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In Jude, examples are brought from the Old Testament of those saved from Egypt whom the Lord destroyed,
the angels which kept not their first estate and Sodom and Gomorrah. But these are not examples of believers
losing salvation. These are examples of 'filthy dreamers' (v8),
"these be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit" (v19).
And if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. Romans 8 v 9
By contrast, the saints in Jude are
"sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ and called…." - verse 1.
Verse 24 reminds us that He is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of
His glory with exceeding joy.
Matthew 10 v 22; 24 v 13;
He that endures to the end shall be saved.
The context of this is not the gospel of salvation by faith. For the believer in this time of God's grace, it is
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved."
….justification by faith.
During the Great Tribulation, after the Church has been raptured, then it will be a case of
enduring to the end. The allusion in these Scriptures is to those troublous and terrible times and has particular
reference to the people of Israel.
The backslidden Christian cannot lose his salvation. His life will be most miserable, as restored backsliders will
confirm. One thus hopes and prays for their restoration. Of course, people will always be able to remember
someone they knew who seemed to be a Christian, was perhaps baptised in water, even, seemingly, filled with
the Holy Spirit, but who went away from the Lord, rejecting and renouncing everything and now appears utterly
lost. Such were never saved:
"They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they no doubt would have continued
with us but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."
(1John 2 v 19)
Doubtless, there are many more scriptural references, types and pictures we could study, but the above is
sufficient to show the scriptural basis of the doctrine of eternal security.
Now, you who are saved…….
"…..in everything you are enriched by Him, in all utterance and all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ
was confirmed in you; So that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
shall also confirm you unto the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful…."
1 Corinthians 1 vv 7-9
You too can rejoice and say with Paul,
"For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto
Him against that day.
"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom:"
11 Timothy 1 v 12 and 4 v 18
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