Salvation vs. Saved
(John 3:16-18)
Written by Min. Aaron B. Wheeler, Bp.
The Analogy of the "Sinking Ship":
Revelation 3:5 ~ "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."
Ezekiel 33:11 ~ "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"
1 John 2:12-14 ~ "I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."
It is free-will to humble ourselves, that is the key to whole-hearted Faith in YahshƲa, to Repentance onto being Saved, an opportunity for the whole world. This is why we confidently endure to overcome this world by the grace of YAH'EHƲEH.
A cruise ship is sinking on the high seas full of sharks. There are people hanging onto the deck of the ship for dear life. A boat sails up. The Captain of the boat sees the people sinking quickly, he beginning to throw out a huge red and white lifesaver buoy and attach to the buoy are buoys tied on by ropes.
The Captain of the boat calls out to the people on the ship, "Grab a stronghold of the Lifersaver!"
One group of people on the Ship say, "NO, your Lifesaver can’t hold us!", so they hang onto the still sinking Ship.
Another group says, "We can swim on our own!" They jump off the ship, start swimming away from the boat.
Another group of people are so happy, they grab onto the Lifesaver. The Captain begins to pull them onto the boat, but they lose their grip and slip-off. The remnant of people are so exhausted, yet so grateful they hang-on with all their mighty and overcome. Captain pulls them him onto the boat, they rest and rejoice.
The “Captain” is our Heavenly Father the Holy Spirit. The Red and White “Lifesaver” is the Gift of Salvation, who is the Son of YAH'EHƲEH, YahshƲa Amesiamina (Messiah).
Each group has free-will to make a decision - either let go of their fears and distrust, set aside their pride or endure and trust. It is not until people place their complete trust in the Captain's words, "Grab a stronghold of the Lifesaver!", that trusting his word in Faith Saves you.
You can have Salvation (Lifesaver), but not be Saved (in the Boat). Yes, the Whole World was given Salvation, but many won't take the opportunity to be Saved. What is being allowed is "Free-will", the most important characteristic God has given us to be his loyal loving children. If you see the world now, it's not about free-will, it's about enslavement through fear and usury (debt).
If YAH'EHƲEH had chosen only his elect from the beginning, faith would not matter, free-will, loyalty and love would be useless and salvation would be worthless. Understand, what is there to overcome, to endure, if you are born to election? We read the Scriptures concerning human free-will such as:
Revelation 3:5 ~ "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."
Ezekiel 33:11 ~ "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"
1 John 2:12-14 ~ "I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."
It is free-will to humble ourselves, that is the key to whole-hearted Faith in YahshƲa, to Repentance onto being Saved, an opportunity for the whole world. This is why we confidently endure to overcome this world by the grace of YAH'EHƲEH.
