Holy smokes. This is the never ending thread. It would take me a week to catch up...
Was this thought already mentioned??? When reading the bible, there is a rule that I have followed for years. That rule is if the scripture says something plainly, take it for what it says. Sounds simplistic, now doesn’t it? Well, actually it is. The Bible says: 1st Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. So then, if the scriptures, which are authored by the Lord God Himself seem confusing to you, there are three possibilities.
1. You are trying to understand them with a carnal mind that uses carnal reasoning.
2. You haven’t got a clue because you haven’t got the Holy Spirit in you to be your guide.
3. You are looking for another answer other than the one the Bible spells out.
We can’t blame God, that’s for sure. Why? Because He’s not the one that authored the confusion. Lets take a few verses from John to begin with. The Lord Jesus said: John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 10:30 I and my Father are one.
1. In verse 27, there is a clear and distinct relationship between the Savior and His sheep (the saved). They hear and follow Him, and He knows them.
2. In verse 28, He says He gives them Eternal Life. And unless I see it different than the rest of you, He says plainly “They Shall NEVER Perish” nor is anyone taking them from Him. He wouldn't say this, and then later tell us He didn’t really mean it, would He?
3. Then in verse 29 He lets everybody know that His Father is greater than Him, and you aren’t going to take His sheep out of His hands either. Glory to God.
4. And last but not least, the Savior points out He and the Father are one and the same, which is backed up by many other scriptures in the Bible speaking of the Godhead. How are you going to overpower He that is Power and take yourself out of His hands.
It's a plain and clear, no beating around the bush, understanding. So then if you see another verse that in your mind seems contrary to what the Lord says plainly, then the meaning is being missed by you.
But we can’t stop there. This verse still has to be backed up by another, according to Isaiah chapter 28. And there are many other verses that reinforce these, and defiantly not taking them out of context. Check this out. I just showed you where Jesus said a very plain statement about salvation. Then there are those that would say that Jesus really didn’t mean this, and that some previously saved sheep will jump out of the Lords hand. Well, that can’t be. Why? Well look at the following scripture verses from Matthew that speak of the Great White Throne judgment. Some say that this is where even the once saved, who lost their salvation will be judged. That’s impossible however. Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 7:22 Many will say to me in that 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? 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Notice the Savior said “I never knew you” in verse 23. If these folks had been saved at one time, the Lord couldn’t say "I never knew you". That would be a lie, and we know the Savior can’t lie because in John 10:27 he says "I know them".
Never looked at it that way before now did you?
