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Recently I received this letter from one of our readers:
"I read your piece on what you call UES. I am amazed at the interpretation you give. There is so much I could write about but let me share with you from my own life"
Search The Scriptures Response:
Because of the lack of biblical support for the doctrine of "Unconditional Eternal Security" I am continually confronted with having to correct doctrine with those forced to share from either life experiences, or hypothetical situations. If I were to go by my life experiences, when I was running from God, I would be TOTALLY DECEIVED. I myself was backsliden for three years, committing adultery, lying, stealing, and living like a drunkard. During this period I never felt as though the Lord had left me, but was I safe trusting the way I felt? To trust our discernment, especially in a state of rebellion, "which is as the sin of witchcraft" (1 Sam 15:23), is a foolish mistake. Totally opposite of how I felt, scripture told me there was no way God could let me into His Heaven, living the way I was (Eph 5:3-6), even though I had a salvation experience and was on fire for God for years, prior to turning my back on Him.
The Bible says:
(Prov 14:12 KJV) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Scripture is the only way we should come to conclusions concerning whether or not the teaching we embrace is true, and not our personal experiences.
letter continued:
"I have been saved for many years. Some of those years early on I suffered some backsliding and I stopped fellowshipping because I felt I was unable to live the Christian life. I thought I had lost my salvation because I no longer had that blessed assurance that comes from serving God."
Search The Scriptures Response:
The Bible says:
(1 John 3:20 KJV) For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Isn't it amazing that we do have a sense of assurance when we are moving forward in Christ?
(Rom 8:1 KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
letter continued:
"I went back to the world. However it was different. I never took the name of the Lord in vain And I never gloried in my sin. I was unable to partake in sin without conviction and I became really miserable. I knew I was living wrong and I did repent and went back to church; where else could I go?"
Search The Scriptures Response:
The Bible says:
(Gal 5:16-17 KJV) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. {17} For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
There is a war going on in our members and daily we are required to put our flesh into subjection to His Spirit, which God has made available for us to do, by His grace.
(Rom 8:13 KJV) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
You had asked "where else could I go"? There was another place for you to go. You could have continued in your sin, but by the grace of God you did not.
letter continued:
I knew the Lord and the power of His Word. I learned He accepted me and my failings and He will never leave me or forsake me as He promised. My salvation is secure in Him. Your salvation is secure also.
Search The Scriptures Response:
He does not leave us, we leave Him as we have both shared in our letters. You are accepted, not in your failings, but in Christ. Christ is the only reason any of us are accepted before God. You could not have said it better, when you said, "My salvation is secure IN HIM". That is the only place your salvation is secure, (IN HIM). Apart from remaining in Him (through faith) your salvation is hopeless. You were saved by grace through faith and you are remaining saved by grace through faith, and without faith it is impossible to please God. He will never leave you but the Bible warns us that we can leave Him.
(Heb 3:12-14 KJV) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. {13} But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. {14} For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
letter continued:
"If I had never been saved and washed in His Blood I would never have repented or been drawn back the way I was. Once you are saved old things pass away and all things are new; can't go back to the old ways of the flesh and enjoy it anymore. There are some who profess a conversion and fall away, but were they ever born-again? Impossible to say, only God knows for sure."
Search The Scriptures Response:
This could very well be true, they might not have been saved but you yourself were saved and fell away. Those that believe in "Unconditional Eternal Security" use this argument all the time. The answer is always that they were never saved. The Bible makes no exceptions for this loophole but it does say that it is possible to be saved and to fall away.
(Heb 10:26-29 KJV) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, {27} But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. {28} He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: {29} Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(2 Pet 2:20-21 KJV) For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. {21} For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
The Galatians, having begun in the Spirit, were attempting to be made perfect in the flesh. Here was a perfect example of Spirit filled believers that turned from "the Holy commandment delivered to them", only to trust in something other than the one thing that would make them acceptable before God, (which is Christ alone). Paul went as far as to say that if they continued, they would not have Christ's righteousness imputed to them, "Christ is become of no effect unto you" and that they, with their decision to make circumsision neccessary for salvation, had "fallen from grace".
(Gal 5:3-4 KJV) For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. {4} Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
letter continued:
"If they were I doubt they can stay away indefinitely because there is no peace. I believe Esau was hated by God for selling his birthright like Judas Iscariot was also hated. Anyone who rejects Christ is committing the unforgiveable sin and will suffer the judgement reserved for the devil and his angels."
Search The Scriptures Response:
People do stay away all the time. In John chapter 6:66 (notice the # of the verse) the Bible says that there were disciples that believed in him that followed him no more (it could have just as well said they "stayed away indefinitely" as you say here). It takes nothing short of a miracle for them to come back. Maybe I am misunderstanding this part of your letter, but are you saying that a saved person can commit the unforgivable sin? If so then you do not believe in unconditional eternal security.
letter continued:
"Anyone not saved yet is condemned already because his father is Satan Jn 8:44. To an unsaved person the words of Christ are foolishness and not coherent or understandable. The church at Laodicea was a saved church. There may have been unsaved people in attendance but it was His church. Having said this I must hasten to add Jesus was disgusted with them. He said "Those whom I Love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent... Rev 3:19. The wrath of God which is on the ungodly and unsaved was not upon this church, but rather his rebuke or chastisement."
Search The Scriptures Response:
I beg to differ!
(Rev 3:14-17 KJV) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; {15} I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. {16} So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. {17} Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
They were in Him but they are being told they would be spit out because of their lukewarmness. The end of their state if they do not repent is wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. All references used throughout scripture to describe the state of a soul without Christ. Let us not stop there.
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write;
(Rev 3:3 KJV) Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
He does not come upon anyone like a thief except those that are going to be judged in the Day of the Lord, (God's wrath). There are only two verses in the Bible that use this analogy and they can be found in:
(2 Pet 3:10 KJV) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
And also:
(1 Th 5:2 KJV) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
These passages make it clear that you do not want His coming to come upon you like a thief. It then describes those that are ready for His coming this way:
(1 Th 5:4-6 KJV) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. {5} Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. {6} Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write;
(Rev 2:4-5 KJV) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. {5} Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
What does it mean to have your candlestick removed? The Bible explains what the candlestick means in the prior chapter.
(Rev 1:20 KJV) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Unless Ephesus repented, they would have their candlestick removed. Not a good place to be.
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write;
(Rev 2:16 KJV) Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Again this reference (using the sword of His mouth) is only used to describe Gods Judgement, on the ungodly, in the Day of the Lord, (God's wrath).
(Rev 19:15 KJV) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
(Rev 19:21 KJV) And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Again: unto the angel of the church in Sardis write;
(Rev 3:5 KJV) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Maybe you unintentionally overlooked the threat of this church being blotted out of the book of life, (which is two verses prior to the verse you quoted on chastisement) while focusing on God's comment of chastening those He loves. There is a big difference between chastising and being blotted out of the book of life or being fought against by God with the sword of his mouth. It is true that God does chastise those He loves but that in no way makes void the warnings to the churches that their salvation is at stake without repentance. If these churches do not repent (again conditional clauses) they become an enemy that God threatens not to merely chastise, but, if necessary, to fight with, which I think they might be a little overmatched. When looking at all seven letters, they are all conditional promises with conditional warnings to repent and to hold fast till He comes.
letter continued:
"A lot of the scripture you present as salvation threatening is not to be dismissed lightly but I believe we can suffer judgement in this life for our continuing hard-heartedness. In 1 Cor 5: the issue of immorality and even incest is dealt with by Paul. This was pretty terrible stuff from a believer gone bad, a willful sinner as you would say. Paul was going to hand him over to Satan so his sinfull nature might be destroyed yet his spirit saved on the day of the Lord."
Search The Scriptures Response:
My first question is "how can anyone confess that I have quoted scripture that is threatening to our salvation when at the same time they do not believe our salvation is eligible to be threatened"? Apart from this seeming contradiction, I am afraid you have mistakenly misquoted the verse in Corinthians:
(1 Cor 5:5 KJV) To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Paul's description to "deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh" was so that this believer might have a chance to see his sin for what it was, which would make repentance essential. Repentance and a necessity for Jesus in the individual's life were what Paul was trying to bring about (which in this case he did) that his Spirit may (or might) be saved on the day of the Lord. It did not say, "yet his spirit was saved," it said "that the spirit may be saved".
letter continued:
"There are consequences for willfull sin."
Search The Scriptures Response:
I would say so, forgive me for using this verse again, but it applies:
(Heb 10:26-29 KJV) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, {27} But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. {28} He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: {29} Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
letter continued:
Our eternal destiny is safe because we have been translated from darkness to light.
Search The Scriptures Response:
Our eternal destiny is in Christ and (in Christ) is the only place that we are safe. We have not become self-sufficient by a gift that is seperate and apart from Him. It is only in Him (and remaining in Him) that we have the gift of eternal life. We have to remain in Him (through faith) to have this promise. He is the promise. Continuing in Him is the condition of being a benefactor of His promises. Jesus said in
(John 15:1-9 KJV) I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. {2} Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. {3} Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. {4} Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. {5} I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. {6} If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. {7} If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. {8} Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. {9} As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Paul gave us the same warning of continuing in Christ in order that we might remain reconciled, holy, unblameable, and unreproveable in His sight:
(Col 1:21-23 KJV) And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled {22} In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: {23} If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
letter continued:
"His yoke is easy and His burden light. Wondering if we are in danger of being separated from His Love is not from Him."
Search The Scriptures Response:
It is if you are doing things that will separate you from Him such as:
(Eph 5:3-12 KJV) But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; {4} Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. {5} For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. {6} Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. {7} Be not ye therefore partakers with them. {8} For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: {9} (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) {10} Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. {11} And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. {12} For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
letter continued:
How much sin is necessary to lose one's salvation?? If we really blow it bigtime and die are we still going to heaven?
Search The Scriptures Response:
It is not how much but if we continue to willfully practice it. The only way that one would think that one could blow it big-time (which I am assuming means to continue to sin like the devil) and still go to Heaven is if they are being taught that you can not lose your salvation even if you do. This doctrine is only necessary for those that do not want to forsake their lives and continue to remain in Christ through faith. If your choice is to remain in Jesus through faith this doctrine becomes unnecessary. Does one want to take a chance at blowing it big-time and trust in this doctrine hoping to still get to Heaven? I know you can count me out.
letter continued:
Or was the bad sin outweighed by all the good years of service to God?? The answer is our service to God is a way of glorifying Him and it pleases Him which is our reasonable service. It has nothing to do with earning salvation which is a gift afterall. "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life... a time is coming when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. Jn:5:24 I still enjoy your website! I am subscribing to your newsletter.
God Bless you
Search The Scriptures Response:
This is not about how we are saved but if salvation, once received, is conditional. The verse that you quote here "within itself" is conditional. It only applies to those that "hear his words and believes the One who sent Him". Do you think this is a one time believing and then ceasing to believe any more? Or is this a believing to the saving of the soul as is stated in:
(Heb 10:38-39 KJV) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. {39} But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Am I a bad person to teach that "those who believe that no matter what they do, they cannot fall from grace" are wrong and need to continue in Christ through faith? I believe the bad person is the one that is teaching that once you are saved you are always saved and that, taken to its end result means, that you do not even need to continue in Christ, you have become self sufficiently heaven bound once you are saved. This cannot be supported whatsoever in scripture.
If Once Saved Always Saved is True {Unconditional Eternal Security}
How could one be blotted out of the book of life? (Rev 3:5, Rev 22:19)
How could those that are sanctified by the blood of the covenant be warned if they continue to sin willfully there awaits for them a fearful judgment and a fiery indignation. (Heb 10:26-29)
How could Paul say to the Galatians believers "who has bewitched you…Christ profits you nothing you have fallen from grace?" (Gal 5:4)
How could it be better for those that, "have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and are again entangled therein", to not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (2 Peter 2:20-21)
How could Paul threaten the Corinthians that when one "eateth and drinketh unworthily" one "eateth and drinketh damnation {or Hell} to himself, not discerning the Lord's body"? (1 Cor 11:29)
How could the Hebrews be warned: Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God"? (Heb 3:12)
How could one quench the spirit (1 Thes 5:19)
How could one have no "inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" if they return again to the world and continue after being saved to practice certain sins? (Eph 5:3-12)
How could the church of Ephesus have their candlestick removed? (Rev 2:4-5)
How could God fight the church of Pergamos with the sword that comes from his mouth? (Rev 2:16)
How could Paul tell those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, that it was impossible for them, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame?
One has to twist practically the whole Bible to make this doctrine unscathed by all the scripture that come's against it. If once saved always saved were true why doesn't the Bible just plainly say you cannot fall from grace? Because it only exists in the minds and hearts of those who continue to trust in it to get them to Heaven, instead of continuing to trust in Christ, which is the only way to Heaven.
other Letter :
"I Am Coming Soon!"
The Lord Jesus spoke these four words -- "Behold, I come quickly!", three times in the Book of Revelation in the KJV Bible. Without a doubt, the context is the rapture -- the removal of His bride before God's judgment falls upon the unsuspecting world. What can we glean from these four words?
First, note the urgency Jesus is expressing. The NIV Bible renders the four words as 'Behold, I am coming soon!' -- a phrase more easily understood by modern readers. The nearness of His coming is painfully evident to those with eyes to see and ears to hear, for "the time is at hand." (Rev 1:3, 22:10) Jesus is likely to come within the next decade or two. For perspective, this is a very short time span since the Ascension two thousand years ago.
Let us therefore heed the admonition in James 5:7, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."
Second, Jesus spoke these four words specifically to a target audience. Since these four words appear only in the Book of Revelation (3:11, 22:7, 22:12) in the whole Bible, isn't it obvious Jesus was addressing the seven churches, warning them of the impending Apocalypse?
Yes and no. Yes, in general the Church as a whole is forewarned by the Lord judging from the content of the seven letters to the churches. No, it appears that Jesus is especially speaking to one church who heeds the warnings -- the church at Philadelphia!
What is the proof?
The four words -- "Behold, I come quickly!", were spoken by Jesus only to the church at Philadelphia (Rev 3:11)!
Are you surprised that only six New Testament scriptures contain both the words 'come' and 'quickly', and that all six are found in the Book of Revelation? Moreover, all are red-letter scriptures -- words that directly proceedeth out of the mouth of Jesus! Surely this is by design and it dovetails nicely with the fact that the Book of Revelation is the book on the Second Coming. These six scriptures are crucial for the end-time generation of believers as they speak of the coming of Jesus at the rapture. It behooves every end-time watcher to study them closely, for much is at stake. (The salvation of believers is not on the radar screen here.)
The first two of these six scriptures are instructive for all Christians although they concern only the churches at Ephesus and Pergamos. When juxtaposed, the two scriptures show an unmistakable common denominator.
Rev 2:5 (Ephesus)
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Rev 2:16 (Pergamos)
Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
The words 'come' and 'quickly' appear in both scriptures in an identical phrase -- "or else I will come unto thee quickly". Coupled with the word 'repent', it doesn't appear Jesus was showing His approval of these two churches.
The third of the six scriptures concerns the church at Philadelphia: "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." (Rev 3:11) This church is remarkable in one principal aspect -- Jesus promised to remove her before the Tribulation! The word 'repent' is absent only in the letters to these two churches -- Smyrna and Philadelphia. But only the church at Philadelphia is promised removal, i.e. rapture.
The church at Philadelphia is most representative of the bride of Christ! (This is not saying the other churches are not the bride of Christ.) The evidence is beyond dispute. We know the New Jerusalem is described as the bride, the Lamb's wife in Rev 21:9. But we also know Jesus is not going to marry a city, since He gave His life for the church -- His body! He did not die for a building, no matter how glorious. Without question, the church is the bride of Christ (Rev 19:7-8). Didn't He say He was going to prepare a place for the bride (John 14:2)? That place is the New Jerusalem -- the city for the bride.
The iron-clad evidence that the church at Philadelphia is most representative of the bride is this: The term 'new Jerusalem' only appears twice in Scripture -- once just mentioned in Rev 21, and the other occurrence is mentioned in the reward given to the church at Philadelphia in Rev 3:12 -- a most remarkable verse in Scripture!
This tells us the church at Philadelphia is very closely associated with the city for the bride. In fact, she will be an integral part of the New Jerusalem as pillars in the temple of the City of God and she will go no more out!
The Groom is going to write His name (new!) on the church at Philadelphia, an indication of ownership. The bride belongs to the Groom because He bought her with His blood. Jesus will also sign the Father's Name and the name of the New Jerusalem on the church at Philadelphia! What honor and privilege! The seal of approval rests assuredly on this church.
Jesus was intimate and personal in Rev 3:12. He said 'my God' four times -- the highest frequency this phrase is recorded in a single verse! This is a unique scripture with rare hidden pearls. (More can be said for sure.)
The church at Philadelphia is admonished to hold on to her crown and not let anyone deny her of it (Rev 3:11). Only one other church is promised crown -- the church at Symrna.
Symrna and Philadelphia stand apart from the other five churches. Both were not rebuked. Both were not asked to repent. Both were promised a crown. The differences between the two churches are also telling. The church at Symrna was not promised removal. To earn her crown she must remain faithful unto death. The church at Philadelphia was promised removal and all she needs to do is to hold fast to her crown without having to die a martyr's death!
Do you belong to the Philadelphia group? Do you wish to be included in this group? What must you do to be in this group? Is this a church of super saints light years beyond your reach?
The Lord Jesus must be thinking of this church when He allowed these beautifully inspired words to become scripture -- "Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse." (Song 4:9)
What is her X Factor?
Surprisingly it can be stated in a few words -- "thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name." (Rev 3:8) This church hast kept the word of His patience, and therefore the Lord will keep her from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Rev 3:10)
Are these super saints for real? Do they even exist on Planet Earth?
They have only a little strength, but "hast kept the word". Many New Testament believers have grossly misunderstood law and grace. They feign humility by saying it is impossible to keep God's Word. Granted, we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5), but ultimately it is YOU who will have to DO the doing, with God's help. The church at Philadelphia proves that it is humanly possible to keep God's Word, or else one has to wrest (2 Pet 3:16) the scriptures (Rev 3:8, 3:10) to deny their plain meaning.
What is meant by keeping God's Word? It does not mean sinlessness as suggested by some. Don't be silly! The Apostle John roundly debunks this falsehood in 1 John 1:8.
The rejection of King Saul and God's choice of King David teaches us the meaning of keeping God's Word. Saul was told by Samuel, "But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, .... because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee." (1 Sam 13:14)
Was King David sinless? Hardly. Was he perfect? No. But his heart is perfect! (1 Kings 11:4) He is a man after God's own heart! Ponder this in your heart and you will receive light. Stop excusing your failure in keeping God's Word by saying it is humanly impossible.
1 John 1:6-7 is the acid test on whether you are keeping God's Word: Are you walking in the light? Each time you fail to keep God's Word, apply 1 John 1:9 to return back to fellowship with Him.
Now, fast forward to the last chapter of the Bible. There we find the last three of the six scriptures that contain the words 'come' and 'quickly'. Via these two words, the urgency Jesus is expressing reaches a crescendo in the last chapter of the Book of Revelation! This is further bolstered by the fact that the word 'come' appears a total of seven times in this chapter, unmatched by the other 21 chapters! This ought to tell us clearly what the Book of Revelation is all about -- the coming again of Jesus.
The fourth scripture, Rev 22:7, confirms the foregoing on keeping God's Word -- "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book."
Doesn't this scripture describe to a "T" the church at Philadelphia who hast kept the word of His patience?
The church at Philadelphia looks forward to the day of judgment because she has boldness and rests perfect in His love (1 John 4:17). The fifth scripture is eagerly anticipated by her no doubt -- "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." (Rev 22:12)
Finally, we come to the sixth and last scripture, Rev 22:20, where the famous heart cry of the bride is heard -- "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
It is interesting to note that the Bridegroom spoke the word 'come' three times and the bride four times in Revelation chapter 22. Both are looking forward to their wedding with great anticipation and excitement!
It appears as history rushes headlong towards its climatic end, the bride is increasingly consumed with the vision of the Coming Prince. Towards the end, prior to the rapture, she will have made herself ready as evidenced in her unity with the Holy Spirit by that time, recorded in Rev 22:17 -- the only scripture in the Bible where the Spirit is mentioned together with the bride! In this scripture, both the Spirit and the bride say in unison, Come!
It is amazing that the last four of the six scriptures are primarily addressed to the bride, whom the church at Philadelphia is most representative.
As mentioned earlier, I am not saying the rest of the churches are not the bride of Christ. But the church at Philadelphia is most favored by the Lord and is exemplary as the bride of Christ. It appears Jesus is giving her a heads up, a friendly warning. The message appears to be: Don't let anyone deny you of your crown. Hold fast to that which you have. The blessings are yours to keep if you keep the words of prophecy contained in the Word of God (Rev 1:3).
Do you want the blessings that belong to the church at Philadelphia? If your answer is yes, then keep His words and do as He says. The choice is yours.
We shall end with one more scripture -- the seventh! We started by looking at this phrase, "Behold, I come quickly!", which appears three times in the Book of Revelation. Sensing its relevance and importance to the rapture, we extend our search by looking at six scriptures that contain the words 'come' and 'quickly'.
From these six scriptures, much is learned about the church at Philadelphia and her close identification with the bride of Christ. Suppose we drop the word 'quickly' and search for this shortened phrase, "Behold, I come". A new scripture that the search returns, provides equally compelling evidence that the church at Philadelphia is the primary target audience of Jesus' friendly warnings written in the Book of Revelation.
This new scripture is stamped with the word RAPTURE in bold letters -- "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." (Rev 16:15)
Is this scripture also primarily a rapture warning to the church at Philadelphia? On the surface it more appropriately describes two other churches -- Sardis and Laodicea.
The church at Sardis seems to be in view in Rev 16:15 because Jesus said to her, "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." (Rev 3:3) This church is half dead (Rev 3:1) and not watchful (Rev 3:2), unlike the church at Philadelphia. Only a few saints in Sardis did not defile their garments (Rev 3:4) while all the church saints at Philadelphia put on their wedding garments, being the bride that she is.
The church at Laodicea seems to be in view in Rev 16:15 because this verse reminds us of her naked condition described in the letter addressed to her by Jesus. However, the subtle difference between Rev 16:15 and the conditions of the Laodiceans is that the Laodiceans did not even put on any garments at all as evidenced in Rev 3:17 -- "and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." They were wearing the Emperor's new clothes!
Rev 16:15 more appropriately describes the blessed church at Philadelphia as these words indicate, "Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments." The church at Philadelphia is vigilant and has put on her wedding garment, unlike the other two churches.
Thus, it appears that the Lord issues a few friendly warnings in the Book of Revelation to the church at Philadelphia whose name means "brotherly love" or "friendly love". These warnings are recorded in the Book of Revelation in this order: On the eve of the Tribulation (Rev 3:11), prior to Armageddon (Rev 16:15), and at the closing chapter (Rev 22:7, 22:12, 22:20).
The stakes are high as this church may also be lulled into sleep and fail to watch like others, thereby forfeiting her reward!
The purpose of the Book of Revelation as stated in John's opening confirms the thesis of this article: The church at Philadelphia appears to benefit the most from the reading of "the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him," (Rev 1:1) because she "kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart".
This scripture speaks aptly of the church at Philadelphia -- "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Rev 1:3)
The church at Philadelphia hangs on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. She is paying attention, reading and hearing the words of prophecy in the Book of Revelation and keeping those things which are written therein.
Once saved, always saved ???
SCRIPTURAL REFUTATION OF ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED (OSAS) BAPTIST DOCTRINE
This comprehensive study is based upon contextual application of the King James Version Bible. You are admonished to research these scriptures in their context. This author believes that the aforementioned Bible to be an accurate translation; therefore, no Hebrew lexicon or Greek concordance is needed to derive any meaning for associated words used within.
The following verses prove that someone living for God by their own free will, can by that same free will, turn away from God to serve satan once again. Nowhere in scripture, does the Lord say that your free will to choose is ever taken away.
Deuteronomy 11:16 “Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;”
Deuteronomy 30:17 “But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;”
1 Chronicles 28:9 “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.”
2 Chronicles15:2 “And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.”
Isaiah 63:10-11 “But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?”
Jeremiah 3:8 “And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.”
Matthew 5:13 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
Romans 11:20-22 “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
1 Corinthians 9:27 “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
1 Tim 5:15 “For some are already turned aside after Satan.”
Hebrews chapter 3:1 starts out, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,…” Here the Bible is speaking to born again believers, no doubt about it. But, within the same context in Hebrews 3:12 he says, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
Hebrews 6:4-6 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
Hebrews 10:26 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,”
Hebrews 10:29 “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
James 4:4 “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
2 Pet 2:20-22 “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” Who is the dog and sow, and what does that mean? 2 Peter 1: 4 speaks of being partakers of the divine nature (born again), having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Verse 9 says that a Christian lacking faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and godliness (verses 6-7), has “forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” Verse 10 says by doing those things, you make your calling and election sure, “for if you do these things, ye shall never fall”. Obviously, the question arises, what if you don’t do those things, will you fall? Verse 11 says, by doing those things, “an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom.” But, a believers entrance is based upon the qualifier “if” in verses 8 and 10 which implies a conditional president set forth. In chapter 2:3, we see that false teachers through covetousness, will make merchandise of believers (see chapter 1:1 for believers). The false teachers have forsaken the right way, and are going astray ( see 2:15). These false teachers allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped (born again Christians) from them who live in error (false teachers). See chapter 2:1-2 for the error of the false teachers who live in error. Verse 20-21 picks up on those who were clean escaped, “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness,” (the way of righteousness speaks of born again believers, ( see chapter 1 verse 4) than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” The holy commandment spoken of here is Exodus 20 verse 17 which says, “Thou shalt not covet…” But, some born again Christians do turn back to their old ways away from God, and if they remain in an unrepentant state, they will go to Hell by their own free choice. How many sins does it take to be rejected? When a born again Christian turns away from God and makes sin their lifestyle instead of perfecting holiness in the fear of God, and is unrepentant in their evil ways, then that person has crossed the line and is headed to Hell. Jesus gives a more stern warning to believers in the church when he says in Revelation 3:16, “ So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
1 Cor 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Even though a Christian is washed by the precious blood of Jesus, he still has a free choice when tempted by the devil to turn back to where he came from.
Yes, the dog and sow spoken of, are born again believers, who turned away from the Lord and have gone back to their old lifestyles of sin.
Ephesians 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
God has set the boundaries for an entrance into Heaven, and he himself is the way. A person doesn’t have to do anything except repent to be saved, but, after salvation, God expects a life of holiness in serving him. Nowhere in the Bible does it state that God has taken away someone’s free will to choose. Even though a Christian is washed by the precious blood of Jesus, he still has a free choice when tempted by the devil to go back to where he came from.
2 Pet 3:17 “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”
Jude 5-6 “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
Galations 5:4 “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
Luke 8:13-14 “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
The following verses are predicated upon the word “if” which implies conditionality. There are many, many, more verses which I can use, but I deem these to be sufficient.
John 15:6 “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”
1 Cor 15:2 “By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”
2 Pet 1:10-11 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
1 John 2:3 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
A lie of the OSAS croud says that when somebody backslides, that God will take them home (heaven) before they go to far into sin. WHAT !!! Where did they get that one from ? Any unrepentant sinner is going to Hell. God doesn’t take them home through death, for satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy, (see John 10:10). Jesus said that he came to give life, and that we’d have it more abundantly.
Ezekiel 18:24 “But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.”
Romans 8:38-39 is a darling of the OSAS teachers, which of course they yank out of the context of chapter 8.
Rom 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The OSAS teachers use this verse for “eternal security”, but it only speaks of separation from the “love of God” which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is quite different than 1 John 4:8 which states that “God is love”; the prior being an attribute, and the latter being His essence. The “love of God” is found in John 3:16,“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse does not say “believed” as in past tense, but “believeth” as an ongoing commitment. Romans chapter 8 is replete with conditionality founded upon the word “if” within it’s text. Other assertive phraseology include “…who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (verses 1 and 4) Verses 38-39 are based upon those conditional qualifiers. An analytical interpretation of Romans 8:38-39 would render as follows: Nobody shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord “if” we love God (Romans 8:28), and are led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14), and walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:4).
Another hat hanger for the OSAS teachers is Ephesians 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” Paul follows up on this in Ephesians 3:16 when he prays that they would be “strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man”. By contextual application, the word “sealed” used, would mean strengthened. Furthermore, the words “until” in Ephesians 1:14 and “unto” in Ephesians 4:30, completely negate the terminology “eternal security” from these verses; otherwise you would have a dichotomy: for you can’t attribute a time limitation on something eternal. The proper exegesis derived from these verses speak concerning strength to resist temptation in these mortal bodies, and power to live a holy Christian life, until the redemption of the purchased possession. All Christians have a choice when tempted; 1 Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Yet another pluck out what you want and leave the rest the OSAO folks use is John 10:28-29, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.”
Of course what they leave out is verse 27 which says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Yes, following Jesus is the key to these verses. No Greek needed here, if you’re sinning your following the devil, if you’re walking in holiness your following Jesus. Yes, the good shepherd will leave the 99 and go after the one stray; but wondering off is completely different than turning back. Remember Jeremiah 3:8, in which the Lord gave Israel a bill of divorce?
The OSAS pushers use 2 Timothy 1:12, “…he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” In this scripture, Paul reveals his assurance of God in keeping charge of his soul when afflicted for the gospels sake. This has nothing to do with Christians who choose to commit sins against God and eventually reap what they sow. 1 Peter 4:12-19 reaffirms God’s commitment to keeping our soul in well doing, (not in a sinful lifestyle). This same theme is also reiterated in Philippians 1:5-6, to those saints which have never ceased their fellowship in the gospel. A summarization of the verses in these three textual applications would render as such; When Christians living in holiness, walking in the Holy Spirit, are persecuted because of their witness of Jesus in the ministry of the gospel, or simply because of their holy lifestyles, the Lord will keep charge of their souls. These verses deal specifically with committed Christians who possess a confident steadfast faith, that doesn’t waiver in times of persecution. It has nothing to do with sinning backsliders.
Yet another OSAS favorite is 1 Peter 1:5 which says, “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” But verse 7 states that our faith will be tried, and the key word is “might” be found unto praise and honor” when were tempted in verse 6. James 1:14-15 says, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. The inference derived from these verses is, that when someone is drawn away from the Lord through temptation, and continue to live in sin, they’ll die in sin. It’s clear that the Lord will not remove or take Christians away that turn from him, but he honors their free will to die in their non-repented sin, and in this case, the precious blood of Jesus is not levied as a ransom for their soul, but rather, their soul is judged by their sin, and the penalty of eternal damnation in Hell is granted for their rebellion.
The OSAS people try to use John 5:24 to justify their position. It says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” The word believeth pertains to having faith by a retention of a continual belief. In Romans 12:3 we read, “…God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith”, but in 2 Thessalonians 3:2 we read, “…for all men have not faith.” By these verses we know that faith can be rejected and the belief based upon the foundation of faith is also discarded. In James 1:6 we read, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” The same faith and free will choice that a believer uses to be saved, may also damn his soul in rejection of it.
Joshua 24:14-15 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
SCRIPTURAL REFUTATION OF ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED (OSAS) BAPTIST DOCTRINE
This comprehensive study is based upon contextual application of the King James Version Bible. You are admonished to research these scriptures in their context. This author believes that the aforementioned Bible to be an accurate translation; therefore, no Hebrew lexicon or Greek concordance is needed to derive any meaning for associated words used within.
The following verses prove that someone living for God by their own free will, can by that same free will, turn away from God to serve satan once again. Nowhere in scripture, does the Lord say that your free will to choose is ever taken away.
Deuteronomy 11:16 “Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;”
Deuteronomy 30:17 “But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;”
1 Chronicles 28:9 “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.”
2 Chronicles15:2 “And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.”
Isaiah 63:10-11 “But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?”
Jeremiah 3:8 “And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.”
Matthew 5:13 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
Romans 11:20-22 “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
1 Corinthians 9:27 “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
1 Tim 5:15 “For some are already turned aside after Satan.”
Hebrews chapter 3:1 starts out, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,…” Here the Bible is speaking to born again believers, no doubt about it. But, within the same context in Hebrews 3:12 he says, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
Hebrews 6:4-6 “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
Hebrews 10:26 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,”
Hebrews 10:29 “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”
James 4:4 “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
2 Pet 2:20-22 “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” Who is the dog and sow, and what does that mean? 2 Peter 1: 4 speaks of being partakers of the divine nature (born again), having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Verse 9 says that a Christian lacking faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and godliness (verses 6-7), has “forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” Verse 10 says by doing those things, you make your calling and election sure, “for if you do these things, ye shall never fall”. Obviously, the question arises, what if you don’t do those things, will you fall? Verse 11 says, by doing those things, “an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom.” But, a believers entrance is based upon the qualifier “if” in verses 8 and 10 which implies a conditional president set forth. In chapter 2:3, we see that false teachers through covetousness, will make merchandise of believers (see chapter 1:1 for believers). The false teachers have forsaken the right way, and are going astray ( see 2:15). These false teachers allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped (born again Christians) from them who live in error (false teachers). See chapter 2:1-2 for the error of the false teachers who live in error. Verse 20-21 picks up on those who were clean escaped, “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness,” (the way of righteousness speaks of born again believers, ( see chapter 1 verse 4) than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” The holy commandment spoken of here is Exodus 20 verse 17 which says, “Thou shalt not covet…” But, some born again Christians do turn back to their old ways away from God, and if they remain in an unrepentant state, they will go to Hell by their own free choice. How many sins does it take to be rejected? When a born again Christian turns away from God and makes sin their lifestyle instead of perfecting holiness in the fear of God, and is unrepentant in their evil ways, then that person has crossed the line and is headed to Hell. Jesus gives a more stern warning to believers in the church when he says in Revelation 3:16, “ So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
1 Cor 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Even though a Christian is washed by the precious blood of Jesus, he still has a free choice when tempted by the devil to turn back to where he came from.
Yes, the dog and sow spoken of born again believers, who turned away from the Lord and have gone back to their old lifestyles of sin.
Ephesians 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
God has set the boundaries for an entrance into Heaven, and he himself is the way. A person doesn’t have to do anything except repent to be saved, but, after salvation, God expects a life of holiness in serving him. Nowhere in the Bible does it state that God has taken away someone’s free will to choose. Even though a Christian is washed by the precious blood of Jesus, he still has a free choice when tempted by the devil to go back to where he came from.
2 Pet 3:17 “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”
Jude 5-6 “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
Galations 5:4 “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”
Luke 8:13-14 “They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
The following verses are predicated upon the word “if” which implies conditionality. There are many, many, more verses which I can use, but I deem these to be sufficient.
John 15:6 “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”
1 Cor 15:2 “By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”
2 Pet 1:10-11 “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
1 John 2:3 “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
A lie of the OSAS croud says that when somebody backslides, that God will take them home (heaven) before they go to far into sin. WHAT !!! Where did they get that one from ? Any unrepentant sinner is going to Hell. God doesn’t take them home through death, for satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy, (see John 10:10). Jesus said that he came to give life, and that we’d have it more abundantly.
Ezekiel 18:24 “But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.”
Romans 8:38-39 is a darling of the OSAS teachers, which of course they yank out of the context of chapter 8.
Rom 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The OSAS teachers use this verse for “eternal security”, but it only speaks of separation from the “love of God” which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is quite different than 1 John 4:8 which states that “God is love”; the prior being an attribute, and the latter being His essence. The “love of God” is found in John 3:16,“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse does not say “believed” as in past tense, but “believeth” as an ongoing commitment. Romans chapter 8 is replete with conditionality founded upon the word “if” within it’s text. Other assertive phraseology include “…who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (verses 1 & 4) Verses 38-39 are based upon those conditional qualifiers. An analytical interpretation of Romans 8:38-39 would render as follows: Nobody shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord “if” we love God (Romans 8):28, and are led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14), and walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:4).
Another hat hanger for the OSAS teachers is Ephesians 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” Paul follows up on this in Ephesians 3:16 when he prays that they would be “strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man”. By contextual application, the word “sealed” used, would mean strengthened. Furthermore, the words “until” in Ephesians 1:14 and “unto” in Ephesians 4:30, completely negate the terminology “eternal security” from these verses; otherwise you would have a dichotomy: for you can’t attribute a time limitation on something eternal. The proper exegesis derived from these verses speak concerning strength to resist temptation in these mortal bodies, and power to live a holy Christian life, until the redemption of the purchased possession. All Christians have a choice when tempted; 1 Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Yet another pluck out what you want and leave the rest the OSAO folks use is John 10:28-29, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.”
Of course what they leave out is verse 27 which says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Yes, following Jesus is the key to these verses. No Greek needed here, if you’re sinning your following the devil, if you’re walking in holiness your following Jesus. Yes, the good shepherd will leave the 99 and go after the one stray; but wondering off is completely different than turning back. Remember Jeremiah 3:8 which the Lord gave Israel a bill of divorce?
The OSAS pushers use 2 Timothy 1:12, “…he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” In this scripture, Paul reveals his assurance of God in keeping charge of his soul when afflicted for the gospels sake. This has nothing to do with Christians who choose to commit sins against God and eventually reap what they sow. 1 Peter 4:12-19 reaffirms God’s commitment to keeping our soul in well doing, (not in a sinful lifestyle). This same theme is also reiterated in Philippians 1:5-6, to those saints which have never ceased their fellowship in the gospel. A summarization of the verses in these three textual applications would render as such; When Christians living in holiness, walking in the Holy Spirit, are persecuted because of their witness of Jesus in the ministry of the gospel, or simply because of their holy lifestyles, the Lord will keep charge of their souls. These verses deal specifically with committed Christians who possess a confident steadfast faith, that doesn’t waiver in times of persecution. It has nothing to do with sinning backsliders.
Yet another OSAS favorite is 1 Peter 1:5 which says, “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” But verse 7 states that our faith will be tried, and the key word is “might” be found unto praise and honor” when were tempted in verse 6. James 1:14-15 says, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. The inference derived from these verses is that when someone is drawn away from the Lord through temptation, and continue to live in sin, they’ll die in sin. It’s clear that the Lord will not remove or take Christians away that turn from him, but he honors their free will to die in their non-repented sin, and in this case, the precious blood of Jesus is not levied as a ransom for their soul, but rather, their soul is judged by their sin, and the penalty of eternal damnation in Hell is granted for their rebellion.
The OSAS people try to use John 5:24 to justify their position. It says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” The word believeth pertains to having faith by a retention of a continual belief. In Romans 12:3 we read, “…God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith”, but in 2 Thessalonians 3:2 we read, “…for all men have not faith.” By these verses we know that faith can be rejected and the belief based upon the foundation of faith is also discarded. In James 1:6 we read, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” The same faith and free will choice that a believer uses to be saved, may also damn his soul in rejection of it.
This is a brief study on a major topic in which present day false teachers and some delusional, have twisted and perverted the holy Word of God to their own destruction. And not only their destruction, but of gullible souls who believe the devils lie of OSAS, condemning many to Hell who thought they were going to Heaven. The unscriptural teaching of OSAS is one of the biggest heresies taught in the pulpit, and mostly found in Baptist theology. I admonish all believers to be as the Beroeans in Acts 17:11, who after hearing Paul and Silas teach, “…searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so.”
Joshua 24:14-15 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD
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