AN OFT OVERLOOKED LESSON FROM JACOB'S LADDER

[Phoneman777]

As Jacob's head lay resting on a hard stone rock of a pillow, his mind was filled with what is perhaps one of the most softest, sweetest, tenderest pictures of the Savior in the OT: that celestial Ladder bridging the gap between a hopeless, sinful, fallen human race and their holy, divine Creator God, upon which the angels ascended and descended. He awoke from his sleep and said of the spot where he'd dreamt, "This is none other but the house of God and this is the gate of heaven."

The "house of God" is the "gate of heaven". Both are symbols of the church which Jesus built Himself and upon Himself as our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ - the only name given among men whereby we must be saved.

Now, Jesus said when you're looking for a gate, make sure to "enter ye in at the strait gate". Don't enter in the wide, broad gate where the crowd rushes in - the church that teaches you can have Jesus and keep your sin too. The liquor drinker can keep his bottle. The adulterer can keep his side woman. The pornographer can keep his vile habit. The cigarette smoker can keep his tobacco. The thief may keep on stealing. The liar may keep on denying the truth. The idolater may keep his debasing but tantalizing entertainment - all that leads to destruction.

No, Jesus said enter ye in at the "strait gate". "Strait" means "hard, difficult, austere, and - the most classic definition of the word - strict. Find a strict church - a church that teaches standards. Find a church that teaches sanctification. Find a church that teaches you've got to obey God's commandments because "there shall in no wise enter into (heaven) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." That church is where Jesus awaits as both our Savior Who grants us pardon for sin and our Lord Who grants us power to obey Him. Thank you Jesus, for without You heaven would forever be beyond our reach.

 

[Heb 13:8]

The "house of God" is the "gate of heaven".

No, the house of God is not the gate of heaven, Jesus Christ himself is the gate (death, burial and resurrection).

Jhn 10:7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

Jhn 10:8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.

Jhn 10:9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

Now, Jesus said when you're looking for a gate, make sure to "enter ye in at the strait gate". Don't enter in the wide, broad gate where the crowd rushes in - the church that teaches you can have Jesus and keep your sin too. The liquor drinker can keep his bottle. The adulterer can keep his side woman. The pornographer can keep his vile habit. The cigarette smoker can keep his tobacco. The thief may keep on stealing. The liar may keep on denying the truth. The idolater may keep his debasing but tantalizing entertainment - all that leads to destruction.

What else can the devil do but accuse the believer day after day. Today, it's liquor, side woman, pornography, smoking, thief, liar, idolater. Tomorrow, it'll be murder and rape?

https://www.christianityboard.com/threads/non-osas-spirit.26006/

Jhn 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

1Co 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

No, Jesus said enter ye in at the "strait gate". "Strait" means "hard, difficult, austere, and - the most classic definition of the word - strict.

That's right, believing and confessing is hard and difficult, and you wonder why the true Gospel of believism is attacked so much. Rom 10:9

Find a strict church

Find a church that teaches Grace salvation and forgiveness of sins by His blood. A works based church will only lead you astray. Matt 7:22.

Find a church that teaches sanctification. Find a church that teaches you've got to obey God's commandments

Phoneman, sanctification and discipline are a result of Grace salvation. We obey God not to keep ourselves saved, but rather out of thankfulness of what He already accomplished on the cross FOR US.

Heb 12:6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son."

1 Jhn 5:11-12 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

God bless

 

[Triumph1300]

Phoneman, sanctification and discipline are a result of Grace salvation. We obey God not to keep ourselves saved, but rather out of thankfulness of what He already accomplished on the cross FOR US.

Well said.
A lot of churches teach salvation by works.


And about that smoking cigarettes that was mentioned.....you really think that will be a cause for loosing your salvation?

 

[Heb 13:8]

Well said.
A lot of churches teach salvation by works.


And about that smoking cigarettes that was mentioned.....you really think that will be a cause for loosing your salvation?

Ok, so you've changed to OSAS??

 

[Triumph1300]

Ok, so you've changed to OSAS??

No. To your dumb question.


I was attending a church about 6 years ago where the pastor
kicked two people out of the church because he found out
that they were smoking at home.

I say that's wrong.

 

[TheHolyBookEnds]

...And about that smoking cigarettes that was mentioned.....you really think that will be a cause for loosing your salvation?

If unrepentant and unceasing, yes.

Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.

Matthew 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

​

https://cigaretteskill.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/cropped-surgeon-general-warning.gif

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_m0AY-010Fg0/TPP0L1jgb9I/AAAAAAAACuA/ihpN_GcAh8Q/Warning.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/4d/de/b4/...af533--smoking-cessation-newsletter-ideas.jpg

 

[Helen]

No. To your dumb question.


I was attending a church about 6 years ago where the pastor
kicked two people out of the church because he found out
that they were smoking at home.

I say that's wrong.

It is , very wrong! And it;s short sighted by the pastor.

I wonder if he kicked out the gossips too...they do far more harm...they damage others and the Church, ....the smokers only do harm to themselves.

.....H

 

[Triumph1300]

they do far more harm

Yes, of course.
That church had about 45 people in it.
I hear it's down to about 20.
And the people that were kicked out don't go anywhere any more.
That's what legalism does. It destroys people. Satan has a ball.

We all know smoking is bad. No doubt about it.
I wonder about that pastor, I guess he has no sin in his life.
He's without sin. Self righteous, that's what he is and that church does not grow.

So sad.

Spare me your labels and all your scriptures Holy Book Ends, we are not stupid. Use some sense.

 

[Helen]

Yes, of course.
That church had about 45 people in it.
I hear it's down to about 20.
And the people that were kicked out don't go anywhere any more.
That's what legalism does. It destroys people. Satan has a ball.

We all know smoking is bad. No doubt about it.
I wonder about that pastor, I guess he has no sin in his life.
He's without sin. Self righteous, that's what he is and that church does not grow.

So sad.

Spare me your labels Holy Book Ends, we are not stupid.

Amazing.... and strange that God anointed great godly men who did more for His Kingdom that any of those who judge smokers on this Site!!

C. S. Lewis incessantly smoked cigarettes and a pipe.
C. H. Spurgeon ( known as "The prince of preachers *) believed cigar drafts prepared his throat for preaching. Challenged on this practice, Spurgeon replied that he would continue unashamedly to "smoke to the glory of God."
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Spurgeon

“D.L. Moody went to London to meet Spurgeon, whom he had admired from a distance and considered to be his professional mentor. However, when Spurgeon answered the door with a cigar in his mouth, Moody fell down the stairs in shock. “How could you, a man of God, smoke that?” protested the great American evangelist.

Spurgeon took the stogie out of his mouth and walked down the steps to where Moody was still standing in bewilderment. Putting his finger on Moody’s rather rotund stomach, he smiled and said, “The same way you, a man of God, could be that fat!”

When we get the beam out of our own eyes , then maybe we can tell other how to live...but, Oh wait...I think that is the job of The Holy Spirit!

 

[Phoneman777]

No, the house of God is not the gate of heaven...God bless

Figurative language is at work here. Besides, Jesus is the Truth and the church is "the pillar and foundation of the Truth", is it not?

 

[Heb 13:8]

No. To your dumb question.


I was attending a church about 6 years ago where the pastor
kicked two people out of the church because he found out
that they were smoking at home.

I say that's wrong.

Well thats religion for ya.

That's what legalism does.

What do you think NON-OSAS is?

Figurative language is at work here. Besides, Jesus is the Truth and the church is "the pillar and foundation of the Truth", is it not?

The church exists because of the death, burial and resurrection.

Jhn 2:20 They replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?"

Rom 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 Cor 15:12-19 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

God bless

 

[Heb 13:8]

If unrepentant and unceasing, yes.

Eph 1:13-14, Rom 8:33-39

Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.

I sure do see a lot of born again believers going around killing people on the news, don't you? Less you like to accuse brothers and sisters in Christ?

https://www.christianityboard.com/threads/non-osas-spirit.26006/

Matthew 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

1Co 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Hey, there's that word believe..

1 John 3:23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

There's that word believe again, well what do ya know. The one that overcomes is the one who believes.......

1 Jhn 5:4-5 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Hey, there's that word believe again in 1 Pet 1. Wow, it looks like scripture is saying eternal security is not based on works but rather it's based on whether Jesus was raised from the dead or not. Interesting. I guess they've washed their robes in the blood of Christ and not their works.

1 Cor 15:12-19 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitie

1 Pet 1:18-21 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Rev 22:14 "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

God bless

 

[TheHolyBookEnds]

...Spare me your labels and all your scriptures Holy Book Ends, we are not stupid. Use some sense.

Do you smoke? Do you know someone who is caught in this sin? There is freedom:

https://www.pearltrees.com/s/file/preview/136976336/Tobacco.pdf

https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/70/t/the-power-of-a-positive-no

http://www.pearltrees.com/awhn/healing-health-diet-more/id1598359

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

 

[brakelite]

I don't care that famous theologians and preachers may have smoked. They were killing themselves . Yes, I used to smoke .It became an addiction that only ceased by the grace of God. Anyone attempting to defend smoking is defending suicide.
That said, kicking anyone out of church because they smoke is wrong. We don't come to Jesus once we are clean, we come to Jesus to be made clean.

 

[Nancy]

Yes, of course.
That church had about 45 people in it.
I hear it's down to about 20.
And the people that were kicked out don't go anywhere any more.
That's what legalism does. It destroys people. Satan has a ball.

We all know smoking is bad. No doubt about it.
I wonder about that pastor, I guess he has no sin in his life.
He's without sin. Self righteous, that's what he is and that church does not grow.

So sad.

Well, no more Big Macs n fries folks! I know plenty of Christians who eat like that on a regular basis no less! Are they damned now too? We know that junk food can kill you too

Spare me your labels and all your scriptures Holy Book Ends, we are not stupid. Use some sense.

 

[TheHolyBookEnds]

Amazing.... and strange that God anointed great godly men who did more for His Kingdom that any of those who judge smokers on this Site!!

God is the judge of "godly", and it is found in His word.

C. S. Lewis incessantly smoked cigarettes and a pipe.

C.S. Lewis (whom I have read back in the day, having since thrown out his material after learning about the man, and reconsidering his material), was connected with the occult, and was a closet-Roman Catholic.

http://amazingdiscoveries.org/S-deception-cs-lewis

http://amazingdiscoveries.org/c.-s.-lewis-a-bridge-to-rome

He mixed sorcery into the Gospel, and his material is now misleading millions (movies).

C. H. Spurgeon ( known as "The prince of preachers *) believed cigar drafts prepared his throat for preaching. Challenged on this practice, Spurgeon replied that he would continue unashamedly to "smoke to the glory of God." * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Spurgeon

C.H. Spurgeon also believed and taught that Jesus is "the true Michael":

Charles Spurgeon; Morning and Evening Daily Readings; Complete and Unabridged Classic KJV Edition; Morning Devotion; October 3 on Hebrews 1:14; 1991.

"… [Page 554] Let the Lord Jesus Christ be for ever endeared to us, for through Him we are made to sit in heavenly places far above principalities and powers. He it is whose camp is round about them that fear Him; He is the true Michael whose foot is upon the dragon. All hail, Jesus! thou Angel of Jehovah’s presence, to Thee this family offers its morning vows." [Page 554] - http://books.google.com/books?id=w0pqbDq4F-AC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
See also Charles Spurgeon; Morning by Morning; or, Daily Readings for the Family or the Closet; New York and Sheldon Company 498 and 500 Broadway. 1866 [Page 227] http://books.google.com/books?id=0SAeAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
http://www.heartlight.org/spurgeon/1003-am.html​

Easy to pick and choose what already suits our apriori and reject what doesn't, rather than a thus saith the LORD. The carnal mind does this.

“D.L. Moody went to London to meet Spurgeon, whom he had admired from a distance and considered to be his professional mentor. However, when Spurgeon answered the door with a cigar in his mouth, Moody fell down the stairs in shock. “How could you, a man of God, smoke that?” protested the great American evangelist.

Spurgeon took the stogie out of his mouth and walked down the steps to where Moody was still standing in bewilderment. Putting his finger on Moody’s rather rotund stomach, he smiled and said, “The same way you, a man of God, could be that fat!”

The LORD has chosen their delusions.

Isaiah 66:4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.​

That Spurgeon justified his own sin, by that of another, is not scriptural. It is self-justification. He should have taken heed to the rebuke, and then helped his brother in his own sinful portliness.

When we get the beam out of our own eyes , then maybe we can tell other how to live...but, Oh wait...I think that is the job of The Holy Spirit!

Since I do not smoke, I can help those who do out by sharing what has been given me from God to share. Not by condemnation, but by education. See the videos and PDF materials.

The Holy Ghost also works through men.

1 Corinthians 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:​

 

[TheHolyBookEnds]

Eph 1:13-14,

Speaks of the "earnest" (down payment), not the finality. The "earnest" can be abandoned, and blasphemed away - forever.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.​

See also 1 Corinthians 1:22; 2 Corinthians 5:5; etc. Mankind can always leave God, which is exactly what your next citation reveals. Paul leaves the only thing that can separate one from God, us (through sin, Isaiah 59:2), which is why Paul uses (under inspiration), the word "other". Self is still available.

See:

1 Thessalonians 5:19 KJB - Quench not the Spirit.

1 Samuel 16:14 KJB - But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

Matthew 12:43 KJB - When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Matthew 12:44 KJB - Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Matthew 12:45 KJB - Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Ephesians 4:30 KJB - And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1 Thessalonians 4:7 KJB - For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

1 Thessalonians 4:8 KJB - He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

1 Timothy 4:1 KJB - 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 KJB - 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,

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

Hebrews 6:6 KJB - 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.

2 Peter 2:20 KJB - 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.​

Rom 8:33-39

Paul leaves "self" as that which can separate from God.

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor 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.​

This is why Paul (under inspiration) uses the word "other", thus us (through sin, Isaiah 59:2). For instance:

Salvation is based in covenantal relationship, a marriage to Christ Jesus, in decision [and thus entering into baptism], since a person can go from unbelieving to believing to unbelieving if they choose to do so:

1 Corinthians 7:15 KJB - "But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. ..."​

As it was in the days of Israel the peoples:

Jeremiah 17:5 KJB - Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Deuteronomy 30:16 KJB - In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

Deuteronomy 30:17 KJB - But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

Deuteronomy 30:18 KJB - I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.

James 1:14 KJB - But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

James 1:15 KJB - Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.​

I sure do see a lot of born again believers going around killing people on the news, don't you? Less you like to accuse brothers and sisters in Christ?

https://www.christianityboard.com/threads/non-osas-spirit.26006/

No, we do see those who once believed, who had partaken of the Holy Ghost, and of the powers of the world to come, etc, commit such things, because they blasphemed away the Holy Ghost, just as King Saul did.

 

[TheHolyBookEnds]

1Co 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Hey, there's that word believe..

1 John 3:23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

Read the previous quotations, since Paul is speaking to the Church in 1 Corinthians 6, and he was worried about their standing before God:

1 Corinthians 6:8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
1 Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1 Corinthians 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.​

Paul wrote to the church to remind them of their standing, by grace through living faith. They could fall as Lucifer or Adam did, and they could be lost as King Saul was. This is why Paul reminded them of being washed. They were entering into territory where thy could go back to wallowing in the mire, become what they were before, only worse:

2 Peter 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
2 Peter 2:20 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.
2 Peter 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2 Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.​

Also on the word "believe". A peron can stop believing. It is their choice. God hath freely given it to them.

Believe, which speaks of living abiding, continuning and daily faith. It is not merely a one-time off event. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17), and thus the prayer of give us our "daily" bread (see also Psalms 77:13). A person, can choose to refuse to believe and choose to hear the word of God.

Key word "believeth", active present ongoing action ... Jesus will lose nothing, of those that "believeth", and so endureth unto the end, the same shall be saved:

John 6:45 KJB - It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

John 6:51 KJB - I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

John 6:54 KJB - Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.​

It is not a one time eating or drinking, but a continual daily, moment by moment feeding upon the word, an active living abiding believing with all thine heart ...

Matthew 10:22 KJB - And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 24:13 KJB - But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Mark 13:13 KJB - And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Some will continue unto the end, some will choose not to remain:

John 6:66 KJB - From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

John 6:67 KJB - Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

John 6:69 KJB - And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
as it is written:​

Thus:

"... One saying of the Saviour must not be made to destroy another. ..." - The Great Controversy 1911, 370.2​

There's that word believe again, well what do ya know. The one that overcomes is the one who believes.......

1 Jhn 5:4-5 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

I agree that one who believes "unto the end" shall be saved. Alwys look for the modifiers of condition. If, abide, continue in, etc, etc.

Again, believe is not a one time off event. It is to be a continual daily and living abiding faith. Otherwise, those who cease to believe, perish.

2 Peter 2:20 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.​

 

[Triumph1300]

Wow, your long posts make me want to start smoking. :)
Sorry Holy Book Ends, I know you mean well, but I'm not into reading long posts.
I'm almost ready to grab a beer now.
If I do, my blood is on your hands!

And I'm not a smoker OR a drinker, for crying out loud.

But I DO ride a motorcycle and wear a black leather jacket.
One elder in the church complained about that. ;-)
Yes, it does take all kinds!

I guess I did not avoid the appearance of evil. Bad!

And now I'm 72 and still not set free of that.

 

[Triumph1300]