Who Can Be Saved? #1

According to Mark 10:26, the disciples of Jesus once asked Him, who can be saved?

If we were to seek the answer to this question from the religious world as a whole, we would receive many different answers. Even, by searching for its answer from that portion which believe in the Bible, we would receive at least four different answers.

One part of this group would say everyone will be saved. Then probably they would explain their answer by saying "God is a God of love, who is too good and merciful to condemn anyone."

Is this in harmony with what the scriptures say? I think not. That the scriptures say God is a God of love and mercy, no one can deny. However, I believe they also say that we, by wickedness can force Him to become a God of terror. I also believe this same Book of scriptures reveals that all people will not be saved.

Many scriptures found in the Old Testament, declare that from the beginning of time until the coming of Jesus, God numerous times became a God of terror unto a great number of people. Yes, He as a God of terror poured out His wrath upon Adam and Eve, Cain, all the people of the earth save eight, all the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah except Lot and his wife (and daughters), Pharaoh and his people, Korah and his followers, Nadab and Abihu, Miriam the sister of Moses, the man who touched the Ark, Eli and his ungodly sons, the deceived young prophet, King Saul, King David, thousands and thousands of unnamed Israelites, angels in heaven, the cities of Babylon, Ashdod, Ninevah, and many, many more.

Likewise, the New Testament scriptures proclaim that after the coming of Jesus He continued to be a God capable of becoming a God of terror.

Scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 10, Hebrews 2:1-4, Hebrews 3:5-19, Hebrews 4:1-11, Hebrews 10:25-30, and Hebrews 12:25 say the God, who became a God of terror unto those of old, will also become a God of terror unto those of us who follow their example.

Again there are new Testament scriptures which refer to God as a God of vengeance, terror and severity (Hebrews 10:30, 2 Corinthians 5:9-11, Romans 11:22).

There are also New Testament scriptures which state that God on the Judgment Day will be a God of terror unto some. He will also be a God without mercy unto those who have shown no mercy (James 2:13).

Some on that day shall receive of him nothing but indignation, wrath, tribulation and anguish (Romans 2:8-9).

2 Corinthians 5:9-11, in no uncertain terms says, God on the Day of Judgment will be capable of being a God of terror. paul in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 says on that day some shall be punished with fire.

Then, Hebrews 10:31 says, that it will be a fearful things for some to fall into the hands of the living God.

Oh yes, my friends, the scriptures we have considered thus far prove (I believe) beyond a doubt that we may force God to become a God of terror. So, this completely takes away the reason for the position which says, all will be saved.

However, in addition to all these scriptures, there are many others which declare that all people will not be saved. The parable of the tares recorded in Matthews 13:24-43, teaches that on the Judgement Day some shall be cast into a furnace of fire.

Luke 16:19-31, proclaims that a certain rich man died and lifted up his eyes in hell (torment). The parable of the talents as found in Matthew 25:14-30 says, the man with the one talent was lost.

John 5:28-29 says, when the Lord returns, all that are in the graves shall come forth; some to a life and others to damnation.

The apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 teaches that when the Lord returns He will bring rest to some but punishment with fire unto others.

According to Revelation 20:11-15, the apostle John was (by way of a vision) permitted to see the Judgment Day and to behold its events. First he says he saw all who had ever lived and died, standing before God and being judged. Then he says he saw some of them being cast into the lake of fire.

In Matthew 25:31-46, we hear Jesus say when He returns, the people will be divided into two groups, and that one group will enter heaven, and the other the lake of fire.

Now, finally, Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14 says, that more will be lost than saved.

My friends, there are many scriptures, a few of which are Ezekiel 18:23,31-32; Ezekiel 33:11, John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-11 and 2 Peter 3 which beyond a doubt prove that God truly wants all people to be saved.

Nevertheless, the scriptures which we have considered in this articles, also beyond a doubt, prove that all the human family will not be saved.

So, the question (who can be saved) remains unanswered. Who then can be saved? Some say only the afore ordained. The Lord willing, we will consider this answer in next week's article.

By: Tommy Hodge

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