Did you know that the Bible does speak of salvation in the past, in the present and in the future? We normally think of salvation (or damnation) as something that will happen after we die, on judgment day.
But the Bible does speak of salvation in three ways or time periods: past, present and future. Here are some passages of Scripture on this one:
- Past – We have been saved. (Ephesians 2:5, 8; Rom. 5:8; Rev. 13:8)
- Present – We are being saved. (Acts 2:47, 1 Cor. 1:18, 2 Cor. 2:15)
- Future – We will be saved. (Romans 10:9, 13; Romans 11:26)
How then are we to understand and reconcile all these? Let’s try to understand Scripture based on the truth of who God is — God is love — as revealed to us by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Salvation in the Past
From God’s point of view, when he planned to send Jesus Christ to save mankind before the beginning of time, it was already as good as done. Therefore the apostle John said that Jesus Christ is “the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). He was already “slain” even before it happened.
When it finally happened and Jesus Christ died on the cross some 2,000 years ago, he assumed all our sins and became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). While we were still sinners he already in the past died for us (Rom. 5:8). He paid for our sins (1 John 2:2). In this sense—in that context, it is as good as done, a done deal—from God’s point of view. “It is finished,” Jesus said so on the cross (John 19:30 ).
Salvation for all already happened when Christ died for us even before we were born. This is already true–an objective truth and reality. Whether one believes it or not, whether one is aware of it or not, it is already an accomplished reality through Jesus Christ. The rescue already happened in the past in so far as God is concerned. All sins forgiven—saved!—in the past (Col. 1:13-14).
Salvation in the Present
This free gift of salvation by grace is already true, made possible by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). As our Mediator and High Priest he has already offered the only sacrifice that is acceptable to the Father. He died for us as our Substitute and Representative, on our behalf. This is the objective truth and reality.
Through the Holy Spirit (the Comforter whom Jesus sent), Jesus Christ is busy working right now in each one of us and he is busy transforming us to be conformed to him (Phil. 1:6, Gal. 4:19). In this sense (context), we are “being saved.” In this sense, “now is the time of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).
Whether one will enjoy the benefits of this salvation already made possible by Jesus Christ or not, is up to the individual. As a response to what Christ had already done to save us in the past, it is just but right that we “work out” our own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12). We are encouraged to change our thinking, our worldview (repent) and believe in Christ — or “accept Christ”, as some would say. This is the context of we are “being saved.” Repenting, believing and accepting this good news of salvation, living a righteous way of life or becoming like Christ, are our joyful responses to God, our participation in what Christ had already accomplished in the past on our behalf.
Salvation in the Future
At the second coming when the Lord Jesus returns, at the resurrection, those who are in Christ will be saved—their mortal bodies will be changed to spiritual bodies “in the twinkling of an eye” as Paul said (1 Cor. 15:51-52). Or, if we die before Christ comes, then we will be resurrected when he comes back to raise us up out of the dead — “the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thes. 4:16). In this sense (context), our salvation is yet future. This is the culmination and completion of our salvation when our mortal bodies will be changed to immortal, spiritual bodies.
So, we can see that the Bible does affirm that: 1) we have been saved, 2) we are being saved and, 3) we will be saved! Confusing? It need not be. It’s the great good news of the Lord Jesus Christ!
For Further Study:
- Past, Present and Future of Salvation, Mike Morrison
- A Holistic View of Salvation, Ted Johnston
- The Present and Future Kingdom of God, Mike Morrison
- The Kingdom of God, Gary Deddo
- The Church, The Kingdom and Human Government, Gary Deddo
Updated: 3/12/2020