[George]

I have been asked to comment on three questions sisters’ greenbear and Jassy have been discussing.

Before I begin to comment, I would like to commend sisters Jassy & Jennifer for the spirit in which they have conducted their discussions. I would also like to thank them for being respectful towards all of the members of this Forum - including me.

I do not claim to be an old “sage”, nor have I ever made the assertion that I know everything there is to know about God’s Holy word. I’m just the “old crusty curmudgeon” of the AV1611 Bible Forums and I am highly honored by sisters Jassy’s & Jennifer’s request. Please keep in mind: I am NOT “infallible”, but for what it’s worth – here are my answers to their inquiries:

Question Number 1:

1. The eternal security of the believer?

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There are too many verses to list here, but I have listed the majority of verses that I have found in regards to "Salvation" on my web page: http://www.thywordistruthkjv.com/ - under the section "Bible Lesson" <> "Verses on Salvation" http://www.freewebs.com/thywordis/SA...-%20Verses.htm

There are approximately 14 pages of verses indicating you can not lose salvation; and about 3 pages indicating that you can lose it. There are 10 verses indicating you can not lose your salvation for every verse that would indicate you can lose it - This is where “rightly dividing the word of truth” comes in [2 timothy 2:15].

The following Posts have much to say about “ETERNAL” Salvation:

What Would Happen If You Could “LOSE ” Your Salvation?:
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...82&postcount=1

The Biblical State of a New Testament saint:
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...8&postcount=10

"CALVINISM: Sound Doctrine?" <> Post # 89:
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...9&postcount=89

Various Posts on the same topic that may be of some interest:
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...5&postcount=51
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...1&postcount=17
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...1&postcount=23
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...4&postcount=20
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...7&postcount=52
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...8&postcount=13
http://av1611.com/forums/showpost.ph...03&postcount=3

Question Number 2:

2. The identity of the remnant, whether it is Israel or the church that has to endure to the end

There are only six verses in the Bible which speak of a “remnant”:

The word “remnant” has at least three different meanings in the Bible – depending where they are found, i.e. the “context”.

The term “endure to the end” occurs only twice in the Holy Bible – once in the Gospel of Matthew and once in the Gospel of Mark:

The “context” of those two verses indicates that they are referring to all those people (Jews and Gentiles) who are living during that period of time (the “Tribulation”, i.e. “the time of Jacob’s trouble” – Jeremiah 30:7)

I do not believe that Christians will go through the “Tribulation” (that’s another study), so there will be no Christians present here on the earth during the period of time spoken of in those two verses.

Question Number 3:

3. Whether or not there remains anything that must occur before the rapture of the church can take place.

I know of NOTHING (no prophecy or “event” that must take place) that is preventing the “rapture” of the Body of Christ” (I prefer the Biblical word – “Translated” or “Translation” – Hebrews 11:5). The only thing that I know of that has to take place BEFORE the nation of Israel BELIEVES on the Lord Jesus Christ is “the FULNESS of the Gentiles” must “come in”.

If I fully understood WHAT “the fullness of the Gentiles” means and WHEN the “fullness of the Gentiles be come in” will happen - I would be a “prophet”, which I obviously am NOT!

The Lord Jesus Christ could return at any time. I was saved in October of 1958 and have heard (and read) many a Bible preacher and teacher GUESS when our “translation” (the rapture) will take place. So far – NONE OF THEM has been right; it’s a “mystery” that no one has been able solve, so I won’t speculate as to the date, I just keep hoping it will be soon - REAL SOON!

1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?