What does the Bible say?

QUESTION:
Does not the Scripture declare that one can lose their salvation? Gal. 5:21, “…of the which I tell you before… that they which do such thing shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.” Eph. 5:5, “…ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.”


ANSWER:
When we receive Christ as our personal Savior, we are born of God, His child. We have eternal life (the life of Christ), which is the gift of God (Rom. 6:23). But our inheritance is according to our growth and maturity, our walk and fellowship and suffering with Christ. All of God’s children are potential heirs of God, but only some will be joint-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). Believers who walk after the lusts of the flesh rob themselves of spiritual inheritance. If we do not feed on God’s Word we cannot grow up into Christ in all things. If we fail to judge our own flesh, it will rob us of our life (Rom. 8:13). Satan is allowed to destroy the physical body of one who though a member of Christ, walks in his own way continually and does not repent breaking fellowship with Christ. Also, it will rob us of our crown; Rev. 3:11, “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”


QUESTION:
Will all the church go up together? Will it be before the tribulation period, during it, or following it?


ANSWER:
There are three ranks plainly seen in the church, that arrive at different times in heaven. The first rank are kept out of tribulation days (Rev. 3:10), they are rewarded for keeping the word of His patience. They arrive in heaven first and are given crowns of gold (Rev. 4:4) which they cast at the feet of Christ (Rev. 4:10-11). They are redeemed humans (Rev. 5:9-10). The second rank, a great multitude which no man could number come out of tribulation days and taken up to heaven (Rev. 7:9-17). They have no crowns and serve Christ day and night. A third rank is seen in heaven in Revelation 14, the hundred forty and four thousand. They are all of Israel (Rev. 14:1-5), which were sealed while on the earth (Rev. 7:3-8). No doubt taken to heaven in chapter 12. These three ranks are also seen in Rev. 19 at the marriage of the Lamb. There we view the wife (Rev. 19:7); the servants (Rev:19:5); and the guests (Rev. 19:9).
E. J. D.