Sunday, August 13, 2006

More About Karma from the late Guru, Charan Singh

The Law of Karma

The world is a place in which we learn. Is that called karma? What do we learn in this world? To feel unhappy? To be a part of this agony? What are we learning? What advantage are we taking now from our experiences in our previous births? Do we remem­ber them? Are we not repeating the same mistakes which we repeated in our last birth?

How much have we learned from these mistakes? Nothing. So how are we learning?
We are just reaping the fruit of what we have sown. We even do not learn from the mistakes in this life, what to say of our past lives. This world is a field of karmas. Whatever we have sown, we reap, and whatever we sow now, we reap here in the future.

We have come here again and again to fulfil those desires, to reap the fruit of the seeds that we have sown in our previ­ous births, and while reaping we also sow for the next birth, and the excess also increases our stored lot. That is karma.

Question from a Desciple: "Master, if a man acts like a beast will he have to come back as a beast?"

Ans: " He may have been a beast in his last life and is still carrying all those instincts in him. Or he may come back again as a beast. Our own karma decides that. According to the karma theory, man can merge back into his Source, the Lord from whom he originally came, and he can also go back into a lower species such as an animal or even below that, to which he may have descended in a previ­ous life and come up to the status of a human being again.

The Lord does not find excuses to send us back. He gives us opportunity after opportunity to improve, to go ahead. But if we refuse to make use of this opportunity, we can go back.
Our attachments, our unfulfilled desires, our karmas can pull us down. We do not like to think so, but that is a fact."

Question: " Maharaj Ji, is it possible to have unconscious attachments without really realizing it?"

Ans: "Sometimes we are not aware of our attachments. We feel that we are detached, but when the situation arises, we realize how much we are attached. Our present attachments as well as our previous attachments can bring us back to this earth, because unless all our karmas, unless all our attachments are loosened, we cannot go up. We may have some previous attachments of past births which may still be strong and for which we still have to give an account. They may even pull us back to this world. " Ques: "Even if we do make progress?"
Anns: "Even if we do make progress. But we will, of course, go ahead, not backwards. We will be born in much better circumstances where we can clear our karmic accounts in a much better way. Once we make a start, we will always go ahead, not back­wards at all. There are no failures in Sant Mat. But unless our attachments are loosened, we cannot go back Home. And all this meditation takes care of our previous attachments also. When we think that we are not making progress, we do not know actually what progress we are making, how much we have to pierce through in order to get to the light."

"We all have a store of karmas from previous births, and unless we clear those karmas from previous births, as well as our fate karma and do not sow for the future, how can we go back?
Meditation takes care of all those stores of karmas. By meditating we are loosening those attachments, and when they are being cleared, sometimes in meditation we see many types of faces coming before us of gents and ladies, moving about."

" We do not know who they are. Those are our previous re­lations, our previous attachments. We are not to pay any atten­tion to them. We are just to keep ourself in meditation. Automatically they will cease to come before us. Their accounts with us are being cleared in this way. Only if we still have very strong attachments left at the time of death, then we are brought back into this world to clear them."

Ques: " Astrologers claim that when one is born in a certain month of the year, one is given a certain type of life and guaranteed a certain way of living. Is this true or not?"

Ans: " If you know what is going to happen to you, what difference will it make? Nothing can be changed. We will have to face what is in our destiny. So why add to our agony by knowing beforehand what we are going to face? If one is told that he is going to have an accident two years before it is to happen, one is living in that anxiety and agony for two years. Whereas if he did not know in advance, it may have bothered him for perhaps only two or three hours.
What is the use of it all? Astrology is a definite science, which very few have mastered, so mostly these predictions are not correct. One should not dabble in these things. Whatever has to come, will come, so why bother about it?"

Ques: "If we do something for someone and it turns out badly, and we find out that we were wrong and were truly sorry, does that rectify anything?"

Ans: " We should honestly, with the best of intentions, try always to do good. Then if it turns out differently, we should not worry. We should take it as our pralabdh karma, fate or destiny.
There is nothing to rectify. The thing that had to happen, has happened. Our conscience is clear. We have not done it knowingly. But we should not try to justify such weaknesses. When we are honest in our efforts to do good, then it is up to the Lord. W e cannot help it if it takes another shape."

Ques: "Regarding animals and our relations to them, is it detrimen­tal to our own progress to have affection for an individual animal?"

Ans: " It depends upon the attachment. If you are attached to an animal, naturally it will pull you down. If the animal is at­tached to you and you are not attached to the animal, but you are attached to something much better than the animal, then you may pull that animal up.
If we are meditating, we are attached to that Sound so strongly that it is pulling us, and if the animal is attached to us, we will also pull him along with us."

Ques: Is it possible to rise to some level where you can negotiate with the mind and these attachments and balance them without actually having to live through the karma?"

Ans: " We can always burn our karmas. They can always be des­troyed. That is the purpose of meditation. Otherwise we would have taken hundreds of lives to fulfil those karmas. But by meditation it can be done in one, or two, or three lives, and four at the most. The object of meditation is to destroy those karmas, to clear those karmas. Kabir says that if you have a big stack of hay, it takes only one matchstick to burn the whole lot. Similarly, one little portion of Shabd, an atom of it, burns thousands and millions of our karmas. We actually burn or destroy and rise above them, and do not make new ones in the process. These old karmas have relations with our mind. When with the help of Shabd our mind goes back to its origin, these karmas just drop down. However rusty a knife may be, if you hold it against a revolving grindstone, all the rust is removed. The knife again shines like new. It becomes pure. That is the condition of the soul when it leaves the mind after coming in touch with the Shabd."

Ques: "What is the reason for not remembering what has happened?"

Ans: "If you remember what has happened, what has brought you back into this world, you will not repeat those mistakes. That means you will never come back to this earth again, but will go back to the Lord. In that case, eventually everyone would do so, and the crea­tion would come to an end. If we all know why we are here, which bad habits or which bad karmas have brought us here, we will stop doing those bad karmas. Kal ( The negative power) has received certain boons, prerogatives, certain advan­tages. That is why this whole universe is going on.
One of the boons granted to him was that all creatures for­get their past. Those boons are essential for the continuance of this universe. Since the Lord wants this universe to go on, naturally we have to forget all that has happened in our pre­vious lives, for which we are here now. "

Ques:" Why would the soul want to come back here from the superior planes, knowing how much suffering and misery is here?"

A ns: "Even now, we do not want to go back. We see suffering all around us. If anyone tells you to prepare yourself, you are going to die, are you prepared to die at once? We say, "No, we have so many things to do yet." So even now we are not prepared to leave in spite of all the suffering in this world. We may think we are prepared to die, but realize that we are not when faced with the situation. Knowing that we are weeping and suffering, knowing that we are so miserable and unhappy, still we are not doing any­thing to get rid of this condition. We are doing the same things again and again. We are not taking lessons from that deed we have done in the past birth for which we are suffering now. We are victims of the senses, just the same as we used tobe. We are not taking any lessons from the past. Nobody does.When the situation arises we do the same thing, and we are again sorry. We have forgotten the reason why we are unhappy."

Ques: "Do I understand correctly that at a certain point in the unfoldment we are able to review all the past karmas? If so, is it necessary, and is it of any advantage?"

Ans: " We do know about our whole past when we go beyond Trikuti, the second stage. When the soul gets released from the mind, your past will be crystal-clear to you, as if you are look­ing in a glass. This is possible only when you go beyond the second stage, and then perhaps you will not be interested in knowing your past. You are not interested at all. You are rather looking ahead, and not at the back. You do not feel inclined to see what sins you have been committing, nor what you have had to go through. You are not concerned. Only those who reach their True Home obtain everlasting joy and peace. They break out of the cycle of birth and death forever, and return at last to the Father, thereby escaping the repeated torture of the Messenger of Death."

Ques: "With whose grace do we gain admission to the Court of the Lord? Surely not by our own efforts. Alone we can do nothing. We can never, by ourselves, traverse the uncharted terrain of the inner path. We owe everything to the immeasurable grace of the Master. He showers his blessings on us by joining us with the Shabd and Nam, removing all our doubts, and pulling us out of this quagmire of illusion. It is our Master who puts us on the right Path and awakens in our mind abiding love and devotion for the Lord. Blessed with his infinite grace, through meditation, we seek, we find, and we knock. All beings in the world are helpless puppets in the hands of destiny. There is nothing that they can accomplish by their own efforts."

"Those on whom the Lord wishes to shower his mercy and grace are given the gift of the human form. Out of these fortunate souls, he draws the attention of the marked ones( Marked Elect) to himself. These are the souls whom he, in his supreme bounty, wishes to deliver from doubt and delusion, whom he wishes to call back to his Mansion by joining them with the Light and Sound. It is the Lord's will which is supreme. It is His will that is "done on earth as it is in heaven". Man is helpless. Not till he himself takes us into his fold are we redeemed through the Master's grace. And that grace is showered on us through his gift of devotion and love, which eventually tunes us to him and draws us to our home to merge with the Lord forever..
- "Die to Live" by Maharaj Charan Singh

THE LAW OF KARMA

THE LAW OF KARMA

The law of karma is NOT a law of resentment, retribution, or retaliation; it does not seek to cause equal suffering for any amount of suffering created; it does not seek to cause rejoicing to equal any joy given to us by others; but it does bring to our consciousness a keen realization of the nature of our acts.

To some, it can cause such realization only through suffering, to others, it may make its impression in some other way. But, the real object, always, is to make us conscious of what we have done and the consequences of those acts, and the bearing upon the whole scheme of things. Its greatest effect is in causing us to make compensations for the wrongs we have done or to benefit by the good that we have done.

Once we have a solid realization of our error, regret it, and determine not to repeat it, the Law of Karma is fulfilled and will no longer force its impression on us. And once we have a keen realization of the good that has come from a good act and find ourselves rewarded because of our good acts, the Law of Karma. Will cease operating in that particular case until, once again, we do another good act.

The fear of karma principally exists in the belief that karma is of one kind. I don’t mean by this that some individuals imagine that karma always produces the same circumstances or uses the same methods for its accomplishments. They do, however think that the purpose of karma, or the end which it serves, is always the same, namely, “discipline or punishments”, or, at least that it manifests as “trouble, worry, strife”, and physical or mental sufferings.

If you really think about it, How many individual whom you know and who are aware of the mystical and Cosmic Law of Karma ever say when they are very happy over some good fortune, “This is my karma”? In all probability, they look back to a series of related causes and point out how, through their own past efforts, their own ability and initiative, the results they now are enjoy are forthcoming. They take particular pride in accepting the honor themselves for the rewards or joyful experience had at the time. However, let misfortune fall on the average individual who has some general knowledge and if he is unable to point directly to the contributing natural cause of his problem, he immediately attributes it to the Law of Karma. Therefore, the word “Karma” becomes a nasty word, associated with punishment to many such people.

As students of mysticism, we shouldn’t make Karma a “monster” to be dreaded. We shouldn’t think of it as some demon spirit that is seeking to ensnare our lives and from which we can never have the assurance of safety. Rather, we should consider it in its true light. Karma is not an intelligence or a genie of some kind who keeps men and women under constant observation, waiting to pounce on them and in satanic delight, impose severe penalties for their actions or non-actions. Karma is a Cosmic Law; it is “impersonal,” it functions according to its inherent nature. It has no more personal consciousness than, for instance, the law of gravity. It has a purpose to fulfill under the direction of the Cosmic Mind. The conditions the law imposes upon humans depend on how they react to it, since, they invoke the law by their own conduct.

There is no way the Law of Karma can be altered through the principle of “directing.” In every case, the Law of Karma will carry on its purposes and intentions to the one end it always has in mind: to teach us a lesson and thereby help us to evolve.

The Law of Karma’s greatest effect is in causing us to make compensation for the wrongs we have committed or to benefit by the good that we may have done.

Karma causes no long periods of suffering, unless the individual does not realize the lesson to be learned or does not try to make amends for what he has done.

Rather then try to direct karmic outcomes, we shouldn’t attempt to divert the real purpose of karmic action, but, rather to cooperate with it. If we realize that a lesson is being impressed on us by some karmic action, then we can properly use the laws and principles of direction to change the course of the karmic action into some channel or phase of manifestation that will help us to make compensation or bring about the conclusion of it, sooner or later, as may be necessary.

Karmic action should not be confused with Fate. No true mystic can believe in fatalism, except the fate one creates oneself. Each of our acts writes a decree for some future day.

If we want to try and keep score, we should try to find one important act that we have committed which was wrong or harmful to another, for which no karmic action seems to have yet occurred, and direct that its action come NOW while we make some compensation in some form by doing a good act to another. This will eliminate a future problem arising unanticipated. A good act for which no karmic reward has been sensed, may be directed to such a future time as we may select.

The confession of a wrongdoing must be accompanied by a REVERSAL of conduct. We should avoid subsequent similar acts and in our own way, try to compensate for the injuries we have done. In this way, we manifest the right spirit and the karmic event will, in all probability, then come to and end, and marked by the Cosmic, “PAID IN FULL!”

When performing any new action, we should never think that that action is the result of a karma from a past life, but, we should consider that every single NEW action we start, will have a new consequence in the future, either in this life, or future realms of existence.

We should all try to give ourselves a break, and be nice to ourselves, and others, treating ourselves as Co-Creators, members of The Royal Priesthood of The Elect, Teachers of Righteousness, Relievers of suffering; Channels of Wisdom; Humble, yet, Heirs to Eternal Life.

“We should love God with our whole minds, and our Souls, and love our neighbors as ourselves.”

Blessings!
Marked Elect

Reincarnation: God's Mercy to Reprobates!

The following Article is taken from a book written by a Baptist Minister, Dr. Julian Johnson, who wrote "Path of The Masters." I am a firm believer in the Doctrines of Reincarnation and Karma. They are the Eastern verson of the Western Calvinistic Doctrine of "Predestination, Election, Reprobation, and Total Depravity of Man.

Meet Dr. Julian Johnson:



REINCARNATION EXPLAINS MUCH

If karma and reincarnation are a little difficult to understand, especially among Western people to whom the whole idea is rather new, on a little reflection it will be found the only rational explanation of some of the most complicated problems of life.

For example, why does some use­less old man linger on for years, a burden to himself and everyone else, while a beautiful child, full of promise and joy, has to die suddenly?
A matter of fact only karma and reincarnation offer any satisfactory explanation.

To resort to the inscrutable decrees of deity, arbitrarily interfering in the affairs of human life, is to invite despair and unbelief. But, as a mat­ter of fact, the parents are to under­stand that the child was, from the very beginning, allotted just that brief span of life, due to his own past karma, and they must be thankful that the child was 'loaned' to them for that brief period.
The child, due to its own karma, had been allotted just that length of life and no more. That time being finished, it had to go. That short life was only one scene, just a brief appearance upon the stage of its career. This little act had to be played. It was also one episode in the life of the parents. That much of karma in the lives of both parents and child had to be paid. When it was paid, there was no further need for the child to remain here, any more than an actor should remain on the stage when his act is finished. No answer except karma and reincarnation .

Again, why do some people enter this life with such terrible handi­caps, while others, apparently less worthy, are born in the lap of for­tune? Why are some children born with superior intelligence, while others are hopelessly dull? Why are some born with criminal tenden­cies, while others come into it with a lively sense of purity, justice and love?

These and a hundred other ques­tions press themselves upon us all, and they have no answer, except in the scheme of karma and reincarna­tion. This is not the first life of all of those people, and so each one enters this life bringing with him all of his inherited tendencies.

Our inherited tendencies: Masters call these inherited tendencies sanskaras. Each one comes with a definite programme outlined for him, according to his past record. This is his fate karma. That programme he must carry out. When the last act of that programme has been performed, the scene closes. The end comes. It must come. Moreover, the end cannot come until the last act of his preordained life has been performed. He then passes to another life. There again his future is assigned to him, on the basis of his own earnings.

In this manner every individual marks time in the grand calendar of the ages. The only thing that can ever bring this monotonous routine to an end is the meeting with a living Master. When a man has this oppor­tunity, it implies a good fate karma, and that the supreme crisis of his long career has come. His deliverance is close at hand.

No injustice, If a student feels inclined to ask why all men have not the opportu­nity to meet a Master, the answer is, again, their karma. They have not earned that privilege. No man can meet a Master until he has earned the right. And when they have earn­ed the right, there is no power in the world that can keep them away from the Master - not even the stormy waters of the seven seas.

There is no injustice in this thing. Never mind if you think some who never meet the Master are much better people than some who do meet Him. We have not sufficient data to judge who is most worthy. If people are favoured in India, when so many good people in Europe and America have no such opportunity, it is because these people in India have earned the right. God only knows how many long, weary ages they have waited and suffered and worked, only to be born here with but little of this world's goods, and even poor mental equipment, yet with hearts filled with love, ready to follow the Master with no mis­givings, no mental pulling back. They may have nothing else, many of them. They may be poor and ig­norant; but they have much good karma, and so they find themselves at the Master's feet.

The right to meet a Master
On the other hand, a man or a woman in Europe or America may have great intelligence, wealth and position, yet his karma of past lives may not have entitled him to meet a Master in this life. That is why they do not meet Him. It is not because they live so far away. It may be asserted without qualification, that if a thousand men and women, or even one alone, in America, were fully prepared to meet a Master, they would find Him, even if He had to come across the seas to them.

When any man or woman has earned the. right to stand before a Master, there is no power in the universe that can keep him away from the Master. The two must meet. But in every case it is good karma that brings the soul to the Master.

It is well known among advanced students of the occult that: "When the chela is ready, the Guru appears. " We may be asked, what is the final goal of good karma? The answer is that it will bring the individual to the Master. That is the extreme good fortune, the very highest reward of good karma. His early liberation from the Wheel is then assured. However, reason as we may, the final and only conclusive proof of the doctrine of karma and reincarna­tion comes when one enters the inner worlds and there beholds its operation for himself. It is then not a question to be settled by academic disquisitions, or by logic or beliefs. Like all other teachings of the Masters, this is founded upon obser­vation and personal experience, upon sight and hearing, upon posi­tive knowledge. These things are as well known to the Masters as are the common phenomena of wheat growing or house building. They behold them in operation, and therefore they need not guess.

When anyone enters the higher fields of knowledge, he is able to watch the operation of karma and reincarnation. With clear vision he is able to see its application to others, as well as to himself. At that stage everyone is able to see clearly his own past lives. He distinctly remembers them. It is then that he knows that he has lived before, and he knows just where and when he lived. Also he knows his karmic ear­nings and losses. He can see exactly how the law of karma and reincar­nation works out in his long succes­sion of lives - how he came and went, times without number, always bringing with him his un­settled accounts. He remembers just how he suffered, or enjoyed, according to his debits and credits. He knows that always he had to pay, pay to the uttermost.
The great law is then no mere theory to him.
- Dr. Julian Johnson

Origin of Pre-Tribulation Rapture

The following is taken from a little Booklet I happened to come accross years ago, by a Baptist Minister named John Bray. Prior to studying it, I was a believer in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the church, as is the present belief system of most Penticostal and Evangelical Christians. But, Rev. Bray's research changed my mind to the extent, of my resigning from the Assemblies of God Denomination where I was a Licensed Minister. Many years has passed since then, and I have taken on many new beliefs to add to my baggage, but still, I am not one of those Christians looking to be "Beemed Up" any time now, to meet Christ in the air!

Blessings,
Marked Elect



THE ORIGIN OF THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE TEACHING
By John L. Bray

There are many, many people today who believe in a Pre­Tribulation Rapture. That is, they believe that the Second Coming of Christ will be divided into two separate phases or stages, separated by a period of seven years (or some, 3-1/2 years) during which there will be a Great Tribulation Period, and during which the Antichrist will be revealed and will rule in the world.

They call this first phase the "Rapture", at which time Christ will raise the bodies of the Christian dead and change the bodies of the living Christians and catch them both up into the clouds to meet him in the air and return with them to Heaven to remain during the Tribulation period.

They call the second phase, the "Revelation", which occurs at the end of the Tribulation period, at which time Christ descends from Heaven again, this time with all the saints with him, to destroy the Antichrist, judge the living nations, and set up a Millennial kingdom and the saints reign with him a thousand years. This is the concept as taught in the Scofield Reference Bible notes, etc.

Though many believe and teach this Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory, they erroneously do so, because neither Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, nor any of the other writers of the Bible taught this. Nor did the early church fathers, nor any others for many hundreds of years.

IN THIS BOOK YOU WILL DISCOVER THE SOURCE OF THE PRE­TRIBULATION RAPTURE TEACHING WHICH SO PREVALENT TODAY!

Did you know that the teaching of the Rapture being separated from the Revelation by an intervening period of time has been taught only since 1812?

Did you know that this intervening period of time between the Rapture and the Revelation was first taught to be just 45 days, and later expanded to 7 years?

Did you know that when this above teaching first started, it was taught that only SOME Christians would be caught up at the Rapture-that is, that there would be only a Partial Rapture?

Did you know that NONE of this was ever taught prior to 1812, and that all forms of Pre-Tribulation Rapture teaching were developed since that date? I mean by this that NO New Testament Rapture writer taught a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, NONE of the ear­ly church fathers taught it, n0 Catholic Church creed taught it, n0 Protestant Church creed nor Reformer taught it, n0 other group or person ever published such teachings BEFORE 1812?

1 want to take you not too far back in history to a book which taught for the FIRST TIME EVER the things which I have just men­oned. And this book was first published in 1812.
The book to which I refer is entitled, "The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty," written by Emmanuel Lacunza, a Jesuit priest from Chile, writing under the assumed name of Rabbi Juan Josafat Ben-Ezra as a converted Jew, and first published in Spain in 1812. This book was later translated into English by Rev. Ed­ward Irving and published in London, England, in 1827.
When this book was first published, the seeds were sown for the development and growth of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, the Mid-Tribulation Rapture, and the Partial Rapture theories which are all being taught today.

In this book Lacunza taught that Christ will appear in the sky, raise certain Christian dead and catch up the living ones; then bring judgments and wrath upon the earth; and then at least 45 days after His appearance and when all these judgments are over and Antichrist and his followers are destroyed, He will descend to the earth itself with His saints to set up his Millennial kingdom. This particular part of the book was my main interest, on account of my research into the origin of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory.

I had never seen any references by anyone to statements by Lacunza (the author of this book) except very briefly by a Cana­dian minister, Duncan McDougall, who is now dead, and who said he had not seen the original edition of Irving's translation, but had a copy of a cheap abridgement of it published in 1833. (The review and quotations which I make in this book are from the original translation published in 1827.)

My information about Lacunza's teachings was very limited. I became interested in knowing more about this book, especially if he were the first person ever to teach a Two-Stage Second Coming of Christ. After I had learned of Lacunza and his teaching, I secured a few xeroxed copies of some of the pages of the book from the Lutheran Seminary Library archives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from which I quoted in my previous little book on, "The Great Tribulation?"

However, these pages were not in any condition for good reproduction. I was inclined to take a trip to Philadelphia just to get to see this entire book if it were possible, as I did not know at that time where another single copy of the book was in existence.

However, I had read somewhere that Oxford University in Ox­ford, England, had in their Library the world's largest collection of apocalyptic literature. I was to be in meetings in England in May, 1982, and Oxford was not far from where I was going. I determined to stop there on my way and spend a couple of days doing some research and to check more in detail on this par­ticular book if they had it in their archives.

After flying all night from Miami to London, I took a train to Oxford and then walked just two blocks with my suitcase and briefcase to the Royal Oxford Hotel. That afternoon, after a brief nap to recover somewhat from the all-night ride of the night before, I went looking for the Oxford University Bodleian Library. It was within walking distance. I learned there that I could not get in to do any reading without an official reader's card, and that of­fice was about to close. I hurried over to the admissions office and explained my situation. After a time of filling out forms I was given a passcard, and then went back to the Library.

Oxford University is actually made up of more than twenty various colleges in the city of Oxford, and the Library itself is a tremendous one and consists of several large buildings. I went to the catalogue department to see a listing of all their books in the pre-1920 section, and when I found what I wanted I was told that I would have to fill out an application for any book wanted and come back the next day at 11 o'clock to be able to secure the book and read it. The next morning I was there. I asked if they would xerox copies of the pages I wanted after I had read them, but they were unable to do so that day. I did not want to wait nor risk taking a chance at not getting what I wanted for sure, so from I 1 o'clock that morning until 10 o'clock that night I sat glued to my chair reading and copying passages from the book by Lacunza and one other book.

Lacunza's book was in two volumes, over 900 pages, with a long discourse by Edward Irving the translator in front of it. It was published in London in 1827, being translated from the 1812 Spanish edition. The copy was old and worn, fallen apart into two sections, and separated at the middle of the two volumes, with the covers loose and separated from the book. The librarian had tied a string around it to hold it all together. As I handled it, parts of some of the pages were so brittle that small pieces kept falling off. It was discovered later the condition of the book would not allow the pages to be xeroxed.

I never left the building even one time to go out and get a bite to eat nor even a drink of water. At 10 o'clock when they closed, I was the last one there, and they were waiting on me to leave. I left the Library, stopped by a hot dog stand and picked up a ham­burger and a hot dog and cold drink, then headed back to the hotel where I stayed up until nearly 4 a.m. getting my notes all sorted out and in order.

Next morning I caught another train and went on my way to Cinderford where I started preaching the next day. These notes were mostly all typed out while I was in meetings during the next week, in the home of my hosts, Mr. and Mrs. David Lambourne.

It was always a desire of mine to study at Oxford University someday, anyway!
So this little book is the result of my two days' visit to Oxford University Library in England. Up until now it seems, FOR SOME REASON, no one has given to the Christian public a COMPLETE summary or review of Lacunza's teachings on this subject. Why has not the full teaching by this Catholic Jesuit priest on this subject, writing under an ASSUMED NAME, been exposed to Bible students long before now? Now that I had this material, I felt obligated to share it with many others who might not have the same opportunity which I did; and I felt also that I had a further responsibility in helping others to understand more about how this Pre-Tribulation Rapture teaching really got started.

Emmanuel Lacunza and the Book He Wrote

Emmanuel Lacunza (or Manuel de Lacunza y Diaz), a Chilean theologian of Spanish descent (born in Santiago, Chile, July 19, 1731, and died at Imola, Italy, June 17, 1801), became a member of the Jesuit order in 1747 at the age of 16. When the Jesuits were expelled from Spain and its colonies in 1767, he went to Italy, where the balance of his life was spent in writing a commentary on the Second Coming of Christ.

Rev. Edward Irving, a Presbyter of the Church of Scotland, who had been the assistant to Dr. Chalmers in Glasgow, translated this book of Lacunza from the Spanish in 1826, and it was published in English by L.B. Seely and Son, Fleet Street, London, in 1827. In England, Irving was pastor of the Regent Square Presbyterian Church in London. Irving said, This book, entitled 'La Venida del Mesias en Gloria y Majestad,' I.e. 'The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty,' was, so far as I can learn, first printed in Spain in the year 1812, in three volumes, during the short period of the Cortez, from which edition our translation is made." (Preliminary Discourse, page xv).

Lacunza wrote this book under the assumed name of Rabbi Ben-Ezra as a "converted Jew". The book was finished in 1790, and then circulated in manuscript form before it was published at Cadiz, Spain, in 1812. This was during the time of Cortez in Spain, and after Cortez the book was suppressed, and as much as possible withdrawn from circulation. Lacunza died in June 1801, before the book was ever published in book form. Later it was published in London, Mexico, Paris and elsewhere, and translated into various languages. The 1812 edition was in abridged form, and then a complete Spanish edition was publish­ed in London in 1816 in four volumes. It was from the 1812 Spanish edition that Edward Irving made his translation in 1826, as he said, after a copy of the book got into England and into his hands.

Lacunza Taught That The Rapture Will Be "Much Before His Arrival At The Earth" In this book, Lacunza said, in this comments on I Thess. 4:13-18: "From these words of the apostle, which he himself gives us to know, that he spoke by the word of the Lord, we derive two truths of the utmost Importance; first, that when the Lord returns from heaven to earth, upon his coming forth from heaven, and MUCH BEFORE HIS ARRIVAL AT THE EARTH, he will give his orders, and send forth his commandment as King and God omnipotent; which is all signified in these words, With a shout, (In the vulgate, Jus su, i.e. by the order) with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. At this voice of the Son of God, those who hear it, shall forthwith arise, and, as saith the Evangelist St. John (chapter u. 25.) 'those who hear shall live.' "(CAPITALS are mine, here and elsewhere, for emphasis). (Vol. 1, Part I, c. VI, p. 99).

The above is the statement of Lacunza which first caught my attention and caused me to seek for more material from this book, as to his teaching on this subject.

Then he said concerning those Christians who are living when Christ appears and the Christian dead are raised: "The second truth, which we derive from the text of St. Paul, is, that after the raising up of those dead WHO ARE IN CHRIST, the liv­ing who in that day likewise beong to Christ, (who, according to the other notices which we find in the gospels, cannot be many, but will be very FEW, as we shall see in the proper place,) all those of THIS CLASS then living shall be joined to the dead in Christ already raised, shall ascend from the earth and go to receive Christ; 'then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.' " (Vol. 1, Part 1, c. vi., page 100).

So we see that in both of these passages quoted, Lacunza taught that when Christ first comes from Heaven the dead in Christ will be raised and the living Christians will be caught up to meet Christ, and that this will all occur MUCH BEFORE HIS AR­RIVAL AT THE EARTH. How much "before" we shall quote later.

Lacunza Taught That Immediately After The Rapture, the Judgments of God On the Earth Will Take Place. Lacunza taught that when Christ appears from Heaven (the very moment He touches the atmosphere of our earth), and "MUCH BEFORE" He comes to the earth, the dead in Christ will be resurrected and rise, and the living Christians will be caught up. While the saints are with Him up above the world's atmosphere, He will then begin to bring about the judgments of wrath upon the earth and its inhabitants.

Here are Lacunza's exact words in statements from his book proving that he taught that immediately ("the very moment") when Christ appears from Heaven, and before He comes to the earth, the Christian dead will be raised and the living Christians caught up, while the saints are with Him above the world's at­mosphere, then next immediately ("forthwith") will begin that period when God's judgments and wrath are poured out on the in­habitants of the world, the same period which is part of what is called "The Great Tribulation Period" by modern-day Pre­Tribulation Rapturists, and these things to happen BEFORE He comes on down to the earth with His saints: "Then, at his coming from heaven to earth, (and, as I figure it to myself,) AT THE VERY MOMENT OF HIS TOUCHING THE AT­MOSPHERE OF OUR GLOBE, there shall happen in It, in the first place, the resurrection of all those saints 'who shall be counted worthy of that age and of the resurrection from the dead ...the few worthy of that name who shall still be found alive upon the earth, for their uncorrupted faith and righteousness, shall be caught up along with the dead saints who are just raised, and shall ascend along with them 'to meet the Lord in the air.'...

"Things being then in this state, and the Lord having nothing in the whole orb of the earth to contemplate .... there shall FORTH­WITH BEGIN TO BE ACCOMPLISHED over this orb of the earth ALL THOSE GREAT AND HORRIBLE THINGS which are announced for that day.... " (Vol. 2, Part III, pp. 215-216).

What are these "great and horrible things" to happen on earth of which he speaks? The Scriptures he uses to show what will hap­pen BETWEEN the Rapture of the saints and His actual coming to the earth with the saints, are as follows:
Isaiah 24:13-14, 17-20; Rev. 14:19; Isaiah 59:17, 18; Isaiah 63:6. Also Isaiah 13:9; Isaiah 14:9, 11; Jeremiah 30: 23, 24; Malachi 4:1.

You are aware that these are the same passages as used by those today who believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture to describe The Great Tribulation Period which they say follows the Rapture. In the Scofield Reference Bible, Scofield has "The great tribula­tion" title over Isaiah 24:17-20. He designates the passage where Rev. 14:19 is found, "Vision of Armageddon." He labels Isaiah 63:6, "The day of vengeance". A couple of others he titles, "The day of the Lord". The passage in Rev. 14:19 is in that period of time in the book of Revelation which is called by Pre-Tribulation Rapturists, "The Great Tribulation Period," which ends with the coming of Christ to the earth. All of these things, says Lacunza, begin happening immediately after Christ appears above the at­mosphere of this world and raises the worthy saints from the dead and catches up the living saints to be with them.

He does not say at this point how long all this will take, but he does say, "MUCH BEFORE" Christ comes to the earth. And he does tell us the duration elsewhere, after he has studied further. Also, he does not say in his book at exactly what chronological point in the book of Revelation he places the Rapture, but at one place in his book he did say, "It is then, my friend, not only probably, but as it were, evident that the Apocalypse of St. John, OMITTING AT PRESENT THE THREE FIRST CHAPTERS, is a prophecy wholly directed to the coming or revelation of Jesus Christ." (Vol. 1, Fart 11, page 201). So then, the Rapture according to Lacunza must oc­cur sometime after the first three chapters of Revelation and before these dreadful judgments of God begin to occur on the earth.

Pre-Tribulation Rapturists today, of course, believe that the Rapture takes place at Rev. 4:1, immediately following the first three chapters.

Lacunza Taught That This Time of Tribulation and Judgment On the Earth Will Last for At Least 45 Days What would be the length of time involved for this part of the "tribulation" period to take place, according to Lacunza? Remember, he said that the first appearance of Christ from Heaven when He raises the worthy Christians up to meet Him would be "MUCH BEFORE" His actual descent to the earth, and that in between there would be those "horrible things" which will come on the earth. How much time does he assign to this expres­sion, "MUCH BEFORE"?
Lacunza at first said that he did not know how long this tribulation period would last; but evidently after further study he had more to say about a definite time period. At the first he said, "This great day being at length concluded, (THE TIME OF THE DURATION OF WHICH WE KNOW NOT,) the horrible tempest being overpast, all the impious the sinful being exterminated thence...." (Vol. 2, Part III, ch. v., page 249).

Then in the very next chapter of his book, after greater reflec­tion, he puts an "Addition" in his book, which says: "Although It was said at the beginning of the fourth section that it is UNCERTAIN how long the GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD'S COMING will endure, that is, the commotion, pertur­bation, and agitation of our globe; yet having now read with greater reflection the xlith chapter of the prophet Daniel, it appeareth to me certain that It cannot endure a shorter time than the space of FORTY-FIVE NATURAL DAYS. Whoever readeth this chapter shall at once perceive, without the possibility of a doubt, that it is a prophecy wholly directed to the last times, VERY IM­MEDIATE UPON THE COMING OF THE LORD, forasmuch as there are announced therein these two capital points only; first, the vocation and conversion of the Jews; second, THE ANTICHRISTIAN TEMPTATION AND TRIBULATION OF THE GENTILES. OF THIS LATTER the prophet, or the angel who speaks to him, says, that it shall endure !n all its force TWELVE HUNDRED AND NINETY DAYS, WHICH IS FORTY AND THREE MONTHS. 'And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.' Dan. xit. 11. Which days being concluded, (doubtless In the first beginning of the day of the Lord,) these words are added, which have ever appeared to me an impenetrable mystery; 'Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days;'Dan. xii. 12. the difference between which two periods is exactly forty and five."

"In this examination It is very natural that some may be struck with another kind of enigma, which though accidental to the point in hand, might yet occasion a degree of embarrassment; which is, that the prophet Daniel makes the ANTICHRISTIAN TRIBULATION to last for a THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND NINE­TY DAYS, or forty and three months, whereas St. John in his Apocalypse assigneth to it only the duration of one thousand two hundred and sixty days, which is thirty days less. This difficulty occasioned me in other times not a little embarrassment, until I recollected those words of Matthew xxiv. 22. 'And except those
days shall be shortened.' As St. John wrote after this prophecy and promise of Christ, he sets down the time of THAT GREAT TRIBULATION as actually abreviated, and so strikes off thirty days from the time that it was to endure according to the prophecy of Daniel. In a pestilence or conflagration so great and universal, ap­peareth It to thee a slight mercy to assuage the fire thirty days before the time of its appointed duration, that all flesh might not perish?" (Vol. 2, Part III, chap. 6, pages 250-251).

Keep in mind that Lacunza had said that when Christ first ap­pears, "AT THE VERY MOMENT OF HIS TOUCHING THE AT­MOSPHERE OF OUR GLOBE, there shall happen in it, in the first place, the resurrection of all those saints 'who shall be counted worthy of that age and of the resurrection from the dead ............................... and THEN "there shall FORTHWITH BEGIN TO BE ACCOMPLISHED over this orb of the earth ALL THOSE GREAT AND HORRIBLE THINGS which are announced for that day...." (Vol. 2, Part III, page 215).

This period of time following the Rapture during which those things take place before Christ actually comes on down to the earth is described by Lacunza as being of the length of time at which he finally arrived-not less "Than the space of forty-five natural days". But these things were not to happen on the earth until Christians had been caught up to meet Christ in the air, and only after all these things were accomplished would Christ then actually come to earth.

So we see here very clearly taught what was a two-stage Second Coming of Christ with an intervening period of at least 45 days of tribulation and judgments in between the two stages. True, the period was only 45 days, but it was not long after this book was published that the period of time became 3-1/2 years, and then finally 7 years. And it was FIRST taught in this book published in Spanish in 1812, and in English in 1827.

Lacunza Taught That the 45 Days of Tribulation andJudgments Upon the Earth Bring About the Final Destruc­tion of Antichrist and His Followers "...there Is no doubt that the greater part of the human race shall perish; those, in the first place, who had in any way gathered themselves together under the fourth beast of Daniel, or pertained to the two beasts of the xiith chapter of the Apocalypse. Of these I hold it for certain that no one shall remain alive; for thus I see it ex­pressed in both prophecies; 'And I beheld,' says Daniel of the fourth beast, 'till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.' Dan. vii. 11. 'These both,' with John of his two beasts, 'were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth:' Rev. xix. 20, 21...."(Vol. 2, Part III, ch. 1, page 217).

So, Lacunza taught a Rapture of worthy Christians, following which the Lord lets loose His terrible and horrible judgments on the earth which lasts for 45 days and culminates in the destruc­tion of all those who have followed the Antichrist and the false prophet, plus the casting of the Antichrist and false prophet into the lake of fire.

Lacunza Taught That the Rapture Will Be a PARTIAL Rapture.
In the following quotation from Lacunza's book, we see how he believed that even though all saved people would at some time enter into the kingdom of God, he denied that they who just bare­ly got in would have part in the first resurrection even, and cer­tainly would never be able to reign together with Christ:

"We do not therefore deny that all faithful Christians who observe the precepts of God, or at least offer true repentance for their sins, shall at some time enter into the kingdom of God. BUT IT MAY VERY WELL BE DENIED THAT THOSE WHO IN THIS WAY SHALL HARDLY ENTER INTO LIFE, OR INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD, SHALL BE OR CAN BE KINGS OR REIGN TOGETHER WITH CHRIST. IT MAY BE AND OUGHT TO BE DENIED THAT THESE SHALL HAVE ANY PART IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION.... "' (Vol. 2, Part 111, p. 267).

Dave MacPherson, author of "The Incredible Cover-up" (men­tioned elsewhere in this book) wrote me that he believed I am the only one who has ever called Lacunza a partial rapturist, and that every historian he has read calls him a pre-millennialist, the only kind of pre-millennialist that lived prior to 1830. Because of the tremendous amount of research that Mr. MacPherson has done on this subject, I can believe him that I am the only one who has ever called Lacunza a partial rapturist. Even Edward Irving the translator of the book did not mention this fact. However, the facts stand out as clear as day, as shown by the various quota­tions I will give directly from Lacunza's book on this matter. They speak for themselves.
After the above quotation, Lacunza went on to ask­ "Of those Christians then WHO DO NOT PERTAIN TO THIS PRIVILEGED CLASS, what shall be the lot in that day? IF THEY ARE NOT TO HAVE A PART WITH THE GREAT SAINTS IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION, what shall be their portion?" (Vol. 2, Part III, Chap. VII, page 267).

He answers this question later, as I shall quote more in full later as we discuss that particular matter. But this shows his separation of Christians into different classes, only part of whom will be caught up when Christ first appears. His idea was that if a Christian were not of extraordinary worthiness, he would not be resurrected at the coming of Christ; he would not reign with Christ; and he would not even have part in the holy city. "This holy city must be composed ONLY OF SAINTS OF EX­TRAORDINARY SANCTITY...." (Vol. 2, Part III, Chap. VII, page 26'7).

So far as I know, this is the first published teaching ever on a "split" Rapture of just worthy Christians, or as some call it, a "Partial Rapture".

Elsewhere, Lacunza tells us more about his teaching concern­ing a differentiation of Christians as to their worthiness, so as to arrive at a conclusion that only the worthy ones are to be resur­rected when Christ first appears:

"Lastly: In the sixth chapter of the Gospel of St. John, I read the promise of the Lord four times repeated-AND I WILL RAISE HIM UP AT THE LAST DAY: a very remarkable promise, which Jesus Christ certainly makes not to men without distinction, NOR EVEN TO ALL CHRISTIANS, but to those expressly, and THOSE ALONE, who should profit in this doctrine, his example, his counsels, his death, and, above all, in the sacrament of his body and blood. Now if all men, without distinction, are to arise, in one company and at the same time, what particular grace is this he holds discourse? If it be the resurrection to life only which is promised, then as little would that grace be so specially theirs, as that very many to whom certainly he did NOT refer, shall NOT share it along with them: FOR EXAMPLE, THE INNUMERABLE COMPANY, WHO DIE AFTER BAPTISM BEFORE THE DAWN OF REASON, AND ALL WHO AT THE HOUR OF DEATH FIND ROOM FOR REPENTANCE, THOUGH THEY HAVE BEFORE LIVED FAR FROM HIS LAW AND DOCTRINE. If all these are likewise to rise to life eternal, what SPECIAL grace doth he promise to the FORMER?

"The instruments or documents which we have presented in this dissertation, if they be seriously considered and combined with one another, appear more than sufficient to prove that God hath promised in his word, to raise many other saints besides those already raised, before the general resurrection; consequent­ly, the idea of the resurrection of the flesh, in one company and at the same time, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, is an idea which is so far from being just that it appeareth absolutely in­defensible." (Vol. 1, Part I, p. 114).

By the expression, "to raise many other saints, besides those already raised before the general resurrection, " we see once again Lacunza's attempt to provide a foundation for his new teaching of a Rapture of select saints prior to the coming of Christ to the earth, as well as before the general resurrection which he be­lieved was to be after the Millennium.

But here also Lacunza taught that only a select number of Christians would be involved in this special resurrection, and that others-such as those "who die after baptism before the dawn of reason, and all who at the hour of death find room for repentance, though they have lived far from his law and doctrine, " will not be raised until later. Here we see that Lacunza separates Christians into different categories on the basis of their worthiness, and not on the basis of the merits of Christ. We must remember that he was a Catholic, and this was Catholic reasoning, in a sense. (He even says that worthiness to fit one for the "special" resurrection (Rapture) at the appearing of Christ, involves partaking of "the sacrament of his body and blood"). This concept is the basis for the kind of rapture belief as espous­ed later by Margaret MacDonald and others, including Robert Norton who wrote later on that Margaret MacDonald was the first one to advance the idea of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Margaret MacDonald and Robert Norton both taught a partial rapture, that is, that not all Christians would be caught up at the Rapture, as we shall see later.

See also in this following quotation again how Lacunza believ­ed that only certain Christians will be resurrected when Christ comes:
He first poses a question, "Shall the saints who shall come with the Lord to our earth, risen and completely blessed, consist of ALL who have been saved hitherto?" And then he answers that question by explaining who will be raised, but limiting the resur­rection only to certain worthy Christians; that is, he says that not all Christians are "in Christ" in such a way as to be included in this resurrection:
....they that are Christ's at his coming', I Cor. xv. 23. In order that this expression, those who are Christ's, may not have a very wide and definite extension given to it, AS IF IT SPOKE OF ALL WHO SHOULD BE SAVED, the same apostle explains it in another place by these formal words, 'but they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its corruption and lusts.' Gal. 1:24. And thinkest thou, friend, that all Christians who have been saved to this day, or shall be saved from this time forth, are or shall be in Christ in such a manner?" (Vol. 2, Part III, p. 265).
Lacunza Taught That Those Christians Not Raptured When Christ Comes Are Left On the Earth to do Through the 45 Days of Tribulation and Judgments.

In a previous quotation given, Lacunza taught that "no one shall remain alive" at the end of the 45 days of tribulation and judgments upon the earth, when at last the Antichrist and all his followers are destroyed. However, Lacunza went on to say:
"But although I hold it to be certain, that OF THIS CLASS OF PEOPLE there shall not one single Individual be left alive; so, in the same manner and with the same foundation, it appeareth to me certain that there shall remain alive MANY INDIVIDUALS, NOT ONLY of those who shall then pertain to true Christianity (as are those who go in the clouds to meet Christ,....) but likewise of those pertaining to the first beasts, and WHO HAVE NOT JOINED THEMSELVES TO THE CONGREGATION OF THE FOURTH. " (Vol. 2, Part III, ch. 1, page 217).

According to Lacunza, those Christians who are not caught up in the Rapture will certainly be left on earth to go through the time of these horrible things which will come on the earth, until such time as Christ comes down to the earth after destroying the Antichrist and his followers. But they will be left alive, though all others will be destroyed, according to Lacunza.
ONLY THE MOST WORTHY CHRISTIANS WILL ESCAPE THIS DREADFUL PERIOD; others not raptured will go through it. For some Christians, therefore, it will be a PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE­

Rev. John Bray

ETERNAL SECURITY THESIS: CONCLUSION-THE END

“CONCLUSION” of Eternal Security Thesis

The contents of this thesis is not anything new, but, systematically has been in the Church since it began, at Pentecost. And, as can be expected, there are always at least two extreme positions of “any” doctrine; and sometimes, several other positions in the middle. It was not my purpose to document the position of every group concerning their theology on the subject, or, for that matter, even apply any labels.

The sole purpose is to state MY position, of which I am firmly founded and committed to. I have reached the point where I am now at, having arrived here, through a path where I had once been on the extreme OPPOSITE view of everything I now firmly believe, concerning this subject!

There are hundreds of volumes of scripturally sound, scholarly works supporting the doctrine of this thesis in Christian libraries, all over the world. The opposite views, usually are supported by very superficial scholarship, usually based on experimental Christianity, rather than by being supported by sound Bible exposition.

I firmly admit , that in order to have arrived at the place I am presently at, has taken literally thousands of hours of diligent study on the subject, but, it certainly has been worth the effort! God has given me a firm faith and a solid foundation! It is with prayerful expectancy, that those who read this thesis, will receive it, as being firmly grounded in the Word of God, and will feel totally secure in the Lord, and if not, that this thesis will have served as a stepping stone to “wet the appetite” enough, so that those who have not yet reached the point of feeling Eternally Secure forever, in Christ, will continue to investigate the available volumes of study matter on the subject, and their creeds, systematic scholarship, etc.

If I have presented any heretical teachings here, I openly invite, and ask to be corrected, in any area where I have misunderstood. All objections brought to my attention, will be prayerfully re-studied again, to examine if I have missed the correct meaning. To those this thesis may have ministered to, I Praise His Name that He has thought to illuminate your spirit with the perfect peace and joy which the Doctrine of Eternal Security brings.

“But you are not in the flesh, but, in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.” “Now, if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.” (Romans 8:9,16) May the Peace of God bring Joy into your hearts, as you search your own inner regions, in order to have the reunion with your own hidden Master Who has been continuously Calling YOU to dine at His Table of Grace.
THE END…………,or the beginning for some.

Blessings!
Marked Elect

ETERNAL SECURITY THESIS: ONCE ENTERED, Part 3

“Once Having Entered Salvation, Absolute Eternal Security Is Guaranteed”, Part Three

The first area I would like to discuss are a few verses of Scripture which have caused much worry and concern in the church, and the recording is in Hebrews 6:4,5,6, “For it 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 work 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.”

First, let me say right away, that those referred to in preceding verses were never genuine Christians, but, apostates. There are several reasons, although not too obvious. The first key is the word “IMPOSSIBLE.” It is never, ever, impossible to repent of ANY sin, no matter how serious. All Christians are given the assurance in John 1:9, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to FORGIVE us our sins, and TO CLEANSE us from ALL unrighteousness.” So, these verses certainly are not talking about backslidden Christians.

Simon Peter backslide and repented. (Matt.26:69-75) and was restored to fellowship (John 21:3-17) with the Lord. David sinned (2nd Samuel 11:1-27) repented, (Psalms 51:1-19) and was restored to fellowship with God. These people discussed were “professing” Christians, but not “possessing” Eternal Life.

Esau was a such example who sold his birthright to Jacob (Genesis 25:27-34) and tried to repent later, but found it impossible. “He found no place of repentance though he sought it carefully with tears.” (Hebrews 12:16-17).

The other clue is in the word “tasted”. The Greek word for “tasted” is “guomi”, and is the same word used in Matthew 27:34, when Jesus “tasted” the wine mixed with gall. He would not take it in. The same applies to the apostates’ They tasted of the things of God, but, did not take them in. Their experiences were only superficial with no deep spiritual roots. The other less obvious fact mentioned in these verses, is, assuming those persons spoken of were real Christians, it did not say they actually DID fall away! It just gave a few warnings to “whomever” the shoe would fit IF they shall fall away vs. 6) also, they were contrasted apostates from real believers, because when the REAL believers were actually being addressed, it became obvious in Hebrews 6:9,10, “But, BELOVED, we are persuaded better things of YOU (the Elect), and things that accompany salvation, though we this speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have showed toward His Name, in that you have ministered to the saints, AND DO minister.”

So, those that “tasted”, tried the flavor of, but rejected it, but, they really NEVER did fall away!

The wicked will TRY to repent at the Great White Throne judgment )Rev.20:11-15), but, it WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE for them. Paul mentions several apostates like those, who were NEVER real believers to begin with. He talks about “some” having put away faith made shipwreck: of whom is Hymenes and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, and they may learn not to blaspheme.” (1st Timothy 1:19,20).Paul also mentions Demas, who was actually sharing the ministry with Paul (Col. 4:14; Phm. 24) but later showed his true colors of being an apostate! Paul says, “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this PRESENT world, and is departed.” (2nd Timothy 4:10). John discussed those kinds of people in John 2:18,19. “Even now there are many antichrists whereby we know it is the last time. They went out FROM us, but were NOT OF US, for if they HAD been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they WERE NOT OF US.” In other words, from the beginning, there had been some apostates mixed in with the true believers, and they finally showed their true identity!

Another example is Peter who had been discussing false prophets and teachers in most of the 2nd chapter of 2nd Peter. Then, finally closing with the last three verses, he said, “for after THEY (the apostate meant) have escaped the pollutions (sins) of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteous, then, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.. But, it is happened unto them according to the true Proverb, the DOG is turned to his own vomit; and the SOW that was washed to her walling in the mire.” (2nd Peter 2:20-22).

Without reading the context of all the rest of the chapter, only looking at these verses, might seem to indicate they had believed fore a while, and then turned away. How ever, we know Peter was talking about false prophets who were never called by God in the first place, and though they heard the Gospel, and responded for a period, they never received the INNER CALL from Christ, because, notice, it said they were DOGS AND PIGS, not SHEEP! “My SHEEP HEAR MY voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27). We are told what Jesus thought of dogs and pigs when He told His disciples, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine lest they trample them under their feet.” (Matt. 7:6). When Jesus was addressing the Canaanite woman who asked mercy of Him, He told her in Matthew 15:24, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel (the Elect).” When she asked fore help again, He said in vs, 26, “it is not meant to take the children’s (Elect’s) Bread , and cast it to DOGS (apostates). Then, we are told in Revelations 22:14,15, “Blessed are they (the Elect) that DO His commandments, and that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For, without (or outside) are DOGS , and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murders, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”

Then, in Matthew 8:28-34, Jesus cast out demons from the Gergesene demoniacs, and sent them into a nearby herd of pigs! So, it should be obvious that it was not sheep which fell back into their old nature.

In Matthew 24:12,13, is said, “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold; but, he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Again, this is only a final separating of the real and counterfeit, or the wheat from the tares.

Paul said in 1st Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit spiked expressly that in the latter times, SOME shall depart from the faith.” He means that they will fall away from doctrine, but, not from the Grace of God, because he continues about them, “giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to ABSTAIN FROM MEATS.” ( Meats meaning food, here, or fasting indefinitely) Does this describe true believers? No, it certainly does not. No ,matter how much sin real believers are in, the Spirit of God never departs!

David, though deep in sin, still had the Holy Spirit in him, because when he was asking forgiveness, he said “TAKE NOT thy Spirit FROM me; restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free Spirit.” (Psalms 51:12).

Then, another Scripture I have previously mentioned is 1st Timothy 2:3,4, when referring to “classes” of men, such as kings (vs.2) and all authority, says, “for this is good and acceptable in thy sight, oh God, our Savior; who will have ALL means all of the ruling class, because God is “no respecter of persons.” If someone asked you, “How many were at your church last night”, and you would reply, “Why, they were ALL there, not the entire town, or world. The same applies to ALL being used in that verse.

There are verses of Scripture, stating Jesus gave Himself a ransom for ALL. (1st Timothy 2:6). How ever, this meant ALL OF THE ELECT, because, it also says, “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and give His life as a ransom for MANY. (the Elect).
(Matt.20:28; Mark 10:45).

After Jesus preached a conflicting message, it is said some of the disciples left Him, (John 6:66) and followed Him no more. The word “disciple” means “learner”, so these learners were not necessarily believers, or they would have stayed.

In the Old Testament, there were many, supposedly, “holy” men, even doing priestly functions, who turned to apostasy. Nadad and Abihu were priests, (Exidus 19:6; 22:31) and were cut off in sin. (Leviticus 10:1-20; Numbers 16:1-3, 23-33). Saul even went into spiritualism when he turned away, and lost the Holy Spirit (1st Samuel 16:12-23), and died a suicide and cursed God. (1st Samuel 31:1-6; 1st Chronicles 10:13-14). Ananias and Sapphra lied to the Holy Ghost, and were struck dead by God (Acts 5:11). Many others coveted money and erred from the faith. (1st Timothy 6:10,21). Many young widows waxed cold toward Christ and cast off their FIRST faith and were damned (1st Timothy 5:11-13). Hymenaeus and Philetus erred from the faith and overthrew the faith of others. (2nd Timothy 2:17-19). All of these people were never genuinely saved to begin with, or they would have endured until the end. If all other scriptures around each of those mentioned are real, in every case, it can be seen that they were all apostates.

There is a teaching in some circles that it is impossible to be saved, and not know it, as one of the Elect. If a person is definitely saved, he will know it by the seal of the Holy Spirit. I believe each of the Elect know who and what they are; however, a reprobate will never know he is not of the Elect. As long as he breaths, he has a chance of becoming enlightened by God, because, ONLY God knows who are His!

Therefore, I, as a Minister of the Gospel, even believing in Predestination, Election, reprobation, and Eternal Security, feel perfectly justified into being able to walk into the street, and preach to anyone, and fully expect that SOME of those who hear the outer call of the Gospel will also hear the INNER CALL from God, Himself, and come to Christ After all, Jesus did say, MANY are CALLED, but FEW are CHOSEN!

No one can ever know if he is eternally lost! In God’s time table, He can call anyone any time He wills, which He has already predetermined to do. There are many other scriptures which also may, at first glance, “seem” to indicate Christians falling away, but I am convinced, they were apostates.

CONT. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Blessings!
Marked Elect

ETERNAL SECURITY THESIS: ONCE ENTERED, Part 2

“Once Having Entered Eternal Security”, Part Two

The fact is, the Divine Trinity actual stands guard over me! Jesus said he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” (John 14:9) “Believeth thou not I am in the Father, and the Father is Me? Believe Me, the I AM IN the Father, and the Father IN ME.” (John 14:10,110. “If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, AND WE will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23). Or, in other words, “live with him.”

Then, I am told in 1st Corinthians 3:16,17, “know ye not that ye ARE the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth IN you? If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple YE ARE.” So, it is quite plain to see, with God living in me, if I fall away, it is HIS fault, not MINE; but, I will not, because He is faultless!

Jesus once said in John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that HEARETH my Word (the Elect) and believeth on Him that sent Me HAS (has it right now!) everlasting (forever) life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.”

We are told in 1st Thess. 5:9, “God has not appointed us (the Elect) to wrath.” The wrath to come for the wicked is separation from God, of which we are not appointed to! This is verified again in Romans 5:8,9, when Paul said, “But God commendeth His love toward us (the Elect), much more NOW justified by His Blood, we shall be saved from WRATH through Him.”

Who might look at a backsliding Christian, and say, Surely, another man’s wife (Christ’s servant?) To his own Master (Christ) he is able to MAKE HIM STAND.” (Romans 14:4). Again, concerning the Elect, Paul says in 1st Corinthians 1:7,8,9, “ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also CONFIRM YOU UNTO THE END, that ye may be blameless in the day of out Lord, Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called into fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Then, Paul says when we were saved, “you were SEALED with the Holy Spirit of promise.” ( Ephesians 1:13). “Ye are SEALED unto the day of Redemption.” That means I have got God’s Royal Mark on ME until Christ comes back for me!

Since we know God’s will is perfect, it includes me. Jesus said in John 6:39, “And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I shall lose NONE OF ALL that He has given to Me, but raise it up the last day.” This refers to “the last day on the earth, in this body.” Jesus will not loose even ONE of us! In Ephesians 1:13,14, it says, “We are sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest (pledge or down payment) of our inheritance (eternal life) until the redemption (the full completed redemption) of the purchased possession (the Elect purchased by God), unto the praise of His Glory!”

There are many other verses affirming Eternal Security throughout the Bible, but, these I have highlighted are the clearest. How ever, I would like to bring this last one to the attention of anyone still entertaining the idea that a believer can fall away to eternal destruction. In 1st Corinthians 5, Paul had reprimanded the church for not disfellowshipping a member of their fellowship. He was a fornicator who was committing adultery with his father’s wife, probably, his step mother. Paul, in 1st Corinthians 5:5 wanted “to deliver such a one unto Satan for THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FLESH, that THE SPIRIT MAY BE SAVED, in the day of the Lord Jesus.” So you see, even though the believer had backslidden so far that God would judge him by taking his life on earth, Paul still looked for his spiritual salvation as one of the Elect.

If I am in sin, and refuse to repent and confess it, God will judge me, even to death, if I refuse that long. It says in Hebrews 12:6,7,8, “for whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. If you endure chastening, God dealeth with you as sons: for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth (disciplines) not? But, if you be without chastisement, whereof all (the Elect) are partakers, then you are bastards (illegitimate, or counterfeit, or in other words, reprobates), and not sons.” That is why the Psalmist wrote, “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest.” (Psalms 94:12) Paul said in 1st Corinthians 11:32, “But when we are judged (disciplined) we are of the Lord, that we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the World (the reprobate).”

Finally, as a booster, Jesus said, “I am the living Bread which came down out of Heaven: if any man eat of this Bread, he shall LIVE FOREVER.” (John 6:51). He did not say if we eat many times, but that if we eat at all, we will live forever. “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall NEVER thirst; but, the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up into ETERNAL LIFE. (John 4:14). “Jehovah will PERFECT this, that God gave unto us eternal life.” (1st John 5:11). “For by ONE offering, He hath perfected FOR EVER them, that are sanctified (the Elect) (Hebrews 10:14). “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto His Heavenly kingdom.” (2nd Timothy 4:18).”I have loved thee (the Elect) with an EVERLASTING love.” (Jeremiah 31:3). “And I will make an EVERLASTING Covenant with them (the Elect), and I will not turn away from following them, to do them good; ; and I WILL PUT my fear in their hearts, that they MAY NOT DEPART from me.” (Jer. 32:40).

As Christians, we have this promise, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, and will not allow you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation, make also the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1st Corinthians 10:13). “The Lord is faithful and will establish you and guard you from the evil one. (2nd Thess.3:13).

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear (respect) Him and delivereth them.” (Psalms 34:7). Was Paul able to fall away from Christ” In fact, did he stay in faith of his own free will? In Romans 1:1, it says, “Paul, a SERVENT of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, SEPERATED unto the Gospel of God.” The Greek word for “servant” here, is “Doulos”, which means “bond-slave, or one who is the entire property of another.” Could he possibly have fallen away? The word translated “fallen away” is “apostasy” in the original text, and has nothing to do with the question of individual salvation. Apostates were never real genuine Christians, but were “professing” Christians who were never truly saved to begin with, but who eventually showed their true identity as reprobates. The apostate is always a man opposed to Christ.

No matter how backslidden a true believer is, he will lot loose Eternal Life. The word says, “If a man’s work shall be burned, he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1st Corinthians 3:15)

Therefore, in light of everything which has been said, as a Bounty Hunter for souls called by God to teach the Gospel, I could never teach that Christ gives Grace to men, but tells them “now, you shall be saved IF you persevere, but, this must be left to yourself.” Or, should I invite sinners to Christ telling them, after you come to Christ, you may serve Him all your life, but, probably, when you are on your death bed, in weakness, and pain, your faith might fail, sin might take hold, and you may be lost from the kingdom! Or, if you are caught off guard, in a moment of unconfessed sin in your life, and you die unexpectedly, you will suffer eternal torment in hell forever! NO! I refuse to preach that unscriptural doctrine to bring shame on the God I serve. No, instead, I will invite whosoever will believe to Christ, and exhort them, “My son, attend to my words, for they are life, unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (Proverbs 4:20,22). And, I will warn them after they come, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but, the Lord delivereth them from THEM ALL.” (Psalms 34:19)

And, no matter how old I will get, I am sure I will always be able to preach, “I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” (Psalms 37:25). If anyone could ever convince me that a true saint of God, could possibly loose his salvation which was given by Grace then I can assure you, I wouldn’t have anything to offer, except a case of the “do betters” and a “work your way to Heaven” myth, which is totally impossible for ANYONE to do!

Now, let’s examine a few of the Scriptures which “seem” to indicate a believer may fall away. And we discuss these, please keep in mind Matthew 10:22, where Jesus said, He that endureth (persists) to the end shall be saved.” This is the only real proof of final election. Those who fell away and completely turned their backs on Christ, never were saved to begin with, ONLY those who persist TO THE END are saved.

CONT.>>>>>>>>>>>>

Blessings!
Marked Elect

ETERNAL SECURITY THESIS: ONCE ENTERED, Part 1

“ONCE HAVING ENTERED SALVATION, ABSOLUTE ETERNAL SECURITY IS GUARANTEED! Part One

This Doctrine is the greatest Doctrine in the entire Bible, I believe, as, until a Christian firmly is committed to this wonderful Truth, he never will be able to rest solely upon the work of Christ on the Cross for his salvation.

He, even if not consciously, will at any rate, always be trying to improve on his salvation by various ongoing personal works. This Doctrine is sometimes labeled "Once Saved, Always Saved”, or “Eternal Security,” or “The Perseverance of the Saints”, etc.

There are multitudes of Christians who have not entered into this rest, yet, and even refer to it as a heretical doctrine. But, as one who has been slowly led into this rest, by diligent study and the Lord’s Grace, I am firmly committed, that to refute this Doctrine, is to deny Christianity in its most purest form, and to peddle a “works gospel” which can never bring the true peace of God which passes understanding or the true joy of the Holy Spirit!

After studying predestination, election, and reprobation, I personally found myself enlightened to the fact that God had chosen ME before the foundation of the world. I became overjoyed to really find out! I was one of the Elect! After fully discovering that it was God, and not I, Who saved me, I could not help but come to the only logical final conclusion. If God was the Author of my faith in the first place, then, He would also have to be the Finisher of it., because if I was to stay saved by my own merits, I would never make it until the end!

Let’s examine some Scriptures to first see IF God will keep me saved; and then some other verses which “seem” to indicate that it is possible to fall away after being saved.

I believe the best place to start, is with Hebrews 12:2, of which we already mentioned. “Look unto Jesus, the AUTHOR AND FINISHER of our faith.” He started this love affair, and if it is to continue, then He has to be the finisher of it.

Then, we are told in Philippians 1:6, “He (Jesus) which has BEGUN a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” That verse, quite clearly, states that if the seed of salvation was EVER really planted that God will keep it growing until Jesus either raptures me, or resurrects me! Paul knew this truth when he said to Timothy, “I am persuaded that HE is able, to KEEP that, which I have committed, unto Him against that day (that final day)”, (2nd Timothy 1:12).

Peter also knew that truth, when speaking about the Elect, “Who ARE KEPT by the power of God through faith unto salvation.” (1st Peter 1:5). It should be understood that salvation is a progressive process which will progressively continue until we see Jesus face to face, and have our Glorified bodies!

During this course of time in all of our trials on earth, as long as we realize that we cannot keep ourselves from falling away, we can enter into that rest knowing now unto HIM that is able, TO KEEP YOU FROM FALLING and to present you faultless before the presence of His Glory.” (Jude 24).

An often overlooked verse, is the often quoted John 3:16. “”For God so loved the world, that HE GAVE His ONLY begotten Son, that whomever belevieth in Him should not perish, but have EVERLASTING life.” The question to be asked is, “HOW LONG is everlasting? Did He say those that believe would not perish as long as they “hold on to Christ”, or anything else at all? There were NO OTHER conditions set forth, except to believe, and we already know that ALL of the Elect WILL BELIEVE! Everlasting life is forever, or eternally, NOT temporarily.

In John 3:15, Jesus said, “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have ETERNAL life.” So, everlasting and eternal are both forever. Notice, in John 3:16, Jesus said, God so loved the WORLD. He loved the Elect all over the world, not the reprobate. In John 14:16,17,22,27, He contrasted the Elect and reprobate in the WORLD, when He said, “I will pray my Father, and He shall give you (the Elect) another Comforter, (the Holy Spirit to be given at Pentecost). Judas saith unto him, (not Iscariot), Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us (the Elect), and NOT unto the WORLD (the reprobate)? Peace I leave with you (the Elect), my peace I give unto you: not as THE WORLD (reprobates) giveth.” Jesus, quite clearly, sums it up in John 17:9, “I pray for them (the Elect); I pray NOT for THE WORLD (the reprobate), but for them (the Elect) which thou hast given Me, for they are Mine,” Some say He was only referring to the Apostles or disciples with Him, at that time, but, in John 17:20, He said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for THEM ALSO which SHALL BELIEVE ON ME through their word.” That includes every member of the Elect, until the church is raptured to meet Christ. (Thess. 4:16,17)

Now, since Jesus prayed for them and for us, did any of His prayers go unanswered? No. They always are ALL answered, because He prays in the perfect will of the Trinity. A Christian cannot possible fall away into the final condemnation, because of the ministry of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, which is an ongoing process until we are completely redeemed.

We are told about Jesus, our High Priest, who sits at the right hand of the Father continuously, pleading the Elect’s case. We are told in Hebrews 7:25, “Wherefore He is able also to save them (the Elect) to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He EVER LIVETH to make intersession for them.” How can we possibly fall away?

Then, we are told in Romans 26:27 that since we do not know how to pray, because we do not know God’s perfect will, the Holy Spirit prays the perfect prayers FOR US, because, He knows the perfect will! Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities (weaknesses): for we know not what we should pray for as we aught: but the SPIRIT HIMSELF maketh intercession FOR US with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts, knoweth that what is the mind of the Spirit, because He MAKETH intercession FOR THE SAINTS according to the will of God.” Notice closely, it is the Holy Spirit doing the praying with “unutterable groanings.” It is NOT US doing the groaning with groans that CAN be uttered. Some understand this verse to mean the Spirit filled saint speaks in tongues, but that is putting meaning to the verse which is just not there! The holy Spirit does not have any physical organs and is speaking to God the Father in His perfect will in a perfect SILENT language! HE is doing it!

And again, that Christ intercedes for us at the Father’s right hand in Romans 8:34. So, with Jesus interceding, and the holy Spirit praying in the perfect will, it would only be logical that if the saints they were ministering to would fall away, they would have an imperfect ministry; but we know, God’s ministry is always perfect! That is why Paul was able to say in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ, Jesus.” The Greek word for “condemnation” is “Katakrima”, and means, “final sentence to death, or final judgment.”

I have heard people say, “God is a perfect gentleman; He will not hold anyone against their will. They can stop believing, or walk out of Christ anytime they want to! Personally, even when I did not believe in the Eternal Security Doctrine, I never for a moment, could imagine myself, voluntarily, walking away to destruction. I just worried about staying good enough for Christ to keep me! However, Paul told us in Romans 8:35,37,38,39, “who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in ALL these things, we are MORE than conquers 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, not 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. Wow! If THAT is not Eternal Security, then what is? There is no way Christ is going to let us go, or that He will stop loving us!

“But”, some say ,”what about if we get led astray by false teachers?” Jesus covers that “loophole” in John 10:27-30. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know THEM, and they follow Me: and I give unto them ETERNAL (you know-----forever) Life; and they shall NEVER perish, neither shall ANY man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater then all: and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father ARE ONE.” Some say “no MAN can pluck me away, but, what about demons? “I do not let demons worry me, because I am told in 1st John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them (the demons): because greater is He that is IN YOU (God)than he (the devil or demons) that is in the WORLD (reprobates).

CONT>>>>>>>>>>

Blessings!
Marked Elect

ETERNAL SECURITY THESIS: REPROBATION< Part 2

“REPROBATION”, Part Two

If you have ever run into any of this group yet, should you accept them because of their “gifts”? Notice, Jesus did not say He ONCE knew them, or that they were backslidden; He said He NEVER knew them! That meant they were NEVER elected to Eternal Life!

Saul, Judas, and many others were in this group, who did many wonderful works. Judas shared in the ministry as one of the twelve Apostles with access to all the Spiritual gifts except “saving faith.” That is one gift that was with held from him, or he would have believed, and the devil could never have entered him as he rose up to betray Jesus at the Last Supper.

Having said all this concerning the reprobate and the Elect, the only possible conclusion I have arrived at, along with multitudes of others before me, including many of the great theologians, is that Christ did not come into the world to die for EVERYONE’S sin! That can be a shocking statement, but, when all the Bible facts are examined together, the Bible teaches a “limited Atonement” on the Cross. Christ came into the world to die for the salvation of the Elect only, as shocking as that may sound. There are a great number of scriptures which seem to indicate a universal salvation offer to all, but, if closely examined, it will be seen as the outer physical call or invitation goes out to all, but ONLY the Elect “hear” the “inner” Spiritual Call.

One of the last Scriptures which held me from believing the doctrine of Election, was 2nd Peter 3:9.”The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance.” The key words are “any, us, and all” in this passage. Upon studying it, Paul was speaking to whom he considered to be believers, of which he considered himself to be one of, because of his use of the word “us-ward”, which identified him with the group. Therefore, what he meant was God was not willing to loose ANY of the Elect, but would bring them ALL to repentance so they would be regenerated and be Born Again!”

The fact still holds true today. There are still numbers of the Elect in the world today who have not received that “inner” Call of salvation yet, and that is why Christ has not come back to take the church out of the world yet. However, there will come a day when the very last person on earth will be brought to the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel, and will hear that “inner” Call, and be saved. At that very moment, others will hear also, and the church will be raptured! ( The Rapture is taking place ever second, some place on earth, as each lost soul is found, and comes to Christ!)

Paul says that God has turned away from dealing with the Jews “until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25). The Greek word for “fullness” is “Pleroma”, which means “full number”, meaning to the very last person, or in other words, the very last person coming into the church! God knows where EVERY LAST ONE is, and EXACTLY when they will be saved!

Returning to 2nd Peter for a moment, where it says, “not willing for “any” to perish, “the Greek word for “all”, “all should come to repentance”, translates “the totality of the persons or things designated by the noun.” In this case, the noun used was “us-ward.” Therefore, it becomes clear that God was talking about ALL of His Elect, and He was not willing to let ANY perish, as He still is not willing today! After examining all of the surrounding verses around “that” verse, it is quite plain to see Peter was addressing the Elect!

Paul said in Romans 10:13, WHOSOEVER shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” But then, he adds in the next verse, 14, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed.” And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard?” The gift of Faith must be given by God in order for anyone to believe. The Bible says in several places that without faith, it is impossible to please God. But, how do we get this needed faith? Paul reveals it in Romans 10:17. “Faith cometh by HEARING, and HEARING, by the word ( Greek word “Rhema) of God.”

“Word” in the New Testament used two Greek words. In some verses, “Logos” is used for “word” such as in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the WORD (Logos) and the WORD (Logos) was God.” Jesus was the living Word or “Logos” and the Bible is the written word or “Logos”. However, WORD in Romans 10:17 is “Rhema”, which translates the “actual spoken word from God, Himself! “Rhema” WORD is when God speaks directly to the Elect’s spirit! That is how the INNER CALL takes place, by the “Rhema.”

This is the reason why a non-elect can listen to the preaching of the Gospel, or even read the Bible (Logos) for years, and not understand anything! The method God uses to call and save the Elect is to present the “Logos” which is Jesus Christ, His Word, and since this “Logos” is presented to the physical senses which are either sight or sound, He will transform the “Logos” to “Rhema”which is now Spiritual, and can be fed into the spirit of the Elect! Since God is Spirit, we can ONLY communicate with and worship Him in Spirit with our spirits! Until He “quickens” or makes our spirits alive by His Holy Spirit, we are just as Paul said we were: “dead in our sin and trespasses!” The reprobate’s spirit remains dead, therefore, can never hear God’s INNER Spiritual CALL to salvation! This same faith which cometh by HEARING the WORD )Rhema) of God, is a Spiritual Gift from God (I Corinthians 12:9) as well as a fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22). And guess what? The Lord Jesus was the AUTHOR, as well as the FINISHER of our FAITH! (Hebrews 12:2). “And being made perfect, He became the Author of Eternal salvation unto ALL that obey Him. (Hebrews 5:9).

We are told in Acts 10:34, that “God is no respecter of persons.” Does that mean He will treat all the same? No, it does not. I cannot part the Red Sea (or even a mud puddle) with a staff like Moses used; and I was not knocked off a horse and audibly spoken to by God when he saved me, such as He did the Apostle Paul.

It does not mean He will save the reprobate, as well as the Elect. It means God will save the Elect, not on any outward appearance or condition, such as Race, nationality, gender, age, rich or poor, bond or free; but He will save the Elect from all of those because of their heart condition, which only He sees. That is why He is no respecter of persons. Because all the Elect are not saved yet, in our day, as in Paul’s, we should follow Paul’s example and abide in Christ until all of the Elect come into the fold. Paul said, “I endure all things for the Elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ, Jesus, with eternal glory.” (2nd Timothy 2:10) In contrast, Paul describes the reprobate, and what they look like. “In the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, fake accusers, no self control, forceful, despisers of those that are good (the Elect), traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God: HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS, BUT DENYING THE POWER THEREOF: from such, turn away. For of this sort, are they (the reprobate) which creep into houses, and lead capture silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, EVER LEARNING AND NEVER ABLE to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2nd Timothy 3:1-7). They certainly are contrasted from the Elect!

There is a scripture in Titus 2:11 which states “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL men.” “All men” here, means from every class, race, nationality, nation, etc. It states in 1st John 2:2, “and He, (Jesus) is the propitiation for our (the Elect there, present) sins: and not for ours only, but FOR ALSO FOR, the sins of the whole world.” (meaning the rest of the elect scattered through out the world.)

Whenever the word, “world” is used, in the New Testament, it does not necessarily mean every single human being on the earth. The devil lays claim to “the children of darkness, or children of the world.” Peter talks about the “flood upon the world of the ungodly” (2nd Peter 2:5) “deliver us from the present evil world” (Galatians 1:14). “Sorrow of the world, worketh death.” (2nd Corinthians 7:10). “The god of this world is in the Scripture, and we should examine carefully of whether it refers to any specific group, rather than the entire world. The “whole world” could mean all of the Elect if that was the context of the verse, or all of the reprobate.

The word “all” should be closely examined with the same caution. For example, it states in 1st Timothy 2:3,4, “For this is good and actable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” That verse implies universal salvation for all individuals without checking any surrounding verses. But, if we study the context of that verse, we find in the proceeding verses 1 and 2 that Paul, was talking about “classes” of men, kings, and all in authority or leaders; he was not talking about individuals. So, again, ALL in that verse, means “God is no respecter pf persons, as He will save people from all classes, or groups, even kings or those in authority.

Therefore, in the light of all of the above, I believe I have presented a strong case, teaching the truth of God’s Inspired Word in the Bible concerning the non-elect. Paul told Titus about them in Titus 1:16. They PROFESS that they know God, but in WORKS, they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work, reprobate.
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Blessings!
Marked Elect