Future Salvation

Background

Past Salvation changes our status in the eyes of God from enemy to beloved one, and quickens our dead spirit to life.

Present Salvation transforms, cleanses and prepares our soul for God’s purpose on earth.

What More Can God Do For His People?

From the perspective of this side of heaven, Scripture reveals that at some future point in time souls, both dead and living, whom trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will become clothe with an eternal body capable of standing in the presence of the Shekinah Glory of God and still live (not even Moses could do that). That’s the same Glory of the Lord that filled the Holy of Holies in the holy tabernacle and holy temple.

Exodus 40:34-35 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

How Will We Receive This Body and When?

For us, this future form of salvation begins when Jesus returns for His church in midair (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). He will return for souls of everyone who has placed their trust in Him (both dead and living). When he finds a person who has trusted him - though their soul was once clothed in flesh and blood - they will suddenly be changed into souls clothe with a body that lasts forever, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 15:35-44. Bodies that cannot sicken or deteriorate!

Our New Body is an Imperishable Inheritance Being Preserved in Heaven

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

• There is a salvation yet to be revealed. Our faith in Jesus is able to keep us until it is revealed.

Persevere and Wait for It, Along With Nature

Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

• Extinction of species, polluted rivers, air and soil, the overheating of our atmosphere, debris covered beaches, oil covered wildlife and mounts of landfills are reasons why nature also groans; awaiting its future salvation.

• Our desire, as faint as it may be, to be free from bodily pain and poor health; our hope to be understood or appreciated; our yearning to end one string of disappointments after another; being treated with disdained for faith in Jesus, and vexed with Adamic sin is how human groaning is expressed.

What About the Imperfect World We Leave Behind?

Revelation 21:1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”...

• Read vs 5 very carefully!