Eternal/eternity

Eternal/Eternity

Our attempt herein will be to establish a meaning of eternal life as defined by the scriptures in John 17:2 ~ "He should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." It says here very plainly that the Father gave Jesus the power to give eternal life to as many as he hast given him. Question? Did the Father give the eternal life in this context to all of his children? If so all of those to whom the Father gave his Son must not only know who God is, but also who He is; that is, this God is truly the very God and creator. It goes further and states that one who is in possession of this eternal life must further know his son, Jesus Christ. This same Greek word (1097) is also used in Mt 1:25 showing the sense of a marital relationship. Jesus tells his disciples in John 14:1 "Ye believe in God, believe also in me." There are many of God’s children who believe in a god as a supreme entity, yet do not know Jesus as defined in Jh 17:3. When God the Father has betrothed (Hos 2:19) one unto his Son through the dealt faith of the new covenant, it brings about this type of knowledge, then and only then is one enabled, from the heart, to know Christ as defined in John 17:3.

We find only three places in the Old Testament where these two words are used. It is my understanding that the words are used to describe the eternal God Head as he dwells with those of his people who are of a broken and contrite spirit. First (the Father) in the Tabernacle and Temple service under the old covenant, then during his (Son) ministry here upon the earth while yet under the old covenant, and after the day of Pentecost under the new covenant with the (Holy Ghost) Comforter.

Isa 57:15 "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." The high and lofty place is describing his dwelling place here on earth as well as his throne in heaven. We also realize that these three are eternal in their coexistence. Here in time we are told that only a few of his children will be blessed to enjoy a position of this inheritance with their Husband. Though many will be called to this relationship, only a few will abide therein. Deut 7:6; Luke 12:32. Yes, those that wait upon their Lord shall enjoy the blessings of dwelling with him here in time. We see in Numbers chapter fourteen, how only two (Joshua and Caleb) were privileged to enter in this fellowship. We read in Luke 12 where the five wise were granted permission to enter in. We will also see, as we study farther, that these few whom he has called to the wedding feast are given excess to this eternal life here in time. Also for those called, if they continue to abide in him (1 Jh 2:27) will receive the benefits of this eternal life while they sojourn here in time.

Deut 33:26 "There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun…The eternal God is thy refuge." It is my understanding that this refuge is here in time, and was granted to those under the first covenant. If these waited upon their God, they would continue in this refuge. This is also true of the new covenant church in this age. The word Jeshurun is translated several ways and all indicate that it is to the upright. In other words, God honors those of his children that are of a contrite and broken spirit.

Isa 60:3 "The Gentiles shall come to thy light, … the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee,… the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee… the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, … to bring thy sons from far, … unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee… In my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee. Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, … For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted. (Dan 2:44 ‘And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever’.) the city of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations."

Here in Isa 60:3, we find that God will make thee (the called out assembly) an eternal excellency, and a joy of (not for) many generations. Yes, they are a blessed generation among the nations or generations. As you can see I have quoted Dan 2:44 to show that this is speaking of those under the new covenant. For about four hundred years, a prophet had (so to speak) forsaken Judah, for their Husband (God the Father) had not spoken to them during this time.

From the above, (that is, from all that was spoken about it in the Old Testament), we can now undertake to show how the word is applied in the New Testament. It first appears in Matt 19:16 "…what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" I have tried to make this a positional text all of my life, but consider the context. Jesus is telling this young ruler how he can enter into this eternal life. I am not saying how he is to become a child of God, but how he is to (verse 17) "enter into this life, by keeping the commandments." As John 1:11 tells us, we can become the sons of God in a manifested sense. Yes, those who have been called and sanctified (1 Thess 2:13): can by the new covenant, exercise the truth received by the anointing of the Holy One, (John 14:16; 16:7-12; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 2:20,27) and enter into the abundant life, herein called eternal life.

We find the same lesson taught in Mark 10:17 ~ "What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in (the church kingdom) heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into (take possession of) this eternal life." The children of Israel were told to possess the land; look at Dan 7:22. ~ ‘Judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom of God!" (Look how the words in you is used in Mk 11:21; Lk 10:13; John 5:38,42; 6:53; 8:37; 14:17,20; 15:4,7,11). "And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!" And likewise in Luke 10:25 ~ ‘what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ Who? He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Again, Luke 18:18 ‘What shall I do to inherit eternal life? … when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!’ One should be able to see from these verses how one who has been given the ability via the giving of the fundamental doctrines found in the new covenant dealt faith (Rom 12:3), must possess the land or kingdom, selling all to possess the kingdom. This truth comes in tables of stone under the old covenant and by Jesus himself during his ministry and now during the grace age by the new covenants written in the fleshly tables of our hearts. (Rom 2:14; Heb 9:13; 2 Cor 3:3) All by Grace, therefore God receives all honor, glory, and praise. (Rom 11:6; 1 Cor 15:10 "by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." Paul is telling us that he laboured (Gal 4:19) with those to whom God had already worked in. (Phil 2:14). I know if there is any good in me that it is by the grace of a merciful God. Yet I am made to wonder, if "his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain" for it seems at times that I have failed so miserably in using this wonderful gift that God has bestowed upon me.

This same lesson is again repeated in Matt 19:22 ~ "he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven… Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible… ‘Ye which have followed me, in the regeneration [giving of the New Covenant, the seed (if ye be in Christ – Gal 3:29; 1 Jh 3:9) of the New Testament Church] when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel… Many that are first (Jews) shall be last and the last (Gentiles) shall be first." We all understand that Matt 19:28 is teaching about the new covenant church as it is brought out from under the law service. It appears that we just have not made it fit the context of the balance of Matt 19. We read in Rom 14:17 "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

We come to a very controversial scripture here in Matt 25:46 "these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." Those who follow after the false doctrine of perseverance hang their hats on this verse. The question may arise in my explanation of this verse…. Do you believe in an eternal hell, where those who are not children of God will suffer forever and forever? I say with a BIG resounding YES…. There is a place in which none of God’s children will have to suffer. I understand by the scriptures that God has paid the debt in full, therefore none of his children will be sent there. I also understand that this place can be described as a place of total darkness or isolation, with the sensation of a continual falling (black hole) as in the bottomless pit and in total pain. This is in contrast to eternal bliss, where there will be total light, on the solid foundation of Jesus our LORD, without pain.

What is the meaning of this scripture then, if it is dealing with a timely punishment and an entering in of eternal life for the righteous? We find in Gen 49:16 the prophesy of Dan. Just who is Dan? In Rev Chapter Seven when the twelve tribes are numbered (representing the church) Dan and Ephraim are not present. Look at his prophecy in Gen 49:16 "Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD." It is my understanding that this is speaking of the same ones in John 8:50 "…there is one that seeketh and judgeth." They are also spoken of in Matt 23:33 ~ "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and ye shall kill and crucify; and persecute them from city to city: that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias." Deut 32:36 ~…’the LORD shall judge his people’, and again Heb 10:30 ~ ‘we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.’

Is not the judgment here concerning those of his people who (Heb 10:29) 'hath counted the blood of the (new) covenant, wherewith they was sanctified, (2 Thess 2:13) an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit (Holy Ghost, which has give ye the unction. 1 John 2:20) of grace?' Even though this time setting is with his chosen people, the Jewish nation, who had rejected Him (Luke 7:30), it can and does apply to those among us who are doing the same thing today. They have known and preached the glorious gospel to many of the saints, but through pride have exalted themselves as did Hymenaeus and Alexander, which have made shipwreck of the faith of some, blaspheme or denying that which they know as truth (Heb 6:4, 10:29). This leads us into another very controversial text in Mark 3:29 "…he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: ..in this world (law age) and in the world (gospel age) to come eternal life. But many that are first (Jews) shall be last; and the last (Gentiles) first." Again as stated above there is an eternal separation from God of those who are not his people to a place prepared for the devil and his angels. This text is not speaking of this place. Moses everlasting lost the blessing of the kingdom (Canaan) for not sanctifying God, age without end. Again it is a judgment upon those of his who have rejected the council against them (Matt 21:32); that is, they knew him (John 6:14; 7:28 "Ye both know me, and ye know whence I Am.") and denied it, therefore they committed the sin unto death. 1 John 5:17; Num. 15:30 "…the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD." God had been longsuffering with these people and had given them every opportunity to repent. (See Randy Dillon’s ‘Kingdom of God’s - Law to Grace’) Acts 13:46 "…seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting (eternal) life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." Same Greek word used in Mark 3:29 "…in danger of eternal damnation." Yes, "it had (2 Peter 2:21) been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them." This is not just disobedient children of God; but is as Ephraim, which is described in hos 7:1 "Ephraim was discovered, for they commit falsehood; (Heb 6:4) and the thief cometh in, (John 10:10 ~ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy… and the troop of robbers spoileth without. And they consider not in their hearts (having understanding) that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face. Ephraim is a cake not turned." Question? Could he have been turned? Yes, but their stubborn, rebellious, proud hearts would not be humbled. Again this is an example of those who have left the truth. See Rev 3:21 "I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not." After the space was ended he then did as he told the Jews in John 12:39 "Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth (confesseth) on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." This judgment, Jesus’ word, came upon those Jews which Jesus had came to in John 1:11 in the last day (70 AD). It is the fulfillment of Deut Chapter 28. Again it is the sin unto an everlasting (Heb 6:4) death spoken of in 1 John 5:17.

Again we read in Matt 21:32 "John came unto you in the way of righteousness, (truth) and ye believed him not: when ye had seen it, repented (confessed) not afterward, that ye might believe him." After they had seen the truth and failed to make this (believed) manifested he blinded them… John 12:40 "He blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them." Also in Mark 4:12 "That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them." This is the too-late doctrine of unbelief, (1 John 5:17), as did the children who died in their sins in the wilderness. Num 27:3 also see John 8:24. The scriptures time and again warn those who know the truth, ‘be careful’ for God was a jealous God with his wife (Judah), and likewise, Jesus is also with his bride.

The scriptures in John 3:14,15 are another which we as Old Baptists have been schooled in all our lives as a positional text, "whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." If we stay with the context of verse 14, we must put this verse in a time frame along with the lesson taught in Num. 21:9. ~ "A serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, (they now see and feel their depravity) when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived." We all know this is a timely text, likewise so is the one found in 1 John 2:25. The eternal life under consideration here is the same as the above lessons on the subject. It is the abiding of this (Jesus, which is) eternal life in the disciple of Jesus. Also see Rom 2:6 and many others which speak of the eternal life which one who has been given the new covenant can abide in.

John 4:35 "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, one soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours." This to me is very plain in that it speaks of the blessing one receives as an obedient disciple of Jesus.

John 5:39 "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they, which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life (for you already have life as a child of God). I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you." Jesus is speaking to some of his own in whom it is said, "He came to his own." in John 1:11. One must be in possession of life before he can be blessed to receive the life under consideration here. The Jews were children of God, but failed to understand that this eternal life (which abides in you) does not come by the keeping of the old law, but by loving God and their neighbor, who they were unwilling to do for it did not fit their agenda. They were too proud of a people, as many today that have been blessed with the truth and have turned to their own agenda.

John 6:54 "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day…to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." Jesus is said to be the Word of God and he that desires his word more than his necessary food is eating and drinking of Him. In doing so, they have the Word (eternal life) abiding in them.

John 10:28 "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." Yes, the remnant of Rom 9:29, 11:4, which the Father gave to his Son are kept by his power (Ps 110:3) and will persevere in the faith until death. If this were not so, then there would be no church when he comes again…for he must be the keeper of it, and through a small remnant of men he has given the unction of the Holy One, working in them the will and the to do. This also has, within the timely context, a greater and deeper meaning; that is, that all of the children of God are preserved in him and none will be eternally cast away, but contextually it speaks of a timely lesson. (Eph 6:18)

John 12:25 "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." How could this be any other than a timely conditional text? Only a few of God’s children can fit into this context. Strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth to (eternal) life here in time, and few be that enters into it.

John 17:2 "Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." Under the old covenant, he also had a small remnant, which he chose to bear witness of the truth. Isa 43:10 "Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he." What is it they know? The basic truth (Rom 8:28,29) of the Grand Old Church. He has finished the work of atonement for all of his people. Many of his children do not know this, for they are still going about in an attempt to complete it for themselves by the many diverse types of the works systems of the worldly churches.

Acts 13:48 "As many as were ordained to eternal life believed". Why is this so hard for us to believe, who know the completed work of Christ, that God has ordained a portion of his people to know the truth by writing the new covenant in our hearts? This does not tell us that in every case those that were ordained to this end will make this belief manifested in their walk as disciples, yet all that are ordained to this eternal life will believe, by the two witnesses (dealt faith and preached word) whether they make it manifested or not. It does confirm that there is a portion of His children that He has ordained to know the truth, whether they ever confess to this knowledge or not. Shall their refusal to make manifest this truth make the faith (new covenant) in which he has dealt to them in Rom 12:4, of no effect? God forbid. (Rom 3:3)

Rom 1:20 "Even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." This seems so plain to me….these Jews knew God in truth and glorified him not. Math 21:30, Luke 7:32, and John 9:41 ~ These verses tells us that the Pharisees knew him, yet justified him not in their actions.

Rom 2:7 "To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life." Those that have the ability to seek him in truth, via the new covenant, and do so will have this eternal life abiding in them. 1 John Chapter Two…

Rom 5:21 "As sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom 11:6 tells us that those in the remnant are there by grace. Yes, it is through faith of (not in) Jesus Christ, and this by the giving of the new covenant faith, that grace will reign in the hearts of those who, by seeking his face, and walking in his commandments.

Rom 6:22 "Now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom 7:9 "I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me." Paul is telling us that he, as a Jew, was set free from the Semitic law, by the death of the husband (2 Cor 2:19; Rom 7:4) and giving of the new covenant (Gal 1:15) to become the servant to God. Paul was made to realize at this time that he was not his own, but was bought with the precious blood of his Husband the LORD Jesus Christ; that this gift of eternal life which Paul possessed was even Christ which did abide in him. The spirit meanwhile did testify Rom 8:16 ~ 'The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we have this eternal life abiding in us.'

2 Cor 4:17 ~ "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." It is this glory that we are enabled to see through the eye of faith, that gives us the courage to continue the good fight of faith. Yes, we are made, by the dealt faith of the new covenant, to see his blessed truths (as this eternal life is abiding in us), that this world is not our home, for we as Abraham look for a city not made with hands, eternally in heaven with our LORD. Therefore these light afflictions do indeed work in us the ability to experience, while we live in this low ground of sin and sorrow, a far greater taste of his glory as we are permitted to enter into his chamber and sup with him from time to time. I also realize that farther down the road there awaits a place called eternity, which we look for, that city made by God.

2 Cor 5:1 "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." This speaks of the blessed home, in which we long for, as we abide in him, waiting to be clothed upon with that body, which knows no decay. I do understand the eternal glory that awaits us after this time-world is no longer, but while we sojourn here in this time world I need to find that place I can commune with my Husband, The Eternal.

Eph 3:10 "That now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him." Those to whom the truth has been made known, via the working of the dealt faith of the new covenant in their hearts, have access by this covenant into the knowledge of his eternal purpose as we sojourn in this time world. This is manifested through the faith once delivered to the saints, whereby we know that ‘The Eternal’ does indeed abide in us.

1 Tim 6:12 "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." How can one not see this is here in time? We are instructed to hold onto it less we let it slip and become a castaway; cast out of the fellowship of our LORD, and from the called out assembly. Oh that I would hold onto it, for it is all that this life has to offer. Without it there would be NO life at all!

1 Tim 6:19 ~ "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust." Same as the above…we must hold onto our blessed Husband, and the truth is in him, lest he close the door as he did the five foolish virgins. As the apostles answered him on one occasion, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.’ John 6:38

2 Tim 2:10 ~ "I endure all things for the elect's sakes that they may also obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." Paul has suffered many things for the elect’s sake and was able from time to time to enter into this eternal glory, as we also do today, and sup with him on the drippings of the beautiful gospel of our salvation. O’ LORD help us to have and hold on to you until death do we part.

Titus 1:1 "Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour." Here we hear the apostle tell us how we, through the knowledge of the truth, experience this hope of eternal life as we travel this uncertain journey of life. This fits with the definition of the faith defined in Heb 11:1 "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Yes faith is made up of the very substance of the things we hope for, which is eternal life. When this faith (eternal life) is abiding in us, we are made to rejoice in this hope. O’ what joy do we experience in our LORD, as we are permitted from time to time to enter his chamber and sup with him?

Titus 3:4 "after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 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." This one may cut across the grain on some of those who have placed this scripture as the beginning of every child of God’s life from the fallen nature of Adam. May we consider a thought a little off the beaten path? We are herein made heirs of eternal life by the washing of regeneration. Right?

Gal 3:7 "They that are of faith, (what faith? Is it not gospel faith?), the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through not by faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they, which be of the gospel faith, are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things, which are written in the book of the law to do them." Could this regeneration be considered in light of Matt 19:28 as the generation found in Isa 53:8 and Ps 22:30?

Heb 5:9 "He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." The beginning of this salvation was dealt unto one that he may believe and obey, and in the obedience, they give evidence that one has been dealt the eternal life of 1 John 2:25. I realize that this gives those who obey an assurance of their sonship, and is the finisher of this faith. This eternal life is abiding in them that obey, but they can fail in this by not obeying and lose the blessings found therein in this time world. Be assured it is not talking about sonship, which is sure to all of his children, but discipleship which can be lost.

Heb 9:12 "By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us… How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? … for this cause he is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." We are made to know this is atonement blood under consideration, as it was applied in the Holy of Holies. In as much then that we have been redeemed by his blood and are now in possession of eternal life, we of the called might receive the promise (if indeed we abide in the calling) of this eternal inheritance while we sojourn in this time world.

1 Peter 5:10 "The God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." Those of his children who have been called unto his eternal glory now are able, after they have learned patience through suffering, are made perfect in obedience, having then been established in the doctrines of Christ, and are strengthened and settled in their discipleship.

1 John 3:15 "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." Again this is the abiding of eternal life in this time world. This eternal life cannot abide in us if we are holding ought against one who is our brother in the church.

1 John 5:11 "This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have (present perfect) eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God… 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." The life that we have in the Son (our Husband) is in this time world, wherein we have the understanding of the truth, and as the verse above states, we can lose the abiding of this eternal life if we have ought against one of the saints: or as those who have left the truth, having forgotten wherewith they were purged and gone after other gods.

Jude 7 ~ "Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Verse 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 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." Herein we have the moral sins, which causes one to whom the inheritance of the eternal life has been given in time, to fall from the blessings of it and cast into outer darkness. Oh! What a sad state this is for one who has been so blessed with the truth.

John 6:40 "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. … (Hosea 6:3) Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 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. (Jer 31:31) Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. (This is passive understanding in that it is the Lord that adds one to the church -Acts2: 47) 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. (This belief is passive the same as the understanding. One does not chose to believe or not believe. The evidence presented creates the belief in an individual. To act upon this evidence is active, but to act upon the belief one must first have the belief) I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die." The living and dying is to the fellowship of the saints. This entire teaching of the Sixth Chapter of John is dealing with true discipleship and not sonship. Those teaching perseverance from this scripture make them an eternal text. I know we have always been taught these to be positional texts, but please take another look at them. The position to believe is unconditional, but to maintain the relationship with our Husband and the saints, one must keep the new covenant principal just as those under the old covenant did.

John 17:1 "Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 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." This is eternal life. They might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ. Question ~ do all the children of God know Jesus Christ? In what way do we know The Saviour, the Anointed of God? Heb 10:9 "He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second." Heb 8:10 "This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, … a new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." 1 John 2:21 ~ "I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it." Yes, those to whom he has chosen, 1 Peter 2:9 ~ "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." Col 1:12 ~ "Hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness (of the law), and hath translated (not transported but made to understand) us into the kingdom of his dear Son."

2 Thess 2:13 "Hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth."