As we stated previously, each true Christian already has experienced a spiritual resurrection and ascension. Our spiritual life is hidden in Christ at the right hand of the Father.

When we receive Christ we are raised to the highest of all thrones. It is not possible to be raised any higher.

The struggle of the saint is not to be raised higher for there is no higher throne. The struggle is for the purpose of maintaining that which is already true and to be able to bring down the throne-life into our daily walk in the earth.

Day by day the warfare continues. Satan uses every device to tear us down from the throne. As Christ is formed in us He is caught up to the throne. Satan seeks continually to occupy us with life on earth so our personality thinks, speaks, and acts in the appetites of the flesh. By prayer, reading the Word, and obedience we strive to keep our attention and affection on things above where our life is hidden with Christ in God.

The struggle is a travail that Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life, may be formed in us.

We must be ever vigilant so no person will be able to take our crown. Keep in mind that the talents given to us will be given to another if we do not put them to good use. It is entirely possible to be predestined to be a ruler in the Kingdom of God and then have someone else receive our crown of life and righteousness because we were careless and foolish.

If we overcome Satan, our life will be established in the throne of God in Heaven and we then will be able to return with Christ in glory to set earth's captives free. This is the meaning of Revelation, Chapter Twelve.

But if Satan is successful in persuading us to live our life in the appetites and things of the flesh, then we will lose our own position with Christ and be of no use to those on the earth whom Satan has bound.

But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (Hebrews 3:6)

We must endure to the end in order to participate in the glory of the sons of God.

For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (Hebrews 3:14)

Sometimes it is taught that we cannot possibly lose what was given to us when we received Christ. This is an error and it may be destroying many who might have lived in victory had they understood that it is only those who endure to the end who finally will be partakers of the first resurrection from the dead.

When Paul was seeking to attain the out-resurrection (Philippians 3:11, Greek text) it was this aspect—the full realization of the power and Glory of Christ's resurrection in him— that he was seeking to experience; although the last verse of Chapter Three of Philippians reveals clearly that Paul had in mind the ultimate resurrection—the redemption of his mortal body.

To be continued.