SALVATION: Finding The Way, pt. 1
The topic of salvation can be addressed through various angles depending on your denominational background, favorite philosopher, or most comforting Christian speaker. But what does it actually mean, and how can a person come to obtain it? Those of us who grew up in the Sunday church more than likely heard the weekly sermon cap- “‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,’ (Rom. 3:23). But, ‘if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved,’ (Rom. 10:9).” This would be followed by an altar call to “give your life to Jesus” where the pastor or an elder would then have you repeat after them, “Lord, I am a sinner in need of a saviour. Please forgive me of my sins and come into my heart.” After the prayer, the new believer would be welcomed into the family of God and wait to schedule your baptism. If you were a part of a charismatic church, there was usually a bit more praying involved to urge the new convert to speak in tongues in order to fill them with the Holy Ghost and seal the deal. And that was it- that was your moment of salvation according to the church!
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Now, let me clarify- a person can very well come to Jesus in these moments! I am not downgrading that or denying that a person can be saved this way. But, what we are seeing from the church-system is almost an assembly line approach- get them in, get them saved, get them involved. Most churches will offer classes and/or small groups as their avenue for discipleship but when we get down to it, very little discipleship is actually happening, if any at all. And here’s where things have gotten twisted with the church system- discipleship is only a focus, small as it may be, after a person's initial conversion and membership card has been filed. There is no discipleship leading a person INTO the faith, nor is there an explanation of what salvation actually means. It has become a weekly “free gift with sign up” and a persuasive speech event. And the people who genuinely want to try to know Jesus, are being fed carnival candy instead of pure milk leading to meat. They are not being taught the actual bible from the get-go. People are being told “you need to get saved” with zero understanding of what they are being saved from; what they are saved to; when they are actually saved. It has largely become nothing more than a status symbol to say, “I’m saved.”
Again, I know there are genuine hearts going through this process. This is not to diminish the individual’s spiritual journey; this is to call out the system that is failing to actually teach the body. My intention is to equip the individuals who have been left with unanswered questions for years. This is what the heart of discipleship is- leading people to learn and understand the word, not just Christian phrases and t-shirt verses. JESUS SAVES, John 3:16
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23
Our Messiah taught. No, not every individual is called to teach, but those who call themselves pastors and leaders are expected to be teachers of the people. This is not a new testament concept- this was the job of the priesthood from the beginning, to teach the people and help them understand the ways of God. Helping people understand the scriptures- the Kingdom, laws, and prophecy- is exactly what Messiah did, giving specific focus to His disciples so that they would be equipped to go make more disciples. Messiah wasn’t quoting Jewish Rabbis or theologians. He didn’t pull out books from scholars. He taught His Father’s word in simplicity and truth. He didn’t repeat a prayer for salvation every Sabbath. Messiah taught the covenant promises of YHWH- the Kingdom and the resurrection, and how to live if you want to inherit the covenant promises. It is the same concept that we see throughout the entire rest of scripture.
Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:16-17
For I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live and increase, and the LORD your God may bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. Deuteronomy 30:16
The rest of this study will primarily be a walk through the most common questions regarding salvation and the scriptures that provide us with the answers. Some passages may be repeated but my commentary will be minimal.
What is salvation?
Salvation according to the scriptures is literal life- eternal, immortal, incorruptible life. Passages of scripture such as Deuteronomy 30 above speaking about life are not just pertaining to life in the flesh, it is speaking of the greater promise of eternal life in the Kingdom which comes by a resurrection from the dead.
Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead. Isaiah 26:19
Therefore prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O My people, I will open your graves and bring you up from them, and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, My people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.’ Ezekiel 37:12-14
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. John 3:5-6
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:52-55
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. 1 Thessalonians 4:16
Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. John 5:28-29 (Daniel 12:2)
The event called the resurrection was known about before the Messiah’s ministry. It was a promise of the covenant from the beginning, the question was simply how was it going to happen. This is where the NT writers express that the “mystery has been revealed in the Master Yeshua Messiah.” We will take a look at His role in salvation more later but for now I want to add a few more passages showing that there was already knowledge of a resurrection of the dead.
Jesus says to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha replied, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” John 11:23-24
And Job died, an old man and full of days; and it was written that he will rise again with those whom the Lord raises up. Job 42:17 LXX
And the righteous and chosen will have risen from the earth, and will have ceased to cast down their faces, and will have put on the garment of life. 1 Enoch 62:15
But as for you, go on your way until the end. You will rest, and then you will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days. Daniel 12:13
Then all who have fallen asleep in hope of Him shall rise again. And it shall come to pass at that time that the treasuries will be opened in which is preserved the number of the souls of the righteous, and they shall come forth, and a multitude of souls shall be seen together in one assemblage of one thought, and the first shall rejoice and the last shall not be grieved. For they know that the time has come of which it is said, that it is the consummation of the times. 2 Baruch 30:2-3
For the earth shall then assuredly restore the dead, which it now receives, in order to preserve them. 2 Baruch 50:2
The earth will give back those who sleep, and the dust will give back in silence those who dwell in it, and the resting places will give back the souls that have been entrusted to them. 2 Esdras 7:32
If you are not understanding the references to the earth giving up the souls, I would encourage you to pause here and study Sheol, also referred to as the womb of the earth, or Abraham’s bosom which Jesus references in Luke 16. In short, when we die we do not go directly to heaven, our soul enters into the place of rest to await the resurrection. The souls of the wicked are separated from the souls of the righteous; they do not enter into rest but suffer mental anguish as they face their choice of death.
These hollow places are intended that the spirits of the souls of the dead might be gathered into them. For this very purpose they were created, that here the souls of all human beings should be gathered. And look, these are the pits for the place of their confinement. Thus they were made until the day on which they will be judged, and until the time of the day of the end of the great judgment that will be exacted from them. 1 Enoch 22.3-4
Then I asked about all the hollow places, why they were separated one from the other. And Raphael answered me and said, "These three were made that the spirits of the dead might be separated. And this has been separated for the spirits of the righteous, where the bright fountain of water is.” 1 Enoch 22.8-9
Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Psalm 49:14-15
Saved from what?
Both the righteous and the wicked will have a resurrection. For the righteous, the first resurrection is the moment that salvation is fulfilled. For the wicked, the second resurrection is judgment to eternal death.
And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2
Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. . .This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:4-6
The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were complete. . . Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:5a, 12-14
Salvation is being saved from the Lake of Fire, also called Gehenna, or generically referred to as ‘hell’ where the soul can be destroyed completely. The bible does not describe eternal conscience torment, it describes death- a complete end. Moses proclaimed to choose life or death being eternal life or eternal death. What we are saved FROM is the second death. It is important to remember that all mankind is appointed to die once- even Messiah became a man and died the first death. But, those who take part in the first resurrection are completely saved from the second death. Messiah was raised from the dead, and at His return those who are His will be raised also and made immortal- eternal life is protection from the second death.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Matthew 10:28
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death. Revelation 21:8
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
How do we obtain salvation?
This question can be a great stumbling block depending on the theology your church taught- faith alone, good works, election, sacraments, specific prayers, baptism...the list could go on. But again, let us just look at the scriptures.
Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:16-17
And if we are careful to observe every one of these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us, then that will be our righteousness. Deuteronomy 6:25
As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life. . . If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him. 1 John 2:24-25, 29
But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live? Ezekiel 18:21-23
And I gave them My statutes and made known to them My ordinances—for the man who does these things will live by them. Ezekiel 20:11
Let’s go ahead and address the elephant in the room-
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one.” Romans 3:10
It is vital that we keep passages in context. This is Paul quoting various Psalms and prophets concerning the rebellion of Judah and the idolatry of the nations. This very Psalm goes on to say-
There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. Romans 3:11 (Psalm 14, 53)
If you are a believer actively seeking God, does this describe you? No, probably not. Paul started this passage out by explaining that the new converts were once in that place of rebellion, too; they are not better than those to whom these things were written about, which is why he continues on to say “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” Rom. 3:23.
I won’t go into depth with the righteousness of the law vs. the righteousness that is from Messiah in this study, but I will summarize by saying this: God Himself gave humanity a set of instructions to keep, but understanding our weakness He created a system that covers (atones for) our mess ups- the priesthood. Our Messiah is a High Priest! We are to do our best to recognize sin, repent, and live righteously according to the commandments if we desire to inherit the covenant promise of resurrection. Messiah Himself said to keep the commandments in order to obtain eternal life. But the literal atonement we require because of our mistakes, can only be accomplished by our righteous High Priest; the literal resurrection from the dead we aim to obtain (that moment of complete salvation), is only possible through the authority of our righteous High Priest. This is what Paul is getting to by saying-
Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. Romans 3:20-22
There is a righteousness that is our responsibility to show our acceptance of the covenant, and our love for God. And there is a righteousness that is Messiah’s priesthood filling in our gaps, so that we may be resurrected in spite of our shortcomings. It is by God's grace that He appointed His only Son to be a High Priest, interceding on our behalf.
These back and forth sentiments can get very confusing- hints why Paul’s words are so easily twisted. The point that he is relaying is that the laws and sacraments of MAN do not save, they are vain works. The issues that Paul was combating throughout his ministry was centered on the Jewish oral laws (not biblical) that said a man had to be circumcised and converted to Judaism in order to be saved- which is why we repeatedly see Paul bring up works not being what saves in multiple letters. However, we do still see him encourage keeping the laws of God!
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law. Romans 4:31
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Also as for the glory of those who have now been justified in My law, who have had understanding in their life, and who have planted in their heart the root of wisdom, then their splendor shall be glorified in changes, and the form of their face shall be turned into the light of their beauty, that they may be able to acquire and receive the world which does not die, which is then promised to them. 2 Baruch 51:3
So is salvation by faith alone? Or by faith and works? Firstly, we have to remember our definition of saved- the resurrection. Can anyone raise themselves from the dead with their own works? No. The resurrection is literally a free gift from God. Secondly, faith is not simply a mental acknowledgement; faith is a verb. Faith is actively living out the gift of salvation with reverence, by doing righteousness which is explained in God’s law. The scriptures define how to obtain salvation by repeatedly expressing how necessary our works are- because our work reveals our heart towards God. The resurrection is a covenant promise and that covenant has instructions for life as a child of God.
Lastly, there is a difference in the works that man creates, and the work that IS YHWH’s character. Man’s religious ceremony, sacraments, and dogmas play no part in the saving of one’s soul. But the Father’s law does, He calls His law His ways! The word in the Hebrew for ‘ways’ is derek, meaning path, journey, direction, course of life, moral character. The word in the Hebrew for ‘law’ is torah, meaning instruction, direction, prophetic teaching. If a person expects and claims to be a child of the Most High, do we not believe we should act as such? And how do we know what that looks like if we do not look to the perfect Law of YHWH and obey His ways? Salvation does require one’s life in the flesh to reflect YHWH’s character; the work of righteousness, not the works of man.
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous. Romans 2:13
By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:10
But someone will say, “You have belief and I have deeds.” Show me your belief without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. O foolish man, do you want evidence that belief without deeds is worthless? Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did. And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by belief alone. James 2:18-24
Here is the endurance of the saints, those keeping the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12
For the righteous justly hope for the end, and without fear depart from this habitation, because they have with you a store of works preserved in treasuries. 2 Baruch 14:12
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD. Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart. They do no iniquity; they walk in His ways. You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently. Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments. Psalm 119:1-6
For this commandment I give you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not in heaven, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will ascend into heaven to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’ And it is not beyond the sea, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’ But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may obey it. See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, as well as death and disaster. For I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, statutes, and ordinances, so that you may live and increase, and the LORD your God may bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. Deuteronomy 30:11-16
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. 1 John 5:3-4
In conclusion to this section, I encourage the reader to carefully examine the new testament writings regarding the law. Ask yourself- is Paul referring to man made laws here, or God’s law? Is Jesus referring to the commandments of men, or His Father’s ways? Because there is a difference, one that the church system and scholars have failed to distinguish for centuries. A handful of dubious verses in Paul’s letters do not dismiss the multitude of scripture that tell us we do indeed require a turning to the ways of YHWH in order to receive the covenant promise of resurrection- especially when the command comes directly from YHWH’s mouth. Consider each epistle in the light of context- Paul never speaks against or denies the laws of God. He simply clarifies that man made religion (as in Judaism of the day) does not bring a person to salvation, and that trust in the Messiah’s priesthood is necessary to be raised from the dead.
Who is Salvation for?
Salvation is for those who have faith in the Creator and live according to His covenant ways. The covenant is God’s promise to Israel- ‘he who wrestles with God,’ which includes both blood born and those grafted in. YHWH is always gracious to anyone who desires to worship Him. His only requirement is that a person adhere to His covenant, no matter which nation, tribe, or tongue the person was from. The covenant contains the promises of the future coming Kingdom, the resurrection, the King who will rule from Zion, the land of inheritance, the eternal laws that will be written on our hearts, and the complete removal of sin. The covenant also contains instructions for how to live and worship in a set-apart manner. If a person wants to abide with YHWH and Messiah forever, a life of surrender to their authority is required. Salvation is for those who surrender to the Savior.
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:25
Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)—remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:11-13
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:28-29
As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. Genesis 17:4
After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9
As He says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘My People’ who are not My people, and I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved,” and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’” Romans 9:25-26 (Hosea 2:23, Hosea 1:10)
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6
And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant— I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Isaiah 55:6
There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua failed to read before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women, the little ones, and the foreigners who lived among them. Joshua 8:35
You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners who dwell among you and who have children. You are to treat them as native-born Israelites; along with you, they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. In whatever tribe a foreigner dwells, you are to assign his inheritance there,” declares the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 47:22-23
Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will certainly not spare you either. Romans 11:17-21
Natural branches are blood descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But not all who were born of Israel, remained Israel. Those who rebelled against the covenant, as we discussed above, were broken off. ‘Gentile’ means out of covenant. A gentile may be brought into the covenant promises through surrender to Messiah- the chief of the covenant. Once you are brought into covenant, you are no longer a gentile- no longer out of covenant. You are now a part of the commonwealth of Israel and heirs according to the promise. Salvation is for those who choose to wrestle with God; it is for those who choose the covenant for Israel and live accordingly. We are in the dispersion, scattered among the nations yet call ourselves by the name of YHWH. Nobody knows if they are truly of the bloodline of Israel, but it does not matter- He will gather us (resurrect us) from among the nations on the day of His return.
Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries to which they have gone.’ Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you from the countries to which you have been scattered, and I will give back to you the land of Israel.’ Ezekiel 11:16-17
then He will restore you from captivity and have compassion on you and gather you from all the nations to which the LORD your God has scattered you. Even if you have been banished to the farthest horizon, He will gather you and return you from there. And the LORD your God will bring you into the land your fathers possessed, and you will take possession of it. He will cause you to prosper and multiply more than your fathers. Deuteronomy 30:3-5
On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Isaiah 11:11-12
Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth. Isaiah 43:5-6
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts. Malachi 1:11
Another aspect I want to address in the “who is it for?” category, is those who never hear of the God of Israel or His Messiah. What about the people who live on distant islands who have never heard of Jesus? The bible gives us these answers.
Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel. Romans 2:14-16
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’ Matthew 25:40
And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ Matthew 25:37-40
We serve a just and merciful God who judges the intentions of the heart. It is possible for people of the nations, who have never heard the gospel, to receive salvation because of their behavior and actions. A person born in a foreign, pagan country that recognizes idols are just the work of man’s hands, and understands that there is a Creator, will be judged justly. This was Abraham’s story! A person born as a gentile among perverse men, but recognizes evil and chooses to live a humble life showing compassion, will be judged mercifully. The salvation of the world is not dependent on the missionary’s ability to go preach Jesus. Though that mission is very important and profitable, every single human has the ability to see that creation bears witness that there is a Creator. Every single human being has the breath of God sustaining their life, giving them a conscience to choose good or evil, life or death. Every single human being will be judged righteously according to the understanding that they were given and the choices that they made.
When do we receive Salvation?
Typically in a church setting, as discussed in the introduction, a person's moment of confession and asking Jesus into their heart, is considered the moment of salvation. They will preach that this one moment is your spiritual rebirth and your ticket into Heaven. The bible, however, gives a different description of the ongoing process of ‘being saved’ as a person awaits the resurrection. This is also why the writers of the scriptures urge the reader to keep the faith with all endurance. Messiah Himself stated that He who endures to the end will be saved- will be. Not, “you are resurrected right now because you believe I am standing here.”
You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22
But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13
You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. Hebrews 10:36
Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval. John 6:27
The life-long process that the bible calls ‘being saved’ or ‘enduring till the end’ has been redefined by Christian doctrines as just “sanctification.” They will say that you are saved now! You just need to be sanctified in the Lord. But, the bible does not say that. The entire point that is repeated throughout the whole of the bible is to remain in the faith until the redemption of your body; you must continually be sanctified by the Word if you want to inherit the covenant promises. Every single day is a choice of Who you will serve. Let’s look at a few passages-
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:2
…hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 5:5
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob.’’ Romans 11:26
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12
Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? Romans 8:23-24
Now, I know, there are also many passages that also use language that sounds like we are saved right now- I promise I will get to those in the next segment. But for right now, let’s look at the prophecies about the resurrection that tell us these statements using future tense, are accurate to the literal timeline. We have to remember that salvation in its literal form means the resurrection from the dead. It’s not simply a spiritual renewal, but a very real physical change at a very specific time.
Martha replied, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” John 11:24
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. 1 Thessalonians 4:16
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 Peter 5:4
And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Matthew 24:30-31
In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; salvation is established as its walls and ramparts. Open the gates so a righteous nation may enter—one that remains faithful. Isaiah 26:1-2
Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead. Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed. For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain. Isaiah 26:19-21
The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great—and to destroy those who destroy the earth. Revelation 11:18
There is a specific, appointed time for the resurrection to occur. All those who were found faithful will inherit the promise of salvation, at the same time.
These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised. God had planned something better for us, so that together with us they would be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Hebrews 11:39-12:1
Just take a moment to sit with that. Hebrews 11 goes back to Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham. We will be resurrected at the same time as the most faithfully famous men of the bible! They were not made perfect before us- ‘perfect’ being complete, whole, immortal, redeemed, incorruptible. That IS salvation! We will never hunger, thirst, lust, worry, grieve, fear, sin, etc. ever again. With these promises of restoration in mind, is that what we currently live in now as believers? No. Which is why we are encouraged to continue in the faith with endurance while we are still in a sinful world with corrupted flesh.
Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. / But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14
Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:35
‘Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.’ For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ Revelation 7:16-17
They will no longer defile themselves with their idols or detestable images, or with any of their transgressions. I will save them from all their apostasies by which they sinned, and I will cleanse them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God. My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow My ordinances and keep and observe My statutes. Ezekiel 37:23-24
But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more. Jeremiah 31:33-34
Again, with these last three passages we have direct time qualifiers that let us know this happens when Messiah has returned to sit upon His throne. We also see that the laws and ordinances will be built into our new bodies. It will be completely natural and effortless for us to follow the ordinances of the Almighty, and with incorruptible bodies there will be no cravings of the flesh to tempt us to sin. In my opinion, we won’t have the physical ability to sin- we will literally be perfect! This is what we look forward to and put into practice while we are still in the flesh. We are to behave in the manner that we desire to become.
Stay tuned for part 2!