Temporal Salvation

1. The Bible makes a distinction between things which are temporal and things which are eternal.

            2Co 4:18 – While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

            Temporal adj. –  1. Lasting or existing only for a time; passing, temporary. Now rare or merged in 2. 2. Of or pertaining to time as the sphere of human life; terrestrial as opposed to heavenly; of man’s present life as distinguished from a future existence; concerning or involving merely the material interests of this world; worldly, earthly. (Opp. to eternal or spiritual.)

1. “Salvation” doesn’t necessarily always refer to being saved from hell and given eternal life. Consider the definitions of the words:

            Salvation – The action of saving or delivering; the state or fact of being saved.  1. a. The saving of the soul; the deliverance from sin and its consequences, and admission to eternal bliss, wrought for man by the atonement of Christ.  2. gen. Preservation from destruction, ruin, loss, or calamity.

            Save – 1. trans. To deliver or rescue from peril or hurt; to make safe, put in safety.  2. Theol. To deliver (a person, the soul) from sin and its consequences; to admit to eternal bliss.

            Deliver – 1. trans. To set free, liberate, release, rescue, save.

            “Salvation” or being “saved” can simply refer to being delivered from danger or hurt, or to being liberated or set free from something.

III.   There is more than one type of salvation in the scriptures.

            To be saved is to be delivered (Act 2:21 c/w Joe 2:32).

            There are salvations in scripture – Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. (Psa 44:4).

            David was saved from dying in battle (Psa 55:18).

            We can be saved from death, tears (sorrow), and falling (Psa 116:4-8).

            Men were saved from being killed at sea when they called upon the name of the Lord (Psa 107:23-30 c/w Psa 107:13 c/w Mat 8:25 c/w Mat 14:30).

            The scripture teaches that there is an eternal salvation that is by grace alone and is not conditioned on anything a person does, nor can a person lose it.

            But does the Bible always refer to eternal salvation when it speaks about being saved?  Consider what the following verses say one must do to be saved:

            Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Act 16:30-31), which is a work (Joh 6:28-29).

            Get baptized (Mar 16:16).

            Confess the Lord Jesus with your mouth AND believe that God raised Him from the dead (Rom 10:9) – these are not the same thing either (Joh 12:42).

            Call upon the Lord (Rom 10:13).

            Repent with godly sorrow (2Co 7:10).

            Remember the gospel that was preached to you (1Co 15:1-2).

            Continue in the doctrine (1Ti 4:16).

            Have other Christians pray for you (Phi 1:19).

            Endure to the end (Mat 10:22).

            Have children (1Ti 2:15).

            Stay in a ship (Act 27:31).

            Are all the preceding verses referring to eternal salvation?

            Obviously not.  All these verses have one thing in common: the salvation being spoken of was conditioned on works.

            Work – 1. Something that is or was done; what a person does or did; an act, deed, proceeding, business; in pl. actions, doings

            Eternal salvation is not of works (Rom 9:11; 2Ti 1:9; Tit 3:5).

            Any verse that attaches a condition that a person must fulfill (works) to be saved is not referring to eternal salvation.

            Therefore all the preceding verses that speak of salvation or being saved are not referring to eternal salvation, but rather to a temporal salvation.

            What does temporal salvation by belief of the gospel save people from?

            Ignorance of God’s righteousness (Rom 10:1-3 c/w Rom 10:9).

            Going about to establish their own righteousness (Rom 10:1-4 c/w Rom 10:9).

            Deception and bondage (Eph 4:11-14; Joh 8:31-32).

            The power of Satan and sin (Act 26:18; 2Ti 2:25).

            Fear of death (Heb 2:14-15; Act 16:27-31 c/w Act 12:19).

            Chastisement from God for sin (Pro 1:20-33).

            An untoward and wicked generation (Act 2:37-40).

            What does temporal salvation by belief of the gospel save people unto?

            Knowledge and assurance of eternal life (1Jo 5:13).

            Having eternal life is eternal salvation.

            Knowing you have eternal life is temporal salvation.

            Knowledge and assurance of their election of God (1Th 1:4-6).

            Fellowship with God and with believers of like faith (1Jo 1:1-3; Act 2:41-42,46).

            Fullness of joy (1Jo 1:4).

            Rest (Heb 4:1-10; Mat 11:28).

            Victorious living (1Jo 5:4-5).