Eternally Secured (Part five)

 TRUTH FOR TODAY

Jun Malazo

In the last article we concluded with the truth that works is the evidence of salvation not the prerequisite thereof.  We discussed an often misunderstood and misused passage of Scripture found in James chapter 2.  A thorough study of this Scriptural passage debunks any teaching that supports any works-based salvation.  It also reveals that this passage is not teaching that performing good works maintains our salvation.

In the last of this five-part series on the subject of eternal security, I will explain other passages that have been used to support such heresy.  There are a myriad of other passages that we could discuss causing this series to continue on for months; however, for the sake of variety we will have to move on to other topics.  I welcome any comments or questions regarding this critical issue from anyone.  Please feel free to contact me via our church office by text (0956.755.4363 ) or by email (centralsagadamp@gmail.com). 

First, let me reiterate that all those that have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation are kept by God’s power and are secured in Christ for eternity (see John 6:37-40; John 10:27-29; 1 Corinthians 1:8, Romans 8:35, and 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).  The promise of eternal life is a clear teaching in the Scriptures.  The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 1:5 that those who believe Christ are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."  

Revelations 22:19 has been used many times to support the teaching that believers can lose their salvation.  It reads:

"And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."  (Revelation 22:19)

In all honesty, this passage is not an easy one to expound as it does require more careful thought and deeper study. The fact of the matter is that there are many things in the Bible that we cannot fully understand.  We are not responsible to fully understand or explain these matters, but we are to believe and obey them.  This passage has also been a topic of passionate debate among scholars regarding its true meaning.  One thing for sure is that it does not teach that a Christian can lose his salvation. 

To arrive at this conclusion would contradict numerous passages of Scripture which promise eternal life and blessing to the believer.  We have to look at the Bible as a whole and not allow obscure passages like these to form a doctrine.

It is important to point out whom the Apostle John is addressing.  Is he addressing Christians and warning them that their names will be taken away from the book of life?  Or is he addressing non-believers and warning them about the sin of tampering with the Word of God?  I have reason to believe that it is the latter.  The previous verse says the following:

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:"  (Revelation 22:18)

There is an obvious connection between verse 18 and verse 19 that it warns all men.  Verse 18 tells us these men are the ones that “heareth the words of the prophecy of this book.”  Please notice that it says nothing about men that are already believers.  To put it into today’s vernacular, John is saying that any man after hearing “the words of prophecy” and responds by adding to or subtracting from it will face judgment and damnation.

But what about the phrase in verse 19 that says, “…God shall take away his part in the book of life…”?  It is true that once someone places their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, his or her name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  Some scholars argue that since it is God’s will for every human being in the entire world to be saved (2 Peter 3:9, John 3:16, 1 John 2:2, Romans 10:13, etc.), there is therefore a space in the Book for everyone’s name.  This empty space sits awaiting the time the person will choose to accept Christ, and He can write their name in that space reserved for them.  Notice also that Revelations 22:19 does not imply that these are names that are already written in the Book of Life.  It only says that “his part” will be taken away.

To conclude this thought, Revelations 3:5 speaks of a true believer of whom Jesus says He will not “blot out his name out of the book of life.” 

Another passage I would like to discuss are the following verses in the book of Hebrews which read:

"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"  (Hebrews 10:26-29)

Does this passage teach that a believer can lose his salvation if he “willfully sin”?  First of all, Christians do sin even after they are saved.  The Bible forewarns us so (1 John 1:8-10, 2:1-2). The willful sin referred to in verse 26 is not sin in general.  It is a particular sin that is described in the latter part of verse 29 which says, “…hath counted the blood of the covenant an unholy thing…”  This means to deny that salvation is by Christ’s blood and grace alone.  Anyone who rejects the redemptive plan of salvation through Jesus Christ alone cannot be saved. 

As we conclude this topic of eternal security, I would like to turn our attention to a particular verse found in Hebrews 10:14.  It says, "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."  The "offering” that the writer of Hebrews is talking about is the ultimate offering that Jesus made at the cross to pay for our sins.  This ultimate sacrifice “hath perfected” those that receive Christ “for ever.”  During His earthly ministry, Jesus believed and taught eternal security.  Notice what He says in John 6:40:

"And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:39-40).

The promise of eternal security does not depend on our own merit of good works.  The Scripture plainly teaches that it is Jesus that “…should lose nothing…”  Eternal security is based upon His power and promise to the believer.  Nothing in this world, physical or spiritual, “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” according to the Apostle Paul (Romans 8:39).

The Apostle Peter also talks about eternal security:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."  (1 Peter 1:3-5)

He says that we are “kept by the power of God.”  The word kept in this verse has a very interesting meaning.  The Apostle Peter used the same word for a Roman garrison. Rome conquered Jerusalem in 63 BC and was the dominant force in the region.  Whenever a city was conquered by Rome, the Romans would set up a military outpost called a garrison to show off their power and might and to invoke fear, in order to prevent an uprising among the citizens of the conquered city.  A garrison could have up to 5,000 soldiers.  In the same manner, Peter is saying that our eternal security is well guarded, not by men, but by the power of God.

Jesus gives us hope that He gives us eternal life.  In His very own Words, He said,  "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28).

In closing, my prayer is for you to realize that you can do nothing to earn eternal life; likewise you can do nothing to lose eternal life if you are already a believer.  I pray that the truth outlined in this series of articles will open your eyes to the truth.  As mentioned before, I am open and willing to answer straight from the Word of God any questions you may have.