Hi Mike,
How’s things? Does 2Pe 2:20-22 indicate that a Christian can lose his Salvation?

Thanks,

D____

Hi D____,

You asked about 2Pe 2:20-22.

2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

These verses are not telling us that anyone can “lose his salvation.” What is being discussed here is the loss of “aionian life.” Christ Himself speaks of this same situation, when discussing those who “blaspheme the Holy Spirit.”

Notice how Christ words His warning against those who would blaspheme the Holy Spirit:

Mat 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

See that word ‘world’? That word is the Greek word ‘aion.’ What Christ is saying is that those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven either in this age [“This present evil age”] or in the age to come [ The age of Christ’s rule on this earth]. But after the ages are “consummated” all this blaspheming against the works of Christ will be burned out of any who still have such foolishness within them.

1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire [ The ‘lake of fire’].

Both Christ and Peter are discussing those who will “suffer loss.” What they will ‘lose’ is not their salvation. Salvation for “all in Adam,” has been secured for “all” who are “in Adam.”

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

This “loss” is the loss of rulership over this earth during the oncoming “thousand years” reign. Besides missing out on the opportunity to rule this earth, they must also be “cast into the lake of fire” where they will have all rebellion spiritually ‘burned’ out of them; ” but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire [ The ‘lake of fire’].

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death [ which is the ‘lake of fire’] hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

That ‘lake of fire’ is not what some have dubbed “a quick dip.” The ‘lake of fire’ is typified by the torment experienced by Joseph’s brothers when they realized that their treatment of Joseph had placed them in their position of torment. Little did they realize that their ‘torment’ was taking place “in the presence of the Lamb.”

Gen 42:21 And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.
Gen 42:22 And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.
Gen 42:23 And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.

The sale of Joseph by his brothers for twenty pieces of silver, typifies the sale of Jesus by Judas for thirty pieces of silver.

Yet Joseph forgave and saved his brothers, just as Christ will do for the worst man who has ever lived.

1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

In other words, Christ will not only save the first fruits, but He will also save the latter harvest.

I hope this is of some help to you as you seek to understand God’s word.

Mike