We shall receive a body from Heaven that will reflect the manner in which we have behaved in the earthly body. Here is the perfect justice and righteousness of God.

If we have given our life in the service of the Gospel, in the pursuit of righteousness, our choice will be reflected in the robe with which we shall be clothed at the coming of the Lord.

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness [righteous deeds] of saints. (Revelation 19:8)

The fine linen, the body from Heaven, is the righteous deeds. It is the righteousness we have practiced.

If we have lived selfishly, burying our Kingdom talent, have not sought the Lord, have continued in our sins and self-will, then we shall be clothed with a body that reflects this choice.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:8)

We shall reap corruption. We shall receive the evil we have practiced.

No appeal to love, mercy, or grace will in any manner interfere with the law of sowing and reaping, except under the scriptural provisions we have discussed previously.

The law of sowing and reaping is an eternal law of the Kingdom of God. It holds true under all Divine covenants.

To imagine otherwise is to be deceived by Satan, just as Eve was deceived.

The Lord Jesus did not come to earth to do away with the eternal law of sowing and reaping. The Lord came to forgive sinners and to enable them to change what they sow, and only by changing what they sow, to change what they reap.

The Lord did not come only to forgive the drunkard but to make him sober so he can inherit eternal life.

The Lord did not come only to forgive the liar but to make him an honest person so he is not cast into the Lake of Fire.

The Lord did not come only to forgive the adulterer but to make him morally pure so he can inherit the Kingdom of God.

Christian preaching has always presented salvation as escape from Hell and entrance into Heaven. Escape from Hell and entrance into Heaven are not the emphasis of the New Testament, although Hell and Heaven are mentioned.

The individual who sins always is in Hell, so to speak, and belongs to Hell. He is being filled with eternal death. The Lake of Fire retains authority over every sinning individual whether or not he or she is a Christian.

The individual who loves the Lord and does His will is always in Heaven, so to speak, although it may not be obvious while he is enduring the many chastenings that will make him holy if responded to correctly. The righteous individual belongs to Heaven. He is being filled with eternal life. The Lake of Fire has no authority over him.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of [be harmed by] the second death. (Revelation 2:11)

To be continued.