The BIG Picture (Q&A)

Jesus was a minister of the circumcision (which is Israel). What Jesus said in this verse is true for Israel under the Kingdom gospel . They had to remain faithful to their Messiah and were taught to endure through the tribulation until Christ came again at His second advent. Jesus told them to pick up their cross and follow Him. He also told them that no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God, Luke 9:62 . It is Israel that has to endure to the end as this is the conditions of their salvation. As for us, today, in this dispensation of grace, our salvation is not dependent on endurance. Yes, Paul encourages us to endure in our service to God and in the Body of Christ, because of our love for Him and the good works we are led to do for Christ, but as for our salvation, that is not based on works and enduring to the end. When we respond in faith to the grace gospel, we are saved and sealed eternally into Christ. The blood of Christ provides...

Israel have always been under a covenant program. If they did what God commanded, they were blessed. If not, they fell under a curse. The very essence of the law was built on a foundation of works. This is why the book of James hammers home the need to prove your faith with works. Even the need to endure in these works was needed to be able to enter into the Kingdom. There are many verses in the Gospels that demand the need to endure, Matt.24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.  Further statements that emphasis this point are, that they had to prove their faith, or be counted worthy, or pick up their cross and follow, or sell all they had and follow their Messiah. Works and endurance were key to the Jewish existence and salvation.  One more example that can imply this is the parable of the faithful servants. The end of the parable reads as follows, Matt.25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For ...