What we are and where we belong are apparent now. A profession of doctrinal faith makes little difference. What we are, we are. If we are righteous in conduct, holy in thought and word, obedient to God, we will be taken into the midst of such persons when we die. But if we are unrighteous in conduct, unclean in thought and word, and disobedient to God, we will be placed with people who behave the same as we do. God does not approve of mixtures.

We have seen people fidget and finally leave the building when the praying becomes intense and the Lord's Presence is there. These are "saved" people but they are not as yet at peace with the ways of the Lord. The strong Presence of the Lord makes them uncomfortable.

Such people believe in Christ but they still are sinning and seeking their own way. It is not possible for them to enter the new Jerusalem, according to the Scriptures. Only the godly dwell in the new Jerusalem. It is the "holy" city.

If sinning, self-willed "Christians" were to enter the new Jerusalem, into the company of those who love Christ with all their heart, they would bring discord and misery with them. They would corrupt Paradise. Also, they themselves would be in "hell" because of the burning Presence of the Lord.

The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; (Isaiah 33:14,15)

"The sinners in Zion."

Not in the world but in Zion.

The mistake in Christian thinking is that accepting Christ does away with the reality of such passages. God is God. He still is holy. He still is a consuming Fire. Only those who are holy can abide in His Presence.

But we say, "If we are covered by the blood of Jesus we can dwell in God's Presence." This is a misunderstanding of how grace operates under the new covenant. The blood makes it possible for us to approach God and obtain assistance as we struggle, through the Spirit, to overcome sin. If we are not fighting the good fight of faith, the blood does not serve as an alternative means of pleasing God.

Is the new covenant a means of evading the Kingdom laws of righteousness? Will the ungodly have fellowship with God on the basis of their "faith" in Christ? It never shall happen!

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. (II Corinthians 6:16,17)

To be continued.