A human being does not have to be given a prize for acting as a human being. A son of God does not have to be rewarded for acting like his Father nor is it any special or noteworthy event when he becomes more like his Father each day.

Being part of Christ through union with Him is the true salvation of the Lord.

There is a difference between attempting to behave like Christ, and being one with Him in His resurrection life and glory.

The Scripture states we must walk in the same manner as He walked. It maintains further that "as He is, so are we in this world." He is at rest in His Father. We are to be at rest in Him as He is at rest in His Father.

The woman, the Church, is in pain as she is preparing to bring forth Christ—the Son. If Christ is to be brought forth the saints must die the death of the cross, which is death to self.

The little book that describes the forming of Christ in the saints, and the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the ends of the earth, is sweet when we eat it but bitter when we experience it.

. . . and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. (Revelation 10:9)

In order for us to bring forth the Son we must allow the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, to pierce our soul. We must be changed into the death of the cross. Only then can Christ be brought forth in our life in the fullness of glory and power.

Only as we suffer can we reign. The crown comes only from the cross. There is no painless path to authority and power over the nations of the earth, to the rule of Divine righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. (Revelation 12:3)

The Church, the Wife of the Lamb, is a sign in the spirit realm because she is being created from the body and blood of the Lamb and because her "life is hid with Christ in God."

The red dragon also is a sign in the spirit realm. Neither he nor the woman can be seen with physical eyes. He has taken his place in front of the woman. The Church and Satan are engaged in a fierce struggle that as yet has not been concluded. Truly, the Church is not contending with people but with rebellious angels who rule in the heavens.

The fiery-red dragon has "seven heads," symbolizing the perfect wisdom and knowledge God has given to him.

The dragon has "ten horns." Some believe ten, in the Scriptures, symbolizes the world. Horns typify the power to overcome an opponent and to exert one's will. Wicked spiritual princes, seated on the thrones in the air above us, exert their will in the earth.

To be continued.