When Christ said, "It is finished," He meant the work of atonement, the Law of Moses, and the whole material creation. The material creation, described in the early chapters of Genesis, was viewed by the Lord only as a prototype. God understood well that the natural world was soon to be folded up and tossed in the hamper like dirty clothes. The present heaven and earth are not at all God's final environment for His children.

The present heaven and earth are a setting for a huge drama to be played out before the angels. During this drama the folly of Satan and his followers is portrayed.

We humans, although in the image of God to an elementary degree, are also to a great extent an animal creation. In addition we are born bound with all sorts of lusts and passions that are not pleasing to God.

If we are born in sin with two strikes against us, what is this all about?

It is a time of testing to see who is worthy of the Kingdom, the true and eternal environment God sees in His timeless vision. God wants to know who it is that thinks He is able to make a better world than this.

The greatest mistake any human being can make is to clutch the present world to the neglect of the Kingdom that is coming. This miserable world is doomed to pass away. The Kingdom to come is marvelous beyond description and will survive in righteousness for eternity.

Are you clutching this present world and all your stuff? Not a smart move!

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was the beginning of the Kingdom of God, the new eternal age. Death cannot touch Christ. He already has overcome it and holds the keys to it.

As long as you are in your original adamic state you and all that you possess are subject to corruption and dissolution.

There is only one way you can gain eternal life. You must take your place with Christ on the cross. All your relationships, things, and circumstances must with crucified with Christ on the cross. All you are and possess must be brought down to death if it is to live!

As you submit to crucifixion God begins to raise to eternal life that part of your personality, relationships, things, and circumstances that are worthy of the Kingdom of God. As soon as something has been raised it is yours for eternity. It has become an integral part of Jesus Christ.

Never fear to give everything to God. You will get back all that will bring you eternal peace and joy. You will lose forever that which is harmful.

Right here the battle is joined. "What if I never get back him or her or this or that or it?" It's true, Isaac may die on the altar never to be returned.

So you have to decide: "Does God understand the details of my life? Does He care how I feel? Is He seeking my good? Does He have the power to deliver me and bring me to peace and joy or do I have to take matters into my own hands?"

Until you have faith that God is good and all- powerful you cannot possibly be an overcomer. You will not place your idols (and that is what they are idols!) on the altar. You will cling to your rags when Christ would have clothed you with the robe of the royal priesthood.

It is your call! Clutch this world and end up spiritually threadbare. Put all on the cross with Christ and trust Him for your welfare. You cannot have it both ways.

If you want to break the hold death has on you, you are going to have to take your place on the cross with Christ and be raised together with Him.