07/28/2020 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:23—NIV) It is time to return to the Scriptures for the Day of the Lord is at hand; not a day of a flight to the spirit Heaven but of the redemption of the bodies of the victorious saints and then through them of the created universe. This is what the Bible teaches and this is what shall take place in the not too distant future. The concept that we can never be lost once we have been saved is related to the idea that salvation is a spiritual phenomenon and how we behave in the flesh is not relevant. Once we have the specialized knowledge, say the appropriate words, how we behave in the body, whether or not we keep the commandments of Christ and His Apostles, is not critically related to our redemption. The Bible does not teach this, although Paul, as he fought against the Judaizers, made some statements that, if we ignore the remainder of his writings, imply we are saved apart from our behavior in the flesh. The concept that we can never be lost once we have been saved is founded on the idea that salvation is eternal residence in the spirit Heaven. When we change our view of the goal of salvation to that of our resurrection from the dead and renewed life on earth, the doctrine of eternal security loses it strength and validity. It loses its strength because by "can never be lost" is meant we will go to Heaven rather than Hell when we die; when in actuality the resurrection unto eternal life, not residence in Heaven, is our goal. And our behavior directly affects the kind of resurrection we shall have. (This last thought needs the careful attention of all Christians!) When we hold the true definition of salvation the eternal-security position loses its validity because the very meaning of being saved is that of transformation into the image of Christ and untroubled rest in the Father's will. To say we can sin and still be "saved" is to maintain we can be healed and still be sick. We would invite the reader to find three clear passages of Scripture solidly in context that support any of the six traditions. If three clear passages in context, not assumptions, deductions, implications, analogies, or reasonings, cannot be found, then we would suggest a careful consideration of what we have to say further regarding the six traditions we are discussing. Can you find even one passage that tells us the Lord Jesus is coming to take His Church to Heaven? Most likely not. Let us then examine some passages that reveal what the Scriptures actually say about the return of the Lord. You will see at once they are all directed toward the establishing of the Kingdom of God on the earth and the bringing of justice to the saved nations. To be continued. |
