What are the two groups of God's people seen throughout Scripture?
Scripture presents two distinct entities: the nation of Israel, identified as God's earthly people, and the church, identified as God's heavenly people. Israel is earthly; the church is heavenly. These two groups run throughout the biblical narrative, with the kingdom associated with Christ and believers translated into His kingdom.
Les teaches that all through Scripture there are two entities: the nation of Israel, the earthly people of God, and the church, the heavenly people of God. He connects this to the fact that since Christ is no longer on the earth and the kingdom of heaven is no longer at hand, the kingdom went with Him into heaven. Then in Colossians 1, Paul writes to Gentiles and prays for the Colossi believers. Paul always speaks to or on behalf of believers, never an unbeliever. In verse 12, he gives thanks unto the Father, who has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. The Father has delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. So if you are a child of God, you are in the kingdom. When Christ comes at His second coming and sets up the kingdom on the earth, believers will be with Him.