NT:1437
ean;
I. a conditional particle if, in case,
It is connected:
1. with the subjunctive
a. with the subjunctive present: Matthew 6:22
b. with the subjunctive aorist, Matthew 4:9
c. irregularly, which is also a particle of time
d. sometimes when the particle is used with the subjunctive aorist the futurity of a thing is not so much affirmed as imagined, 1 Corinthians 12:15
2. is connected also with the indicative
a. with the future indicative, in meaning akin, as is well known, to the subjunctive: Matthew 18:19
b. with the present indicative: Luke 6:34
3. ean joined with other particles
a. ean de kai, but if also, but even if,
b. ean kai: Galatians 6:1
c. ean mee, if not, unless, except; with the subjunctive present: Matthew 10:13; Luke 13:3
d. eanper if only, if indeed: Hebrews 3:6
e. ean te ... ean te, whether ... or: Romans 14:8
f. kan for kai ean
II. connect ean, with relative pronouns and adverbs instead of the potential particle an, Matthew 5:19; 10:14
(from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 2000 by Biblesoft)
The Greek word "ean" or "ein" is
never translated "since" in the Bible, however "ean" (ein) can be translated "except", "unless", and etc.
It's not that I choose to ignore these Scriptures, it's just that I choose not to add extra meaning to them when that extra meaning is not written there.
I have not added anything to what is taught in Scripture and Scripture contains a lot of conditional promises.
You hang your whole argument on one idea - apostacy. Have you ever considered that perhaps apostacy as it is taught in Scripture is a concept that applies to the church as an entity, not the believer as an individual? And why is it that apostacy is always given in Scripture as a hypothetical situation (see Heb. 6:9), and is never shown by specific example (i.e. "Look at Bill over there. He's turned away from Jesus and has lost his salvation.")?
It may appear I hang my whole argument on a couple of verses only because OSAS advocates have yet to respond to what Scripture teaches concerning apostasy, which must occur before the Lord returns. As to examples of apostates in Scripture:
John 6:66-71
66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore. 67 Jesus said therefore to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" 68 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 "And we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." 70 Jesus answered them, "Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?" 71 Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him. NAS
1 Timothy 1:18-20
18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may fight the good fight, 19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme. NAS
2 Timothy 4:9-10
9 Make every effort to come to me soon; 10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; NAS
Jesus choose Judas and Judas choose the world.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.
NAS