[OBW]

Many years ago, I went with a few to visit the church in OKC. I can't remember if there was a conference or just some going to visit. But I remember on the drive back, some were talking about the whole "overcomer" issue. At one point, one brother said that in light of the parable concerning the workers who were called to go into the field at harvest over the course of a day yet all received the same pay, it seemed that the important thing was not achieving some lofty goal, but in diligently moving forward rather than standing still or falling backward.

And while I know that this will seem wrong to those who subscribe to any kind of transactional version of salvation (most evangelicals), but the key to eternal/everlasting life is to believe, not to be able to say that at some prior point in time that you believed. In other words, when the critical time comes, do you believe, or is it something you no longer subscribe to even though you believed in the past. It seems that this still allows for the assurance of salvation. If I do believe, then I am assured of salvation. If I do not believe, even though I can argue that I once believed, at this point I do not and therefore cannot be assured of salvation.

I'm not saying that is the way it is. But it suggests an analysis that is more consistent with the whole of what I find on the subject than either the banana peel loss of salvation standard, or the "I got my ticket and no one can take it" theory that ignores a long subsequent period of life that openly rejects belief.

I would expect some to trot out the " no one can take them out of my hand" defense. But is that clearly meant to infer no way to avoid the result of salvation, or only a clear statement against the "banana peel" simplicity to loss of salvation that some seem to argue?

And then, there is always the "what is believing" issue. Is it just agreeing to propositions, therefore no need for substance to the belief? Or does it require more than agreement with propositions, but a life that acts to support the belief as real?

But when it comes to the "rapture," I am convinced that in some manner, those who are alive at the time will be taken when they are. In other words, if the word rapture must be used, I believe in a pan-tribulation rapture . . . it will all pan out in the end.

As for dispensational punishment, there does seem to be at least some evidence in support of it. But if you are convinced that living inside the New J on the new earth is "getting in," then maybe being stuck outside with the nations could cause you to gnash your teeth and weep. Remember, it is a parable, so expecting real teeth-gnashing and absolute darkness (outer darkness??) may be a bit off.