Any systems engineer will inform you that when you change the goal of your system you must make changes all the way back down the line. Every department, every effort must be organized in terms of the new goal. Cost effectiveness, for example, is impossible until your goals are clearly expressed. All of the quality control instruments that measure progress must be designed in terms of clearly defined goals.

Paul did not say, "I press toward I know not what because I don't know where I'm going." Paul wanted to be with the Lord of course. Who wouldn't if he was chained to a Roman soldier all the time. But going to the Lord was Paul's hope of a joyous future, not the goal of his redemption.

Paul said I press toward the mark. Paul was not talking about getting saved, obviously. His words were written after churches had been established and epistles written.

Paul was seeking the perfection described as attaining the out-resurrection from the dead. Paul was laying all else aside that he might win Christ, that he might live by the power of Christ's resurrection and share His sufferings.

These goals are nearly unknown to the Christian churches of 1997. God is not pleased with this fact because God knows we will never make progress toward the goals set before us until we know exactly what they are (and what are the penalties and losses of inheritance associated with not attaining the goals).

Every time a new feast of the Lord comes around on the Jewish calendar the Jews are commanded to cease what they are doing and pay attention to the Lord.

A new feast of the Lord is here in 1997. We are moving past Pentecost to the spiritual celebrations of the Blowing of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. It is time to slow down and listen to what God is saying.

Someone advised a farmer who was chopping wood that his axe was dull and it was time to sharpen it. The farmer said, "I don't have time to sharpen the axe, this wood needs cutting." How bright!

This is the case today. We can keep on looking all over the place for Moses so we can revive him. Hey, get the message. Moses is dead! Christ is moving from the twenty-third to the twenty-fourth Psalm. He is taking off His shepherd robes and sandals and putting on His armor.

The gentle Shepherd is becoming the Lord, strong and mighty in battle, a Commander of Battle so fierce Genghis Khan appears as the leader of a Brownie troop. Clausewitz was a kindergarten teacher by comparison.

Jesus is not half-Shepherd and half-Warrior. When He is Warrior He is fierce beyond belief. The world has never seen the likes of King Jesus when it comes to the ruthless destruction of His enemies.

The slain Lamb will return and confront His murderers.

"Kiss the Son that you not be destroyed when His anger is kindled." "His wrath can flare up in a moment," the NIV proclaims.

To be continued.