people’” as they demonstrate they have a ‘seal of righteousness’ through the 3 ½ years.
You may feel the other sheep are not the ones referred to in the locust plague, because they do not have the seal of anointing. However, in regard to those not anointed notice Paul's words in Romans 4:11 - “And he (Abraham) received a sign—namely, circumcision—as a seal of the righteousness by the faith he had while in his uncircumcised state, so that he might be the father of all those having faith while uncircumcised, in order for righteousness to be counted to them”. Remember circumcision was merely a sign of that 'seal of righteousness' given to Abraham, and he was referred to as the father to all those having faith. Similar to the anointed, the other sheep must demonstrate they have a ‘seal of righteousness' during the 3 ½ years by refusing to worship the wild beast or except its mark.
Therefore when the locusts are instructed to harm only those who do not have the seal, the other sheep could be included in that directive based on the following words of Paul: “You see that his faith was active along with his works and his faith was perfected by his works, and the scripture was fulfilled that says: “Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness and he came to be called Jehovah’s friend.” (Jas 2:21-23) The 3 ½ years will be one of the greatest tests the other sheep will face, on an Abrahamic level, this side of Armageddon. Therefore its stands to reason that they must demonstrate that they have the 'seal of righteousness', as a friend of God, while supporting their anointed brothers and sisters.
In another portion of Romans, in referring to the anointed, Paul applied prophecies of the nations or gentiles being gathered with his people, with both groups being anointed and having a sharing with Christ. But the principle obviously goes beyond that and must also be extended to include the other sheep being joined with the anointed as God’s people. Paul stated - “For I tell you that Christ became a minister of those who are circumcised in behalf of God’s truthfulness, so as to verify the promises He made to their forefathers, and that the nations might glorify God for his mercy. Just as it is written: “That is why I will openly acknowledge you among the nations, and to your name I will sing praises.” And again he says: “Be glad, you nations, with his people.” And again: “Praise Jehovah, all you nations, and let all the peoples praise him.” And again Isaiah says: “There will be the root of Jesse, the one arising to rule nations; on him nations will rest their hope.” (Ro 15:7-12) When the prophecies being quoted by Paul are fulfilled among the anointed, they must out of necessity extend to the other sheep.
It should go without saying that the other sheep’s share in Christ is different than the anointed, but still they have a sharing in union with Christ in harmony with their hope to inherit the earth as “children of God”. (See: Ro 8:19-21) Because of Christ’s ransom, Jehovah can say to those faithful of the other sheep, “those not my people I will call ‘my people’” as they demonstrate they have a ‘seal of righteousness’ through the 3 ½ years.
