Timtofly
Well-Known Member
Being sealed is one thing. How one is sealed is a totally separate issue. It is not putting on a robe of white. Do you currently have on that robe? You are currently sealed by the Holy Spirit in you. But the day of redemption is when you physically leave Adam's dead corruptible flesh in the dust.I say: the "seal" is exactly the same thing through out NT scripture.
Those currently in Paradise since the Cross, are sealed by already experiencing the first resurrection and they have a permanent incorruptible physical body.
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power."
That is all part of being sealed under the Atonement Covenant. Then there is the controversial 2nd birth. One that some think they can unbirth themselves from, and walk away from God's family, if that birth does not suit them. Being sealed by the Holy Spirit is the second birth. I guess some people think they can break that seal, along with removing themselves from that birth.
Some claim the second birth is not a choice but naturally happens like natural physical birth. That would be the reversal of universalism, and wrong, as all were redeemed, but most will reject the second birth. When it comes to the 144k, they have no choice in the matter. The only one who got his own way was Judas.
No other disciple chose to follow, nor did they choose to reject Jesus. Did Paul have a choice on the road to Damascus? Could Paul have walked away at any time and deny Christ? Even Peter who did deny his birth into God's family was not allowed to leave. The point about Judas, was that an exception to the rule, or did God allow an imposter to think he was a disciple, but never actually was, as an example of many who would later enter into the church as wolves in sheep's clothing? Was Paul the actual 12th disciple, one born out of due time, as well as the most vehement against the church one could get? An example of no matter what one's condition is, they can still come to Christ?
All are covered by the Atonement. All are named in the Lamb's book of life. Technically all would be redeemed, but not naturally. Redemption is against one's sinful nature. God does present the 2nd birth as a choice. Jesus saying you must be born again, is the same as saying you must make that choice. If Atonement was natural, then one would not do anything. The second birth is a personal choice, not a universal condition. Physical birth is universal and no choice involved. God chose every one to be saved but only a few will be redeemed without making that choice, and we know at least 144,012 people had no choice.
That is the problem with most people's view of the Second Coming and life after the Second Coming. People tend to view all humans as Christians even Adam and Eve. Then some try to divide up the redeemed into groups, and claim they all will be Christians someday. The term Christian was given to those who followed Christ. However it is limited in scope. The church today hardly follows Christ, much less the teachings of Christ. Most are Christians in name only, and many not even enjoying the second birth. So calling those who will live in the Millennium Christians is not technically correct. Jesus will not be Messiah only, but Prince. So not only a Christ follower, but a King follower. Those first century redeemed never seemed to push the King part and for good reason. Before Jesus can be one's king, they have to accept Him as Messiah.
It was the Lamb that was portrayed as the Atonement more than the Lord being the Atonement, although both are true. The redeemed have lived since Seth was born.
There is a time on earth when all were sons of God, and no one was redeemed, because sin was not in existence. Adam and Eve did not need to be redeemed prior to eating the fruit. They did not need to eat from the tree of life to maintain life. They were not sinners. They were not redeemed, nor in a state of death prior to Adam's disobedience. They were not Christians. They did not follow God. They were sons of God and part of God's created human family as sons of God. All humanity were sons of God in God's image as representation of God on earth in human flesh. They were created for that very purpose. There was no sin, and no one disobeyed God. It was not boring, it was creation, whole and complete.
That is how the Day of the Lord should be viewed as Holy and complete, set aside for God, just as that first Day of the Lord was, we call the 7th day. The first 1,000 years was the Day of the Lord. The last 1,000 years will be the Day of the Lord. People will not be redeemed, there will be no sin. What will be different as death is still the last enemy removed, will be instant death if there is disobedience. Not a life of death. Death as being relocated into Death. Not sheol, as John declares them two distinct locations.
"And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him."
"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death."
When the 4th Seal is opened, Death is introduced separate from what we call death today. Seperate even from sheol. I think the LOF will be introduced at the Second Coming, as well. Sheol will no longer take souls. Those in sheol have not yet been removed from the Lamb's book of life. However after the 7th Seal is opened, people will be sent to either death or the LOF. Those judged at the Second Coming do not have to stand as dead after the Millennium at the GWT. They can literally be cast alive into the LOF at that judgment, while being removed from the Lamb's book of life. But this is not the same event as mentioned in Revelation 20, called the GWT judgment. Death was just introduced in the 4th Seal. Even though Paul points out the last enemy is death, he is interpreted as just meaning there will be no more death. But John not only personifies death, but separates death from sheol. This current creation does not end at the Second Coming. Death is just getting warmed up at the Second Coming. It is this death that even perfect sinless people will face when they disobey, and there is no judgment then, but after they have spent the remainder of the 1,000 years in death.
There are no redeemed nor lost in the Millennium. No sinners, period. One: sin has been removed, and everlasting righteousness the only way of life, just as it was before Adam's disobedience. Two: the iron rod rule immediately crushes an enemy of the state, that being a disobedient act. There are only those alive on the earth, and those dead in Death. The judgment of the sheep already removed Adam's dead corruptible flesh. They have God's permanent incorruptible physical body just as Adam and Eve prior to death. There was no death period that first Day of the Lord, as the law given to Adam was not given until after the Day of the Lord.
Since Jesus will be sitting as King, and the earth is being subdued, there will be laws in place to break. Not set up intentionally to break. Not given to tempt humanity, and certainly, Satan will not be around and allowed to tempt or test people.