HE LATER DESTROYED THOSE WHO DID NOT BELIEVE

Welcome to our Bible study—the Word of our God, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105).

This life-giving Word declares:

Jude 1:5 (NKJV)

But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

Here, Scripture warns us that salvation is not the finish line—it is the starting point of a lifelong journey of faith and obedience. God’s deliverance must be followed by perseverance in holiness.

The Israelites were miraculously set free from Egypt—a nation redeemed from the grip of Pharaoh by the mighty hand of God. Yet, out of the multitudes, only Joshua and Caleb and the children born in the wilderness entered the Promised Land (Numbers 14:29–30). The rest perished in the desert because of unbelief and rebellion, even though they had once tasted God’s saving power.

This is a sobering parallel for us today. Many profess Christ, many are baptized, many join churches—but not all will finish the race (Matthew 7:21–23; Hebrews 3:12–14)

The Danger of a Saved-But-Lost Life

The majority of Israel fell into pride and rebellion—like Dathan and Korah, who challenged God’s appointed leadership (Numbers 16). Others filled their hearts with complaining, idolatry, and lust. They had been freed from Pharaoh’s chains, but they refused to be freed from the chains of sin in their hearts (Acts 7:39–42).

They were saved, yet later destroyed… delivered, yet later destroyed… healed, yet later destroyed.

And what makes this tragedy even more alarming is that they perished:

While eating manna—the very bread of heaven (Exodus 16:15; John 6:31–33).

While walking under the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night—symbols of God’s presence and anointing (Exodus 13:21–22).

After passing through the Red Sea—a picture of spiritual baptism and deliverance (1 Corinthians 10:1–2).

This shows us that spiritual experiences and past victories do not guarantee future faithfulness. We must keep walking in obedience to the very end (Matthew 24:13).

Paul’s Warning to the Church

The apostle Paul uses Israel’s history as a warning to New Testament believers:

1 Corinthians 10:1–12 (NKJV)

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness… Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition… Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Paul’s message is clear: spiritual privilege is not a substitute for spiritual perseverance.

Faith That Endures

It is not enough to start well—we must finish well. Hebrews 3:14 reminds us:

For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.

Do you boast in your baptism? Your denomination? Your spiritual gifts? Your anointing? Israel had all these blessings, yet many of them perished because they lacked enduring faith.

The call of God is the same today:

• Pursue holiness—without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
• Flee from idolatry—whether in the form of false gods or worldly passions (1 John 5:21).
• Guard against unbelief—for without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
• Separate yourself from the world’s corruption—as Joshua and Caleb did (Numbers 14:24).
• If we walk faithfully, the same God who delivered Israel will bring us safely into our eternal inheritance (Philippians 1:6).

Conclusion:

Salvation is a gift, but it is also a call to daily surrender. The Israelites’ story is not just history—it is a mirror for the Church today. Let us learn from their failures, walk humbly with our God, and remain steadfast until the end.

Amen.

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