“That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:12-14.

This lesson is being directed to pastors, evangelists, altar workers, exhorters of young people (over-seas) and here at home. Some have taught that salvation has three distinct phases: the salvation of our spirit, then, our souls, and finally our bodies. There are two scriptures used to validate that concept and lend credence to its value to Christian growth. The first scripture said: “Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.” 2^nd Corinthians 1:10. To this, we add the words of the Apostle Paul. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”1^st Thessalonians 5: 23.

Let us borrow from the Phillips Translation, to simplify what Paul wrote to the Ephesians. “After you gave your confidence in him you were, so to speak, stamped with the promised Holy Spirit as a guarantee of purchase, until the day when God completes the redemption of what he has paid for as his own; and that will again be to the praise of his glory.” It is of vital importance for us to examine the true meaning of two words showcased in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians; the words are: earnest and until. According to the Reader’s Digest dictionary, the word “earnest” means intent, eager, determined, resolute, diligent, industrious, etc. But the version by Webster’s New World Dictionary, comes closer to its value as it pertains to this study. Here, it means money, etc. given as a pledge to a binding bargain (contract.) Sometimes in religion, like in politics, people understand by the way we ask the question or express our thoughts. If we continue to say things the old way, we will continue to get the same “old results.” 

At the very onset of this subject expressed in our foundation scripture, to Christians everywhere across the vast expanse of Christendom, it is generally accepted that salvation as we know it to be, comes with segments of truths, and a process of gradual development. Myriads of saints of God have accepted that concept and have embraced the process of growth. But the question remains as to what the Zenith or the pinnacle of growth is like, and how do we achieve that growth to the very pinnacle as intended by God and Jesus Christ his Son. Here are some of the accepted truths embraced and adopted by the church worldwide.

But even allowing for the growth process at our present station in Christ, there could well be another major step forward into yet a bigger and brighter goal in our salvation experience. Let us meet the new born child of God as expressed in scripture for our edification and understanding. We are told: “As new born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby. If so be that ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” 1^st Peter 2: 2,3. However, the writer of Hebrews lodged a serious complaint against certain believers in Christ. “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.” Hebrews 5:12, 13. I have said many times in sermons that God saves children, but he doesn’t keep them. The emphasis is growth into adulthood.

We just read that we began our walk and our relationship with God as “new born babes” but Paul added the following serious thought. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” 1^st Corinthians 16: 13.  One cannot use a single brush to paint a big picture of the Christian landscape. From anyone’s vantage point, one cannot assess and determine what pedigree of teachings serve the church at large. From a practical point of view, one has to assume that religious leaders are people dedicated to preaching and teaching “bible truths” and hope that one is right in their interpretation of any doctrinal matters.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians that has become our main point of study, contains numbers of vital truths, which we will do diligence in analyzing; as if we are cracking the outer shell to get the rich kernel inside. Yes! When we first believed we were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. This term does not address the Holy Spirit as at first, when they disciples waited in the upper room for the promise of the Father. In this case, the Holy Spirit is given as a seal; which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession.

From this, we understand that our salvation was bought and paid for at Calvary in Christ’s vicarious death. But in the meantime, we are given the Holy Spirit (called the Spirit of promise) since it is meant to reassure us that although we are now God’s purchased possession, we only had a down payment by God, to serve as a binding contract that God has placed himself under to our benefit on full salvation. Thus, having received the Holy Ghost when we first believed, it was only the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession. Paul made it quite clear that this down payment (when we received the Holy Ghost) was not our full inheritance, but only a down payment—the first installment of a much bigger package—an enormous inheritance. And in giving us that first down payment: usually called “token money” or “earnest money” we are given assurance that at his set time, (set in his blue print before time began) he shall indeed return to complete the transaction. Along with creation, we patiently wait for the redemption of our bodies, which shall be to the praise of his glory. 

God’s guarantee that this is so, is set forth and demonstrated in the act of us receiving the Holy Spirit of promise. Let us never forget that being sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, we are earmarked for the blessed event that God has marked on his “time calendar” (much like his “to do” list.)  Let us observe the contents and language of the next scripture text. “And that, knowing the time, that now is high time to wake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light.” Romans 13: 11, 12. This last phrase refers directly to the salvation of our bodies. Notice that Paul wrote to the Roman saints who were already saved observing, “when they first believed.” But along with their basic salvation experience, the apostle is introducing a greater salvation than when they first believed. 

The original apostles knew of the revelation (the unveiling) of a salvation that was not presently revealed to God’s people. For instance, Peter spoke of our inheritance that is reserved in heaven for us: “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1^st Peter 1: 5. The N.E.B. translation puts it this way. “It is kept for you in heaven, and you, because you put your faith in God, are under the protection of his power until salvation comes—the salvation which is even now in readiness and will be revealed at the end of time. We are assured in scripture that beyond our first “born again” experience: indeed, beyond the operation of all nine gifts of the Spirit, and perhaps an evangelistic outreach that cannot be equaled or surpassed; there is yet a salvation (phase or dimension) beyond the years and accomplishments mentioned herein that is specifically reserved in readiness, to be made manifest at the end of time.  

For the most part, we can assume that the main thrust in Christian teachings is for us to hold fast to the faith; and with due diligence, labor honestly in our local Assemblies, and look with the air of great expectancy for the Lord’s return. But let us take another look at a crucial point as to the profound truths it contains. Our opening scripture text brings us forward to the very opening from which we may want to enter in our quest for more divine truths. The Holy Spirit (or the earnest of our inheritance) was given to us as an official legal binding document until the redemption of the purchased possession. The language and composition of the text clearly points to something bigger and more profound than what we have learned and even possessed in our first salvation experience.  

Let us put heaven aside for a moment! The Seal—the earnest—the token down payment—is meant to assure us of the final redemption of what God has already purchased at Calvary. But along with so much reading, do not forget that having been given the SEAL—THE STAMP—THE SPECIAL MARK, we are also given an eternal guarantee by God himself “to which he willingly obligated himself, and cannot renege on this heavenly deal” that at the set time, he will return to redeem the purchased possession.

Another of Paul’s letters takes us into the center of this conversation.  “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4: 30. Note carefully once more that Paul is alluding to the day of redemption to people who were already redeemed in their first conversion experience. The apostle was not ready to allow them to rest and be at ease in Zion, wrongly assuming that they already were in possession of the full, total and complete salvation that God had included in his master plan for his redeemed saints before time began.  Allow me to reiterate my two-step descriptions of salvation’s master plans. The first segment, or phase, of eternal salvation is the buying back. This was accomplished at Calvary. Paul referred to it this way: “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1^st Corinthians 6: 19, 20. Such is the first phase of our salvation! Being bought by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Of this truth there can be no controversary! 

However, Paul laid before us a smorgasbord of heaven’s finest cuisine. But before we can take our seat at the table, our attention is called to the ugliness, pain, and trauma of a groaning creation—and we along with the creation. Paul explained both the pain, the ugliness, and the final break through of a brand-new day—and a brand-new world. But more than that, the Apostle shows us our final release from mortality and being loosed from the limitations of the human body. He opened as it were, the windows of heaven and invited us to look within and catch a glimpse of what is in reserve for the whole creation. At that time, the trees will clap their hands: the birds will sing new songs; and the desert will blossom like a rose, and the dry ground will become rushing streams of water. 

Paul began by telling us how things came to be the way they are, so that we can understand the inter-action between good and evil. Thus, he wrote: “For the creature (the creation at large) was made subject to vanity, not willingly (not of its own will) but by reason of him (the Creator) who hath subjected the same in hope. Because the creature (the whole created universe) itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit (meaning the EARNEST—the down payment) even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption to wit, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:20-23.

What do we mean when we use the word “redemption” in this text? Let us look at what the word means in two of its use. In Hebrews 9.15 the Greek word for “redemption”is loo-tro-sis which means ransom as in Christ’s vicarious death: as being redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. But the mention of the word redemption in Romans 8: 23 carries a totally different meaning. In this text, the Greek word for redemption is not Loo-tro-sis. Rather, it is ap-ol-oo-tro-sis: It means riddance, ransom in full, and the loosing away of the human body, from all human limitations.

I like to emphasize the second half our salvation, because it is less spoken of, and could be unheard of in some areas all together. Listen to this once more! We have offered this next thought in previous studies, but it seems prudent to bring it back in this study. It highlights the fact that more often than not, when a prophet utters a prophetic word from the Lord, the sequence of time could easily be misplaced or misunderstood. It is good to be told by a prophetic word what God will have you to do. But for the most part, you will need to wait for further instruction as to when, where, and how you should move forward. Look what happened with the prophets of old! All of this is a reminder since we shared this quite a while back. “Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify , when it testified before hand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.  Here is the key—and it applies to us today!  

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1^st Peter 1:10-13. Peter, in his introduction in this his first general letter articulated his thoughts this way. “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”1^st Peter 1:3-5,12,13. Notice that there is a salvation being kept in reserve until the last time, (or the segment of time that we call the consummation of the ages.) Peter suggested that this salvation that was hidden from the prophets was being kept in secret, to be revealed unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ (suggesting the return of Christ.) But in truth, the revelation of Jesus Christ did not occur in Peter’s day, neither in Paul’s day, nor in the days of any of the original apostles. In less than a hundred years the original apostles had died or killed.  

By the process of elimination we can attest to the fact that the salvation that is being kept in readiness for the last day, or for the end of time, is still on God’s to do list. This will be an event that the world has never seen. It will be the event that the whole creation is waiting for. Its groaning in childbirth will be over and we will experience our changed bodies. I like to borrow this bit from the Phillips translation: “To those who look for him, he will appear a second time, not this time to deal with sin, but to bring to full salvation those who eagerly await him.” Hebrews 9: 28. The beauty is that the whole creation is on tiptoe, anxiously awaiting the day of liberation, when God’s created universe at large will be redeemed from the tyranny of change and decay. When in one voice we can join the refrain that asks “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1^st Corinthians 15:55. Death is swallowed up in victory!