We notice the transition from the partial ministry, in the above verse.

During "to day and to morrow," the two "days" of the Church Age, we experience the casting out of devils and the curing of illnesses. These are works of partial redemption. But during the "third day," the Kingdom Age, the Body of the Lord will be brought to perfection. The emphasis of the third day (and it is dawning on us now) will be the perfecting of the Bride of the Lamb in preparation for receiving the fullness of the Bridegroom.

However, this is not to discredit the need we all have for ministries and gifts of the Holy Spirit. In fact, it is our opinion that one of the greatest needs of the Body of Christ in this hour is the restoration of all the ministries and gifts of the Holy Spirit, for it is through the ministries and gifts that we all shall come maturity as measured by the fullness of Christ.

It is good, however, to keep our eyes fastened on the goal, which is the fullness of God's Glory through the Lord Jesus Christ. The fullness will come to us when the Lord Jesus returns to earth from Heaven, bringing with Him our eternal house.

We accept Christ and are baptized while we still are in the world. Receiving the blood atonement brings us into the area of redemption, into the Kingdom of God. Being born again of the Spirit of God brings us into the Holy Place of the Tabernacle.

The Courtyard was dominated by the Altar of Burnt Offering, signifying that the death and resurrection of Christ must always be the first consideration when a person approaches the Kingdom of God.

The Holy Place was dominated by the golden Lampstand, indicating that the Holy Spirit is the One who empowers the testimony of the Church. The Holy Place of the Tabernacle represents the Church, the Body of Christ, the light of the world, the revelation of God to mankind.

The Holy Spirit has the responsibility for creating and perfecting the Church, and for presenting the Church to the Lord Jesus Christ as His Bride. The Holy Spirit is "another Comforter" who has been sent down to us because the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, has returned to the Father in Heaven.

There are two major works the Holy Spirit always is performing in the Church of Christ. These two works constitute the testimony being wrought in each member of the Body of Christ.

The first work is the assigning, directing, and empowering of gifts and ministries. The gifts and ministries given to the saints are ways in which Christ is revealed.

The second work is the result of the first work. It is the forming of Christ in the saints—the bringing of each one of us to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

The first work consists of the operation of the gifts and ministries of the Spirit. The second work results in bringing forth the fruit of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit assigns the gifts and ministries of supernatural wisdom and power and then directs their use. The Holy Spirit also is the "law of the Spirit of life," the One who provides the wisdom and power so we are enabled to put to death the deeds of our flesh.

To be continued.