(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV]) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I
command you.
(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV]) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
All of the studies, book or topical, found here, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, lexicons, concordances or commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, but they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and the New Testament for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc. There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:
(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!
Salvation: CAN YOU LOSE IT?
(Habakkuk 2:4 [AKJV/PCE])
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
(2 Peter 1:9 [AKJV/PCE])
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
2 Peter 3:16 [AKJV/PCE])
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also
the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV])
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command
you.
(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV]) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be
found a liar.
(John 10:27-30 [KJV])
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 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. I and my Father are one.
(Luke 11:13 [AKJV/PCE])
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
When a person, any person, proclaims we can lose our salvation, the focus of their "salvation" is on them, not on Jesus. It is on works, not grace. It is on works, not faith. It is about their "goodness", their "good works", not the goodness of the LORD Jesus Christ. It is about their sacrifice, not the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
When a person, any person, proclaims we can lose our salvation, they can and must only take verses (and they do) out of their context and change the meaning of the verse,
as they have no context in which to make the claim of works salvation
When a person, any person, proclaims we can lose our salvation, they mock, call names, all without supporting their position from the Word of God, because they cannot
-whether they know they cannot or do not know
When a person, any person, proclaims we can lose our salvation, the focus on what they were taught, their traditions, upon a person in this world, a school, some doctrine
they heard, a denominational stance-NOT ON THE WORD OF GOD!!
We who believe our Bible do not need to do this and no verses here can be said to be lifted from their context, misinterpreted to "make it look" like we are once saved,
always saved
IF we are truly saved, we are Jesus's sheep
IF so, we hear His Voice and follow it, as sheep follow their shepherd's voice and know it, can isolate it, recognize it specifically, to the exclusion of all others
Eternal life, not temporal
"Never perishing" means always saved, guaranteed bound for heaven
We are all called, beckoned to come, by God, drawn in by God to come to God, and we never, any of us, seek Him
Life and salvation for us, is always dependent on God, not us, and it is always associated with words such as "eternal", "everlasting", "for ever and ever", "ever and ever",
"forever", "sealed", etc, No temporal words are ever used to describe our salvation
God gives us the Spirit, the gifts of God are without repentance, and He seals us. This can not be clearer
So is the same "death" and "hell". Same words used for the state of hell, just opposite words for the reward(s)
No conditions listed, as always-JUST UNBELIEF on the finished work of the Cross of the LORD Jesus Christ. You do not have to sin to get to hell; you already have sinned, do
sin and will sin
in this life.
Unable to be taken from the Saviour's Hand
Unable to be taken from the Father's Hand, either
Since the Son is One with the Father, and we are sealed by the Spirit, then our salvation cannot be more secured, more assured
If you think you can pluck yourself out of the Hand of God, you are a fool, straight up!
Since no man can pluck them from Jesus's Hand, it means that they are saved. This includes US as well, not just other men. We are completely helpless to lose our
salvation
Since Jesus the Son of God is God, and the Father is God, and they are ONE, then this applies perfectly
(Isaiah 64:6 [KJV])
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
(John 1:17 [KJV])
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, the Life, and brings Grace and Truth, all of which are inseparable attributes of God.
That said, the Law, because of sin, brought only death
Life after life is eternal life, everlasting life-not temporal life. It is never called the "temporary afterlife" nor even implied in any way.
God does not break His promises
We can not and did not earn our salvation
It is a gift from the Greatest Gift Giver Himself, God
The gifts from God are without repentance
God's promises are one sided toward us as they were to Israel, regardless of us, our behavior
There is a difference between obeying God after being saved and having unbroken fellowship with Him by disobeying
God made the gospel, His message of salvation, like His Word, cover to cover, in the areas we need to know best, to us very simple and easy to understand. Further, He made
that same Gospel of salvation easy to accept and/or reject, leaving that part only to us. Just the faith of a mustard seed is all tht is required. Nothing added to mess that up
.
Only the enemy and mankind like to complicate it with religion, dead works.
If we break fellowship, we are still blood related as children, just like when our own kids are "in the doghouse".They are still our kids.
If we are not blood related, we are not blood related at all, not family at all, so "obeying" a God Who we do not know and Who does not know us is meaningless for salvation.
Grace is woven through Scripture, in every book, displayed through every person, nation, believers and unbelievers alike. God sheds grace on earth to all, even those who hate
Him-until that day....
It is undeniably a major attribute of God and His Sovereignty
If you think that you can lose your salvation by sinning, then you cannot fully know when you unconsciously sin in your heart and actions at all times, every day until you die,
so therefore you have no chance of going to heaven, since you do not know when you will die. And we all do sin and die. The death rate is one per person...no one gets out
alive. And we sin constantly, knowingly and unknowingly, as Paul says:
(Ephesians 1:13 [KJV])
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,
We trusted and did not work, all in faith
We trusted because we heard God's Word, the saving Gospel
In Whom we believed and did not work because He is Jesus Christ the Righteous
We were sealed, not temporarily, but rather with a permanent seal, unbreakable by any man, only God (Jesus Christ) as God the Holy Spirit's seals cannot be broken by mankind,
just like His promises
We are called saints, not "saints, for now" or "temporary saints"
(Romans 7:16 [KJV])
If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my
flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not,
that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight
in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my
members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of
God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
(Romans 11:6 [KJV])
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
(Ephesians 4:30 [KJV])
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(Ephesians 5:29 [KJV])
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his
bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I
speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
(2 Corinthians 1:20-22 [KJV])
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath
also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
We trusted and did not work, all in faith
We trusted because we heard God's Word, the saving Gospel
"In Whom also after that ye believed", and did not work, because He is Jesus Christ the Righteous and because all of our righteousness is as filthy rags
We were sealed, not temporarily, but rather with a permanent seal, unbreakable by any man, only God (Jesus Christ) as God the Holy Spirit's seals cannot be broken by mankind, just like His
promises
This is not a normal seal, as once that seal is put on, the only person who can break that seal is God Himself, the LORD Jesus Christ
This is because that seal is God's seal (The Holy Spirit), not ours, as we cannot save ourselves, seal ourselves
We are sealed until our ultimate redemption, not until we sin (all day, every day!
We cannot separate us from being a member of His body, His flesh and His bones, we are literally grafted into His body, His very being
One's child, son or daughter, cannot cease to be yor child, if they sin, leave home, whatever they do, because that is a permanent bond of family, in fellowship or not-they are still your child
We have a deposit, non-refundable, because all things in Him are yea and AMEN, not "well, for now anyways-until you sin again! Then we take back the deposit and walk away!"
We (the US below in Romans 8, the inseparable by any thing at all) are IN Christ, not near Him, on the outside, looking in through some window
(Romans 8:35-39 [KJV])
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we
are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 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.
Nothing will separate us from the love of Christ, including you yourself, if you are saved.
(Ephesians 1:13,14 [KJV]) 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, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
EARNEST, a. ern'est.
Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain; having a longing desire; warmly engaged or incited. They are never more earnest to disturb us, than when they see us most earnest in this duty.
Ardent; warm; eager; zealous; animated; importunate; as earnest in love; earnest in prayer.
Intent; fixed. On that prospect strange their earnest eyes were fixed.
Serious; important; that is, really intent or engaged; whence the phrase, in earnest. To be in earnest, is to be really urging or stretching towards an object; intent on a pursuit. Hence, from fixed attention, comes the sense of seriousness in the pursuit, as opposed to trifling or jest. Are you in earnest or in jest?
EARNEST, n. ern'est. Seriousness; a reality; a real event; as opposed to jesting or feigned appearance. Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest. And given in earnest what I begg'd in jest.
First fruits; that which is in advance, and gives promise of something to come. Early fruit may be an earnest of fruit to follow. The first success in arms may be an earnest of future success.
The Christian's peace of mind in this life is an earnest of future peace and happiness. Hence earnest or earnest-money is a first payment or deposit giving promise or assurance of full payment.
Hence the practice of giving an earnest to ratify a bargain. This sense of the word is primary, denoting that which goes before, or in advance. Thus the earnest of the spirit is given to saints,
as a pledge or assurance of their future enjoyment of God's presence and favor.
(1 Thessalonians 1:1 [KJV])
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
We are in the Father and the Son. We cannot escape their grasp on us, their hands
(1 Thessalonians 1:10 [KJV])
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
We are His children, bought and paid for, rescued from the future wrath reserved for unbelievers
(2 Timothy 1:9 [KJV])
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Saved by grace, not by works. Saved, eternally, not temporarily, not saving us, but already saved us
(2 Thessalonians 2:16 [KJV])
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
Everlasting salvation, by grace, not works, so that we can do good works, because we are saved, thankful, want to glorify and please the Father
(Job 14:4 [KJV])
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
No one can but God. We are all an unclean thing and can only wash our sins away in the Blood of the Lamb, which covers ALL sin, forever
(Galatians 3:15 [KJV])
Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
No man can add to the work of the Cross, to the work already done for our salvation. Cannot add any works.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11 [KJV])
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.
We were all filthy sinners, destined for hell, no exceptions
God washed us in His Blood; we did not wash ourselves
God sanctified us; we did not sanctify ourselves
God justified us; we did not justify ourselves
Therefore, we did not do any of that, nor do we, nor will we, nor can we
It is done in the Name of the LORD Jesus, not by works
It is done by the Spirit of our God, not by our works
This part is made necessary from those who think man can break the seals of God
They must resort to this belief because it is necessary to maintain their error
If any person thinks that a seal a fleshly person puts on something in wax, glue or metal is a seal by God, as strong as a seal by God Himself, they are a fool.
(Deuteronomy 32:34 [KJV])
Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures? To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the
things that shall come upon them make haste.
God is in charge of sealing up His vengeance and repayment, judgment for sin . No fleshly person Scripture ever broke this seal.
(1 Kings 21:8 [KJV])
So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.
Jezebel wrote and sealed letters with the seal of Ahab, to have Naboth stoned to death. God did not seal this, an evil and wicked woman did.
(Nehemiah 9:38 [KJV])
And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.
(Nehemiah 10:1 [KJV])
Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,
(Esther 3:10-12 [KJV])
And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people
also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded
unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after
their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.
Signed, sealed, delivered to the king's Aahasuerus's lieutenants, for Haman, lieutenants who opened them, read them, tried to execute the commands contained therein. Not sealed by God Himself
Later on...
(Esther 8:8-17 [KJV])
Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man
reverse. Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai
commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province
according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus'
name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in
every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people
and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey, Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day
of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready
against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree
was given at Shushan the palace. And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine
linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's
commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
This seal, made by an earthly king and not God, was obviously broken, as the contents were read and known throughout all of the provinces. The Jews were spared; Haman was not.
(Job 9:7 [KJV])
Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
Can you move the stars around, with all of your might, all of your technology?
(Job 14:17 [KJV])
My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
Who will open the bag to show our righteousness? Sealed by God. Not man.
(Job 33:16 [KJV])
Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
That knowledge God gives us of our salvation is sealed into our very being, our mind, our core, our conscious, so much that we will not be able to forget what God did for us on that Cross of
Calvary
(Job 37:7 [KJV])
He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
There are times when that ugly weather is so dangerous and deadly that no man can work in it, and must wait for it to clear, and merely hunker down for a time
(Job 38:14 [KJV])
It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
(Job 41:15 [KJV])
His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
(Song of Solomon 4:12 [KJV])
A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
(Song of Solomon 8:6 [KJV])
Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.
(Isaiah 8:16 [KJV])
Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
(Isaiah 29:11 [KJV])
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
(Jeremiah 32:10 [KJV])
And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.
(Jeremiah 32:11 [KJV])
So I took the evidence of the purchase, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open:
(Jeremiah 32:14 [KJV])
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.
EZEKIEL 33: THE SELF "RIGHTEOUSNESS" OF A NATION
(Ezekiel 33:1 [AKJV/PCE]) Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. ¶ So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.
None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. ¶ Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. ¶ Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.
¶ And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.
Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb. Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance. Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land? Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife: and shall ye possess the land? Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence. For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through. Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed. ¶ Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
(Jeremiah 32:44 [KJV])
Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.
(Ezekiel 28:12 [KJV])
Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
(Daniel 6:17 [KJV])
And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning
Daniel.
(Daniel 9:24 [KJV])
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting
righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
SEALS, IN SCRIPTURE, BY GOD
(Daniel 12:4 [KJV])
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
(Daniel 12:9 [KJV])
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
(Matthew 27:66 [KJV])
So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
(John 3:33 [KJV])
He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
(John 6:27 [KJV])
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the
Father sealed.
(Romans 4:11 [KJV])
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
(Romans 15:28 [KJV])
When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.
(1 Corinthians 9:2 [KJV])
If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
(2 Corinthians 1:22 [KJV])
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
(Ephesians 1:13 [KJV])
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,
(Ephesians 4:30 [KJV])
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
(2 Timothy 2:19 [KJV])
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
(Revelation 5:1 [KJV])
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
(Revelation 5:2 [KJV])
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
(Revelation 5:5 [KJV])
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
(Revelation 5:9 [KJV])
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
(Revelation 6:1 [KJV])
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
(Revelation 6:3 [KJV])
And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
(Revelation 6:5 [KJV])
And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
(Revelation 6:7 [KJV])
And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
(Revelation 6:9 [KJV])
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
(Revelation 6:12 [KJV])
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
(Revelation 7:2 [KJV])
And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
(Revelation 7:3 [KJV])
Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
(Revelation 7:4 [KJV])
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
(Revelation 7:5 [KJV])
Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
(Revelation 7:6 [KJV])
Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
(Revelation 7:7 [KJV])
Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
(Revelation 7:8 [KJV])
Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
(Revelation 8:1 [KJV])
And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
(Revelation 9:4 [KJV])
And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
(Revelation 10:4 [KJV])
And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write
them not.
(Revelation 20:3 [KJV])
And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be
loosed a little season.
(Revelation 22:10 [KJV])
And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
JESUS CHRIST, SEAL OPENER
(Revelation 5:1-5 [KJV])
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Romans 7:16-17 [KJV]) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
THE LAW, THE FLESH, GOOD AND EVIL, SIN AND THE SPIRIT
Paul acknowledges that he does sin, which he does not want to, thereby acknowledging, verifying the Law and that it is good
He is carnal and fleshly, internal, involuntary, automatic-IT LEADS TO SIN AND DEATH.
Having nothing in us that is good, we are wicked, evil, robotic, automatic sinners who are incapable, without God, without Jesus Christ, of doing good on our own.
This is automatically our will, our want, despite not wanting to do evil
Sin (flesh, sp. in the mind) lives in us, alongside the good (Spirit), constantly at open warfare
This is even completely without outside influences (the enemy, other people in their flesh, circumstances, etc.
This warfare takes us captive, prisoners of war
On our own, we are wretched, in need of a Saviour to stop us from being declared sinners before God, spiritually
That is where Jesus Christ comes in. Because we are helpless, incapable of not sinning, He had to do it initially, and now has to be our Advocate, our lawyer after, constantly
declaring us righteous before the Father
To open the seals means to judge the earth with deadly judgments, one after another, at the end, by the person who opens the seals only, using His angels to perform the tasks at His
command, and only HIS command. No person can open a seal of God Himself, nor angel, nothing but the Lamb, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the LORD Jesus Christ. Think YOU can do
this? I trow not!
MORE ON SINNING/NOT SINNING: 1 JOHN 1
(1 John 1:5-10 [KJV])
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in
darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 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. If
we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If
we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ([KJV])
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.
The works salvation people, who reject the true Gospel, say ridiculous, inane, unthinking things like,
"The 'once saved, always saved' crowd thinks you can get saved and then do whatever you want!"
...never realizing that there are consequences to ALL sin, as in death. Apparently they have never spoken to a believer who refused to repent of their sin in their
life, such as adultery, habitual lying, drugs, etc. and watched that person go home because God gave them every chance, sent many people to warn, and then finally, simply said, "This child does
not glorify me any more. I am taking them home." I have experienced that too many times. No more for me, please. No one can do whatever they want before God without consequences
-saved or not. No one, no exceptions. Outside of this, mocking, name-calling (OSAS crowd) empty claims without biblical support, etc. are all the works salvation people have to 'defend" their
beliefs, because the Word of God goes against them. They just simply refuse to acknowledge it. It clearly states here, "for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." We were declared
holy by God aat salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, which is why we even ever GOT the Holy Spirit in us to begin with. It says we are a holy temple to a Holy God. God cannot deny
Himself because we sin; He can take us home if we decide to not glorify Him any longer. HOME. TO HEAVEN.
(James 2:10 [KJV])
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
God is Holy; we are not
In our flesh we cannot walk with God (have fellowship)
IF we make the claim that we can and do, we are lying liars
IF we walk in the light (He is the light of the world), then we, as Christians, have fellowship with other believers, as
BLOOD related family, but only IF we are already
saved.
IF we walk in the light of Jesus Christ, we are saved, as His Blood, shed for us, cleanses us from ALL sin, darkness, the sting of death and hell itself
SINCE we are all sinners, SINCE we are only DECLARED righteous before God by faith in the shed Blood of Jesus Christ alone and not our own righteousness, we cannot claim that it is how we get saved or stay saved, or else we lie.
(1 John 2:1,2 [KJV])
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our
sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
If we do it long enough and far away from God enough, it seems HE takes us home "early", but we still go to Heaven. We are just not glorifying Him on earth, which is our mission to do.
(Romans 8:16 [KJV]) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
(2 Corinthians 1:19-22 [KJV]) For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who
hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
(1 Corinthians 11:27-34 [KJV])
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him
eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and
sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with
the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the
rest will I set in order when I come.
(2 Corinthians 5:5 [KJV]) Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
We are sealed by God the Holy Spirit.The only One who can break that seal is God Himself, who never said, implied, hinted, or suggested He would ever do such a thing
ONLY GOD HIMSELF (Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh) can break His own seals.
(Revelation 5:3-5 [KJV])
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to
read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
While this is the seal to open up world judgment at the end, it shows clearly that only God Himself is Sovereign over all things-salvation, judgment, world events, all while allowing man to
exercise his own evil will in this life, knowingly and in ignorance
Looking at all of the patriarchs in both testaments, we see clearly, in every instance, God calls and chooses them, never the other way around.
Even Israel herself was chosen by God, who rarely ever followed God throughout all of their sordid history, but God chose to preserve them and use them, and even now has future plans for
them that they did not earn, nor deserve, just like us. They originally did not choose God at all, and they rarely ever merited His love for them. Like us all.
Salvation is our hope, our only hope. If we are saved, then not saved, then saved, then maybe saved, then that is not hope at all, and certainly not a lively hope. In addition, that hope is
supposed to be eternal, not temporal!
Jesus told the Jews (Pharisees, Sadducees, lay people alike) that they would not get to heaven, not because they were not religious enough, not because they did not work enough, but because they rejected Him, they did not believe in/on Him
Hebrews chapter eleven itself speaks of Old Testament people, under the Law, who lived by faith, and specifically says to, over and over. By faith they did the works, by faith were called, and were declared righteous by Who they believed, by faith, not by works, which followed precisely because they believed
CHOOSING JESUS OVER THIS LIFE: MARY AND MARTHA
(Luke 10:38-42 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Mary chose Jesus Who will not be taken from her, nor from us. We cannot be plucked from His Hand, nor from the Hand of the Father. Martha is an example of living in and for this world. Yes, we need to serve and, yes, we need to host people, feed them; we need to eat, we need to clean. But, if we put Jesus first, that is all that matters. After that, we can serve, host, feed, eat, clean. We have always to do those things anyways, so why not do it after we receive Jesus Christ? We will have been doing it before, as the disciples fished before the knew Jesus, and fished after. But now? He was in their boat!
STRIVING TO GaiN FAVOR AND HEAVEN OVER SIMPLY BELIEVING
(Luke 13:24-27 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
Narrowness is never a basis for truth (John 14:6)
Once that door shuts, it is over
It is not what we did, but whether Jesus knows us, by knowing and acknowledging Him
(John 10:27-30 [KJV])
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 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. I and my Father are one.
IF we are truly saved, we are Jesus's sheep
IF so, we hear His Voice and follow it, as sheep follow their shepherd's voice and know it, can isolate it, recognize it specifically, to the exclusion of all others
Since no man can pluck them from Jesus's Hand, it means that they are saved, eternally, forever, not "until they sin". This includes US OURSELVES as well, not just other men. We are
completely helpless to pluck ourselves from the Hand of the Creator and Saviour the LORD Jesus Christ, in order to lose our salvation
To think otherwise means arrogance, not understanding what salvation actually is, not understanding the One Who gave it to us and declaring His work on the Cross as unfinished,
thinking we can and should add to it.
Since no man can pluck them from the Father's Hand, it means that they are saved. This includes US as well, not just other men. We are completely helpless to lose our salvation
Since Jesus the Son of God is God, and the Father is God, and they are ONE, then this applies perfectly
(John 16:8-11 [KJV])
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
No one, not a single person walking on earth claiming to be a Christian, now today or ever in the past, or in the future, can prove that they are saved by their carnal, fleshly
works. It's the Holy Spirit's job to convict the world of sin.
HOPE...ETERNAL...LIFE
(Romans 10:13 [KJV])
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved
(Titus 1:2 [KJV])
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
(Titus 3:5 [KJV])
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
(Titus 3:7 [KJV])
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Justified because God promised it, and He cannot change that nor lie
Justification by God's mercy, His grace, not byworks, not by the Law
It is our only hope and gives us hope
This was God's plan for mankind, from before the world even existed
No mention of our works here, except that our salvation is NOT BY WORKS of righteousness, but by His mercy He saved us
No mention of temporal life, conditional upon our works
(2 Corinthians 4:18 [KJV])
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The word "temporary" is even in the English Dictionary, the 1828 Webster's, but not used in the Word of God to describe life.....however "ETERNAL" is.
The word "temporal" is in 2 Corinthians 4:18. but it describes this life only, not the life after this life. Eternal and everlasting ALWAYS describe that.
Heaven is not seen now by our eyes on earth. Ergo, it must be eternal.
Adam and Eve
Cain and Abel
Noah
Abraham and Sara
Israel herself
Joseph
Moses
Daniel
Rahab
Paul
Hebrews 11
SUPPORTING VERSES (A FEW)
(Romans 2:4 [KJV])
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
The goodness of GOD Himself only leads us to repentance, not our own goodness, our own "good nature", certainly not our sin nature
(John 5:24 [KJV])
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.
We have everlasting life.We are not working towards everlasting life, because we already have it.There are no conditions given here except believing.No works.
(1 John 5:13 [KJV])
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
We can know that we have eternal life because we believe, without works, which are not mentioned here
(1 Peter 1:5 [KJV])
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
If God cannot keep us and we have to keep ourselves, we are in big trouble.Also, we are saved and kept by faith, not
works.
(Luke 18:26-27 [KJV])
And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with
God.
In other words, it is impossible ("impossible with men") to save ourselves.Whwat would make us think that we could then keep ourselves saved, since we never saved ourselves inthe first place?
(Romans 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.
The only condemnation we have is our own, towards ourselves, spiritually speaking, and even that is temporal, if we are saved. If we are not, this self-condemnation is nothing compared to eternal
separation from God.While the immediate context here was a rich young man whose riches got in the way of following Jesus, the rest of the context of the Word of God clearly states that all things get in the way, and that all our righteousnesses do not save us as it is.
(Isaiah 64:6 [KJV])
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
(Matthew 12:36 [KJV])
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
(Matthew 5:27-30 [KJV])
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her
already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast
into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
(1 Corinthians 15:50 [KJV])
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
What the above verses clearly say is that we are incapable of not sinning, consciously or unconsciuosly
We are told by our Creator that we have a sin nature from the Fall as it is, making us flesh and blood, which cannot go to
Heaven, as we are unholy in our condition, unless we are born again.
ROMANS 9:
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants,
and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy
seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children
being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall
serve the younger.
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will
have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same
lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath
fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only,
but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel,
Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord
make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law
of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
(Romans 3:9-19 [KJV])
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is
none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them
who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Our righteousness is filthy rags
We are all unclean, in the flesh
Fading, disease, death, rotting of flesh, carries us far from God
Under sin and death
None righteous
No understanding of God
None that seek God
Gone away from God
Useless to God
None that do good
Our words of our lips, throats, all wicked, like tombs of dead bodies
Our words are poison to kill like a deadly snake (the serpent)
Nasty words, spoken in bitterness
Bloody murder in our hearts, sometimes acted with speed, reckless abandon, out with our hands, often with our mouths
We bring destruction, misery wherever we go-to God, to others
We war with our members, and do not bring peace
This is both Old and New Testament teaching
(1 Thessalonians 1:1 [KJV])
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are secured..IN CHRIST
(1 Thessalonians 1:10 [KJV])
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
(2 Thessalonians 2:16,17 [KJV])
Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in
every good word and work.
(Ephesians 2:8-10 [KJV])
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
(Hebrews 3:14-19 [KJV])
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
The first verse here indicates by "if we hold" that we could lose our salvation
(John 8:31-35 [KJV])
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever
committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
The truth being Jesus, sets us free
That Truth sets us free forever, because He abides in us forever. He said so (v.35)
(Romans 8:10-11 [AKJV/PCE])
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
(Romans 8:24 [AKJV/PCE])
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
(1 Corinthians 15:57 [KJV])
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Psalms 121:5-8 [KJV])
The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy
soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
From the LORD.............our souls, our salvation, for evermore, not for a time, not until we sin (we cannot not sin)
(Romans 8:31-39 [KJV])
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all
things?
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God,
who also maketh intercession for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 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.
Who can be against us? The implied answer here is ABSOLUTELY NO ONE, INCLUDING US!
Giving us all things freely (unearned) includes our salvation
Who can charge us with any crimes against God, that would stick in God's eyes (not in man's)? The implied answer again is not one soul, including ourselves
Who can condemn us, spiritually? The implied answer, once again, is not one soul, including ourselves
Jesus is stated here as our attorney, pleading forever on our behalf, interceding for us before the Throne of the Father
Can we be separated from God now, since we are justified before His eyes with Whom we have to do? The implied answer again is not one soul, including ourselves
In this list of things which cannot separate us from God's eternal love, is everything there is in all of the three heavens, and on earth, and under it, past, present, future!
Therefore, we can do nothing to release God's grip on us once He has us.........we are not more powerful that the salvation given freely to us in Christ's sacrifice of His Blood for us
Hebrews 12:14
1 Peter 1:15
Romans 6:11-18
Matthew 28:18-20
Luke 9:23
Colossians 3:10
2 Corinthians 3:18
Philippians. 3: 10-14
ADAM AND EVE: GENESIS 3
(Genesis 3)
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither
shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also
unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who
told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all
the days of thy life:
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for
thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims,
and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
God gave the first couple a perfect paradise, in Eden, by 100% grace
They were naked, but innocent, sinless
This is something we are not familiar with
God gave the first couple one commandment
God gave them free will to exercise
God gave them a tempter so that they could exercise their will for Him or against His will
Adam was to instruct Eve on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
They broke His only commandment, falling, bringing sin into the world
They had a trial, and lost
God showed mercy and grace by killing an innocent animal, shedding blood, and covering their sin (nakedness)
This was only by His Mercy, Grace, 100% and God did not have to do it
Adam and Eve contributed nothing to this action
The LORD also put an angel to keep them from eating from the tree of life, to prevent perpetuating their sinful lives
Once again, this was only done by His Mercy, Grace, 100% and God did not have to do it
CAIN AND ABEL: GENESIS 4
(Genesis 4 [KJV])
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was
a tiller of the ground.
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his
brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall
be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
(Hebrews 11:4 [KJV])
By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God
testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Abel brought an animal sacrifice, a sheep from his flock, apparently according to God's command. Cain did not
Cain was not happy that God was not happy about his offering-not to mention envious that God was pleased with his brother Abel's acceptance by God
After murdering Abel, Cain was shown grace, mercy, and a normal life, released from, what later under the law, would have been the death penalty
We know this because God's Word says that there was a death penalty for killing Cain: "Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him."
God declared Abel righteous because of his sacrifice of the lambs
NOAH:GENESIS 6
(Genesis 6:8 [KJV])
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Grace, doing nothing to earn favor fom God
Did Noah not sin for 120 years, nor Noah's unnamed wife, nor Shem, Ham, Japheth, nor their wives? I trow not!
Yet God saved Noah through the Flood...because? Noah walked with God, believed God, not because Noah was a hard working boat builder, or because he was not a fleshly, carnal sinner like
all of us, all of his and our years.
Hebrews says that this was by faith, this building for 120 years the ark, and it showed he was declared righteous by God-BY FAITH
(Hebrews 11:7 [KJV])
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the
righteousness which is by faith.
ABRAHAM, SARA: GENESIS 12-22
(Genesis 12:1-3 [KJV])
Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Abraham was called by God
Abraham did not seek God; God sought Abraham
The promises to Abraham are to this day being fulfilled in Israel!
God gave him gold, silver, lots of livestock, a homeland, a great name, descendants are many as the dust of the earth, the stars of the heavens, all by grace
Nothing was earned, nothing lost, all by grace through faith
(Hebrews 11:8-10 [KJV])
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
By faith, never by works
Abraham was righteous, by faith, looking to heaven the entire time
It says that his real destination was heaven, the real promised land
A man destined for heaven need not worry about the things of earth. A man uncertain of heaven is looking to earth, worrying about if he will get to heaven or not-constantly distracted by that false line of unbelief in God's provision of eternal life
PAUL: ROMANS 7
(Romans 7:12-25 [KJV])
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by
that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my
members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Paul was chosen by Jesus on the road to Damascus
Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles
Paul knew the law well as a Pharisee like a Jewish lawyer today for, say, a synagogue
Paul knew now after conversion, the nature of his flesh and that of all of us
He said we are carnal, and sold unto sin, meaning many bad things, such as we are mere flesh in our flesh and not spiritual, we are ripe for judgment, we will not get to heaven in this
mortal, carnal body, meaning we cannot, in any way, at any time, stop sinning-EVER!
This is true even when and if we do not want to sin, as it is in our nature, displayed in our thoughts and actions, every moment of every day
Paul concludes by saying here (and in many other places) that Jesus saved him and saves us from this, forever, else no one would get to heaven, since we never stop going against God's
perfect Law
1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
(Habakkuk 2:4 [AKJV/PCE])
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
OUT OF CONTEXT: HEBREWS 6
Many will use these verses to say that one can walk away from God (we can) and LOSE THEIR SALVATION
Well, one out of two would be correct. The context of this entire section is that OUR High Priest (Jesus, after the order of Melchizidek) lives forever, is holy and saves us to the uttermost, forever. The entire discussion is about the Gospel (GOSPEL=GOD + SPELL ie. God's Word) and its simplicity, as opposed by the unbelievers walking away, rejecting it, and the believers needing to go on
and mature as Christians.
(Hebrews 6:1-8 [KJV])
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of
baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
And this will we do, if God permit. 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. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that
cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end
is to be burned.
He is telling them to move on to doctrinal teaching, from preaching the Gospel to Gospel rejecters
He is telling them to make more disciples from those of whom the Gospel was accepted
He is telling them that people cannot repent in their flesh, not that it is impossible to be saved, get saved. They just need to be left for God to do the work.
He is telling them that these rejecters, by their works, clearly show that have not accepted the FINISHED work on the Cross, and do not glorify God Himself on that Cross.
They are brambles, unfruitful, thorny, unsaved, awaiting hell's flames
He is not speaking of believers who sin, since all sin, believers or not.
Earlier, the writer in chapter three referred to us believers as "holy brethren" and "partakers of the heavenly calling"...hardly words for those who can simply sin and lose
their position with Jesus in Heaven, declared righteous before the Throne.
The entire chapter, even the book and all other books, show that works brings death, faith brings life (Hebrews 3:7-19)
(Hebrews 3:1 [KJV]) Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
(Hebrews 10:10 [KJV])
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
We are sanctified, made holy, set apart, not by our own works, not by our own righteousness
NOT TO MENTION 1 PETER 3:21
(1 Peter 3:21 [AKJV/PCE])
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Read the context, within and without this verse, cover to cover
NOT the putting away the filth of the flesh, but inside, the conscience, by the resurrection of Jesus Chris
That is what saves us, Jesus Christ, Him crucified, Him resurrected, not works of putting away the flesh, which is filth, always filth, by which no man will be justified
Should we put away the works of the flesh? Absolutely! Will that get us to heaven? Never, Jesus does, as the door, the way, the truth, the life
THE PRODIGAL SON, AS OUR EXAMPLE
(Luke 15:11-32 [KJV])
And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them
said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his
journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed
swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's
have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to
be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and
fell on his neck, and kissed him.
And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put
it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and
sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with
my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all
that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Two SONS, not a son and a non-son
No one works to be a son; they are by blood relation born to be one. We are born-born again
One son stayed and worked, one son did not, but entered into the world (fell away, apostate)
He therefore broke fellowship with HIS VERY OWN FATHER, not just A father
The father gave that son free will to do whatever, without interference
God allowed evil to come upon him to bring him home to the father, since he was not going to just go by himself
He repented, returned to the Father (sound familiar, all day, every day?)
His father welcomed him home with open arms.
He recognized that he was unworthy to be the father's son, but he still was!
The elder son was angry, seeing his brother repent and be forgiven
He lost everything his father gave him to inherit, except his sonship, his relation to the father
We can and will lose potential rewards at the judgment seat of Christ, but still be related to our Heavenly Father by the shed Blood of the LORD Jesus Christ, shed on the Cross
for us to bring us to the Father as His children.
Links to studies by book or topic are on the top menu.