LeBuick said:
Could the gift be "eternal" or "everlasting" if there was a way for it to end? I could not imagine an all knowing, merciful God who would accept me today, reject me tomorrow then take me back the day after. This says his mercy depends on me. My Gods mercy is in spite of me... So is my hope...
Jn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Well in Revelation it says this:
1: And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2: Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3: Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
4: Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
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.
Whenever Jesus talks about coming as a thief it is always in the context of you being a Christian but then not keeping on and Him coming and assigning you a portion with the hypocrites.
Meaning you will be lost. And there are many places in Revelation that talk like that.
I mean, its talking here about blotting our names out of the Book of Life!
and it says:
3: Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
so its not as if they never had salvation to start with. I dont see how anybody could ever read the Bible and come away with this notion that you cannot lose your salvation!
Claudia