In many instances the modern Christian, even though he has "accepted Christ" according to the current doctrine, reveals by his life that he has not been persuaded of the reality and worth of the invisible rewards and therefore is not embracing them. How can we be sure this is so? Because he is intent on insuring his security, pleasures, and achievements in the present world. Life on earth is occupying his prime energies.

He is not living in the vision of that which is to come. He is of the world. He understands the world and its ways and has embraced the values and objectives of worldly people. He hopes he will be received by the Lord when he dies. According to the full counsel of the New Testament writings, such a "believer" stands in danger of losing part or all of his inheritance in Christ. He is not seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

The prophetic vision of the Kingdom of Heaven declares that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord (Habakkuk 2:14). The Lord's meek will inherit the earth. But today they must wander here as strangers and pilgrims in search of a city that has foundations.

For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. (Hebrews 11:14)

Although we may speak much of going to Heaven, the impression often is left that Heaven is a sort of mist in which ghost-like people float about doing we know not what. It is no wonder Christians are afraid of dying. We would like to think that Heaven is a desirable place to be but what we will do there is not always clear.

The patriarchs were not seeking a ghostly existence in a mist, they were seeking a country. They desired something that has foundations, something tangible, something that a human being would truly desire, a city that one day will come to the earth.

For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. (Hebrews 13:14)

A city that is to come down from Heaven to earth!

So it is that the new Jerusalem, the Jerusalem that is "free," is above us in the present hour. It is a real city. There are real people living in it. It is the Kingdom of God. We are to strive to make sure we are worthy of entering through the gates into that city.

If we are not worthy we will be required to inhabit some area of lesser glory; for only those who keep the commandments of God are allowed to enter through the gates into the holy city.

The New Testament writings do not describe what takes place when we die. We know it is appointed to men once to die and after this the judgment. But the major discussion of the Scriptures concerns what will take place when Jesus returns.

Because of the silence of the Scriptures concerning life after death we must limit ourselves to that which is declared to be true. We understand from the last two chapters of the Book of Revelation that no individual who is not holy and righteous in behavior will inherit the new Jerusalem.

To be continued.