In the days in which we are living we cannot always trust prophecy or words as from the Lord. We are to listen to the prophecies, and to the words, and then we are to prove all things by presenting our body a living sacrifice.

The closer we get to the coming of the Lord the more deception there will be. The precautions taken in the past are not adequate. The powers of Hell are rising to confront the powers of God and His anointed. The victorious saint is the one who follows the Lord closely, devoting every energy of his life to the battle.

The Christian Church has wandered in the wilderness for two thousand years. Today we stand at the brink of Jordan. The officers are giving food to the people. In a short time we are to pass over Jordan, meaning we are to die to our self-will and self-direction. We are to be circumcised in heart, putting away the flesh with its appetites and lusts. The cloud and the fire will guide us no longer. The manna will not be found in the morning.

It is time to take the Kingdom of God. Wherever our feet walk, God will give that ground to us as an inheritance—but only as we go where He leads by His Spirit.

Seven Goals of Redemption

There are at least seven objectives of our redemption. These objectives are our land of promise, our Canaan.

God saves us from Egypt on eagles' wings. But to actually attain the Divine goals necessitates our following the Holy Spirit in battle against the enemy who is guarding our land of promise.

The winning of Christ.

Rest in God's perfect will.

The rewards to the overcomer.

Our physical body.

The nations of the saved.

The material universe.

Our unique destiny.

The winning of Christ.

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:8)

When Paul first received Christ he was forgiven his sins. He was issued eternal resurrection life and raised on eagles' wings to the right hand of the Father.

But toward the end of his ministry the aged apostle stated he was striving to win Christ.

Paul was given Christ as the gift of God. Then he spent his lifetime maintaining, developing, perfecting the Divine gift.

What does it mean to "win Christ"? From the context of Paul's statement, the meaning is to have nothing in one's life that is not of Christ; to live in the resurrection Life of Christ; to share in the sufferings of Christ; to attain the resurrection out from the dead in the sense that all of one's thoughts, words, and actions are of Christ; to be completely prepared for the change in the body at the coming of the Lord from Heaven.

Even though we have believed in Christ we are made a partaker of Him only if we continue to abide in Him throughout our days on earth.

To be continued.