Hi Enow, thanks for your explanation.
Just to summarize, I see 4 groups, the first two are unsaved, the third is saved but unfruitful, the fourth is both saved & fruitful.
And just for the record, I equate the first two because of the word 'likewise' that relates them, for, as you stated, it does not continue for the last two. Thus, creating a dichotomy or grouping between them i.e, 2 saved & 2 unsaved
But, the specific distinctions are, more correctly, in four parts, which is why Jesus portrayed it as such.
1. Unsaved, and never saved
2. Saved for a short time, then fell from grace to become unsaved.
3. Saved, but distracted by wordly attractions, and thus fruitless (minimal rewards)
4. Saved, and a powerful and resolute testimony to Christ
Thank you for sharing. mayhap as we go along, the Lord will continue to help us see the truth in His words on this discussion.
Addressing #2, how then can these verses apply?
John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
How to align His words here when He will not cast out all the Father has given Him and that He shall lose nothing, but yet we have verses where He cuts them off from the vine and believers become former believers?
So I align His words in that they can be cut off from having that first inheritance in the city of God above, but still in His kingdom as resurrected after the great tribulation to serve Him as the King of kings during the millennium reign of Christ; hence the vessel of wood and earth.
Can you see that in the prophesy about the New Covenant in Psalm 89?
Psalm 89:26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. 27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth. 28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. 29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. 30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; 31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; 32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. 33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. 34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. 35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. 36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. 37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
Do you see the stripes on His servants that got cut off with the unbelievers in Luke 12:40-49? The above testimony from God is they are still saved. It would explain why they are still called servants for why they are receiving stripes for not being ready.
Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. 41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. 49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
