The Daily Word of Righteousness

The New Jerusalem, #11

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:7,8)

The Scripture declares that what we sow in this life we shall reap in the Day of Judgment.

Who will render to every man according to his deeds: (Romans 2:6)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (II Corinthians 5:10)

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelation 2:23)

Some will be saved as was Lot without receiving an inheritance.

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (I Corinthians 3:15)

What does it mean to be saved by fire?

Of one thing we are certain: it does not signify there will be sinners or self-seeking individuals in the new Jerusalem. That would be contrary to the express statements of the Scriptures.

It means, no doubt, that the person will not be thrown into the Lake of Fire; for the Scriptures refer to the Lake of Fire as the second death, not as a place of chastening.

We are not speaking now of people who are eternally doomed but of individuals who are saved but whose works have been burned up. Jesus spoke of lashes, some receiving many and some few. These are believers who have lost most of their personality. They will be governed and helped by the stronger, as is true today. They are not part of the ruling priesthood of the Lord. God has found good in them, but they will enter the new world without an inheritance. They will not have an abundant entrance into the Kingdom of God.

The person who is saved by fire does not receive the rewards of the overcomer. He does not receive the glory and authority of the Kingdom of God. None of his works have stood the test of fire. His spirit will be saved in the Day of the Lord, but he is naked in the spirit realm. He may be punished with "lashes." He will not hear the Lord Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Consider Lot. He was saved from destruction for the sake of Abraham. All his possessions (he owned much livestock) were destroyed. His wife and sons-in-law were destroyed. He was left with two incestuous daughters. His offspring were Moab and Ammon—the despised of the Lord.

Because of our tradition that salvation is a transfer of us to a land of delights, being "saved by fire" is thought of as entering Paradise even though we did not live according to the Scriptures. What does it matter if our works on earth are burned up as long as we "go to Heaven"?

To be continued.