Since the time of the early church the Holy Spirit-inspired biblical truths such as “Buy of Me Gold Tried in the Fire” have been lost to today’s doctrines of following worldly prosperity as if it were our Godly consolation. The problem is not in having prosperity but in seeking it. We require adversity not prosperity to educate us into the fulfilling of our high calling just as those who have gone before us. We also are in need of enabling grace and only find its increased strength in adversity. Like our Lord, we have to be made perfect through suffering; and if those who have gone before us had not suffered they would not have completed the calling which had been given them to endure, which is to suffer with Christ.
Heb 5:8-9 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Likewise if we do not endure through the greatest of temptation, tribulation and persecution will we be those seen in that multitude before the throne of God in white garments? Will we become the sons of God if we reject so great a salvation?

The question we must ask ourselves is, “am I seeking an abundant spiritual life or am I seeking life in this world with abundance.” The seeking of spiritual life leads to eternal life and that life more abundantly. The attaining of worldly riches is not the evidence of an abundant spiritual life nor can riches produce an abundant spiritual life. It is in our pursuit of Christ that brings about our suffering with Christ so that we may be found in Christ. The seeking of wealth distracts one from seeking the higher calling of God in Christ and it just may become our consolation now.
Luke 6:24 24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
We are to set our affections on things above not on worldly possessions on this earth. The testing by fire teaches us to embrace truth to attain our true spiritual life in Christ. The ultimate test of a son of God is the ability to surrender ones life for His life.

Many of today’s Christian teachers have lost sight or ignore the truth of what it takes for one to attain the high calling of God in Christ. To get “saved” and wait for the “pre-trib-rapture” that is not scriptural will not produce God’s life in us. For one to attain unto a son of God, one must be proven faithful through the testing of ones life. In Christ God has given to us the ability to grow into an abundant spiritual life. It is in adversity that we grow up in Christ. Those who overcome in adversity will experience His abundant life. God has promised to the overcomers the first resurrection and the royal priesthood. This resurrection is attained through trial by fire and learning to “suffer with Christ” in our life. Sufferings with Christ would be to resist sin, endure through trial and tribulation knowing that these lead us to the abundance of grace promised. We must learn to transition from our mind, will and intellect to the mind, will and knowledge of Christ. Our goal and vision should not be to go to heaven but to be found in Christ in order to rule on the earth at His coming as sons. Attaining to the first resurrection may even be the testing of our love and faith through physical death at the hands of an enemy. As true followers of Christ we must become as Stephen who demonstrated love for his enemies when he said as they were stoning him,
Acts 7:59-60 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
True love covers a multitude of sins. First we must understand that in order to cover a multitude of sins we must not take offense. This does not mean we condone what others do. We just don’t hold them accountable.
Romans 12:1919 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Forgiveness is not optional it is required of every Saint in order to be forgiven.
Matt 18:21-22 21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
These are some examples of what we must overcome in the fire to demonstrate true love and fulfill suffering with Christ.
Matt 5:44 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Matt 7:1-5 1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Merely saying we believe in Christ does not gain us the fulfillment of the high calling of God in Christ as many profess. To SAY we believe and to DEMONSTRATE faith by our works are not the same. Our response in love in a given situation proves our growth in His love and faith. If we do not respond in love then our belief is not complete in His faith. Believing that Jesus is the son of God opens to us this abundant spiritual life. If we pursue life through taking up our cross and following Christ daily we find His ability to love. Those in the first resurrection will have crucified their sinful nature through Christ and will have taken up their cross daily to follow Him. The world will know we are of Christ when we are demonstrating Christ’s love in every situation presented. If love is not demonstrated then Christ is not seen. If Christ is not seen then we are viewed as hypocrites and the world is turned off to God’s gift of salvation.
James 2:26 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Without true love being demonstrated we might just be the ones that Jesus says,
Matt 7:22-23 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
What we must look at our in own heart by the Spirit is our true motives behind our actions. Is love at the center of my thoughts and decisions or is self-centeredness and self-willed desires the motives in my action?
Is love for others the reason we say what we say to them or is it judgment and condemnation? The image we would like others to conform to is it ours or Christ’s?
Do we believe things would be better for the Church if the world just get “saved?” Scripture states things are going to wax worse and worse until the end. Do we believe the lack of prosperity in America is because of sin other than our own? God has promised rebuke and chastisement to all who would become sons. Maybe it is time for the Saints to repent and grow up in Christ.
Do we believe that Christ would come to gather His own if everyone would just get “saved?” There is no secret rapture in the Word of God; there is the promise of great tribulation and the gathering after that to set up His Kingdom on the earth.
Do we tithe because we expect abundance from tithing or do we give because of love for those in need? Giving to get could be equated with greed and self gratification.
If our motives are not for love but are self centered and self seeking they will not profit our spiritual life. Though I have all faith but have not love my faith will not profit me in the kingdom of God.
1 Cor 13:1-81 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
How we proceed through the trials of our lives demonstrate to us and the world around us if we are love motivated or self motivated in our pursuit of being found in Christ. Christ is love and for the world to see Christ and not see us we must show His love in us and through us. This love is demonstrated as we seek the welfare of others first.
As our life is being tested in the fire we experience the truth about how we have built our spiritual house upon the foundation of Christ. The purpose of the testing of our faith is to give us insight and understanding for the righteousness of faith which is love.
The consequences for our self seeking are the lack of peace, joy and righteousness in the power of God. The works of the flesh prevent us from finding God’s peace, joy and righteousness in the power of the Spirit because walking after the flesh is not love.
Romans 14:17 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
The Word states that “God has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness in Christ Jesus
2 Peter 1:3 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
To pursue spiritual life through works such as tithing denies the gift of God in Christ. We can say this is not our attempt through tithing, but to say or believe we are blessed in tithing rejects the gift of Christ. Jesus redeemed the world from the curse so that through and in His love the world could experience His spiritual life to the fullest without self works.

Our being tested in the fire is what reveals TO US whether love has been perfected or our old bad habits are residing in our heart. We attain life through the Spirit of God as He leads us in the paths of true love for all. To attain God’s gift of abundant life one must pursue it in the understanding that the fulfillment is in Christ and Him alone. It is the in dwelling Spirit that teaches and leads us to be the one who is said to be “the just shall live by faith.” The Spirit was given to lead us into all truth and the abundant spiritual life in Christ. To be found in Christ I must pursue Christ being formed in me and having only His righteousness or right way of pursuing His life.

And when the Holy Spirit is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
John 16:7-15 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
If we do not follow God’s leadership how will we find His eternal life? "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
The word of God tells us to “be renewed in the spirit of our mind and be not conformed to this world.” It would be impossible for us to attain unto this life without the Spirit of God reproving, rebuking and teaching us truth. Without the Spirit speaking the words of life we could not grow in faith, hope and love that already abide within us. We are told that it is the WORDS the He speaks to us that are spirit and that become life to us.
John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
It is these spoken words that renew our heart and mind and lead us away from being conformed to this world. The words that the Spirit speaks to us are to be written upon our heart and placed in our minds so that we become the living epistles of Christ. To think and speak words of unbelief contradict God and will keep us from receiving the fullness of His life. It is not God withholding life but our rejecting His truth that keeps us from experiencing God’s abundant life in us.
The word of God states that the keys to the kingdom are “binding” and “loosing.” The Word states that “whatever WE bind on earth will be bound in heaven.” What ever “WE loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” When we believe that God does not freely give His life to everyone through Christ without our own works of righteousness, this belief binds us on earth and therefore we are bound in heaven from receiving life. I say this because the Word states that “God has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness in Christ Jesus.” To say God does not treat everyone equal is unbelief and His truth is not in us. “God is no respecter of person.” You see the gospel is not worldly riches but peace, joy and righteousness in the power of God. Our riches are to be in heaven in Christ Jesus. God is looking for faith because it is impossible to please God without faith. We must acknowledge the unrighteous thoughts and intents of our heart that are being revealed in our trials. Are the riches we are looking for of this world or are they hidden riches in Christ? It is our words of unbelief that prevents us from being found in the righteousness of Christ and receiving all things pertaining to life and godliness. We bind or loose the power of God from working in our life through our thoughts and the words out of our mouth. We must be seeking to be made in the image of Christ in order to have His life formed in us.
Eph 3:19-20 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
First we must believe that the fire is for our glory. The reproving of our unrighteous thoughts and actions is to tear down the strongholds that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. When we reject the reproving in the fire our stronghold remain. To be found in the righteousness of Christ we must have the Word written in our heart and placed in our minds.
Heb 8:10 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
As Christ’s representatives in this world we must express love for all unconditionally as Christ. If we can’t love unconditionally the evidence will be proven in the fiery trials we experience. It is the love and mercy of God to show us our lack before the second coming of Christ. If we wait until His coming it will be too late and the resurrection will be without us.
In order to attain unto the crown of life we must be found in Christ not having our own righteousness from our works. When Christ is our righteousness we will love our enemies who, by the way, may also be our neighbors. When we embrace the gift of righteousness through Christ, God sees us righteous because of His faith and our receiving that gift without any attempts under the law or flesh to be righteousness. The gift of righteousness enables us to pursue being perfected in Christ. This gift does not mean we are entitled to live in sin but to learn obedience. When we experience the gift of righteousness we can love unconditionally because we are loved unconditionally. The fire proves to us whose righteousness we are seeking to be found in. If we seek to be righteous outside of Christ we make the sacrifice of Christ in vain and grace is of no affect in our life and His love does not flow through us. If I cannot love unconditionally than grace has not become my strength against sin.

Gal 2:21 21 "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

When we place our trust in what we are doing instead of what Christ has done we set grace aside. With out the power of grace to sustain us in His righteous gift we are found as transgressors because we seek righteousness apart from Christ. Without the empowering of grace we cannot love all unconditionally as His ambassadors. If, through the law or flesh, we have built again that which was destroyed in Christ we become a transgressor of the law and I make Christ’s sacrifice for nothing in my life.
Gal 2:17-21 17 "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 "For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 "For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
Our growth in Christ depends on our embracing the truth revealed by the Spirit during the testing of our character in trials. Through the wisdom of God we can understand the truth about all of our circumstances and who initiated them and God’s desired results. The results are to be found in the faith of Christ and our enduring the trials. The word tells us “if anyone lacks wisdom let him ask in faith believing and God will give it without partiality.” We must take the responsibility for our lack of peace, joy and righteousness in this walk of faith under grace; none of us are exempt from the responsibility for our spiritual life in Christ. If we don’t mix the Spoken word of God with faith we will not experience the life of God. The gifts of God are prophetic until we move into the experience of a gift being fulfilled in us.

Scripture states in Proverbs 18:21 “life and death are in the power of the tongue.” Again we see it is our own words out of our mouth that produce life or death for the hearer and ourselves. This is exactly why we must be renewed in the spirit of our mind and be not conformed to this world. The words we speak either produce life or death. There is not a middle of the road on this one; it is either life or death. We must be aware which it is that we impart to those who hear us. What one must think about is are my words edifying or are condemning and judgmental to the hearer? Words that condemn and are judgmental are not love or grace to the hearer.

Christ reversed the curse Adam brought upon mankind through his disobedience. Now directives to us are similar to Adams in order for us to experience an abundant life today. For example: Those who live according to the flesh cannot inherit the kingdom of God (disobedience).

Gal 5:19-21 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Those who seek righteousness under the law are found to be transgressors.

Gal 2:17-18 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
When Christ is my righteousness I will experience the love of God and my hope will be in Christ not in my works. Now I am able to fulfill all the royal law through LOVE.

For example: Jesus Said.

MAT 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Love is the measure of our spiritual life not, earthly prosperity as many would have us to believe. The danger of worldly prosperity is that we can easily mistake it for our godliness.

The opposite of love: is to seek for oneself first instead of for the good of others first. Our flesh desires to be cared for first and others last.
Gal 5:19-21 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:18 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
We have to live by God’s leadership in our life in order to have life and that life more abundantly. This is not saying to have abundance in life but spiritual life itself more abundantly. If my belief does not produce godly results, shouldn’t this testify to me that my unbelief is prevailing and my pursuit is in vain? It is only the truth of God’s word that can produce godly results and an abundant spiritual life. If the true word of God is not written on the tables of our heart and placed in our mind we will not be found in Christ because Christ is the Word of God? When the word is written in our heart and placed in our mind and we live or die by His word, then and only then, do we have the assurance Christ is our righteousness and faith is our shield. As we are found in Christ we enter into that glorious reign of the Kingdom of God in our life today.
Romans 3:21-22 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference:
Without the trial by fire we can assume we have built our spiritual house on the foundation of Christ with gold, silver and precious stones, but we will not have the proof that only testing provides. Without this proof we are gambling on being found in Christ at His appearing. It is the fire that provokes the heart to revel if love or error residing. It is the ability of our spiritual house to stand the storm that proves whether we have built on the rock of Christ or on the sand.

If we are not rejoicing and praising God in and for trials maybe we have become as Israel in the wilderness, complainers, wanting to return to Egypt or in our case the flesh. Israel wandered in the wilderness forty years and did not get to enter into the Promise Land because of their unrighteous response to trials. What do you suppose will happen to us if we do not worship and praise God in our wilderness experience? “God inhabits the praises of His people.” Do we want God to inhabit us, and then we must be rejoicing and praising God in the midst of our trials that reprove us.


1 Thess 5:16-22 16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

The Spirit of God is attempting to lead us to the fulfillment of the promises of God. No one is exempt from being tried by fire to prove their belief in the Word and their obedience of faith to God. We all say Christ is our righteousness but what about our thoughts and actions that demonstrate to the contrary. If we do not worship and praise God in all things can we say we love Him? If we do things that injure our neighbor can we say we love our neighbor as ourself? It is our denial of this truth that will prevent us from being found in Christ. We are to bring every thought into captivity that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.
2 Cor 10:4-6 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
The Word of God states that “My people perish for a lack of knowledge.”
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
There appears to be a famine on the truth of God’s word in the body today. The word of God promises trials, tribulation, temptation and persecution to those who will live godly in this world. To be like Christ we must for the JOY set before us despise the shame and endure the will of God in our lives. The joy of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus has been offered to those who will endure rebuke and the reproving of God in order to be found in Christ and attain unto this high calling.
2 Tim 3:12 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
2 Peter 2:8-9 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment
It is by the mercy and love of God that we are put to tests in the fire so that we might become joint heirs with Christ. God is showing to us our true selves now so that we can be in the first resurrection. If we have built with wood hay and stubble our house is burned up in the fire, but we are “saved as yet by the fire” if we embrace the truth revealed. The trial by fire reveals to us the level of growth we have attained in our faith and grace walk of love. The fire reveals to us who and what we have put our trust in. Is our trust in our job, government, money, and our fleshly endeavors or is our trust solely in Christ. If our trust is in anything other than Christ we will be found wanting. If we are self willed, self seeking, and greedy the fire will reveal this to us. These do not demonstrate the love of God. we must accept this truth when it is revealed to us and repent.

God is interested in our fellowship from a pure heart out of love. The fire brings to light the impure thoughts and intents of our heart that prevent our being able to worship God in truth and in spirit.

The Church does not understand the true meaning of grace. So how can they rule and reign in this life by grace through faith. Most are looking for God to do something when He has already done everything. God entered rest on the seventh day. God is waiting for us to surrender our life to His will.

2 Peter 1:3 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

We have been given the authority and power to demonstrate the power of Christ’s resurrection. We cannot demonstrate Christ from an impure heart. “The kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” This power is to change us and any who desire to be made in His image.

1 Cor 4:20 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power


Grace alone will not save you; faith alone will not save you. Grace through faith is that which saves us in the time of need. If grace does not strengthen us then why did the apostles have great grace upon them? According to God’s word grace and faith for salvation only work in unison not separately as many teach. “You are saved by grace through faith and that not of yourselves.” “It is the gift of God.” As we embrace the true gift of “saved by grace through faith” we will experience God’s salvation against every attempt to draw us into sin.
Eph 2:8-9 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
We would experience truly being the blessed of the Lord if grace was our strength through faith. Grace is the power of God upon us to enable us to resist sin.

We need an abundance of grace as the trials become more intense to be able to stand in a pure heart in faith and demonstrate His love. We are strengthened by grace so we do not fall away to sin when our cross seems too much to bear.

The only way we have the assurance of how we have built with the righteousness of God through the faith of Christ is the word taking root in our heart and to stand in faith in the fire to prove. If we do not come out of the fire smelling like smoke then there is no wood, hay or stubble to burn in the fire, only pure faith and love. We find we have built on gold, silver and precious stones and our grace through faith has preserved us unto salvation. The results of the fiery trials give us the reason to have exceeding joy and praise for God because He is leading us to be found in the love of Christ.

We must accept responsibility for the results shown in the fire as the evidence of what we really believe in our heart and demonstrate in our life to others. Do others see our house built on the rock or on the sand? Until we accept these reproofs and rebukes from the Lord we will proceed no further and we will not be found in Christ because we are denying Him. The trials in the fire are so we will have praise honor and glory at the appearing of Christ. The issue in trials isn’t the end result, but our keeping the faith until we arrive at the Godly results.

Heb 4:1-2 1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

The current emphasis on the so-called "pre-trib rapture" has instilled confusion and has obscured the hope and purpose of attaining the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This doctrine of emphasizing the gathering of the saints to escape danger has blinded the body to the real truth about pursuing the fullness of Christ now through gaining truth in their trials. This error has propagated a deception that instills in the believer that they have already arrived at being perfected in His perfect love without accepting that our faith and loyalty has to be proven. The first resurrection is for those who have overcome (crucified) their old nature by grace through faith in the greatest of trials and are found in Christ faithful. These will have attained to this resurrection of the priesthood. These will be joint heirs with Christ and will be His brothers and the sons of God.

Rev 20:4-6 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads

Since the time of the early church the Holy Spirit-inspired biblical truths such as “Buy of Me Gold Tried in the Fire” have been lost to today’s doctrines of following worldly prosperity as if it were our Godly consolation. The problem is not in having prosperity but in seeking it. We require adversity not prosperity to educate us into the fulfilling of our high calling just as those who have gone before us.
 

Source: http://www.thewordsforlife.com