Dimensions of salvation to be revealed in the future

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3–5)

Salvation comes from Christ Jesus alone. There is not other source of salvation. Right now in the world many Christians suffer persecution especially in Africa and the Middle East, so we must pray for them. Even the early Christians face tremendous persecution. They were killed without mercy. Their were subject to horrible tortures. Yet they held on their faith in the Lord Jesus. Because they knew that their salvation is secure is heaven. They knew that is better to die than give up on their faith. They knew that they could be killed but their salvation will never die. Therefore, they could face trials and sufferings knowing that all of it is temporary but their salvation is permanent.

This salvation as mentioned in 1 Peter 1:3–5 is not a salvation that is different from the salvation of the Gospel. It’s a revelation of the dimensions of same salvation that are yet to be manifest. For instance when you are on earth you may face various temptations to sin. It can be annoying! But once you die while in faith and go to heaven it’s a different thing. You won’t be tempted anymore. For heaven is a place where sin is not allowed and neither is temptation.

Another dimension to this salvation. A person who believed in Christ may have died due to old age. However he is totally healthy in heaven forever. For sickness is not welcome in heaven. None of God’s angels fall ill at all.

The following scriptures show an interesting facet of salvation that is yet to be manifest, as mentioned in Revelation 21:1-8 :

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; 3 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.”

5 And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment. 7 He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”

The above verses show the glory of salvation in the future. Blessed are those who remain faithful to Christ for they will surely get it. This also is a warning for those who think of salvation as a joke. Those who reject the salvation which comes from Christ will have an eternally unhappy ending. But those who trust in Christ will forever have comfort and rest from God.

Remember my friend, that salvation is not ‘say a prayer and get your ticket to heaven and forget about it’. You’ve got to value it. Great was the price that Jesus paid to obtain your salvation for you. This cannot be bought by money. It’s a free gift from God which is given to those who believe in Christ. Your works cannot get you saved. You have to continue to believe in the Gospel even unto your last breath. Rejoice therefore and wait in all eagerness for the complete manifestation of your salvation which comes from Christ alone. Amen to the Lord Jesus.

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