Stars of the new heavens

With reference to Daniel 12:3—The result proposed by this invitation was not the converting of the "immortal souls" of mankind, and the saving of them from eternal conflagration in the apocalyptic "Lake of Fire and Brimstone;" it was not that they might "get religion," and by its efficacy obtain a right and title to mansions in the skies: no such clerical results as these were proposed by the invitation. The invitation was designed, in the words of James, "to take out of the nations a people FOR HIS NAME."

The expected consummation was not the conversion of nations by the apostles and their successors in the faith, but the separation of a class from the general body of mankind, which class should constitute the "ONE YAHWEH-NAME;" and that by this Almighty Name the world should be ruled in righteousness. When this name is completed, -- that is, when the last believer shall be inducted into it, and all its elements shall be glorified, -- it will constitute the ecclesia in its largest sense. When glorified, its members will occupy "the heavens;" not the skies, but the apocalyptic heavens, to which the kingdoms of this world belong (Apoc. 11:15; Dan. 7:18,27). In the present state, they are "an ecclesia of Chiefborns, who have been enrolled in heaven" (Heb. 12:23). The apostles were engaged in enrolling men and women for the future administration of the world's affairs; so that when they shall attain to dominion they will be "the Heavens that rule." The gospel invites men to enrolment for becoming in due time the stars and constellations of the New Heavens, in which dwells righteousness, that they may shine as such in the kingdom of their Father (Dan. 12:3; Matt. 13:43).