( The Marriage Supper of The Lamb. ) What is the substantive meaning of Christ's Words ( raise your heads up for your redemption draws near )? What is the actual state change? Because I am assuming He is referencing a state change for us and the world as well. If it was not us as well as the world then the state of both would remain the same. However the state of the world will indeed change but yet we know there will be rebellion in the end. That change will come from the loosening of Satan for a season. So what effect does Satan have exactly to produce this final travesty?
There is a thousand years of peace after Armageddon. Toward the end the devil is released from an abyss to tempt mankind for the last time. Rev 20:3.
Many have absolutely no clue what the millennium is for. I cannot believe how silly people are. If all adults on earth are tested with the filtering process of the tribulation, the millennium would be for all children and perhaps also mentally handicapped. God is impartial. If He put the devil with Adam and Eve, He will ensure He puts the devil with every single one of us.
After the millennium is up, we have the white throne judgement day and the New Jerusalem comes to earth.
We have resurrected bodies that will live forever. But, we remain the human race. We do not magically transform into flying fairies. Into cats or dogs. We stay, humans. God wanted humans, so He created humans. Humans do what humans do. A lot will change but a lot will also remain the same. It is extremely wishful thinking and absolute naivety to think your will and who you are will be taken from you when you enter heaven. If you are an annoying person to be around, you will stay an annoying person to be around. Heaven is a society of people. A full scale of people who love the Lord 10/10 to those who just made it into heaven. Of course, just making it into heaven is still quite a feat as I explain in the thread here:
What is a Christian and how do you become one?.
As for me I take responsibility and I assume it in the fear of The Lord and in that abiding in Him alone and always is the only shelter from sin.
OSAS / Once saved always saved is true. The suggestion that one can lose their salvation is simply evidence of one not grasping what it takes to become a Christian.
You can abide in God, but as a human, you will fall. It is inevitable. As I explain here
Question for non-OSAS believers.
All of it is real and very apparent to anyone who has fought the battle in real and honest terms in their own souls. So should we consider this and remembering this quote from Jesus Christ as to what is necessary for The Lord's acceptance ( indeed only one) alluding to Faith in Himself. So also Paul attests to this in this ( Oh foolish Galatians who has bewitched you?) for clearly Paul preached Christ Crucified. Should we return to using law and a twisted obedience as a way? A way under our own control and not owned, provided, and controlled by The Spirit and Person of Jesus Christ Whom we are commanded to know and abide in? I think this is indeed something to ponder on rather than lay down the law about it. What say you?
I say this is a discussion for the OSAS thread. An anti OSAS belief is unscriptural.
I will give you three points to think on.
1. Paul addresses a mortal sinner in the church in 1 Cor 5:1. One guilty of incest, not stealing candy from the candy store. He says he is a 'brother so called' in 1 Cor 5:11. In laymans terms, Paul is identifying a mortal sinner (not venial) and stating that he is not a Christian. Paul knows this very well, because he used to murder Christians and stopped these mortal sins when he became one.
2. Perhaps the most popular pro anti-OSAS verse is
Heb 6:4-6 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance.
A Christian is not someone who has '''''''tasted'''''' / been enlightened with the heavenly gift. As I explain here
What is a Christian and how do you become one?.
There are many that are great men and woman of ''''great and amazing faith''''' but are sadly going straight to eternal damnation with all their '''''great faith'''''. Matt 7:21-22.
3. God is not a fool that would graft a devil into heaven and cast a saint into hell. Many quote the verse that says your name can be blotted out. Since all babies go to heaven (for the millennium) the default belief is that all our names are written in the lambs book from birth. As an adult, when you give in to a love of what is evil full measure, you have your name blotted out and shortly after God removes you from the earth with a flood, fire and brimstone or what not else.