Apostasy

The Truth about Predestined, Sealed [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

The “Sealed” Scam Exposed

Beware of the false definition of sealed by dispensationalist heretics.

What does the biblical term “sealed” mean? What doesn’t it mean?

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 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: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will …” Ephesians 1:3-5

The saints of the Most High God are “blessed … with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” We also read here that “He hath chosen,” not forced, us “that we should be holy and without blame before him.” Those who are “chosen” and choose to live unto the LORD are made “holy” by Him. If one is not being made holy, it is clear that he has no part with Christ (John 13:8; 2 Timothy 2:19; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 12:14; Revelation 21:8, 27).

Here’s just one more example of how we know that no honest, sane person believes OSAS… Just another example of deceit and dishonesty to deny personal responsibility in obeying Jesus (Matthew 7:21). It’s ALL about THEM. Totally self-serving and could care less about knowing and obeying the Savior they claim as LORD and yet deny Him the honor of truly knowing, serving, worshipping, and obeying Him. Paul says they are “abominable” (Titus 1:16).

It’s interesting how these wolves tout the grace of God as if it’s a license to sin and automatically covers all their sin without their involvement. Yet they have NO faith in the grace of God to grant them power over sin through the crucified life (Romans 6:3-14). Are we beginning to see why they push this perverted definition of grace? If they believe so strong in grace, WHY won’t they choose to believe God’s enabling grace will bring them to victory over sin via the crucified life?

Paul makes it clear that saving grace does not abide in anyone living in sin:

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2

Every person walking in God’s saving grace, outside of which no one can be saved, is:

Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” Titus 2:11-12

IF A SEAL IS PERMANENT JESUS COULD NOT HAVE RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD BECAUSE THE SAME EXACT GREEK WORD IS USED IN MATTHEW 27:66 CONCERNING HIS SEALED TOMB AS IS IN EPHESIANS 1:13 AND 4:30.

To a man who said that those who are born again are sealed and they cannot possibly lose it, the following response was given:

Not true. SEALED cannot possibly mean that the seal is unbreakable. You’ve followed false teachings. JESUS’ tomb was unsealed (Matthew 27:66) and He was raised from the dead. It’s the same Greek word as “sealed” Ephesians 1:13; 4:30. Case closed. Jesus’ tomb was sealed then unsealed and He was raised from the dead. Anyone who doesn’t believe Jesus rose again is not saved (1 Corinthians 15:17). OSAS/eternal security is a lie from hell.

“Sealed” is not un-sealable. It cannot possibly mean that once one is “sealed” that the seal cannot be broken as is often taught by today’s “ungodly men” who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 4) “Sealed” in Ephesians is the same Greek word used in Matthew 27:66.

“So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, SEALING the stone, and setting a watch. … he is risen from the dead …” Matthew 27:66; 28:7

“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:17

Define “sealed” from Ephesians … same Greek word as Matthew 27:66 where Jesus’ tomb was sealed and yet it was UN-sealed when He raised from the dead. So, “sealed” is not an unbreakable seal. To seal simply means to stamp. One writer notes:

“Seal was not a lock that could not be opened; it was a mark of ownership, such as would be placed on a document.”

We see yet again in Revelation that a “seal” in God’s Word is never defined as something that is automatically permanent.

“And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” Revelation 20:3

In the verse above, we see that Satan will be cast into the bottomless pit and a “seal” will be set upon him for a thousand years and then that pit will be unsealed to release the Devil.

The OSAS false teachers are always seeking to find yet another way to prove their father Satan’s first lie. They are constantly grasping for straws.

The attempt of eternal securists to make the definition of “sealed” confirm their lie, is pitifully weak and actually completely fraudulent. Heresy. Foolishness. Sealing in the Bible does not mean permanence. Typical scam theology attempting to fortify a lie.

Some will say “But how can one become un-sealed after being saved and sealed?”

Simple: The question is not whether you can become un-sealed – that’s a moral coward approach. The question is WHO ever said the Bible definition of “sealed” meant that seal can’t possibly be broken? The same exact Greek word for sealed is used concerning Christ’s tomb which we all know was UN-sealed (Matthew 27:66). So “sealed” in Ephesians can’t possibly mean that the seal is unbreakable.

IF in fact you are truly and presently “sealed” by God, it’s proven in that you “depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19).

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19

Notice those who try to use the two “sealed” Scriptures in Ephesians don’t even want to know about this Bible verse below which gives definition to those who are truly “sealed” – as in they “depart from iniquity” instead of making excuse for it, instead of hiding behind sin-justifying false doctrine.

Joseph Gorscak writes:

“Put it together people: ‘Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.'” (2 Timothy 2:19)

The fact that the “ungodly men” who’ve taught you Hell’s doctrine of OSAS purposely refused to tell you this biblical truth, reveals they are false prophets whose “damnation slumbereth not” (2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 3-4).

God’s choosing of us who have trusted in Christ does not automatically determine that the individual believer will answer His call to continue to trust Him. According to Revelation 17:14, Christ will soon return with those who are “called, and chosen, and faithful.” God unfailingly does His part and the individual must do his part in which he will always be granted the enabling grace of God to perform (Philippians 2:12-13). The human will must never be factored out of the picture or there will be misunderstanding. Jesus told us that “many” are “called” yet few “chosen” due to the fact that only a few choose to be “faithful” to the LORD (Matthew 7:13-14; 20:16). “Without faith it is impossible to please him” and those who “draw back unto perdition (destruction),” not choosing to “believe to the saving of the soul,” will lose out eternally (Hebrews 10:26-39; 11:6).

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 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 1:11-14

One will find that the “sealed” teaching is prevalent among those who seek to justify the perversion of the grace of God using His very words. Their teaching on being “sealed” is quite the occasion to privately interpret, twist and misuse the Scriptures. Those who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” find much opportunity to exaggerate what the Bible states and does not state about being “sealed with that Holy Spirit.” Upon a closer, more thorough and sober look at the word “sealed” and in the context it is written, and of the whole of the Word of God, a quite different perspective should emerge.

Note here in Ephesians 1 that the Holy Spirit is speaking of those who have “obtained an inheritance, being pedestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” or word. His Word is His will and the fullness of His recorded Counsel reveals that the Almighty before destined (predestined) that all be saved and live according to His truth and holiness. Yet, He never forces any person to believe or obey Him. Is it not the “purpose” of God and the way that has been predestined and not the person? The LORD told us clearly that He wills all to be saved and come to repentance and that none (not one) should perish in Hell (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). In light of this fact of Scripture, we know the LORD would not choose some to be saved and some to be lost. According to His own Word, He clearly has not predestined some to go to Heaven and some to Hell. God so loved the “world” that He gave His only begotten Son to pay the full price for the sins of all of mankind – not just some (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2). Only those who appropriate His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, by meeting the conditions He set forth, will spend eternity with Him and His family in Heaven (Isaiah 1:19-20; John 1:12; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:12-15; 10:26-39; Revelation 2-3).

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL men.” Titus 2:11

Who told you a seal couldn’t be broken? That’s ridiculous… we break open seals every day. “Sealed” comes from the Greek word sphragizo which is defined this way: to stamp with a signet or private mark for security or preservation. (Lit. or fig.) by implication. To keep secret, to attest: – seal up, stop.

SEALED? Phil Kassees writes:

“Do not break the seal of your salvation thus becoming reprobate (fitted for destruction). There will be many that at one time who walked with the Lord, fell from grace and shipwrecked their faith. It’s not only that someone has come to the Lord at one time, but that they continue to abide in him for all time.”

A seal can be broken. A sealed envelope can be opened. It is conditionally sealed. This Greek word, sphragizo, is the same word translated “sealing” concerning the tomb in which Christ was laid after He died on the cross for the sins of the world.

“So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, SEALING the stone, and setting a watch.” Matthew 27:66

Christ’s tomb was sealed and we all know that the seal of Jesus’ tomb was broken, and He rose again. It was not a permanent bond that could not be broken just as the sealing work of the Spirit of God in the believer is not necessarily a permanent bond. The LORD wants it to be, yet will not force any saved person to continue to meet the conditions to be ultimately saved into His holy presence. Biblically speaking, sealing does not mean permanence without condition.

The fact that Jesus’ tomb was unsealed clearly establishes that something sealed CAN be unsealed.

Was the “sealed” stone of Jesus’ tomb rolled away? Yes or no please. It was rolled away after being “sealed.” “So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch” (Matthew 27:66).

Did you know that the same Greek word for “sealed” that is used in Matthew 27:66 is used in Ephesians 1:13 & 4:30? That must in biblical terms mean that sealing is not necessarily permanent!

The tomb in which He lay was divinely un-sealed: “He is not here; for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (Matthew 28:6).

HAVE YOU EVER OPENED A “SEALED”ENVELOPE? I DO IT NEARLY EVERY DAY. THAT SEAL ON AN ENVELOPE CAN BE BROKEN AND SO CAN GOD’S SEAL. GOD IS STILL “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY” AND IF YOU LIVE IN SIN, HIS BLESSED RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL BE LIFTED AND YOU WILL NOT MEET THE CONDITION TO ENTER INTO ETERNAL GLORY (ISAIAH 6:3; EZEKIEL 33:12-13; GALATIANS 5:19-21; HEBREWS 12:14-15; REVELATION 4:8; 21:8, 27 ETC.).

IN FACT, YOU’RE NOT SAVED IF YOU THINK THAT SEAL (ON CHRIST’S TOMB) WASN’T BROKEN BECAUSE HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD WHEN THAT SEAL WAS BROKEN. AND, THE RESURRECTION IS A FOUNDATIONAL, ESSENTIAL DOCTRINE OF THE CHRISTIAN’S FAITH (1 CORINTHIANS 15:17).

It’s obvious to see that Reformed theology/Calvinism has redefined what God intended in the word “sealed.” Those who are caught up in this deception are willingly deceived for buying this lie (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

As it is that the Father in Heaven alone could have broken the seal and raised Christ from the dead, so only God can break the seal He has formed. From His Word we learn that He will break the seal and loose the person who was once saved from His kingdom, if that person departs from the faith (Ezekiel 33:12-13; Acts 1:25; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 2:5; 3:16).

THE SAME GREEK WORD FOR “SEALED”THE CALVINIST GRABS AND PERVERTS FROM EPHESIANS IS THE VERY SAME GREEK WORD FROM WHICH WE READ THAT JESUS’ TOMB WAS SEALED. DID THAT SEAL THAT WAS OVER CHRIST’S TOMB REMAIN OR WAS THAT STONE ROLLED AWAY AND JESUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD?

WE KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION AND SO MUST CONCLUDE THAT A SEAL CAN BE BROKEN AND IS NOT IRREVERSIBLE!

“Seals left unattended can allow bacteria (sin) to enter in, losing their seal and turning from good to rotten fruit.” Clarissa Saum

From the whole of Scripture, we can conclude that it is the divine intention that the subject be sealed all the way until the day of redemption and yet no individual’s free will has been removed or diminished. If one begins to rebel, the seal is in jeopardy. The term “sealed unto the day of redemption” in no way negates what the rest of Scripture clearly states. Those who take this to seed, take it out of context, do so to their own destruction.

Every believer is “sealed” when they initially get saved yet this does not prevent that believer from sinning which grieves the Holy Spirit of God who is their seal, and that sin brings forth spiritual death (Ezekiel 18:4, 30; 33:13; Romans 6:23; 8:13; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; Revelation 21:8, 27).

The person who believes in “once saved always saved” will say “When one is saved he is sealed by the Holy Spirit and no power in Heaven or earth can break God’s seal!”

To this position, Jeff Paton decrees:

“There is no Scripture verse in Heaven or Earth that says that we cannot break God’s seal! Must they prey on the ignorance of their readers to get them to believe something the Scriptures never say in order to prove their point? Ephesians 4:30 warns us not to grieve the Holy Spirit, the very One who is our Seal. A warning that serves no purpose if there is no danger! Maybe they should take off their theological glasses long enough so they can stop seeing things that are just not there!”

Another author notes:

“The term ‘predestinate’ is found in two chapters; Romans 8:29-30 and Ephesians 1:5, 11. There is no reference in these four verses to either Heaven or Hell, but to Christlikeness. Nowhere are we told in Scripture God predestinates one man to be saved and another to be lost. Men will be saved or lost eternally because of their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

It should be remembered that the Greek definition, no matter the “scholar” rendering it, is never more authoritative than collating the Scriptures in English on any particular subject matter (Isaiah 28:9-10; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16). This must be realized or there is the distinct vulnerability to deception by leaders who use Greek ad Hebrew to their own advantage.

Concerning this text (Ephesians 1:13-14), Donald Stamps, in the Life in the Spirit Study Bible, writes:

“‘Holy Spirit…the earnest.’ The Holy Spirit is an ‘earnest’, i.e., a first installment or down payment, guaranteeing our inheritance. In this age the Holy Spirit is given to believers as a down payment of what we are going to have in great fullness in the future. His presence and work in our lives is a pledge of our future inheritance (cf. Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5).”

Let’s look at the last part of this text, verses 12 through 14.

“…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

Here we observe that in this context, the writer of Ephesians speaks of those who “first trusted Christ” and this they chose to do after they “heard the word of truth.” Trusting Jesus and His full payment for our sins is volitional (left as a choice to each individual). Those who believe, trusting Christ, are then said to be “sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” The whole context here is that these who are “sealed” are trusting in the LORD. The text says nothing of those who “depart from the LORD” which is a clear possibility according to the Word (Hebrews 3:12-14). The Bible has much to say of this and how all who leave the LORD by not continuing to follow and obey Him to the end of their earthly lives, will perish. Those who depart from Christ after knowing Him will have a worse time in Hell than if they had never believed and been saved in the first place (2 Pet. 2:20-22). In this text, the sealing is clearly connected to one’s trust or trusting in the LORD. Carefully notice that the word “trusted” appears ahead of (prior to in sequence) the word “sealed.” In the divine economy, trusting Christ fully precedes and is a prerequisite to the sealing of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures teach that a believer can stop believing, that sin can separate him from God, and that he can fall from grace (Isaiah 59:2; Luke 8:13; Galatians 5:4; 19-21; Hebrews 12:14-15; Revelation 21:8, 21).

According to Ephesians, the presence of the Holy Spirit is the earnest, down payment or deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession. This however does not promise or automatically conclude that the one blessed to be chosen and redeemed will continue in the grace of the LORD and be ultimately saved. The individual’s ongoing choice to love and serve God are controlled by himself and no one else. God will not force the free will of men (Genesis 6:3; Deuteronomy 30:19; Isaiah 1:19-20; Galatians 6:7-9; Revelation 2-3).

On predestination, one writer notes:

“Predestination tells us about the ship’s destination and what God has prepared for those remaining on it. God invites everyone to come aboard the elect ship through faith in Jesus Christ. Predestination, like election, APPLIES TO THE CORPORATE BODY OF CHRIST (the true spiritual church), and recognizes individuals only in association with that body through a living faith in Jesus Christ. EXCEPT THESE ABIDE IN THE SHIP YE CANNOT BE SAVED.”

Let’s look at an equally divinely inspired passage of Scripture – equal in divine authority as Ephesians 1. And we know that the divine Person of the Holy Spirit would never contradict Himself in His Word. This will also help to balance and account for the whole divine counsel that we might apprehend the mind of Christ in this matter. To see that departing from Christ after trusting Him is possible, let’s look at Hebrews 3:6, 12-15:

“But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, IF we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end…Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you (brethren) an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews 3:6, 12-15

Being “sealed” in no way exempts the one who has “first trusted in Christ” from obedient faith. He must “hold” his “confidence (in Jesus) stedfast unto the end” and not “depart from the living God.” The one who endures to the end must remain in the grace of God, not possessing “an evil heart of unbelief,” and becoming a “castaway.” A “castaway” is a biblical word for one who is cast away from God after being with Him. The very apostle who wrote these words in Ephesians did not believe that he was indelibly sealed into salvation with no possibility of departing from the LORD (1 Corinthians 9:27; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15).

“Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.” 2 Corinthians 1:10

No Scripture states that the child of God is locked into salvation. Paul says here in 2 Corinthians 1:10 that the great LORD has “delivered us…doth (presently) deliver us” and will “yet deliver us.” Those born again are presently saved, are being saved, and as we continue in His grace will be saved. This verse 10 must be taken in context with the text, including the words which precede this verse. Here this apostle of Christ is speaking of those whose lives are truly in Christ. The words of verse 9 are the following – “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9) Those who are saved, must continue in grace and if they do they will ultimately be saved into eternity with the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 21:6-8; 22:13). According to God’s Word Christ must reign in the lives of those who will be His now and forever (also see Romans 6; Gal atians 5:24). In relationship with Christ and by His grace and our own free will, we must sentence to death the deeds of the body that the resurrection life of Jesus might dwell in our mortal bodies (Romans 6; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24

In Ephesians 4:30 we are instructed to “grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” The whole verse says:

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

Grieving the Holy Spirit is obviously possible or such a warning would not appear in God’s Word. In no place does the Bible hint that the seal cannot be broken. The grace-corrupters assume such with no Scriptural authority.

The Bible truth that one can depart from Christ after believing makes it self-evident that God’s sealing does not mean that one who initially believes is automatically locked into or forced to remain a child of God and go to Heaven. This truth must supersede the conclusion drawn by those who insist upon a “once saved always saved” theology and therefore seek to make the sealing of the Holy Spirit a permanent thing without the consent of the individual.

There are those who vainly believe they are “sealed” in such a way as to exempt them from personal accountability or responsibility for their sins. This many times leads to gross irresponsibility. What the Word of God is communicating here in Ephesians 1 concerning sealing is that the Holy Spirit’s presence is in the one who has trusted and is trusting Christ. The presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer is the “earnest” or divinely-given down payment until final salvation has occurred when that person is in Heaven (Ephesians 1:13-14). One must “believe to the saving of the soul” and be “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation” to be an overcomer and receive the heavenly crown (Hebrews 10:39; 1 Peter 1:5; Revelation 2-3). There is no hint of an unconditional eternal security in this Ephesians 1 text where the Bible uses the word “sealed,” yet when dishonest men are bent upon convincing themselves and others of something, they will twist and spin Scripture until they accomplish this. While violating the text and intentionally excluding the whole Counsel of the Word of God, these men make up their own doctrine and are leading many astray. These who corrupt the grace of God for their own purposes, vainly imagine that they are “sealed” in a way the Bible never describes or validates. The “sealing” they speak of is a sham – a sin-justifying lie, placing their souls in danger and at ease in Zion. “Woe unto them” (Amos 6:1)

This whole “Sealed” doctrine cannot possibly mean that such a seal can’t be broken. This is the manipulatory twisting and redefining of biblical truth by the very wolves, the false teachers that Jude warned us about who are “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness.” (Jude 3-4)

The OSAS proponents are assuming something without proper biblical authority. They run with the sealing doctrine and yet cannot prove what they teach. Beware!

Be not deceived when men attempt to hold the Greek over you as if they have some superior position of understanding with the LORD. This is where they supposedly prove their error from the Greek. God gave us His Word in our own language as He promised (Psslm 12:6-7). Knowing the Greek and Hebrew is far inferior to knowing the full spectrum of Scriptures in our own language. Collating the Word in our own language – line upon line – is said to determine the divine verdict on any given subject (Isaiah 28:9-10; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16). The LORD Himself clearly breathed His Word to us and had it transmitted to us in our own language from Genesis to Revelation. Numerous clearly revealed truths in the Bible overwhelmingly nullify the misuse of the “sealed” doctrine peddled among the deluded. In utter defiance of volumes of scriptural warnings, some convey by what they teach and do not teach, that there should be no thought of eternal danger for the believer who strays into rebellion.

Question: Was there a fall? Did mankind fall? Yes or no please.

How did the fall happen? By sin right? Was that sin a choice? Did God force or lead Adam and Eve to sin? No. They chose to disobey Him and therefore by their sin they were separated from Him who is unchangingly “Holy, holy, holy” and so anyone in sin is separated from Him, even those who were once His (Isaiah 6:3; 59:2; Revelation 4:8).

Paul Cairns writes:

“If ‘once saved – always saved’ was true, by applying the same principal to Adam and Eve… their sin would never have been counted against them. Yes… throughout the Bible, God repeatedly talks TO His children, and ABOUT those who are not. The Bible primarily is a book of instruction and correction to God’s children. 2 Ch 7:14 makes this perfectly clear; “If MY people, which are called by MY name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Matt McCoy writes:

“It’s so hard to read the Bible for what it says. If you can’t let God be true but every man a liar, you can’t have a relationship with the God of the Bible (Romans 3:4). I follow no man. I think for myself, according to the written Word of God alone (2 Timothy 3:16-17). I personally believe that yes you can lose your salvation. For those of you who believe you are eternally secure without condition, well, don’t work out your salvation with fear and trembling. See where it gets you in the end. Don’t lie to yourselves. It’s very dangerous. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell (in the wilderness) severity (severe and final judgment), but toward thee goodness, IFFFFFF thou continue (abide) in his goodness, otherwise thou also shalt be CUT OFF. If ‘once saved always saved’ was true, we wouldn’t need to be concerned about having our names blotted out of the book of life, and that would mean that all the warnings in Scripture are pointless and that God is a fool for putting them there in His Word. The Bible is for believers, specifically. All Scripture applies to God’s children.”

Calvinism | Eternal Security | Eternal Security Audios | Eternal Security Dialogue

FEEDBACK:

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

’13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.‘”

REPLY:

God chooses “ALL men” to salvation and yet only some, a “few” choose to obey Him (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:2). Who’s going to be with Christ eternally? …. “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Revelation 17:14

Those who will be in eternity with Christ are those whom He has “called, and chosen” and who were in their earthly life “FAITHFUL.” (Rev. 17:14) God does the calling and choosing and men must be “faithful” to receive His eternal reward. We see everywhere in Scripture, the initiating grace of God and the condition given to men – to be “faithful” to God to the end of this earthly life. Any person seeking to eliminate or deny the involvement of the personal will of men is not dealing honestly with the LORD and His Word.

Jesus Christ promised that only those who know and obey Him will be with Him eternally (Matt. 7:21; Mk. 8:34-38; Lk. 6:46; Rev. 2-3). Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages.

Salvation is by Christ’s WORK on the cross and YET that same Savior demands conditions to be met or there is no deal … like it or not … once saved, that saved person MUST “abide” in Christ which means to remain in Him and when one does good works and good fruit are produced, not sin (John 15:1-6). Any saved person who does not “abide” or remain “to the end” will not be in Heaven with Christ but will rather be cast into the fires of hell for eternity (2 Peter 2:20-22, etc.).

Message Received:

“A seal cannot be broken you need to study this.” Susan

Reply:

Okay, how many people open envelopes daily? Did you open that envelope? If so oooops it wasn’t permanently sealed. The OSAS dupe assumes that “sealed” means that it’s an unbreakable seal. Tell me, what seal is unbreakeable? They’ve never stopped to look to see if the Greek really means that this sealing cannot possibly be broken. No Greek definition of this word will turn such up. It’s inferred by the “ungodly men” who use this word to turn God’s grace into a license for sin (Jude 3-4).

OSAS is a cliché of devils and mere sinful men. IF the Almighty, who gave us 66 books in His Word, wanted us to know that we are unconditionally, eternally secure no matter what we do after being genuinely saved, why didn’t He simply tell us straight out? Did the Almighty forget to tell us something we need to know? Absurd!

NOOO such language as “once saved always saved” (OSAS) ever appears in Holy Scripture. So, in light of this fact, we should ask and seek out what God says in the whole of His non-contradicting written Word. Only then shall we know the truth and be made free from lying clichés like this mythical fable.

There are numerous warnings to God’s people in Scripture about falling away and being lost again.

Why, Why, Why do some insist upon defending and promoting the unfounded ‘once saved always saved’ myth which is not only NOT taught in Scripture, but is actually refuted repeatedly in Scripture???

DID PAUL BELIEVE OR TEACH ‘ONCE SAVED, ALWAYS SAVED’???? Paul didn’t believe in ‘once saved always saved’ whatsoever: “But I KEEP under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Paul never believed or taught the heresy of no-personal-responsibility.

SIN SEPARATES – GOD IS HOLY: “That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas BY TRANSGRESSION FELL, that he might go to his own place (eternal hell).” Acts 1:25

Salvation is received and kept by faith – “The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chron 15:2 (KJV)

—- Jude warned of the “ungodly men” who would peddle their perverted grace, the very lie of “lasciviousness” – a perverted grace (see Jer. 23:17)….. “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:3-4 (KJV) … The Perversion of Grace by Dr. Robert B. Thompson

Sealed: The Bible Definition

Predestination

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Grace vs Holiness [podcast]

“The horrible travesty we have in America today is Christianity without holiness.” A.W. Tozer Grace and holiness come only from God. The LORD is Holy and He extends salvation by grace to repentant, believing sinners at the moment of conversion. Grave vs Holiness: WHY is one of these two so overwhelmingly overemphasized by today’s pastors and self-appointed “grace teachers,” when the other is prioritized by God as is demonstrated by the number of times it appears in Holy Scripture? Which word appears more times in the Bible?: Grace, or Holiness LET’S DO THE MATH: Comparing Grace and Holiness 170 […]

Can a Believer be Cut Off After being Saved? [podcast]

Paul reminds us Gentiles believers of how God “cut off” His own people, the Jews, when they rebelled against Him, and that He will also “cut off” any of us who do not continue in His goodness and severity (Romans 11:20-22). Any person who rejects this truth is a grace-perverting, sin-justifying fraud who has made a fake god in their own image due to the refusal to truly repent. “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches (Jews), take heed lest he also spare […]

The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security! [podcast]

HELL Awaits! SO YOU THINK YOU ARE ETERNALLY SECURE? WHO TOLD YOU THAT LIE? NOT GOD! IT SIMPLY DOESN’T MATTER HOW POPULAR A PREACHER IS – IF HE’S TEACHING SATAN’S FIRST LIE THAT CAUSED THE FALL OF THE HUMAN RACE – OSAS/ETERNAL SECURITY – HE’S A FALSE TEACHER, AN AGENT OF SATAN (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). OF COURSE he’s popular – he’s not preaching the cross but rather excuses for sin against a Holy God! RUN from that devil! You will be safe and eternally secure when you get to Heaven, not before. ARE YOU enduring sound doctrine today or […]

Dispensationalism Exposed as an Antichrist Cult [podcast]

God’s Word never instructed anyone to rightly divide the word of truth via dispensations. There is no such statement in Scripture. The first part of this message is from Joshua Tapp, a man who was at one time ensnared in this cultish indoctrination system of dispensational theology. “Systematic” theology? Well, WHO is determining the system? May God bless each of us to be careful and discerning saints. As you peer into dispensationalism, you will find that someone upline if you will, has decided for themselves and you, that no one can possibly understand and rightly divide the truth of the […]

Apostasy

How is God’s Money to be Spent by His Church? [podcast]

Have you ever noticed when volunteers go to the mission field on a short term mission trip….

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12

The highest paid position, calling in the church is what?

“the elders that rule well”

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:13-15

The love offerings of Christ’s saints are to be spent equiping His saints to spread His Word, His Gospel to the end of the earth. This is the Great Commission mandate Jesus gave us. Are you living it out?

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

“Don’t bother me” with the needs of others is the crass, cold, calloused response of those who don’t step forward to contribute. Darkness consumes their life and Jesus is calling them out of that darkness and into His marvellous light! They are totally consumed in their own life—and that’s the problem, the sin. Repentance needed. Divine refreshing will only come after true repentance (Acts 3:19). God will never bless a selfish person (Matthew 20:20-28; Philippians 2:3-5). The LORD will always bless those who are given to Him and therefore giving to His work (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11).

When we spend all our money on self, who does that reveal we are serving—the Savior or self?

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24

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Local Church Revenues

SERIOUS QUESTIONS TO ASK CONCERNING THE APPROPRIATION OF REVENUES FLOWING INTO LOCAL CHURCHES. There is no attempt here to condemn the actions of all local fellowship organizations, but rather to probe objectively into the practices and bureaucratic systems in place, to determine how biblical they are or are not. “For ye have the poor always with you…” Matthew 26:11 Does it seem unscriptural and unreasonable that there is little or no benevolence fund for congregants among churches in America? In most churches, there seems to be a “give-to-us-but-we-will-never-give-to-those-in-need-among-you” attitude, policy and practice. Where is the outflow of money to those who gather […]

What Did Paul mean by "Double Honour"? [podcast]

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18 “Double honour” is generous but not lavish. “Double honour” limits the income of “the elders that rule well.” This would be in contrast to the many pastors today who make themselves rich in this world, as they “make merchandise” of their prey, the people they lead (2 Peter 2:1-3). Being compensated and getting […]

The Purpose of Elders in Christ's Body [podcast]

There is no more important work transpiring in the earth today than the work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 9:35-38; 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:11-15; 1 Peter 5:1-6, etc.). “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 In short, the authentic under-shepherd ordained of Jesus […]

Adultery

“Flee Fornication” [podcast]

One of the greatest fears any parent in our day should have, would be for their child to grow up and NOT have a genuinely God fearing mate. Pray saints. Pray parents. Sanctify yourselves. “Come out of her” (Revelation 18:4).

“Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.” Leviticus 19:29

Example of prostitution: Whoring out one’s daughter would be to send them to college to learn the ways of the world, of Satan who is “the god of this world,” where they are taught how to fulfill the role of the man—and not a woman (1 Timothy 5:14). No godly parent does such.

Having seen you buy his lies, Satan is laughing you all the way into hell, the bank of unrepentant sinners.

Whoredom has and does today destroy nations. We are seeing a once strong America brought to its knees for the whoredom, namely of those who vainly claim Christ as Savior.

“For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have COMMITTED FORNICATION with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.” Revelation 18:3

“And the kings of the earth, who have COMMITTED FORNICATION and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning.” Revelation 18:9

“But he answered and said unto them, An evil and ADULTEROUS generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.” Matthew 12:39

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Flee Fornication

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 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?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

“The Pure in Heart”

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

Only those who are born again and die with a pure heart will be with the LORD.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

“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.” 1 Timothy 6:12

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” 2 Timothy 4:7

“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” 1 Timothy 1:19

“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12

On the topic of fornication brother Allen Campbell writes:

“Someone asked me if it’s okay to have relations with a person you love. No, having relations with your boyfriend or girlfriend is called fornication and is a serious sin, because it’s a sin against your own body. Your body is a temple for the Holy Ghost that is in you. Since your body belongs to God, for it has been bought with a price, we must glorify God with our bodies. If you’re committing fornication or adultery and do not repent, then you will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 KJV – Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 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? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV – Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:7-8 KJV – He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Let’s LEARN Scripture, BELIEVE and OBEY our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ of Nazareth.”

Fornication of Many Forms—all life-destroying and condemned by God

The word “immoral” appears exactly ZERO times in God’s Word, the King James Bible.

“Fornication” appears 36 times.
“Adultery” appears 40 times.
“Lust(s) appears 43 times.
“sodomite(s)” appears 5 times.

Let’s never use the words “sexually immoral” again. Let’s use God’s words for such sin. After all, the use of the phrase “sexually immoral” is subject to sinful man’s definition while the Bible words listed above are clear and convicting.

It’s not “promiscuous”—a word found no where in God’s Word (KJB). The Bible calls all sin outside of the marriage between one man and one woman “fornication.”

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should ABSTAIN FROM FORNICATION:” 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Say it with me out loud: “call it what it IS!”

WE often hear of counterfeits, pretending to be Christians, say things like “Well, I don’t care what you do behind closed doors.” To one such lost soul, the following reply was given:

GOD cares about the souls of men for whom He sent His only begotten Son to die (John 3:16). He cares about all “sexuality,” that is, as it pertains to “fornication” which is any and all sex outside of the marriage bed between one man and one woman. ALL, every fornicator is going to burn in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:14, etc.).

Sex is Only Safe in Marriage – between one man and one woman.

“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4

All fornication is sin.

“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47

ALL sex outside of that which is between one man and one woman in marriage, is sin. “Fornication” includes every form of sexual perversion.

All forms of fornication is sin. Fornication is any sexual activity with self or anyone outside of ones opposite sex marriage partner.

MESSAGE RECEIVED:

“What about people who are in a relationship and live together and supposedly are not having sex?”

REPLY:

Good morning sister. I didn’t quite understand the first part of your question but as far as living together, cohabiting, such should be for married people only. “FLEE fornication” right? It seems that our LORD’s Word hems us in…. either marry or flee. Seems we have to determine if we truly desire to marry that person and if so, move into doing so, or flee.

“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18

As we see exemplified by the beloved Joseph, when tempted by Potipher’s wife, he dashed! Why? Fornication cannot be overcome otherwise or by staying in the fire and expecting not to be burned (Genesis 39).

“Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:1-2

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

“3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”

God has a beautiful plan. – If we will simply do things HIS way and no other. HE is able. HE is greater than anything you face today. Memorize Ephesians 3:20 and Mark 10:27, now.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
A Life Pleasing to God
1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”

God has a beautiful plan. Perhaps, at least in part, God’s “Thou shalt” nots mean “Don’t hurt yourself”!

Marriage Not Fornication

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The Flesh will Never be Reformed it Must be Crucified [podcast]

The Divine Prescription is Clear and there are No Shortcuts “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24 The law brings repentance, salvation while thereafter the crucified life, the cross keeps us from that sin which once separated us from the LORD, who now has saved us (Psalms 19:7; Romans 6). There are lots of people peddling the lie of “self care” which is ultimately nothing more than absolute selfishness. Pure evil. Such only perpetuates the prey, the victim, in their misery. The only way to deal with the wicked iniquitous nature, […]

Overcoming Whoredom [podcast]

ARE parents setting their own children up for failure, ruin, and damnation by sending them off to college? ONLY THE BIBLICALLY ILLITERATE WONDER WHY AMERICA IS COLLAPSING. HINT: THE FOUNDATION IS GONE (Psalms 11:3; 68:6) More and more it becomes apparent that most college degrees are useless and that “educated” would be more honestly termed “indoctrinated.” Are parents who indoctrinate and push their daughters to “go get a degree/education” guilty of prostituting their own daughters, making them whores? Does this lead to “college educated” and also “college prostituted” daughters? “Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a […]

Marriage, Not Fornication!

Excerpt from the book Are YOU Marriage Material? The Beauty of Marriage—God’s Way PRAYER TO THANK GOD! Pray this . . . Jesus, we thank YOU for YOUR creation and every aspect of it! Thank You for bringing people together for YOUR purposes! Thank YOU, Father, for bringing my parents together with myself as the fruit of that relationship. In the name of Jesus, amen. SAINTS: If you want to have sex—that’s good—yet God says to get married and enjoy it in that context only! Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. The world of sinners says, “Get a room” (fornicate). God says […]

Judgment to Come Necessitates the Crucified Life [podcast]

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27 In light of “eternal judgment” (Hebrews 6:2), the apostle speaks here of his preparation for it. Paul knew that eternal damnation awaited him if he dared not keep under his body, to crucify the deeds of the body to “bring it into subjection” by the daily crucified life. Keeping under our bodies speaks of a continual essential. Keeping under means subduing the old man by crucifying it daily. “For […]

Abiding

LIE OF THE AGES: From the Garden to Glory [podcast]

Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages

The First Lie and the Fall of Man

“Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” ~ Genesis 3:1-5

Have you ever wondered what the first lie ever told was? Who told it? Why was it told? What was the result of it? Can the fruit be seen and felt today? Can its effects be traced throughout history and even into the future?

According to the Genesis account, the Garden of Eden was the sanctuary of the Most High, where He communed with the first man and woman He had made in His very own image. The Garden was a sinless, guiltless sanctuary of unimaginable relational bliss between the LORD Almighty and the man and woman. The Garden of Eden was the place of pure truth and love—a place where lies were not even suspected.

Enter Satan.

Enter the lie.

Enter the seduction.

Enter no fear of God.

Enter stolen restraint.

Enter sin.

Enter the fall of man.

Enter alienation from the Creator.

Garden Scene—The First Lie

Do you think this first lie may hold some insight into the work of Satan and his war against God and His treasured people today?

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die…(Now here’s what the woman said:) But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (Now here’s what Satan said:) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.” ~ Genesis 2:16-17; 3:3-4

In the book of origins (Genesis) where every major biblical doctrine is rooted (has its beginning), there can be found the keys and answers to life. Mankind’s Maker, his beginning, his ultimate enemy, temptation, sin, the resulting fall, and the redemption of man are revealed in the first chapters of this all-important first book of the Holy Bible.

Perhaps there could be no greater occupation than for the student of Scripture to undertake, pour over, pray over, and dismantle the first three chapters of the book of Genesis. In this endeavor, he will gain insight into the origins and purpose of creation, pitfalls facing mankind, divine restoration, and the keys to living a victorious life in harmony with his Creator.

Sin entered the human experience through the temptation and fall of the first man (Rom. 5). By this the enemy gained a foothold and has warred with that sole creation made in the image of the Maker Himself. But it is sin that is man’s problem, not circumstance or self-esteem nor any other diagnosis. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (See Jer. 17:9.)

Someone has wisely stated: “The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart.”

From the very beginning, Satan has tempted man to believe that breaking the commandment of His Maker was not to be feared or avoided and could not harm him. The temptation for man is if he is going to determine truth on his own terms and how it fits his own lifestyle, or repent and humbly accept and obey what God says.

Cain was a religionist. He refused relationship with the LORD because he chose to do things his own way instead of God’s (Gen. 4:1-7). In his pride, Cain wanted to make up his own rules – he was lawless. Religion is where men have created a god in their own image and follow those teachings which render obedience to that false god. The most deceptive and evil form of religion is that which is close to the truth and uses Bible Scriptures out of context to make up that doctrine which circumvents obedience to the plain truth of God. (See Jesus rebuke the Pharisees in Matt. 23.)

Who are we going to believe and trust? Whose report will you believe? Since the LORD and the devil stated something in direct opposition to each other, we know that one of them is a liar. As He gave the first man and woman the option, so the LORD gives us the choice to trust and obey Him or not to obey Him. Each of us will decide who it is that is going to be a liar in our hearts—the Almighty, or Satan.

God said (Gen. 2:17): “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE.”

Satan said (Gen. 3:4): “And the serpent said unto the woman, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE.”

The lie of the ages began in the very cradle of creation. The aim of the enemy of all souls was the first man and woman who were uniquely created in the image of the One who made all things. Adam and Eve were the subjects of Satan’s deadly lie—the first lie ever told. Apparently, this cunning enemy understood that if he could cause the man and woman to take things into their own hands and violate the instruction of their Maker, they would be ushered out of His Garden (presence) and forfeit their place with Him.

Mankind’s enemy led him to believe that he could violate the instruction of his holy Maker and still remain within His approval. Like Adam and Eve, it is readily observed that men naturally internalize this philosophy as “I can sin with no fear of consequences.” Is it possible that this lie is still leading men and women to believe that they “shall not surely die” if they live in direct opposition to the LORD?

Concerning this most insidious and destructive lie of the serpent, the Life in the Spirit Study Bible states:

“‘YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE’…The first lie proposed by Satan was a form of antinomianism (lawlessness), denying the judgment of death for sin and apostasy. One of the basic sins of humankind is unbelief in God’s word. It is believing that somehow God does not really mean what He says about salvation, righteousness, sin, judgment, and death. Satan’s most persistent lie is that unrepentant, deliberate sin and rebellion against God will not necessarily bring separation from God and eternal condemnation.”

As he did with the first man and woman, the adversary tells us “Ye shall not surely die” (Gen. 3:4).

Escaping the judgment of a holy God has long been the vain imagination of depraved men, fueled by the enemy of all righteousness who has come “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (Jn. 10:10).

“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” ~ Ecclesiastes 8:11

“Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.” ~ Psalms 10:13

Question: “Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God?

Answer: “He hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.”

The hearts of those who are not in fellowship with the LORD say “The LORD will not ‘require it’ of me. He will not bring me into accountability for my life in this world. After all, He has not done anything to me for my wrongdoing thus far. I am okay in my sins; God will just overlook them.”

Lucifer’s lure capitalizes on the sinful nature of men, preying upon his desire to be his own god, controlling his own destiny. Somehow, according to this revelation and others, it is within man’s makeup to believe that because his Creator is not presently executing tangible judgment for his sin, he believes that God is not going to judge him at all. So, unregenerate man goes on sinning with reckless abandon, not realizing that that Great and Terrible Day of Judgment lies just ahead.

The first man and woman bought into the first lie that claims there is no consequence for violating the command of the one true God. Such self-deception is no new thing. Since the first man and woman, people have sought to define right and wrong on their own terms instead of simply acknowledging what the LORD says. As the first couple found out, it is a losing endeavor to determine truth by how it fits one’s lifestyle instead of by God’s non-negotiable counsel given us in His Word (Jn. 17:17; Rom. 3:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:16). Defining truth on one’s own terms is buying into the lie of the ages presented to every man by the evil one who “walketh about seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).

When men seek to redefine truth on their own terms, they unwittingly create a god in their own image—one who accepts them in their sins with no judgment. They then migrate to pastors and teachers who will tickle their itching ears with smooth messages void of the full-counsel revelation of Holy Scripture (Jer. 5:30-31; 2 Tim. 4:2-4).

After Adam and Eve, it was their son Cain who sought to make up his own way to God on his own terms. He failed. To Cain and to all who seek through religion, whether self-styled or organized, the Almighty would ask: “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door” (Gen. 4:7).

The LORD says to Cain “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” This simply means “If you will do things the way I prescribed, will I not fully accept you as I did your brother Abel?” Cain hardened his heart and refused to do things God’s way by offering the type of sacrifice God requires. Due to his own choice to rebel against the Most High he became so filled with the enemy that he killed his own brother (Gen. 4).

This is a classic example of how the enemy led this man Cain to believe that he could make up his own rules, violating the holy Creator and still escape His just judgment. Like Cain, millions of faithful religionists today have a mere formula of godliness while denying the power of a truly surrendered life to the one true God who sent His only begotten Son as the only sacrifice for the sins of men (2 Timothy 3:5).

When he was able to successfully persuade the first man to violate the command of the LORD, Satan gained access to authority over the man by the sin of the man (Isaiah 59:1-2; Ephesians 4:27; James 4:7). Jesus re-gained that authority for His highest and prized creation and all those who come into relationship with Him experience the abundant blessings that come along with being saved by His precious blood (Jn. 10:10; Rom. 5:17; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).

“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)” Romans 5:17

“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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” ~ John 3:16-17

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, please unite my heart to fear Thy name and keep it from falling prey to this same lie that led to Adam and Eve’s fall. Quicken my heart in the fear of the LORD. Please teach me that there are many harsh consequences for disobeying You, by not doing what You say, by sinning against You. Convict my heart of sin, and I beg You to make my conscience extremely sensitive to Your conviction and leading. Change my heart, O LORD. Grant me a heart of flesh that delights to live in Your presence and do Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.