See I said it was a unless exercise.
I do not see in that scripture what you see.
I knew a wonderful man who loved God with all his heart..it came through when he preached.
He got depressed because of his wife hating him to go preaching...it had gone on for years.
Long story short ...he went to a bar , drank etc etc... blah blah blah.
He felt that he had committed the unpardonable sin.
Nothing could change his mind.
We took him into our home because we knew he was suicidal because he felt he had "lost heaven" ...and was going to hell..and may as well get it over with.
He did do that...but he became a recluse ...even at the end he believed he was lost. Because of the heinous words that are preached saying that God will "un-son"a son !!!!
That is not the God that I know.
He died penniless.
I am 100% sure I will see this dear man in heaven...he never stopped loving God deep in his heart, he used to cry....but he thought God has given up on him for his sin of backsliding.
That is what I think of your verse...
He was in hell on earth at the end..believing such scripture was saying he was going to hell. When all along it was saying that he lost his rewards of- "he who remained faithful unto the end"....... and, of the Overcomers...found in Revelation 3.
You in your small corner, and I in mine. And those who preach as you believe are responsible for the devastation of many a poor soul...
This conversation is done. Thank you and God bless.