We see in Revelation 11:1 that the Temple of God and the Altar of Incense are to be judged in preparation for the last-day revival. The Temple of God refers to the whole Church of God and the emphasis on the Altar of Incense reveals that those who are closest to the Lord are particularly in line for judgment.

It seems ironicùperhaps unfairùto us that our reward for seeking the Lord with all our heart is that we are judged. But stop and think. Who is God going to be specially careful of, those who are closest to Him or those who are far off?

Eventually all persons who have lived on the earth will be judged according to their behavior, the things they have done. As judgment flows out from the Holy of Holies, the first stop is the Altar of Incense. Those who are closest to the Lord are the first to be visited with judgment.

To be judged by the Lord is something to be greatly desired. Do you remember that King David prayed, "Search me, O Lord. Test me. See if there is any wicked way in me"?

Every believer who really loves the Lord wants to be judged continually. Why? So there will be no wicked way, no offensive way in him, no behavior that causes pain to the Lord.

God judges those whom He loves and chastens them. He rebukes them continually. How wonderful and greatly to be desired are the rebukes and chastenings of the Lord.

This does not mean that those who love God are always in trouble. It means that God moves quickly when their behavior is not satisfactory and rebukes and chastens them. This is the loving kindness of the Lord toward His saints.

Notice in Revelation 11:2 that the courtyard outside the Temple is left unjudged. The Gentile nations will trample on Jerusalem for the three and one-half prophetic years.

The symbolism is informing us that the Divine judgment will be exercised in the last days. It will be applied especially to God's people. Those who are not part of God's house will not be judged at this time. The Gentile nations will be allowed to run roughshod over Jerusalem.

It probably should be stressed at this point that not everyone who calls himself or herself a Christian today is actually a Christian by the Bible definition. It is the victorious saints who are the true Christians and they compose the true Church within the churches. They alone are the temple of God at this time.

The disciples were termed "Christians" at Antioch. Jesus said that a disciple is someone who lays down his or her life, takes up his cross, and follows Him.

Now be honest. How many believers do you know who have laid down their life, taken up their cross, and are following Christ?

These are the only Christiansùmaybe somewhere between five and ten percent of all the churchgoers.

Can this be true? It is true all right. Only the overcomers will walk with Christ in the white robes of the royal priesthood.

What about this great multitude of churchgoers that think of themselves as being Christian? They will not be measured in the present hour. They will suffer along with the remainder of our country when the Divine judgment falls. But the judgment on our nation will reflect the anger of God because of the sins that are prevalent. This is not the same kind of judgment that is a "measuring" in preparation for the last-day witness.

The nations will trample on Jerusalem, on the holy things of God, for a season. In the meanwhile God will be setting His own house in order. It is not until the obedience of the victorious saints is complete that God will turn and judge the people who are not as close to Him.

All of this is to say that if you want God to work with you and help you clean up your act, then seek Him with all your heart. Run toward the Lord. Nothing is as important as your relationship to Jesus Christ. Make certain that you are not just a churchgoer but are a true disciple of the Master.

Your reward will be to be chastened and rebuked continually. But boy is it worth it!