-A8
Well, my apologies if my reference to the Scriptures confuses the issue. On the other hand, what makes you think that I haven't already been at the point of physical death? That certainly wouldn't be confusing the issue.
But, really, this does boil down to the fact that there are only 2 religions in all of Christianity. There is a religion of works, which says that if you do so and so or such and such and endure to the end, you will be rewarded with salvation. Under this scheme, you will naturally ever be in a state of uncertaintity about whether you are really one of those who the assurance verse apply to and will ever be like the crab in the bottom of the pail pulling all the others into their private world of doubt. My advice would be to quit attempting to sow the seeds of doubt, but spend time examining yourself to see if you really are of the faith.
Thankfully, the Reformers were blessed by the Lord to restore the true gospel of grace to Christianity and the dark age ended for some of us. We rest assured that we know God, or better, are known by God. We experience and rejoice in the scourging that reveals us to be sons and not bastards (my apologies if the KJ reference offends).
post tenebras lux,