Do not misunderstand; God certainly purposes to bring salvation within the reach of all. And he has a time for this. (Eccl. 3:1) However, during the past nineteen hundred years he has been selective as to those whom he has saved. Why? Because, until recently, he has been choosing only those who will be rulers of mankind.

CHRIST BEGINS THE SELECTION

You will recall that when Jesus Christ was on earth he, too, was selective. He was here, it is true, to provide the ransom for the salvation of all men who will accept it. (Matt. 20:28; John 3:16) But Christ was on earth primarily to prove his integrity to God in order to qualify as King of God’s kingdom that will rule the world in righteousness. He bore witness concerning the truth of that kingdom.​—John 18:36, 37.

Knowing that the Kingdom meant so much to his Father as well as to the life and peace of mankind, Jesus Christ was greatly concerned with it. And just as any ruler not yet inaugurated into office thinks first of the men he will place in important administrative positions under him, so Jesus was interested, first, in those whom he would associate with himself in the Kingdom government.​—Luke 22:28, 29; John 17:12.

Accordingly Jesus, through prayer and direction of God’s spirit, selected his apostles first. (Luke 6:12-16) These were to be foundations of an administrative body to operate under his headship. In Revelation’s pictorial language this administrative organization is symbolized as a capital city, called “New Jerusalem.” It is also represented as Christ’s “bride,” that will join him in the heavens. During his thousand-year reign over earth, he, along with his “bride,” will extend attention and authority to the earth, to rule it in peace.​—Rev. 21:1-4, 14.

Having this knowledge, Christ, after his death and resurrection, gathered those who had exercised faith in the good news that he and the apostles preached. He poured out holy spirit on them and commissioned them to preach to others, and to teach them. Thus Christ began preparation for the heavenly “city” or government that would rule mankind.​—Acts 2:1-4; Heb. 11:10, 16.

TEST OF CHRIST’S ASSOCIATES TAKES TIME

In reading the Christian Greek Scriptures we observe that the hope held out to all those who accepted the preaching in the days of the apostles was that of sharing with Jesus Christ in his Kingdom rule in heaven. (2 Tim. 2:12; Heb. 3:1; 1 Pet. 1:1-4) It was not time for God to gather together those who would live on earth as human subjects under his heavenly kingdom. This was because the Messianic kingdom of God was not to begin active rule toward all the earth until the second presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.​—2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 10:13; Ps. 110:1-3.

So, the long time period prior to Christ’s taking of Kingdom power would be occupied in selecting, training, testing, proving and qualifying those who would reign with Christ. The requirements were very strict, many being invited but few finally chosen. (Matt. 22:14) According to the Scriptures, God limited the number of this select administrative body under Jesus Christ to 144,000 persons.​—Rev. 7:4; 14:1-3.

A SACRED SECRET REVEALED

In connection with this administrative body, the apostle Paul points out that for centuries God kept hidden a “sacred secret.” This was that he would select humans both from Israel and from the Gentile nations as associates in the heavens with the promised “Seed,” Messiah the King. (Eph. 3:4-6; 1:9-11) Paul says that the administration of this sacred secret was “to the end that now to the governments and the authorities in the heavenly places there might be made known through the congregation the greatly diversified wisdom of God.” How was God’s wisdom made manifest “through the congregation”?​—Eph. 3:9, 10.

It is not that the congregation on earth teaches wisdom to the heavenly authorities. Rather, it is that God, by his dealings and the working out of his purposes in connection with the Christian congregation, reveals surpassing wisdom, even to the angels.​—1 Pet. 1:10-12.

First, consider God’s wisdom in his dealing with the Head Member of the congregation. Through the sacrifice of his Son for the removal of sin, Jehovah proved his own rulership to be fully just and wholly righteous. For on the basis of this sacrifice God could “declare righteous” those whom he would select to be prospective Kingdom heirs with Christ. Since these were to be heavenly rulers, God, by his spirit, brought them into family relationship with himself, making them spiritual sons. By his spirit he placed in them a knowledge and realization of their heavenly hope. (Rom. 3:23-26; 8:16) Jehovah leads, disciplines and molds them through all the tests they undergo, so that they become fitted exactly for the place he has for them in his government. (Rom. 9:21-24; Eph. 2:10) Additionally, because of his perfect wisdom in directing this training and testing he can be sure of their everlasting loyalty. He can safely give them incorruptible organisms and immortal heavenly life, as rulers over mankind. (1 Cor. 15:50-54)

So the Universal Sovereign, in selecting earth’s rulers, has had mankind’s interests at heart. He has not overlooked anyone. In his manner of selecting these kingly and priestly administrators he has wisely laid a solid foundation for faith, revealing his qualities and attributes so that men can intelligently love and serve him. He has created an unshakable, incorruptible administration for the earth.​—Eph. 2:6, 7.