A time is coming when Christ shall rule and reign from Jerusalem for a thousand years. It’s called the Millennial Reign, and during that time Satan will be bound… “that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years are fulfilled” (Revelation 20:3).
It’s hard to imagine the peace and joy that will flood the earth during Christ’s reign. But the Bible tells us something shocking. A final rebellion, of those born during the Millennium, will take place at the end of that Millennial Reign. How could it be? Satan is bound and Jesus is seen and known! It proves that all the evil in the world cannot be laid at Satan’s doorstep.
Although Satan tempts from without, Jesus said individual guilt comes from the human heart: “Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile a person. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies, wickedness, deceit, jealousies, pride, and foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile a person” (Matthew 15:18,19; Mark 7:21-23).
Salvation is, above all else, a “heart issue.” Even those born under the best circumstances need to be “born again.” Only the power of Christ, through individual repentance and faith, can do this… “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said to you, ‘You all must be born again” (John 3:6,7).
The Bible calls all people to, “Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; test yourselves to see if Christ is in you” (2 Corinthians 13:5). What do our words, actions, and attitudes show? Only when Christ is reigning within, are we ready for His reign without.
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