12. (a) What is the relationship of the “other sheep” to the “little flock”? (b) What application does 1 John 2:1-6 have with regard to each of these groups?

¹² However, what of the millions of other sheeplike people who have been separated from worldly “goats” over the past 50 years? (Matthew 25:31-40) These are not of Jesus’ “little flock” who are given the Kingdom, but as “other sheep,” they join these as part of a larger flock that serves at unity with the Father and the Son. (Luke 12:32; John 10:16) The apostle John gives the assurance that Jesus Christ “is a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins [that is, those of the “little flock”], yet not for ours only but also for the whole world’s.” Thus these “other sheep,” gathered from the world of mankind, may also enjoy a precious union, or concord, with God and Christ. It is similar to what John goes on to say: “Whoever does observe his word, truthfully in this person the love of God has been made perfect. By this we have the knowledge that we are in union with him.” First the “little flock” and then the “other sheep” come under obligation to walk just as Jesus walked.​—1 John 2:1-6.

13. (a) At John 17:20, 21, for what does Jesus pray? (b) What shows that this petition is not limited to Christ’s joint heirs?

¹³ So today, both groups, the heavenly and the earthly, are ‘in union with the Father and with the Son’​—at full accord with them in accomplishing God’s work. Jesus prayed, “That they may all be [at unity], just as you, Father, are in union with me and I am in union with you, that they also may be in union with us.”

15. What do the present and the future hold for those with earthly life prospects?

¹⁵ Concerning those with earthly life prospects, they are now declared righteous as to friendship with God, just as were Abraham, Rahab, and others of ancient times. During Christ’s Millennial Reign, they will gradually be raised to human perfection, so that after a final testing “the creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19-21; James 2:21-26)