The expression "let us go on unto perfection" is significant. First of all, it implies that there is a perfection, a goal, a mark, a land of promise. One seldom hears of there being any kind of goal other than that of going to Heaven, which obviously is not the case here.

Second, we do not hear much today even about laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, or eternal judgment. The average believer of today would have great difficulty discussing any one of these three doctrines with someone who was inquiring about Christianity. Yet we are commanded to be ready always to give an answer to those who ask us about the things of God.

The doctrine of the resurrection is a good example of the prevailing ignorance. The "rapture" has been stressed to the point that the believers of today understand very little about the climax of redemption, which is the resurrection of the dead, the redemption of the mortal body and the clothing of the resurrected body with a robe fashioned from our conduct. Yet, the doctrine of the resurrection is considered by the writer of Hebrews to be only a rudimentary teaching.

We do not have nearly enough workers bringing the saints forward toward the rest of God. Some Christian leaders who are desirous of bringing the believers to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ need to get into the Word and bring forth bread and meat for the saints. We heard one denominational supervisor of a South American country state that all the indigenous pastors understand is Jesus the Savior, Jesus the Healer, Jesus the Baptizer, and Jesus the soon-coming King. Since intelligent adults can grasp these four concepts in one evening, what are they to learn during the next fifty years of their life? Is there anything else of substance in the Scriptures?

God is giving numerous opportunities in the present hour for Christian workers to go into countries that previously were not open to the Gospel. If these doors suddenly close it will be important that the new converts were fed something beside Jesus Savior, Healer, Baptizer, and soon-coming King. What if tremendous persecution comes upon them and all they know is the faith-prosperity error? Worse yet, what if they are placing their hopes on a "rapture" to deliver them from persecution instead of going to the Word to find God's provision for those who are suffering? They would not be the first group of believers in this century to find that the "rapture" did not deliver them from torture and death.

Those who have been taught well in the present hour will stand and help others to stand. Those who only have "made a decision for Christ" and then have not been brought to the meat of the Word may not have enough spiritual strength to support them in the fire.

To be continued.