The thought behind the word salvation is to rescue and to deliver.
Every human being born in Adam has need of salvation. The death sentence passed upon Adam was because of his disobedience in the Garden of Eden. This death sentence has been inherited by every human being.
Romans 5:12: “Through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all have sinned…”
Death is automatically inherited by every human being born to this earth. Alienation from God has resulted in not only death and physical problems and issues, but a perverse way of thinking and acting, which has led to all kinds of choices and actions including murder and war.
Galatians 4:17-19: “…walk no longer as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart, and they having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.”
But God has provided salvation and deliverance from this death sentence and process. Acts 4:12: “He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the very corner stone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.”
Just as all death came through Adam, so all hope of deliverance from death and depravity comes through Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:22: “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
The Bible shows that salvation takes place in two different periods of time. A resurrection of deliverance is promised for ALL: 1 Corinthians 15:22-23: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, (faithful Christians) and after that those who are Christ’s at his coming” (the rest of our human family, the “everybody else”).
John 5:28-29: “Do not marvel at this: for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear his voice and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds (faithful Christians) to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds (the rest of our human family) to a resurrection of judgment.”
First, salvation and deliverance is carried out for to those who believe and live a faithful life of obedience to Christ. Hebrews 5:8-9: “Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he (Jesus) became the author of eternal salvation unto all that obey him…”
Romans 1:16: the gospel of Christ is defined as “the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…”
The end result of this salvation of faithful Christians and their heavenly reward is an even more widespread salvation, “the salvation of souls” (1 Peter 1:9), the deliverance of all the human family in a kingdom on earth.
The second phase of salvation is the resurrection of judgment. An earthly resurrection will provide the ability to understand the truth of Jesus and of the Bible, a blessing of physical healing, and an opportunity to learn a lifestyle that leads to holiness in thought and character.
Isaiah 11:9: “They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” See also Jeremiah 31:34.
The resurrection of judgment will lead to the full opportunity for all the effects of sin to be reversed. Not only will all be able to SEE the truth and to accept Christ, they will also be empowered to walk the “highway of holiness.” This will be a symbolic journey of learning and a process of literal and spiritual healing, which will lead to development of a character of holiness.
Isaiah 35:5-6,8: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing…and an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for those; the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”
Why is salvation important? Without this fullness of salvation there would be no hope or future for anyone! Ephesians 1:10: “And this is in harmony with God’s merciful purpose for the government of the world when the times are ripe for it – the purpose which He has cherished in His own mind of restoring the whole creation to find its one Head in Christ: yes, things in heaven and things on earth, to find their one Head in him.
Additional Resources:
Download PDF: “God’s Grand Plan”
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1086: “Are Jesus’ Ransom and Our Salvation the Same?”
Clarifying the purpose of the ransom and the process of salvation
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
Episode #1231: “What if I’m Not Good Enough for Heaven?”
Uncovering the destiny of humanity’s billions who don’t go to heaven
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
