God does not break the "bruised reed" or quench the "smoking flax." Rather, He sends judgment and grace until the weak are led forth in victory.

No kingdom is made up solely of kings. How can there be kings if there are no subjects? The Kingdom of God is an actual kingdom.

Perhaps you will agree with us that the Divine redemption is not limited to producing only the kings and the tormented. There are regions of life between the high thrones and the depths of the Lake of Fire. The Scriptures do not teach that there is but one level of attainment in the Kingdom of God.

One day you and I will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. We will be rewarded according to what we have done in our bodies, according to the good and evil we have practiced. Jesus is coming soon. His reward is with Him to give to every person the wages he has earned.

What is your choice? Thirtyfold? Sixtyfold? A hundredfold?

Will Jesus address you as a friend and faithful servant, or will you be met with a frown and expressions of disappointment or even anger in that Day?

Is your conduct leading you toward praise and blessings or is it bringing you to rebuke and punishment?

Are you in danger of being led away into outer darkness?

The Holy Spirit seems to be speaking to us that the issues we are presenting are far more serious than we have realized. A spirit of lightness and unwarranted optimism has pervaded the Christian churches.

The spirit of lightness and assurance concerning the things of the Kingdom of God is not in line with such apostolic expressions as "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"; "the righteous scarcely be saved"; "how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"; "knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men."

If we are correct in our understanding, the churches of Christ around the world are facing a severe chastening. Much blood will be spilled. Christian people will become aware that Gospel preaching over the past several years has not been acceptable to God as to the witness that has been borne. The call to repentance is too weak. The goodness of God is being emphasized but the severity of God is being concealed.

The believers will not be "raptured" out of this chastening, because the chastening is for their salvation. Were Christ to return now, it seems likely that a mere handful of believers would be prepared to dwell in the fire of His Presence.

The churches are not ready for Christ's return. The world is not ready for Christ's return.

First must come unprecedented glory and unprecedented tribulation. Much will be accomplished by the glory and also by the suffering. Best of all, the Bride of the Lamb will be separated from the worldly churches and will be purified, thus being made ready for Her Lord.

The Scriptures are true.

To be continued.