Christians should expect persecution

By Dick York

Missionary, conference speaker, missionary trainer, author

There are promises in the Word of God that aren’t pleasant promises.

For instance, this one: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

That means all who want to live godly lives in this present world shall suffer persecution, as did the Lord.

Maybe we contemplate such verses and think they should say something different: perhaps something like, "And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall be appreciated for their goodness and rewarded with approval, good health and fortune."

There is Paul's statement to the Philippians that declares, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake."

Perhaps we would be more comfortable if that were to read, "For unto you it is given...not only to believe on him, but also to be blessed with health, wealth and prosperity."

But it doesn't say that; it says what it says.

WILL THERE BE SIN DURING THE 1,000-YEAR MILLENNIUM?

 By Grace Kemp  
gracekemp@aol.com
http://www.youtube.com/scriptureseries

1) Will there be sin and death in the Millennium?

Unfortunately, yes (Isaiah 65:20-25). Although every one entering the Millennium is loyal to Christ, by the end of it, some of their rebellious offspring declare their loyalty to Satan and follow him in a futile attempt to overthrow His followers and Jerusalem (Rev.19: 15; 20:7-9).

2) During the 1,000-year reign of Christ, will there be marriage and reproduction?

Yes. Millions who are converted to Christ and survive the Tribulation will enter the Millennium in their human bodies (Rev. 7:9-17). Given the idyllic conditions and long life, they will repopulate the earth (Is. 65:20-25; Zech. 8:5).

3) If few are saved, are many of the people entering the Eternal Kingdom children born during the Millennium?

It is speculated that there will be multiplied millions of babies born during the Millennium, the vast majority of whom will put their faith and trust in Christ, the reigning King. They will enter the eternal state as part of the remnant of Israel.

4) How will it differ from the present earth and the Eternal Kingdom?

Presently, Satan is the "god of this world" and exerts enormous influence on human beings to live sinful lives of rebellion against God.

During the Millennium, Christ rules the Earth from Jerusalem. Sin, rebellion, and death will be the exception.

During the eternal state, sin and Satan are gone forever. Christ will rule the perfected saints in the perfect place, the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:22-27).

Questions for our Roman Catholic friends

Is the RCC a baloney sandwich?

By NiteOwlDave
niteowldave@gmail.com

A great question often raised during discussions about Christianity is who wrote the Bible, and how and where was it assembled.

Another equally valid question is: Do the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church (a.k.a. RCC, RC Church, Church of Rome, or Catholic Church) line up with what the Bible proclaims?  The answer is no. The teachings of the Bible and the RCC are far apart.

Who wrote the Bible?

Some 40 men, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote the 27 books of the New Testament and the 39 books of the Old Testament.

The Vatican accepts an additional seven New Testament books, The Apocrypha. Many, if not most scholars, reject these books as being Canon-worthy.

These books are minimally at odds with the other books, such as in praying for the dead.

For example, in 2 Macabees 12:42‑46, in The Apocrypha, it teaches, "It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins."

This is in contrast to Luke 20:38, which says, "For He is not God of the dead, but of the living."

God's inspiration of the Canon of Scripture is pointed out by the apostle Peter in 2 Peter 1:20‑21: "...know this first of all, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation...but men moved by the Holy Spirit from God."

Who assembled the Canon?

The Old Testament was closed and accepted by the Jews from the time of the Septuagint in 275 BC when the Jewish Scriptures were translated from Hebrew into Greek.

Under pre-New Testament law, the sacrificial blood of animals was required to cover the sins of the people. When the Messiah arrived on the scene, man's sin was - and still is - removed through the blood of Jesus Christ.

The New Testament Canon is the result of a lengthy and complicated process involving numerous councils conducted by the Roman Catholic Church.

The Canon of Scripture was not determined by the councils. The councils simply gave official status to books that were already widely accepted as having divine origin.

We must accept that the end result is the conclusive Word of God. Would the Creator of the universe give us a flawed manual? Hardly.

Here's the timeline for the bringing together of the New Testament.

*393 AD. This list was officially recognized at the Council of Hippo, North Africa.
*367 AD. Bishop Athanasius of Alexandria listed 27 books as comprising the New Testament.
*397 AD. The list was published at the Council of Carthage, North Africa.

Here are the “human” criteria used as to what belonged in the New Testament Canon -

*Each book had to have a history of continuous and widespread approval among Christians. The Councils simply gave it their official stamp of approval.

*The accepted books either were written by an apostle of Jesus Christ or demonstrated that they had approval of the apostles of Jesus Christ.

To be recognized as canonical, or worthy, a book had to fit in with the other scriptures, and have been of fruitful use throughout the church up to that time.

Once packaged, Rome urged the "faithful" to heed the teachings of the Canon.

“The RCC forcefully and specifically exhorted all the Christian faithful to learn about Jesus Christ, by frequent readings of the divine Scriptures.” The RCC proclaimed Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.
 
That statement is excellent, but it raises the question as to why the Church of Rome has strayed so far today from what the inspired Word of God teaches us to do and what to avoid.

Were not the Scriptures closed upon final assembly? Yes. Some RCC defenders point out that nowhere in the Bible does it say that there is no more inspired documentation.

That begs the question, where in the Bible does it suggest there is additional inspired material? Nowhere.

Very troubling to the Bible believer is why Rome has taken such an abrupt left turn in the all-important subject of how a person attains eternal life.

Rome’s so-called “sacred tradition,” all man-made, conflicts or adds to much of what the Bible states. Therein, lies massive corruption.

Let's take a look at some of the things practiced and promoted today by the Roman Catholic Church as essential for getting into Heaven, but without biblical basis.

1. Infant baptism

How does infant baptism help us get to Heaven? Nowhere does the Bible teach that baptism makes a person right with God. In fact, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:17, "Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel." (Also see Luke 23:40‑43 and Acts 10:44‑48.)

2. Going to church

How does going to church or being an active member of a particular church help us attain salvation?

The Bible teaches that the church is not something that we go to. Rather, the church is the people of God, the worldwide collective of the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 1:22‑23 states, "He (the Father)...gave Him (the Son) as head over all things to the church, which is His body (meaning group)."
(Also see 1 Corinthians 12:12‑13 and Colossians 1:18.)

3. Receiving the sacraments

How does receiving the sacraments, specifically the Eucharist, contribute to our salvation?

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that a series of rituals is necessary for our salvation.

The biblical purpose of taking bread and wine is not to help us reach Heaven, but rather, as Jesus said in Luke 22:19, "This is My body which is given to you; do this in memory of Me."  (Also,  see 1 Corinthians 11:23‑26.)

4. Praying the rosary

In what way does praying the rosary help us attain eternal life?

Jesus teaches us that repeating prayers, like the rosary, over and over again is of no value.

Mathew 6:7 states, "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition, as the Gentiles (non-Jews) do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words." (Also see Matthew 7:21‑23.)

5. Being devoted to Mary

How can Mary help us get to Heaven?

The Bible does not teach Christians to devote themselves to Mary or to seek her as their advocate before God.

To the contrary, it teaches in 1 Timothy 2:5 that "There is one God, and one mediator (go between) also between God and men, Christ Jesus."
(Also see Acts 4:12.)

Mary was the chosen earthly mother of the Lord. In Luke 1:47, Mary says, "And my spirit rejoiced in God my Savior."

Only a sinner needs a savior, right? By confessing that Jesus was her Savior, Mary herself erodes another Roman Catholic fabrication that she was born without sin.

If she was born sin-free and lived a virginal sin-free life, that essentially puts this special lady on the same level as the Godhead, which is crackers.

What were the last words Mary is recorded in the Bible as saying?  John 2:5 states, "His mother saith unto the servants, whatsoever he (Jesus) saith unto you, do it."

She did not suggest that she was a go-between or that she had power herself.

6. Keeping the commandments

Are we able to keep the Ten Commandments to God's standard?

The Bible teaches that anyone who does not keep the 10 Commandments perfectly will be judged unworthy of Heaven. James 2:10 says,

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." (Also see Galatians 3:10‑12; Romans 3:20,23,28; and Romans 7:7‑12.)

Trying to keep the commandments is noble, but the commandments should make us aware that we are sinners because no one is able to keep them all. The Ten Commandants condemn us rather than save us.

7. Loving your neighbor

Do we love our neighbor with the kind of love that God requires?  We may try, but the answer is no.

Jesus taught in Matthew 22:39, "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Also see Luke 10:25‑37; 1 John 16‑18, and James 1:27.)

8. Doing good works
 
How many good works must we do in order to earn eternal life?

The Scriptures teach that even the best that we do is tainted with sin and unworthy of God. Isaiah 64:6 says, "All our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment." (Also see Romans 3:12,23,13,4‑5; Ephesians 2:8‑9; Titus 3:5; John 6:28‑29.)

9. Dying with unconfessed sin

How does the condition of our souls at the moment of death affect our eternal destiny?

Jesus said that those who belong to Him would never be condemned to Hell.

John 10:28 states, "I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand."

How Does Anyone Qualify For Heaven?

So how does a Roman Catholic—or anyone for that matter—qualify for Heaven? Well, back to the source, the Bible. It tells us:

1. All of us have and do sin, and that anyone with sin on them upon death will not be allowed into Heaven.
2. Jesus died and shed His blood for us, and is our advocate before the Father. John 14:6 states, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by Me."
3. We are saved by confessing our sin directly to God and accepting that the Lord Jesus Christ paid our total sin debt when he allowed Himself to be crucified and rose again from the dead.
 
John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life."

We attain God's eternal pardon by praying in private something like this:
 
Dear God,
 
I confess that I am a sinner, and that I need forgiveness.

I am willing to turn from my sins. There is nothing that I can do that will erase my sin and permit a relationship between a Holy God and me.

Your Word states that, "Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins."

I believe that Jesus Christ, your Son, is the promised Messiah and Savior. I believe that Jesus Christ is God, "manifested in the flesh," who died a substitution death on the Cross, shedding His own blood to atone for my sins.

I believe Christ's resurrection signifies Your own satisfaction with His sacrifice on my behalf.

Because your Word states that salvation is available to all who repent and believe, I repent of my sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior.

I now, willingly, and wholeheartedly, accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.

I am entering into a relationship with Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit, who now indwells me.

My name is recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life, and Heaven is my future home.

As a born-again follower of Christ, I make you Lord of all aspects of my life.

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift."
In Jesus' Name, Amen

Anything else? Yes, attach some legs to your faith. Live, talk, and walk as a "born again" or "saved" Christian.

Get baptized as a public marker of your salvation. Attend a church where, as they say, The Holy Bible is Wholly Taught.

The Ever-Changing Roman Catholic Doctrines

The Roman Catholic Church, which claims to be the authoritative source of given truth, has been in a constant state of change since its papal inception.

Here is a partial list of non-biblical added Roman Catholic practices, with the dates when they were instituted.

1. Infant baptism for the remission of original sin (300 AD).
2. Prayers for the dead (300 AD).
3. Making the sign of the cross (300 AD).
4. Symbol of the cross for the church (312 AD).
5. Worship of angels (375 AD).

6. Worship of saints (375 AD).
7. Mass instituted (394 AD).
8. Worship of Mary (431 AD).
9. Priests dressing differently from laymen (500 AD).
10. Last Rites (526 AD).

11. Doctrine of Purgatory (593 AD).
12. Services conducted in Latin (600 AD).
13. Prayers to Mary (600 AD).
14. The popes from St. Linus who held the papal post 67-76 AD. There have been 263 popes since then.
15. Kissing of the Pope's foot (709 AD).

16. Worshipping of images and relics (786 AD).
17. Use of Holy Water (850 AD).
18. Canonization of dead saints (995 AD). (You may now pray to them.)
19. Celibacy of the priesthood (1079 AD).
20. Rosary (prayer beads) instituted (1090 AD).

21. Transubstantiation—wafer becomes the literal flesh of Jesus Christ (1215 AD).
22. Adoration of the wafer (1220 AD).
23. Bible is forbidden to the laymen (1229 AD).
24. Communion cup forbidden to be touched during Holy Communion (1414 AD).
25. The Ave Maria (Hail to Mary) approved (1508 AD).

26. Tradition granted equal authority with the Bible (1545 AD).
27. Apocryphal books placed in the Bible (1546 AD).
28. Immaculate conception of Mary (1854 AD).
29. Infallibility of the Pope declared (1870 AD). Most Roman Catholics do not realize that the popes excommunicated each other, argued, fought, and even killed each other.
30. Assumption of the Virgin Mary (1935 AD).
31. Mary proclaimed Mother of the Church (1965 AD).

Are the above non-biblical doctrines hard and fast laws of the Roman Catholic Church? Yes.

The late Cardinal Heenan said in January, 1964, "the Catholic Church has no intention of altering the smallest point of its doctrine." (Universe, 24‑Jan‑1964.)

Other Official Non-Biblical Changes

The extracts below from official Roman Catholic Church statements fly in the face of the late Cardinal's declaration.

The RCC has spun its own interpretation, which in many cases is a wide wander from the truth and is a direct violation of Revelations 22:18‑19, the fourth- and third-last verses of the last book in the Bible.

It says,

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of this book. If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.

And if any man shall take away from the words of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and the things which are written in this book."

The Roman Catholic Church tramples this warning with the following proclamations.

1. The Bible and Tradition

"Both Scripture and tradition should be accepted of devotion and reverence. Sacred tradition and Holy Scripture form a single sacred deposit of the Word of God entrusted to the Church." (Vatican II; Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation.)

2. Papal Infallibility

"We believe in the infallibility enjoyed by the Successor of Peter when he speaks ex cathedra as shepherd and teacher of all the faithful." ("Credo of the People of God," Pope Paul VI. Published by the Catholic Truth Society, page 11, 30‑Jun‑1968.)

3. Transubstantiation

"The bread and wine cease to exist after the consecration. From then on, therefore, the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus, under the sacramental appearance of bread and wine, are truly presented before us for our adoration." ("Credo of the People of God," page 13.)

4. The Mass

"The Mass...is indeed the Sacrifice of Calvary realized on our altars." ("Credo of the People of God," page 12.)

5. Mary Worship

"She (the Virgin Mary) is the shrine of the Holy Spirit. This gift of outstanding grace makes her outstrip by far all other creatures in excellence whether they are in heaven or on earth. All Christ's faithful must issue urgent pleas to the Mother of God and Mother of men." (Vatican II; Dogmatic Constitution on the Church.)

"Mary's mediation continues in the history of the Church and the world...and the Church expresses her faith in this truth by invoking Mary under the titles of Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix, and Mediatrix." (Pope John Paul II Encyclical, "Redemptoris Mater," page 87, 25‑Mar‑1987.)

6. Salvation

"Only through the Catholic Church, the universal aid to salvation, can the means of salvation be reached in all their fullness." (Vatican II, Decree on Ecumenism, page 11.)

Rome's Nine Commandments

Why did Rome delete the Second Commandment in the Roman Catholic Bible?

This commandment, in Exodus 20:4-5, forbids praying to statues and icons.
It states:

"Thou shalt not make to thee a graven thing (image), nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth.

“Thou shalt not adore (bow down to) them, nor serve them: For I the LORD thy God, jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me."

What did Rome do? She split God's 10th Commandment into two separate ones.

Rome views coveting a neighbor's wife as one commandment, and coveting everything else as a second commandment.

A Bible believer should not worship (bow before, kneel to, pray to, pray through, light candles to, or expect sins to be forgiven by or through) their crosses or churchy icons.

We should not attempt to get some dead person to do something for us, such as find lost objects, or do some impossible task.

Crosses, etc., are merely symbols that identify a person as being a Christian.

Is there not a single Scripture that tells us to confess our sins through Mary, through apostles, or to dead "saints?" No. What does it say in Luke 20:38?

"For He is not God of the dead, but of the living, to Him are all alive."

1 Timothy 2:5 states, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

Was Peter the First Pope?

Is the System of Papal Authority Scriptural?

The Roman Catholic Church points to Matthew 16:13‑19 as biblical evidence for Peter being handed the keys to Heaven and thus launching Him as the first pope.

The passage reads,

"When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, 'Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?'

And they said, 'Some say that thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

He saith unto them, 'But whom say ye that I am?'

And Simon Peter answered and said, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered and said unto him, 'Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: For flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.'
 
And I say also unto thee, 'That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt lose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.' "

There is ample evidence to suggest that the Roman Catholic Church interprets this passage wrongly.
 
The Bible speaks here of Peter's confession, not his coronation. the Roman Catholic Church ignores and rejects the traditional Rock of both the New and Old Testaments and substitutes Peter instead.

Jesus told Peter that upon this Rock (Jesus) He would build His (my) church. the Church of Rome replaces the Bible's Rock of Salvation with blasphemous plans of salvation of its own invention.

Isn't it curious why the Lord Jesus Christ made no celebrated reference to Peter—or to Mary—prior to His returning to Heaven?

If they were to be elevated above others for special honor, wouldn't He have clearly reminded His followers to take heed? Of course He would have. But he didn't. His silence speaks volumes, and again points out that Jesus is the one and only way, with no other between or alongside.

Was Peter Ever the Ruler of Any Church?

While the RCC trumpets that Peter was the first Pope, there is no evidence that Peter was even the top banana in Jerusalem after Christ returned to Heaven.

The pastor and leader of the Church at Jerusalem was James, the Lord's brother (Acts 12:17, 15:13‑21, 21:18; Galatians 2:9).

Noted first-century Jewish historian Josephus in his Antiquities of the Jews, Book XX, 9:1 confirms this Scriptural account of James where James' martyrdom is described.

Josephus apparently never heard of Simon Peter, but he wrote all about James as the faithful pastor and leader of the Christian Church in Jerusalem.

Notice in Acts 8:14 that Peter is "sent" by the Apostles along with John to Samaria. Peter is not doing the sending; somebody else is. If Peter was in charge, he would be directing the show.

In Acts 15:14‑21, at the Jerusalem conference, after Peter made his speech and Paul and Barnabas made their speeches, it is James who delivers the final verdict.

Peter was not in charge then, so why should he be considered as a mighty rock for elevation to papal level.

It makes zero sense. It all boils down to Roman Catholicism versus the Bible, as opposed to Roman Catholicism and the Bible.

We have listed here much Bible add-on "new truth" promoted very wrongly by the Church of Rome.

Is there more to come? Why not? Rome adds, subtracts, dismisses, and ignores much of the foundational teachings of the Holy Bible, while at the same time, promoting the Bible as God-breathed truth. It makes no sense.

The Vatican runs a tight ship and insists on strict adherence to its dogma with threats of ex-communications and lengthy shifts in a non-biblical purgatory with its handy checkbook exits.

The concept of purgatory and prayers for the dead are not found in the Bible. Doesn't the purgatory idea clearly suggest that Jesus really didn't finish the job of paying our sin debt? See John 19:30 and 1 Peter 2:24.

Purgatory was invented as a moneymaker for the RCC. The sale of indulgences continue at a brisk pace to this day.

Mainstream Roman Catholic Church teaching misses the mark more than just marginally on how to get to Heaven. It surely will fall under the severe judgment of God when the smoke clears here on Earth.

And to think the Church of Rome has a billion subscribers walking lockstep to its dogma with its wafer-thin biblical foundation!

Saints Alive

A rather bizarre area of Roman Catholic doctrine is its confusing position on saints.

Our source, the Bible, does not provide a Hall-of-Fame list of saints, nor does it suggest that any of God's creations should be celebrated or prayed to.
 
The Bible tells us that anyone who has placed his trust in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation is a saint. We do not earn saint-hood status, nor is it a superhero title that earthly man has the right to bestow.

How does the Apostle Paul address the church in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 1:1?

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia."

Notice that Paul's remarks are directed to all the saints—meaning believers—in the city.

A visit to the Catholic Online site, the section reveals a lofty lineup of Vatican-selected saints in a manner that almost amuses.

There's a monster list of Vatican saints, with sub categories such as "Popular Saints," "Patron Saints," "Saint of the Day," and "Saints-Fun-Facts."

Remember, a while back, when that popular salt-shaker-sized Saint Christopher icon was affixed to the dashboards of many of the RC faithful? Roman Catholics were urged to pray to him for travel safety.

He was the Patron Saint of Travel. Where did he go? Again, we go to Catholic Online. It reports,

"In 1969, the Church took a long look at all the saints on its calendar to see if there was historical evidence that each saint existed and lived a life of holiness.”

In taking that long look, the Church discovered that there was little proof that many "saints," including some very popular ones, ever lived.
 
“Christopher was one of the names that were determined to have a basis mostly in legend. Therefore, Christopher and others were dropped from the universal calendar."

What!!!!! That means that the many millions who prayed and thanked Saint Christopher for traveling mercies prayed to someone who never existed or, at best, was based on a legend.

Another lurch in the ever-shifting truth of the Roman Catholic Church.

Where was the outrage from the sheep? The answer is that no one had the guts to march into the Vatican and yell, "FRAUD!"

Is Roman Catholicism a Cult?

This might sound ridiculous, but a solid case can be made for declaring the RCC a cult, alongside the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses.

The commonly held definition of a cult is simply a belief system. But more correctly, a cult is a group led by a dictatorial leader who demands unquestioning adherence to his doctrines, which are generally taken from the Scripture but out of context.

This is true of the Roman Catholic Church. The RCC is headed by the pope who, at times, claims to speak for almighty God. Papal edicts must be obeyed, without question.

A trickle-down quasi political/religious system allows bishops, etc., to oversee and spoon out lesser-important churchy decisions to its adherence.

The Church of Rome has a conveniently built-in loophole for many of its unscriptural teachings by rejecting the Bible as being the final authority of God's truth.

Protestants, by and large, hold that the Bible is the one-and-only truth source, the Word of God.

The Church of Rome and other "cults" pluck off some or a lot of the Bible, then add to it and delete from it.

What About the Protestants?

Because of the tough stance here against the doctrines of the Church of Rome, am I suggesting the Protestants have it right?

The word denomination is not in the Bible, so therefore is moot. In the Bible, followers of Jesus Christ are called Christians, not Roman Catholics or Protestants.

However, it is abundantly clear that many (likely most) mainstream Protestant denominations miss the boat, as well, with respect to how to get to Heaven.

Many Protestant pastors, do not—emphasize do not—preach clear Bible teachings, nor do they warn of a judgmental God and eternal Heaven and Hell awaiting us all beyond death.

Instead of biblical emphasis on the urgency to get right with God on his terms now, too often thin social soup is served up to the pew dwellers.

Yes, Satan is doing a brisk business through many "churches" today, where a sin-thin message—which began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve chose to believe Satan's sly lie—is being lapped up by gullible sheep.

May God lead us all.

BIBLE VERSES THAT SUPPORT ETERNAL SECURITY

1. The believer has everlasting or eternal life.

John 5:24: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

John 10:28: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

2. The believer is born of God.

John 1:12-13: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

3. Christ will raise every believer up at the last day.

John 6:44-47: “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

4. The believer has already passed from death unto life.

John 5:24: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

5. The believer is not the object of God’s wrath.

John 3:36: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

6. Believers  are God’s sheep.

John 10:2-4: “But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.”

7. The believer will not listen to nor follow a stranger, but will flee from him.

John 10:5: “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” (The stranger here is Satan and his false teachers.)

8. The believer is known of God.

John 10:14: “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

9. The believer listens to the voice of the shepherd.

John 10:27: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

10. The believer is in Christ’s hand and cannot be plucked out.

John 10:28: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

11. The believer is in the Father’s hand and cannot be plucked out.

John 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.”

12. The shepherd is charged with the responsibility of keeping the sheep.

John 10:11-14: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”

13. The believer is not condemned.

John 3:18: “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

14. The believer shall never thirst.

John 4:14: “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

15. The believer will keep Christ’s commandments.

John 14:23: “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

16. The believer is secure because of Christ’s prayer.

John 17:9-12: “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee, Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.”

17. The believer shall never die.

John 11:26: “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

18. The believer to be kept from the evil.

John 17:15: “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”

Jesus prays that the believer may be kept from the Devil. Was this prayer answered?

19. The believer to be with Christ in glory.

John 17:24: “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou loved me before the foundation of the world.”

20. The believer shall never hunger.

John 6:35: “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

21. The believer will in no wise be cast out (Not under any circumstance).

John 6:37: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

22. Christ will not lose a single believer.

John 6:39: “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”

23. Christ will raise up the believer at the last day.

John 6:38-40: “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

24. Whosoever eats the bread of life shall never die.

John 6:51: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

25. Because the Holy Spirit abides in the believer forever.

John 14:16-17: “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

26. Because it is the Father’s will that Christ should lose nothing.

John 6:39: “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”

27. Because one cannot be unborn.

John 3:5: “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

28. The believer will follow Christ.

John 10:27: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Following Christ, can one be lost? Have we any right to add to God’s Word by inserting if” to the passage?

29. The believers continue with God.

1 John 2:19: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

30. Because it is the believer’s faith that overcomes the world.

1 John 5:4: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

31. Because of the record that God hath given.

1 John 5:10-11: “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

32. The believer is to be like Christ.

1 John 3:2: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

33. The believer is kept by the power of God.

1 Peter 1:5: “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

34. The man who believes shall be saved.

Acts 16:31: “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

35. The believer has been saved.

Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.

36. The believer is hid by God in Christ.

Colossians 3:3: “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Can the devil find that which God hides?

37. The believer shall not come into condemnation.

John 5:24: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

38. There is now therefore no condemnation for the believer.

Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

39. The believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”

40. The believer is sealed for a definite time, the day of redemption, or the resurrection of the body.

Ephesians 4:30: “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

41. The believer liveth and abideth forever.

1 Peter 1:23: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”

42. The believer is dead to sin.

Romans 6:2: “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

43. The believer will appear with Christ in glory.

Colossians 3:4: “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

44. The life of the believer is Christ’s life.

Colossians 3:4: “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

45. Since Christ cannot die again, the believer is eternally secure.

Romans 6:9-10: “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.”

46. The believer is saved through faith not by works.

Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

47. This faith a gift from God.

Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

48. The believer is not saved by what he does, but by what Christ has done for him.

Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

Romans 4:5: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

49. Salvation is a gift, not a wage.

Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

50. The believer’s hope is a living hope.

1 Peter 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

51. The believer’s hope will not fade away nor will not grow dim.

1 Peter 1:4-5: “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

52. The believer’s hope is reserved (set aside) in heaven for him.

1 Peter 1:4: “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.”

53. The believer’s inheritance is incorruptible.

1 Peter 1:4: “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.”

54. The believer’s inheritance cannot be defiled.

1 Peter 1:4: “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for you.”

55. The believer is kept through faith.

1 Peter 1:4-5: (See reasons number 36 and 37): “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

56. The believer to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:5: “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

The believer is more than conqueror through Christ.

Romans 8:37: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

57. The believer justified by faith, to be saved from wrath.

Romans 5:9: “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

58. Nothing can separate the believer from Christ.

Romans 8:38-39: “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.”

59. Christ will complete salvation until the end.

Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

60. The believer to be preserved spirit, soul, and body.

1 Thessalonians 5:23: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

61. God cannot lie.

Titus 1:2: “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.”

62. Jesus is able to save unto the uttermost.

Hebrews 7:25: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

63. The believer is born of incorruptible seed.

1 Peter 1:23: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”
Can the devil corrupt that which God says is incorruptible?

64. The believer is perfected forever.

Hebrews 10:14: “For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.”

65. The believer believes unto the saving of his soul.

Hebrews 10:38-39: “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

66. The believer made righteous through Christ’s obedience.

Romans 5:18-19: “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”

67. Because all things work together for good to the believer.

Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

68. Because the believer is so helpless that he cannot place his sins upon Christ. God must do it for him. Therefore salvation is by grace.

Isaiah 53:6: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

69. Because Christ did not come to help us, but to save us.

Luke 19:10: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

70. Because God, not being a man, cannot lie.

Numbers 23:19: “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”

71. Because His mercy endureth forever.

Psalm 136: Twenty-six times in this Psalm it is written His mercy endureth forever.”

72. Because the believer has not yet borne the image of the heavenly.

1 Corinthians 15:49: “And as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”

73. Because the believer is preserved unto the heavenly kingdom.

2 Timothy 4:18: “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever.”

74. Because the believer is the object of God’s mercy, not His wrath.

Ephesians 2:4: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.”

John 3:36: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”

75. Because a sealed and witnessed transaction is final.

Ephesians 1:13: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” 

We are sealed by the Spirit.

Hebrews 10:15: “Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us.”

76. Salvation is obtained, not attained.

Hebrews 9:12: “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”

77. Because the believer is a new creation in Christ Jesus, therefore eternal in righteousness.

Ephesians 4:24: “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

78. Because the Father reckons the sinner:

Romans 6:3-5: “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”

Ephesians 2:4-6: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved); And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

79. Because all believers will be changed at Christ’s coming.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52: “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

80. Because of the “MUST” of 1 Corinthians 15:53.

1 Corinthians 15:23: “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

81. Because the power of God is not limited.

Matthew 28:18-19: “And Jesus came and spake to them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

1 Peter 1:5: “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

82. Because the saints are preserved forever.

Psalms 37:28: “For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved forever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.”

83. Because nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.

Romans 8:35: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

The answer “NO” is demanded by the passage to the question.

84. Because God will not forget the believer.

Isaiah 49:15: “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?  Yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee.”

85. Because the new covenant in His blood, is an everlasting covenant.

Jeremiah 32:40: “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.”

86. Because the believer has ceased from his own works.

Hebrews 4:10: “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.”

It is God that works in the believer.

87. Because we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:10: “By which we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

88. Because the believer has already been redeemed (Past tense).

2 Peter 1:18-19: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

89. Because the believer’s salvation is begun and finished by Christ.

Hebrews 12:2: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

90. Because salvation is by grace, and not by any mixture of grace and works.

Romans 11:6: “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”

91. Because Christ died. rose again, and intercedes for born again believers.

Romans 8:37: “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Hebrews 7:25: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

92. Because God predestined believers in His Truth according to His foreknowledge before the foundation of the world to be conformed to the image of his Son, and then, in time, He calls and justifies us, and finally He will glorify us.

Romans 8:29-30: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

Ephesians 1:5, 7, 11, 13: "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will ... In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace ... In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: ... In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation ..."

2 Corinthians 2:13: "... God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth."

93. Because salvation IS salvation.

Hebrews 5:9: "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."

Hebrews 7:25: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

94. The believer cannot perish.

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

95. Because God’s promise that through the offering of Christ He will put away the believer’s sins, and will remember them no more.

Hebrews 10:17: “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”

96. Because God is for us!

Romans 8:31: "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

97. God chastens His children rather than exiling them to Hell.

1 Corinthians 11:31-32: "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world."

98. God allows His children to suffer loss of rewards in Heaven rather than exiling them to Hell.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."

99. God allows His children to suffer shame at His coming rather than exiling them to Hell.

1 John 2:28: "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."

100. Because God is greater than our heart.

1 John 3:20: "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things."

101. God is able to save and keep us.

2 Timothy 1:12: "... I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

Jude 1:24: "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."