And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Jesus gives eternal life as his own gift to those who belong to him as sheep to a shepherd, and they will never perish because no person or power can tear them out of his hand. Their safety is doubled, for the Father who is greater than all gave them to Jesus and also keeps them, so they are held secure in the hand of both the Father and the Son. That safety rests not on the strength of their own hold, which is weakness easily broken, but on his unfailing love, keeping power, and complete authority in heaven and earth. No outside power and not even Satan striving to wrest them away can seize them from him, yet the bond can be broken by a person's own choice to leave him and refuse to follow. The promise therefore belongs only to those who hear his voice and follow him in trust, obedience, and persevering faith, remaining close to his side.
Shepherd And Sheep Context
John 10:28 belongs to Jesus' picture of himself as the good Shepherd and of believers as his dependent flock, whom he knows personally and for whom he lays down his life. The knowing is mutual and caring, and the giving of life is the Shepherd's own act for the sheep entrusted to him.
He is the true keeper of the Lord's flock, who draws his sheep to himself even when unfaithful leaders drive them away. The flock will not be left to be spoiled, for he takes them from under harmful influence and preserves them. Over them he appoints true teachers and faithful physicians to tend them in his place.
The whole human family is entrusted to Jesus as sheep are entrusted to a shepherd, to be tended with pastoral care. They belong to him both by creation and by his giving his life for the sheep. He guards them as the faithful Chief Shepherd, working through faithful under-shepherds. Those who obey the voice of the Chief Shepherd are kept safe and are not left to be devoured by wolves.
The security promised is doubled by the Father, for the Father who gave the sheep to Jesus is greater than all and also keeps them, so they are secure in the hand of both the Father and the Son. Jesus gives eternal life to those who hear his voice, are known by him, and follow him, and they will never perish and no one can seize or take them from his hand. No one can take them from the Father's hand either. Those whom the Father gives to Jesus come to him, and he does not cast them out.
Gift Of Eternal Life
Eternal life in John 10:28 is Christ's own gift to those who are His, and they will never perish nor be taken from His hand. The Bible points to Christ, the True Witness, in whom that eternal life is revealed. Those who believe in Him are saved eternally and will live in His presence, for He reaches out to save them. Salvation is the gift of life through eternity, expressing the desire to save every soul. This hope sets the immortality He gives against what lasts only a day, like flowers.
The life He gives was purchased by His own life given for the world, for He is purchaser and Redeemer. It was given at infinite cost through His death from inexpressible love. As the bread come down from heaven He is Himself the gospel feast, from whom flow the streams of salvation with unsearchable, inexhaustible resources. To be invited to receive Him is the greatest honor that can be conferred. As Author of Scripture He gives eternal life to every soul who receives truth and practices it, so that knowing Him through His Word leads to Him and faith acted upon becomes eternal life.
The gift is offered to every human being who comes to Him. He speaks with the authority of greatness in a clear, distinct voice as the good Shepherd whose sheep hear His voice and know Him, placing each one on holy ground close to the living fountain of mercy and love. There the life of God's only begotten Son given for them is pressed on heart and mind by the Holy Spirit. He draws people to Himself and enlightens the world. He redeems those who come from sin and death and will raise them to His throne, yet receiving involves welcoming Him, for He does not force His way into the heart. Believing in Him brings power to become sons of God.
As Giver of life He grants eternal life as God over all. He has power to draw people to Him and to heal every physical and spiritual disease. What physicians aim to do in laboring with zeal to prolong life, He accomplished in the fullest sense. He is truth and life itself, the great Restorer who repeatedly vanquished death and applies the Balm of Gilead. He gives the physician reason and intelligence, so that one learned in His school ministers to diseased bodies while watching for souls as one who must give an account. Those who help others learn of Him can become means by which they grasp His saving hand, and all praise for salvation belongs to God and the Lamb.
Secure In Christ's Hand
Jesus gives eternal life to those who belong to him, whom he knows and who hear his voice and follow him, and they will never perish and no one can take them from his protecting hand. What belongs to him is secure, and his power and care assure their salvation.
Their safety rests not on the strength of their own hold on him but on his unfailing love and keeping power. Their own grasp is perfect weakness, weak and easily broken, and they cannot keep themselves in their own strength but are kept by the power of God. Because he has all power in heaven and earth, everyone who obeys what he says and puts whole trust in him is kept safe in his love. Salvation does not depend on their own efforts or goodness, but through union and relationship with him they have eternal life as a free gift earned by him, and he protects them through life's trials and Satan's attacks unto eternal life and glory.
No outside power can tear his followers away, and he will never abandon one for whom he died. He holds fast those who give themselves to God even after his ascension to the presence of God and the throne of the universe, with no loss of compassionate nature, the same tender heart still open to human woe and the pierced hand still reached out to bless his people more abundantly. The bond between him and humanity cannot be broken by any power except a person's own choice to separate from him and leave him, and unless they so choose he keeps them safe from perishing. Satan tempts people to make that choice to leave, but by continually keeping the eyes fixed on Jesus they are preserved and changed into his likeness by the Spirit.
Those who trust in Jesus are held securely in his hand and no one can take them away. Because he knows the past, present, and future and loves the believer and will bless them, personal weakness, sensitivity, and reticence can be overcome with confidence. Each soul is precious to him, and if he let go of a person that person would drift, but by faith they may grasp his hand which will never let them go.
By keeping the eyes fixed on him, leaning the whole weight on him, and clinging closely to the Life-giver, believers are borne up and held in his arms so that no power can shake them off. By placing one's own hands and one's children's hands in his hands by faith, he grasps their hands and holds them and never lets them go. Those thus held are the purchase of his blood, preserved and changed into his likeness, and he is their life, their light, and their crown of rejoicing. His Spirit striving with them gives daily a fresh and constantly growing experience in the knowledge of God and of Christ, producing firm faith in the truth and genuine love for him that is seen by their children and fortifies them by wise instruction and steady advancement in spirituality. His keeping calls them to labor together with him to save souls for a double purpose, that souls may be saved and answer to their names when the roll is called in heaven, and his hold is laid upon by earnest labor and wrestling prayer for children under temptation and discouragement until they gain the victory over Satan's determined power to have them and can call God Father.
Conditional Keeping And Obedience
Eternal life is given to those who hear the voice and follow, and never to those who follow a stranger, for the promise belongs only to those who know and understand the voice, who have taken the yoke and lift the burdens, who possess meekness and lowliness, and in whom the likeness grows more and more distinct in character. This conditional keeping is the only election taught. While they follow, they will never perish, because no one can take them out of the hand, the infinite price having bound this world to heaven and the redeemed remaining here under keeping. Those who remain close are secure and cannot be taken, borne up in the hands all the days of life while they keep close to the side.
Safety and self-reliance are found only in God, while human independence apart from Him is miserable failure that severs from the Keeper, leaves unfit for any good, and puts out the light in darkness and disorder, for when men depart from obedience they do not love to be in the light and this makes their deeds evil. Keeping is conditional on obedience to the commandments, which always point out the safe and right way and give right to the tree of life and entry through the gates into the city. Only as believers walk in the path of obedience do they show love for Christ, keep close to His side where the wicked one touches them not and cannot pluck them out, and do not fall a prey to temptation. If they comply with the conditions of salvation, clear evidence is given of continual presence and unfailing love, with the promises yea and amen and a very present help in trouble, from One touched with the feeling of infirmities and moved toward those exposed to a relentless foe they cannot meet in their own strength, showing Himself strong in behalf of those who fear Him.
The promise holds for those who hope and pray and by faith trust the Word, who love and obey the law, though they will meet trials and temptations just as Jesus met. It is fulfilled as people accept Him as personal Saviour and cooperate rather than resist or refuse the salvation offered, when He cleanses from moral defilement and presents faultless before God. Those who believe as their own Saviour have eternal life and will never perish, not by a shallow faith but by a living, constant, abiding faith that bears works and depends on Christ, bringing pardon for breaking the law and lifting into favor with more than mere admission to heaven, an abundant entrance. Believers are in no danger while they make God their trust, but neglect and unbelief leave souls weak and vulnerable to Satan. Safety belongs to the life of continual repentance and humility, for where there is true humility there is victory, and if the soul is trusting and working obediently the mind stays open to divine impressions and the light shines in to enlighten the understanding, so that the enemy can never take the one simply trusting the promises out of the hand.
Security belongs with persevering following, for those who believe and persevere in following will not perish and no one can take them from the hand, with complete salvation giving assurance of entrance into the everlasting kingdom as they depend on Him. Those who obey instruction are under care even amid temptation, with the faithful Shepherd's guidance available at every step in unity with Him. It belongs with a growing, practical knowledge of the living God and of Christ that surrenders the will fully, trusts to bring through trying places, and appears in service, words, spirit, and daily conduct that purifies and blesses others, holding safe all whom the Father has given where no one can take them away. A Christlike life and character brings others to become sons and daughters of God who share the promise and have their names written in the Lamb's book of life.
Christ's Saving Work And Worth
John 10:28 measures how Jesus values every soul by the expiatory atoning sacrifice He made so fallen humanity might stand on vantage ground with God. He has bound up His life interest for eternity with every soul who comes to Him and receives Him by faith, giving eternal life and holding them secure so none can pluck them out of His hands. Every soul given to Christ is more precious to Him than the whole world, and He would have passed through the agony of Calvary to save even one. He will never abandon one for whom He died, and no outside power can tear His followers away.
He has bought His people and claims them as His own peculiar treasure and purchased possession, holding them fast so no one can take them from Him. Those who willingly surrender to Him are guided aright, shaped by His grace, put in the place He chooses to work out His purposes, and fitted for the work He chooses for them. He works on them as precious jewels taken as rough stones, and only those who submit to His polishing are pronounced worthy of a place in the Lord's temple and in His casket. The polishing is severe and trying, cutting deep into human pride and self-sufficiency, cutting away self-uplifting, wearing away all roughness and defects of character, and filling them with His grace until the stone reflects Christ and shines with living brightness to bring honor to His name. At His appearing and triumph and coronation day they will be jewels in His crown of rejoicing.
He fulfills the promise to save when people accept Him as personal Saviour and cooperate with Him rather than resist or refuse the salvation offered, committing the keeping of the soul to His care. The present and eternal security of man is in Jesus Christ the Righteous as surety, and fallen men ransomed by His blood receive the righteousness of Christ as a free gift. Having loved them because of their love for Jesus, He loves them to the end, laying help for them on One who is mighty, His only begotten Son as Saviour of everyone, who paid the ransom by giving His own life as man's substitute and surety. When guilty people deserving punishment go free through faith in Christ's merits, all their disgrace and sins are charged to Christ's account, and though blameless He bears their guilt, imputes His own righteousness to them, holds fast the faith of everyone in Him, cleanses them from moral defilement, and presents them faultless and innocent before God the Father so no man can take that imputed righteousness away. Those who trust solely in the merits of His atonement will never perish, for even in helplessness and darkness they can depend on the saving strength of the crucified and risen Saviour and wait in faith. The promise holds when believers suffer injustice from brethren and feel humiliated though guiltless and are tempted to assert their rights, lifting them into God's favor with pardon for breaking the law and more than mere admission to heaven, and keeping it calls for watching unto prayer while following Christ's patient example of suffering wrongfully from youth to the close of His life.
As the faithful Shepherd, when His sheep heed His voice and follow Him He saves them from evil and shields them from danger. In Him they find spiritual nourishment, strength, hope, and peace, rather than seeking harmful pleasures to satisfy the heart.
Protection In Trial And Temptation
Satan is at war against Christ's followers and strives to wrest them from his hand, yet he has no power to seize anyone out of Christ's hand. Not one soul who in penitence and faith has claimed Christ's protection and committed the keeping of the soul to him will be permitted to pass under the enemy's power. Every sincere soul who comes to the true Shepherd finds help and receives eternal life, and is kept from being taken from his hand. All who have put on the robe of Christ's righteousness stand as chosen and faithful and true, kept secure by Christ against every accusation and device of Satan. Those who turn to Jesus for strength and persevere in faith are delivered from Satan's attacks by Christ's power, with angels of God walking on either side of them even in this world until they stand at last among the angels surrounding the throne of God.
Though Christ's sheep meet trials and temptations just as he did, no person or power can take them from his keeping. Those given to Christ by the Father are secure in his hand, and his power and care assure their salvation to those who hear and follow him as his sheep. His protection is shown by his having faced earthly dangers, overcome Satan and his temptations, and died to save them, and though now in heaven he does not forget his disciples. Christ stays beside those who are tempted, so with his help they need not be defeated, and when trials come they should look to him rather than wait for every difficulty to be resolved.
Those who flee to Christ for pardon are secure in his hands and no power can take them from him, for in him they find refuge from the second death and safety from divine wrath. Their safety rests on his blood, perfect obedience, and plea for mercy, not on their own merits, as they trust him in repentance and faith. This promise gives peace and rest amid change, assuring that the faithful people who are hidden now will be preserved as they take their stand for God. He keeps his people safe in his hands amid national strife and destruction, so they can trust him through the trials that test them.
Satan cannot take those who belong to Christ from his hand without a struggle. When a person turns to Jesus for strength, perseveres in faith, and relies on Christ's merits, Jesus hears the prayer and sends angels to help, so Satan and his angels are driven back and their power is limited. Those who turn from what is right place themselves in danger, but if they recognize the snare, make a determined effort to turn back, and humbly confess their wrongs, God's angels come to their aid and rescue them from the powers of darkness. The Lord cares for his sheep and will not allow them to be deceived and destroyed, but gives them eternal life and keeps them secure in his hand. He is touched with their infirmities and strong on behalf of those who fear him, though they cannot meet the relentless foe in their own strength.
Future Hope And Fulfillment
Those who follow him will not be lost even if they are killed for his sake, for he claims his own and keeps them safe from the enemy's power. Though they sleep in death they await the resurrection, when he will raise them to life that never ends. Then he will give them an unfading crown of glory and fullness of joy.
Believing on Christ lifted up means responding to his drawing of all, turning from iniquity, and coming to him by setting the feet upon a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with God above the ladder and the bright rays of his glory shining upon every round. Those who believe in this way and perseveringly climb upward will not perish and no one can take them from his hand, gaining entrance into the everlasting kingdom and escaping the deserved heritage of shame. He does not weigh character in human scales but looks graciously upon all climbing painfully upward, and when the hand relaxes and the foot trembles he sends divine help, being able to save completely and to the uttermost all who come to him and depend on him. This complete salvation gives assurance of entrance into his kingdom, while the Christian life still calls for watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance. This security is to be taught by pen and voice in clear, hopeful, heart-melting language, never with discouraging overstrained ideas that make the way to heaven seem very difficult.
Perfect security is pledged by God's seal to those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. That obedience includes keeping his Sabbath, since where that obedience is refused the seal cannot be placed. The sealing is God's pledge of perfect security and complete protection to his chosen ones, showing that they are set apart for himself and appropriated to himself as Christ's purchased possession whom no one can remove from Christ's hands. The seal given in the forehead is God and New Jerusalem, the writing upon them of the name of God and the name of the city of God.
He gives eternal life to his sheep who hear his voice and follow him in unity with him, so they shall never perish and no one can pluck them out of his hand, with the faithful Shepherd's guidance available at every step. A Christlike life and character brings others to become sons and daughters of God who share this promise and have their names written in the Lamb's book of life.
The promise assures his precious ones that he gives them eternal life and that no one can take them from his hand, giving peace and rest amid change. It belongs to the faithful people who are hidden now but will be brought into view through the proclamation of the third angel's message, as they take their position firmly and gladly and take their stand for God. They will be preserved.
Assurance For Church And Life
What belongs to Christ is secure in his hand beyond anyone's power to take, and this holds for God's cause itself. Though wicked men forge falsehoods and bring their strength, even their full strength, against the truth, the cause remains safe in his hands and cannot be removed from him. Jesus lives and reigns, so when such attacks come God's people need not tremble, for the cause is not theirs alone but his. Jesus as head of the church holds the responsibility of giving eternal life to those who hear his voice and follow him, so that they shall never perish nor be taken from his hand, and church or conference leaders cannot take his place in this work.
After his ascension to the presence of God and the throne of the universe he still holds his people fast with no loss of compassionate nature. The same tender, sympathizing heart remains open to all human woe, and the pierced hand is still reached out to bless his people in the world more abundantly. Though now in heaven he does not forget his disciples, for having faced earthly dangers, overcome Satan and temptation, and died to save them, he safely keeps those who follow him so the great enemy cannot take them from his care. God is the true, tender, compassionate Shepherd whose loving faithfulness holds his flock so none can pluck them away, and this keeping manifests his great mercy and unfailing love. Remembering his mercy, love, power and deliverance, and reviewing it and talking of it, frees the heart from selfish murmuring and repining and calls believers to trust, praise and thanksgiving rather than complaint.
Christ holds in his hand the salvation he purchased for the whole world, which Satan is determined to wrest away soul by soul wherever possible. His followers must therefore be witnesses for him under assured tribulation, persecution and trial, no less than came upon the ancient worthies. Those who serve him and link themselves by faith with God's purposes, though they may appear weak or overwhelmed, are secure in his hand and will abide forever despite the fall of kings and nations. No one plucks souls out of Christ's hand, yet workers must hold with larger faith and stronger hold on God's power, trusting him and using every talent. They are to set men at work and educate them how to work in right lines, making every stroke for the victory, because all the mighty resources of heaven await their demand, and without this union of human effort with the divine Satan snatches souls out of their hands. Those who believe in Christ are saved eternally to live in his presence as he reaches out to save them, and those who help others learn of him become means by which they grasp his saving hand, so that all praise for salvation belongs to God and the Lamb.
Jesus gives eternal life as his own gift to those who belong to him as sheep to a shepherd, and they will never perish because no person or power can tear them out of his hand. Their safety is doubled, for the Father who is greater than all gave them to Jesus and also keeps them, so they are held secure in the hand of both the Father and the Son. That safety rests not on the strength of their own hold, which is weakness easily broken, but on his unfailing love, keeping power, and complete authority in heaven and earth. No outside power and not even Satan striving to wrest them away can seize them from him, yet the bond can be broken by a person's own choice to leave him and refuse to follow. The promise therefore belongs only to those who hear his voice and follow him in trust, obedience, and persevering faith, remaining close to his side.
Shepherd And Sheep Context
John 10:28 belongs to Jesus' picture of himself as the good Shepherd and of believers as his dependent flock, whom he knows personally and for whom he lays down his life. The knowing is mutual and caring, and the giving of life is the Shepherd's own act for the sheep entrusted to him.
He is the true keeper of the Lord's flock, who draws his sheep to himself even when unfaithful leaders drive them away. The flock will not be left to be spoiled, for he takes them from under harmful influence and preserves them. Over them he appoints true teachers and faithful physicians to tend them in his place.
The whole human family is entrusted to Jesus as sheep are entrusted to a shepherd, to be tended with pastoral care. They belong to him both by creation and by his giving his life for the sheep. He guards them as the faithful Chief Shepherd, working through faithful under-shepherds. Those who obey the voice of the Chief Shepherd are kept safe and are not left to be devoured by wolves.
The security promised is doubled by the Father, for the Father who gave the sheep to Jesus is greater than all and also keeps them, so they are secure in the hand of both the Father and the Son. Jesus gives eternal life to those who hear his voice, are known by him, and follow him, and they will never perish and no one can seize or take them from his hand. No one can take them from the Father's hand either. Those whom the Father gives to Jesus come to him, and he does not cast them out.
Gift Of Eternal Life
Eternal life in John 10:28 is Christ's own gift to those who are His, and they will never perish nor be taken from His hand. The Bible points to Christ, the True Witness, in whom that eternal life is revealed. Those who believe in Him are saved eternally and will live in His presence, for He reaches out to save them. Salvation is the gift of life through eternity, expressing the desire to save every soul. This hope sets the immortality He gives against what lasts only a day, like flowers.
The life He gives was purchased by His own life given for the world, for He is purchaser and Redeemer. It was given at infinite cost through His death from inexpressible love. As the bread come down from heaven He is Himself the gospel feast, from whom flow the streams of salvation with unsearchable, inexhaustible resources. To be invited to receive Him is the greatest honor that can be conferred. As Author of Scripture He gives eternal life to every soul who receives truth and practices it, so that knowing Him through His Word leads to Him and faith acted upon becomes eternal life.
The gift is offered to every human being who comes to Him. He speaks with the authority of greatness in a clear, distinct voice as the good Shepherd whose sheep hear His voice and know Him, placing each one on holy ground close to the living fountain of mercy and love. There the life of God's only begotten Son given for them is pressed on heart and mind by the Holy Spirit. He draws people to Himself and enlightens the world. He redeems those who come from sin and death and will raise them to His throne, yet receiving involves welcoming Him, for He does not force His way into the heart. Believing in Him brings power to become sons of God.
As Giver of life He grants eternal life as God over all. He has power to draw people to Him and to heal every physical and spiritual disease. What physicians aim to do in laboring with zeal to prolong life, He accomplished in the fullest sense. He is truth and life itself, the great Restorer who repeatedly vanquished death and applies the Balm of Gilead. He gives the physician reason and intelligence, so that one learned in His school ministers to diseased bodies while watching for souls as one who must give an account. Those who help others learn of Him can become means by which they grasp His saving hand, and all praise for salvation belongs to God and the Lamb.
Secure In Christ's Hand
Jesus gives eternal life to those who belong to him, whom he knows and who hear his voice and follow him, and they will never perish and no one can take them from his protecting hand. What belongs to him is secure, and his power and care assure their salvation.
Their safety rests not on the strength of their own hold on him but on his unfailing love and keeping power. Their own grasp is perfect weakness, weak and easily broken, and they cannot keep themselves in their own strength but are kept by the power of God. Because he has all power in heaven and earth, everyone who obeys what he says and puts whole trust in him is kept safe in his love. Salvation does not depend on their own efforts or goodness, but through union and relationship with him they have eternal life as a free gift earned by him, and he protects them through life's trials and Satan's attacks unto eternal life and glory.
No outside power can tear his followers away, and he will never abandon one for whom he died. He holds fast those who give themselves to God even after his ascension to the presence of God and the throne of the universe, with no loss of compassionate nature, the same tender heart still open to human woe and the pierced hand still reached out to bless his people more abundantly. The bond between him and humanity cannot be broken by any power except a person's own choice to separate from him and leave him, and unless they so choose he keeps them safe from perishing. Satan tempts people to make that choice to leave, but by continually keeping the eyes fixed on Jesus they are preserved and changed into his likeness by the Spirit.
Those who trust in Jesus are held securely in his hand and no one can take them away. Because he knows the past, present, and future and loves the believer and will bless them, personal weakness, sensitivity, and reticence can be overcome with confidence. Each soul is precious to him, and if he let go of a person that person would drift, but by faith they may grasp his hand which will never let them go.
By keeping the eyes fixed on him, leaning the whole weight on him, and clinging closely to the Life-giver, believers are borne up and held in his arms so that no power can shake them off. By placing one's own hands and one's children's hands in his hands by faith, he grasps their hands and holds them and never lets them go. Those thus held are the purchase of his blood, preserved and changed into his likeness, and he is their life, their light, and their crown of rejoicing. His Spirit striving with them gives daily a fresh and constantly growing experience in the knowledge of God and of Christ, producing firm faith in the truth and genuine love for him that is seen by their children and fortifies them by wise instruction and steady advancement in spirituality. His keeping calls them to labor together with him to save souls for a double purpose, that souls may be saved and answer to their names when the roll is called in heaven, and his hold is laid upon by earnest labor and wrestling prayer for children under temptation and discouragement until they gain the victory over Satan's determined power to have them and can call God Father.
Conditional Keeping And Obedience
Eternal life is given to those who hear the voice and follow, and never to those who follow a stranger, for the promise belongs only to those who know and understand the voice, who have taken the yoke and lift the burdens, who possess meekness and lowliness, and in whom the likeness grows more and more distinct in character. This conditional keeping is the only election taught. While they follow, they will never perish, because no one can take them out of the hand, the infinite price having bound this world to heaven and the redeemed remaining here under keeping. Those who remain close are secure and cannot be taken, borne up in the hands all the days of life while they keep close to the side.
Safety and self-reliance are found only in God, while human independence apart from Him is miserable failure that severs from the Keeper, leaves unfit for any good, and puts out the light in darkness and disorder, for when men depart from obedience they do not love to be in the light and this makes their deeds evil. Keeping is conditional on obedience to the commandments, which always point out the safe and right way and give right to the tree of life and entry through the gates into the city. Only as believers walk in the path of obedience do they show love for Christ, keep close to His side where the wicked one touches them not and cannot pluck them out, and do not fall a prey to temptation. If they comply with the conditions of salvation, clear evidence is given of continual presence and unfailing love, with the promises yea and amen and a very present help in trouble, from One touched with the feeling of infirmities and moved toward those exposed to a relentless foe they cannot meet in their own strength, showing Himself strong in behalf of those who fear Him.
The promise holds for those who hope and pray and by faith trust the Word, who love and obey the law, though they will meet trials and temptations just as Jesus met. It is fulfilled as people accept Him as personal Saviour and cooperate rather than resist or refuse the salvation offered, when He cleanses from moral defilement and presents faultless before God. Those who believe as their own Saviour have eternal life and will never perish, not by a shallow faith but by a living, constant, abiding faith that bears works and depends on Christ, bringing pardon for breaking the law and lifting into favor with more than mere admission to heaven, an abundant entrance. Believers are in no danger while they make God their trust, but neglect and unbelief leave souls weak and vulnerable to Satan. Safety belongs to the life of continual repentance and humility, for where there is true humility there is victory, and if the soul is trusting and working obediently the mind stays open to divine impressions and the light shines in to enlighten the understanding, so that the enemy can never take the one simply trusting the promises out of the hand.
Security belongs with persevering following, for those who believe and persevere in following will not perish and no one can take them from the hand, with complete salvation giving assurance of entrance into the everlasting kingdom as they depend on Him. Those who obey instruction are under care even amid temptation, with the faithful Shepherd's guidance available at every step in unity with Him. It belongs with a growing, practical knowledge of the living God and of Christ that surrenders the will fully, trusts to bring through trying places, and appears in service, words, spirit, and daily conduct that purifies and blesses others, holding safe all whom the Father has given where no one can take them away. A Christlike life and character brings others to become sons and daughters of God who share the promise and have their names written in the Lamb's book of life.
Christ's Saving Work And Worth
John 10:28 measures how Jesus values every soul by the expiatory atoning sacrifice He made so fallen humanity might stand on vantage ground with God. He has bound up His life interest for eternity with every soul who comes to Him and receives Him by faith, giving eternal life and holding them secure so none can pluck them out of His hands. Every soul given to Christ is more precious to Him than the whole world, and He would have passed through the agony of Calvary to save even one. He will never abandon one for whom He died, and no outside power can tear His followers away.
He has bought His people and claims them as His own peculiar treasure and purchased possession, holding them fast so no one can take them from Him. Those who willingly surrender to Him are guided aright, shaped by His grace, put in the place He chooses to work out His purposes, and fitted for the work He chooses for them. He works on them as precious jewels taken as rough stones, and only those who submit to His polishing are pronounced worthy of a place in the Lord's temple and in His casket. The polishing is severe and trying, cutting deep into human pride and self-sufficiency, cutting away self-uplifting, wearing away all roughness and defects of character, and filling them with His grace until the stone reflects Christ and shines with living brightness to bring honor to His name. At His appearing and triumph and coronation day they will be jewels in His crown of rejoicing.
He fulfills the promise to save when people accept Him as personal Saviour and cooperate with Him rather than resist or refuse the salvation offered, committing the keeping of the soul to His care. The present and eternal security of man is in Jesus Christ the Righteous as surety, and fallen men ransomed by His blood receive the righteousness of Christ as a free gift. Having loved them because of their love for Jesus, He loves them to the end, laying help for them on One who is mighty, His only begotten Son as Saviour of everyone, who paid the ransom by giving His own life as man's substitute and surety. When guilty people deserving punishment go free through faith in Christ's merits, all their disgrace and sins are charged to Christ's account, and though blameless He bears their guilt, imputes His own righteousness to them, holds fast the faith of everyone in Him, cleanses them from moral defilement, and presents them faultless and innocent before God the Father so no man can take that imputed righteousness away. Those who trust solely in the merits of His atonement will never perish, for even in helplessness and darkness they can depend on the saving strength of the crucified and risen Saviour and wait in faith. The promise holds when believers suffer injustice from brethren and feel humiliated though guiltless and are tempted to assert their rights, lifting them into God's favor with pardon for breaking the law and more than mere admission to heaven, and keeping it calls for watching unto prayer while following Christ's patient example of suffering wrongfully from youth to the close of His life.
As the faithful Shepherd, when His sheep heed His voice and follow Him He saves them from evil and shields them from danger. In Him they find spiritual nourishment, strength, hope, and peace, rather than seeking harmful pleasures to satisfy the heart.
Protection In Trial And Temptation
Satan is at war against Christ's followers and strives to wrest them from his hand, yet he has no power to seize anyone out of Christ's hand. Not one soul who in penitence and faith has claimed Christ's protection and committed the keeping of the soul to him will be permitted to pass under the enemy's power. Every sincere soul who comes to the true Shepherd finds help and receives eternal life, and is kept from being taken from his hand. All who have put on the robe of Christ's righteousness stand as chosen and faithful and true, kept secure by Christ against every accusation and device of Satan. Those who turn to Jesus for strength and persevere in faith are delivered from Satan's attacks by Christ's power, with angels of God walking on either side of them even in this world until they stand at last among the angels surrounding the throne of God.
Though Christ's sheep meet trials and temptations just as he did, no person or power can take them from his keeping. Those given to Christ by the Father are secure in his hand, and his power and care assure their salvation to those who hear and follow him as his sheep. His protection is shown by his having faced earthly dangers, overcome Satan and his temptations, and died to save them, and though now in heaven he does not forget his disciples. Christ stays beside those who are tempted, so with his help they need not be defeated, and when trials come they should look to him rather than wait for every difficulty to be resolved.
Those who flee to Christ for pardon are secure in his hands and no power can take them from him, for in him they find refuge from the second death and safety from divine wrath. Their safety rests on his blood, perfect obedience, and plea for mercy, not on their own merits, as they trust him in repentance and faith. This promise gives peace and rest amid change, assuring that the faithful people who are hidden now will be preserved as they take their stand for God. He keeps his people safe in his hands amid national strife and destruction, so they can trust him through the trials that test them.
Satan cannot take those who belong to Christ from his hand without a struggle. When a person turns to Jesus for strength, perseveres in faith, and relies on Christ's merits, Jesus hears the prayer and sends angels to help, so Satan and his angels are driven back and their power is limited. Those who turn from what is right place themselves in danger, but if they recognize the snare, make a determined effort to turn back, and humbly confess their wrongs, God's angels come to their aid and rescue them from the powers of darkness. The Lord cares for his sheep and will not allow them to be deceived and destroyed, but gives them eternal life and keeps them secure in his hand. He is touched with their infirmities and strong on behalf of those who fear him, though they cannot meet the relentless foe in their own strength.
Future Hope And Fulfillment
Those who follow him will not be lost even if they are killed for his sake, for he claims his own and keeps them safe from the enemy's power. Though they sleep in death they await the resurrection, when he will raise them to life that never ends. Then he will give them an unfading crown of glory and fullness of joy.
Believing on Christ lifted up means responding to his drawing of all, turning from iniquity, and coming to him by setting the feet upon a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with God above the ladder and the bright rays of his glory shining upon every round. Those who believe in this way and perseveringly climb upward will not perish and no one can take them from his hand, gaining entrance into the everlasting kingdom and escaping the deserved heritage of shame. He does not weigh character in human scales but looks graciously upon all climbing painfully upward, and when the hand relaxes and the foot trembles he sends divine help, being able to save completely and to the uttermost all who come to him and depend on him. This complete salvation gives assurance of entrance into his kingdom, while the Christian life still calls for watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance. This security is to be taught by pen and voice in clear, hopeful, heart-melting language, never with discouraging overstrained ideas that make the way to heaven seem very difficult.
Perfect security is pledged by God's seal to those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. That obedience includes keeping his Sabbath, since where that obedience is refused the seal cannot be placed. The sealing is God's pledge of perfect security and complete protection to his chosen ones, showing that they are set apart for himself and appropriated to himself as Christ's purchased possession whom no one can remove from Christ's hands. The seal given in the forehead is God and New Jerusalem, the writing upon them of the name of God and the name of the city of God.
He gives eternal life to his sheep who hear his voice and follow him in unity with him, so they shall never perish and no one can pluck them out of his hand, with the faithful Shepherd's guidance available at every step. A Christlike life and character brings others to become sons and daughters of God who share this promise and have their names written in the Lamb's book of life.
The promise assures his precious ones that he gives them eternal life and that no one can take them from his hand, giving peace and rest amid change. It belongs to the faithful people who are hidden now but will be brought into view through the proclamation of the third angel's message, as they take their position firmly and gladly and take their stand for God. They will be preserved.
Assurance For Church And Life
What belongs to Christ is secure in his hand beyond anyone's power to take, and this holds for God's cause itself. Though wicked men forge falsehoods and bring their strength, even their full strength, against the truth, the cause remains safe in his hands and cannot be removed from him. Jesus lives and reigns, so when such attacks come God's people need not tremble, for the cause is not theirs alone but his. Jesus as head of the church holds the responsibility of giving eternal life to those who hear his voice and follow him, so that they shall never perish nor be taken from his hand, and church or conference leaders cannot take his place in this work.
After his ascension to the presence of God and the throne of the universe he still holds his people fast with no loss of compassionate nature. The same tender, sympathizing heart remains open to all human woe, and the pierced hand is still reached out to bless his people in the world more abundantly. Though now in heaven he does not forget his disciples, for having faced earthly dangers, overcome Satan and temptation, and died to save them, he safely keeps those who follow him so the great enemy cannot take them from his care. God is the true, tender, compassionate Shepherd whose loving faithfulness holds his flock so none can pluck them away, and this keeping manifests his great mercy and unfailing love. Remembering his mercy, love, power and deliverance, and reviewing it and talking of it, frees the heart from selfish murmuring and repining and calls believers to trust, praise and thanksgiving rather than complaint.
Christ holds in his hand the salvation he purchased for the whole world, which Satan is determined to wrest away soul by soul wherever possible. His followers must therefore be witnesses for him under assured tribulation, persecution and trial, no less than came upon the ancient worthies. Those who serve him and link themselves by faith with God's purposes, though they may appear weak or overwhelmed, are secure in his hand and will abide forever despite the fall of kings and nations. No one plucks souls out of Christ's hand, yet workers must hold with larger faith and stronger hold on God's power, trusting him and using every talent. They are to set men at work and educate them how to work in right lines, making every stroke for the victory, because all the mighty resources of heaven await their demand, and without this union of human effort with the divine Satan snatches souls out of their hands. Those who believe in Christ are saved eternally to live in his presence as he reaches out to save them, and those who help others learn of him become means by which they grasp his saving hand, so that all praise for salvation belongs to God and the Lamb.