Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Revelation 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ¶ The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Revelation 2:1 "To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Ephesus write: "These are the words of the One who holds [firmly] the seven stars [which are the angels or messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (the seven churches): |
Subject: can salvation be lost? |
Bible Note: Sister Linda, Sorry for the delay in my response, but my computer was attacked by a gremlin after sending my last post, which surprisingly vacated while I was at church this a.m. (So, this is a praise report), Thank our Lord. Back to your letter, I am sorry that I was not aware of your previous posts on this subject, but I promise to look at them as well. What is coming to my heart in this, is that this is not so much of a 'Salvation' issue as it is one of 'Christology'. We are in ourselves, completely insufficient to be 'overcomers' But only thru the sufficiency of Christ, who enables us to be 'more than overcomers' I have done a little bit of study on the "Bema Seat Judgement", which is entirely different and separated from the "White Throne Judgement". The way I understand the doctrine, The White Throne Judgement comes from Rev 20:11 "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them." -and is continued in 20:12 and beyond. But, for Christians, those who are sanctified through Christ, are mentioned in the prayer of Jesus in the garden, in the 17th chapter of John's gospel. Here is part of the high priestly prayer of our Savior to the heavenly Father, "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." (and our Lord continues,) "And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth." (and) "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one..." -So believers in Christ are therefore spared the White Throne Judgement. But, what remains, in addition, is what is referred to as the Bema Seat Judgement. I understand this to be like a judge at a fair that hands out ribbons, whether blue, gold or yellow. -This is just my way of conceptualizing, so please do not judge this idea for merit, but the doctrine of the Bema seat Judgement, in my eyes, is thus: Those of us that hold much of what is good within our heart, most likely also have much which is astray. Our Lord Jesus, as Master and Judge, considers both; though He first observes the good, and is ever ready to acknowledge that, He also observes whatever is contrary, and will faithfully rebuke us as well. Now, to sum up, our Creator does not need us to do Anything for Him, period. Nothing. So, our works of righteousness are but filthy rags to Him who is all holy. So then, what is there that IS left for us to do to merit salvation? Nothing. We cannot merit our salvation. This is plainly stated in God's Word. I am feeling that the letters to the Churches in Revelation are a symbolic reference to the Bema Seat Judgement. It is the sufficiency of Christ that all that is necessary for salvation. Our works are not sufficient, but what we allow Him do do Through us is all that matters to Him. Not our works, but His. As we allow Him to do His work through us, we are acting as a good and faithful servant. The Gospel of Mark contains a key verse about the purpose of a servant, I think it says something like, The Son of man came not to be served, but to serve as a ransom for many. What this is saying to me is that the purpose of a servant is to serve, and not be praised for doing his job. But a servant's reward comes when the other person is blessed by his service. -That is what happens when we let Christ work through us, and not try to take control into our own hands. I will cut this off for now, I hope I touched on a few points that helped to shed light on your question. In His Service, and yours. Keliy |