Salvation, Series 1:What? 

http://fact-s.net/2015/10/04/salvation-series-1what/

6 questions about salvation need answered? A SERIES of 6
This is a Series of Q&A regarding the topic of Salvation. The format in answering these questions is parallel to the “6 friends of Rupyard Kipling”.

What are we to be saved from? It is salvation from “death“. But, is there only one or two types of death? From a Biblical standpoint, there are 2 types of death. For the purpose of differentiation, they can be classified into:

1.”Reversible death” which is an actual death wherein everyone will resurrect from, being temporary, aka “sleep” as in:
Hebrews 9:27(KJV) “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”. This speaks of everyone’s “appointment with death and judgment”. All will die this type of death and it is temporary because everyone will be alive or resurrected to be judged (2 Cor. 5:10); only live person will be judged. Some verses that proved this death is considered “sleep“:

Psalm 13:3 (ESV):”Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death”.

1 Kings 1:20-21 (ESV): “And now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, to tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. Otherwise it will come to pass, when my lord the king sleeps with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon will be counted offenders.”

John 11:11-13 (ESV):”After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep.” Here, the disciples were assuming Jesus meant the “regular sleep” that we awake from. Actually , Jesus meant “reversible/temporary death” that Lazarus was resurrected to life with mortal body. By the way, Lazarus again died a “reversible/temporary death” and will be again resurrected at time appointed. Other examples are in the Bible, similar to Lazarus’ death

Acts 7:59-60 (ESV): “And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Some of those who experienced this “sleep of death“, specifically believers and overcomers, will be resurrected to eternal life at the second coming of Christ on earth to start the “Millennium“. Those who are alive, believers and overcomers, at Christ’s return will be “changed from mortal to immortal bodies”(I Cor. 15:51-53). These are the “firstfruits“(I Cor. 15:20, v-23; James 1:18, Rom. 8:23), the “fellow firstborn from the dead”(Rev 1:4; Rom. 8:29,; Col. 1:15-18). Also, in Luke 20:36 “…nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.” (NKJV). Note that by resurrection, they become classified as “sons of God” as they have been changed from flesh-mortal-bodies to spirit-bodies.

But the “rest of the dead” will be resurrected after the “Millenium“(after Christ’s return) as in: Rev. 20:5-10 “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years”. 

2.”Irreversible Death” which is actual death wherein there is no resurrection, aka “eternal death” or “second death”, i.e., “doomed to destruction forever“, death in the “lake of fire”, death of both body(soma) and soul (psyche/spirit). 

This concept emanates from the following:

“And you shall not be afraid of those who kill the body that are not able to kill the soul rather be afraid of him who can destroy soul and body in Gehenna.”Matt. 10:28 Aramaic Bible in Plain English. Notice that the body(soma) and the soul(psyche/spirit) can be killed and ended forever.

Psalm 92:6-7 (ESV): “The stupid man cannot know;the fool cannot understand this:that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish,they are so doomed to destruction forever”.

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV): “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Philippians 3:18-19 (ESV): “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”

Thessalonians 1:9 (ESV): “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.

Rev. 21:8 says: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Read also Rev 2:11, Rev 20:6 & 14. The second death is defined as dying in the “lake of fire”

So, which of these 2 types of death are we being saved from? Series 2 will try to explain which and Why?
Corollary to these 2 categories of death is the question of who dies at the battles of Armageddon and of Gog/Magog; will they still be resurrected?. When will those who died outside of these 2 battles be resurrected and in what body-composition? What is the timing in relation to Great White Throne Judgment? For answer to these tandem questions, please access subsequent Series.

But for now, go to Series 2: Salvation Why?

Original post: October 4, 2015

Dedicated the whole Salvation Series 1-6 to Evelyn whose loving support is invaluable and appreciated to umpteenth degree.

Please tsp hyperlink for references

Revised and posted:February 20, 2017

Hyperlink included 1/20/2021; Inauguration of POTUS46