The objective of this article is to show that believers who fall away during tribulation or persecution will be disqualified from entering heaven. Salvation is conditional, and only those who overcome and endure to the end will be saved. The popular doctrine of Unconditional Eternal Security (Once Saved Always Saved) is a big lie.
The Bible says, over and over again, that God’s people will inevitably suffer tribulation and persecution. Jesus said:
[John 15:20] Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
[John 16:33] In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Paul preached the same.
[Acts 14:22] Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
[1 Thessalonians 3:3] Let no one be moved by these tribulations. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.
[2 Timothy 3:12] All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Not all Christians are willing to endure tribulation and persecution. Some will fall away, just as Jesus said in the parable of the sower.
[Matthew 13:20-21] As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.
The Bible is clear that only those who endure to the end will be saved. This means that those who don’t endure to the end won’t be saved.
[Matthew 24:13] The one who endures to the end will be saved.
The Bible is also very clear that those who fail to endure and deny Jesus will be denied by Him. Can you still go to heaven of Jesus denies you?
[2 Timothy 2:12] If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us.
[Matthew 10:33] Whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
[Luke 9:26] Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Tribulation and persecution are a form of testing, and only those who pass the tests will receive the crown of life. Those who fall away won’t.
[James 1:12] Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
[Revelation 2:10] Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Heaven is only for overcomers. Cowards need not apply.
[Revelation 2:11] The one who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.
[Revelation 21:7] The one who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.
Only those who are willing to suffer with Christ will be glorified with Him and will inherit the kingdom of God.
[Romans 8:16-17] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, IF indeed we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Those who fall away during persecution will be disqualified, rejected by God, and eternally damned. Only those who endure will preserve (save) their souls. Those who fall away show they have no real faith and they will lose their souls. These verses were written to persecuted believers:
[Hebrews 10:36-39] You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
Knowing these things is especially important in the end times, when the true believers will be severely persecuted.
[Matthew 10:21-22] Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
[John 16:2] They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.
During the end times there will be a test like no other, the test of the mark of the beast. Its consequences cannot be undone. If you take that mark, there is no going back. There is no more chance for you, no matter how much you regret it. You will spend eternity in the lake of fire.
[Revelation 14:9-11] If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.
So make up your mind not to take the mark, no matter what. Don’t believe the big lie that you will be raptured before the tribulation and that you won’t have to face the great test of the mark of the beast. Only the overcomers, those who pass the test, will be raptured. Contrary to what the wolves in sheep’s clothing told you, being a true follower of Christ is not easy. Only “believing” is not enough. Jesus told His followers that the way to eternal life is hard, not easy. Jesus didn’t preach “cheap grace” and “easy believism.”
[Matthew 7:13-14] Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is HARD that leads to life, and those who find it are FEW.
[Luke 13:24] STRIVE to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
In conclusion, the Bible is exceedingly clear that those who fall away during tribulation and persecution will not go to heaven. Only those who endure to the end will. Those who abandon the race will be disqualified, no matter what they believe. Heaven is only for overcomers.
The question is, why do modern-day preachers refuse to tell the people these things? Why do they only tell them what God can do for them but very rarely what God requires of them? These days most preachers behave like slimy salesmen, telling the people what they want to hear so they can close the sale. The problem is not so much what they say, but what they don’t say, and they never say there is a price to pay.
That’s why it’s your responsibility to read the fine print. So make sure you read the fine print of the Gospel covenant (contract). Get to know your rights and obligations. Make sure you count the cost, because there will be a price to pay. Otherwise, when tribulation and persecution come, you will say, “Sorry, I didn’t sign up for that. I was told God will bless me if I become a Christian.”
Jesus requires committed disciples, not superficial believers. So take some time and ask yourself a few questions. How far you are willing to go? What price are you willing to pay? What is more important to you than eternal life? Do a self-examination today, while the times are still good. Now is the time to grow stronger in faith. Once the tribulation and persecution start, it will be much harder.
To close on a positive note, the fact that those who fall away won’t go to heaven doesn’t mean that if you deny Jesus in a moment of weakness there is no more chance for you. IF you repent, Jesus will forgive you, just as He forgave Peter. As long as you are still alive, all is not lost. Don’t let the Devil tell you there is no more chance for you. IF you are willing to return to Him and not deny Him anymore, Jesus will certainly take you back, unless you took the mark of the beast.