The Three Periods of Salvation

The Bible divides the matter of salvation into three periods. The first period is the past, in which God saved us from the punishment of sin, which is death. The second period is the present, in which God is saving us from the power of sin. The third period is the future, in which God will save us from the presence of sin, and we will enter the Kingdom in order to reign with Christ. Let me illustrate each of these periods with a pertinent verse:

1. "Who (God) saved us and called us" (2 Tim. 1:9). This is the past experience that everyone who believes had.
2. "Therefore (Christ) is able to save forever those who draw near to God through him" (Heb. 7:25). This is the present salvation that we can obtain today.
3. "So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, without regard to sin, to save those who are waiting for him" (Heb. 9:28). This is the future and complete salvation.

Therefore, it is evident that the Holy Scriptures refer to the three periods of salvation. All Christians may have past salvation, but they may not have present and future salvation. Some may have past and present salvation and be looking for future salvation. A person can be saved from the punishment of hell, even if he still sins frequently. A person may be saved from the punishment of hell, but may not reign in the future.

I will quote three other passages to prove the validity of the three periods of salvation:

1. "For by grace you have been saved" (Eph. 2:8). This passage refers to past salvation.
2. "For if, being enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved through his life" (Rom. 5:10). This passage is related to the way we are saved today, by the life of the Lord.
3. "For in hope we were saved" (Rom. 8:24). This passage indicates future salvation.

We thank and praise the Lord, for we are saved! However, there are two periods of salvation that still need to be experienced. Therefore, we must continue with fervor. To people who are not yet saved, we must tell them to believe, so that they will be redeemed from the punishment of hell. But we, who have been delivered from hell, need to be saved from the power of sin and seek the glory of the coming Kingdom. Let us thus work out our salvation with fear and trembling. (Watchman Nee).

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