Entering the Kingdom of Heaven is not the same as entering Paradise. In fact, entering the Kingdom of Heaven is accompanied by much tribulation. The thief on the cross entered Paradise with the Lord Jesus, but not into the Kingdom of God! The evidence we are in the Kingdom is that we are experiencing the rebukes and chastenings always administered by Jesus to those He loves. Entering the Kingdom is entering union with God. God's love and mercy are not a substitute for union, for doing God's will in earth as it is in Heaven.

Christians must come to understand thoroughly that grace is not an alternative to Kingdom principles and law. The grace of God in Christ is not God's apology for the sins of His people. Grace is the Divine means of filling people with the Life of God so they may be able to keep His commandments, not a device for bringing sin and rebellion into Paradise.

Because the Christian believers and their leaders have, in many instances, fallen away from the truth of God, the churches are filled with sin and lukewarmness. Transformation of personality and union with God, which are the products and signs of the workings of the Kingdom of Heaven, are not in evidence to any great extent. A false vision has led the people to moral destruction.

We can expect tremendous judgments to fall on the earth in the near future. These judgments will separate the godly remnant from the babylonish (manmade, man-centered, man-directed) churches.

The coming tribulation will purify the elect, bringing them into perfect and complete union with God through Christ. They will learn to survive by depending totally on the Lord. They will come "up from the wilderness," leaning on their beloved (Song of Solomon 8:5).

God can protect the saints on earth as easily as in Heaven (witness Israel in Goshen; Daniel in the lions' den). Tribulation is more apt to transform us into Christ's image and bring us into union with God than it is to harm us. The peoples of the earth will continue to need our Presence and testimony—even during the great tribulation.

An increase in tribulation will cause the members of the Christian churches to become confused. Some of them will turn toward the Lord. Some will return to the world. Others will enter the one-world religious system, maintaining their comfortable way of life along with a show of belief in God. No one will be able to remain in the valley of decision because of the enormity of the spiritual forces operating on the peoples of the earth.

Many are growing cold today because of the abundance of temptation. During the hour to come they will choose to be called Christians but they will compromise with the world system in order to avoid tribulation. This will be a greater temptation in the wealthy nations than among the poorer peoples. Even today it can be noticed that the churches in the wealthy nations are lukewarm—lacking in the white-hot consecration required by the Christian discipleship.

How difficult it is for the wealthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

To be continued.