When God begins to move us from Adam to Christ, from what is temporary to what is eternal, we suffer pain. A sword pierces our heart.

The life of the human consists of relationships. The adamic relationships are temporary and sometimes idolatrous. The relationships of the new age are eternal and holy we shall be one as the Son and the Father are one.

As God begins to deal with our temporary relationships, breaking the hold they have on us, we experience the pangs of death. Rachel, the beloved, must die on the road to Bethlehem.

As we proceed toward Bethlehem, toward the place of the birth of Christ, our human nature and relationships must die and be replaced by the new creation and eternal relationships. This is so difficult at times!

Adam must die, be raised from the dead, and then be judged. Adam will not be brought forward into the new age. Adam never shall be saved.

The new creation that is being formed in us never will die. It never will die because, having been born of God, it does not sin. The new creation will not die and then be raised to judgment, as is the case with Adam. The new creation is without condemnation before God and is the heir of the new age of righteousness.

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (I John 3:9)

The Lord Jesus revealed the existence of the two races, referring to the race of Adam as "the children [sons] of this world," and to the new race as "the children [sons] of the resurrection":

And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. (Luke 20:34-36)

Do you see how the Lord with one stroke doomed the race of Adam?

Marriage is one of the major aspects of the race of mankind. From marriage flows most of the relationships we enjoy. Under normal circumstances these relationships are the main source of our joy, our motivation, and our sorrow. When marriage has been removed the nature of the race of mankind has been changed radically.

Some members of Adam's race will be counted worthy of the new age and will be re-created as part of the Kingdom of God. This is what it means to be saved. Other members of Adam's race will not be counted worthy of the new age, of transformation to life. They will be cast into the Lake of Fire in their bodies. This is what it means to be lost.

Our worthiness is based on the manner in which we have responded to what we understand to be of God, our honesty, our purity. Of special importance is the sincerity with which we have received Christ; and, having received Him, the faithfulness with which we serve Him. Numerous individuals "accept Christ" and then do not serve Him. They are not worthy of the Kingdom of God.

To be continued.