[473]The world referred to here means the social and political order existing from the time of the flood until the coming of the Lord’s kingdom, and is designated in the Scriptures as the present evil world.  St. Paul therefore says that before the foundation of this world God made provision for the choosing of the members of the church.  He did not choose the individuals, but he predestinated or foreordained that there should be such a church or new creation, and that these should be adopted as his children through his beloved Son Jesus Christ, and should become the members of his household, and that these should be made in the image and likeness of Christ Jesus the head. (Romans 8:29) As we view the experiences through which Jesus passed, we may expect to find that the body members would have similar experiences; and this we do find.

[474]Fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus was the day of Pentecost.  There went forth the call to the remnant of the Jews to come unto the Lord, accept Jesus as their head and be transferred from Moses into Christ and become the members of the 144,000, constituting the church.  A call means an announcement or an invitation.  The call here signified an announcement of God’s purpose of electing the members of the church and an invitation to those of the right heart condition to accept that invitation.  Many were called, but only a few responded to that call and were chosen. (Matthew 22:14) For three and a half years this call was confined to the Jews, at the end of which time Cornelius, the first gentile, was granted the gospel.  He heard, believed on the Lord and fully consecrated himself to do God’s will, and was accepted.  (Acts 10) From that time forward the call has been general to any one who might desire to respond to the terms and follow in the Master’s footsteps.

[475]For this purpose the gospel has been preached, that men might know of the plan of God and understand that he is selecting the church.  Men of worldly wisdom have given no heed to the gospel.  To them it has been foolishness.  And so St. Paul wrote:  “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.  Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men,”—­1 Corinthians 1:21-25.