The Perseverance of the Saints Maintaining Faithfulness to the End

1. The Perseverance of the Saints Maintaining Faithfulness to the End

2. A Few Things We Will Examine Today What is Perseverance and why is it important? What is free will? What is predestination? Can you lose your salvation? What is the righteous judgment of Elohim? How Does Elohim determine a person’s destiny? What do good works have to do with it? Let’s revisit “faith” Why the ancients were commended for perseverance

3. The Perseverance of the Saints Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of Elohim, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of Elohim and the faith of Yahusha. Revelation 14:9-12, NAS (corrected)

4. The Sign (Mark) For Those Who Worship the Creator Then Yahuwah said to Mosheh, "Say to the sons of Yisrael, 'You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am Yahuwah, who makes you holy. "'Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to Yahuwah. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. The sons of Yisrael are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the sons of Yisrael forever, for in six days Yahuwah made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.'“ (Shemot [Exodus] 31:12-17)

5. The Saints are Those Who Keep the Commands "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)

6. Biblical Belief in Yahusha Amounts to Obedience to Him 4th Gospel 3:16 For Elohim so loved the world that he gave his only born son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. But… (look at these opposites) 3:36 - He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of Elohim abides on him."

7. What Does Perseverance Mean? u`pomonh, (hupo-monay) as a basic attitude or frame of mind patience, steadfastness (2) as steadfast adherence to a course of action in spite of difficulties and testingsperseverance, endurance, fortitude (3) with a component of hope and confidence expectation, patient waiting

8. Why Does Perseverance Matter? Can a believer “lose his salvation”? Theologians through the centuries debate the free will of believers vs. the predestination of God – Armenianism v. Calvinism.

9. Predestination Defined Greek proori,zw(pro-oridzo) - decide on beforehand, determine in advance, to foreordain, appoint beforehand. What did Elohim determine in advance? Is your eternal future already determined? What determines your eternal destiny?

10. Biblical Predestination Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.(Ephesians 1:3-6)

11. More Predestination In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:7-12)

12. The Justice and Fairness of Elohim We believe He is just and fair. Right? Does His “predestination” determine your choices? Or do your choices determine your destination?

13. The Righteous and Fair Judgment of Elohim is Always “According to What We Have Done” Psalm 62:12 Proverbs 24:12 Matthew 16:27 4th Gospel 5:29 2 Corinthians 5:10 Revelation 22:12

14. Righteous Judgment One thing Elohim has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O Elohim, are strong, and that you, Yahuwah, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done. (Psalm 62:11-12)

15. A Wise Saying of the Righteous Judgment Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? (Proverbs 24:12)

16. Yahusha Speaks of One’s Life Then Yahusha said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his stake and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. (Matthew 16:27)

17. Yahusha Speaks of the Righteous Judgment For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. "Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out-- those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. (4th Gospel 5:26-29)

18. Paul Writes About the Righteous Judgment For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

19. Yahusha Brings Reward "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. (Revelation 22:12)

20. The Righteous Judgment in Romans You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that Elohim's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape Elohim's judgment? (Romans 2:1-3)

21. The Righteous Judgment in Romans Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that Elohim's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of Elohim's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:4-5)

22. The Righteous Judgment in Romans Elohim "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Yehudi, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Yehudi, then for the Gentile. For Elohim does not show favoritism. (Romans 2:6-11)

23. At the End of the Day (Lifetime) Yechezqel (Ezekiel) 18 – The one who sins, dies. The righteous man – vss 5-9 The violent son – vss 10-13 The righteous grandson – vss 14-18

24. According to his Deeds "Yet you ask, 'Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him. (Yechezqel 18:19-20)

25. A Wicked Man Who Repents "But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares Adonai Yahuwah. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? (Yechezqel18:21-23)

26. A Righteous Man Who Returns to Sin "But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die. (Yechezqel18:24)

27. To Resolve Definition: to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something) (Dictionary.com) Resolute: set in purpose or opinion, characterized by firmness and determination Daniel resolved not to define himself with the king’s food. He was not double minded about this matter. He was single minded about obedience to Yahuwah.

28. The Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:1-9 Some fell on the path – eaten by birds Some fell on rocky places – sprung up but withered by the heat Some fell among thorns – choked the plants Some fell on good soil – produced a crop

29. Why Yahusha Taught in Parables Matthew 13:10-17 "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Quoting Isaiah 6:9-10

30. Interpretation of the Parable Matthew 13:18-23 First one doesn’t understand and the evil one snatches it away Second receives with joy, but persecution or trouble makes him fall away Third hears the word but is choked by the cares of the world Fourth fall on good ground and produces fruit

31. Enduring to the End "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:21-22) Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.(Matthew 24:12-13) All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.(Mark 13:13)

32. Enduring Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Messiah Yahusha, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us… (2 Timothy 2:10-12)

33. The Need to Persevere Hebrews 10:19-39 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.V23 A Warning v26-31 Enduring a great suffering v32-34 You have need of endurance v35-39

34. Not to forsake Assembling Together on the Sabbath And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.(Hebrews 10:24-25)

35. The Perseverance of the saints is the proving of our attachment to him. It is in faithfulness and fidelity to Elohim and his covenant that we are accepted into his presence. He will not be pleased if we fall away or “draw back” from faithful obedience. This is true “faith” – remaining true to him and faithfully obedient.

36. People of Faith Endure to the End Hebrews 11 has been called the “Hall of Faith” or the “Faith Hall of Fame” The examples of these people of faith(fullness) show that they endured the most difficult of circumstances and still trusted Yahuwah to the end.

37. “Faith” - Emunah hn"Wma/,  pronounced e-mu-nah The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament defines this word as "firmness, fidelity, steadiness."  The BDB Hebrew Lexicon defines it as "firmness, steadfastness, fidelity."  And the Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testamentsays, "steadfastness, trustworthiness, faithfulness, honesty, permanent official duty."

38. Faith/Faithfulness is an Action Word Emunahis not mere mental assent to a thing or believing that something exists.  It does not mean "to agree in mind only."  It is not wishing something or "believing" it is so. Emunahis an action word.  It embodies the doing of a thing.  It suggests complete steadfast obedience and fidelity to this thing "believed" in. Emunah is a word of substance. It does not refer to the thoughts of the mind, but to the actions performed by the person.

39. Faith/Emunahis a word of substance Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1, KJV) u`po,stasij,(hupo-stasis) - 1. a setting or placing under; thing put under, substructure, foundation: 2. that which has foundation, is firm; hence, a. that which has actual existence; a substance, real being: b. the substantial quality, nature, of any person or thing

40. Faithfulness Leads to Perseverance Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:1-4, 2011NIV)

41. Perseverance and Righteous Judgment Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.(2 Thessalonians 1:4-5)

42. Perseverance and Righteous Judgment Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 2011NIV)

43. Faith/Emunahis a word of substance Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1, KJV) For by it the elders obtained witness (v2, Scriptures) For by it the men of old gained approval.NAS For by it the elders obtained a good report.KJV This is what the ancients were commended for. NIV

44. People of Faithfulness Abel, v4 Enoch v5 Noah, v7 Abraham v8 Sarah v11 Yoseph, v22 Mosheh, 23ff

45. Abraham Didn’t Waver Through Unbelief Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Avraham's offspring-- not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Avraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of Elohim, in whom he believed-- the Elohim who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Against all hope, Avraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." (Romans 4:16-19)

46. Abraham Didn’t Waver Through Unbelief Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-- since he was about a hundred years old-- and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of Elohim, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to Elohim, being fully persuaded that Elohim had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness.“ (Romans 4:20-22)

47. Shaking Off Those Things Which Hinder 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. (Hebrews 12:1) Read 2-14

48. 12:14 At the end of faithfulness and perseverance of the saints is the holiness that enables us to stand in his presence and see his approving face.