The common understanding of the work of salvation is that we will be removed from the world of pain and fear and brought to a different world (Heaven) where there is no pain or fear.

The scriptural description of the work of salvation is that we are being removed from the person and power of Satan and brought into the Person and power of God in Christ. Whether we are in the world or in Heaven has little to do with the plan of salvation, with the work of redemption.

The common understanding of the Christian redemption is that our salvation primarily is a journey from this dark planet to the light and glory of Paradise. The scriptural description of redemption is that our salvation primarily is a transformation of our personality such that we become the Temple of God instead of the slave of Satan (John 8:34-36).

The first doctrine stresses movement from one place to another. The second doctrine emphasizes the transformation of all that we are and do and our absorption into the Divine Godhead.

According to your understanding, do the Scriptures teach that the work of redemption is a journey from earth to Heaven, or a changing of what you are as a person—a journey from Satan to God?

The writer believes the Christian redemption to be one of moving away from spiritual bondage and toward the place of the permanent blessing of God.

What we are, we are, whether we are in Heaven or on the earth; although it may be easier to serve God in Paradise than it is on the earth. Perhaps God forms His kings and priests on the earth because it is more difficult to serve Him here. Here is the place where Christian character is formed. The members of the Bride are not to be merely innocent, as was true of Adam and Eve, but radiant with militant righteousness. They are to love righteousness passionately and to hate sin and rebellion passionately.

Of late we seem to be becoming aware of the continuity of life after we die—when we pass into the spiritual realm. We shall continue to be what we are now, although apparently there will be some change because of the loss of our sin-prone flesh and because of the righteous and holy spiritual environment of Paradise.

If we are lukewarm and self-centered here, it is likely we will be lukewarm and self-centered there. If we are fervent lovers of Jesus here, it is likely we will be fervent lovers of Jesus there.

Pride and self-centeredness originated in the spiritual realm, in Heaven, among Satan and his angels. Why should our physical death, our removal into the spiritual realm, change our personality? If it is true, as it seems to be, that we will pass unchanged in personality into the spiritual realm, then it becomes very important that we enter the Christian redemption to the extent that our personality is transformed (II Corinthians 3:18; 5:17,18).

We have but one sure Word from God—the holy Scriptures. Is there any passage of Scripture that reveals to us that dying and passing into the spiritual realm will transform our nature, our personality?

To be continued.