Having dwelled on the need for our cleansing, it may be necessary to remind us that the Christian walk is a way of joy and confidence.

Depression and gloom are not gifts from the Father. He commands us to "rejoice in the Lord alway" (Philippians 4:4). We may have one or two "Gethsemane" experiences along the way, but these are rare. Ordinarily, the Christian discipleship is one of proceeding with strength and confidence into the battle against the works of the enemy in our life.

If the believer is in a "valley" experience, do not let the preceding paragraph bring guilt or discouragement. There are prolonged seasons of weary, sometimes boring, seemingly endless, confusing, painful, plodding along. These are expected normal aspects of the Christian discipleship.

The saint always is to look up to Jesus, no matter how strenuous the particular battle and burden may be, and know there will come an end. We are more than conquerors through Christ. Our expectation and hope will not be cut off. We will dwell in joy and peace one day.

"This day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).

The "sixth" and "seventh" experiences. The Day of Atonement is the sixth of the feasts of the Lord. It is significant that it was on the sixth day of creation that man was made in the image of God.

The image of God is a holy, compassionate moral character. Holy strength of character has not been the image of the Christians, in many instances. As we begin to confess our sins, and as we behold the Glory of God in the face of Christ, a strong, holy, compassionate character in the likeness of the strong, holy, compassionate character of the Father and Christ is formed in us.

The saints are destined to be in the image of Christ in spirit, in soul, and in body. God never will cease working until the molding has been accomplished.

Perhaps it is significant too that of the doctrines mentioned in Hebrews 6:1,2, the last-mentioned doctrine, the one we leave to "go on to perfection," is the doctrine of eternal judgment.

We believe the "perfection" of Hebrews 6:1 is the "rest" discussed in Chapters Three and Four of Hebrews. The doctrine of eternal judgment corresponds to the Day of Atonement, and "perfection," or the "rest" of God, corresponds to the feast of Tabernacles that follows the Day of Atonement.

This would make perfection the seventh doctrine, and Tabernacles is the seventh feast. Students of the Scriptures believe the number seven denotes perfect redemption, in the numerical symbolism of the Scriptures. Also, it was on the seventh day that God "rested" from His work.

Judgment of rebellious spirits. It is helpful for us to keep in mind, as we are allowing the Spirit of God to deal with the sin in our life, that the judgment of God is against evil spirits. The Lake of Fire has been "prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).

We are not implying that some people also may not finally arrive at the place in the everlasting fire. It appears some certainly will. But only those who cooperate with Satan and refuse to accept the forgiveness and lordship of Christ.

Nevertheless, God's judgment is directed toward evil spirits and it is they, not people, for whom the Lake of Fire has been prepared.

To be continued.