Salvation as found in the Epistle to the Hebrews is a comprehensive word, meaning more than the salvation of our souls. It does mean that, but there is more. The word is used in the epistle seven times (one of which is implied). Let us look at this wondrous salvation as given in the first nine chapters of Hebrews.
HEIRS OF GOD’S COMPLETE SALVATION
This we are by sovereign grace. This is not true of the Christless, in fact who are “children of wrath, even as others…without God and having no hope in the world” (Eph. 2:3, 12). But we have heard the blessed news of the Person and work of our Lord, and by faith “are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:16-17). So we may be quite sure of one day entering into the “inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you…” (1 Pet. 1:4).
Now that we are on the way, our God has holy angels as our guards. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out for service on account of those who shall inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14, New Trans.). We really do not realize how much we owe to God’s angels! “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them.”
We have examples of this in the lives of both Peter and Paul. Paul is on the storm-tossed ship, where all had given up hope of ever seeing the shore, when an angel descends through the raging storm and stands beside Paul, saying, “Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.” In faith he told his shipmates, “Be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shaIl be even as it was told me” (Acts 27: 24-25).
In Peter’s case, we are again afforded an example of God’s care wrought by an angel. Herod had killed James with the sword, and because he saw it pleased the Jews, he took Peter also. But through the prayers of the saints the angel of the Lord came to Peter’s rescue. Herod had to learn that, until Peter’s testimony was finished, all the hosts of evil were powerless. Peter had two letters to write for the lambs and sheep of the flock, and a bodyguard of angels was his until the time came when he must “put off his tabernacle,” as the Lord had shown him long before.
SO GREAT SALVATION
In 2:3 we have the next mention of salvation. Surely that is the word that fits God’s salvation—the word “great.” The cost would tell its greatness, if nothing else did. What currency expended to bring us back to God—“His own blood” (Rev. 1:5). This shall be our endless song when time shall be no more. Surely it is “precious blood!” When His blood is compared with silver and gold, they are merely corruptible things (1 Pet. 1:18-19).
Then when we think of the greatness of the Person who wrought salvation for us, we are baffled like Paul who was never at a loss to describe other persons and things, but when he wrote of the “Lord of glory,” he could only say, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15).
How will it be possible for any to escape if they neglect so great salvation? No answer has ever been given to that question in twenty centuries, from devils, angels, or men. Theories have been propounded—and exploded—by the Word of God. “They shall not escape” (1 Thess. 5:3)!
Cry up to heaven, if you will; ask the ransomed host if there is a way of escape from God’s judgment other than through His great salvation. You might well hear the reply:
I stand upon His merits,
I know no other stand;
Not e’en where glory dwelleth,
In Immanuel’s land.
—Ann Ross Cousins
Call to those in the regions of despair, “Is there another way of escape from that awful place other than through God’s great salvation?” The answer is the same. There is no escape for those who reject the only way of escape.
THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION
We discover the next citation in Hebrews 2:10. What a leader is ours! There is no foe that He fears or flees. Every enemy that could hinder entrance to our destined place has been overcome. Our Captain will indeed bring many sons to glory. No danger of losing one on the way; they cost Him too much, and are too precious to Him.
His own word to us is, “Because I live, ye shall live also.” “I am the Living One, who was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death” (Rev. 1:18). What a Captain! No staying behind the firing line! No, He goes before the sheep, leading on to glory. Some day the many sons will arrive, then with joy He will say, “Behold I and the children which God hath given Me” (v.13).
THE AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION
Salvation is again mentioned in 5:9. “And being made perfect, He became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.” Our blessed Lord was ever holy, harmless, and undefiled, but as a Leader for the flock of God He was put to every test. Every other leader had to bow before Satan and death. Their sepulchers are with us to this day. Not so with our Captain. An empty tomb tells us of His victory over death and the grave, and though we see not yet all things put under Him, we do see Jesus crowned with glory and honor at God’s right hand.
Some would degrade our Saviour’s work by teaching we may be lost after accepting His salvation! This can never be, or else it is not the salvation of which our Jesus is the Author. He is the Author of eternal salvation, and no one can make eternal mean temporal. “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man (one) pluck them out of My hand. My Father which gave them Me, is greater than all, and no man (one) is able to pluck them out of His hand” (Jn. 10:28-29). We are “Kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed” (1 Pet. 1:5).
Believe the good news! “Jesus paid it all!” No works of merit need we plead, neither before nor after salvation. Our sins are all forgiven for His name’s sake, not because of our good behavior. That we should behave as suits the children of God is true, but we shall exclaim in His presence, “Not unto us, not unto us, but unto Thy name be all the glory!” I am sure we would have it thus, “That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7).
THINGS THAT ACCOMPANY SALVATION
Chapter 6 explains where we have our part. “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation” (v. 9). This is the chapter Satan has used to harass so many of God’s dear people. While it certainly does not teach that our salvation can be lost, it does teach that fruit should accompany this salvation. The figure is of two fields, both receiving blessing from God; one brings forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, while the other brings forth thorns. The fruit will finally be garnered; the thorns and briers will be burned. God expects certain things to accompany salvation.
UTTERMOST SALVATION
“Whence also He is able to save completely those who approach by Him to God, always living to intercede for them” (Heb. 7:25, New Trans.). I believe this gives the true meaning. I want you to notice the little word “also.” It is an important little word. It does not mean that we must be saved from the “guttermost to the uttermost,” as someone has said. No, it points us back to the eternal salvation of which our Lord is the Author, and which the apostle was persuaded they had received through the death of Christ. Now, if that is true, the same Saviour ever lives for us at God’s right hand, and is able to save us completely, all the way Home, not only because He died for us, but because He makes intercession for us. He is a living Saviour, a Priest who shall never die, in the power of an endless life.
This reminds us of Romans 5:10, “Much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Satan would have us believe much less, but the Spirit of God thunders out, “Much more we shall be saved by His life.” Whom shall we believe—God or Satan? Surely we will believe Him who cannot lie, rather than the one who is the “father of lies.”
ULTIMATE SALVATION
Last, we come to our final salvation at the Second Coming of Christ (9:28). The finished product of all God’s ways and dealings with us—conformed to the image of His Son! No mutilated Bride will be there, as some would teach. No, all the children will reach home! Rebecca will reach her Isaac at last. Not a stone will be missing in the temple which is being built of living stones. The whole creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God, whether they know it or not. Intelligence is not the price we pay to be taken up when He comes, nor is it devotion. “They that are Christ’s at His coming” settles that (1 Cor. 15:23).
Enoch must go before the flood comes. Lot must be taken out of Sodom ere the fire and brimstone falls, and every member of Christ’s Bride must go before the “hour of trial” comes to try the earth-dwellers (Rev. 3:10). “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” (Heb. 10:36)