The Majestic Mystery Of Great Salvation Part-1 Series

The Majestic Mystery of Great Salvation

Bishop Lalachan Abraham

Open your Bible to the book of Hebrews, and I would like for you to follow with me as I read from chapter 2: verse 1 to 4, that we might have the scriptural understanding of the Majestic Mystery of “GREAT SALVATION”.

“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, 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? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”

The Bible contains many questions which causes its readers to stop and to consider their meaning, in the light of divine revelation. Without a doubt, one of the most important question we all must answer in view of the immeasurable eternity that lies ahead and especially directed to those who have heard the Gospel, but have yet to accept God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as their personal Saviour. The question is, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" Whether we realize it or not, when we die and leave this scene of time and space, our soul immediately goes to either Heaven or Hell, and there is absolutely no other place in between. Therefore, this very important question concerns us, because without God’s "great salvation", through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, it will be impossible to approach with favor into the presence of Almighty God.

What is it from which we are saved? It is the wrath of God that every sinner deserves. Bible says “In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished upon us” (Eph. 1:7-8; cf. 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 3:21-26; 5:6-8; 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9). Jesus Christ revealed God’s great plan of salvation. The great salvation is about the great Savior (Lk. 2:30; Jn. 4:22, 42; 14:6; Acts 4:12). Salvation is synonymous with the Savior. God spent at least four thousand years preparing the world for Christ’s arrival by using the nation of Israel as his special instrument and by speaking through the prophets. When Christ was on earth, he spoke clearly and boldly about his identity. He radiated God’s glory and character. He commanded men to embrace him as their Lord and savior. His crucifixion sent shock waves throughout history. His resurrection vindicated his claims to divinity and kingship. The signs, wonders, and miracles God has worked through history substantiates that Jesus is the way, truth, and life. No one can come to the Father except through him. If we look, we have all the confirmation we need that Jesus is God’s chosen vessel of salvation to all who believe. There is no other alternative, no other means, no other plan. Our salvation is given to those who excessively embrace Christ. "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”(Acts 13:38)

What is the Meaning and Scope of Biblical Salvation?

The Bible speaks, of God’s gracious plan to provide a solution to man’s problem. We call it salvation or Soteriology, the doctrine of salvation, must be the grandest theme in the Scriptures. It embraces all of time as well as eternity past and future. It relates in one way or another to all of mankind, without exception. It even has implication in the sphere of the angels. It is the theme of both the Old and New Testaments. It is personal, national, and celestial. And it centers on the greatest Person, our Lord Jesus Christ. The word “salvation” is the translation of the Greek word soteria which is derived from the word soter meaning “savior.” The word “salvation” communicates the thought of deliverance, safety, preservation, soundness, restoration, and healing. In theology, however, its major use is to denote a work of God on behalf of men, and as such it is a major doctrine of the Bible which includes redemption, reconciliation, propitiation, conviction, repentance, faith, regeneration, forgiveness, justification, adoption, sanctification, preservation, and glorification. On the one hand, salvation is described as the work of God rescuing man from his lost estate. On the other hand salvation describes the estate of a man who has been saved and who is vitally renewed and made a partaker of the inheritance of the saints. According to the broadest meaning as used in Scripture, the term salvation encompasses the total work of God by which He seeks to rescue man from the ruin, doom, death and power of sin and bestows upon him the wealth of His grace encompassing eternal life, provision for abundant life now, and eternal glory (Eph. 1:3-8; 2:4-10; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; John 3:16, 36; 10:10).