There comes a place of lodging, of preparation, before we move ahead to the victory that God has for us. It is the Lord's way to bring the saint to a time of waiting just before launching him or her into a new realm of victory and ministry. It is important, during such periods of preparation and waiting, to watch the Lord carefully. We may be mistaken concerning what it is the Lord desires to do with us. We have to watch in prayer and listen to the Spirit of God.

And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host; (Joshua 3:2)

Some Christian teachers believe there is one work of Divine grace available to us before Christ returns—the work of salvation through the blood of God's Lamb.

Other Christian teachers and preachers believe there are two works of Divine grace available to us before Christ returns: salvation through the blood of Christ, and sanctification through the Presence and working of the Holy Spirit in us and with us, often accompanied by speaking in tongues and other expressions of the Spirit of God.

However the Scriptures teach clearly, by type and direct exhortation, that there are three works of Divine grace available to us before the Lord returns: salvation through the blood of Christ, victory over the world, Satan, and our lusts through the Presence and working of the Holy Spirit in us, and freedom from self-will, resulting in the abundance of eternal life, fruitfulness, and rulership . Full salvation is possible as the saint exercises uncompromising faith and obedience.

There are Christians who reap Christ thirtyfold. There are Christians who reap Christ sixtyfold. There are Christians who reap Christ a hundredfold.

The major types of the Scriptures, such as the Tabernacle of the Congregation and the Feasts of the Lord, portray three platforms of salvation. Noah's Ark was constructed in three levels. Israel experienced an exodus from Egypt, a wilderness wandering, and an invasion of the land of Canaan.

There are three areas of redemption. Redemption is the program of freeing us from the person and works of Satan and bringing us into perfect union with the Person and works of God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the third aspect of redemption, that into which we are entering today, that will bring into view the Church without spot, wrinkle, or any blemish whatever. The ministries given to the Church by the ascended Christ will labor until the Church is unified perfectly and attains the maturity described as the fullness of the stature of Christ. This is what the Scriptures teach.

The "officers," the leaders of the Body of Christ, are going through God's army today. The Holy Spirit of God has things to say to us and is preparing us for the task of invading our land of promise.

To be continued.