Here again we find we shall appear with Christ in the Glory of God. However, this is true for those whose life Christ is. Christ does not become our life except as we are being crucified with Him. As our adamic nature is brought down to the death of the cross, and we turn to the Lord for help in our time of need, the eternal Life of Christ lifts us up and enables us to become more than a conqueror in every situation of life.

Day by day we die and day by day we live. We are transformed as we give over our adamic nature to crucifixion and receive the Life of Jesus in return. The Kingdom of God appears first in the inner nature of the believer, and after that in external revelation and power. Taken as a whole the churches of today are not ready to be revealed with Christ at His return. The adamic nature is prominent, and the fallen creation is not waiting to see our adamic nature revealed.

Colossians 1:27.

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Colossians 1:27)

Colossians 1:27 truly is a staggering statement.

The Jewish people are awaiting the coming of Messiah. To Paul, the Jew, it was revealed that Messiah is being formed within us. It appears that none of the other writers understood this mystery as clearly as the Apostle Paul.

We would suggest that after two thousand years of Church history the concept that Christ is in us is still a mystery. The emphasis has been on escaping Hell and going to Heaven. The importance or purpose of Christ being in us has not been understood or emphasized.

The truth is, the fact that Christ is being formed in the Church is all-important. The inner formation of Christ is the Kingdom of God.

The Lord could have established His Kingdom on the earth two thousand years ago. He could have called upon legions of the most powerful angels to crush any resistance to His rule. He could have placed His apostles and other followers on thrones of tremendous authority, bringing the nations of the earth under His perfect control.

Why did God permit the two thousand years of the Church era to take place, centuries of persecution and agony, when He could have prevented all of this with one Word?

It is because the inner kingdom had not been formed in His followers.

It is the inner kingdom formed in the Church that will be clothed with external power and glory so the outer Kingdom of God can come to earth and establish justice and peace.

It was not enough that Peter, James, and John follow the Lord faithfully. These three men had to be transformed by having Christ formed in them; and now have to wait until the whole company of the brothers of Christ have had Christ formed in them.

When the predestined army of saints has come to maturity in Christ, then the Lord will return with them and set up His Kingdom on the earth.

To be continued.