Saturday, January 19, 2008

Matthew 24:13

"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved" (Matthew 24:13).

Federal Visionists love this verse because it sounds like Jesus is making endurance a condition of salvation. However, this is blatantly Roman Catholic, Arminian, and Pelagian.

The Reformed faith has always insisted that salvation is by grace alone (sola gratia). Salvation is unconditional. When Federal Visionists attempt to add conditions, such as endurance, to the gospel, then they are offering a works gospel, which is a different gospel, which is no gospel at all.

Federal Visionists try to squeeze too much out of this passage. There is no cause and effect here. Jesus is simply remarking that some who endure are saved. Jesus says nothing about those who do not endure; some are saved and some are not. It depends upon whether they are elect or not.

The elect who endure will be saved, and the elect who do not endure will be saved. The non-elect are not saved, whether they endure or not. Remember, election is unconditional, which means that endurance is optional. In no way does salvation depend upon endurance.