Most People maintain a very close check on both their weight and money. With regard to these things we are always ready to give a reasonable account of our present standing as compared to an earlier day. Few indeed ever pause to consider WHETHER or WHAT spiritual

   Since we last went to press, Sister Edward (Louise) Byrd has undergone major colon surgery. At last word she was making a good recovery at home.
    It was the privilege of Landmark Church to give a LOVE-OFFERING toward their assistance in this time of added expense. I sincerely hope that others, who have been so deeply enriched through the Byrd ministry, will take advantage of this opportunity to share their financial burden.
    In following this Scriptural order, both giver and receiver will be greatly blessed. Your love-offering may be sent to:

    "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 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", (Phil. 3:20-21).

    In their eager anticipation of the Kingdom, as set forth by their Lord, James and John made a unique request: "Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory", (Mk. 10:35-37). The Master replied that He could not grant such a request. These positions are the Father's to assign, (Mk. 10:38-40). Rewards for faithful service are determined by the Father, but to be bestowed by the Son at His coming and kingdom - with which is connected "the MANIFESTATION (unveilling, revelation) of the sons of God", (Rom. 8:19; comp. I Cor. 1:7; Col. 3:4; I Pet. 1:13).
    The HOPE inspired by the promises of God is described by Paul as "the hope which is laid up for you IN HEAVEN". "Hope", by metonomy, is here used in the sense of

"the thing HOPED FOR", (Col. 1:5). That "hope" is to be REALIZED, in experience, at the appearing of Jesus Christ, (I Jn. 3:2-3; Tit. 2:13). This "hope" never gives occasion for disappointment, (Rom. 5:5); nor does it remain (forever) IN HEAVEN; it descends to earth in the REALITY of REWARD BESTOWED at the Second Coming of the Christ.
    A number of things are said to be ours NOW, "in heaven".
    1. Jesus urged the laying up of spiritual "treasures in heaven", (Matt. 6:19-21; Lk. 12:31-34).
    2. For the aged Paul, a "crown of righteousness" is laid up "in heaven", (2 Tim. 4:8); its bestowal awaits Christ's coming to earth.
    3. For all saints, there is an INHERITANCE "reserved in heaven", (I Pet. 1:4-5); it is "ready to be revealed at the LAST TIME" - the time of Christ's appearing, (Col. 3:4, 24).
    4. The Corinthians were assured of new bodies - their "house which is from heaven", (2 Cor. 5:2); this

involves REDEMPTION from the grave, (Phil. 3:21; Eph. 1:13; Heb. 13:14; Isa. 51:11; Rom. 8:23; Psa.111:9).
    5. In Revelation 21:2, the "New Jerusalem", prepared in heaven, is seen "coming down from God OUT OF heaven", where the Word of God leaves it - with no mention of its withdrawal from the earth.
    6. Paul comforted the hearts of his suffering brethren, at Philippi, by assuring them that their "conversation (citizenship) is in heaven" - "citizenship" describing the divine order for positions of reward, crowns, status, honor, authority, etc., to be bestowed. But such bestowment will NOT take place "in heaven". It will be HERE ON EARTH, "when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory", in the inheritance of His kingdom, (Matt. 25:31-34; I Pet. 5:4; Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:6, 16; Rev. 22:13; 11:18; Lk. 14:14).
    7. The Hebrew saints, in view of their having endured suffering and the spoiling of their goods, are assured that "ye have IN HEAVEN a better and enduring substance". Still, they are urged to PATIENCE: "that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come WILL COME and will not tarry", (Heb. 2O:34-37. "The Promise" involves heirship in the kingdom.
    Ours is a HIGHER CITIZENSHIP than that attaching to this world. To love this present world-age is to forsake and become an enemy of Christ, (Rom. 12:2; I Cor. 1:20; 2:6-8; 3:18; 7:31; 2 Cor. 4:4; Gal. 1:4; Eph. 2:2; 2 Tim. 2:10; comp.

I Jn. 2:15-17).
    The work of the church is NOT to Christianize this present world; but, as instruments of the Holy Spirit, to CALL OUT FROM IT those who will BELIEVE the Gospel of the kingdom, (Acts 15:14; Matt. 24:24).
    1. That they may not be condemned with the world, (I Cor. 11:32).
    2. That they may become qualified, through the ministry available in the church, to share the rule of the Son of Man in His coming kingdom, (Matt. 5:5; Lk. 12:32; 22:28-30; Rom. 5:17; I Cor. 6:2; Rev. 1:6; 2:26-28; 3:21; 20:4).
    It is not our expectation, Or hope, TO CONQUER THIS PRESENT WORLI) but to share the rule of the Christ In such a regenerated, renewed and restored order as will characterize the millennium on this earth - following His return, (I Cor. 4:8; 2 Cor. 4:18; Phil. 3:20; Heb. 13:14).


    "... From whence also we look for the Saviour ... according to the working (power) whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto himself". From this passage it is evident that an enlightened Christian expectation is of the Lord's return:
    1. To complete (perfect) His work of REDEMPTION - including the final salvation of His believing people, (Heb. 9:28; Rom. 13:11).
    2. To establish His Messianic authority, by the overthrow of the wicked, and the establishing of His righteous rule over the whole earth, and

    3. To exercise His rule in such a way as "to subdue all things unto himself".


    There is a future work of Christ, confined to His elect people: His firstborn, His saints; so far does it surpass our present power of comprehension that it may only be stated in words. Future experience must determine its true nature and glory. This REGENERATION which takes place at Christ's second coming, involves the perfecting of our salvation. It will include our resurrection, exaltation and glorification; just as it did in the experience of our dear Lord, (Psa. 2:7; Acts 13:33-37; Heb. 1:5- 6; Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:18; cf. Isa. 26:19). This exaltation will be to positions of honor, glory and power, as "joint heirs" with Christ in the possession and administration of His kingdom, (Rev. 3:21).
    This REGENERATION will also include the bestowment of a higher quality of life, a more excellent state of being and a closer conformity to the image and likeness of God, (I Jn. 3:2; I Cor. 15:49; 2 Cor. 3:18; Phil. 3:21; Col. 3:4). It is the "out-resurrection" that Paul desired for himself, (Phil. 3:10-11); a resurrection of the ELECT of the ages (the "church of the firstborn") who will share the inexhaustible riches of Christ's own nature, glory and power in the inheritance (kingdom) belonging to Him as the Davidic Son of Man.
    Since "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God", there

is promised such a regenerating transformation (resurrection) of our bodies as will result in glorification. The body of our humiliation will be re-fashioned "like unto His glorious body", (Phil. 3:21). This will take place WHEN the Lord returns for the SALVATION of Zion-Jerusalem, (Psa. 102:16; Mic. 3:12; 4; Zech. 14; Amos 9:1; etc.). Then our personal appearance, adornment, etc., as priests of God, will fully correspond to our status - visibly demonstrating to the nations our exalted standing and authority.
    Jesus Christ once assumed OUR NATURE, that He might:
    1. Bring Himself into a covenant relationship with men.
    2. Receive the covenanted, Theocratic order as David's son and Lord, and
    3. By virtue of His sacrifice on Calvary, take upon Himself our nature in its GLORIFIED FORM - so as to be qualified to reign as the Son of Man. Likewise, though united with Him in the experience of salvation, and a higher Theocratic relationship, we still must, by His power, partake of His divine nature - if we are to participate in His rule.
    Though some assume that the people of God have ALREADY assumed that nature, Scripture specifically sets it forth as a future prospect -- locating its reception at the second coming, (2 Pet. 1:4). Thus, many things associated with Christ, in His deity and glorified humanity, transcend our present power of comprehension. We wail, in eager

and loving expectancy, their unfolding at His appointed time.
    The second coming of our Lord will be as "the Christ" - the anointed Son of David, and King of the earth - in fulfillment of covenant and prophecy. While still upon the earth, Jesus testified that His return would be as THE CHRIST, (Mk. 14:61-62). The "Day of Christ", or corresponding "Day of the Lord", is still future. In that day He will return as the righteous JUDGE (ruler) of the whole earth, (Psa. 9:4, 8; Isa. 16:5; Joel 3:12; Mic. 4:3; comp. Lk. 22:30). Here is the order set forth In the Scriptures.
    1. A pre-millennial coming of the Judge.
    2. A millennial (1,000 year) JUDGING.
    3. A post-millennial JUDGMENT, (Rev. 20:7-15).
    The "Judgment Seat of Christ" is one with the THRONE from which Jesus rules, or judges, the millennial earth, (Rom. 14:10; 2:16; 2 Cor. 5:10). It is from this SEAT OF AUTHORITY that He requires the plucking up and casting out of His kingdom "all things that offend, and them which do iniquity", (Matt. 13:41-42). It is before this same "judgment seat" that the elect stand to receive their appointed stations, positions and rewards - according to the proportion of their faith.
    It is from this point forward that Christ's saints "appear with Him IN GLORY", (Col. 3:4) - nor is "glory" a geographical location! "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom

of their Father" - over which He has set His Son to reign, (Matt. 13:43; Psa. 2:5-9). In fact, the righteous will, from that time, begin to share in His rulership, (Rev. 20:4; 2 Cor. 2:1-2; Rev. 11:15; I Thes. 5:9, 23; I Cor. 15:21- 23; 1:7-8; Acts 17:30-31; I Thes. 2:19; 3:13; Tit. 2:12-13; I Pet. 1:7, 13; I Jn. 2:8).


    The ability of the Son of Man to exercise absolute MASTERY, in all things, was marvelously demonstrated in the broad range of miracles wrought by Jesus during His personal ministry on earth - even before the bestowment upon Him of the "name that is above every name", (Phil. 2:9).
    When Jesus walked on earth He manifested, in the miracles that He worked, the fullest credentials necessary to authenticate His Messianic mission and to demonstrate His ability both to establish and to sustain such a kingdom as that set forth in the covenants and prophets. Not only is He the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:3); if properly perceived, His miracles leave no room to doubt His Messianic character and power. Consider His:
    1. Miracles of Supply, (Jn. 2:9; Matt. 9:2, 20; 12:10; 14:15; 15:32; Jn. 9:1).
    2. Miracles of Healing, (Matt. 8:3, 5; 9:2; 12:10; etc.).
    3. Miracles of Control over nature, (Lk. 5:6; Matt. 8:26; 14:25; 17:24; 21:49).
    4. Miracles of Control over the

spirit world, (Matt. 8:28; 9:32; 12:22; etc.).
    5. Miracles of Power over death, (Matt. 9:18; Lk. 7:11; Jn. 11; Jn. 10:18).
    Paul not only shows Him to be "head over all things" in behalf of the church (Eph. 1:22); he also declares that "He IS ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that now worketh in us", (Eph. 3:20). And when our needs have been fully satisfied, His ability has not been diminished in the least! It is still the same: exceeding, ABUNDANTLY ABOVE all that we are able to ask, or even CONCEIVE!
    What a WONDERFUL SAVIOUR! What a glorious Lord! What a majestic, powerful, awe-inspiring King of kings and Lord of lords! King of the earth; King of saints; King of the ages, King FOREVER! on the Throne of His Father DAVID!
    If anything is DEFINITELY taught in the Scriptures, it is that Jesus, as THE CHRIST, will return to earth in power and great glory - delivering His people, destroying or subduing His enemies, and reigning gloriously from the Davidic throne, in Jerusalem, as King. The exact time of this coming is purposely obscured - designed by the Holy Spirit to keep us constantly alert and watching, (Phil. 3:20; Heb. 11:28; 2 Pet. 3:12, 14). Such expectancy exercises a positive, practical influence on our lives, (Col. 3:4-5; I Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:1-2, 8; I Pet. 5:4). And it is the great HOPE of the elect, (Titus

2:12-13; I Pet. 1:13; Col. 2:4).
    A well-rounded Christian character requires the heart and attitude of a loving servant who expectantly awaits the coming of his Lord, (I Cor. 1:7; Rom. 8:19; Col. 3:4; I Thes. 1:10; etc.). E.G.

gain has been made in their lives.
    Every child of God has been endowed with definite spiritual assets and a command from the Lord to "Do business until I come!" A few take this business seriously. From the beginning they abandon all to Christ - to live for Him alone. Every duty is graciously accepted, and undertaken without regard to cost; His command is all they need. Leaning on His bosom, they acquire His loving spirit - growing into saintliness and spir-

itual beauty. Such admirable spiritual attainment is open to ALL who will make wise and diligent use of their "pound"; it may be greatly enlarged - by five, ten, or perhaps TWENTY times.
    No person, however, is endowed with a fully developed spiritual mind. Every person must begin with the single pound. As poets and artists must develop their talents, so must spiritual graces be developed in the Christian. Such development is never automatic; it is a life-long process - a work of faith.
    Let it be remembered that those who now influence multitudes for good began with a single "pound" of spiritual capacity which the Master entrusted to them. God always limits the initial endowment of His children. As we use what we have - gaining experience, and proving faithful to our trust - He continues to add more and more. He will supply all that we can properly invest for Him - and as fast as we can use it.
    Have YOU gained anything lately? or are you "robbing God" by failing to "do business" with the "pound" He has entrusted to you? Don't forget that our Lord is coming soon and will require a "reckoning". Be ready; and do not attempt to blame HIM for any failure!


    Landmark M.B. Church has just voted to host another fellowship meeting on November 23-24. It is our hope that many of you will plan to SHARE OUR BLESSINGS at that time this year. E.G.