SALVATION: Finding the Way, pt. 2
How do we know that we will be saved?
This is where we pick back up with the passages that sound like we are saved now. Many of the verses that come to mind can be found in the book of John as well as Paul’s letters, the same person who also used the phrase ‘being saved’ as if they weren’t already. The present tense descriptions are using a literary device called prolepsis- the anticipation and answering of possible objections in rhetorical speech; the representation of a thing as existing before it actually does. The writers of the New Testament use literary devices a lot! Paul for example, juxtaposes conversations, builds allegorical lessons, metaphorizes situations, and exhorts in prolepsis.
The verses that sound like we have already obtained salvation are not contradicting the multitude of clear passages explaining the future resurrection, but are speaking in faith that it will indeed happen. Not in a ‘name it and claim it’ prosperity gospel way, but in a way that is clinging to the already recorded promises of God for future restoration. It is these affirmations that remind us of what we do have if we keep our minds set on things above and remain faithful. Peter uses a proleptic passage to describe what was going on in the Acts 2 outpouring of the Spirit- he quotes Joel 2 saying “this is now what you see and hear” but Joel 2 is about the Day of YHWH with a long list of specific events that occur at that time. So was Peter lying about what happened? No, he was speaking proleptically and drawing attention to a deposit of that Joel 2 promise. We will dig into ‘deposits’ in the Living Salvation section at the end.
The Jewish Theological Seminary says this- “Prolepsis in the Bible, then, may be viewed as a rhetorical feature that allows the narrator to mingle present and future events; a technique indicating the certainty of future events. The narrator can report future events in the present, and, by this means, emphasize the certainty of the performance of the acts described.”
Misunderstanding literary devices can cause a great deal of theological issues. I have discussed this previously in the Prophesied Job of Messiah post, and the Bridal Theology post where we talk about the metaphors and personifications that are given by YHWH Himself. It’s no surprise that inspired apostles use familiar sentiments to express urgency and deeply rooted faith. Here are a few examples:
Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4
that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved. Romans 10:9-10
He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5
These statements are not made to confuse, but to encourage. They are the answer to the question, ‘how do we know that we will be saved?’- we know because He is faithful. YHWH did exactly what He said He was going to do by sending His Son in the flesh. He allowed Him to be martyred because the death of His human life was necessary for Him to inherit the resurrection. Jesus is the only one that has been saved from death so that He could be appointed as High Priest with all authority, thus making Him the source of our salvation at His return.
Each of the above verses, if removed from context, could be the source of three very different doctrines for how we obtain salvation. This is why the fullness of the word must be taken into consideration at every turn of the page. Baptism, confession, and being renewed by the Holy Spirit are altogether part of our discipleship into the covenant. There will be many that were baptized that will not see the resurrection. There are many who have made that one time prayer of confession that will not inherit the kingdom. There are many who proclaim to prophesy in the Spirit, that will not inherit the promises. None of these are guarantees of salvation. Messiah is the singular source of resurrection as the judge of our heart, words, and deeds while we are in the flesh.
You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me. John 5:39
Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:22-23
If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4
Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:6
If you were to ask me if I am saved, I would say, YES! I am confident that my name is written in the Book of Life. I am confident that the Messiah will judge my life, my heart, and my choices with righteous judgement. And because I am confident in His power to resurrect me, I am going to do my utmost to live according to the behavior instructed in YHWH’s covenant. I am not yet saved from this world or from this flesh, but I am committed to continuously repenting of any contrary behavior as I disciple after Messiah, in faith that He will raise me up and bring me into the Kingdom on the last day. For me, the question should not be ‘how do we know that we will be saved’, but rather, where is your confidence? Faith is not ‘how do you know;’ faith is ‘I trust without a doubt, I’m going to live like it.’
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
So we aspire to please Him, whether we are at home in this body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. Romans 15:4
We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21
Can we lose our salvation?
This question is one that the mainstream church answers in various ways, again depending on denominational background, but the common conclusion would say no, a Christian cannot lose their salvation. A google search of this question pulled up Wisdom Online’s answer as a top response. Here is what this website has to say:
“Can you lose your salvation by committing a terrible sin?
Those who hold this belief do not understand the inability of man to save himself. They don't understand—or accept—the redeeming work of Christ apart from good works. If a person does not gain salvation by being good, they can't lose salvation by being bad. The foundation of our security is not built upon our own merits—we had none—but the perfection and merit of Christ.”
“Can you renounce or choose to return your salvation?
Christianity isn’t like a Christmas sweater that doesn’t fit. You can’t try it on for size and then take it back if you don't like it. For those who believe heaven has a "return policy for salvation," they miss the truth that God was the initiator of salvation; we love Him because He first loved us. A Christian can certainly backslide, disobey, or rebel against the Lord. Most of Christ's closest disciples denied Him. The individual who claims to have been a Christian and is now happily reunited with the world, the flesh, and the devil, reveals that he was never truly saved to begin with. Someone who came to life in Christ will never reach the point they'd rather not have Christ after all.”
Once again, a Christian ministry fails to define what salvation actually means in order to answer the question properly. You cannot lose what you do not currently possess. None of us are physically redeemed from mortality yet. A person does not possess the ability to resurrect themselves from the dead- we must possess faith that the Messiah will do that for us. Once that happens at the end of the age, you can never lose it; you are saved forever. However, nobody is there yet. While we are in this mortal life, we have the choice of life or death every single day. You may, as I shared above, have confidence that your name is written in the Book of Life, but with that confidence, you also have a responsibility to live like a Kingdom citizen and not fall away.
This leads into the next part of the answer this ministry provided- yes, actually you can renounce your salvation. He is the initiator but He is not an evil dictator that holds us down and forces us to keep His covenant. There are plenty of examples of people in the bible and in modernity that chose to walk away from a life with God. This is why we are told repeatedly throughout the scriptures to hold to the faith, endure to the end, not be deceived, and remain in Him. Romans 11 gives us a prime example of the natural branches born into the chosen people being broken off, because they chose to stop trusting YHWH. Another example is in Hebrews 3, the ones who were physically saved from Egypt, brought through the red sea, and fed mana, fell in the wilderness because they chose to rebel.
They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. Romans 11:20
For who were the ones who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? Hebrews 3:16-19
Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness. They did not follow My statutes and they rejected My ordinances—though the man who does these things will live by them—and they utterly profaned My Sabbaths. Then I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and put an end to them in the wilderness. Ezekiel 20:13
But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’ At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands. Acts 7:39-42
They had an anointed high priest interceding for them, the ones who repented before their first death will see the Kingdom but the ones who chose to do their own will face the second death. Our anointed high priest intercedes for us when we repent, but a refusal to repent is mankind's own choice. Eternal life or eternal death. And because that prayer at the altar is not the literal moment of salvation from Sheol, a person can very well walk away if they so choose- whether they tasted the gift of the Holy Spirit or not.
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, and having tasted the goodness of God's word and the power of the coming age--and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame. Hebrews 6:4-6
If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace? Hebrews 10:26-29
If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.” 2 Peter 2:20-22
If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15:6
They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. Titus 1:16
but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you. Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. Jeremiah 7:23-24
These are believers. People who were fully convinced they were saved, chose to turn away. The “they weren’t actually saved to begin with” argument quickly falls apart when tested against scripture. I mean, technically they were not saved to begin with because no one is, yet. But you know what I am saying. They had a confidence in the Father and His anointed at one time but gave up and turned away- whether it be to pagan worship, gnosticism, or plain ole atheism. I would also include a hypocritical believer here, too. Those who wash the cup on the outside but inside they are filled with strife, uncleanness, hatred. YHWH speaks of those believers as being just as rebellious as the wicked. Being a “believer” does not insure the resurrection, even the demons believe.
There are many testimonies of people in the Torah/Hebrew Roots community that went down conspiracy rabbit trails, questioning Paul and the next thing you know they have denounced Jesus. The removal of the Messiah from your faith is removing your mediator. Denying YHWH’s plan for salvation is rebellion against the covenant. You cannot have the Torah of YHWH without the rest. This is exactly what the passages about not being resurrected by your own works means. A submission to the high priest appointed by YHWH is necessary for forgiveness and removal of sin. Those who deny Him and/or walk away from the covenant all together are the ones we see being blotted out of the book of life, meaning their names were recorded at one time as being in covenant.
The seeds on rocky ground are those who hear the word and receive it with joy, but they have no root. They believe for a season, but in the time of testing, they fall away. Luke 8:18
The LORD replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My book. Exodus 32:33
May they be blotted out of the Book of Life and not listed with the righteous. Psalm 69:28
Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels. Revelation 3:5
If we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us. 2 Timothy 2:12
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice. Ezekiel 33:31-32
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.” Isaiah 29:13
But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die. Ezekiel 18:24
But rebels and sinners will together be shattered, and those who forsake the LORD will perish. Isaiah 1:28
But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them. Isaiah 63:10
Let me end this section by clarifying- you do not lose your salvation because of struggles, accidental disobedience, ignorance, or wavering faith in a situation. You do not lose your inheritance because of one grievous sin. There are a multitude of witnesses in the scriptures proving that true repentance is accepted, even for very serious sin. What we are talking about here, what YHWH was addressing in the scriptures, is an outright conscious decision to rebel; worship other gods; deny the Son.
Our God is extremely merciful to our weaknesses, He does not condemn our weakness- He reproves and corrects. But one who refuses to accept the discipline of the Father and humble him/herself, is no longer counted as a child of YHWH. As the above excerpt pointed out, even the disciples had moments of weakness, denying to know who Jesus was- this was not an inward denial of Him being the Son of God, this was a fear based reaction to the man being tortured in front of them. We see Jesus show mercy to Peter because He knew his heart. The famous phrase, “God knows my heart” is oh, so true! He knows whether our hearts are humble and teachable, or prideful and rebellious. So, this section is not to instill fear, but to correct the ‘feel good’ theology that has poisoned “Christians” with thinking once saved, always saved no matter how they live after that prayer of confession. It is a dangerous slope too many play with because the church has failed to equip new believers with the truth and with the definition of salvation.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge. Psalm 51:1-4
Why are we offered salvation?
My heart gets excited about this question. I am a ‘why’ thinker so inquiries like this that can lead us deeper into the heart of the Father, bring me great joy. Why we are offered salvation can be taken all the way back to YHWH’s intentions when He created mankind- this, I do not know. But, I do know that from that point forward, He desired to abide with man that He created. He placed His own garden, His tabernacle, in the land of Eden where he could walk with Adam and Eve. The book of Jubilees tells us that they lived in the garden for seven years before they sinned, creating a separation. From that moment onward, YHWH’s plan to redeem mankind was centered on removing sin and bringing them back to His garden tabernacle.
And in the first week of the first jubilee, Adam and his wife were in the garden of Eden for seven years tilling and keeping it, and we gave him work and we instructed him to do everything that is suitable for tillage. And he tilled the garden, and was naked and knew it not, and was not ashamed, and he protected the garden from the birds and beasts and cattle, and gathered its fruit, and eat, and put aside the residue for himself and for his wife and put aside that which was being kept. And after the completion of the seven years, which he had completed there, seven years exactly, and in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, the serpent came and approached the woman, and the serpent said to the woman, 'Hath God commanded you, saying, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? . . . And on the new moon of the fourth month, Adam and his wife went forth from the Garden of Eden, and they dwelt in the land of Elda in the land of their creation. Jubilees 3:15-17, 32
A Priestly Detour
YHWH designated ways for mankind to have access to His Spirit through messengers, prophets, and priests. Despite what mainstream church doctrines say about the priesthood being a bloody horror show, it was actually structured to be a bloodless process for having a reconciliation meal with the Father. Adam was a priest, the priest that his sons were bringing first fruit offerings to when Cain became jealous of Abel. Noah was a priest, he brought along 7 of every clean animal for offerings and food, and was given a covenant of land. Abraham was a priest, he kept the charge for the offerings and was given a covenant of land and descendants. If you have read about these guys in Genesis making sacrifices and wondered why, this is why. Jubilees is the parallel account of Genesis that provides a great deal of little details from Creation to Mt. Siani. It offers a multitude of answers to ‘why’ questions regarding the history and the development of YHWH’s instructions for mankind.
And on that day on which Adam went forth from the Garden, he offered as a sweet savour an offering, frankincense, galbanum, and stacte, and spices in the morning with the rising of the sun from the day when he covered his shame. Jubilees 3:27
YHWH used Melchizedek priests as a way to communicate with His people for centuries, pre and post flood, up to the days of Jacob’s sons. The Melchizedek would be the most righteous ruler of the region or family, he would serve as one who would intercede on behalf of his people- Job was a priest who made sacrifices for his whole household. This order was not based on lineage, but on dedication to serving YHWH- (which is why Jesus is anointed in the order of Melchizedek). As the people of Israel grew in number, He gave the priesthood to the lineage of Levi to carry for Israel. Moses and Aaron were Levites, this is why they were chosen to be vessels of YHWH’s plan to lead the people out of Egypt. This system did not originate at Mt. Siani, it was only regenerated after years of oppression. We see communication happening and fellowship meals being offered before the Law was recorded on Sinai, which means they knew what God desired in order for His Spirit to abide with man.
And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice. Job 1:5
Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them. Exodus 19:22
Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was a work like a pavement made of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. But God did not lay His hand on the nobles of Israel; they saw Him, and they ate and drank. Exodus 24:9-11
For the generations to come, this burnt offering shall be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you. I will also meet with the Israelites there, and that place will be consecrated by My glory. So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests. Exodus 24:42-44
Most of us who grew up in the Christian church were taught to have a very negative view of the priesthood, sacrificial system, and tabernacle. What we were not taught was how this system was YHWH’s divine idea for abiding with a massive group of people. After the exodus from Egypt, He instructed for a mobile temple to be built so that His presence could travel with, guide, and protect Israel. How that is considered evil and oppressive, I will never understand. He wants to be near His people! But humanity’s sin and uncleanness doesn’t leave much room for a Holy God. We require cleansing and we require sacrifice for atonement (covering) of sin. This is why He ordained the priesthood to be a buffer between our mortal beings and His power; between the flesh and His righteous judgement. This is why He sent and anointed His own Son to be a high priest, forever- so that buffer would always stay intact; so that a way for us to be cleansed and forgiven would never perish. The priesthood is YHWH's system for mercy and fellowship with His children. This is the very literal application for John 3:16.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
I know this part seems obscure but I assure you, it’s very relevant to the topic of salvation. We won’t go too deep here but I do encourage you to study the detailed blueprint of the priesthood, as it can help us better understand WHY we are offered salvation. The intricacies laid out in Leviticus and quoted in Hebrews, prove the layers of love the Father has for us. His desire is not only to raise us from the dead but to exalt us to be Kingdom priesthood, a set-apart nation of people among whom His tabernacle can dwell forever. The resurrection is about more than just us having eternal life, it’s about serving Him forever!
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites. Exodus 19:5-6
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6
The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people. The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise. Isaiah 43:20-21
But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches. Isaiah 61:6
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth. Revelation 5:10
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. Revelation 20:4
He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:14
We were created with a purpose and we will be resurrected with a purpose- to abide with our Creator. And abiding with our Creator is not idle, it is intentional. He will appoint each of His resurrected children to a position of judgement as a priest. We will have jobs in the Kingdom, fully operating in the gifts and talents that He created us with. When YHWH told the tribe of Levi that they would have no inheritance because He was their inheritance, it was a picture of life in the Kingdom. They didn’t work for themselves or have commerce with the nations, but rather they were to serve YHWH day and night.
The Christian faith is all about promoting YOU NEED TO BE SAVED! IT’S THE FREE GIFT OF GOD! But has anyone ever stopped to consider that the offer for salvation is less about us and more about HIM?
As a mother of five children I also look at it this way- I didn’t get pregnant and give birth to that many children for the sake of having children to house, protect, and feed. I had that many children because I wanted a full family! I desired children to train in righteousness, love, and servitude. I truly believe that is a reflection of YHWH’s heart in mothers. He desires a full family; a full house filled with love. That is why we are offered salvation.
What is Messiah’s role in our salvation?
Once again, I will begin with the typical narrative- “Jesus died on the cross for your sins as the perfect sacrifice so that you can be saved.” While the overall sentiment of this statement is very true, the underlying explanation for what exactly that means is all too often left out. As I mentioned in the previous segment, the priesthood of Messiah is an essential point for understanding what His role is and how it applies to us. This topic can get a little touchy so if you want to look deeper into my brief explanation, please refer to the blog posts titles ‘Defining Atonement’ and ‘The Prophesied Job of Messiah’. Honestly there is just so much that we were never taught beyond the bumper sticker phrases so it can be difficult to comprehend- I understand. But studying out the priesthood of Yeshua can unlock a great deal of scripture by connecting our salvation to our Savior’s position.
The LORD has sworn And will not relent, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” Psalm 110:4
Psalm 110 is quoted or alluded to over 30 times in the New Testament, the majority of which can be found in the book of Hebrews. A great deal of Hebrews consists of explanations for how Messiah’s priesthood works as the writer compares and contrasts it to the Levitical Priesthood in nearly every chapter. The system of the priesthood is one consistent system whether it is Melchizedek or Levitical, however there are a few differences with Messiah’s heavenly priesthood that weren’t applicable or available to the Melchizedek or Levitical priesthoods on the earth, simply because they were mortal and did not possess the same level of authority.
Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:23-26
The many priests that came before Yeshua were not perfect humans, they sinned during their life and died the first death. Yeshua, was perfect (fully obedient to the will of the Father) during His days in the flesh, tested in every way but found without sin. Therefore, He was able to inherit the resurrection immediately after the first death.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. Philippians 2:8
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered. Hebrews 5:8
For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens; who has no daily need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because He did this once for all time when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, who has been made perfect forever. Hebrews 7:26-28
Because our High Priest was sinless, there is no need for Him to sacrifice for Himself before He can make atonement for the people. The above passage is commonly used to dismiss Yeshua’s active ministry by saying all atonement was made on the cross. I would like to point you to study the definition of a priest and the service of a priesthood; Yeshua is by definition actively making atonement for the sins of the people. The above passage was simply stating the process laid out in Leviticus, with the contrast that He completed sinless obedience by allowing His life to be taken. A portion of the process is eliminated because our High Priest does not require atonement for Himself, He’s already sinless and resurrected!
If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, then let him offer to the LORD for his sin which he has sinned a young bull without blemish as a sin offering. Leviticus 4:3
He is to bathe himself with water in a holy place and put on his own clothes. Then he must go out and sacrifice his burnt offering and the people’s burnt offering to make atonement for himself and for the people. Leviticus 16:24
He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12
The emphasis the writer of Hebrews is trying to express is how Yeshua IS a High Priest, doing the ministry of a High Priest. This is a touchy topic but no part of atonement, according to God’s own law, allows for human sacrifice; it allows only for human obedience. The point and purpose of the cross was a final act of obedience to fulfill the prophecy for how He would die. He did not want to die this way, He prayed three times that it would be removed from Him but nonetheless He submitted to His Father’s will. He obeyed. He had to die in order to resurrect and the cross was the manner of death that was appointed for Him.
Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” Luke 24:44
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8
The point was never the cross but the obedience of the man who allowed His life to be taken on it. The various passages that speak of the atonement of the cross are metaphoric shorthand to explain - because the Son of God died as He was prophesied to, now atonement is secured in the heavens by the Priesthood He was prophesied to inherit. Those of the first century whom the letters were written to, understood the purpose and process of the priesthood, as well as the prophecy about the Messiah, they would have understood the poetic metaphor (which is common throughout the entirety of the bible). We are just taught the bible backwards and told the priesthood is irrelevant; that the Messiah's priesthood is the metaphor. He had to die in order to resurrect, in order to take His position as High Priest, in order to make atonement for us until the day when He returns to resurrect us. This is the literal definition of “Jesus Saves!”
For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17
The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest shall make atonement. He will put on the sacred linen garments and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the assembly. Leviticus 16:32-33
The priest is to make atonement for the whole congregation of Israel, so that they may be forgiven; for the sin was unintentional and they have brought to the LORD a food offering and a sin offering, presented before the LORD for their unintentional sin. Then the whole congregation of Israel and the foreigners residing among them will be forgiven, since it happened to all the people unintentionally. Numbers 15:25-26
And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:9-10
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us. Romans 8:34
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1 John 2:1
The first time Yeshua appeared fulfilled the prophecy for HOW He would inherit His priesthood. Mankind needed a high priest that could make atonement no matter where we were in the dispersion; no matter how long it took for the resurrection to occur. His life of obedience to the Father led to death of the flesh- spiritually and literally. He gave Himself for us with sacrificial love because He knew what His Father had anointed Him to do- save mankind. His resurrection allowed Him to assume His priesthood where He could atone for mankind until the time of resurrection.
For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. 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 15:16-23
so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Hebrews 9:28
When He returns, it won’t be to cover/atone for sin, it will be to remove it completely as He raises His sheep to inherit eternal life.
Then you, My people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. . . 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 37:13, 23-24
Atonement is not equivalent to Salvation. The earthly priests were only able to cover sin by making atonement for the people, but the atonement sacrifices were never able to remove sin- that was not their purpose. The purpose of atonement is reconciliation with the Father- this is what Yeshua does for us now while we’re in the flesh. But Salvation is the literal resurrection and complete removal of sin as Ezekiel 37 and 1 Corinthians 15 describes.
Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me.” Hebrews 10:3-5
These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:20
The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer. Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law. The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain.” Hebrews 8:1-5
Our High Priest is eternal. He does not need to die again, He died one time in order to resurrect one time so that He could minister for all, forever. This is the meaning behind the phrases regarding His blood saving us. The blood references are a metaphor for His righteousness; His complete obedience to the Father as the above verses explain.
For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Hebrews 9:24-26
We have already discussed Him not needing to atone for Himself before He can atone for the people, the same context is carried throughout - He does not have to go in and out of the heavenly tabernacle with the blood of bulls and goats because He has no sin; He sacrificed His life (not as a human sacrifice, but as a brother laying down His life to save a brother), fulfilling obedience to the law and the prophecy without transgression, so that He is in a position to put away sin at His return. This is the definition of HOW His “blood saves,” He was righteous in the flesh and now possesses the authority to save completely (resurrect the saints) as a High Priest.
For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name (authority), so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” Matthew 28:18
I understand this can be a sensitive topic, many cling tightly to PSA doctrines. But it is those mystifying doctrines about the ‘blood of Jesus’ that hinders critical thinking unbelievers from coming to the knowledge of Salvation. The bumper sticker phrases and metaphoric one liners aren’t discipling anyone to understand the actual process happening; the literal purpose and job of our Messiah. I present this section not to ruffle feathers but to challenge all of us to go deeper, learn the system instituted by YHWH, and get comfortable with articulating the real, tangible process by which Yeshua forgives and saves us with those who need to hear the details in order to believe. As we read through the New Testament and see Paul and Peter and John make shorthand references to the cross and the blood, we have to understand that they were speaking to people- Jews and Gentiles, who were intimately familiar with the system of a priesthood and a temple. They understood that Yeshua was not a literal human sacrifice; that He was the prophesied Son of God who was to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. To us, that just sounds cool. But to them, it had real meaning. And that is the mindset I exhort us all to get back to- finding the meaning. When we accept the literal meaning, we can be better equipped to reach the lost and articulate the set apart system of YHWH that gives His people eternal life.
Judged To Be Saved
Now that we made it through some of the finer details of the WHY and HOW, let’s circle back to one of the first questions, WHEN? We have established through the scriptures that the literal moment of Salvation happens at the resurrection, but what exactly happens when we die? The prophet Ezra asked the same question:
I answered and said, “If I have found favor in thy sight, O Lord, show this also to thy servant: whether after death, as soon as every one of us yields up his soul, we shall be kept in rest until those times come when thou wilt renew the creation, or whether we shall be tormented at once?” He answered me and said, “I will show you that also, but do not be associated with those who have shown scorn, nor number yourself among those who are tormented. For you have a treasure of works laid up with the Most High; but it will not be shown to you until the last times. Now, concerning death, the teaching is: When the decisive decree has gone forth from the Most High that a man shall die, as the spirit leaves the body to return again to him who gave it, first of all it adores the glory of the Most High. 2 Esdras (4 Ezra) 7:75-78
The rest of this passage is quite lengthy but worth the read, I will include a link for anyone who has never read 2 Esdras. There is a judgement that happens at our death- Those who are deemed righteous will enter the place of rest, also referred to as Abraham’s Bosom in Luke 16, to await the first resurrection. Those judged unrighteous will enter the wicked side of sheol to wander about in mental anguish until the second resurrection. In this regard, your Salvation is set at the moment of death. The deeds of your life are sealed up until the resurrection when we will be held accountable and rewarded accordingly. And for those who did not obey the covenant, their sentence for the Lake of Fire is declared at death. Their souls will be tormented (emotionally, not physically) as they await the judgement because they will realize what they have done and Who they have denied. We are given our entire lives in this flesh to make a choice- life or death.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 9:27
man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment. Hebrews 9:27
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10
For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14
So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8
Let’s take a look at the 2 Esdras passage that we started above. The angel is explaining to Ezra what happens to a person’s soul when it leaves the body of the flesh. The first group is those who were deemed wicked at their death, please note how the descriptions of torture are related to confusion, regret, fear, and shame. There are no demons in Hades whipping the wicked for all eternity. They are faced with the reality of their choices and are left to mourn over their denial of the Most High as they await their judgement and complete destruction. Refer back to part one, “Saved From What” to bring this piece full circle.
And if it is one of those who have shown scorn and have not kept the way of the Most High, and who have despised his law, and who have hated those who fear God— such spirits shall not enter into habitations, but shall immediately wander about in torments, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways. The first way, because they have scorned the law of the Most High. The second way, because they cannot now make a good repentance that they may live. The third way, they shall see the reward laid up for those who have trusted the covenants of the Most High. The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days. The fifth way, they shall see how the habitations of the others are guarded by angels in profound quiet. The sixth way, they shall see how some of them will pass over into torments. The seventh way, which is worse than all the ways that have been mentioned, because they shall utterly waste away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and shall wither with fear at seeing the glory of the Most High before whom they sinned while they were alive, and before whom they are to be judged in the last times. 2 Esdras 7:79-87
The angel then describes to Ezra what happens to the souls of the righteous when they depart from the flesh, it is absolutely beautiful!
Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they shall be separated from their mortal body. During the time that they lived in it, they laboriously served the Most High, and withstood danger every hour, that they might keep the law of the Lawgiver perfectly. Therefore this is the teaching concerning them: First of all, they shall see with great joy the glory of him who receives them, for they shall have rest in seven orders. The first order, because they have striven with great effort to overcome the evil thought which was formed with them, that it might not lead them astray from life into death. The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander, and the punishment that awaits them. The third order, they see the witness which he who formed them bears concerning them, that while they were alive they kept the law which was given them in trust. The fourth order, they understand the rest which they now enjoy, being gathered into their chambers and guarded by angels in profound quiet, and the glory which awaits them in the last days. The fifth order, they rejoice that they have now escaped what is corruptible, and shall inherit what is to come; and besides they see the straits and toil from which they have been delivered, and the spacious liberty which they are to receive and enjoy in immortality. The sixth order, when it is shown to them how their face is to shine like the sun, and how they are to be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then on. The seventh order, which is greater than all that have been mentioned, because they shall rejoice with boldness, and shall be confident without confusion, and shall be glad without fear, for they hasten to behold the face of him whom they served in life and from whom they are to receive their reward when glorified. 2 Esdras 7:88-98
There is a judgement taking place at death of inheriting salvation or condemnation. But there is still a waiting period for the reward of Salvation to come to fruition at the resurrection. We get a few hints of what is taking place in the righteous side of Sheol in the bible- Yeshua’s parable in Luke 16 and the souls of those told to rest in Revelation 6 to name a couple. But another book that was removed from the canon, 2 Baruch, also corroborates the recurring contrast between the righteous and unrighteous upon death.
And it shall come to pass, when that appointed day has gone by, that then shall the aspect of those who are condemned be afterwards changed, and the glory of those who are justified. For the aspect of those who now act wickedly shall become worse than it is, as they shall suffer torment. 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. For over this above all shall those who come then lament, that they rejected My law, and stopped their ears that they might not hear wisdom or receive understanding. When therefore they see those, over whom they are now exalted, but who shall then be exalted and glorified more than they, they shall respectively be transformed, the latter into the splendor of angels, and the former shall yet more waste away in wonder at the visions and in the beholding of the forms. For they shall first behold and afterwards depart to be tormented. 2 Baruch 51:1-6
And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld. And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, just as they had been killed. Revelation 6:9-11
Make ready your soul for that which is reserved for you, And prepare your souls for the reward which is laid up for you. 2 Baruch 52:7
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
The reality of what the scriptures describe about death and the ‘afterlife’ is vastly different from the traditional teaching of- you go to either heaven or hell as soon as you die. It sounds way more complicated but it’s actually just the order of events that has been present since the beginning of mankind when the blood of righteous Abel cried out from the dirt. These are certainly not sentiments offered at funerals nor are they shared during Sunday morning altar calls. But in my opinion, they should be. We are given ample amounts of scripture pertaining to the choices we make in this life affecting the judgement we receive in the next, for good reason. Dismissing or minimalizing that reality only weakens the effectiveness of the Salvation message. We have a responsibility to equip ourselves with the whole truth of Salvation so that we can be used to equip others in their walks.
I hope you enjoyed this study of the what, how, why, and when of Salvation. My prayer is that these scriptures strengthen your faith in the Way and deepen your understanding of the Salvation that you have through Him alone.