Now we are weaving our robe of righteous conduct. The righteousness we are gaining now through Christ will serve us well throughout eternity. It will be a wall of defense against every sin, every rebellion. It is the wall of the new Jerusalem.

Our resurrection from the dead is being created in us and in Heaven at the same time. We shall be clothed with our deeds. Here is the justice and righteousness of the Judge of Heaven.

There is one important aspect of the appearing of Christ we always must keep in mind. The coming of the Lord from Heaven will not result principally in a change in what we are as much as it will in a revelation of what we have become during our discipleship on the earth.

The contemporary teaching is, "Christ came only to forgive our sins. If we receive the forgiveness, when we die we will go to Heaven. In Heaven we will be changed so we cannot sin and also be in an environment in which it is impossible to sin." This teaching is not scriptural.

Christians do not speak much of the resurrection from the dead (except for a manmade "rapture" to Heaven), or of the coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth, because neither one of these principal doctrines of the Scripture fits into the popular scheme of dying and going to a sin-free environment in Heaven.

Much current Christian teaching is not found in the New Testament writings.

The teaching of the Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, is that Christ will come and redeem Israel and the world from the hand of Satan. The new covenant includes the destruction of the sinful nature of man. The new covenant has nothing to do with going to Heaven to live in a sin-free environment. There is no passage of the New Testament that teaches the Lord is coming to bring His Church to Heaven.

If we have laid hold upon that which is being offered to us in Christ, then, when He appears, we will shine in the righteousness that has been created in us. What we have become through His grace (His Divine Nature) will be revealed for all to see.

If we have not laid hold upon what is being offered to us in Christ but merely have made a profession of faith, not experiencing the painful transition from a living soul to a life-giving spirit, then, when Jesus appears, we will not be revealed in righteousness because no righteousness has been developed in us. The New Testament teaches that such fruitless members of Christ will be cut out of the Vine and burned (John 15:2,6).

The contemporary teaching is in error. Those who adhere to it rather than to the living Lord Jesus are awaiting a disappointing—if not terrifying—future. It is time now to repent and begin serving the Lord with sincerity and diligence.

The Kingdom of God is not limited to a profession of faith in Christ, although a profession of faith in Christ is the only entrance into the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is actual righteousness, actual peace, and actual joy—all in the Holy Spirit of God.

Let no man deceive you.

To be continued.