The holy Scriptures contain many negative statements because God is exhorting us and warning us concerning the danger of continuing in the deadly ways of Satan, of the world, and of our own flesh and self-will.

Also, the Scriptures contain many positive statements because God is holding out to us saved sinners the joy of fellowship with God. Christ rebukes and chastens us because He understands the peace and love that will be ours if we succeed in pressing past the lusts and covetousness of our flesh and soul and enter the life lived in the Spirit of God.

It is time now to "take the Kingdom." We must seek Christ with utmost diligence. There are thrones to be gained. The treasures of the Kingdom will be handed out to those who care enough to ask, seek, and knock. It is today that God is training the kings and priests of His Kingdom.

The spiritual environment of the Kingdom of God is incorruptible, eternal resurrection life—the same life that raised the Lord Jesus from the dead. We are to sow to that life now. We are to "lay hold on eternal life." The river of God's Spirit is too wide for any of us to completely pass over. How far into the River we get depends on the diligence with which we seek the Kingdom.

If we are thoroughly diligent we can attain the first resurrection from the dead; we can experience life lived in the power of Christ's resurrection.

If we persevere in the power of Christ's resurrection today, attaining the first resurrection from the dead, we will be given back our material form when Jesus comes. Our body will be marvelously strengthened and glorified. If we are living in Christ's resurrection, and yet are alive on the earth when the Lord Jesus returns, our body will be strengthened and glorified in the same manner that is true of those saints whose bodies are asleep in the ground.

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21)

But if we have not gained the spiritual life of the Kingdom of God during our pilgrimage on the earth we will not be given back our material form when the Lord comes. We will have to wait until the general resurrection of the dead at the end of the thousand-year Kingdom Age.

It is hoped that during the time between the Lord's next appearing and the general resurrection of the dead, our spiritual life, having been nourished in the heavenly Zion, will have met with God's approval so we can be given back our material form.

When Jesus appears and the Spirit of life pours out from Him through His saints, the material creation will awaken from its long sleep, its chains having been broken by Christ in the sons of God.

Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Romans 8:21)

Nature once again will be filled with life.

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isaiah 55:12)

To be continued.