The consecrated saint grows in the image of Jesus as he fights onward in the Lord. But the modern believer often does not grow. He does not fight the good fight. He doesn't understand there is a fight to be fought! He runs here and there seeking deliverance, meanwhile blaming the devil, people, and God for the fact that he is not able to conduct his life as he sees fit and receive all he desires.

He thinks God exists in order to give him whatever he wants. He seeks pastors who will pamper his flesh. He is a baby—self-willed, impatient, self-centered, not being able, because of his immaturity and selfishness, to bless God or man.

The material prosperity of the twentieth century is not conducive to creating attainers of the first resurrection. We must come out of the present materialism and seek God with our whole heart. Such a withdrawal from one's culture can be very distressing. How difficult it is for those who possess riches to enter the Kingdom of God! The Kingdom is gained most easily by the poor of the world.

Paul's primary concern was not that of deliverance from his problems. Rather, he cried out for deliverance from the sinful flesh he was dragging around. Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:24). Paul's chief desire was to gain righteousness and to please Christ.

The first resurrection is the answer to Paul's supplication. For if we have pleased God, the Lord Jesus will remove every vestige of Satan's influence from us at that Day and clothe us in the white robes of eternal life. The first resurrection is the redemption of the physical body, the acknowledging of us as the sons of God on the basis of our being raised from the dead.

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (I Corinthians 15:52)

This is the first resurrection.

The second resurrection will come after a thousand years have transpired, after the passing away of the earth and the heaven with which we are familiar. Then the dead will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ.

The first resurrection is the clothing with additional life those who already have attained life. To those who already have life, more shall be given. The Lord will descend from Heaven to meet them. They will be changed from mortality to immortality and then will rise to meet Him in the air.

What a glorious scene this will be! How dreadful for those who see the resurrection and ascension taking place but who do not have the qualifying life in their personalities (Revelation 11:11)! How marvelous for God's saints who, through Jesus, have gained victory over sin and self-centeredness even while dragging around a sin-filled body in a sin-filled environment! Truly the Lord is well pleased with them.

To be continued.