We must be strengthened in the inner man before we will be able to receive the fullness of God. Otherwise, what is meant for our good might prove harmful to us.

Enoch and Elijah were translated into the Presence of God, and it appears this has been true of other saints as well (Matthew 27:52,53). Do we have enough faith for this experience?

The Scripture teaches us that Enoch was translated "by faith" (Hebrews 11:5). Is our faith strong enough for translation glory? If our faith fails in that Day we might look back.

Jesus has warned us about looking back. "Remember Lot's wife." (Luke 17:32).

The point is, we need to be strengthened in faith now, bearing the fruit of faith in increasing measure, so when the trumpet of God sounds we will have the faith required for receiving the fullness of God's Glory. Strong faith will be required for a successful response to the summons of Christ in that Day.

Then, too, we need to ask if we really desire to live this close to God all the time. Will we really enjoy dwelling in such close relationship to the fiery holiness of God Almighty? Is this what we truly want?

. . . who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? (Isaiah 33:14)

Perhaps we need to think twice before we rush into the Presence of God in the pursuit of the body of eternal life.

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: (Malachi 3:2)

The greatest reward prepared for the saint is nearness to God and the continual beholding of His Face.

And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. (Revelation 22:4)

If our goal in life is to abide in the fullness of the Presence of God forever, being clothed in a righteous and immortal body, we need to purify ourselves by the power of the Holy Spirit. If we do not, our actions testify that closeness to God is not our goal after all. We are seeking God with the mind and mouth but not with the heart.

God loves us too much to bring us into a situation where we would be miserable and where we would make others around us miserable. The atmosphere of Heaven is filled with perfect love and harmony. A spirit of gentle good will, of thinking the best about everyone, of meekness and selflessness of attitude, permeates every area of Paradise. Would we bring into Paradise our gossiping, our hating, our murmuring, our criticizing?

Love, peace, joy, and complete and perfect obedience to the Father characterize the saints in Glory, the Elders, the elect angels, and the other inhabitants of Heaven. People who rush about in the violent passions of the body and spirit would not enjoy the company of the inhabitants of Heaven.

To be continued.