The Unpardonable Sin

I would view it it as rejection of the ministry of the Comforter:


Mark 3:28-29 King James Version

28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:

29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.


The Spirit of God has always moved in and through the hearts of men. Stephen charges Israel that they resisted the Holy Ghost when they killed the Prophets:


Acts 7:51-52 King James Version

51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:


The Spirit of God is the One Who gave the Prophets the Gospel (howbeit veiled at the time), and by rejecting the Prophets they were essentially rejecting Christ. Even in its veiled form the Gospel of Christ gave hope through God of salvation. To reject the salvation of God as given by the Holy Ghost is to reject the only means of salvation available to men in any Age.

The Writer of Hebrews mentions this:


Hebrews 10:26-29 King James Version

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?


In this Age, it is the Holy Spirit, performing the specific ministry of the Comforter Who brings conviction of sin to the unbeliever:


John 16:7-9 King James Version

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;


Paul also mentions something that has been a source of debate over the centuries, but for me seems pretty clear:


2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 King James Version

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.


2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 New American Standard Bible

6 And you know what restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is [c]removed.


I have included the NASB because this is one the passages where there is an Old English word that has changed in meaning/usage over the years (letteth/restrains).

I believe the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ is the Restrainer. It is the Body of Christ that heads up the work of seeking to see men saved, and that they might hear the Gospel. It is the Body that the Comforter performs His ministry through, though He is not dependent on the Body (just don't want to imply He has to work through us). He speaks directly to the hearts of men, and it is He that enlightens the natural mind that the natural man can receive and perceive the spiritual things of God.

When the Body of Christ is removed from the world in the Rapture, this particular "restraint" will also cease. God will not always strive with man, and His longsuffering will end at this time. The result will be ...


2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 King James Version

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.


He will leave men to the destructive intents of their hearts. All men need for strong delusion to run rampant is for God to do nothing. To stop seeking to convict them of sin and lead them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.


God bless.