The examples of Scripture teach us that whatever is to be possessed eternally must be received twice: the first time as an unearned, unappreciated gift; the second time as a highly appreciated possession that has cost our whole life to be able to receive properly.

This is true of the Presence of God. The parents of the human race lost the most valuable treasure of all—the Presence of God. Now we, the children of Adam and Eve, must devote our lives to seeking the Lord's Presence, to obtaining what Adam and Eve had received so freely.

We thirst for God's Presence all the day long. God hides Himself from us, but when we seek Him with all our heart He is found of us. If we would possess God's abiding Presence we must devote our whole life to seeking Him.

Once we lose through neglect something of true value it may be exceedingly difficult (sometimes impossible) to recover it again. Every backslider who is attempting to regain the joy of salvation understands this fact.

Eternal life is the gift of God through Christ. But we are required to lay hold on eternal life and to sow to it, or else we may wake up one day to discover our spiritual life has been choked out by the weeds of the world. The process of recovering lost ground may be difficult indeed.

Satan, his angels, and Christ-rejecters will not finally be restored. Throughout eternity those who rebel against their Creator will remain bound in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. We understand this lake to be located somewhere in the interior of the earth. It is a sobering thought to realize these stubborn, rebellious spirits will still be present in the creation while the saints are beholding the Face of the Father.

One of the dominant features of the new Jerusalem is the tremendous wall that surrounds the city. This wall tells us that throughout eternity it will remain possible for spirits to sin. Therefore, God will allow the Lake of Fire and its inhabitants to remain as a frightful demonstration to angels and people of the consequences of acting and thinking independently of God.

There will be a defense surrounding the Glory of God. The wall that will protect the holy city against all sin and sinners is being constructed now in the personalities of the Lord's saints, in those who are overcoming sin and self-will through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rebuilding the wall is an important part of the work of restoration (Nehemiah, Chapter Three).

To be continued.