The remainder of the dead will be raised at the end of the thousand-year period. They will stand before Christ at that time and give an account of their deeds. Those whose names are not in the Lamb's Book of Life will be cast into the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.

We who are suffering now must be patient with God, realizing that the most righteous saint is saved with difficulty. Every sin, every disobedience, every trace of rebellion, stubbornness, self-will—all must pass through the fire. We are destined to see the face of God. Therefore no sin or self-seeking can be permitted to remain in us.

The Lord Jesus is here now, reconciling His people to Himself. The Judge is here. Judgment has begun in the house of God and it has begun with us.

And if the righteous scarcely be saved [is saved with difficulty], where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (I Peter 4:18)

The Christian standards of behavior of our day are not scriptural. They are the product of spiritual deception and theological error.

If Christ were to appear today it is likely that most of us would be burned by His Presence. It is necessary that fiery tribulations and persecutions come upon us. These will purge sin and self-seeking from us and also will separate the true Christians from the "believers" who are part of "Babylon" (man-centered Christianity).

Deception is prevalent in the land. It will require great tribulation and Divine Glory before we are ready for the Lord's return.

How many actually will be ready? A multitude? A handful?

When the Son of man returns will He find any faith at all on the earth?

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (I Peter 4:19)

We find the same principle of preparation by fire, in the first chapter of II Thessalonians:

So we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: (II Thessalonians 1:4)

What is the purpose of these persecutions and tribulations?

Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: (II Thessalonians 1:5)

The persecutions and tribulations are the judgment of God coming upon the saints so they will not be condemned when the world is judged.

We all must stand before Christ at one time or another. It is better to be judged now, as God wills.

If we are not judged now, how can we be resurrected and rise to meet Him when He appears? Can we be judged and purified after we have been resurrected, glorified, and brought into His Presence to be ever with Him?

The Lord Jesus Himself learned obedience to the Father, being more perfectly reconciled to God by the things He suffered.

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10)

To be continued.