In the beginning God created all persons, things, and events through to the coming down from Heaven of the new Jerusalem. All human history has been completed in a timeless vision. Then God rested. Our objective is to enter that rest, that eternal plan of God.

God desires to settle down to rest in His holy city, His glorified Church, and to rule a world inhabited by righteous nations. Each member of the righteous nations will have in himself a measure of Christ, a portion of God in him. Each member will have been re-created in Christ.

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:10)

Every creature, whether of Heaven or of earth, will find itself eventually in Christ or he or she will not be part of the new world "wherein dwelleth righteousness" (II Peter 3:13).

The Kingdom of God is, first of all, an inner kingdom. Those who are closest to Christ will possess more of the inner Presence of the Father and the Son than will be true of others who are not as close. However, God intends to be All in all. God through Christ will rule every saved creature from within that individual's personality, although at first there must be an external rule governing the person in order to maintain righteousness until he or she has learned to obey God from a transformed nature.

The only truly free person, the person who can enjoy the new heaven and earth reign of Christ, is the one whose inner and outer nature, whose whole personality, seeks to do the things that are pleasing to God.

The creation of such an inner kingdom requires the removal of all darkness, of all that is not of God's Light. Therefore the Day of Atonement, which has begun now in the personalities of God's firstfruits, will operate until every saved creature has been wholly reconciled to the Father through Christ.

Our fixed goal in life must be to overcome, through Christ's grace, every enemy that would prevent us from resting with God as He brings His vision into existence in the physical realm. We must cease from our own works and enter God's completed work, resting with Him as the authority and power of His Word bring all persons, things, and events into total conformity to His will.

The spiritual fulfillment of the Day of Atonement makes possible a rest in God by removing from us all those thoughts, motives, words, and deeds that prevent our harmony and union with God and with one another through Christ our Lord.

If we understand the spiritual fulfillment of the Day of Atonement and the nature of the Kingdom of God, this is an indication we have been chosen to be part of the firstfruits who will work with God in reconciling to Himself all the elect, and also the members of the nations of saved peoples of the earth. Let us make sure we take full advantage of every spiritual blessing God is offering to us.

To be continued.