The Kingdom of Heaven is truly a kingdom, and not merely a figure of speech. An earthly kingdom has a royal family, nobility / peerage, territory, laws, and citizenry. So it is with the Kingdom of Heaven. Elohim is the nucleus of the Royal "Family in Heaven". [Ephesians 3:15] Yahweh has decreed a Law for the Kingdom - A Royal Law. [James 2:8] The territory of the Kingdom is the Universe. Each "family member" within Elohim has responsibility for a particular spiritual domain within the wholeness of the Heavenly Realm.

Yahweh, the Heavenly Father, is the Mighty One of Israel. He initiated a covenant relationship with Israel, alone. To the Israelites, He declared, "You are a people consecrated to Yahweh your God; out of all the peoples on earth, you have been chosen by Yahweh your God to be His own people." [Deuteronomy 7:6] "You are a people consecrated to Yahweh your God, and Yahweh has chosen you to be His own people out of all the people who live on earth." [Deuteronomy 14:2] Yahweh established this relationship with no other nation. He did not reveal His word or His commandments to the Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Philistines, Hittites, Phoenicians, Romans or Greeks, but only to the people of Israel. Israel alone was called "His people". Israel was His unique treasure, and He had a personal relationship with no other race of people. He sovereignly chose Israel because He loved them in a special way. "Yahweh set His heart on you and chose you, not because you were the most numerous of all peoples - for indeed you were the smallest of all - but because He loved you, and meant to keep the oath which He swore to your ancestors." [Deuteronomy 7:7]  Yahweh was the God of Israel, to the exclusion of all others. His love extends to all, but His covenant was made only with Israel.

Yahweh provided the "host of heaven" for other nations to worship. "When you raise your eyes to heaven - when you see the sun, the moon, the stars - the entire array of heaven - to not be tempted to worship them and serve them. Yahweh your God has allotted those to all the other peoples under heaven. But Yahweh has chosen you to be His own people." [Deuteronomy 4:19] Other nations of people were at liberty to worship the celestial host, other gods, or even the images of animals - but because He had chosen Israel for Himself, they were forbidden for worshipping any other god.

Very similarly, the Messiah has an exclusive relationship with the Elect. This is a surprise even among Christians. The Messiah, when praying to the Father, said: "I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given Me, because they belong to You." [John 17:9] Those whom the Father gave into the charge of the Son are called "the Elect". The Messiah loves all mankind, and His resurrection brings to pass the resurrection of all. [John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Alma 11:41; Helaman 14:16-17] But He has a unique relationship with the Elect - He is the Firstborn male, and they are His spiritual brothers and sisters.

The Elect are those who are spiritually drawn into a worshipful relationship with the Son. "No one can some to Me unless drawn by the Father Who sent Me; and I will raise up that person on the Last Day." [John 6:44] "I told you that no one could come to Me except through the gift bestowed by the Father." [John 6:65]

Eloah, the Holy Spirit, is feminine. Her ministry is to all people - Israel, and non-Israel [Gentiles]. In fact, Scripture says that the Gentiles [the non-covenant people of the world] would directly experience Elohim only through the ministration of the Holy Spirit. [3 Nephi 15:23] The Holy Spirit is given to all persons." [1Corinthians 12:7] She embraces everyone. She has spiritual gifts for everyone - whether they have made a covenant with Yahweh or Yahshua, or not. There are many gifts of Elohim [behold angels, spiritual dreams, wisdom, charity, strong faith, encouragement, teaching, speaking with the tongues of angels, humility, healing, and others], and they are conveyed through Eloah the Spirit. A spiritual gift is something a person can do beyond their natural abilities. "They come to every person severally." [Moroni 10:17] Likewise a portion of the Spirit dwells within every person, giving them the ability to know the difference between good and evil. [Moroni 7:16] And any person, regardless of his or her spirituality, who will ask Elohim for Wisdom [a synonym for Eloah, as well as a spiritual gift] with sincerity and unwavering faith will have his or her request granted. [James 1:5] Eloah is inclusive of all mankind.

It is a masculine trait to be exclusive, and a feminine characteristic to be inclusive. Both Yahweh and Yahshua are exclusive in their relationships with the people of the earth - not including everyone But Eloah is inclusive, and embraces all mankind, to the degree that they will open themselves to Her.

Elohim has both masculine and feminine attributes. Being inclusive is not "good", nor is being exclusive "bad". Each Person within Elohim has both masculine and feminine traits, but Yahweh and Yahshua are more masculine, and Eloah is more feminine. Likewise, the assembly of believers, also known as the Bride, is more feminine - its mission being similar to tht of Eloah: to go into all the world.

The attribute of covenanting is exclusive: a covenant is not for all, but between two individuals. A covenant excludes all those who have not involved themselves. The quality of justice is also exclusive: punishing only those who have broken the Law. These are both masculine attributes.

Mercy, on the other hand, is a feminine attribute. Mercy is inclusive: including those who have never had the opportunity to know the Law. Grace is another feminine attribute. Graciousness is inclusive: dealing kindly with all.

The Elect are redeemed by Covenant [a masculine characteristic] and the Ignorant are redeemed through Mercy [a feminine attribute].

David Bruce Clark
Lion of God Ministries
www.lionofgod.com