Friends, do you understand how dangerous it is for people to believe that no matter what they do, they cannot lose their salvation and go to Hell, even though God says they can? Many churches teach a doctrine called “Perseverance of the Saints,” which is part of a false doctrine called Calvinism (named after John Calvin). They allege that a saved child of God may “fall” into sin, but somehow God will ultimately keep him from losing his salvation. They say that no truly sanctified child of God can ever become eternally lost and be sent to Hell. The following passage absolutely disproves that false doctrine, showing that those who were once sanctified by the blood of Christ can end up in Hell if they choose to live in rebellion. Capital letters will be used for emphasis only, with a brief explanation following the passage:
Hebrews 10:25-31 – “Not forsaking the assembling of OURSELVES together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (26) For if WE sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, (27) But a certain FEARFUL LOOKING FOR OF JUDGMENT AND FIERY INDIGNATION, which shall devour the adversaries. (28) He that despised MOSES’ LAW died without mercy under two or three witnesses: (29) Of how much SORER PUNISHMENT, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT, WHEREWITH HE WAS SANCTIFIED, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of GRACE? (30) For we know him that hath said, VENGEANCE belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord SHALL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. (31) IT IS A FEARFUL THING TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE LIVING GOD.”
“Ourselves…We” – The inspired writer included himself in the group under consideration, because these are Christians, those who became children of God by believing and obeying the Gospel (see 3:1; 10:22; Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38-41; 8:35-39; 22:16; Ephesians 5:25-26; 1 Peter 3:20-21). Even inspired men like the apostles could fall from grace and lose their salvation if they became unfaithful (Acts 1:25; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Like other New Testament writers, the Hebrews writer repeatedly warned against unfaithfulness (Heb. 2:1-4; 3:12-14; 4:1, 11; 6:4-6, 11, 12; 10:23-31, 35-39; 12:15-17, 25, 28-29; 13:17).
“No more sacrifice for sins” – They have no more contact with the saving blood if living in disobedience (1 John 1:6-9; 2:3-6), such as refusing to assemble faithfully with their brothers and sisters. “No more” implies that at one point they had access to the “sacrifice for sins” (Christ’s saving blood), but that is no longer the case, so they are truly lost.
“Fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation” – These erring children of God (James 5:19-20) should be afraid of judgment and the fiery indignation of God. The only reasonable explanation is that this refers to being sent to “fiery” Hell at the final “judgment” (Matthew 25:31-41; Mark 9:42-50).
“Moses’ law…sorer punishment” – Being put to death under the Law of Moses was terrible (being stoned to death, Numbers 15:32-36), but there is a worse punishment awaiting those who rebel against God’s Son! The sorer punishment will be facing the “fiery indignation” of “the living God” in eternal Hell (10:31; Matthew 25:46).
“The blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified” – This proves the person was truly saved, sanctified by the blood of Christ at one point (10:22), but began living in rebellion, sinning willfully without true repentance (Luke 3:8; Acts 8:22-24; 26:20; 2 Peter 2:20-22).
“Grace” – Yes, a saved child of God can fall from God’s saving grace (“Christ has become of no effect unto you…ye are fallen from grace,” Galatians 5:4), and grace teaches us to live a life of holiness, obedience (Titus 2:11-12; cf. 1:16).
“Vengeance” – God will execute fiery punishment on those who turn their backs on His Son and insult the Holy Spirit (cf. Ephesians 4:30).
“Shall Judge” – This is in future tense—this judgment has not yet occurred (Matthew 25:31-46).
“His people” – These are God’s children who will be judged, His people of the New Covenant who became such through obedient faith (John 3:5; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:26-27; 5:6).
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” – If “His people” who were “sanctified” by Christ’s blood cannot fall from grace and end up in Hell, why would they be told to fear God’s “vengeance,” “sorer punishment,” “judgment, and fiery indignation”? Again, what punishment could possibly be under consideration for these rebellious children of God besides fiery punishment in Hell on the Judgment Day?
Preachers and churches who teach the deadly doctrine of “once saved, always saved” also usually teach error on how to become saved in the first place, and they should not be supported in any way by those who want to go to Heaven. God will hold us all accountable for our choices, including what we believe, teach, and support (Romans 2:5-11; 16:17; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Colossians 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 2:15-18; 2 John 9-11).