Others may consent verbally to such a loss of independence, but in their heart they would be content—or actually prefer—to have a place in the Kingdom of God that did not involve the Presence of Jesus in every aspect of their personality and actions.

When the heavens and the earth have been redeemed fully, Christ will be the Center and Circumference of all creatures and all things. God is making Him the Head and Lord of all.

In that Day there will be the Bride of the Lamb, and a firstfruits of that Bride. The firstfruits cannot rest until they become a part of His Person and Being. They will become such a part of Him that the Spirit refers to their immersion in Him who is the Resurrection and the Life as "waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over" (verse 5).

The fourth area of judgment includes not only our immersion in the Presence of Christ but also a turning of our love outward to those toward whom the Lord is directing us. The highest goal of all is not to attain a supreme level in the Kingdom or spiritual perfection but to become an integral part of the love of God that is flowing outward from the Throne toward those whom God is seeking. To attain oneness with God and with His family is to enter the untroubled rest of God.

In the day in which we are living the Spirit of God is hovering over the churches of Christ. One by one those who are called to be a part of the firstfruits of the Bride are being drawn apart by the Lord. They do not understand what is happening to them. Their environment is becoming chaotic and they cannot seem to find the Lord.

Sometimes there is distress, groaning, confusion, as the previously confident saint comes into this new dealing of God. The familiar landmarks are not present. There may be sleepless nights, endless crying out to God to restore confidence and joy.

Finally the Lord comes, and when He does it is a personal Jesus whom we have not known as well previously. We had known Him, but now He has become more real to us. There is a travail and we lose sight of Him momentarily, but then He appears to us as our closest friend—the One who loves us so much. When we come up out of this wilderness, out from the Valley of Achor, the place of judgment and trouble, we are leaning on our Beloved.

What, then, will be the consequence of attaining the fullness of Life for these lovers of the Lord Jesus?

Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. (Ezekiel 47:7)

The "river" refers to the Holy Spirit who flows from the Throne of God and of the Lamb (Revelation 22:1).

The "trees" are the trees of life—those who have attained the "waters to swim in."

Notice the following:

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalms 1:3)

To be continued.