ArchivedOSAS revisitedDid I say that I was the only one who can use a Lexicon? I respect your efforts in trying to refute the interpretation of that passage I have presented, however I will elaborate even further: That particular "if" (eigi) found in Col. 1:23 is followed by an indicative verb, meaning that the "if" clause is always considered to be true. In other words it is rendered in its correct context as "If you continue, and you will." This is not a condition brought about by Paul, but rather an exhortation. Different wording but same concept! And as for Colossians 1, please read above. Once again it is not I who judge the hearts of men, it is the Scriptures. The scriptures clearly teach us that we can be assured that we have Eternal Life and that those who "fall away" from Genuine Belief is contrary to Biblical Truths, and I will demonstrate this below. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto{hemera}the day of redemption{apolutrosis}. (Ephesians 4:30) That passage teaches us that "we are sealed" {sphragizo} which denotes ownership by God Himself and which only GOD Himself is able to break, not man. The same word is used for the 144,000 found in Rev. 7:4 and Eph 1:13. In Eph 1:13 it states that "we were sealed {sphragizo}with that holy Spirit of promise" This sealing of the Holy Spirit is a guarantee of our Salvation, just as a person who seals an envelope to guarantee its enclosure. The entire context of Eph 1:13 reads as: 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, In its correct context it reads, "By whom also, when you believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit". Unless you want to be guilty of taking scriptures utterly out of context, that passage CLEARLY states that upon the commencement of our faith, we are secured by the Holy Spirit. The believer does not receive the Holy Spirit "after", but when he believes in Christ as Savior, the sealer is Christ; the seal is the Holy Spirit. In biblical times a seal denoted both identification of ownership and protection provided by the owner, a Genuine Believer cannot break a seal that God Himself have placed. Then in verse 14 of chapter 1 it reads: "Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.", in other words it means (who is the guarantee of our Salvation). The Holy Spirit is called "the earnest of our inheritance", the word earnest means "down payment"; as such the gift of the Spirit is viewed as an installment or as part of our Salvation. God therefore assures the believer that the realization of the rest of his salvation is forthcoming. And how long is the believer assured of his salvation? "until the redemption of the purchased possession", which means until God glorifies and perfects the believer (the purchased possession) whom He has bought by Christ's blood. Likewise with Eph. 4:30, however in this passage it is indicating that Salvation cannot be lost because we are owned and protected by God until (the day of redemption). The same word for sealed is found in Rev. 7:4 where the 144,000 of the 12 tribes of Israel are sealed which shows ownership and security, just as a Kings signet ring was used to authenticate and protect official documents. These 144,000 will most likely be converted and commissioned to be a light to the Gentiles during the tribulation period, however it is also likely that they may suffer persecution or even martyrdom, however they are kept by the seal of God and protected by the adversary who cannot harm the soul of the believer (Matt. 10:28). Even IF the "ifs" truly meant (if) and nothing more, the Holy Spirit which guides us into all truth would lead us to obey these "ifs" (John 8:31). God Bless! |
🌈Pride🌈 goeth before Destruction
When 🌈Pride🌈 cometh, then cometh Shame