The present-day standard of Christianity in the wealthy nations of the world is too low. It does not approach the level of discipleship God judges worthy of His Kingdom.

There soon is to come on the earth great tribulation—disasters of every kind. The purpose of these disasters is to bring the members of the Body of Christ to the level of righteousness, holiness, and obedience God considers to be necessary on the part of the judges, kings, and priests of the Kingdom of God.

Speaking of worthiness, Jesus advised us it is better to pluck out our eye, or cut off a member of our body rather than not to be found worthy of life. The Divine standard is high. God is pleased with nothing less than the offering of our body as a living sacrifice to Himself.

Many churchgoers live a fairly decent, ordinary life, spending some time in the Lord's service. They expect to hear the approval of the Lord. But they will not hear the approval of Christ unless they have set aside their own life completely, have taken up their cross, and have followed the Master. Nothing short of total consecration is acceptable with respect to every member of the royal priesthood.

Each individual who has lived on the earth will be judged according to his works. The judgment will be according to the light and blessing that have been given to him or her.

For those who have been called by the Lord to the royal priesthood, to the first resurrection, the judgment is strict.

Each person who has been called to the priesthood will stand before Christ. He will give an account of himself to God. He will not be found worthy of the first resurrection unless he has laid down his life, taken up his cross, and followed Jesus with a pure heart.

Some may object we are setting the standard too high. Indeed, we are not setting the standard too high. The first resurrection from the dead will proceed precisely according to the terms we are stating. Those who lower the standard for any reason whatever are deceiving themselves and their listeners. The Day that is coming will declare the truth of what we are saying because it is what the Scriptures teach.

It is possible that only a few will be found worthy to walk with Christ in that Day.

We understand that many pastors and teachers are inviting their listeners to take their bill and change the amount: "Do you owe the Master your body as a whole burnt offering? Here, take your bill and write down that all you need to do is to try to do good. You do not owe Him your whole life!"

The unrighteous ministers who are advising their listeners to change the amount they owe the Lord are wise. The Lord already has discharged them from His service. They need to make friends with the worldly so they will have someone to receive them when they die.

This is no time for the saints to grumble in the wilderness about how strict the Lord is. Rather, it is the time to take the Kingdom. The Kingdom will go to those who, like Joshua and Caleb, have followed the Lord faithfully with a pure heart.

To be continued.