So many of the churches look at the gifts of the Spirit and then think about how they may profit from them, just as may have been true of Rebecca's brother, Laban.

But the Bride of the Lamb must be totally obedient to the Bridegroom. The members of the Body of Christ must be totally obedient. Those who ride behind Jesus Christ at His invasion of the earth must be totally obedient. We do not receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we may use them according to our own understanding or desires but only as the Lord Jesus directs.

Satan fell through self-willed disobedience. Adam and Eve fell through self-willed disobedience. Abraham passed the test of stern obedience to God. Jesus Christ passed the test of stern obedience to God.

Now, all who would rule with Christ, the totally obedient Son, the One who is not self-willed but God-willed, must be tested and shaken until God is certain no rebellion remains in their personality. This is why the heavens and the earth shall be shaken.

We can understand the reason for the earth being shaken, that we must be tested, but why the heavens?

Most of the host, the army of the Lord, is in Heaven at the right hand of God. As I understand it, this army must be tested and shaken in some manner.

The reason for the shaking is that all may be removed that is not of Jesus Christ. We read in the Bible that we are dead and our life is hidden with Christ in God. This is true. But there still is an interaction between our heavenly life and our earthly life. Consequently our heavenly position remains in jeopardy until we overcome the challenges and enemies that confront us on the earth.

As we overcome the enemy on the earth our position in the heavens is established. But if we give way to the passions and appetites of our flesh, we threaten our position in the heavenlies.

How can this be? Is this scriptural?

Of course. Paul says we now are at the right hand of God in Christ. Paul also states that if we live in the flesh we will die, we will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Paul says this in several passages of his Epistles.

Now, put this together. If we now are at the right hand of God, and yet Paul says we will not inherit the Kingdom if we live in the flesh, then it must be true that our actions on earth affect our status in the heavenlies.

Also, the Lord Jesus told us in the parable of the sower that the Word of God can begin to grow in a life and then be choked out and die, having borne no fruit. Then the Lord told us if we do not bear fruit we will be cut out of the Vine, out of Christ.

To be continued.