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18th September 2007

Saved -- by Enduring to the End

David Weber

"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." (Matthew 24:13 KJV)

Because of what has been shared recently, I've been meditating on the above verse. The Greek word that is translated as "saved" here is the word "sozo," which can mean "to save, i.e. deliver or protect, heal or preserve." It can also mean "to make whole," or "to be made whole." Because of what we now know about salvation (that it is three-fold) and of the first resurrection (that it is something to be "attained to"), the latter translation here seems to make the most sense to me.

I think that the application for us now in the end of the age is that we are going to have to "endure" some very tough trials, tribulation, persecutions and affliction ahead -- some of us will even be brought to the point of physical death, but those who remain strong in the faith and endure whatever comes there way (all the way unto the goal, or: into the final act - which could even include physical death), they will be "made whole," in that they will have part in the glory of the first resurrection.

This is going to require great perseverance and endurance on our part, saints -- something that will be imparted to many of us - by His grace - as we seek His face.

Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17:15:

"I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep (Gk - tereo - watch, guard, and protect) them from the evil one."

This implies our protection from spiritual harm, beloved, not an escape from tribulation or physical harm, not even an escape from physical death.

"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." (Matthew 24:13 KJV)

To paraphrase this; "The one who keeps the faith and wholeheartedly trusts the Father while in the intense fires of the end of the age, he is the one who will be fully refined by that fire, and will thereby attain to the first resurrection."