The new Jerusalem indeed is a better country. God is ashamed of people who think the present valley of the shadow of death in which we are attempting to survive is the best God can do. The person of faith in God sees the world as it is—a cursed, demon-oppressed lesson to the heavens and the earth of the folly of disobeying the Father. Indeed, our Father has no intention of leaving us in such a cesspool. The world we are looking for will surpass our most extravagant dreams.

We know in our heart this present world is not our home!

The individual who is in love with the present world may "accept Christ" in order to escape Hell, but when the path becomes difficult he or she will draw back. By looking back the individual will demonstrate that he is unworthy of the Kingdom of God.

The person having true faith fixes his eyes on Jesus at the right hand of God and then presses forward, presses forward, fighting his way toward the glory he believes is ahead of him. He does not shrink back, knowing that such an action displeases God and will lead to his destruction.

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, Even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. (Hebrews 11:17-20—NIV)

The test of Abraham's faith in God remains one of the most remarkable episodes of all history. It was a test that reminds one of the even more severe test of the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Abraham was not born again of the Spirit of God. He did not have access to the Mercy Seat in Heaven as we do. The marvelous gifts of new-covenant grace we enjoy today were not his. Yet he passed a test so severe that many Christians would have found it exceedingly difficult if in fact they did finally pass it.

My personal opinion is that not all Christians are tested with the same degree of severity. Those appointed to the right and left hand of Christ in His Kingdom will drink the cup of suffering and be baptized with the fire by which God's kings are baptized.

Abraham's calling to be the father of those who believe in Christ is one of the highest in the Kingdom. And so his test was one of the most severe in the Kingdom.

Yet the faithful Abraham trudged up Mount Moriah with an unswerving step with the lad beside him.

If we are to have a high calling in the Kingdom we shall be tested. Perhaps God takes a gamble when He puts the hammer to His diamonds. I do not know. God said to Abraham, "Now I know you fear God." Was God sure before?

To be continued.