From the Greek Lexicon: Sozo: To save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction. To save from the evils which obstruct the reception of the Messianic deliverance.
From the very beginning the Godhead has been at work to save all of humanity completely. God started His salvation plan for our eternal souls and covering our sins from day one after the fall of man. Gen. 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. If skins where provided, then most likely one or two lamb’s lives had been taken to cover Adam and Eve’s bodies and proclaim the acceptable sacrifice that would cover the penalty of sin for mankind. The fallen human condition had to be reconciled to God the Father and only God could say what would be acceptable as a righteous sacrifice concerning God.
All the combined human efforts in history could not or ever measure up to the payment of sin that is accelerating continually in this world. Only Jesus could fulfill the demand of the law that sin created. Acts 4:11 This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it. God the Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit have been at work to save us completely in body, soul, and spirit.
The Israelites had shade from the hot sun of the day. They had heat from the cold desert nights. They had water, manna, and quail provided regularly and their clothes and shoes did not wear out during the many years of living in the desert. Their human needs were provided for if they walked in obedience to their God. However, all the laws and ceremonial observances ritually done by the Israelites could not save the soul. The instruments used in the tabernacle set up in the desert was a shadow and prophetic telling of a Savior to come.
Luke 9:35 Then a voice came from the cloud, saying: This is My Son, the Chosen One; listen to Him! The people were instructed to listen to Jesus and come under His reign and be delivered through His personal sacrifice on the cross. Before His crucifixion, Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit would come and lead us into all truth and be our comforter. John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
The descriptive list in Rev. 18:11-18 of everything imaginable that can be bought and traded is what we are to be in control of in our hearts. The Holy Spirit warns us continually that our spirits can be seduced and we should do our best to keep God first in our Christian lives. 2 Tim. 3:1a This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves.
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