they were never saved is the point. They followed God out but continually complained day after day after day. If they truly trusted God they would have showed faith in Gods salvation at the red sea. at the rock. at the mountain when moses went up to meet God.. They did not. because they never trusted God
What the passage shows is that initial deliverance is not the same as final entrance into the Promised Land. So also, Initial Justification is not the same as Final Salvation. OSAS claims Salvation=Justification. This is what non-OSASers deny. Salvation is not equal to Justification, but is only begun by it. Salvation=Justification+Sanctification+Perseverance.
As for whether they were saved or not, they most probably were justified. Paul even says they "were baptized into Moses" in a sense, and in the NT, we know those who believe and are baptized are justified. In addition, if they were never justified, God would not have given them of the spiritual Rock to drink of, which St. Paul says typified Christ, who gives His body and blood to eat and drink of in the NT. But they backslid, commited various sins, and most were lost. The entirety of all this argues against OSAS. In fact, Paul concludes with an admonition that he who thinks he stands should take heed lest he fall. Again, a clear indication that just as Eternal Security was not true in the OT, neither is it under the NT.
Here's the full passage in 1 Corinthians 10 for us to study: https://biblehub.com/nkjv/1_corinthians/10.htm
"Old Testament Examples
1Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3all ate the same spiritual food, 4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
6Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9nor let us [a]tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our [c]admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to [d]bear it."
Also, the Lord speaks of this when He says, most of those who ate manna went to death, but he who continually eats the Bread of Life that He will give them will have Eternal Life. The reference is most probably to Eternal Death, or soul loss.
Jn 6:56 "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
By the way, the word trogon τρώγων (trōgōn) (eats/feeds on Me) signifies a continuous action, the same word as in: Mat 24:38: "they were eating and drinking". It shows again Salvation is not a one time thing. God instituted all these with a purpose, Baptism, Holy Communion etc. With faith and love, we must receive these, and pray and wait for final salvation.
God Bless.
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