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I. THE COUNTING. A census is no new thing. Refer to the history of Jacob, the time of Pharaoh, etc. Churches have their census. This describes the final census —

1. It will. be an individual counting. "This man was born there." The question not one of reformation, but of regeneration.

2. It will be unalterable. It will be final (Revelation 22:11). It is of supreme importance to have our name written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Seek to have it registered now.

II. THE COUNTER. "The Lord shall count." What a mercy. Man might accidentally omit, or through partiality insert some name, but it is well that the Lord should be the Presiding Officer because of —

1. His intimate acquaintance with every one. "The Lord knoweth them that are His." He cannot therefore be deceived. To Him all hearts are open. We may "profess and call ourselves Christians," but our profession will be worthless unless our name be inserted in the heavenly register.

2. His unfailing accuracy. No name omitted or inserted in error. The totals will agree. Man may err, but His accuracy none can call in question.

III. THE COUNTED. Whose name will be found in the register? Only his who has been "born again," i.e. "born from above." I may be "the weakest of them that love Him," but if I have been "born there," I shall not be disowned. If we share in the bond of the covenant, we shall also share in the blessedness of the covenant. Will He count me? "Except a man be born again," etc.

(Samuel Oliver.)

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KJV: The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.

WEB: Yahweh will count, when he writes up the peoples, "This one was born there." Selah.