Future Salvation

The concept of eternal hope is one that our finite minds might find difficult to grasp. We think we understand “never-ending” work, trials, and all manner of drama on earth. But in reality, while those demands may seem taxing, they are very ordinary, and they are temporary. Except in extreme circumstances, we experience both highs and lows in life; Scripture tells us that it rains on the just and the unjust. Our trials are not unending. The one and only thing we can count on truly having no end is what God, out of His unending love for humanity, has planned for us when this finite life is done: eternity. That must become the object of our hope.

Eternity, as it is described in Scripture, is our future hope and reward for faithful perseverance through the temptations and trials of the world. This “faithful” perseverance does not leave us to our own devices to navigate through the muddy waters of life. It means we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and will spend eternity with Him instead of in eternal punishment (hell). Our perseverance means that we walk according to our trust in Him. The eternity that is described promises that the hellishness of our “right now” is only temporary. Every complaint; every sorrow; every problem; every emotional and physical pain will be done away with. Forever.

This is far more than “pie in the sky” salvation. We have already talked about what salvation means for us in the past and in the present, but our future salvation even reaches back, you might say, to touch us wherever we are in our relationship with Christ. Isn’t it reassuring to know that because you are saved, the struggles and fights you have with your body right now—the aches and pains, trying to get it to respond to your diet and exercise plan, even trying to tame its cravings—will be overcome one day? That’s a hallelujah moment! The battles with children, neighbors, husbands, boyfriends, and bosses who just don’t even try to understand will be resolved. They may not know the source of your joy, and that can be frustrating; but yes, it’ll “soon” be all right.

People respond to their struggles differently for several reasons, but one thing we know for certain is that no one will escape this life without trials. Even within these struggles, groanings, and living a life with fallen, shady humans that might make circumstances seem unfair, God is keeping us until the end. He has already caused us to be overcomers. So as Whitney said, “It ain’t right, but it’s okay.” The promises of Scripture and all those spirituals we’ve heard will one day be realized: “No more crying there, we are going to see the King!”