There is a story in the Old Testament that portrays the way God deals with sin in His people. It is the story of Joshua and the five kings of the Amorites.

Joshua engaged the Amorites in battle. When he did, the five kings of the Amorites crept away and hid in the Cave of Makkedah.

After the Amorites were defeated, Joshua returned to the cave, brought out the five kings, and killed them.

This is the way it is in the Christian life. We are saved and then filled with the Spirit. After that we engage in warfare against the enemy. Then there comes a time when God is ready to get at the "kings" in our personality. Today is such a time. Get ready for the Lord to deal with the sources of sin and self-will that are in you.

It is interesting that there were five kings. The Blowing of Trumpets is the fifth feast, the celebration that follows Pentecost. The Blowing of Trumpets signifies the coming of the King, Jesus, to declare war against the enemies that are in His people.

Transformation and Deliverance Are Not Accomplished By Means of Our Dying or by the Return of the Lord

All of God's people understand there must come a time when we actually are delivered from sin and not just regarded as righteous by imputation. We know somehow that the Holy City will be actually holy, not holy by imputed holiness.

Two assumptions are common concerning when we will be delivered from our sinful personality. The first assumption is that we will be delivered and made holy by dying and passing into the spirit realm. The second assumption is that we will be delivered and made holy when the Lord comes. Let us take these one at a time.

The assumption that we will be made righteous and holy by dying and passing into the spirit realm assumes that there is no sin in the spirit realm. The truth is, this is where sin began. There was no sin in the personalities of Adam and Eve until the sin came down from the heavens.

Even today we are not wrestling against flesh and blood but against the sin in the spirit realm.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12—NIV)

Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. (Revelation 12:3—NIV)

If the source of sin is in the heavens, then why would we be delivered from sin by dying and passing into the spirit realm where sin originates?

Our body of itself is not sinful. As Paul said, sin dwells in it as an alien force. There are no immoral compulsions in the physical body as such. The immorality proceeds from the demons that inflame our body and soul.

When our body dies and is buried, it is doubtful that our sinful nature is buried with it. Our sinful nature consists of unclean tendencies that reside in our flesh. I cannot pictures these tendencies remaining in a dead body. They originated in the spirit realm and probably revert to the spirit realm once they no longer can experience satisfaction in our body. Whether they follow us in the spirit realm I am not prepared to say. Perhaps they do to a certain extent.

So we cannot count on death to redeem our fallen nature.

To be continued.