The story of salvation has taken us through the sixty-six books of the Bible, starting in the garden and will end in heaven. Between the garden and heaven is the story of mankind; covering both his goodness and his evils and God’s mercy; thus, “The story of salvation.” In the last of ten articles on “The story of salvation,” attention will be called to where it ends!
Salvation is not just for the here and now, but is for eternity. If it were just for here and now, it would not mean much! If it is not eternal in design, just what would be its propose? If one died forgiven of a million sins, but would not live in eternity, what good would forgiveness be? It might make one feel better for a little while, but it would not make any real difference. The apostle Paul addressed the subject in these words: “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Tim. 4:8). In this “godliness” is forgiveness, for once a person has sinned, but without forgiveness, there would be no true “godliness!” It cannot truly be said that a person has “godliness” while guilty of unforgiven sin. The bloodline of the seed of woman, going through the Patriarchs of the Old Testament and ending in the seed of Mary, Jesus of Nazareth, was looking toward forgiveness in view of eternity.
It may surprise some to read, the only institution on earth that is going to be delivered up, by Christ to God the Father, is the kingdom/church. Paul wrote: “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power” (1 Cor. 15:24). When it is time for this earth to end and to be burned up (2 Pet. 3:10), which will take place at the Lord’s second coming, and the final judgment, the righteous who are in the kingdom will be delivered up into eternal life. Therefore, “The story of salvation” is an eternal story! It begins in the garden, following the first sins, but it does not end until the saved are taken to heaven!
It must also be understood that “The story of salvation” was pointing to the gospel of Christ. When God said to the serpent, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15), God was pointing to the gospel of Christ. God was pointing to the victory of Christ over satan in a most unusual turn of events. What looked like a sure victory for satan, was his defeat and a victory for the bloodline of the seed of woman, Jesus of Nazareth, the promised Messiah. The bloodline ended on the cross in victory; as Paul wrote: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). The gospel is the glad tidings of salvation, forgiveness of sins; God’s invitation to eternal life!
Remembering, the saved are added to the church (Acts 2:47) as they are baptized into the blood of Jesus (Rom. 6:3-4), it should be understood that in the words of God spoken in the garden: “he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel,” is the glad tidings of our salvation! In these words God had heaven, eternal life in mind. God was looking at the cross, at the shed blood on the cross, and at forgiveness made possible by the bloodline of the seed of woman which ended in Jesus!
It is understood that “The story of salvation” cannot be covered in just ten articles, but it is hoped that at least a little light has been shed upon the subject. After all, God took sixty-six books to tell us the full story. It started as a “mystery, which was kept secret since the world (the Jewish world, FRW) began,” but has now been revealed, being “made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.” To God “be glory through Jesus Christ forever” (Rom. 16:25-27).
“The story of salvation” will end when this natural body is raised a spiritual body, for “as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly” (1 Cor. 15:49). “The story of salvation” will have reached its conclusion, when this corruptible body shall put on incorruption, and this mortal body shall put on immortality (1 Cor. 15:54): and when “death is swallowed up in victory. (55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Cor.15:54-56). Between now and then, let us remember, “thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 57). In this the seed of woman will have seen his final victory over satan! God’s children will go home to be with their Heavenly Father eternally!
— Frank R. Williams