Salvation - Heavenly and Earthly

Homer Montague

"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. - Matthew 6:10"

The Biblical declaration respecting Adam and Eve is that they were created in the image of God, blessed, admonished to be fruitful, and certified as being "very good" or perfect like all the Creator’s work (Genesis 1:27,28,31; Deuteronomy 32:4).

Had the first pair remained faithful and obedient to God’s instructions, the intimation is there would have been no death in the human family but instead a perfect race of mankind would have developed and maintained the image and likeness of the all-glorious Heavenly Father.

The disobedience of Adam and Eve in eating the forbidden fruit caused them to be condemned to death (Genesis 2:16,17; 3:17-19). History confirms that this death sentence has been transmitted to all of Adam’s posterity. Even though the Bible records instances of some living for several centuries, they all died eventually. Today the average life span is sufficiently low that special acknowledgment often is made about the comparatively few individuals who reach the age of one hundred. Nevertheless it is only a matter of time before they, too, succumb to the inevitability of death.

Despite creedal errors which emerged during the dark ages, mankind does not possess an immortal soul nor are sinners tortured eternally. The Scriptural declaration is, "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). "The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Ezekiel 18:4). Other biblical verses make it abundantly clear that the state of death is unconsciousness (see Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5,10).

Were it not for the Heavenly Father’s mercy there would have been no future hope for mankind to live again after going into the tomb. But in due course, God sent his son to earth for the purpose of becoming the redeemer for humanity. We read, "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9).

This text implies four things:

1. None of humanity could have attained eternal life before Jesus died. "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1:9,10).

2. Salvation cannot be obtained except through Christ. "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:10-12).

3. It is God’s will that each individual be given an opportunity to benefit from the death of Jesus. "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time" (1 Timothy 2:3-6).

4. Those who have gone into the grave will be awakened at some future time from the sleep of death. "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, 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, RSV).

The rendering of John 5:29 in the King James Bible speaks of the resurrection of damnation. However, the Greek word krisis properly denotes judgment which follows a trial. If the purpose for awakening sinners from the grave was simply to damn them again (they are already under condemnation--see Romans 5:16,18), they would have no opportunity to benefit from the death of Christ. How hollow would be the meaning of the text, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Nearly two thousand years ago a heavenly message was given which still awaits fulfillment: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:8-11).

These good tidings were for all people including past, present and future generations. Not fully grasping the import of what the Bible teaches, some well-meaning Christians believe one must obtain salvation before death or forever be lost as part of the wicked. The Scriptures indicate that Jesus not only died as a satisfaction for the sins of those who already have accepted him as their Savior, but also for those who have not. We read, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:1,2).

The Bible teaches a heavenly reward is offered to faithful Christians during this age. Human perfection is set forth for the rest of mankind who will lead righteousness lives in God’s kingdom here on earth. Let us examine these two aspects of salvation.

Heavenly Salvation

The Bible abounds with references where the faithful followers of Christ are promised a heavenly reward. Here are a few:

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal" (Matthew 6:19,20).

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus" (Hebrews 3:1).

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Revelation 3:21).

During his earthly ministry, our Lord Jesus in obedience to his Heavenly Father’s will, humbled himself to the death of the cross and provided an opportunity for all mankind to be resurrected from the death sentence which came upon humanity because of Adam’s original sin (Philippians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22). Furthermore, it was God’s desire that there be a class of individuals redeemed from among mankind comprising the Church or the Bride of Christ who would be associated with Christ Jesus in blessing all the families of the earth.

Those who would be disciples of Christ have been invited to follow a course of righteous living and self-sacrifice. In extending this invitation, we read, "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 16:24,25).

The rigorous process of devoting one’s life to such a regimen helps to explain why few are chosen from among the many who are called (Matthew 22:14). There are comparatively so few that they are styled a little flock (Luke 12:29-32). These saints will be associated with our Lord, the Lamb of God, in vanquishing all unrighteousness and establishing God’s kingdom; they are the called, chosen and faithful Christian believers (Revelation 17:14).

An important future task is judging the world in righteousness which the Father has committed to Christ Jesus his son (John 5:22; Acts 17:31). Faithful Christians also will share in this work for we read, "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?" (1 Corinthians 6:2). This process of judging by Christ and his saints for the purpose of instructing mankind in the ways of righteousness will require a thousand years (Revelation 20:4,6).

As the captain of all true believers, Jesus led the way to this heavenly salvation for his church by setting an example of self-denial and enduring trials even unto death (Hebrews 2:9,10). The path of discipleship is a difficult one at this time because it requires following in the master’s footsteps and involves suffering and persecution (Matthew 7:14; 1 Peter 2:21). A high reward is promised to all who persevere faithfully in doing God’s will despite any opposition received because we read, "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:17,18).

In Revelation 7:9-17, reference is made to a Great Multitude who come out of great tribulation, wash their robes and serve God in his temple. This highly symbolic language seems to refer to a secondary spiritual class redeemed from among humanity who will render service before the throne of God, but will not be among those who live and reign with Christ a thousand years (Revelation 20:6).

Another allusion to this Great Multitude is found in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. This text first describes the Little Flock which builds with the precious stones of Divine truth and promises thereby developing an approved character meriting a crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4). Then the Great Multitude is depicted as building with the wood, hay and stubble of human traditions, thereby developing an unstable character. Those of this class who yield to the refining influences of fiery experiences which God permits, ultimately will be saved, even though they will receive a lesser heavenly reward than that of the Little Flock.

Earthly Salvation

Most of the promises relating to humanity’s future involve an earthly salvation. Mankind was made to live on the earth as we read, "For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else" (Isaiah 45:18).

All that has been lost because of sin is to be restored and there will be a universal opportunity provided for human salvation here on the earth, allowing the righteous to live and the wicked to be destroyed as a result of God’s established kingdom.

The Bible asserts this is a prime objective of Christ’s second presence as we read, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people" (Acts 3:19-23).

It will be during the thousand-year reign of Christ and his Church that the day of judgment will be in operation (Isaiah 26:9; Acts 17:31). During this period Satan will be bound (Revelation 20:1-3). It will be a favorable time for mankind as the new covenant will be in effect and everyone will know God and his righteous laws (Jeremiah 31:33,34). The condemnation which fell upon Adam originally and passed to all his posterity will be lifted because of Christ’s sacrifice. Only those who willingly choose to disobey God will be destroyed (Jeremiah 31:29,30).

Presently, there are many evils that afflict humanity which God has promised to eradicate, followed by the turning of mankind to the Lord for blessings (Zephaniah 3:8,9; Habakkuk 2:14). Isaiah 35 speaks of how every imaginable illness, woe and condition of despair will be removed and replaced by rejoicing in the kingdom.

God’s ultimate purpose for humanity is to have them worship him in spirit and in truth. A test is now being applied upon true Christians who will receive a heavenly life if they prove faithful in their path of self-sacrifice and obedience to God’s will. At the end of the kingdom when Satan is released after being bound for a thousand years (Revelation 20:7-9; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28), all members of the human family who prove obedient and loyal to God will receive eternal salvation here on earth and evildoers shall be destroyed.

How wonderful it will be when the new Jerusalem (the Church in its heavenly glory under Christ’s headship) blesses the human family as God’s instrumentality for eradicating all sorrow, evil and death (Revelation 21:1-4). This grand fulfillment of the heavenly and earthly salvation promised will testify to the majestic grandeur of the Heavenly Father’s attributes throughout all eternity.