Parallel between Apostle Paul and Apostle John.

Once saved always saved? Or once saved, always repent?

Apostle John’s words
[ 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:5-10 ]

Is walking in the light = walking perfectly Sinless life? If that is so, the John is contradicting himself when he say, IF you walk in the light... the blood of Jesus cleanses him. Hence John is not talking about living a "Sinless" life, but a repentant one. That's why in 1 John 1:9, he says IF you confess (repent) your sins, he is faithful righteous to forgive us. So if walking in the Light = Sin and repent, then walking in darkness is Sin and don't repent. THAT, is how john arrives at this conclusion :

[ My little children, these things I write to you, so that you MAY NOT SIN. And IF ANYONE SINS, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. - 1 John 2:1 ]

John is referring to those who walk in the light, who Sins and Repent.

Apostle Paul’s words

[ 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. - Romans 7:22-25 ]

This is the same as Paul, who explains how he DELIGHTS IN THE LAW OF GOD, but knows that there is a Law of Sin in him that prevents him from being saved. Therefore he thank God for Jesus Christ, because through Christ atonement for his Sins, he can now SERVE THE LAW OF GOD WITH HIS MIND and not get condemned under the atonement. This is how he arrives at this THEREFORE THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION...

[ There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. - Rom 8:1 ]

And notice, the gift of no condemnation is given to who? Those "who do not walk according to the flesh (earthly, carnal desires), but according to the Spirit (heavenly, righteous desires)"

Both Paul and John, are speaking harmoniously with each other.

Justification and Sanctification in the Old Covenent

The Concept of Justification and Sanctification actually came from the Old Covenant and was completed by the New Covenant.

The system of atonement had always existed. Even in the OT, no one can walk perfectly in God's Laws, and hence no one are eligible to enter into God's Kingdom without having a sacrifice to atone for sins. That is Justification by works, which is meant to pardon Israelites who trespasses God's holy Laws, to keep them from the wages of Sin. But Justification is not meant for those who take God's laws for granted... sinning willfully just to get pardoned. The prophets has warned Israel many times about this. Justification (pardon) is meant for those who WANTS TO obey God, but unable to do so perfectly.

Sanctification is holy living. The Law of God did not appear only at Sinai. Before Exodus; Cain, Sodom and Gomorrah was judged by the very same standards which the Law of God demands. Salvation was actually offered to Israel in Exodus 19 in the condition that they obey God's Laws. That is actually Sanctification ( Holy Living). If one who follows God's Commandment, makes a mistake and violates it, he is given a chance to atone for his sins by animal sacrifice; Justification, which is pardon from punishment.

The mode of Justification in the NT has been replaced by Christ who is our perfect high preist and lamb. The mode of Sanctification remains the same, obedience to the Law of God which is also called the word, truth, commandments, voice, etc.

That is called Justification by Faith.

Bible is not written for our mortal needs

Is the bible written to make us feel good about ourselves?

We all have needs, be it psychologically or physiologically. We do what it takes to meet our needs, be it for ourselves, our loved ones, or even friends. We want stay in the course of bliss and comfort, and will do what is needed to stay on that course.

When we feel sick, we go to the doctor. When we need legal advice, we go to a Lawyer. When we are hungry, we go to a restaurant. When bored, perhaps one might hit the Cinema or hang out with friends in a club. We go to school to get education. We go to the supermarket to get groceries. We go to the library or bookstore to satisfy our intellect.

What if somebody comes to you and offer you a one stop solution to all these? He promise you that if you believe in him and follow him, you will not only have eternal life, but you will also enjoy prosperity, divine health and protection for your entire mortal life. And because he loves you so much, you will enjoy success in your career, and all your Rockstar dreams will come true. Wouldn't you take it?

Is the bible written for the purpose of pampering our self esteem? Did God spoke to the prophets so that people can feel good about themselves? Did the Apostles taught the early church to excel in personal success? These themes are nowhere to be found in the bible, yet preachers today are enticing their ever-growing congregation with the greatest lies ever told.

Will God provide?

Is God concerned about our needs? Well, I couldn't think of a better example than the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew Chapter 5 and 6, after giving instructions that are even harder to fulfill than the 10 Commandments, Jesus explained best about how God provides for our needs.

Matthew 6:25-34

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

[First of all, Jesus started off with this by saying, DO NOT WORRY. It means, don't even think about it, let alone be anxious about it]

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?

[He further illustrates how God will take care of those who belong to him.]

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

[Solomon is the richest man on earth. Jesus is giving a comparison, that those who trust in his providence are better off than those who put their trust in worldly wealth. ]

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Is the ultimate aim of this Sermon teaching us that everything will be alright and we just live life to the fullest? Is Jesus teaching us to claim every blessing and success by the blood of the lamb?

Verse 32 says, it is the PAGANS who seeks after these things. Which means today, if you are feeling lousy because your colleagues are getting more bonus than you, or you are feeling the bite because your business rivals are prospering more than you, or you are simply jealous over someone more good looking than you, or have a better family life than you; you are thinking like a PAGAN. The Bible says, covetousness is idolatry (Col 3:5, Eph 5:3).

Well, we can say, we are all humans, it is our fleshly nature to react to disparity in processions. While it is one thing to acknowledge our shortcomings and our need for a savior, it is another erroneous extreme to teach Christians that they can name and claim everything that they desire. Teaching the congregation to visualize their dream car and calling it into existence, is exactly corrupting the righteous blood of Jesus with principals of the Pagans described in Matt 6:32.

That is why in Matt 6:33, Jesus calls us to seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added. Which simply means, understand the word of God and do it, and God will take care of the rest. That is why in verse 25, Jesus says, "Do Not Worry", because he will provide for those who obey his words.

Matthew 7:24-27

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Does God want us to feel good?

The gospel is never about feeling good. In fact, being a Christian is a miserable process. The bible describes the Christian walk as a life of struggle :

1. Paul Struggles with Sin, and yet he Loves the Law of God.

Romans 7:14-24

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?

2. Paul warns Timothy about Persecution for the Godly.

2 Timothy 3:10-17

10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

3. Paul encourage Timothy to Endure Hardship

2 Timothy 2:1-6

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crownexcept by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

4. James urges the church to be joyful in persecution

James 1:2-7

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

5. After describing the saints that were martyred for their faith in chapter 11, the author of Hebrews went on to encourage the early church to press on with their faith.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hope of Glory

God never promised a smooth sailing, success driven, happiness laden life on earth. In fact, every prophet who stood up for the word of God was stricken and persecuted, some to death. All of the Apostles (less John) died of terrible deaths for the sake of the gospel. Though not all Christians in the early church were martyred, but the Apostle's teaching always centred around enforcing sound doctrine and living Godly lives.

The bible does offers comfort for the afflicted, and it is always about the reward at the end. The prophecies given to Isaiah and Jeremiah always points us to the hope at the end, the Millenial Rule of Christ and Eternal Life. Paul's message of comfort to the Thessalonians is no exception.

1 Thessolonians 4:13-18

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Compare this message of comfort, to the message to the faithful remnants of Israel during Isaiah's time.

Isaiah 11:10-12

10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. 11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush,[b] from Elam, from Babylonia,[c] from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean. 12 He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.

Jeremiah 31:7-9

7 This is what the LORD says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations.
Make your praises heard, and say, ‘LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’
8 See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth.
Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor;
a great throng will return. 9 They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back.
I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

This message is given to the faithful remnants of Israel, very much like the faithful Christians in the New Testament Christians of the early church. The gospel is not given for those who choose to live a life of Sin, but for those who choose to live a Godly lifestyle, despite of their shortcoming. Their comfort, and the "feel good" factor, will be Eternal Life at the end.

Romans 2:6-8

6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

Leaving Sin or Leave Church

A professing Christian who lives in Sin will not be comfortable in a community of true believers. He has to either change his lifestyle, or he will have to leave the community.

But if one is able to comfortably and openly live in Sin among the church, there is something seriously wrong with that Church.

11 But now I have written to you NOT TO KEEP COMPANY with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—NOT EVEN TO EAT WITH SUCH A PERSON. - 1 Cor 5:11

4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. - 1 John 3:4-9

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And FROM SUCH PEOPLE TURN AWAY! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, SO DO THESE RESIST THE TRUTH: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. - 2 Tim 3:1-9

Holy Spirit abides only in those who obey the father's will

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
Joh 15:4 NKJV

How does one Abide in him? By soaking in his presence? By praying long hours? By speaking in tongues?

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
Joh 15:5‭-‬6 NKJV

It is important to abide in Him. If one does not abide in him, he will bear no fruit. And if one bears no fruit, he will be thrown into the fire.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Joh 15:7‭-‬8 NKJV

If one abides in Him, he will be able to pray according to the father's will, and it shall be granted to him.

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
Joh 15:9‭-‬10 NKJV

This is how we Abide in Him; Obey his Commandments (Love God)

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Joh 15:11‭-‬13 NKJV

This is how our Joy may be complete, that we Love one another (Love neighbour). This sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Mt 22:37‭-‬40 NKJV

Heavenly Values or Earthly Values?

If you truly believe that God is good, you will also believe that God will not give you "everything" you desire. You will also believe in his Chastisement, Discipline and Correction which will be painful. He can also allow trials and tribulations in your life so that you may understand his heavenly values, and forsake earthly values.

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord , Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Heb 12:3‭-‬11 NKJV

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Jas 1:2‭-‬8 NKJV

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Ro 8:18‭-‬25 NKJV

Will there be a Great Revival or Great Apostasy at end time?

Will Jesus come when the Gospel is preached to the whole world?

The end will come (God's Wrath released on Apostates) when the number of the Martyrs is complete, NOT when the gospel goes around the whole earth and reaches Israel. The bible NEVER promise a great revival, he promised a great APOSTASY controlled and widespread by the Whore of Babylon, the Harlot riding on the Scarlett beast, whereby the Kings of the earth will share with her Fornication (Idolatry or False Gospel).

The world will not be saved through seeker friendly, worldly methods of preaching the Gospel. In fact, if a church is adopting these methods to grow, they are likely to attract Tares or False conversion based on wrong understanding of the gospel. If one were to teach the truth, one should expect only a small following who are a reflection of the faithful remnants of Israel.

To expect exponential church growth when teaching the true unadulterated Word of God will only lead one to become dissappointed and burn out, and eventually falling away. Don't work against what God has already told us.

As for Israel, God will take care of his Remnant (of Israel) in the last days. He will graft them in to the New Covenent, IF they heed his word and turn from their wicked ways.

References as below :

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a LITTLE WHILE LONGER, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was COMPLETED.
Rev 6:9‭-‬11 NKJV

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the WRATH OF GOD IS COMPLETED.
Rev 15:1 NKJV

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed FORNICATION, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”
Rev 17:1‭-‬2 NKJV

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the FALLING AWAY COMES FIRST, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:1‭-‬4 NKJV

God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “ Lord , they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
Ro 11:2‭-‬6 NKJV

And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
Ro 11:23‭-‬24 NKJV