“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
Sunday, August 13, 2006
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
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.
CONT.>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Blessings!
Marked Elect
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.
CONT.>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Blessings!
Marked Elect
ETERNAL SECURITY THESIS: REPROBATION, Part 1
“REPROBATION”, Part I
On the other side of the coin from election, is reprobation, or those which God, in His Sovereignty, passes over without choosing to call to salvation, and leaves them in bondage to their sin, even to the point of eternal separation from Him, and torment in Hell!
The Bible teaches that from all eternity, God has intended to leave the reprobate in their sin; if only the Elect are chosen to Eternal Life in Heaven, then, obviously, those NOT chosen, can not enter Heaven. Therefore, God foreordained Eternal Life for some, and loss of salvation for others who have no interest is salvation.
However, that is not to say that those who do not get chosen to Eternal Life by God, do not share in His blessings while on earth, because, they do! Many are blessed even more than the Elect throughout their earthly lives, but, all those blessings are only temporal, as they will not share in any spiritual blessings!
We are told in Proverbs 16:4, “The lord hath made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.”
The fact is, since God is the Creator of ALL things, He has made all things for Himself, and not another, not because He had need of them, but to declare His greatness and communicate His Goodness, for His will and pleasure, and His praise and glory. This Scripture is brought to light with the illustration given in Romans 9:17-18. “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, “even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that My Name might be declared throughout all the earth.” Therefore, hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will, HE HARDENETH.” Can you imagine. God actually raised Pharaoh in power to drown him in the Red Sea! And in Malachi 1:2,3, God said, “I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet you say, “Wherein hast thou loved us?” Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? Saith the Lord: Yet I loved Jacob, and I HATED ESAU, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.” And, in Romans 9:11-13, we are told God hated Esau before he was even born!
Christ is said to be, to the wicked, “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense: for they stumble at the word, being disobedient; whereunto, also, THEY WERE APPOINTED.” (1 Peter 2:8). “For there are certain men crept in privily, even they who were of old, written of beforehand to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the GRACE of God into lasciviousness, and denying our Master and Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 4). “But there, as creatures without reason, born mere ANIMAL TO BE TAKEN AND DESTROYED, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed.” (2 Peter 2:12).
“For God did put in their heart to do His mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the word of God should be accomplished.” (Revelations 17:17).
Concerning the beast of John’s vision, it is said, “all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, “everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life, “of the Lamb that hath been slain.” (Rev. 13:8).
In contrast to these, Jesus told His disciples “to rejoice, because your names are written in Heaven.” (Luke 10:20). Paul says that the “vessels of wrath” which, by the Lord, were “fitted unto destruction”, were “endured with much long suffering”, in order that He might “show His wrath, and make His power known”; and with these are contrasted the “vessels of mercy, which He afore prepared unto Glory”, in order “that He might make known the riches of His Glory” upon them, (Romans 9:22,23). As for the reprobate, it is said that “God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting”, (Romans 1:28); and the wicked, “after his hardness and impenitent heart treasures up for himself wrath in the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” (Romans 2:15).
Paul talks about perishing people. He says “GOD SENDETH them a working of error, that they should believe a lie,” (2 Thess. 2:11).
John stated that people still disbelieved, even after seeing all the miracles Jesus did, and he also added, “For this cause they COULD NOT BELIEVE, for that Isaiah said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts; lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their hearts, and should turn, and I should heal them.” (John 12:39,40) In Matthew 25:41, Christ commands the wicked “Depart from Me, you that are cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the Devil and his angels.” This is the strongest degree of reprobation. Jesus once said, “For judgment came into this world, that they that see may not see: and that they that see may become blind.” (John (:39). He also said, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that those didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes.” (Matt.11:25).
When the disciples asked Jesus why He spoke in parables, He said, “unto you (the Elect), it is GIVEN to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, but unto them (the reprobates), “it is NOT GIVEN. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath. Therefore, speak I unto them in parables; because seeing, they see not, and hearing, they hear not, neither do they understand.” (Matt. 13:10-15). Jesus, regarding the reprobate, said in Matthew 7:6, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine.”
It is the nature of the reprobate to do evil, and all God has done was to foreordain to leave that nature alone. Jesus knew the difference between the Elect and reprobate when He was on earth. That is one ability He never left behind in Heaven when He emptied Himself of all of His Glory. That is why He could address the reprobates as vipers, hypocrites, and say to them, “you WILL NOT come to me, that you may have life.” (John 5:40).
God used many reprobates for His own purpose, but never elected them to salvation. From an outward appearance, those reprobates may look like the Elect, but, we must remember only God sees into the heart. As always, the visible church is loaded with them, and Christians not firmly grounded in the word of God, should not be led astray by their mighty works. God even allows them to work some gifts of the spirit for His own Glory, but, still has not called them to salvation. He warned us about them in Matthew 7:21-23 when He said, “Not every one that SAITH unto me, “Lord, Lord” shall enter the kingdom of heaven: but he that DOETH the will of my Father which is in Heaven. MANY will say to Me in that day (Judgment day). “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy Name? And in thy Name, have cast out devils? And in thy Name, done many wonderful WORKS?” And then, will I profess unto THEM (the reprobates), I NEVER KNEW you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.” The Greek word for “iniquity” here, is “Anomia”, and this same Greek word is used in 2nd Timothy 2:19 which says “Let everyone that nameth the Name of Christ depart from “iniquity.” The word means “disregarding” the Law, or ignoring it.
The word is also used in 2nd Thess. 2:3 describing the anti-Christ as that man of sin, which means lawless. So, it appears that in the last days, there would be some “professing” Christians who called Christ “Lord”, who would be going around doing all kinds of wonderful WORKS, such as prophesying, casting out devils, etc.
CONT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Blessings!
Marked Elect
On the other side of the coin from election, is reprobation, or those which God, in His Sovereignty, passes over without choosing to call to salvation, and leaves them in bondage to their sin, even to the point of eternal separation from Him, and torment in Hell!
The Bible teaches that from all eternity, God has intended to leave the reprobate in their sin; if only the Elect are chosen to Eternal Life in Heaven, then, obviously, those NOT chosen, can not enter Heaven. Therefore, God foreordained Eternal Life for some, and loss of salvation for others who have no interest is salvation.
However, that is not to say that those who do not get chosen to Eternal Life by God, do not share in His blessings while on earth, because, they do! Many are blessed even more than the Elect throughout their earthly lives, but, all those blessings are only temporal, as they will not share in any spiritual blessings!
We are told in Proverbs 16:4, “The lord hath made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.”
The fact is, since God is the Creator of ALL things, He has made all things for Himself, and not another, not because He had need of them, but to declare His greatness and communicate His Goodness, for His will and pleasure, and His praise and glory. This Scripture is brought to light with the illustration given in Romans 9:17-18. “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, “even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that My Name might be declared throughout all the earth.” Therefore, hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will, HE HARDENETH.” Can you imagine. God actually raised Pharaoh in power to drown him in the Red Sea! And in Malachi 1:2,3, God said, “I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet you say, “Wherein hast thou loved us?” Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? Saith the Lord: Yet I loved Jacob, and I HATED ESAU, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.” And, in Romans 9:11-13, we are told God hated Esau before he was even born!
Christ is said to be, to the wicked, “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense: for they stumble at the word, being disobedient; whereunto, also, THEY WERE APPOINTED.” (1 Peter 2:8). “For there are certain men crept in privily, even they who were of old, written of beforehand to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the GRACE of God into lasciviousness, and denying our Master and Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 4). “But there, as creatures without reason, born mere ANIMAL TO BE TAKEN AND DESTROYED, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed.” (2 Peter 2:12).
“For God did put in their heart to do His mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the word of God should be accomplished.” (Revelations 17:17).
Concerning the beast of John’s vision, it is said, “all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, “everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life, “of the Lamb that hath been slain.” (Rev. 13:8).
In contrast to these, Jesus told His disciples “to rejoice, because your names are written in Heaven.” (Luke 10:20). Paul says that the “vessels of wrath” which, by the Lord, were “fitted unto destruction”, were “endured with much long suffering”, in order that He might “show His wrath, and make His power known”; and with these are contrasted the “vessels of mercy, which He afore prepared unto Glory”, in order “that He might make known the riches of His Glory” upon them, (Romans 9:22,23). As for the reprobate, it is said that “God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting”, (Romans 1:28); and the wicked, “after his hardness and impenitent heart treasures up for himself wrath in the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” (Romans 2:15).
Paul talks about perishing people. He says “GOD SENDETH them a working of error, that they should believe a lie,” (2 Thess. 2:11).
John stated that people still disbelieved, even after seeing all the miracles Jesus did, and he also added, “For this cause they COULD NOT BELIEVE, for that Isaiah said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts; lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their hearts, and should turn, and I should heal them.” (John 12:39,40) In Matthew 25:41, Christ commands the wicked “Depart from Me, you that are cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the Devil and his angels.” This is the strongest degree of reprobation. Jesus once said, “For judgment came into this world, that they that see may not see: and that they that see may become blind.” (John (:39). He also said, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that those didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes.” (Matt.11:25).
When the disciples asked Jesus why He spoke in parables, He said, “unto you (the Elect), it is GIVEN to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, but unto them (the reprobates), “it is NOT GIVEN. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath. Therefore, speak I unto them in parables; because seeing, they see not, and hearing, they hear not, neither do they understand.” (Matt. 13:10-15). Jesus, regarding the reprobate, said in Matthew 7:6, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine.”
It is the nature of the reprobate to do evil, and all God has done was to foreordain to leave that nature alone. Jesus knew the difference between the Elect and reprobate when He was on earth. That is one ability He never left behind in Heaven when He emptied Himself of all of His Glory. That is why He could address the reprobates as vipers, hypocrites, and say to them, “you WILL NOT come to me, that you may have life.” (John 5:40).
God used many reprobates for His own purpose, but never elected them to salvation. From an outward appearance, those reprobates may look like the Elect, but, we must remember only God sees into the heart. As always, the visible church is loaded with them, and Christians not firmly grounded in the word of God, should not be led astray by their mighty works. God even allows them to work some gifts of the spirit for His own Glory, but, still has not called them to salvation. He warned us about them in Matthew 7:21-23 when He said, “Not every one that SAITH unto me, “Lord, Lord” shall enter the kingdom of heaven: but he that DOETH the will of my Father which is in Heaven. MANY will say to Me in that day (Judgment day). “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy Name? And in thy Name, have cast out devils? And in thy Name, done many wonderful WORKS?” And then, will I profess unto THEM (the reprobates), I NEVER KNEW you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.” The Greek word for “iniquity” here, is “Anomia”, and this same Greek word is used in 2nd Timothy 2:19 which says “Let everyone that nameth the Name of Christ depart from “iniquity.” The word means “disregarding” the Law, or ignoring it.
The word is also used in 2nd Thess. 2:3 describing the anti-Christ as that man of sin, which means lawless. So, it appears that in the last days, there would be some “professing” Christians who called Christ “Lord”, who would be going around doing all kinds of wonderful WORKS, such as prophesying, casting out devils, etc.
CONT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Blessings!
Marked Elect
ETERNAL SECURITY THESIS: ELECTION, Part 3
“ELECTION” Part Three
I never could completely trust God to secure my salvation, and could never be clearly convinced as I should have, that my salvation flowed from the foundation of His free mercy, until I became acquainted with the Doctrine of Eternal Election. My entire understanding of what God expected of me, changed at that time. As one of God’s Elect, I no longer have to worry about believing any wrong teachings if I hear them. I may dwell in some error for a period, but God will always lead me back into the truth. How do I know this? Jesus said in Matthew24:24, “There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, IF POSSIBLE, even the elect.” (However, it is NOT possible to lead the elect astray permanently.)
I, at first, wondered and asked, as others do today, “why does God save some and not others?” However, that answer belongs to His secret Councils. He does not tell us why. He long ago explained that He kept “some” secrets! “The secret things belong unto the Lord, our God, but those things which are revealed, belong unto us and to our children for ever.” ( Deut. 29:29).
We can only admire, wonder, and exclaim with Paul when he said, “O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unreachable are His judgments, and His ways past tracing out!”
The reason God does not choose all to eternal life was not because He did not wish to save all, but would be consistent with His perfect righteousness. I rest my case on election at this point, and am just so very thankful that however the actual mechanics of MY responding to the Divine Call took place, I am glad that when He knocked, I opened! “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will supp with him, and he with Me.” (Revelations 3:20) I heard the call, opened my heart, and He certainly did come in, and has lived there every since.
Each of God’s Elect, are written in a “special Book” called the “Lamb’s Book of Life”, (Rev. 21:27) There are other books mentioned also, in the Book of Revelations and elsewhere in the Bible. All of the WORKS of those God does not save are written in books, and those books will be opened at the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the one thousand year reign of Christ when the reprobates will be judged according to their WORKS. (Revelations 20: 11,12; Rev. 22:12).
But, there is one special Book of Life which ONLY contains the role call of the Elect. This Book is mentioned in Revelations 20:12 in contrast to the “works” books of the reprobate. It is also mentioned by Jesus writing to the seven churches in Revelations. He challenges the Elect to heed the warning. He says in Revelations 3:5,6, “He that OVERCOMETH, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess this name before My Father, and before His angels. He that hath an ear, (the Elect who has a spiritual ear to hear), let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Jesus addresses those “overcomers” some more. “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.” (Revelations 3:12). “To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.” (Rev. 3:21).
How can anyone be an overcomer? Do we “hang on” by our fingernails, or can any amount of good works make us an overcomer? John gives us that answer to the riddle in 1 John 5:5. “Who is he that overcometh the world, but that he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.? Then, in 1 John 5:1, he said, “whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”
There are many verses of Scripture throughout the Bible which, at the first glimpse, look like people can choose to be godly, and be obedient, and that salvation is conditional, but, after studying each verse, and especially the meaning of the words from the original languages of either Hebrew or Greek, will reveal that special call is only given to the Elect, where those verses with contingences connected with them are given so that the Elect will be clearly separated from the reprobate, as the wheat will be separated from the tares in the last day. Paul addresses the Elect in 1 Corinthians 12:13, when he said, “For BY one spirit are we, (the Elect) all baptized into one body, and have been all MADE to drink into one spirit.”
CONT.>>>>>>>>>>>
Blessings!
Marked Elect
I never could completely trust God to secure my salvation, and could never be clearly convinced as I should have, that my salvation flowed from the foundation of His free mercy, until I became acquainted with the Doctrine of Eternal Election. My entire understanding of what God expected of me, changed at that time. As one of God’s Elect, I no longer have to worry about believing any wrong teachings if I hear them. I may dwell in some error for a period, but God will always lead me back into the truth. How do I know this? Jesus said in Matthew24:24, “There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, IF POSSIBLE, even the elect.” (However, it is NOT possible to lead the elect astray permanently.)
I, at first, wondered and asked, as others do today, “why does God save some and not others?” However, that answer belongs to His secret Councils. He does not tell us why. He long ago explained that He kept “some” secrets! “The secret things belong unto the Lord, our God, but those things which are revealed, belong unto us and to our children for ever.” ( Deut. 29:29).
We can only admire, wonder, and exclaim with Paul when he said, “O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unreachable are His judgments, and His ways past tracing out!”
The reason God does not choose all to eternal life was not because He did not wish to save all, but would be consistent with His perfect righteousness. I rest my case on election at this point, and am just so very thankful that however the actual mechanics of MY responding to the Divine Call took place, I am glad that when He knocked, I opened! “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will supp with him, and he with Me.” (Revelations 3:20) I heard the call, opened my heart, and He certainly did come in, and has lived there every since.
Each of God’s Elect, are written in a “special Book” called the “Lamb’s Book of Life”, (Rev. 21:27) There are other books mentioned also, in the Book of Revelations and elsewhere in the Bible. All of the WORKS of those God does not save are written in books, and those books will be opened at the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the one thousand year reign of Christ when the reprobates will be judged according to their WORKS. (Revelations 20: 11,12; Rev. 22:12).
But, there is one special Book of Life which ONLY contains the role call of the Elect. This Book is mentioned in Revelations 20:12 in contrast to the “works” books of the reprobate. It is also mentioned by Jesus writing to the seven churches in Revelations. He challenges the Elect to heed the warning. He says in Revelations 3:5,6, “He that OVERCOMETH, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess this name before My Father, and before His angels. He that hath an ear, (the Elect who has a spiritual ear to hear), let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Jesus addresses those “overcomers” some more. “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.” (Revelations 3:12). “To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.” (Rev. 3:21).
How can anyone be an overcomer? Do we “hang on” by our fingernails, or can any amount of good works make us an overcomer? John gives us that answer to the riddle in 1 John 5:5. “Who is he that overcometh the world, but that he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.? Then, in 1 John 5:1, he said, “whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”
There are many verses of Scripture throughout the Bible which, at the first glimpse, look like people can choose to be godly, and be obedient, and that salvation is conditional, but, after studying each verse, and especially the meaning of the words from the original languages of either Hebrew or Greek, will reveal that special call is only given to the Elect, where those verses with contingences connected with them are given so that the Elect will be clearly separated from the reprobate, as the wheat will be separated from the tares in the last day. Paul addresses the Elect in 1 Corinthians 12:13, when he said, “For BY one spirit are we, (the Elect) all baptized into one body, and have been all MADE to drink into one spirit.”
CONT.>>>>>>>>>>>
Blessings!
Marked Elect
ETERNAL SECURITY THESIS: ELECTION, Part 2A
“ELECTION”, Part Two A
“And as the gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God, and AS MANY AS WERE ORDAINED to Eternal Life believed.” (and not one more!) (Acts 13:48).
Jesus said, “I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me, for they are Thine.” (John 17:9). “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen.” (John 13:18) “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” (John 15:16). “God commended His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (the Elect). (Romans 5:8) “”Blessed is the man whom Thou choosest, and CAUSEST to approach unto Thee, that he may dwell in thy courts.” (Psalms 65:4) “They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.” (Isaiah 29:24). “I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” ( Jeremiah 24:7).
From all of these Scriptures shown, the Elect are indeed a special breed of people, to say the least. Peter referred to them as a “peculiar people and Royal priesthood.” (I Peter 2:9). One thing is quite certain: The Elect of God are holy. They are not pure, perfect, spotless, but, taking life as a whole, they are holy persons. They are MARKED and distinct from others, and no man has a right to conclude himself elect, except in his holiness.
Peter instructs for us to always check ourselves to see if we are elect in 2nd Peter 1:10, “Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall.: The plainest way to examine ourselves as to whether we are one of the Elect is laid out for us by Paul in Colossians 3:12-17. It reads “Put on therefore, as the Elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forebearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you. And, above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you, richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”
If YOU are one of the Elect, you will be able to identify those traits in your own lives. Finding the truth of being one of the elect is a very humbling experience, to say the least! If we want to be humbled, then study the Doctrine of Election, as it will humble us under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, those who refuse to accept the Doctrine of Election and say “why preach the Gospel to every creature if only a “few” are chosen”, can be answered Biblically, because the Atoning sacrifice of Christ is sufficient for ALL, IF ALL will accept it. “Whosoever” will MAY come”, but all are not willing. The vast majority of people have no desire to come to Christ. Had God left it entirely to man’s will, none would have accepted Him. However, God has to work in us, “BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO of His good pleasure that brings election, or in essence, a “limited Atonement” in His work on the Cross. Even though He purchased the “whole world” by dying on the Cross, He did it to redeem those Elect scattered among every nation in the whole world.
That Doctrine is taught throughout the Bible if closely examined, and would require a sizable volume just to examine all the scriptures dealing with the subject. Since it is by the PREACHING of the Gospel that the Elect are called out from the world, we are commanded to preach the Gospel to all nations.” And it pleased God by the FOOLISHNESS of PREACHING to SAVE them (the Elect), that BELIEVE.” (I Corinthians 1:21) “God, in due times, has manifested His word through PREACHING.” (Titus 1:3) Jesus commanded “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth (the Elect) and is baptized, shall be saved, but he that believeth not (the reprobate) shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15,16).
Those who believe are called by God with irresistible force: they hear the call and they cannot help, BUT respond. Jesus identifies them. “The sheep hear His voice: and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him: for they (the Elect) know His voice. And a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” (John 10:2-5). That illustration is the first mark of election. The Shepherd CALLS, and those who are His sheep, (the Elect) hear, recognize, and respond!
In the parable of the sower given by Jesus in Matthew 13, there are four kinds of ground on which the seed (the word of God) falls, but only one bears fruit. The first three represent various classes of unbelievers who hear the word of God, and have one thing in common: they are all barren, and do not retain the seed, which is actually the Shepherd’s call to salvation!
But, the fourth class, the good ground (the Elect) bearers, bring forth fruit in varying degrees. Galatians 5:22,23 gives examples of this “fruit” which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control. The most certain thing is, when the great Shepherd gives the call, the sheep respond. Jesus said in John 6:37, “all that the Father giveth me SHALL COME to me.”
Human elections are always conditional elections, based on the merits of the elected, however Divine Election is always UNCONDITIONAL election.
God never bases His choice on what man thinks, says, does, or is. Thank God I finally came to the knowledge of this truth given in the Bible, that since He did not elect me to eternal life by any good merits or performance He foresaw in me, but only by His love and unmerited GRACE, I can now rest in Him knowing if He started this love affair in the first place, He will continue it, if it is to continue. Therefore, I can rest in His love!” I can forever trust Him because of HIS CHOICE of this sinner, rather than THIS SINNER’S choice of Christ, was the initial and ultimate cause of salvation.! I would have never chosen Him, if He had not first chosen me. I never chose Christ on my own initiative, but when the Holy Spirit illuminated the word of truth to me, and I found that God the Father would declare me NOT GUILTY, by looking only to Christ, and His work on the Cross alone, for the sole means of my salvation, I could do nothing except believe He was the sole sacrifice for my sin!
The moment I believed, I knew He called me! The outward call had been given many times when I heard the Gospel, but I never understood it enough to believe and receive until the inward call was given by the Lord Himself! The work for my sin had been done at the Cross, but my personal call did not come until He called ME.
Paul described my condition the moment God called me. Paul described my condition the moment God called me. perfectly, in Colossians 2:13-14, when he said, “And you (me), being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, both He MADE alive together with Him, having forgiven you ALL (not just some, but ALL, past, present, future) trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that WAS against us, which WAS contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross.”
CONT>>>>>>>>>>>>
Blessings!
Marked Elect
“And as the gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God, and AS MANY AS WERE ORDAINED to Eternal Life believed.” (and not one more!) (Acts 13:48).
Jesus said, “I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me, for they are Thine.” (John 17:9). “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen.” (John 13:18) “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” (John 15:16). “God commended His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (the Elect). (Romans 5:8) “”Blessed is the man whom Thou choosest, and CAUSEST to approach unto Thee, that he may dwell in thy courts.” (Psalms 65:4) “They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.” (Isaiah 29:24). “I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” ( Jeremiah 24:7).
From all of these Scriptures shown, the Elect are indeed a special breed of people, to say the least. Peter referred to them as a “peculiar people and Royal priesthood.” (I Peter 2:9). One thing is quite certain: The Elect of God are holy. They are not pure, perfect, spotless, but, taking life as a whole, they are holy persons. They are MARKED and distinct from others, and no man has a right to conclude himself elect, except in his holiness.
Peter instructs for us to always check ourselves to see if we are elect in 2nd Peter 1:10, “Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall.: The plainest way to examine ourselves as to whether we are one of the Elect is laid out for us by Paul in Colossians 3:12-17. It reads “Put on therefore, as the Elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forebearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you. And, above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you, richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”
If YOU are one of the Elect, you will be able to identify those traits in your own lives. Finding the truth of being one of the elect is a very humbling experience, to say the least! If we want to be humbled, then study the Doctrine of Election, as it will humble us under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, those who refuse to accept the Doctrine of Election and say “why preach the Gospel to every creature if only a “few” are chosen”, can be answered Biblically, because the Atoning sacrifice of Christ is sufficient for ALL, IF ALL will accept it. “Whosoever” will MAY come”, but all are not willing. The vast majority of people have no desire to come to Christ. Had God left it entirely to man’s will, none would have accepted Him. However, God has to work in us, “BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO of His good pleasure that brings election, or in essence, a “limited Atonement” in His work on the Cross. Even though He purchased the “whole world” by dying on the Cross, He did it to redeem those Elect scattered among every nation in the whole world.
That Doctrine is taught throughout the Bible if closely examined, and would require a sizable volume just to examine all the scriptures dealing with the subject. Since it is by the PREACHING of the Gospel that the Elect are called out from the world, we are commanded to preach the Gospel to all nations.” And it pleased God by the FOOLISHNESS of PREACHING to SAVE them (the Elect), that BELIEVE.” (I Corinthians 1:21) “God, in due times, has manifested His word through PREACHING.” (Titus 1:3) Jesus commanded “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth (the Elect) and is baptized, shall be saved, but he that believeth not (the reprobate) shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15,16).
Those who believe are called by God with irresistible force: they hear the call and they cannot help, BUT respond. Jesus identifies them. “The sheep hear His voice: and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him: for they (the Elect) know His voice. And a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” (John 10:2-5). That illustration is the first mark of election. The Shepherd CALLS, and those who are His sheep, (the Elect) hear, recognize, and respond!
In the parable of the sower given by Jesus in Matthew 13, there are four kinds of ground on which the seed (the word of God) falls, but only one bears fruit. The first three represent various classes of unbelievers who hear the word of God, and have one thing in common: they are all barren, and do not retain the seed, which is actually the Shepherd’s call to salvation!
But, the fourth class, the good ground (the Elect) bearers, bring forth fruit in varying degrees. Galatians 5:22,23 gives examples of this “fruit” which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control. The most certain thing is, when the great Shepherd gives the call, the sheep respond. Jesus said in John 6:37, “all that the Father giveth me SHALL COME to me.”
Human elections are always conditional elections, based on the merits of the elected, however Divine Election is always UNCONDITIONAL election.
God never bases His choice on what man thinks, says, does, or is. Thank God I finally came to the knowledge of this truth given in the Bible, that since He did not elect me to eternal life by any good merits or performance He foresaw in me, but only by His love and unmerited GRACE, I can now rest in Him knowing if He started this love affair in the first place, He will continue it, if it is to continue. Therefore, I can rest in His love!” I can forever trust Him because of HIS CHOICE of this sinner, rather than THIS SINNER’S choice of Christ, was the initial and ultimate cause of salvation.! I would have never chosen Him, if He had not first chosen me. I never chose Christ on my own initiative, but when the Holy Spirit illuminated the word of truth to me, and I found that God the Father would declare me NOT GUILTY, by looking only to Christ, and His work on the Cross alone, for the sole means of my salvation, I could do nothing except believe He was the sole sacrifice for my sin!
The moment I believed, I knew He called me! The outward call had been given many times when I heard the Gospel, but I never understood it enough to believe and receive until the inward call was given by the Lord Himself! The work for my sin had been done at the Cross, but my personal call did not come until He called ME.
Paul described my condition the moment God called me. Paul described my condition the moment God called me. perfectly, in Colossians 2:13-14, when he said, “And you (me), being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, both He MADE alive together with Him, having forgiven you ALL (not just some, but ALL, past, present, future) trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that WAS against us, which WAS contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross.”
CONT>>>>>>>>>>>>
Blessings!
Marked Elect
ETERNAL SECURITY THESIS: Election, Part 1
“ELECTION”
The word “elect” means “to choose.” There are actually three types of election in the Bible. The first is “National Election:, whereby the nation of Israel consisting of 13 tribes were chosen by God to work through. However, not all of them were called to Eternal salvation.
The second type was “vocational Election”, which means God chose some “special” people to work special works through. Some of those people were prophets, apostles, and others. All of those were not necessarily chosen to Eternal salvation, either.
The third type of election spoken of is “Personal Election’, which consists of all those called to Eternal salvation by God which includes a select group from all ages.
This is a group this thesis will put the most emphasis on, since it concerns us, in the present age, also.
The ultimate reason a Christian is filled with thanksgiving is he KNOWS that he was chosen from eternity! The Apostle Paul was one of the greatest teachers of election. He touches on election in most of his writings. Summarizing the basic Scriptures, he shows that election is from eternity. In Ephesians 1:4,5, we are told, "for He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestinated us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and His will.”
The result of election becomes evident in life. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 1:4,5, “Brothers loved by God, we KNOW that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.”
This doesn’t mean that anyone has the right to judge whether another person is saved or lost though, because GOD sees the heart; WE do not!
Paul’s teaching was “inspired by God” as ALL Scripture is, (holy writings, in the original Greek) , (2 Timothy 3:16), but WE are not infallibly inspired. As long as a person breaths even a last breath, there is always a chance of even a death bed conversion. Paul states in several scriptures that election is Sovereign and unconditional, meaning it is not conditioned on foreseen works or foreseen faith.
“God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so no man can boast before Him.” (1 Corinthians 1:27,28,29). “For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive and if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” ( I Cor. 4:7). “For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith, and this, not from yourselves; IT ( the faith, even), is a gift from God.” (Ephesians 2:8).
Paul then teaches that election is just. Those who reject divine election always ask the age old question even discussing election and reprobation as was asked in Paul’s day. He quite clearly spells it out in Romans 9:10-24, when he explains even before they were born, while rejecting the other. While the Jewish custom of the day was to give the birthright to the elder, in this case, God chose the younger!
Let’s examine this very important teaching on election and reprobation. Rebecca’s children had one and the same father, our ancestor Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born, or had done anything, good or bad, in order that God’s purpose in election might stand; not by works , but by Him Who calls, she was told, “the older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau, I hated.” For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” “It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but, on God’s mercy.” (Romans 9:10-16).
Then, as all have said, even I, when I first was investigating the doctrine. “One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists His will? “ “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him Who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? What is God, choosing to show His wrath, and make His Power known, bore with great patience the objects of His wrath, PREPARED for destruction? What if He did this to make the riches of His Glory known to the objects of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance, for Glory, even us, whom He also called, not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles.” (Romans 9:19-25). That pretty well tells the story, and what’s exactly what happened when the twins, Jacob and Esau grew up. Esau sold (and lost) his birthright to his younger brother, Jacob.
Paul taught that election was not only limited to the Gentiles either, but that in every age a remnant of the Jews is also included. “So, to, at the present time, there is a remnant chosen by grace.” (Romans 11:5). Election is immutable and effectual; the elect actually reach Heaven, at last. They obtain salvation. What then?
What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but, the Elect did.” (Romans 11:17). In the next verse, he contrasts the final destiny of those God did not elect to salvation. “The others became hardened, as it is written: God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so they could not see, and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day.” (Romans 11:8). We are taught in Romans 8:28-30, that God’s “chain” cannot be broken. The story is revealed along with Romans 11:29, and 2 Timothy 2:19. We read “and we know that in all things GOD WORKS for the good of those who love Him, (the Elect) who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew, he also predestinated to be conformed to the likeness of His Son.
He might be the firstborn among many brothers, and those He predestinates, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also Glorified. For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm. Sealed with this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His, and everyone who confesses the Name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
Election is not abstract, but affects life in all its phases. Even though it belongs to God’s decree from eternity, it becomes a dynamic force in the hearts and lives of God’s children. It produces such fruits as adoption as sons, calling, faith, justification, etc. (Romans 8:28,30,33; Ephesians 1:4,5; Titus 1:10. We already stated that election concerns individuals. It has its final aim, God’s Glory, and it is the work of His delight.
Some further Scriptures on election are as follows: “God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” (2 Thess. 2:13). “And they (the angels), shall gather together HIS ELECT from the four winds, from one end of Heaven to the other.” ( Mat. 24:31). For the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened those days (at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.) (Mark 13:31). “Knowing brethren, beloved of God, your election. ( I Theses. 1:4). “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s Elect?” (Romans 8:33). “But you are an Elect Race.” (1 Peter 2:9). “For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:9).
CONT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Blessings!
Marked Elect
The word “elect” means “to choose.” There are actually three types of election in the Bible. The first is “National Election:, whereby the nation of Israel consisting of 13 tribes were chosen by God to work through. However, not all of them were called to Eternal salvation.
The second type was “vocational Election”, which means God chose some “special” people to work special works through. Some of those people were prophets, apostles, and others. All of those were not necessarily chosen to Eternal salvation, either.
The third type of election spoken of is “Personal Election’, which consists of all those called to Eternal salvation by God which includes a select group from all ages.
This is a group this thesis will put the most emphasis on, since it concerns us, in the present age, also.
The ultimate reason a Christian is filled with thanksgiving is he KNOWS that he was chosen from eternity! The Apostle Paul was one of the greatest teachers of election. He touches on election in most of his writings. Summarizing the basic Scriptures, he shows that election is from eternity. In Ephesians 1:4,5, we are told, "for He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestinated us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and His will.”
The result of election becomes evident in life. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 1:4,5, “Brothers loved by God, we KNOW that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.”
This doesn’t mean that anyone has the right to judge whether another person is saved or lost though, because GOD sees the heart; WE do not!
Paul’s teaching was “inspired by God” as ALL Scripture is, (holy writings, in the original Greek) , (2 Timothy 3:16), but WE are not infallibly inspired. As long as a person breaths even a last breath, there is always a chance of even a death bed conversion. Paul states in several scriptures that election is Sovereign and unconditional, meaning it is not conditioned on foreseen works or foreseen faith.
“God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so no man can boast before Him.” (1 Corinthians 1:27,28,29). “For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive and if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” ( I Cor. 4:7). “For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith, and this, not from yourselves; IT ( the faith, even), is a gift from God.” (Ephesians 2:8).
Paul then teaches that election is just. Those who reject divine election always ask the age old question even discussing election and reprobation as was asked in Paul’s day. He quite clearly spells it out in Romans 9:10-24, when he explains even before they were born, while rejecting the other. While the Jewish custom of the day was to give the birthright to the elder, in this case, God chose the younger!
Let’s examine this very important teaching on election and reprobation. Rebecca’s children had one and the same father, our ancestor Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born, or had done anything, good or bad, in order that God’s purpose in election might stand; not by works , but by Him Who calls, she was told, “the older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau, I hated.” For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” “It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but, on God’s mercy.” (Romans 9:10-16).
Then, as all have said, even I, when I first was investigating the doctrine. “One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who resists His will? “ “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him Who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? What is God, choosing to show His wrath, and make His Power known, bore with great patience the objects of His wrath, PREPARED for destruction? What if He did this to make the riches of His Glory known to the objects of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance, for Glory, even us, whom He also called, not only from the Jews, but also from the Gentiles.” (Romans 9:19-25). That pretty well tells the story, and what’s exactly what happened when the twins, Jacob and Esau grew up. Esau sold (and lost) his birthright to his younger brother, Jacob.
Paul taught that election was not only limited to the Gentiles either, but that in every age a remnant of the Jews is also included. “So, to, at the present time, there is a remnant chosen by grace.” (Romans 11:5). Election is immutable and effectual; the elect actually reach Heaven, at last. They obtain salvation. What then?
What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but, the Elect did.” (Romans 11:17). In the next verse, he contrasts the final destiny of those God did not elect to salvation. “The others became hardened, as it is written: God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so they could not see, and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day.” (Romans 11:8). We are taught in Romans 8:28-30, that God’s “chain” cannot be broken. The story is revealed along with Romans 11:29, and 2 Timothy 2:19. We read “and we know that in all things GOD WORKS for the good of those who love Him, (the Elect) who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew, he also predestinated to be conformed to the likeness of His Son.
He might be the firstborn among many brothers, and those He predestinates, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also Glorified. For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm. Sealed with this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His, and everyone who confesses the Name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
Election is not abstract, but affects life in all its phases. Even though it belongs to God’s decree from eternity, it becomes a dynamic force in the hearts and lives of God’s children. It produces such fruits as adoption as sons, calling, faith, justification, etc. (Romans 8:28,30,33; Ephesians 1:4,5; Titus 1:10. We already stated that election concerns individuals. It has its final aim, God’s Glory, and it is the work of His delight.
Some further Scriptures on election are as follows: “God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” (2 Thess. 2:13). “And they (the angels), shall gather together HIS ELECT from the four winds, from one end of Heaven to the other.” ( Mat. 24:31). For the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened those days (at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.) (Mark 13:31). “Knowing brethren, beloved of God, your election. ( I Theses. 1:4). “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s Elect?” (Romans 8:33). “But you are an Elect Race.” (1 Peter 2:9). “For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:9).
CONT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Blessings!
Marked Elect
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