It is the writer's opinion that we will continue to grow in eternal life after we die. Jesus said, "Whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die." It seems likely that we do not cease to live and grow in Jesus after we die physically. We continue growing with the Life that comes from the Head. We continue learning, teaching, serving, fellowshiping, ministering, and doing all else that pertains to eternal life.

"Whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die." Do we truly believe this?

The Lord's elect vary greatly in the amount of eternal life they possess. This will continue to be true in the ages to come. There shall be trees of life and crowns of life.

Salvation from spiritual bondage to spiritual freedom is brought about by the removal of unclean spirits from us. The removal is accomplished through the authority of the blood of the cross and the power of the Spirit of God. Often we are brought into fiery sufferings that aid in breaking our spiritual bondages.

Moral bondages are spiritual in origin. There is no Scripture that implies we are released from moral bondages on the basis of physical death. Moral bondages must be cast out by the Lord, they do not leave us because we die physically.

The Lord brings the individual to the time and place of judgment. The believer must confess and repent of his bondages, as the Spirit directs. All persons in the new earth will be free of demonic bondages. Satan and his workers will be confined to the Lake of Fire. They will not be permitted to emerge and influence the citizens of the new world.

Salvation from disobedience to obedience occurs as we choose to follow the Lord. It is the writer's opinion that growth in obedience to the degree required of the eternal rulers can be attained only in the present world. We base our opinion on the fact that Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered in the world.

The present world is peculiarly suited to the development of rulers because it is so difficult to gain dominion here. The concept appears to be that if we can overcome what comes against us here, we then will be fit to rule in the ages to come when the same difficulties are not present.

The present world is the proving ground for rulers. The gems that gleam in the foundations of the wall of the new Jerusalem are formed in the heat and pressure of life on earth.

Salvation from Satan's image to Christ's image begins in the world but will continue into eternity, we believe. How long will it take for us to come into the complete image of our Father? It seems likely we will be growing into the image of God forever. Christ is far greater than any impoverished idea we hold at this time. The Father of Christ is greater yet. We are the merest specks of dust by comparison.

To be continued.