The third death is the crossing of Jordan, so to speak. It is the change from Moses, the shepherd, to Joshua, the commander of battle. It is the throne phase of Christianity.

The third death and resurrection brings us into the rest of God, into the image of Christ, into the realm of authority, into the fullness of redemption from slavery to Satan to the eternal Life of Christ.

The Lord Jesus is predominant in the first area of redemption. The Holy Spirit is predominant in the second area of redemption. Obedience to the Father is emphasized in the third area. It is in the third arena of grace, in the spiritual fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles, that the Lord Jesus reveals the Father to us.

Are we willing to have the "sentence of death" in ourselves and not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead? Are we willing to be troubled on every side, perplexed, persecuted, cast down, as we attempt to follow the Lord? Are we ready to say yes to the death of the "I will"?

If we consent to die the death God requires of us as an individual we will cross Jordan and conquer our land of promise. We will enter the Holy of Holies and abide there. We soon will be eating of the "old corn of the land" with the Lord Jesus. We will know and understand as we are known and understood.

The third area of redemption is the conquest phase of Christianity. Every believer who would rule with Christ must appear here. We must accept the power of His resurrection, and that power will bring us into and safely through the fellowship of His suffering. This is the only route to becoming part of the Servant of the Lord and to fighting alongside the Lord Jesus in His war against the enemy.

We must accept the sentence of death in ourselves and trust in God who raises the dead. We must never attempt to serve God out of personal ambition or presumption, or neglect to serve Him because of fear, double-mindedness or disobedience. Our service must proceed from our position on the cross. Our personal cross creates the crown of authority in us. Here is the wisdom and power of God.

Until a Christian consents to the rule of Christ after this fashion he may be alive unto God and he may have victory over many of the sins of the flesh, but he is still in bondage to his own will. He must allow Christ to "bring him over Jordan" so he can testify, "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Galatians 2:20).

The creation (and the coming of the Lord from Heaven) await the maturing of the sons of God who will accept the third death and resurrection in their personalities.

Death to self is the third area of redemption. From this vantage point the sons of God will be manifested.

The Divine program of redemption makes possible the establishing of a relationship with God by setting us free from the guilt, bondage and effects of sin.

To be continued.