One of the most false and cutting accusations launched at the belief that the Bible teaches a person cannot lose his or her salvation when truly born again (John 3:3) is: “If you believe once saved, always saved, you are saying people can live any way they want without fear of punishment.” Or so the line of condemning criticism goes.
The absolute assurance of eternal security, of course, engenders no such thought within the mind truly regenerated by the saving power of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that the Lord convicts His children in their spirits, and that habitual, unrepented-of sin will result in severe penalties–even physical death, in some cases. The Heavenly Father’s patience is longsuffering, but it is not infinite.
A person who is a child of God cannot sin without severe repercussions if repentance isn’t forthcoming. But, that person will never be kicked out of God’s family. Never.
A kindred sort of accusation is thrown at those who believe in the pre-Trib view of Bible prophecy. The pre-Tribulation view, of course, is the one those of us here believe God’s Word teaches. It is the view that Jesus Christ will call all who are born again to Himself before the Tribulation, which is the last seven years of history leading to the Second Advent (Rev. 19:11).
The angry diatribe against the pre-Trib Rapture view–by even genuine Christians, in many cases–usually goes something like this: “People like you, who believe that the Lord is going to rapture them before the Tribulation, think you can live however you want, because you think and teach falsely that you are going to be rescued before God’s judgment and wrath fall, no matter what.”
The non-Christian accusers have their own version. It goes something like: “Christians who believe like that don’t care anything about making the world better. You even hope for things to get worse and worse. You wish for earthquakes, famines, pestilence, war in the Middle East, and for Armageddon to hurry up and get here so you will go to your pie in the sky, and watch the rest of us get ours.”
Although the first criticism is absolutely not true, I have to admit that, regarding the second, too often I’ve sensed–even heard–such sentiments from some of those who believe in the pre-Trib rapture. And, it is entirely the wrong attitude for the Christian to hold. There are no excuses for wanting the Christ-rejecting world of nonbelievers to be the recipients of God’s judgment and wrath. It is only by God’s unfathomable grace that every one of us isn’t headed into that time of unprecedented horror.
No matter how–to use Lot’s King James Version word–“vexed” we becomes by the debauched, debased actions of the lost world around us, our job as Christ’s children–His representatives here on earth–is of a completely different nature than wanting to see them “get what’s coming” to them. The changed nature produced by being born again into God’s eternal family should make you and me do just the opposite of wanting them, in our vexation, to get what we see as coming to them.
The Christian whose spirit is attuned to the Holy Spirit’s desire for the lost doesn’t want to see them “get what’s coming to them” either during the Tribulation or upon death. Rather, we want to do all within our power to keep them from having to go through the coming time of God’s judgment and wrath. That’s what Christ’s Great Commission to His disciples before He ascended to sit at the Father’s right hand is all about, you see. That is what God’s love–love that those who have Christ indwelling them possess–is all about. (Read Matthew 28:18-20.)
In the same vein, that’s what Bible prophecy is all about. Prophecy given in God’s Word has purpose–profound purpose. Bible prophecy has at its center the commission from the Lord to forewarn of God’s judgment and wrath to come upon all who oppose Him–the Lord of Heaven and Creator of all things. It is not the hatred of God for the lost people of this fallen planet that drives prophecy. It is the love of God that powers His prophetic Word. It must be the Christian’s desire, therefore, to study Bible prophecy and put forth those forewarnings out of a spirit of God’s love, not through an anger-filled abhorrence of those who are lost.
Christians who do study prophecy–and they seem to be few these days, I’m sad to have to say–are often heard wondering about when Christ will call the Church (born-again believers) in the Rapture. Everything seems so ripe for His plucking His people from this sin-darkened sphere.
Nothing and no one can change God’s timing for His next catastrophic intervention into earth’s history. It will happen exactly on time, as He has determined since before the foundation of this world. However, we might as believers look to ourselves for the Lord’s–often in our view–delay in calling us as outlined in 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
The Apostle Peter gave the heart of the reason Christ hasn’t raptured His church: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
The purpose of Bible prophecy is to show the love of God to a lost and otherwise doomed world. God is not willing that anyone should perish (die in his or her sins), but that all should come to repentance (accept Jesus Christ as the one and only sacrifice for sin that God will accept).
The Lord is “longsuffering.” The reason, I’m convinced, the Lord seems so “slack” to many in His coming is because those same people have neglected their duty to share the love of God with the lost–the lost whom God loves so very much that He sent His only begotten Son in order that they not perish.
It is well past the time for God’s people to begin investing in getting the message of the love of God to those who will otherwise not hear the warning of deadly things soon to befall this Christ-rejecting planet. Considering these times that so dramatically are signaling the coming Tribulation, Bible prophecy can and must be used as a productive tool for evangelism.
Terry James Prophecy Line 
Last night I typed another farewell letter to leave for whoever finds it when we are gone. Part of what I said is “I am sad for those people I know and love who have rejected Jesus Christ. Every day I pray that they will have an opportunity to come to saving faith before we are destroyed, like Sodom and Gomorrah. That they will repent and be saved when we are gone. Destruction is coming!!!
I am sad for all the people who are going to suffer untold tragedies; fear, sickness, starvation, war, violence and unimaginable death. Death like the world has never seen or could even imagine. (It’s strange, we have TV shows that try to solve mysterious, individual deaths. When the Rapture occurs, the idea of trying to solve mysterious deaths will be laughable because dead bodies will be EVERYWHERE…as common as insects killed on a car’s windshield.) Life will have little value, people will become slaves, there will be no dignity and less truth or comfort. And faith, hope and trust will be so difficult to come by.
We have great joy in knowing the Lord is coming soon, and we should have true sorrow if we understand what people will suffer when the Restrainer is gone. And I am convinced God gave us this understanding to urge others to come to faith before they have to live through any part of that horrible time of 7 years of tribulation.
There will be multitudes of Tribulation Saints, so that is some comfort. But I don’t wish that method of salvation on anyone.
His perfect timing, His perfect plan, and He knows who are His sheep…long before, right now, and in the future.
Maranatha!
Hi Terry! I pray you are doing well—I watched your Prophecy Watchers interview recently and am always blessed by your humility and the example you set of being an ambassador for our King. This is a powerful article and I am in agreement!! We are called to be fishers of men till the very end—and I pray every day that our Beloved Messiah teaches me more and more compassion and a stronger desire to bear fruit!! Also—I am working on a short article, and I wondered what is the proper channel to submit it—I used to send it to Cynthia—is that still the protocol? Much shalom and many blessings to you and yours!! Camilla Smith
>
Terry,
I truly feel in my heart that what we are going through right now will result in an awakening; a “latter rain harvest” of souls like the world has never seen before. I keep thinking of the master of the vineyard going out for workers at the first, third, sixth, and finally ninth hour, paying them each the same as agreed.
Each of us Believers need to be prepared mentally and spiritually to help work in that field when the time comes… because I sense that after that we will all be reaped from this world and God’s judgment will begin in earnest.
I would be very interested in your thoughts about this maybe in a future posting. God bless you!
In Christ alone,
Bro. Brad
We can hope and pray that this would happen but it’s hard to conceive this is consistent with the great apostasy that characterizes the church today. Maybe this is happening in other places where the church is persecuted and faithful such as Iran and many parts of Africa. Most churches in the west don’t seem interested in the mission any more. I hope i am wrong and we see many come to genuine repentance and faith. But I don’t know how that happens without the gospel being preached by each church in every neighborhood.
Totally understand your sentiments, but looking around, I’m seeing people wake up. People are being baptized by the thousands at a time. I, along with you and countless others pray to be worthy of the Lord’s grace, but also for those us. Let’s see what the Lord does. 🙏🏻✝️🙏🏻
Sometimes I wonder if the Lord is waiting to see what we will do…
Could be a big revival after we disappear and those who were aware of the information believers told them about Jesus and the Bible but scoffed at the time finally realize they were right all along!
As far as a huge one occurring pre-Trib? Well, it could happen, but I think it is unlikely because the Bible shows us that on the grand scale things are only going to get worse and Christians and Jews will be hated more and more.
I agree Terry, but I have to say I do struggle with those who profess to be believers and become full fledged free masons. Billy Crone spoke of this when he was a young pastor in a southern Baptist church and many youth got saved but when he shared with the leadership about this they were upset because it didn’t go with their Democrat and Jobs Daughters. I cannot think that they could turn away from the cross of Jesus Christ to give their allegiances to Lucifer. If so, it leaves a lot of room for believers to mix with cults and practice witchcraft etc and be immoral etc. I can’t agree with that at all or we can toss out a lot of scriptures. Please.share with your teacher friends and get back to me. My granddaughter loved Jesus when she was young has lived an immoral life for many years still lives in a unmarried relationship and drinks lots but told me this morning we are good people we want go to hell. Please get back to me. Judy Hoy
The Bible teaches that if they leave us –that is if they turn totally away from a confession of Faith for Salvation—they were never a part of us. I.e., these were never Saved. The bottom line is that we must let the Lord Deal with these, because only He Knows the Spiritual Heart (Soul) in the belief in Christ Process.
We can become “fruit inspectors” and form opinions on who is and is not Saved –but only God Knows.
Thank you Terry. That is my belief entirely. God bless you dear man of God. Meet you in heaven brother.
Sorry I meant DeMolay and that my.granddaughter said they wouldn’t go to hell because they were good people.
I am certain that the Pre-Trib Rapture is solidly supported by Scripture 100 %. No other alternative makes the Bible verses regarding the apparent contradictions in Jesus’ “coming as a thief” unexpectedly in the clouds for his own while the world wonders what has happened, and then exactly 3 1/2 years after the Antichrist desecrates the rebuilt temple when the whole world will see his return and there will be no question at all about what is happening.
I am still not certain of Once Saved Always Saved even though I readily admit that Terry James has a lot more background and insight into the Bible than I do. Over the years I have presented my reasons and won’t belabor the point other than to say that such passages as Exodus 32:32; 2 Peter 2:20-21 have given me pause. True, no third party can take us from Jesus’ hand, but can’t someone decide to take themselves out? As for the possibility that someone who is lost never really believed in the first place, how can we really know the fidelity of their faith with our own limitations? Only GOD can know a person’s mind with certainty. This matter is something I am still trying to work through and it hasn’t been easy.
I also admit to my They get what they deserve,” attitude when it comes to people who embrace evil with such zeal and the terrible effects it has on anyone in their sphere of influence. It is NOT based on my wanting revenge on them but wanting justice to be done. After all, the judgments of Revelation will be poured out not only as God’s last attempt to reach people and get them to turn to him at last, but to also give those who still refuse exactly what their wickedness merits.
I write these things with the clear expectation that probably most of what I put forth here will trouble some people, but I respect Terry and those who come here enough to be honest with them.
I’m hoping someone out there might give me some insight into my “problem areas.”
Hi Ed, perhaps this will help settle the question about once saved always saved.
Luke 15:10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:7I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Jesus said, angels in Heaven rejoice over the salvation of just one sinner. If they rejoice and then that person falls away from salvation, what does Heaven do then…take it back?! Or do they delay the celebration until they are certain that the sinner is saved? No, they celebrate when the sinner is saved.
We don’t know who is truly saved, that is God’s domain. But when someone IS truly saved, they are saved eternally. They are sealed and will never lose their salvation. (A great historic example is King David, he committed adultery and murder, but he never lost his salvation.)
Like many theologians have observed, if we COULD lose our salvation, we WOULD lose our salvation. We don’t hold on to it, God holds on to us…eternally. And we can rest in that knowledge.
🙂
Robin
“Jesus said, angels in Heaven rejoice over the salvation of just one sinner. If they rejoice and then that person falls away from salvation, what does Heaven do then…take it back?!”
This is an EXCELLENT point I never considered before and it does strongly support the OSAS belief. I think I’m finally leaning toward it being correct. Again, thank you.
Also, I agree with your analysis of how the Holy Spirit works. In the O.T. the Spirit came upon people but didn’t take up permanent residence within. Certainly, this is how the prophets received their information.
Likewise, post-Rapture, I think the Spirit will operate in the same way. The Trib saints couldn’t have come to be saved without the Spirit leading them to their belief.
Besides, if the Spirit was residing within them, the judgments coming down on the Earth would fall upon the Holy Spirit as well, right? That would mean that God would be essentially punishing himself that just doesn’t make any sense.
As for that “They’re getting what they deserved,” which I also brought up, note that the Trib saints in heaven are looking for justice against those who killed them. God doesn’t rebuke them in this desire (Revelation 6:9-11). I, likewise, believe he doesn’t hold it against us if we could want that, too.
Thanks, again, Robin, for helping me along the path.
Also, in Romans 8 Paul assures us that NOTHING can separate us from the love of Christ, and provides a quote a list to make the point.
Jesus also told us (in John I think) that no one can snatch us from the Father’s hand.
As Believers we are in the Church Age and we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, forever. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit could come upon someone and leave, as in King Saul. David understood this and that is why he cried out to God and begged to please not take His Spirit from him when he confessed his sins over the Bathsheba debacle. He knew the Spirit could be withdrawn. We have assurance through Jesus that can not be broken. It is a very special gift we have been given.
Many theologians believe during the Tribulation that saints will revert to the Old Testament system of not being sealed…and that I don’t know. I’ve studied the various viewpoints, but it’s above my pay grade. (And I won’t be here so it’s not an issue that impacts me, praise the Lord!)
Robin
There is a fine line between “love good and hate evil”. I absolutely hate Islam as I see it to be the most evil thing Satan ever invented, at the same time I can truly pray that millions of Muslim will be saved out of the godless horror! Yet again the fine line I have no desire to live anywhere near a Muslim because I well understand their dedication to deadly violence against non Muslim. Communists are similar creatures in that they hate God and ultimately will happily torture and murder Christians. That common hate of good is what draws Muslim and communists together, yet they truly hate and will kill each other!
It’s just really time for, and all indicators point to it’s soon coming, the judgment of God to come upon the whole earth!
Amen, Don!
Who is at the root of all of these evil religions and philosophies? You nailed it, Satan. He’s behind it all. He has devised thousands of ways to push us into Hell, he doesn’t care which way we go there, and God has given One, Perfect Savior. He is all we need.
I pray for the unredeemed every day and when I read David’s imprecatory prayers against his enemies in the Psalms, I understand it is good and right to hate what God hates. We just don’t have the discernement, when it comes to individuals, to ultimately know who that will be. Imagine if Bill Gates or George Soros were saved today and extolled their salvation to the world; the GLORY of and to God would be undeniable! (I remind myself every day about Nebuchadnezzar and Manasseh, men I would have totally written off as unsavable.)
Certainly, when people harden their hearts, they are in very dangerous territory. For every redeemed tyrant, there are millions who are never saved. I can scarcely believe I have been pulled from the fire; I’m a wretched sinner too, just like the rest of the world.
Maranatha!
You are welcome Ed!
And you are right, the Lord won’t pour out His wrath on Himself. We know the entire 7 years is wrath. Therefore, it seems unlikely that the Tribulation Saints could be indwelled by the Holy Spirit during that time.
Naturally, I wish they could be, because it will be so hard for them to stay strong in their new faith, with all the horrors and evil spirits of the Tribulation working against them. Somehow God will preserve His own, His ways are not our ways.
See you soon, I pray. Blessings my friend.
Robin
Based on what we are told about the martyred Tribulation Saints in Revelation 6, many of them will still make it to heaven all the same and that is very reassuring. The O.T. saints made it as well, according to Jesus (Matthew 8:11), even though they also did not have the Holy Spirit dwelling permanently within them as we do. I believe they are included with us at Jesus’ marriage supper (Revelation 19:9) based on that Matthew 8:11 passage.
I am unclear exactly when the O.T. saints will be conveyed to heaven. Will it be at the Rapture with the New Testament saints or is it possible it already happened based on the account given in Matthew 27:50-53? We already know Rapture-like events happened to Enoch and Elijah. However this works out, I do believe they will be part of the multitude returning back with Jesus at his second coming because saints are mentioned in Daniel 7:18-22 as possessing his kingdom, which is an Old Testament book.
Again, thank you, Robin, for your thoughts on OSAS. It doesn’t make sense the angels would celebrate over a sinner who repents and, it logically follows that he or she would then accept Jesus (because that is the only way to be saved in the first place) if their salvation wasn’t permanent from that point on, as you said.
This is the first time I’ve encountered this idea and it makes perfect sense.
See you soon in the clouds!
God bless.
Ed
Hi Ed, The timing of the resurrection of the Old Testament saints is debated in the Church (what isn’t?!) My personal biblical understanding pertaining to the resurrection of the Old Testament Saints, occurs before the Millennial Kingdom, probably at the Second Coming of Jesus, or in the 45 day gap between the last (3.5 years) 1290 days, and the 45 days after.
It’s a study to undertake, too much to cover here. One of the issues central to that debate is over who the 24 Elders are (another major study) in Revelation and if they are only from the Church Age or if they include the Old Testament Saints as well. Mondo Gonzales did a very interesting interview with Josh Peck in the past week (who did a very thorough study on this topic) and I came away believing that the elders do represent the Church Saints. It’s not a salvific issue so I’m not inviting debate (I’m debated out), but it makes logical sense to me.
Nevertheless, we know that to be absent from the body means being present with the Lord so they are all with Jesus right now. The people I personally know who are in Heaven are from the Church Age and will be joined to their eternal bodies in the Rapture, along with us, that is clear, so that’s something I look forward to. If the OT Saints are resurrected a few years later, I can wait. After all, we have an eternity to fellowship with Noah, and Moses, and Job, and Joseph, and Daniel and so many of the heroes of the faith. We will certainly be meeting soon!
We know that at sometime the O.T. saints will be joining us. That’s the main thing we can rely upon, so the timing is really secondary.
As far as the 24 Elders, I always figured they are the twelve sons of Israel and the twelve apostles (with Judas Iscariot being replaced by Matthias). New Jerusalem’s gates are inscribed with the names of the former, the foundations with the latter, according to Revelation 21. This is where I got that idea.
We will find out for sure when we get there, right?
God bless.
I’m wondering how you view Galatians 5 where it lists sins the cause people to”not inherit the kingdom “?
Wasn’t this a warning to a Christian Church?
In Galatians chapter 5 Paul is making clear the contrast between things of “spirit” and “flesh”. He is saying these things that will keep those in the “flesh” from inheriting the Kingdom must be assiduously avoided by those in the “spirit” –that is those who are Saved.
Paul tells believers that since they are in the “spirit” through Christ’s Sacrifice, they must walk in the “spirit” not like the unsaved walk in the flesh.