PERSEVERANCE TO THE END

 Whoever abides in the Messiah, bears much fruit

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:36) Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Anyone who does not abide in Christ is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. (John 15:6) Don’t be like the Pharisees and the lawyers who rejected the purpose of God for themselves. (Luke 7:30) Jesus said, “I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me.” (John 12:24-26) By this the Father is glorified, that we bear much fruit and so prove to be disciples of the Messiah. (John 15:8) If we keep the commandments [obey the words] of the Messiah, we will abide in his love, just as Jesus followed [obeyed] the Father’s commandments and abides in the Father’s love. (John 15:10)

The seed of the word of God is sown in our lives and in the lives of others. (Luke 8:11) Some fall along the path, some on the rocks, some among the thorns, and some in good soil. (Luke 8:12-15) Let not the devil come and take away the word from your hearts, preventing you from believing and being saved. (Luke 8:12) Be not one of those who believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. (Luke 8:13) And let not the seed of the word be met with thorns as one who hears and believes but this faith is eventually choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and thus no fruit is brought to maturity. (Luke 8:14) But maintain yourself like good soil so that in hearing the word of God you hold fast to it in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15) Jesus said, “A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Mat 7:18-19) John the Baptist also preached the same saying, “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees: Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:9) We must bear fruit in keeping with repentance. (Luke 3:8)

Be imitators of God as beloved children. (Ephesians 5:1) Walk in love, as the Messiah loved us and gave himself up for us, a sin-offering sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2) Immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not be associated with us as is proper for holy ones. (Ephesians 5:3) Surely everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Ephesians 5:5) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:6) At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10) Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness but rather expose them. (Ephesians 5:11) May we be pure and blameless for the day of the Messiah, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus the Messiah, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:10-11)

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling

We must maintain obedience to the words of the Messiah and his apostles, working out our own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12) Through obedience God works in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13) We must do all things without grumbling or disputing, that we may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom we shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life. (Philippians 2:14-16) We must no longer walk as the worldly do, in the futility of their minds. (Ephesians 4:17) They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (Ephesians 4:18) They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. (Ephesians 14:19) Rather, if we are true believers, we have learned the Messiah, to put off our old self, which belongs to our former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of our minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:20-24)

Prepare your minds for action, and be sober-minded, setting your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1Peter 1:13) As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1Peter 1:14-16) If you call on Him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout your time in this age, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (1Peter 1:17-19) Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God. (1Peter 1:22-23)

Since the Messiah suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live no longer for human passions but for the will of God. (1Peter 4:1-2) For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. (1Peter 4:3) Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1Peter 4:12) But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (1Peter 4:13) If you are insulted for the name of the Messiah, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1Peter 4:14) If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. (1Peter 4:16) Let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Peter 4:19) Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1Peter 5:6-7) Be sober-minded; be watchful, your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1Peter 5:8) Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. (1Peter 5:9) And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in the Messiah, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1Peter 5:10)

God’s divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2Peter 1:3-4) For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (2Peter 1:5-7) For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus the Messiah. (2Pete r1:8) Whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. (2Peter 1:9) Therefore be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for you will never fail if you practice these qualities. (2Peter 1:10) This is the way that we will be provided an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and saviour Jesus the Messiah. (2Peter 1:11)

The day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2Pet 3:10) Since all these things are to be dissolved, we ought to live lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved. (2Peter 3:11-12) But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2Peter 3:13) Beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. (2Peter 3:14)

God is not unjust to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do. (Hebrews 6:10) Maintain the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:11-12) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23) Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works encouraging one another as we see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25) Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. (Hebrews 12:5) For the Lord - Yehovah disciplines the one He loves and chastises every son whom He receives. (Hebrews 12:6) If you are left without discipline, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (Hebrews 12:8) In the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11) Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (Hebrews 12:12-13) Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

Keep in step with the Spirit

Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16) For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh. (Galatians 5:17) The works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. Be warned, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21) Those who belong to the Messiah Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:18) If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)  Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (Galatians 6:7) For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:8) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

We must be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (Ephesians 6:10) Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:13) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:14-15) In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:16-17) Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication keeping alert with all perseverance. (Ephesians 6:18) Those who cause divisions are worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. (Jude 1:19) But we are to build ourselves up in our faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, keeping ourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus the Messiah that leads to eternal life. (Jude 20-21) 

Warnings against apostasy

In the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the beautiful utterances of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is ineffectual to restore them again to repentance. (Heb 6:4-6) The land that bears thorns and thistles after having received rain is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. Rather, the land which receives a blessing from God is that which has drunk the rain and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated (Hebrews 6:7-8) The Day is drawing near; If we are intentionally sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:25-27) A punishment worse than death is deserved by the one who trample underfoot the Son of God, and profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and have outraged the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:28-29) Vengeance is God’s and he will repay, the Lord - Yehovah will judge his people. (Hebrews 10:30) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God Hebrews 10:31)

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble (through which many become defiled) and that no one is sexually immoral or unholy. (Hebrews 12:15-16) Don’t be like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal, who afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, was rejected for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. (Hebrews 12:16-17) Whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. (2 Pete 2:19) For if, after escaping the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus the Messiah, one becomes again entangled in them and is overcome, the last state has become worse than the first. (2 Peter 2:20) It would have been better to have never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment. (2 Peter 2:21) According to the Word of God, the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. (2 Peter 3:7)

Jesus’s warnings to the churches 

Jesus warns those who abandon the love they had at first, saying, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5) Jesus warns the church of tribulation saying, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) To those who have been seduced by idolatry and sexual immorality, Jesus says, “Repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war with the sword of my mouth.” (Revelation 2:14-16) To those who tolerate the spirit of Jezebel, that seduces many to practice immorality and idolatry, to those who commit adultery with her, Jesus warned of tribulation, unless they repent of her works. (Revelation 2:20-22) Everyone should know that Jesus is the one who searches mind and heart, and will give to each according to their works. (Revelation 2:23) To those who have not given in, they must only hold fast until he comes. (Revelation 2:25) Some have the reputation of being alive, but are dead. (Revelation 3:1) They must wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for their works are not complete in the sight of his God. (Revelation 3:2) They should remember what they received and heard and keep it, and repent. (Revelation 3:3) Those who are neither cold nor hot, because they are lukewarm, he will spit them out of his mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16) Those who are complacent and think they need nothing, they fail to realize that they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. (Revelation 3:17) Jesus counsels us to buy from him gold refined by fire, so that we may be rich, and white garments so that we may clothe ourselves and the shame of our nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint our eyes, so that we may see. (Revelation 3:18) Those whom he loves, he reproves and disciplines, so be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:19)

The righteous shall live by faith 

Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. (Hebrews 10:35) For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. (Hebrews 10:36) God’s righteous ones shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, he has no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38) But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. (Hebrews 10:39) Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. (Hebrews 11:3) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) By faith the people of old received their commendation (Heb 11:2)

Because we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. (Hebrews 12:3) In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Heb 12:4) And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him, for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Hebrews 12:5-6) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the Messiah! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1Peter 1:3-5) In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honours at the revelation of Jesus the Messiah. (1Peter 1:6-7) Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1Peter 1:8-9) Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world, our faith. (1John 5:4)

Keep your eye on the prize 

Remember that you were at that time separated from the Messiah, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (Ephesians 2:12) But now in the Messiah Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. (Ephesians 2:13) For through him we all have access in one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:18) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, the Messiah Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord - Yehovah. (Ephesians 2:19-21) In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22) We give thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colossians 1:12) God has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)

Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (1Corinthians 15:50) We shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet – For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. (1Corinthians 15:51-52) When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory” and, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1Corinthians 15:54-55) The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law, but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus the Messiah. (1Corinthians 15:56-57) Therefore be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain. (1Corinthians 15:58)

The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18) For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19) For the creation was subjected to futility in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:20-21) Those who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as they wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of their body. (Romans 8:23) For in this hope we are saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. (Romans 8:24) But we hope for what we do not see, and we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:25)

Whatever gain we had, we should count as loss for the sake of the Messiah. (Philippians 3:7) Indeed, we should count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing the Messiah Jesus our Lord. (Phil 3:8) For his sake we suffer the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that we may gain the Messiah and be found in him, not having a righteousness of our own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in the Messiah, the righteousness from God that depends on faith, that we may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible we may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:9-11) Not that we have already obtained this or are already perfect, but we press on to make it our own, because the Messiah Jesus has made us his own. (Philippians 3:12) We should forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead, pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in the Messiah Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14) Many walk as enemies of the cross of Christ and their end is destruction, having minds set on earthly things. (Philippians 3:18-19) But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a saviour, the Lord Jesus the Messiah, who will transform our lowly body, by the power that enables him to subject all things to himself, to be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21)

To the one who conquers 

Jesus the Messiah is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. He loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father. (Revelation 1:5-6) To the one who conquers he will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7) Be faithful unto death, and he will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10) The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. (Revelation 2:11) To the one who conquers he will give some of the hidden manna, and he will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it. (Revelation 2:17) The one who conquers and who keeps his works until the end, to him he will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as he himself has received authority from his Father. (Revelation 2:26-27) Also he will give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:28) The one who conquers will be clothed in white garments, and he will never blot his name out of the book of life. He will confess his name before his Father and before the Father’s angels. (Revelation 3:5) The one who conquers, he will make him a pillar in the temple of his God. Never shall he go out of it, and he will write on him the name of his God, and the name of the city of his God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from his God out of heaven, and his own new name. (Revelation 3:12) The one who conquers, he will grant him to sit with him on his throne, as he also conquered and sat down with his Father on his Father’s throne. (Revelation 3:21)

Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of the Messiah, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6) Then the holy city, the new Jerusalem, will come from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2) The dwelling place of God will be with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (Revelation 21:3) He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4) He will make all things new. (Revelation 21:5) To the thirsty he will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. (Revelation 21:6)  The river of the water of life, bright as crystal, will flow from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the New Jerusalem; also, on either side of the river, will be the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree will be for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1-2) No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship God. (Revelation 22:3) They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. (Revelation 22:4) And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5) The one who conquers will have this heritage, and God will be his God and he will be a son of God. (Revelation 21:7) But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)