Huh? What metaphors in these verses? The "seal"? This is a literal seal, the Holy Spirit. Are you suggesting the Holy Spirit is a isn't literal? Or a metaphor?[/QUOTE +
You sound intelligent enough to know what the metaphor is about --- don't be coyish. Sorry for being personal but it couldn't be helped... Don't fish.
lol. Are you agreeing or disagreeing with once sealed always sealed? That's the only relevant point here. And I changed nothing.
I was pointing out that once saved always saved can be said once sealed always sealed. If you disagree, please proceed with an explanation for why.
There are a few reasons why the sealing is not a valid point.
1. All of the scriptures in the bible must be reconciled to each other. If loss of salvation is obvious, one cannot take a few verses and understand them out of context.
2. Paul was speaking to persons of a different era. WE might understand that a seal cannot be unsealed, but, in fact, in can.
Many times a king would send out a decree with a seal on it. Did this mean he could not change his mind? NO. He would send out another decree nullifying the first. Thus making the first of no effect.
3. What does the word "seal" mean? It means to be maked with a special mark. Which indeed we are. And yes, we are sealed but we are also asked NOT TO GRIEVE the Holy Spirit. If we do grieve the Holy Spirit, will we still be sealed? Jesus said we will not be forgiven the blaspheme of the Holy Spirit, that is, to deny the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 2:12b
4. Mathew 27:66
After Jesus was put in the grave, it was made secure by the guards and they set a seal on it. The seal was broken. Any seal can be broken --- even today a seal on an envelope can be broken.
5. Ephesians 4:30 We are sealed UNTO the day of redemption. The seal is an earnest or a guarantee. An earnest is a down payment. ALL the payments must be made in order to receive our reward, heaven, at the end of our time. We are guaranteed the reward IF we follow God's commandments.
We'll pause right here. You don't have any verse that supports your opinion about "no longer being His sheep". So please don't make stuff up.
JESUS' words did not satisfy you?
HE said: