Bible Discussion Thread

The role of the accuser in refinement.

Now one fundamental difference that often demonstrates who is truly saved is the enemy constantly accusing them. Of course this doesn't mean the lost are any better off. Satan clearly has affected this world withsufficient evil to destroy men; but for the lost their end is evident. Satan has no permission to send anyone to hell nor the power to enforce it; they do it to themselves.

Men are already under God's wrath; there is nothing he can do to up the ante on that reality. What he does do is present a false picture of hell where he rules; and encourages enticing the flesh to increase a person's guilt. Ultimately, he wants worship for himself so makes sin look appealing. On the other hand a child of God needs both increased outside promptings to sin (as by default he is now a new creation). Therefore he works from the outside placing thoughts in the mind making men enslaved and captive with the "carrot on a stick" concept; then the trap closes with mental torment of accusations; guilt etc. This of course drives a true Christian back to God and defeats his purposes. That is the life of the enemy of our souls; a madman.

This is probably a chief reason He doesn't pull us out like He did after the Resurrection. He didn't need the world to refine him but uses it in our lives a lot for those purposes. There is no doubt he will be enraged when we are Raptured; the first defeat was Christ's Resurrection and millions from the earth at one time escaping will surely not be taken very well on his part.

So that is another layer in all this; the demonstration to angels in heaven of our faithfulness in trials they never had while on this earth in mortal bodies; and to the fallen angels that they're on the losing side. Satan of course considers his minions useful idiots it would seem and men much the same. He doesn't consider himself in that same place doing God's bidding and wasting his own time in pipe dreams.