If we Christians after having been sealed by the Lord continue to live in the appetites of our body we will be clothed with corruption instead of eternal life in the Day of the Lord.

One of the main purposes of the present age is to produce a group of saints who have attained the early resurrection from the dead. These will appear with the Lord when He returns. They will judge the nations of the earth and also the sinners of the churches.

Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (I Corinthians 6:2)

To execute judgment upon all [sinners in the churches], and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 1:15)

If we are willing to allow the Lord to sow our present body to the death of the cross, a robe of righteousness will be formed as the resurrection life of Jesus enters us. Then, when He returns, our resurrected mortal remains will be clothed with righteousness, immortality, and glory.

The fifth day, the day of life, is working now as men are saved from the waters of mankind and are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the time when their bodies will be made alive by the Spirit. The fifth day will have its fulfillment in the new heaven and earth reign of Christ as the "pure river of water of life, clear as crystal" proceeds "from the Throne of God and of the Lamb" (Revelation 22:1).

In addition to being representative of our life in the heavenlies, the birds of the fifth creative day suggest the ministry of angels which, no doubt, will become increasingly prominent as we approach the Day of Christ. Angels were mentioned several times by the Apostle Paul and are active in the events described in the Book of Revelation. The more our life is focused on the heavenlies the more we become aware of angelic activity.

In the present hour, five creative days are working:

The day of unveiling.

The development of the material creation still is being carried forward by the almighty power of the word of God. People are being born. Earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion, continental drift, are shaping the contours of the land. Mankind is learning how to subdue nature, how to cope with such problems as harmful bacteria and food shortages.

The wheat and the tares are coming to maturity. What is in Satan's heart and mind is being unveiled in the increasing perversity and wickedness of the nations of the earth. The self-centeredness of the believers in Christ is causing them to want to be little gods, to use the gifts and graces of Christ for their own pleasure and security; to sell what they have received to buy the favor of the world.

The true saints are determined to overcome the world, Satan, and their own self-will. They have the goal of the first resurrection before them and they are bearing their cross behind Jesus. The line is being drawn between those who belong to the Lord and those who do not.

The outlines of the plan of God concerning the restoration of physical Israel can be seen more clearly.

The wisdom of God is being unveiled.

To be continued.