WILL SALVATION LAST FOREVER (CONCLUDED)

The Redeemer predicted the end of human history. Accordingly, we should earnestly prepare for that epochal event. We need to make serious preparations even though we don’t know exactly when the return of the Son of God will occur. At some point in time, human probation will close. Just as it closed in Noah’s day. When it closes, salvation and the forgiveness of sins will no longer be available to any soul.

“Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.” Genesis 7:1 (NKJV)

“So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.” Genesis 7:16 (NKJV)

“The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.” Revelation 15:8 NKJV

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24: 14 (NKJV)

But how exactly should we prepare?

1. REPENT OF ALL KNOWN SINS “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
2. OBEY ALL OF GOD’S COMMANDMENTS “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14 (NKJV).
3. WARN OTHERS AND HELP THEM TO PREPARE TO MEET JESUS IN PEACE WHEN HE COMES “Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’” Luke 14: 21-24

The world’s Redeemer observed that history would come full circle once more. That Planet Earth would return to events and conditions patterned after Noah’s days. At that time in human history, there was a universal crime wave, widespread corruption, immorality of every kind, and a full-scale rejection of God’s sacred law. For all the above reasons, the Lord of Creation will again intervene forcefully in human history.

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24: 37-39 (NKJV).

Jesus, however, is not the only prophet who pointed to the end of the ages and the abrupt discontinuation of all human history and existence as we know it.

“And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.” Daniel 2: 44-45 (NKJV).

“Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,  to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” Jude 1: 14-15 (NKJV).

Scripture continually references the grand finale in human history, when God intervenes in human affairs to execute His judgment on mankind. These prophetic events will be unavoidable. No one can travel to another planet to escape or avoid them. They are coming. They are a certainty. They are man’s ultimate destiny.

“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” Revelation 14: 6-7.

“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.” Luke 12: 35-38 (NKJV)

Salvation will certainly not last forever. God’s gracious offer of compassion and mercy will eventually be withdrawn. At that time, all the righteous who had accepted God’s grace would have been sealed for time and eternity. Just as Noah and his family were sealed before they entered the Ark. Afterwards, the impenitent wicked will be fully exposed to God’s wrath in the form of the Seven Last Plagues. All those who’ve failed to develop characters that will fit them for heaven. Those who’ve failed to embrace the plan of salvation will be shut out of God’s kingdom. Just as the five foolish virgins were shut out because they had failed to make adequate preparations promptly.

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25: 1-13 (NKJV).