"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." ~ John 10:28-29
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Eternal Security of the Believers
1. Introduction
2. Firm Hands of God
3. Good Shepherd
4. Chastisement
5. God Cannot Lie
6. Eternity of God's promise
7. Indwelling of Holy Ghost in all believers
8. Preservation of the Saints
9. The Saints, Children of God
10. The Incorruptible Inheritance
11. The New Man
12. Perfection of the Saints
13. Obedience to the Gospel
14. Overcoming the World
15. How Jesus Paid For Our Sins
16. Believers Never Taste Death
17. Hope of the Resurrection at the Last Day
18. Suicide?
19. Former Believers?
20. Conclusion
The Bible is crystal clear about its salvation doctrines. Once a person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, he will be predestined into everlasting life, sealed by the Holy Ghost unto the day of redemption, and he will never lose it. There are many who doubt this aspect and are told damnable heresies that one may lose his own salvation provided his own righteousness. However, we know that nobody earns his salvation to heaven: he calls upon the name of the Lord to save him from his sorrowful estate as a sinner, who cannot please God at all. Having one believe he earned his salvation is works salvation: this is not trusting on the Lord Jesus Christ fully to save him. Likewise, to imply that one may lose it based off his moral standing with God also implies one is justified by his own righteousness: this would be denying the effect of Christ's blood which washed away our sins and that salvation is dependent on the efforts of man. If one was never good enough to earn salvation, one is never bad enough to lose it. This is why if one believes that he can lose his salvation, he is not saved. He did not trust in the Lord but his works. This page will serve to elucidate the Bible's many verses which strongly support eternal security. For those who need a resource to prove this or those who are struggling with this doctrine, stick around.
One of the easier verses to prove eternal security is John 10:27-30, where Jesus states his sheep hears him, and they know him, and he gives them eternal life, which no man can ever pluck out of his hand (this includes yourself). John 10 is a good chapter overall to prove it.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.
John 10:27-30
Now let us see how secure the Lord's hand is. Can no one ever deliver them out of the Lord's hand? Are those who are in the Lord's hands secure or is there any way for it to fail?
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
Deuteronomy 32:39
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psalm 37:23-24
Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?
Isaiah 43:13
The Bible says that the Lord's hands are firm. He mentions many times that they are secure, and that no one can deliver anything out of his mighty hands. Plenty of Old Testament Scriptures affirm this, and none, including you, can deliver out of His hands, even if you fell.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1 Corinthians 1:25
For if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things.
1 John 3:20
God is greater and stronger than any man. Even if our own hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:11
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
Luke 15:4-6
Jesus is the good shepherd, who says that the sheep are in the hands of himself and the Father. They are promised eternal life, and any man, including believers, cannot be plucked by anyone except anyone stronger than the Father, who is greater than all. Luke 15's lost sheep tells us that a sheep does not lose his salvation because he gets lost. He never also leaves room for 'if that sheep is not found' because the sheep will always be found and one which is lost that belongs to him will be found.
Chastisement: Punishment for Transgressing God's Laws
If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgements; If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
Psalm 89:30-34
This particular Psalms is a good mention in the Old Testament of God's children who do not keep his laws nor walk in his judgements. It seems like they're pretty bad people overall. It seems those people need punishment right? Yes, it seems that God will visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes, which says God will punish such people heavily. However, the Lord says that his faithfulness will never fail, and his covenant will he not break, nor alter anything that has gone out of his lips, meaning they are eternally secure.
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Hebrews 12:5-8
God's children are rebuked because he loves them. If one is not chastised by God, he is not a son but a bastard.
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
Ecclesiastes 8:12-13
This verse in particular tells us that a believer, even if he does evil a hundred times, that it will all be well with them that fear God. It is not going to be well for those who do not fear God. This heavily implies eternal security.
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:20-21
The whole point of Jesus dying on the cross is to pay for our sins, no matter how great or small. No matter how great one's sin is, the grace did much more abound. The grace of our God is much greater than any of our possible transgressions no matter what.
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Revelation 3:15-16
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Revelation 3:19
This passage regarding the church of Laodicea is heavily misapplied by
many. It is used in a strong language where Jesus would spue these
lukewarm Christians out of his mouth, which to some imply the loss of
salvation. However, reading the context, it is clear at verse 19 that
Jesus loves them and he rebukes and chastens, just as the other parts of
the Bible tells us. He is telling the church to repent, but not that
he'd cast them in hell for it. The church itself does not exist today,
and one can assume as a church it had failings, but not that the church
of Laodicea were damned.
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Titus 1:2
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?
Numbers 23:19
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Hebrews 6:18
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; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:5-7
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Ephesians 1:4
The hope and promise of eternal life is something God has chosen to do
since the foundation of the world. He promised it before the world
began. Anyone who are justified by his grace through Jesus Christ are
inheritors of eternal life, Biblically called 'heirs'. God will never
break a promise. If salvation could be lost, God would be breaking his
promise, who knew everything beforehand and who would be his children,
and that would make him a liar. He may chastise his children like a
father does to his children, but one thing he will never do is throw
them in hell. God is not a liar and will never break the covenant he has
made upon his people.
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
2 Timothy 2:13
If one were to lose his salvation, it would contradict a lot of Scriptures, particular God never leaving thee nor forsaking thee (Hebrews 13:5). One would have to be stronger than God, meaning one has to make God deny himself. Is that possible? Even if it so happens we do not believe after being justified, God will still abide faithful. He abides in them, and if God were to leave that person, it would have to make God contradict and deny himself, thus making him a liar.
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
John 6:27-29
Jesus gives meat which endures
unto everlasting life to those who believe on him. It would not make
sense for salvation to be lost with this kind of imagery for the
everlasting life.
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 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.
John 4:13-14
The same exact imagery, this time with water, is given to the Samaritan woman, who is promised water which springs up into everlasting life.
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.
John 6:35
This water is received by believing on Jesus Christ, and there is no loss of salvation ever mentioned. One cannot never thirst again nor never hunger again if eternal life was not eternal.
The Indwelling of the Holy Ghost in All Believers
The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
2 John 1:1-2
John writes that the truth dwells in all believers that shall be with them forever. It cannot leave once they have received it, otherwise John would not write 'shall be with us' in the future tense. So as Pilate once famously quipped, what is truth?
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
1 John 5:6
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1 John 4:6
1 John tells us about the Spirit who is truth. John tells us about the Holy Ghost more in his gospel account.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:16
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:26
The Spirit is the Holy Ghost.
John is writing that those who believe have the Holy Ghost indwelling in
them, thereby making them eternally secure.
Let your contention be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Colossians 1:27
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1 Corinthians 6:19
Going back to God abiding faithful, God dwells inside all of them, which means the Holy Ghost lives in every believers.
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
Jude 1:1
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: But the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27
The Spirit makes intercession for the saints. All throughout the Bible, the body of Christ are called saints, and the saints are preserved forever by the Lord, never being forsaken and are eternally secure.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Ephesians 5:29-30
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Psalm 34:20
For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
John 19:36
Believers are members of Christ's body, and even referred to as his bones. In the earlier Psalms, it says that Christ keeps all his bones and not one of them is broken. When Jesus dies on the cross and only his blood comes out, that not one bone shall be broken, John confirms that this is about Christ. If Christ's bones did indeed break, it would destroy the whole imagery. Because believers are eternally secure, it means that Christ keeps all those who believed on him eternally secure without any possibility of breaking his bones.
They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
Psalm 125:1-2
Those who trust in the Lord cannot be removed. He is round about his people forever.
Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
Psalm 97:10
For the LORD loveth judgement, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
Psalm 37:28
The Lord preserves the souls of his saints forever, but the wicked shall be cut off. Who are these saints?
To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:7
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1 Corinthians 1:2
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:
2 Corinthians 1:1
To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:2
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 1:1
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Philippians 1:1
In many of the epistles, we can see that Paul refers to believers as saints.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
Acts 9:13
And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
Acts 9:32
Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: as many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
Acts 26:10
Even in the book of Acts, the word saints refers to all the believers as well. The Bible is clear who the preserved saints are.
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1 Peter 1:23
Believers are born of incorruptible seed.
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 man, but of God.
John 1:12-13
Believers are born of God.
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's
1 Corinthians 6:20
And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's
1 Corinthians 3:23
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Romans 8:14-17
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:29
Believers are not their own but are God's purchased possessions. Saints are God's children, and God loves his own children and will likewise never cast them into hell as they belong to him.
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 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 that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:12-14
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, 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.
1 Peter 1:3-5
The holy Spirit of promise is our down payment of our inheritance, which cannot be corrupted, defiled, nor fade away. This is reserved in heaven for all believers. God has predestined those who believe the gospel to have a glorified body. If one can lose salvation, God would be a liar, his down payment was not enough, and believers would not be assured anything. That would say the inheritance can be corrupt, defiled, and fade away, which is against the word of God.
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians 1:5
Believers are predestinated to become children of Jesus Christ himself.
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Romans 8:23
This adoption is the redemption of our body, the same thing Ephesians 1 is talking about.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: But the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30
It should be noted that while one is sealed by the Holy Ghost, it is possibly to grieve him. However, it specifically states the believers are sealed unto the day of redemption, so it is impossible to lose salvation.
And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Revelation 5:2-4
To say that a believer can break himself open, or to unseal himself, to lose salvation would contradict Scriptures which states that no man is worthy enough to loose the seal that they're sealed with to begin with.
The New Man: Righteous and truly holy
Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:
Job 8:20
God cannot cast away a perfect man.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:48
How do we become perfect as the Father which is in heaven? Can this even be possible when no one is righteous?
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:20
Jesus further continues saying that we should exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees. It seems like a low bar, but no one is righteous. The answer is to put on the new man. We are sinners in the flesh (our old man), and it is not our body that inherits the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21), but our new man is perfect.
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Ephesians 4:24
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Romans 3:22
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 John 3:9
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
1 John 5:1
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
1 John 5:18
The new man is born of God, who is the son of God, and he cannot sin. Believers, born of the incorruptible seed by God, are righteous and truly holy. They have the righteousness of God and cannot sin. Believers are perfect and therefore cannot be cast away and lose salvation. They are sealed unto the day of redemption as it is this new man that is in us (our spirit) that enters heaven, but not our flesh, which is a sinner. To say a believer can lose salvation is saying that God is not perfectly righteous, and that his seed is corruptible, and thus God is not truly holy.
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Hebrews 10:10-14
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Acts 26:18
Jesus' sacrifice perfects anyone who are sanctified through faith in Christ forever. If one of those who are sanctified could lose his salvation, he would no longer be sanctified, and it would have never been everlasting. Verse 14 says those who are sanctified are perfect forever, and being able to lose that would make that statement in the Bible untrue.
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Thessalonians 5:9
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.
John 3:36
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
God has not appointed the believers to wrath. There's only two groups of people in this world: those who are saved and those who are not. The ones who do not have life have the wrath of God upon them. If one were to lose salvation then it would mean a believer is under God's wrath, which contradicts God not appointing the believers to wrath.
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Hebrews 5:9
God, the author of eternal salvation unto all who obey him, says that salvation is eternal and forever. It can never end. However, what must be obeyed? Obedience means to listen.
For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:17
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Thessalonians 1:8
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Romans 10:16
Eternal salvation is obtained by obeying the gospel.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Acts 16:31
The gospel is the power of God unto eternal life by believing on he Lord Jesus Christ. It cannot be lost, otherwise God would an author of a lie, and he cannot lie.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Revelation 2:11
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels
Revelation 3:5
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Revelation 20:14
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcome, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Revelation 3:21
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:4-5
Overcoming this world means to believe the gospel. Anyone who believes the gospel will never have their name blotted out, meaning they will never go to hell. The only condition required to never having one's name removed from the book of life is if he believes the gospel. Any overcomers are guaranteed to enter heaven and never go to hell. They are also granted to sit with Jesus in his throne.
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Mark 16:19
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
1 Peter 3:21-22
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Hebrews 4:14
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Hebrews 8:1
The Bible is very clear that Jesus' throne is in heaven. One who overcomes by believing the gospel would go to heaven. Those who think that believers can lose salvation would result in going to hell and not heaven. That would make Jesus a liar. There are no mortal sins that would break the condition of the promise of everlasting life.
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Romans 14:7-10
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.
Hebrews 12:2
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Matthew 25:32-34
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Matthew 25:41
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:11-15
The two groups that are written about here are those that are in God's left hand and those who are in God's right hand. God's right hand is where the believers are eternally secure and inherit his promise of everlasting life. Those on his left hand go to the lake of fire. It seems that all throughout Scriptures, Paul is quite set on writing that no matter what, believers belong to the Lord, and that we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ, referring to the believers. There is no instance of the sheep ever being mixed in with the goats in Matthew 25, just clean division between the sheep and the goat. Once a believer is a sheep, he is always going to be a sheep who knows the voice of his own shepherd.
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.
Hebrews 9:12
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
Psalm 71:23
In whom we have redemption through his blood, for forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Colossians 1:14
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Romans 3:24-25
Jesus' blood alone paid for the eternal redemption for believers, which is eternal and everlasting. The eternal redemption is attained by faith on Jesus Christ alone for salvation, being redeemed eternally by his blood.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
John 8:51-52
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:14-15
If a man keeps Christ's saying, he shall never see death. It means they would have everlasting life. The Jews scoffed at him saying Abraham was dead and the prophets, but Jesus is talking about the second death, or hell.
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 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.
John 3:15-16
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 5:24
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:40
This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 6:50-51
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John 11:25-26
The saying that one must keep to never see or taste death is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, which he repeated all through until the chapter 8 and all throughout the book of John, specifically written to get someone saved. To do the will of the Father is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Anyone who has believed on the gospel cannot see death because he is eternally secure. If Jesus didn't mean what he said, then he is a liar.
The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
Psalm 21:1
He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance. For the king trusteth in the LORD, and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
Psalm 21:4-7
If someone trusts on the Lord and asks for everlasting life, he is given it for even length of days forever and ever. It cannot end. Why would one rejoice in his salvation greatly if the effect didn't last forever?
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.
John 3:36
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 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life
John 6:47
Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:54
One who believes on the Son has everlasting life and will not fall into condemnation. It's simple: hath is the present tense, and everlasting is perpetual. It will never end and it will never change. The only condition to not see life but have the wrath of God is to not believe on the Son.
Hope of the Resurrection at the Last Day
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:
Philippians 1:6
Paul tells the believers in Philippi to be confident that God is performing good works on them until the day of Jesus Christ? What happens then?
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Philippians 3:20-21
God is performing the glorification of the bodies of the believers, fashioning them to be like Christ's glorious body. That work is completed on the day of Jesus Christ.
Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John 11:24-26
Martha makes one of the greatest confessions of faith we see in the Bible. The resurrection happens at the last day.
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
1 Corinthians 15:42
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.
1 Corinthians 15:52
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Revelation 20:6
Those who have eternal life will not only get resurrected on the last day, but they also cannot be sent to the lake of fire, as it has no power over them. The second death is referring to the lake of fire. If there is no assurance of salvation, how can Jesus tell people that eternal life is with them while they are still alive? It wouldn't make sense if promised resurrection did not go as Christ told us.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so we shall ever be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:2
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:8
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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1 Corinthians 15:52-54
The day of the Lord is the same as the day of Jesus Christ, when those who trusted on Christ resurrects with glorified bodies. The trumpet sounding and the dead in Christ rising first happens on the day of the Lord. If salvation can be lost and a believer can also lose his chance to gain his glorified body, why would Paul then write that every believer in Philippi will receive his glorified body on the day of Jesus Christ? There is no stipulations for the loss of that, further cementing that these believers are eternally secure.
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.
1 John 3:2
John also refers to the glorification of the believers' bodies on that day. Believers, becoming sons of God, are only so spiritually now but have not been manifest physically yet, which will be the glorification of their bodies.
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Philippians 3:20-21
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Romans 8:19
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Romans 8:23
The glorification and redemption of being made like Jesus only happens to the saved. John, as well as Paul, writes with certainty that a saved brother will also have the same glorification and redemption. There is no talk about loss of that privilege whatsoever. Since they are eternally secure, it is impossible to be sent to the lake of fire.
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
1 John 5:20
Believers are in Jesus Christ are given eternal life because Jesus is the eternal life. They can never die.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:11-15
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21:1-4
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every
month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:2
What one sees at the end of the Bible, the great white throne of judgement awaits. Death and hell is cast into the lake of fire, along with others who are not written in the book of life. Then comes new heaven and new earth, where there is no more death or pain, with these things passed away. The promise of where Jesus tells those who do overcome back at Revelation 2:7 is fulfilled at this particular chapter, after death and pain are gone. If a believer was able to lose his salvation and go to hell, Jesus would be lying with ihis promise. He promised anyone who believes can partake in this new heaven and new earth that is to come, once again, proving eternal security.
Suicide? A sure way to lose one's salvation?
A common misconception from popular culture, possibly perpetuated from Catholics and many Lordship salvationists, is that suicide is a guaranteed way to send someone to hell, regardless of one's salvation status. Sure, it will guarantee an unsaved person to hell, but it is abundantly clear there is no way for one to lose his salvation whatsoever if one is indeed saved. Are there any Biblical mentions of this doctrine? There are no verses saying that one committing suicide will be an automatic sentence to hell. However, there are seven known suicides in the Bible.
- Abimelech, the son of the judge Gideon, crowns himself king, loses a battle and has his armourbearer kill him because a woman threw a piece of millstone on his head, and did not want to be known for being killed by a woman (Judges 9:54)
- Samson, a judge, kills himself along many other Philistines (Judges 16:30)
- King Saul, after losing his sons and his final battle against the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:4)
- His armourbearer, who followed his liege upon his death (1 Samuel 31:5)
- Ahithophel, an advisor to the renegade Absalom, upon failing to persuade his liege to attack David (2 Samuel 17:23)
- Zimri, the usurper 7 day king of Israel who overthrew his liege, Elah, but unrecognised by anyone and attacked by captain Omri, burns down his own palace alongside himself (1 Kings 16:18)
- The infamous Judas Iscariot, after being remorseful for betraying an innocent man, Jesus Christ, hangs himself (Matthew 27:5)
Abimelech, we can say, was slain by another but vicariously through his own orders. While some may object to Samson and say his was a sacrifice rather than a suicide, the modern concept of suicide bombers, kamikaze pilots, jihadis, etc, all bear the same concept so one can say this was a suicide. Of the seven, two of them are known to be saved (Samson and Saul), some possibly (it's likely Saul's armourbearer was saved, unsure of Abimelech or Ahithophel), one very unlikely (Zimri, as he was an idolater after Jeroboam's golden calves), and one guaranteed to be an unsaved devil (Judas Iscariot, as he betrayed Christ and was a known devil).
What? There's no way King Saul was saved!
Rather than following what the world thinks and using physical manifestation of one's outward works to determine the inner new man, we must look at the Scriptures to determine this, as man cannot read one's heart.
King Saul has a horrible track record for a believer. He disobeyed the Lord because he did not give the offering at the right time and did not wait for Samuel to do his task. He spared the wicked king Agag, whom the Lord had appointed to destruction, disobeying him. He became envious of David, who became chosen to become the next king, and spent 38 years of his reign trying to hunt down his own son-in-law and kill him. He was a murderer who teamed up with the reprobate Edomite Doeg who slew many of God's priests, and Saul had no remorse for that. And in his penultimate day on this earth, he would go and see a witch, whom the Lord God commanded to not suffer any to live. To add salt to injury, he kills himself on his last day of his life on earth. Of course, judging by his own physical works, he was a horrible sinner and it seems God would judge him for this. He even sent an evil spirit to torment him due to his disobedience.
The account of Saul with the witch of Endor, however, shows Saul's salvation status. We know early on that Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 10:5-13), with people asking if Saul was also among the prophets. When he transgressed against God, he was repentant and asked Samuel to pray for him. Saul was sore distressed at his penultimate day, so much because God would not answer him, and so he enquired a witch (1 Samuel 28). To his credit, Saul did try to seek the Lord first. What he did wrong was to see the witch. He knew what he did was wrong so he disguised himself. Saul asked the witch to bring up Samuel, but to her surprise, she found out that this was indeed King Saul, who enforced the no witches law. What she saw was something very different from what she would normally see.
The woman said that she saw gods ascending out of the earth, referring to the wicked devils whom the pagans worship. She has a familiar spirit, so usually she, like mediums of our days, would consult with this familiar devil most of the time. However, it seems the Lord had another plan, and brought up Samuel, who came forth and covered in a mantle. While it does say 'cometh up', Samuel didn't rise up from the earth like the 'gods', but he was separately brought in by the Lord to speak a particular message to Saul, who was not able to see him. This was not a familiar spirit but the real Samuel, as the narrator says that this was indeed Samuel.
Samuel tells Saul a disturbing news to him, but of course, tells him that the Lord departed from him and has become his enemy. That part may cause a lot to stumble thinking that Saul lost God's grace and lost his salvation for his wickedness. Was that it? Bible says it's impossible, but how then was he his enemy if he's his son (i.e. a believer)? It seems possible to be God's enemy in the flesh and still be one who is justified through faith.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
James 4:4
Note that James is writing to brethren (abundantly clear throughout his epistle), so this is talking to believers. One does not automatically love God by being saved, but still remains his child. Saul's actions clearly made him lose fellowship with God (1 John 1:3,6), and this is why he was not being answered by him. Samuel essentially says if God has abandoned you here, what makes you think I'll help you? He continues bearing bad news for him, that the kingdom will be taken away from him and be given to David, due to his disobedience. However, Samuel does remind him of one message that gave him some hope before his final day on earth.
Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
1 Samuel 28:19
The Bible makes it clear, although there is much trouble and woes and punishment in this physical world, where Saul and his armies will be overtaken by the Philistines, the message of hope is that he and his sons will be with Samuel. Samuel is clearly a justified man of faith (Hebrews 11:32, which by the way also mentions Samson), and Saul would be alongside him, and Jonathan his son, and some other sons of his, all die in that battlefield against the Philistines, but are taken up to heaven. It is either they are all in heaven or hell: there is no way reading past this. If the others are all in heaven, so too is Saul. God sends Samuel at that point to remind him that he'll be with him then and his earthly torment will finally long be over.
It does not matter how bad one is, if one is justified by faith, he is taken up to heaven. The Bible makes it clear in this particular verse, further debunking any claims that suicide is a guaranteed way to hell, even if saved. Saul was an extreme example of a horrible believer, but he too believed on the Lord, and his faith counted unto him as righteousness. There is no justification whatsoever to the claim that suicide is permanently hell. However, that doesn't mean one should kill himself. A murder is a murder, even if the object is self. No one is saying one should kill himself just to be in heaven, which is a very stupid and foolish thing to do, and Saul makes it clear what a bad example he was. He was a tragic figure, but he is in the everlasting arms of the Lord in heaven, as his new man, the spirit, was justified, and his horrible fleshly old man remains dead.
Former Believers: People Who Stop Believing?
One major contention comes from people who think it's impossible for eternal security to be true if a person just stops believing. What happens if a supposed Biblical Christian converts to Islam or Hinduism or some other weird sect of Christian? How in the world would that person even be eternally secure if he can just convert that way?
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 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.
1 John 2:18-19
Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1 John 2:22
The Scriptures make it clear that there will be some who were of our brethren, but they did not continue and then went out of us. This isn't about people who used to believe and somehow lost their faith and became a Buddhist. That's not possible. People do not unlearn the truth when given it. John clearly writes that 'they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us', meaning these people, who would enter into the Christian circle would eventually leave, where it will be made manifest (it shows) that these particular people never believed in the first place. Some may not like this answer, but the Bible makes it clear those people were never saved. There is no loss of salvation because that is impossible, and one verse is not going to supplant the rest of the Scriptures otherwise the Bible would contradict itself, and it does not.
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
A common objection would be from one's physical anecdotes of people whom one may have known as a former Christian who stopped believing and became something else. The Bible makes it clear that one cannot see a person's heart. God looks at a person's heart, and only God knows if the person truly believed or not. In reality, the only one who can be sure of his own salvation is that person himself and God: everyone else can only assume by looking at what the person does outwardly or from an outward confession of faith. It does not matter how close a person was to you, reading the heart is not something someone can do, but since out of the abundance of one's heart the mouth speaks, if a person was not actually a believer, it will come out eventually and made manifest.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 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. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
John 10:1-8
John 10 perfectly captures this with the good shepherd imagery. Jesus is clear that anyone who is Jesus' sheep would not hearken unto the voice of strangers. Islam is the voice of a stranger. So is Hinduism or Buddhism or Catholicism or any other religions of this world. There is no way one of Jesus' sheep would listen and obey the wrong religion and to deny in his heart the faith that saved him.
The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Matthew 26:24
Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
Luke 22:3
And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
John 13:27
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
John 6:70-71
Some may even state Judas Iscariot as one who was saved but lost his salvation, but the Bible makes it clear that Jesus chose one in particular who was a devil from the beginning, as he never believed in the first place. He would even say that that person was better off never to be born. Satan also enters into Judas Iscariot, which is impossible in a believer due to the Holy Ghost indwelling in a believer. While a believer may be tormented by devils, he can never be possessed by one. The reason why nobody was able to discern he was the traitor until he was made manifest is because he acted just like the rest of the disciples. No man was able to read his heart, but Jesus knew who he was very well: a devil. Thus Judas was never saved, and it is impossible for one to lose his salvation, otherwise it would contradict tons of other Scriptures speaking of eternal security, as well as the book of John which is the very book written to get people saved, where Judas also prominently features.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Matthew 7:21-23
This is a commonly misapplied Scripture, saying that not everyone who cries Lord Lord will enter into the kingdom of heaven. However, the reason for it is very obvious. These people are trusting in their works, as evident in verse 22. It is also abundantly evident that these people were never known by Christ, not that they were known at some point and he stopped knowing them. No, these people never trusted on Christ fully and were their own saviours, and by that standard, they fell short. Salvation is eternal.
Amongst these and other verses,
the Bible is clear that once saved, always saved. Loss of salvation is
not only impossible but it means one trusts on his own works and does
not believe in the saving power of God, damning him to hell. Trust on
the Lord Jesus Christ and that one is eternally secure. The knowledge of
one's personal salvation is not a sin but written of in 1 John 5:13.
Once you are secure, there is nothing that will separate you from the
love of God.
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