Salvation in its fourfold aspects !

The Salvation of God in Christ in its biblical testimony is fourfold. Its presented from an eternal aspect, legal historical, subjective and finally glorification.

All men who shall ever be saved in and by Christ are first and foremost saved by and in Gods Eternal Purpose in Christ Jesus, wherein Grace was given them in Him before the World began 2 Tim 1:9

9 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,

Who hath saved us according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

From Gods Eternal perspective which perspective is outside of time, the Elect of God, those Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the World Eph 1:4, have always been saved from Gods Wrath to come for sin, in His Eternal Decree they have always been appointed to Salvation and not Wrath as others 1 Thess 5:9

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Yes, some and maybe even most of mankind have been appointed to wrath, Paul terms them the vessels of wrath which are fitted for destruction See Rom 9:21-22, but those appointed to mercy and salvation from everlasting are the vessels of mercy Rom 9:23-24; Ps 103:17

 

Secondly, All men who shall ever be saved in and by Christ are saved legally and historically in time when the actual payment for their Salvation was accomplished at the Cross of Christ, It was
then He paid the full price for their Salvation, Jn 19:30. However be mindful as far as Gods Eternal Purpose in Christ was concerned, Christ had been slain from the foundation Rev 13:8 and foreordained to redeem Gods Elect before the world began 1Pet 1:20

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, So the Saving Redeeming Effects of the Cross and Blood of Christ was before and after His Death in time, which historically is dated for 33 ad. In time He was made a curse for us [Gods Elect] and redeemed us from the curse of the Law Gal 3:13; Gal 4:4-5

So even from everlasting the Cross in time was focal !

 

Thirdly Salvation is subjectively by the Spirit and the Word of the Gospel. So every sinner that is saved by the eternal purpose of God, and the legal historical transaction of the cross in time, shall be saved subjectively. This means they will experience a new birth Spiritually by the Spirit Jn 3:6-8

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Titus 3:5

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

2 Thess 2:13

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Now the saved sinner needs a Sovereign Act of the Spirit in them, in order to the saving that comes through the word of God . In other words there must be a saving by the Spirit before there can be a saving by the preached word. So in my opinion the bible teaches subjective Salvation in two parts, new birth and through the preached word. 2 Thess 2:13-14 sheds for that truth.

 

So after the Spirit does His Sanctifying and Renewing Work in us, implanting a new mind, heart, will and affections, which things give Spiritual receptivity of the things of God, its then we are saved from the darkness and delusion of false hopes and religion, and receive the truth of the Gospel, which saves us. Thats why Paul writes scriptures like 1 Cor 1:21

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

The saving here isn't the saving from the penalty of sin, no that was accomplished by the eternal purpose and legal savings of God in Christ. However even with that the elect are still born blind and dead to God, and need saving in that regard as well. Again Paul says some will be saved by hearing sound doctrine 1 Tim 4:16

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine[Gospel]; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

 

And finally Salvation is Glorification which is final deliverance from the presence of sin and glorification of our bodies. Paul writes this in Romans:

Rom 13:11

11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Paul is writing this statement to saved believing saints, yet he writes of a Savation being nearer. This is Glorification. This is final Salvation. Jesus speaks of it here Lk 21:27-28

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Eph 4:30

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1 Thess 5:8

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Heb 9:28

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

1 Pet 1:5,9

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Phil 3:20-21

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

 

Salvation is a excellent work of God !

It begins with Gods Election to Salvation from eternity Eph 1:4

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

2 Thess 2:13

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Then we have Gods sanctification 2 Thess 2:13

13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Then we have Gods Call 2 Thess 2:14

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 1:9

9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

We have Gods preservation unto Glory

Rom 8:30

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

2 Thess 2:14

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

I gave scripture for what I said. Did you see it ?

 

As per the opening post, the Eternal Aspect of Salvation 2 Tim 1:9

9 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,

Who hath saved us according to His own purpose and grace given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

This highlights the blessed truth for the believer, that God had already saved us eternally according to His purpose and grace !

 

As it regards the eternal aspect of Salvation, JC Philpot wrote and I concur:

“To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ.” - Jude 1

What a mercy it is for God’s people, that before they have a ‘vital union’ with Christ, before they are grafted into Him experimentally — they have an ‘eternal union’ with Him before all worlds. It is by virtue of this eternal union, that they come into the world at such a time,

at such a place,

from such parents,

under such circumstances

— just as God has appointed.

It is by virtue of this eternal union, that all the circumstances of their lives are ordained. By virtue of this eternal union, they are preserved in Christ before they are effectually called.

They cannot die — until God has brought about a vital union with Christ!

Whatever sickness they may pass through, whatever injuries they may be exposed to, whatever perils assault them on sea or land — die they will not, die they cannot — until God’s purposes are executed in bringing them into a vital union with the Son of His love.

Thus, this eternal union watched over every circumstance of their birth, watched over their childhood, watched over their manhood — watched over them until the appointed time and spot, when “the God of all grace,” according to His eternal purpose, was pleased to quicken their souls, and thus bring about an experimental union with the Lord of life and glory!
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This Eternal Union is depicted by 2 Tim 1:9

9 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,

Eph 1:4

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

The Elect have always been saved from the penalty of their sins by virtue of this Eternal Union in Christ, which ensured all other salvations in time.

 

Accepted in the Beloved Eph 1:6

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

I believe this has to do with the eternal aspect of Salvation, when the elect were made accepted in the beloved. I agree with pastor jym byrd:


“To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.” - Ephesians 1:6

“Made us accepted” are essentially the same as the words that Gabriel spoke to Mary, “thou art highly favored among women” (Luke 1:28). The Lord has “highly favored,” that is, infinitely graced and accepted His chosen people, those predestinated unto sonship, in Christ. We are fully and forever accepted in Him. Note that this acceptance has been from old eternity and actually preceded redemption which is set forth in verse 7. “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Even before Christ came and laid down His life for His sheep, the chosen of God were accepted in Him for He is our eternal Surety. How long has the Son of God been the Surety and Savior of His people? The answer is – forever – therefore in the purpose of God and in the person of Christ we have always been saved for we were given grace in Him before the world was even made. Our acceptance by the holy and gracious God, therefore, has been from eternity. “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” (2 Timothy 1:9). It was grace which gave us an existence in Christ, chose us unto salvation and predestinated us unto sonship, all because of who our Savior is and because of His covenant oath to redeem and save His people by His own blood and righteousness.
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