Are the judgments on the churches eternal judgments? For example, Rev. 2:16 says, "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth." Is that eternal punishment? Are those people unsaved? Or is it a sin unto death?
In short, all condemnation (after death) appears to me to be eternal (actually there is one exception that has to do with the 10 virgins... I need to study that out more, but it is not applicable here). I always say that, "Salvation is a person, not a status." By this I mean that saying, "I am saved." or asking, "Am I saved?" usually betrays a lack of knowledge. The real question is, "Am I in Christ?" or "Am I Christ's friend?" and the answer is (like all real friendships) based in what you do for Him. He made a way for us, and we believed Him and obeyed Him. Now it is our duty to stay in the place that He made for us. It is our right action to obey Him, humbly walk with Him, and to make Him our sole focus and His word our sole instruction as pertains to "how should I live?" (you can still go to computer school
).
With a man and a woman, the love in the relationship is based on his care for her, his love for her, his protection for her... basically his meeting her needs and "making a place" for her to be with him. So to for her it is her guiding his home and personal affairs, helping raise his children according to his word and direction, etc. If we are the bride of Christ... if we are His woman, then to remain such, we must obey Him, care for His children, guide His house here on earth and above all, stay close to Him... accomplish His will on earth as His will is accomplished in heaven. If we do not these things... how can we be called His woman? His wife?
So... its not that these are "unsaved" its that they are "not in Salvation," Salvation being the literal translation of the word "Jesus." They are not in Christ, and as such are condemned.
As concerns
John 5, yes, I believe that a sin unto death is indeed a sin unto condemnation. It is a terrible and fearful thing. It is the condemnation of God.
--gabe
