Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Ephesians 1:11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 1:11 In Him also we have received an inheritance [a destiny--we were claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will, |
Subject: What if willfully return to a sinning li |
Bible Note: Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. This is a passage that seems to plainly state that the born again believer can fall away without hope of return. Following are verses 4-6 from the Young’s Literal Transalation. Heb 6:4 “for it is impossible for those once enlightened, having tasted also of the heavenly gift, and partakers having became of the Holy Spirit, and did taste the good saying of God, the powers also of the coming age, and having fallen away, again to renew them to reformation, having crucified again to themselves the Son of God, and exposed to public shame.” There are a few things that stand out to me about this passage. In vs. 1-3, we are given a list of the “principles of the doctrine of Christ”, the foundation of repentance and faith (how we come to Christ), the doctrines of baptisms and laying on of hands (empowering our life in Christ), and resurrection and judgement (the end of the Age, the result of our life in Christ). The writer says they will leave these to go on to completion, if God permit, “For”, vs. 4, or “because, it is impossible for those once enlightened. . .” as if this were a doctrine outside of those he listed in the previous verses (leaving these, we will go on to…), one not belonging to this age. The next thing I see is in vs. 5, as the writer names the circumstances of those who would fall away. They have tasted of the powers of the of the age to come. Campare this to the following statement. “They have felt the accelleration of the 2010 Mercedes.” The only people capable of feeling the accelleration of a 2010 Mercedes are those living in the last half of 2009 or later. In vs. 6 the writer says “if they shall fall away” - this is not being viewed as a personal danger to the writer. The next thing I see is that they have “put Jesus to open shame”, or literally shown Him publicly in infamy. My understanding of this is as if to say they thumb their nose at Him face to face. This would go along with a Millenial timeframe, when Jesus will personally, openly rule. Finally, in vs. 9, the writer says that these are not the things that accompany salvation. 1John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. The born again cannot fall away, according to this verse, therefore, these cannot be the born again. Ephesians 2:8 tells us that we are saved by grace through faith. John 3:15 says that eternal life is to all who believe (same word in Greek). Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the evidence of things not seen. This is the age of salvation by faith. The millenium will not require faith, as the LORD will be seen by all. Isaiah 65:20, speaking of the millenium, when people’s lifespans will again be lengthened, says that the “sinner, a hundred years old, will be accursed.” This seems to say that those sinning in the millenial kingdom will have up to a hundred years old to repent, then after that they are accursed. This could be the time after which it is impossible to renew them to repentance. Again, if there were a scripture which actually contradicted the many plain statements that rebirth is eternal, it would be the "smoking gun", a contradiction in the Bible. But there are not. Love in Christ, Mark |