Bible verses about "backsliding" | Mace

⁶² Jesus answered him, whoever puts his hand to the plough, and looks back, is not fit to be employ'd in the kingdom of God.

²⁰ As for those who have renounc'd the pollutions of the world, by their owning Jesus Christ for their Lord and saviour, if they are prevail'd upon to be entangled therein again, their last state is worse than the first. ²¹ for it had been better for them, not to have made any profession of the gospel, than after they have embraced it, to abandon the holy injunction, that was delivered to them. ²² but the proverb is exactly verified in them, "the dog is return'd to his own vomit: the sow that was wash'd, is wallowing in the mire."

¹ To the angel of the church of Ephesus, write, "HE that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, says thus, ² I know thy works, thy labour, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear those who are evil: thou hast tried those who say they are apostles, but are not; and hast found them lyars: ³ thou hast suffer'd, hast patience, for my name's sake thou hast laboured, and hast not fainted. ⁴ nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. ⁵ remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent. ⁶ but in this thou art right, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. ⁷ he that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches, to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of my God." ⁸ And to the angel of the church in Smyrna, write, "THESE things saith the first and last, who was dead, and is alive." ⁹ "I know thy works, thy tribulation and poverty (tho' thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of satan. ¹⁰ fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. ¹¹ he that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches, he that overcometh, shall not be hurt by the second death." ¹² And to the angel of the church in Pergamos, write, "THESE things, saith he, who hath the sharp sword with two edges, ¹³ I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where the throne of satan is: thou maintainest my name, and hast not renounced your faith in me, even at a time when Antipas my faithful martyr was slain among you, where Satan dwells. ¹⁴ but I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there those that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who counselled Balac to ensnare the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication. ¹⁵ you have likewise those that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I hate. ¹⁶ repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. ¹⁷ he that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches: to him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man understands, except he that receives it." ¹⁸ And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira, write, "THESE things saith the son of God, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and his feet like fine brass; I know thy works, ¹⁹ your charitable offices, your faith, and your patience, and that your last works exceed the first. ²⁰ notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel, who stiles herself a prophetess, and teaches and seduces my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. ²¹ I gave her space to repent of her fornication, but she repented not. ²² behold, I will confine her to her bed, and those that commit adultery with her I will severely afflict, except they repent of their actions. ²³ I will strike her children dead; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the reins and the heart: and I will give to every one of you according to your works. ²⁴ but I say to the rest that are in Thyatira, who do not follow this doctrine, and have not been initiated in the depths, as they are called, of satan, I will put upon you no other burden, but what you have: ²⁵ hold that fast till I come. ²⁶ he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: ²⁷ he shall rule them with a rod of iron: as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers, according to the power I have received of my father. ²⁸ I will even give him the lustre of the morning-star. ²⁹ he that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith to the churches."

¹ And unto the angel of the church in Sardis, write, "THESE things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast the reputation of being alive, but art dead. ² be watchful, and fortify the rest that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. ³ remember therefore what thou hast received and heard: observe it and repent. if therefore thou art not vigilant, I will come upon thee as a thief, thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. ⁴ thou hast a few persons in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. ⁵ he that overcometh, the same shall be cloathed in white raiment; I will not efface his name out of the book of life, but I will own him before my father, and before his angels. ⁶ he that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches." ⁷ And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write, "THESE things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth what no man can shut; and shutteth what no man can open: ⁸ I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for tho' few in number, you have kept my word, and have not renounced my name. ⁹ you shall see I will make those of the synagogue of satan, who say they are Jews, and are not, but do lye: you shall see I will make them come, and throw themselves at your feet, and they shall know that you are the objects of my love. ¹⁰ because you have kept my precept about patience, I also will keep you in the time of persecution, which shall happen to all the world, to try the inhabitants of the earth. ¹¹ behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, let no man take your crown. ¹² him that overcomes, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more: I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which descends from heaven from my God: even my new name will I write. ¹³ he that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches." ¹⁴ And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, write, "these things saith the AMEN, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; ¹⁵ I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. ¹⁶ but since thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. ¹⁷ you say you are rich, and have increased your gain, and have need of nothing; but you do not consider that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel thee to purchase of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayst be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayst be cloathed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear; and an ointment for thine eyes to make you see clear. ¹⁹ as many as I love, I rebuke and chastise: be warm therefore with zeal, and repent. ²⁰ behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, I will sup with him, and he shall afterwards be entertain'd by me. ²¹ to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my father in his throne. ²² he that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches.

¹ At another time I had a vision, when I saw a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard talking to me, was like the sound of a trumpet; which said, "come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter." ² Immediately I was in an extasy: and I saw a throne placed in heaven, and one sitting on the throne. ³ he that sat, appear'd to the sight, like a jasper, and a sardine stone: and there was an arch like a rain-bow, round about the throne, which had the appearance of an emerald. ⁴ round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty Elders sitting, cloathed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. ⁵ out of the throne proceeded lightnings, and thundrings, and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. ⁶ Before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and towards the throne, and round about the throne were four ANIMALS full of eyes before and behind. ⁷ the first animal was like a lion, the second animal like a calf, the third animal appear'd like a man, and the fourth animal was like a flying eagle. ⁸ the four animals had each of them six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within; and they never ceas'd day and night, crying, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, Lord God ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS, WHO IS, AND WHO WILL BE. and when those animals gave glory, ⁹ and honour, and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the ¹⁰ four and twenty elders fell down before him that sat on the throne, and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ¹¹ "thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power: for thou hast created all things, by thy WILL they subsist, and were created."

⁸ for by grace are ye saved, thro' faith (and that not from us: ⁹ it is the gift of God) but not by works, so that no man can boast:

⁵ Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; bring yourselves to the proof; are you so little acquainted with yourselves, as not to know whether Jesus Christ be in you? but if you are destitute of proofs,

⁹ if we confess our sins, as he is faithful and just, he will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all iniquity.

⁴ For it is impossible for those who were once enlightned, and have received the heavenly gifts, communicated by the holy spirit, ⁵ and have known by experience the truth of the divine promises, and the miracles of the age that was to come; it is impossible, ⁶ if they shall fall away, to re-instate themselves by repentance: seeing, as far in them lies, they crucify the son of God afresh, and expose him to open shame.