Reply to Barry Amundsen:

Thank you for your kind reply to my post! http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/july2012/barrya76-1.htm

Also, I think we agree regarding Once Saved, Always Saved or OSAS. OSAS is an exaggeration of Eternal Security. We have Eternal Security as long as we don't apostatize and leave the faith, which is the only exception. The Apostle was warning Jewish believers in Hebrews 6 that if they left the faith and went back to Judaism, there remained no more sacrifice for sins.

Heb 6:4-6 (KJV) "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 (they were saved), And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away (apostatize), to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame."

I would like to carry this forward to the end times, if I may. The main purpose of the Mark of the Beast is to attempt to get Christians in the Great Tribulation to apostatize and permanently lose their salvation.

Unfortunately, instead of warning the people about this, it seems most end time leadership is constantly teaching OSAS. How many will be deceived into thinking that they can receive the Mark of the Beast and still be saved because of OSAS???

YBIC,

Bill Griese