One of the falsest and most-cutting accusations launched at the belief that the Bible teaches that people can’t lose their salvation when they’re truly born again (John 3:3) is: “If you believe once saved, always saved, you’re 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 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. Here is God’s own promise in that regard, given through Paul the apostle:
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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. (Romans 8:38–39)
A kindred accusation is thrown at those who believe in the pre-Trib view of Bible prophecy, which, of course, is the one we at Rapture Ready and the Prophecy Line blog believe. It is the view that Jesus Christ will call all who are born again to Himself before the Tribulation (the last seven years of history leading to the Second Advent; see Revelation 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’re going to be rescued before God’s judgment and wrath fall, no matter what.”
Non-Christian accusers who castigate those of us who hold the pre-Trib Rapture view 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 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 non-believers to receive God’s judgment and wrath. It is only by His 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 become 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 should make us 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 time of God’s judgment and wrath.
Like God Himself, we shouldn’t be willing for anyone to perish, but we should want everyone to come to repentance. 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’s 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. It has at its center the commission from the Lord to warn of God’s judgment and wrath that will come upon all who oppose Him. It isn’t 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 warnings 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 Him to pluck 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, as believers, we might 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.
Again, the Apostle Peter gave the heart of the reason Christ hasn’t yet 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 isn’t willing for anyone to die in their sins, but He wants everyone to accept Jesus Christ as the one and only sacrifice for sin that God will accept.
The Lord is “longsuffering.” The reason, I’m convinced, that 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 so they would not perish.
It is well past the time for God’s people to invest in getting the message of the love of God to those who otherwise won’t hear the warning of deadly things soon to befall this Christ-rejecting planet. Considering these times that are so dramatically signaling the coming Tribulation, Bible prophecy can and must be used as a productive tool for evangelism.
Terry James Prophecy Line 
Totally agree. We should be motivated to preach the gospel in the closing days of the age of grace. One thing I’ve concluded however is that few people know how to share the gospel effectively. Most churches I’ve been to (a lot of them) have no discipleship for teaching people how to engage their family and neighbors with the gospel.
I fully appreciate the clear teaching of the Bible with end times prophecy as a priority but churches need to train and equip their to preach the gospel.
Amen, Terry, I could not agree more!
Jesus saved a wretch like me and I don’t deserve His grace; I did nothing to earn it. All glory for my salvation belongs to Him alone.
Admittedly, like David, I pray imprecatory prayers against those who are the eternal enemies of God, and doing this gives me some relief. But I can’t know who is beyond Jesus’s saving grace; none of us knows.
God placed us here and now for His purposes, just as He did with Lot and Noah. We are restraining the onslaught of evil, allowing more of our brothers and sisters to come to salvation, before the worst judgment in human history against mankind falls. (Too many Christians have never paused to consider what kind of horrors await those left behind during the Tribulation. I would never wish it upon the worst evildoers who’ve ever lived, so terrible will it be.)
Call me an escapist! Absolutely, I certainly am! And I commit no sin by longing for His return; I am obeying His commands. He told us to comfort and encourage one another with His promise that we will not be here for what is coming. He said in Revelation 3:10 “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.” 11 “I am coming soon.”
People can mock, and scoff all they want, we are given eternal rewards for enduring their slanders-even from other Believers. Those who do this, even those who are genuine brothers and sisters in Christ, are still deeply attached to this world. We have been given the promise of a Crown of Righteousness because we will be counted among those few who watch and long for His return.
No one can steal my excitement for His soon appearing in the clouds. Maranatha!
I was once of the view that a person can lose his or her salvation. Over the years and with the wise words of people I’ve actually encountered here at this site, I’m more inclined to believe this is not so. Not 100% mind you, but I’m now leaning toward OSAS being correct. I’ll keep working on that.
As far as the pretrib rapture critics, their arguments just fall flat, in my view. No other scenario reconciles the Bible’s messages as well. For example, Jesus coming “as a thief” and escaping the attention of most of the world and then at the end of the 3 1/2 years after the Antichrist betrays Israel and his return is unmistakable.
Another is since believers are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, why would God leave them here while he pours out his wrath? Wouldn’t he then be punishing himself? Paul clearly says he saves us from the wrath to come and Jesus did regarding the true believers from the Philadelphian church being saved from the hour of trial coming upon the earth.
I do agree that is up to us to get the salvation message out. What a person does with it is completely up to them – and so are the consequences of the decision made, be they good or bad.
Now as far as those who reject God’s promises regarding salvation and being spared not only from the Tribulation but from eternal residence in hell, I admit I am less than sympathetic. The reason is because I believe it takes a willful and unrelenting rejection of those promises, which is totally different than an ignorance of them.
I think these passages back that up:
Luke {12:47} And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not [himself,] neither did
according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes. ]{12:48} But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes.] For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Hebrews {2:2} For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; {2:3} How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him; ]{2:4} God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
Even the martyred Tribulation saints are looking for justice to be imposed on their murderers and I totally agree with their sentiments:
Revelation {6:9} And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: {6:10} And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? {6:11} And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their
fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were,] should be fulfilled.
I used to think the judgments of Revelation were pretty much “over the top” but watching how most the world’s population is voluntarily sliding into the darkness, God is indeed giving it exactly what its deeds deserve.
People can and do change for the better! It’s the rejection of the Holy Spirit, which will not force a person to do anything against our free-will where the problem lies. Human pride keeps many from receiving Salvation! Anyone who is truly in Christ Jesus would never, ever wish such a horrific future eternal separation from God on someone who doesn’t believe in Jesus for Salvation! Or continues to live in an unrepentant sinful lifestyle. All of us sin to one degree or another. I believe it’s the conscious desire to live according to one’s ow pride, despite being against God’s Laws, that keeps so many from making to Heaven! It’s one’s own choice–or free will to follow Christ–or not. He won’t force us to do anything we don’t want to do.
Reckon I’m not in Jesus Christ, then, based on your evaluation, right?
Well, at least I’ll have all those Tribulation saints to keep me company.
But, wait . . . they made it to heaven, so I guess I will, too, based on our common desire to see justice done to people that willfully rejected Jesus. By doing so, they themselves CHOSE their eternal fate – a point you yourself made in your concluding sentences.
We also have this:
Revelation {16:4} And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of
waters; and they became blood. {16:5} And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. {16:6} For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
Guess I can include seeing this angel in heaven as well.
God is, after all, a God of mercy and justice. The fact that he has put up with fallen humanity to the extent that he has, even sending his Son to die for those who accept him to atone for their sins is a measure of mercy beyond human comprehension. Anyone who willfully refuses this wondrous gift has chosen hell for themselves.
Hi Ed, I’m not understanding why you’re saying, “reckon I’m not in Jesus Christ, based on your evaluation, right” (close quote). Not sure how or why you’re interpreting or maybe misinterpreting what I’m saying in my comments. I didn’t mean to come off sounding this way if that’s what you’re thinking?
I’m saying somebody should not wish on another person, “Go To Double-H toothpicks”, as I once told people, or throw my middle finger up in a fit of rage! I used to, but I never do anymore, because what I’m wishing on them is eternal separation from God! You say people get exactly what they deserve(perhaps), by rejecting the Free Offer of Salvation God extends by accepting the Finished Work on The Cross at Calvary! And I said basically the same thing (as you pointed out) that they made their choice, so let them live with it–eternally. But somehow, because of Romans12:17-19, which says, and I’ll quote, “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, “vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Wise words if we all could only live by them! Keep on keeping on brother!!
I guess I took what you said to mean that if someone is okay with another getting their just desserts for rejecting Jesus and for doing evil things as a result of their godlessness that they are “not in Christ.” Truth is, only God would know that for sure.
Of course, if we see someone consistently doing the things the Bible says is wrong, that would be a pretty big clue. A tree is, after all, known by its fruit.
Paul himself had different reactions to those who didn’t do right by him. Though we don’t know the details, he recognized that some things had to be called to account and some could be “cut some slack.”
2 Timothy {4:14} Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him
according to his works: {4:15} Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. {4:16} At my first answer no man stood with me, but all [men] forsook me: [I pray God] that it may not be laid to their charge.
I tend to have this approach myself.
So, D., thanks for taking the time to comment back to me. I do appreciate it and wish you all the best – and I expect I’ll see you in person . . . on the way up!
Hi Ed, I’m not understanding why you’re saying, “reckon I’m not in Jesus Christ, based on your evaluation, right” (close quote). Not sure how or why you’re interpreting or maybe misinterpreting what I’m saying in my comments. I didn’t mean to come off sounding this way if that’s what you’re thinking?
I’m saying somebody should not wish on another person, “Go To Double-H toothpicks”, as I once told people, or throw my middle finger up in a fit of rage! I used to, but I never do anymore, because what I’m wishing on them is eternal separation from God! You say people get exactly what they deserve(perhaps), by rejecting the Free Offer of Salvation God extends by accepting the Finished Work on The Cross at Calvary! And I said basically the same thing (as you pointed out) that they made their choice, so let them live with it–eternally. But somehow, because of Romans12:17-19, which says, and I’ll quote, “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, “vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Wise words if we all could only live by them! Keep on keeping on brother!!
I must say Pastor James, this comment by you has shot to the top of my all time favorite list pertaining to all the comments you have posted over the years. I have only finally realized in the doctrine of OSAS once we are truly born again. I have exchanged comments with others in the past (Especially Brother Ed Wood and many others). Ed (a brilliant scientist IMO) has expressed so eloquently and bravely his evolution of his theology, I echo his comment that he is 99% certain the doctrine of OSAS is true doctrine. I have dementia (subset Alzheimer’s,78 years young), I evolved to feeling the same way. Paranoia increases as I age. Satan comes daily and says I’m not saved and more and more losing trust in almost everyone (including myself and family members) but Jesus Christ alone. This 1% doubt (being double minded) takes a heavy toll that perhaps many in my circumstances feel. I can’t stop it. In my most lucid moments in the morning, I believe that it is the truth; trust no fallible fallen man. We are all wicked and born with enmity toward God; ALL FALLEN FALLIBLE MANKIND. One’s theology or lifestyle becomes part of the calculus only in one regard; Works has nothing (before, during & after) once one is born again rather we go to Heaven. All who became reprobates were never born again. Never pass judgment on someone’s final destination. Judging one’s behavior is necessary to decide church discipline of course and clearly biblically justified, which may be required. I see Pastors everyday saying a certain professing Christian is going straight to Hell because of one’s life. They could be red flags that one is not born again. Only Jesus knows a man’s heart and Jesus alone will separate the Goats from the Sheep. That is why I so appreciate this particular comment of yours Pastor James. Even Hitler could be in Heaven if he was not reprobate (most likely) and repented. A very amateur theologian anxiously awaiting the Lord’s Return, thru death or Rapture. My nickname with my professional colleagues was “Dr. Doom.” I am not a fatalist. I’m an optimist but very vexed. Spread the Gospel. Leave final judgment to Jesus alone. Glenn Bowman