We do not have the choice of deciding to believe in Christ and then not giving our life to Christ. If we are unwilling to turn over our life as a bondslave to Christ it is impossible for God to complete the work of redemption in us. We will slay our resurrection. It is not possible for the self-willed "Christian" to rise to meet the Lord when He appears.

Numerous believers of our day have received Christ as Savior but not as Lord. Their end is not enviable.

God sends tribulation, perplexity, and pressure, to aid in the conquest of our self-will, self-confidence, and self-love.

The final result of victory over worldliness, sin, and self-will (all accomplished through the grace of Christ) is perfect, complete rest in God's Presence. It is perfect, complete reconciliation to God's Person and will.

As our personal fulfillment of Trumpets prepares us for the kingdom-wide appearing of the Lord, so our personal fulfillment of the Day of Atonement (Day of Reconciliation) prepares us for the rule of Christ's rod of iron, the scepter of righteousness, throughout the thousand-year Kingdom Age.

The final feast, the feast of Tabernacles, has a kingdom-wide fulfillment and a personal fulfillment so stupendously above our comprehension at this time that we only can state they are at hand, and then mention them briefly. Surely, Jesus has kept the good wine until now.

First, let us consider God's point of view. God is building a house for His purposes. We are being made God's house. It is not as important that we are pleased and obtain what we want as it is that God is pleased and obtains what He desires.

Until the believer understands that pleasing the Lord God is the main consideration of the Christian redemption he always will be attempting to manipulate the Christian discipleship so it will make sense to him and benefit him. Such self-seeking causes us to lose the Glory of God.

The house is being built for God. We indeed will be pleased with it, with what God has accomplished in us; but that is of secondary importance. The house is for God to dwell in. We can understand from this why self-will is such an enemy of Christ, such a hindrance to the plan of redemption.

When the work of reconciliation has been accomplished in us, the Father and the Son will make Their eternal abode in us. We shall become a pillar in the Temple of God.

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)

John 14:23 is not speaking of the eternal dwelling of the Holy Spirit in us; it is, as it states, referring to the coming of the Father and the Son to dwell in us.

"My Father will love him, and we will come unto him."

The members of the Godhead never are confused as to identity. The Father is not Christ but dwells in Christ. Christ is not the Holy Spirit but is filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit did not die for our sins. We are not the brothers or the bride of the Holy Spirit.

To be continued.