Transformation and Deliverance

Are Not Accomplished By Means of Our Dying or by the Return of the Lord

All of God's people understand there must come a time when we actually are delivered from sin and not just regarded as righteous by imputation. We know somehow that the Holy City will be actually holy, not holy by imputed holiness.

Two assumptions are common concerning when we will be delivered from our sinful personality. The first assumption is that we will be delivered and made holy by dying and passing into the spirit realm. The second assumption is that we will be delivered and made holy when the Lord comes. Let us take these one at a time.

The assumption that we will be made righteous and holy by dying and passing into the spirit realm assumes that there is no sin in the spirit realm. The truth is, this is where sin began. There was no sin in the personalities of Adam and Eve until the sin came down from the heavens.

Even today we are not wrestling against flesh and blood but against the sin in the spirit realm.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12-NIV)

Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. (Rev 12:3-NIV)

If the source of sin is in the heavens, then why would we be delivered from sin by dying and passing into the spirit realm where sin originates?

Our body of itself is not sinful. As Paul said, sin dwells in it as an alien force. There are no immoral compulsions in the physical body as such. The immorality proceeds from the demons that inflame our body and soul.

When our body dies and is buried, it is doubtful that our sinful nature is buried with it. Our sinful nature consists of unclean tendencies that reside in our flesh. I cannot pictures these tendencies remaining in a dead body. They originated in the spirit realm and probably revert to the spirit realm once they no longer can experience satisfaction in our body. Whether they follow us in the spirit realm I am not prepared to say. Perhaps they do to a certain extent.

So we cannot count on death to redeem our fallen nature.

The second assumption is that when the Lord comes He will deliver us from sin. However, notice the two following passages:

Later the others also came. "Sir! Sir!" they said. "Open the door for us!" But he replied, "I tell you the truth, I don't know you." (Matthew 25:11,12-NIV)

Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:28-30-NIV)

When the Lord returns He will not give wisdom to the foolish virgins. Rather, He will prevent their going to Him.

When the Lord returns He will not give diligence to the fearful, lazy servant. Rather, He will remove his talent from him and have him thrown into the outer darkness.

We understand, therefore, that neither physical death nor the coming of the Lord will deliver us from sin.

However, it is true that there is a time when the Lord will come to purify His churches. When that time comes, which will occur, I believe, before His historical coming with His holy angels, He indeed will purify us. But, like salvation and the baptism with the Holy Spirit, we will have to make the effort to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. It is not a case of the Lord waving a wand and we suddenly become righteous. We have to press forward into the deliverance when the hour comes. It is here now, as far as I can tell.