By William Oldham
“…We must pay the most careful attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?” Hebrews 2:1-3
God’s great salvation is all about you, your past, your present and your future. It’s all about this present world and the world to come; it’s all about the coming judgment day; a day in which all of mankind will appear before the Lord to be judged. The Lord God Almighty has appointed His Son, to be the Proclaimer, Purchaser, Administrator, and Judge of His great salvation.
Jesus spent the last years of His life announcing, and teaching those who were willing to hear, about God’s great salvation. Jesus proclaimed what salvation is about, it is for you.
“My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40
There was a purchase price necessary for your salvation; it was the priceless blood of the spotless Lamb of God. The purchase price was paid when Jesus gave His body and His blood on the cross. In His death and burial, Jesus took our place against the judgment of God. When God raised up His Son Jesus from the dead, He set His seal of approval on all Jesus said and did.
Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended into Heaven and was seated as Lord over all in Heaven and on earth. He is the Administrator of God’s great salvation. Jesus is presently working, caring for, shepherding, and interceding for all who look to Him and believe in Him. And, “…He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He ever lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25
What God’s great salvation means to you: when you look to Jesus and believe in Him, you are born again; this comes from God. Born again means you become a new creature in Christ. It means that in God’s eyes you have no past; you are now reconciled to God and adopted as His child. God’s great salvation means you possess a present righteousness, and a glorious future.
There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ. They are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the Day Jesus comes for them. God supplies all their need and makes all things work together for their good, forming them into the image of His Son. The workings of God’s great salvation for man will find completion on the Day Jesus returns for them. On that Day, all in Christ, both dead and alive will be given an incorruptible, immortal, glorious body. Following that comes the fate of the present heavens and earth, and all who have refused Christ Jesus.
“The Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” 2 Peter 3:10 Following this, comes the great white throned judgment when, the dead, great and small, shall stand before Christ and be judged according to what they have done as recorded in the books. Revelation 20:11-15
Those in Christ will not be there! “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24 And then….
“…In keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” 2 Peter 3:13
We must pay most careful attention to what we have heard. The present state of the professing church is ample evidence of what happens when it drifts away from God’s word. Be vigilant, because God has given us so great a salvation!
Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted at bboldham@sbcglobal.net