Once a Sheep Always a Sheep, or Salvation Deficit Disorder?

[Eternally]

Revelation 21:8

Deilois Those who, for fear of losing life or their property, either refused to receive the Christian religion, though convinced of its truth and importance; or, having received it, in times of persecution fell away, not being willing to risk their lives.

[And unbelieving] Those who resist against full evidence. And sinners, kai hamartoolois, is added here by about 30 excellent MSS., and is found in the Syriac, Arabic, some of the Slavonic, and in Andreas and Arethas. On this evidence Griesbach has admitted it into the text.

[The abominable] Ebdelugmenois Those who are polluted with unnatural lust.

[And murderers] Phoneusin Those who take away the life of man for any cause but the murder of another, and those who hate a brother in their heart.

[And whoremongers] Pornois Adulterers, fornicators, whores, prostitutes, and rakes of every description.

[Sorcerers] Pharmakois Persons who, by drugs, philtres, fumigations, etc., pretend to produce supernatural effects, chiefly by spiritual agency.

[Idolaters] Eidoololatrais Those who offer any kind of worship or religious reverence to anything but God. All image worshippers are idolaters in every sense of the word.

[And all liars] Kai pasin tois pseudesin Every one who speaks contrary to the truth when he knows the truth, and even he who speaks the truth with the intention to deceive; i.e. to persuade a person that a thing is different from what it really is, by telling only a part of the truth, or suppressing some circumstance which would have led the hearer to a different and to the true conclusion. All these shall have their portion, to meros, their share, what belongs to them, their right, in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone. This is the second death, from which there is no recovery.

So yes I believe there will be backsliders left behind. Do you know anyone that was on fire for God then turned back to what is listed above. I'm sure you do just as most of us do. Will they be left or go to hell? All I can go by it what God Himself has to say on this. And all I can do is pray [B]and strive not to be left myself.
Your Sister In Christ


I hilighted what concerns me. :shocked

You are saying that it is up to YOU to keep yourself saved. (At least this is what I am hearing)

It is NEVER about our efforts. It is all grace.

We have to trust in Christ alone and Believe in CHrist alone. :preach

[acceptedintheBeloved]

Rondaben, I commend you for wanting to understand what is true. Keep at it! :thumb

[Chris]

Remember when Nicodemus came to Jesus and asked what he must do to be saved and Jesus replied that you must be born again.

If you are born again, you can't be un-born again. Born again = salvation.

It is so simplistic and we try to over analyze it and make it more complicated than we should. Sometimes our intellect gets in the way. I think that some of the worlds greatest scholars cannot grasp the magnitude of the simplicity if that makes any sense. Hence their desire to find other more complicated answers all of which are invariably wrong. When Jesus said we must become as little children and trust like a child, to me He was referring to the simplicity and pureness of salvation.

I agree. I think man in his pride, arrogance, etc. has not wanted to act the simplicity of the Lord's offer of salvation. Hence why we have all these man made religions running around pretneding to be the truth.

I think Jesus also blasted the religious leaders of his time for making the simplicity of the Gospel and what was required for salvation into some thing impossible with all the man made added legalism. :ohno

[acceptedintheBeloved]

Many people misunderstand this truth in the Scripture... and consequently believe that "the Rapture" itself is "a reward" (which it is not.)

It is not really "salvation" they misconstrue (in many cases), but "the rapture being a reward."

[Rae]

Rondaben, I commend you for wanting to understand what is true. Keep at it! :thumb


I second that and I think that at one time or another, usually right after salvation we have all been there with these questions. You seem to have a genuine thirst for truth as I hope we all do. I think these questions are normal and just part of what we have to study and work thru to get it settled in our spirit. Speaking of which, the Holy Spirit is obviously the best guide.

I know there have been times in my walk when I have particularly disappointed myself and my Saviour that I have questioned my salvation. I think it is a normal process for all believers. I believe there are answers in the Word and some of these have been brought up in this thread.

Isn't it great that if we study Him every minute of every day we live, we still have things to learn. That is absolutely amazing to me.

[acceptedintheBeloved]

...
Isn't it great that if we study Him every minute of every day we live, we still have things to learn. That is absolutely amazing to me.

This is so true, and a constant amazement to me, as well! He IS amazing, afterall! :yeah

[MovingforJesus]

SORRY!!!!!!!!!!
Did not know everyone was to believe once saved always saved. BUT you made sure I did. Would not anyone to take the Bible as it is states.

[Chris]

That is fine..i won't post any more on this thread. I'm really not advocating any partial rapture, just trying to understand better.

Let me explain the part that you found contradictory before I leave. Those people who are raptured are born again, saved Christians. That is clear. From those other questions I had posted earlier I was looking for any scriptural reference that all saved people would be raptured.

Its the old logic thing....all bears are white. The animal is white. The animal must be a bear. Not necessarally.

Thanks again for your responses to my questions and for giving me latitude to ask.

I'm sorry, but what you typed above in the bolded just isn't making sense to me. :scratch :idunno If you agree that born again, saved christians are raptured. Then you are going to believe that saved people are raptured, because in order to be saved, you going to have to be a born again Christian. This just seems to be a word game to me, even if you are not meaning that way. :idunno

There are going to be people who claim they are saved, but are really not saved, because in their heart they did not believe. Only the Lord knows who truly believed and who didn't. We can't tell. Here's a few articles that might help.

http://www.gracethrufaith.com/ikvot/the-origin-and-destiny-of-the-gentile-church

http://www.gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/raptured-by-works

http://www.gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/the-holy-spirit-in-the-tribulation

http://www.gracethrufaith.com/selah/eternal-security/osas-the-whole-story

I hope you find them helpful. :)

[Chris]

SORRY!!!!!!!!!!
Did not know everyone was to believe once saved always saved. BUT you made sure I did. Would not anyone to take the Bible as it is states.

I'm not following. Can you explain a little more. Thanks. :)

[saint-in-training]

You can question all you want, and you'll always come back to the same conclusion. I just finished watching The Coming Storm, and they said something that just hit me. "This book, the Bible. What it comes down to is faith." You can choose to believe or not to believe. But you cannot take one verse out of the scriptures. I've been told you have to take it all. And although a friend of mine believes she can lose her salvation (well, not lose. More like fall out of...) she even said to me, well I guess we'll find out when we get there. One of us will be surprised. Take all of scripture, not just this one or that one. Salvation is not of works...you cannot lose it from works. Works are something you do yourself(not of yourself). No one can pluck them from His hand. Sealed until the day of redemption. John 3:16. Confession is made unto salvation(with the mouth.) Here's some of the reasons, I know even if I slip or slide He still knows I'm his child. I slip and slide while I'm in His hand. And He is faithfull to forgive. Persevere, that doesn't mean you won't be tried, because you will be. And we still fail. That's how He shows us we still cannot do this all on our own. We're not expected to be perfect even after his saving grace is granted. He is STILL in control, and not us. And I thank Him for that! God is our only judge. And we're not to judge eachother, so He is the only One who truly knows our hearts.