While we are in prison all sorts of things come forth from our personality—spirits we did not realize were present in us. If through Christ we confess those that are sinful, denouncing, renouncing, and resisting them with all diligence, drawing near to God at all times, we will overcome them. If we remain faithful to the point of death we will emerge as king over our circumstances. We will govern all things by the power of eternal life.

There is another promise to the believer who overcomes throughout his fiery trial. It is that he or she cannot be harmed by the second death.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. (Revelation 2:11—NIV)

The second death is eternal separation from God. It is the Lake of Fire, the final prison.

The Lake of Fire has been given authority by the Father over certain types of behavior. The Lake of Fire retains this authority, even when we become a Christian. To have a personality that cannot be hurt by the second death, by the torment that follows Divine judgment, is a very desirable achievement.

The purpose of putting us in prison is that we might be delivered from those behaviors that result in the torment of the second death.

Let's take a look at the kinds of personality that God will not permit in His Kingdom. They are found in the twenty-first chapter of the Book of Revelation.

The cowardly.

The unbelieving.

The vile.

The murderers.

The sexually immoral.

Those who practice magic arts.

The idolaters.

All liars.

When we are in prison God deals with us concerning cowardice, fearfulness, timidity. These will keep us from entering our land of promise.

Resolute courage is required if we are to enter the Kingdom of God. Fear and faith cannot dwell in the same heart at the same time.

Often the fear of physical death is the basis for our fearfulness. God will deliver us from the fear of physical death if we ask Him.

When we are in prison God deals with us concerning our unbelief. While we are living comfortably in a secure position we may think we have faith in God. But when we are severely tested we may lose our faith in God, or become angry with God or people. We are unable to believe God is still with us. It is the imprisonment that reveals our fundamental unbelief. The Lake that burns with fire and sulfur has authority over the unbelieving personality.

When we are in prison God deals with us concerning any vile practices found in us. Sometimes believers are willing to harm another believer in order to secure an advantage for themselves. This is vile behavior. On one occasion I heard an older man continually insult and deride a female relative, possibly his wife or sister. She took all this meekly, probably having experienced it for many years. This is vile behavior.

It has happened locally that thieves have broken into a warehouse filled with toys for needy children and have stolen them. This is vile behavior. Sexually molesting or abusing a child is vile behavior. Aborting a child for no good medical reason is vile behavior.

To be continued.