Do you really believe the Lamb is ravished with a counterpart whom He cannot relate to except as He refuses to see her actual personality? Do you actually believe this? Do you truly believe the Song of Solomon is speaking of a Bride who is beautiful by imputation?

If not, then you suppose at some point she will be transformed in personality into that which would actually ravish the Lamb. And this is all we are saying. The issue is, however, that we are maintaining this program begins now and is what salvation is.

We have no scriptural hope that we can ignore what the Spirit wants of us now in the hope when the Lord comes everything will suddenly be made right. The illustrations of the foolish virgins and the man who buried his talent tell us the currently expressed hope of Christian teaching is not based in the Scriptures.

Whether Christ brings us through such total deliverance in the present hour or at some future time is not an issue, as far as the Bible is concerned. The all-important issue is that we obey Christ at each moment today. If we do not we shall be judged as an unfaithful, disobedient servant. It is not permitted to us that we can disobey now and then be saved from our sinful nature at some future point. Only today is the day of salvation as far as we are concerned. All there is, is now. There is no tomorrow with the Lord in the sense in which we are speaking.

"The things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

We are overemphasizing belief in today's Christian ministry. At the Judgment Seat of Christ we shall be judged according to "the things done in the body." This is what the Bible says.

We may notice in the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation, the chapters telling of the rewards to the overcomer, that little or no emphasis is placed on our beliefs. The rewards are given to us according to what we have done.

"The things done in the body." These are the basis for what we shall receive in the day of resurrection.

"Whether good or bad."

Does the Bible tell us the Lord's servants can receive good?

How about the rewards to the overcomer? These promises are staggering. They range from eating of the tree of life all the way to sitting on the Throne of Christ. There can be no greater reward than to sit on the Throne of Jesus Christ!

Today's Christian teaching is that no believer in Christ will receive anything bad at the Judgment Seat of Christ. This is not what the Bible proclaims.

Does the Bible tell us the Lord's servants can receive bad?

How about being cast into the outer darkness?

How about having the Lord say, "I never knew you. Depart from me"?

How about having the door shut in our face when the Lord returns?

How about being cut in pieces and being appointed a portion with the unbelievers?

How about being beaten with many lashes?

To be continued.