Certainly God forgives us through Christ, but this does not change us. Until we are transformed into Christ's moral image we are not fit for the Kingdom of God.

Unless our adamic soul has enough integrity to faithfully undergo the painful processes of moral transformation we are not worthy of the Lord Jesus or of the Kingdom of God.

The period of the great tribulation, the rule of Antichrist, will bring an apparent "peace and safety" to the world, but it will be a difficult time for the saints.

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. (Daniel 11:32-35)

The Gospel witness will be driven from the cities of the earth (the cities having become one great city because of computerized communication systems). The saints will be forced into hiding. Some of the victorious saints will be strong in the Lord and perform wonders of faith.

Many people will be taught by the godly remnant of saints. Multitudes of believers will die by the sword and by fire. Some will perish in prison; others at the hand of robbers seeking plunder.

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of [the] great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:14)

We notice also in Daniel (above) that some of those who know the Lord will fall, the purpose being to cause them to wash their robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb.

There are some problems in our personality that are deeply entrenched, that are so much a part of what we are that God permits them to express themselves so they can be dealt with.

It is helpful when we confess our sins and resist them. It strengthens us when we tell the Lord we want to do His will and ask that He lead us in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Even with a continued plea for righteousness it sometimes is necessary that God permit us to act out parts of our personality that are not found in Him. If we continue in prayer, not accepting defeat, not becoming discouraged, God will cause our stumbling, our fall, to work for our good. We become insightful, wise in battle, more humble as we realize that except for the keeping hand of the Lord we would be lost in sin.

To be continued.