Discuss Hebrews 6 Page 8

All the Scriptures that pertain to the Book of Life; for everyone's information and edification.

Psalms 51:1

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my TRANSGRESSIONS.

Psalms 51:9

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine INIQUITIES.

Revelation 3:5

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 his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life....

Revelation 20:12

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20:15

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 13:8

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Philippians 4:3.....whose names are in the book of life.

Revelation 17:8

Revelation 21:7

Revelation 22:18, a warning

Note: first 2 scriptures are what David prayed in prayer after he royally messed up, and knew it.

This is how we should pray in 1 John 1:9 always.

(Your Surety= Hebrews 6:18-20)

When we royally mess up.

We are a Royal Priesthood. In Hebrews 6:18-20 is named the High Priest of our faith.

Mishael

(Part 2)

It says they were made partakers of the Holy Ghost. Notice the emphasis. They were partakers, that is, they were in this interaction and the Holy Spirit was ministering to them. They were partaking of the Holy Spirit as He was enlightening them. But notice they were partakers of the Holy Spirit. The emphasis is the Holy Spirit, not Christ. The Holy Spirit's the one that's ministering. They didn't know Christ.

Hebrews 6:5 says, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

All these tastes, it's like sampling. A non-believer can sit in with believers and receive the same ministry of God's Spirit to that group, even in their own lives, as to the truth of Christ.

So they have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. They were actually there to participate. I recall the ten lepers that approached Jesus and wanted their healing. So He healed the ten lepers and sent them on their way, and only one of them stopped and returned to worship the Lord, and the Lord turns to the disciples and says weren't there ten lepers? Nine of them just took their healing and took off. Only one turned to worship Christ.

There are people who participate in the powers of God's Spirit moving in amongst His people, and they're not even saved.

Hebrews 6:6 says, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

It says if they shall fall away. There's no "if" in the Greek text. It's just after having fallen away. They've already done it. It's after having fallen away. And you can see in all these things that he's listing, they are all past tense. It's something they used to do that they don't do anymore.

Verse 4 started off by saying it's impossible for these people. Verse 6 says to renew them again unto repentance; Impossible!

Seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame.



Will continue:

Rich,

I don't believe a truly saved person can ever lose their salvation. The book of Hebrews was written to the Hebrews, Jewish people. They were following along, partaking of the truth, but never really surrendered their lives to Christ. It's not talking about a saved person walking away and giving up their salvation.

These Hebrew people were being enlightened to the truth, but when the time came for them to make a decision to surrender their lives to Christ, they would turn and walk away because it was a difficult decision for them. If a Jewish person surrenders their life to Christ, it would cost them everything. Their family would disown them, they would lose their jobs, and they would even be kicked out of the temple.

You see, they were being enlightened, but they were not saved. They made the decision to walk away because surrendering to Christ would cost them everything. So the verses in Hebrews are not talking about a saved person losing their salvation.

The writer says in Hebrews 6:4, for it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and the word enlightened means to have your mind illuminated to the truth. An enlightened person doesn't necessarily mean that person is saved. There are some who say that only believers can be enlightened. But John 1:9 tells us that the light, who is Christ, enlightens every man coming into this world. Every person is enlightened to the truth. So everybody gets enlightened but not everybody responds in the same way.

Secondly: and have tasted of the heavenly gift. They've participated with the things of Christ. They have participated with the Holy Spirit. They don't have Him living inside, but they tasted of that heavenly gift that God gives to His people. They're sitting in amongst God's people and they're participating and they're receiving.

I'm running out of space but will continue:

First, we aren't actually saved until judgement day. Some say we're 'saved' when we 'accept' Jesus Christ into our heart, but no where in the Bible does it say that. What it actually says is to be a Christian is this: Link

A Christian is a Christ follower- it means we are actively following Christ. If we genuinely do that the Bible says our sins will be covered by Jesus's sacrifice and grace. However, just because we become a Christian doesn't mean we're stripped of freewill and become robots- we still have full ability to choose good or evil, to sin or not sin, and we're still tempted by satan. Therefore, some people slip up occasionally and sin, but still genuinely try to follow Christ, however, some do stop, turn and follow satan and follow the evil of the world. That person is not saved and they are technically not acting like a Christian anymore.

Those who claim once saved always saved always fail to explain one simple indisputable verse: Luke 12:10. Jesus tells his followers (Christians) that if they commit blashphemy of the holy ghost they will not be saved. Hebrews 10:26 is another indisputable verse that was talking to Christians, saying that Christianity isn't a license to sin, or a get out of jail free card. Non-Christians who haven't received the knowledge of the truth as it says have ignorance as an excuse and doesn't apply to them.

Here's anther: Hebrews 6:4 - 6:6 and another: Matthew 7:21 - 7:23

The Bible speaks for itself. Only would have to cherry pick around all these 100% clear verses in order to come up with the opposite conclusion.

Satan is behind all lies and he's a great deceiver, so which is more likely: that he's deceiving people to fear God and obey Him more than they need to? Or, is it more likely satan is deceiving people into believing they're saved and it's ok to sin and follow the world?

God bless...

If I could add to the other very pertinent accurate comments given you. You would have read further & your heart should have been comforted to know the circumstances to which this letter was referring to. In a nutshell, the answer is in verse 29.

The writer was agonizing over some Jewish converts (to whom this letter was primarily directed to), who wouldn't let go of Judaism entirely & were in danger of abandoning the faith & reverting back to Judaism. Therefore, the writer took great pains to again explain to them the superiority of Jesus Christ Who gives life & the superiority of Christianity, over the 'old religion' which under Moses' Law only brought death (v 28). One can see the writer's desperate plea to them in verses 19-25. Then, even with all this, the warning went out: "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins...Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"

The writer says that if they "sin wilfully after receiving the Truth, there's no more hope". What is this sin being written about, as we know that God is merciful & will always forgive us because of His Son's Sacrifice? The sin that is referred to is of APOSTASY: these converts were on the cusp of rejecting Christ & reverting back to Judaism - if they did, there was no other Sacrifice on offer (nor could be) that they could grab onto for salvation. If Judaism was their goal, then they would perish under the Law's penalty. See Hebrews 6:4-6, where a similar warning went out, of the impossibility to find salvation in any other or of returning back to Christ. If they so despised Christ (10:29) & turned their backs to Him, their end would be fearful.

Alec, these verses are not for you - you can rejoice in being forgiven.

I'm sorry to read of your sad loss but to know that your husband loved the Lord, and is now his present joy & your comfort & assurance.

The best Scripture that I can think of, considering your husband's connection with the sea, is in Psalm 107:23-30. Even though the Psalm may seem irrelevant to some extent, the thought that whether going through physical storms (which your husband would be well acquainted with), or even the 'storms' that we all have to face in life, that the Lord will bring His children to their safe haven (add, Heaven) at the end of our lives.

Hebrews 6:18,19 (loosely transliterated): "God has given both his promise and his oath. Since God cannot lie, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold onto the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. This hope leads us through the veil that was torn down at Jesus' death into God's inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone into Heaven for us. He has become our eternal High Priest". My husband (his name), had his hope resting only in His Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; Christ was his sure anchor as he both sailed the high seas and throughout his life. And now that Anchor (Jesus Christ) Who was held on in faith throughout his life has now become his sight, as he stands in great joy before his God and Saviour.

Other useful Scriptures: Romans 8:35-39; John 11:25-27; Revelation 21:3-7; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; John 14:1-3.

I hope something here helps you & will reflect the hope & joy that your husband had in the Lord. May the Lord continue to comfort your heart by His Spirit & His precious Word.

HI Anonymous. PG 2. Genesis 17:20-21. Ishmael I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; 12 princes he will beget, and will make him a great nation, But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this time set time in the next year...As you study Galatians Ch 4, you see in verses 4:22-31, you see the working of 2 covenants which all man kind is under one or another, But our focus is on the seed and the promise: Gal.4:28. Now we brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. Galatians 3:6-8, Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith are children of Abraham... Now Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He said not and to seeds, as of many; but to as of one, And that seed ,which is Christ. Hebrews 6:13-20, For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swear by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater; and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife-

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Wesley's Notes for Hebrews 6:6

6:6 And have fallen away - Here is not a supposition, but a plain relation of fact. The apostle here describes the case of those who have cast away both the power and the form of godliness; who have lost both their faith, hope, and love, # Heb 6:10|, &c., and that wilfully, # Heb 10:26|. Of these wilful total apostates he declares, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance. (though they were renewed once,) either to the foundation, or anything built thereon. Seeing they crucify the Son of God afresh - They use him with the utmost indignity. And put him to an open shame - Causing his glorious name to be blasphemed.

People's Bible Notes for Hebrews 6:6

Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away. Apostasize from the faith. To renew them unto repentance. He is so far fallen that he has no capacity left for repentance. Judas the Apostate sorrowed, but his sorrows became despair. There was remorse but not repentance. Seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh. By rejecting Christ they place themselves with those who rejected him and crucified him because he affirmed that he was the Son of God. Those meant are not those "overtaken in a fault" (Ga 6:1), or backsliders only, but men once Christian professors who not only turn away from but oppose Christ.

There are many many comments listed after the commentators I've shown to you

After the Hebrews writer warns believers about apostasizing (i.e. turning away from the faith), he declares that after all he has just said (in the earlier verses), he is confident that his readers won't desert the Lord & will show the fruit of their salvation ( Hebrews 6:9).

He then describes how they do behave as Christians: showing Christ's love to others particularly ministering to the needs of other believers (v 10).

And in verse 11, he continues with that thought that they should be diligent (to do with great effort & zeal), making sure that they persevere in their Christian walk (i.e. not to slacken off), so that their hope of Heaven after their death will be certain.

He's basically saying (using modern terms), the Christian life is not 'a bed of roses'. We use that expression to denote when one relaxes & enjoys one's achievements without a care in the world. But the writer is saying that people who think that way, are very likely going to fall into Satan's traps & be swallowed up. 1 Corinthians 10:12, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." This is the same thought: "standeth" means the one who is over confident & then relaxes because he thinks that he won't slip away.

The Christian is indeed secure in his salvation, because his salvation is based not on what he has done, but on what Christ has done for him. Yet, he must also be alert to Satan's traps, & walk carefully in this life (& not be slothful, lazy as a believer v 12). He will then know that his life is following the pattern laid out before him & so when the end comes, that his hope (his waiting) for Heaven is a true hope & without fear of being rejected. The true believer will have both a full salvation & also make the full effort to walk worthy of God's call upon his life.

>The Holy Spirit is eternal just as the Father and Jesus, the Son of Man. (Which he is called in the Book of Revelation)

>He will still be involved with those that are born again after the Rapture and all through the Tribulation.

>During the time of The Two Witnesses.

>His Ministry in Jerusalem, many people will be saved. Also by the 144,000 evangelists. Angels.

>God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance.

2 Timothy 4:5

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, and make full proof of thy ministry.

1 Corinthians 3:13

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

1 Corinthians 3:14

If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

1 Corinthians 3:15

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Hebrews 6:10

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Evangelism may not be taught in your Church, but it was always in the Bible. You have a "testimony " of how you came to believe in Jesus; and that is enough to get someone else's name in the Lambs Book of Life.

Now is a perfect time to witness to others their need to choose Jesus and accept forgiveness and eternal life.

It's not about rewards. It's about saving souls.

Mishael

Do you mean why the KJV & some other versions use the word 'illuminated' instead of 'enlightened'? If so, both words mean the same in the original Greek 'photizo' = to enlighten, illumine, to bring light, to reveal.

In Hebrews 6:4, the word used there is 'enlightened' which is from the same root word 'photizo'. Why the difference, I can't tell.

But if you mean why a change was made in the KJV to read 'illuminated', then that question can only be answered to those who were involved in the translation.

The sad truth is that the seed of the gospel falls on different kinds of ground: rocky, shallow, sunlight dries up new growth.

People are going to FALL AWAY. It is a prophesy. We ought to pray for those people: ask God to send angels to pull them out of the ditch and drag them back to Church.

Our society does nothing to undergird belief in anything other than money, self indulgence and self promotion. They will FALL AWAY.

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost...

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Hebrews 3:12-19 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Revelation 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

Matthew 24:10-13 - And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.....

Revelation 3:11 - Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

James 1:12 - Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Pray for them! Mishael

To JOEL OSTEEN

Regarding your views on Water Baptism it cannot save a person. Please read Hebrews 6:1,2. It was one of the rites of of the Jewish Religion ( Numbers 19:7, Hebrews 9:10). Like circumcision, it was strictly an act of faith, and as Peter explains it is an a pledge of good conscience towards God.

For a better understanding and the 'spiritual truth' of what it means to repent, and learn how and by whom mankind has been deceived ( Rev. 12:9) and what people must do to be reunited with the true and living God, we invite you to seek Him according to the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive ( Matthew 7:7; John 14:17).

Repentance is the key principle of all the teachings of Jesus Christ and the axiom (basis) of the Word of God and a prerequisite and primary requirement for the salvation of mankind. It actually means the changing of spirits - to turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God ( Acts 26:18).

You need not that any man teach you ( Isaiah 54:13; 6:45; 1 John 2:27), as mankind follows after an image of a false god and a false Christ ( Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; Gal. 4:8; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rev. 12:9).

It is only by revelation of God that people will come to know the true Christ ( Daniel 12:4,9; Amos 3:7; Matthew 16:17; Luke 2:26; Romans 16:25; 1 Cor. 2:10; Gal. 1:16; Eph. 3:3,5; Rev. 1:1), and only then will you be able to overcome the spirit of this world ( 1 John 5:4; Rev. 3:21) and learn what 'True Repentance' means, and how this whole world has been deceived ( Rev. 12:9). It should also be remembered that it is a narrow way that leadeth unto 'Life', and few there be that find it ( Matthew 7:14; Luke 13:23).

LUKE 15:10. LIKEWISE, I SAY UNTO YOU, THERE IS JOY IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD OVER ONE SINNER THAT REPENTETH.

Seek, and ye shall find ( Matthew 7:7).

In His Service.

Andy & Dianne van den Berg - Nova Scotia, Canada

Richard, as long as we are on the side of life; there is still time to be reconciled, by the enduring Love of God.

2 Corinthians 5: 16-21

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is: in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Stop here and read Exodus 33:11-23. And Luke 15:11-32. Hebrews 6:18 and 12:1-2

Lastly, 1 John 1:9

Satan has demons that keep an eye on us: what we do, say, read. They're invisible "spies". Ephesians 6. Satan uses the info collected, to ACCUSE you at the throne of God. You feel those accusations. However the Holy Spirit is still with you, convicting you about your sins. He desires to reconcile these things and stop the torment in your mind.

1 John 2:1 names Jesus as your ADVOCATE: your attorney. And He's sitting right beside His Father in heaven, NOW. Your name is still written in the Book of Life.

It's time now for you to pray. Confess your heart. Receive the cleansing power that is in the shed blood of Jesus. 1 John 1:2. Jesus already paid for it. It will be well with your soul, afterwards.

We all need to run to, 1 John 1:2 as soon as sin happens. We are soul and spirit encased in flesh. All that Bible reading makes the spirit man get bigger than the sinful flesh and the gullible soul. Hebrews 12:2, said, to RUN THE RACE. Win!

I love you brother and never feel that you are alone in this. You're blessed.

Get to know God the Holy Spirit, who is The Spirit of Christ. Book of John, ch 16

M.

Baptism is not able to save children or anyone else. Please read Hebrews 6:1,2; 9:4.

The word 'Repent' in different forms (repent, repentance, repented, repentest, repenteth, repenting, repentings) is mentioned 110 times in the KJV, and means a lot more than what people by nature have been conditioned to believe. The word 'repent' used in the New Testament was translated from the Greek word "metanoeo", and means to change, transform, to think differently or reconsider.

It is the key principle of all the teachings of Jesus Christ and the axiom (basis) of the Word of God and a prerequisite and primary requirement for the salvation of mankind. It actually means the changing of spirits - to turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God ( Acts 26:18).

For a better understanding and the 'spiritual truth' of what it means to repent, and learn how and by whom mankind has been deceived ( Rev. 12:9) and what people must do to be reunited with the true and living God, we invite you to seek Him according to the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive ( Matthew 7:7; John 14:17).

You need not that any man teach you ( Isaiah 54:13; 6:45; 1 John 2:27), as mankind follows after an image of a false god and a false Christ ( Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; Gal. 4:8; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rev. 12:9).

It is only by revelation of God that people will come to know the true Christ ( Daniel 12:4,9; Amos 3:7; Matthew 16:17; Luke 2:26; Romans 16:25; 1 Cor. 2:10; Gal. 1:16; Eph. 3:3,5; Rev. 1:1), and only then will you be able to overcome the spirit of this world ( 1 John 5:4; Rev. 3:21) and learn what 'True Repentance' means, and how this whole world has been deceived ( Rev. 12:9). It should also be remembered that it is a narrow way that leadeth unto 'Life', and few there be that find it ( Matthew 7:14).

LUKE 15:10. LIKEWISE, I SAY UNTO YOU, THERE IS JOY IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD OVER ONE SINNER THAT REPENTETH.

Can you reword your question? Thanks

Psalms 62:7-8 - In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Deuteronomy 4:7 - For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

Psalms 9:9 - The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

2 Samuel 22:17-20 - He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

Psalms 91:1-9 - He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Hebrews 6:18 - That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

I found the Mercy Seat to be just the right fit.

:)

I think the scriptures discussed here are probably Hebrews 6:4-6, 2 Peter 2:20-22, Hebrews 10:26, Matthew 5:13 suggesting that in some cases Christians can't return to the faith once they leave and denounce it. Maybe some of this could be referring to blasphemy of the holy ghost? Matthew 12:31-32.

But James 5:20 suggests that you can return to the faith, as well as the prodigal son story. The forgiving 7x70 story sounds like a huge amount of forgiveness is allotted to us, as long as we forgive others: Matthew 18:35.

What do you think?

Truth in the Scripture

John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If ANY man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And WHOSOEVER will, let him take the water of life freely.

Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

what are the six principals of the documents of christ

Chris,

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my questions as well as your thoughts on the matters being discussed.

I would tend to agree with most of your thoughts concerning being saved. But I look at it from this point of view. Those that are predestinated, and chosen, and accepted, etc such as Abraham, Enoch, Moses, etc. are saved because God said so, as many of the verses you offer supports. We have examples of them throughout Scripture (whether they wanted to do the will of God or not i.e., Jonah or Saul / Paul). And I agree, it is only Jesus and God that truly know you are saved, man does not. Neither God, nor Jesus, nor the Holy Spirit, has revealed to me that I have been chosen, or have become acceptable, etc

I would like to believe that I have been predestined, and already saved through my steadfast belief in The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

I feel very blessed throughout my lifetime.

I want to believe that I have an unshakable faith that can withstand all the horrors that can be inflicted upon myself and my family and my friends.

I realize that I have had to fight for none of the religious freedoms I currently enjoy.

I have never been truly tested; life or death to be a Christian; as in other parts of the world today.

I feel as though I need to contend every day for the faith that was once given unto the saints ( Jude 1:3).

I pray that I can withstand the fiery darts of Satan if and when the time comes.

I know that if the end times weren't shortened by Christ Himself, even the elect would not be saved ( Matthew 24:22).

Hebrews 6:9 concerns the hope / confidence / trust that the beloved in Christ will not falter; but for those spoken of in Hebrews 6:6 that were once enlightened, and have now fallen away; Hebrews 6:8 is their final end.

God bless you, and I fully agree those who are saved and born-again of the Spirit. Have access in the New Covenant to come behind the veil as well, meaning heaven because of the ultimate price Jesus paid in full on the cross, and especially to those who will believe in Him.

Praise God!

Ann Hering. With respect to the "Mystery", Paul is not the only one to use that expression. In Rev 1:20, 17:5, 7 the Angel reveals a mystery of the end times. In Daniel 2:22, 30, 47 God reveals a mystery. A mystery is something we don't yet know or understand. In Isa 44: God tells us He is going to reveal things that have not happened. See also Amos 3:7.

Sometimes well-intentioned people teach things that seem true, but are wrong. As stated before, the Bible never segregates the Tribulation as an event that will only affect Jews. The New Testament letters were written for the Church, not for the Jews. It is God's message to us who believe, 1 Cor 1. Paul and Peter were adamant about not returning to Judaism, 2 Peter 2:22.

Perhaps Hebrews 6:4, 6, 10:26 can shed some light on this. There remains no Sacrifice for anyone that thinks they can be saved by returning to Judaism. And if that is the case, why would God nullify Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the Cross, to punish the Jews for 7 years? Sacrifices, by Jews or anyone else are worthless. So why would God want to restore them as a means for Salvation in the Tribulation? The doctrine that the Tribulation is for the Jews, absent Christians, is a fabrication that doesn't meet the test of reality. God works within the framework of reality, not fiction.

If you can show where the Bible says the Tribulation is for the Jews, please do. But first, you must deal with Matthew 24:29, 2 Tim 2, which set the stage for every other mention of the 2nd Coming and the Rapture. We know from the mouth of Jesus that He is coming Immediately After the Great Tribulation. It remains to be shown that He is coming before that for a Rapture. But if there is a place in Scripture that says otherwise, please point to it. I can tell you now, you won't find it. Every mention of a Rapture scenario follows the description in Matt 24.

Furthermore, don't believe the lie that some of the books of the NT are for the Jews. They are not.

>You say you can be tempted to sin and the Holy Spirit can convict you, but you can still choose to sin?

Absolutely, that's the definition of freewill. If you believe a Christian is incapable of being tempted and sinning then you don't believe in freewill, which defeats the whole purpose of life on earth and Jesus dying on the cross for you so that you have the opportunity to CHOOSE whether you want to follow Him or not, and if you do then you everyday make the same decision on whether you want to continue to follow Him. It's not a one time task that you check off your list then go back to being in the world. It's a life transforming decision that requires regular discipline. If avoiding sin was automatic then why do Christians struggle with sin so much both in the Bible and today? Paul described his struggle in Romans 7:19. If he was incapable of sin then he wouldn't struggle. If followers couldn't sin Jesus wouldn't have warned his disciples so many times to avoid sin and be obedient and wouldn't have taught them or others so many lessons.

>a true genuine believer cannot live a lifestyle of continuous sin, the lifestyle they lived prior to salvation. It's impossible.

If impossible then why does it happen so often? It sounds like if someone sins beyond a certain point then you don't believe they are a Christian. Why is that? Who do you think is a Christian then? Is someone who repents, confesses, believes Jesus is Lord, is baptized and follows Him a genuine-enough Christian? What if they later turn from Christianity, were they suddenly never a 'genuine' Christian then? Since you don't know anyone's future actions can you ever be 100% sure of anyone being a 'genuine believer'? I believe the Bible is clear that anyone can be saved and can start their journey to follow Jesus and are a Christian. They still have freewill though and some later turn away. Maybe you've never met them but some Christians do this. Hebrews 6:4 Hope this helps.

Hebrews 6:19-21 A forunnner is a lil vessel or boat that carried the anchor and dropped it in shallow water so the ship can be firm. We are the big boat Christ is our forunnner that took our hope and anchored us in the holy of holies . When Christ was on the cross and he gave up the ghost of spirit the veil torn . The lord is the way the truth and the life . He anchored our hope hidden in him and only thru him . No matter what storms we face and no matter how rough the waves crash against us we are firm and secure in who we are in him amen.

No where in Scripture does it say we continue to Sin untill we die if we are Born Again of God's Seed He tells us to Work out our Salvation not meaning work for it to put our Carnal flesh to death by The Holy Spirit Romans 8:15- 2Tim2:19-21- Colossians 3:4-6 to be Perfect like He is Matthew 5:48 - Hebrews 6:1 We will No longer Sin 1John 3 and -5:18-20-2:28-29-Jn8:34-36 Rom6and8 Danial12:10and more.

No where in Scripture does it say we continue to Sin untill we die if we are Born Again of God's Seed He tells us to Work out our Salvation not meaning work for it to put our Carnal flesh to death by The Spirit Romans 8:15-2Tim2:19-21- Colossians 3:4-6 to be Perfect like He is Matthew 5:48 - Hebrews 6:1 We will No longer Sin Read all of 1John 3 and -5:18-20-2:28-29- Jn 8:34-36 Rom6and8 Danial12:10.

Many think we can Never be Perfect and in a Wordly way we Can't but in God's Way we Can. He tells us to be Perfect like He is Matthew5:48 He is Love 1John 4:16 to put our Carnal flesh to death by The Spirit Romans 8 and Aim to be Perfect Hebrews 6:1 in Love 1John 4:11-21 When we are Born Again of Gods seed 1John 3:9 we will not Sin1John 5:18 our Old Carnal Nature has gone our Nature is Righteous.

Hi Stan, I'd be interested in how that belief reconciles with Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26, Matthew 12:31 that warns Christians against following away and blasphemy. Do you believe Christians who use their freewill to denounce Jesus and follow satan, commit mass murder, and commit blasphemy will still be saved?

You can have confidence in salvation, follow Jesus and be obedient at the same time. It's a false assumption to assume that just because the Bible is true about losing your salvation in Hebrews 10:26 that a Christ follow must live in fear? No, if you're following Christ in obedience you have freedom. Matthew 10:28, John 14:15, Matthew 12:31-32, Matthew 7:21. I believe what the Bible says. Hitler would go to heaven according to your once saved always saved belief.