I believe the Old Testament saints had the assurance of eternal security. If they were saved by faith, like as we are, then they would have also had the blessing of knowing they were saved. Job was certain of his eternal life. Job 19:25-27, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me."
David also taught eternal security in Psalms 125:1, "They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever." Clearly, these Old Testament patriarchs had assurance.
Moses taught his people about eternal security. Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” Continually throughout the Old Testament the Lord promised His people an EVERLASTING COVENANT! Jeremiah 32:40, “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.” The Lord promises everlasting salvation to those who trust in Him. John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
Habakkuk 2:4, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” Paul plainly says in Galatians 3:24-26, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Did you read that? THE LAW WAS A SCHOOLMASTER TO BRING US TO CHRIST! That “us” includes the Old Testament saints! How do I know that? Why, listen to what the prophet Habakkuk proclaimed in Habakkuk 2:4, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk declared:
“...THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY HIS FAITH.”
We find Habakkuk 2:4 quoted in three different Scripture passages in the New Testament:
Habakkuk was under the Mosaic law. Don't miss that! Abraham lived before the law was given, but Habakkuk lived under the law! That disproves Peter Ruckman's claim that Old Testament saints were saved by WORKS! What saith Peter Ruckman? ...Romans 1:17, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”Galatians 3:11, “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”Hebrews 10:38, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”
The original “plan of salvation” was pure WORKS (Gen. 2:16-17), and in the Millennium the last plan of salvation is again pure WORKS (Rev. 22:14), contrary to every immature, milksop, Baptist baby in your town or city. Genesis 3:22 corrects the kiddies. (Ruckman, Peter. Ruckman’s Bible References: Personal Notes on Salient Verses in the Bible, p. 7)
What saith the Scripture? Isaiah 45:22, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Here is a plain statement from the Scripture that salvation has ALWAYS been through faith alone in Christ—Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Salvation has always been by faith alone, and those who simply believed on the Messiah had God's promise of eternal life. So saith the Scripture!
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