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How sure is our salvation?

 Submitted: 7/4/2014
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Question: Thank you for taking our questions. I am really enjoying reading through them. And thank you for answering my previous question. I was listening to my audio Bible just now and was wondering: Are those whom the Lord destroyed in the wilderness and that God forbid from entering into the 'promised land' (due to being fearful and unbelieving) lost? What application, if any, does Moses not being allowed to enter into the 'promised land' (for striking the rock in anger) have for us in the New Testament times?
Answer: Paul tells us what we can learn from the Israelites in the wilderness when he says, 'Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted' (1 Corinthians 10:1-7).

Instead of passing through the sea, we have all passed through the waters of baptism. Instead of being baptized into Moses, we have all been baptized into Jesus. Instead of drinking from the rock, we have all drunk from the fountain of living water. But nevertheless, could it be that God is not well-pleased with most of His people? We ought to learn from the example of the Israelites that we should not lust after evil things. Instead we must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:12-13). Even Moses was deprived of entrance because he lost control and struck the rock a second time.

As for which of the Israelites will enter into everlasting life, only God knows. But we should given careful heed to the lesson they have left us.



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