III. Future Salvation (After Death; Future; No Time; Eternity Future)

D. Salvation as We Shall Be (Our Perfection)

This view of our Salvation is after our physical death.

1) Paul reveals in 2 Corinthians 5:1-8, that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. In Romans 8:29-39, Paul reveals that from Eternity Past, to Time Present, to Eternity Future; we were foreknown, predestinated, called, justified, and glorified in Christ – and nothing shall separate us from the Love of God.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,” (Romans 8:38)

“Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39)

2) The Apostle John, in John 17, records Jesus’ prayer for us:

a) To be Where He is;

b) To be One with Him; and

c) To Behold His Glory.

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:21)

“And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:” (John 17:22)

“I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:23)

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24)

3) Then the Apostle John wrote in 1 John 3:

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” (1 John 3:1)

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)

The Apostle John wrote that “we shall be like him” – not as a God – but be Perfect, One in Him for all Eternity.

Conclusion

Salvation, or deliverance, or being preserved is found in:

I. Eternity Past:

A. As God sees us: Our Position in Christ

II. Time Present:

B. As we see us: Our Perception in Regeneration

C. As others see us: Our Practice in:

1. Sanctification

2. Sustainment

III. Eternity Future:

D. As we shall be: Our Perfection in Christ

When one is enabled by God to perceive His Salvation is these Three Areas, he can then say:

Yes, Salvation is of the Lord. He is the Origin, the Cause, the Performer, and the Sustainer of His Salvation. All Glory and Honor goes to the Lamb of God, even our Father, and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!