Daniel 7:27

And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High …… Dan.7:27 ESV

There are 3 levels of beings here:

(1) The “Most High”. These are the heavenly beings who dwell in the presence of God.

(2) The “saints”. These are referring to God’s people upon the earth. His “church” – the spiritual body of Christ.

(3) And “the people”. These would appear to be distinct from “the saints” but still inherit the kingdom.

These would equate with those mentioned in the book of Revelation:

(1) angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, Rev.7:2 ESV

(2) the sealed, 144,000, Rev.7:4 ESV

(3) a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation Rev.7:9 ESV

The Psalmist also, appears to differentiate between two different ‘classes’ of people.

Psalm 36:10 ESV
Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!

Note here, those who “know” Him and those who are “upright of heart”. There are many ‘good’ people in this world who unwittingly follow God. Are these the ones Paul talks of in Romans?

Romans 2:14-16 GNT

The Gentiles do not have the Law; but whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law, even though they do not have the Law. [15] Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts. Their consciences also show that this is true, since their thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them. [16] And so, according to the Good News I preach, this is how it will be on that Day when God through Jesus Christ will judge the secret thoughts of all.

Jesus spoke of those who didn’t  know Him personally but who will be welcome members of His Kingdom. 

Matthew 25:34-40 ESV.    Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world [35] For I was hungry and you gave me food,  I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me,  I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ [37] Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38] And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you,  or naked and clothe you? [39] And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? [40] And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 

 Jesus said he would go out into the highways and byways and gather them in.

And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. Luke 14:23 ESV

He also said the first would be last  and the last first. That those who laboured through the heat of the day would receive the same pay as those who  worked only a short time in the cool of the afternoon. 

‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’[2] 16 So the last will be first, and the first last.” Matt. 20:12-16 ESV

There will be many surprises in Heaven.

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