Assurance of Salvation

A reading of Daniel chapter 7 can cause wonder and fear. At a glance it seems dreadful. To a certain degree these feelings are understandable. Daniel, who actually saw these beasts, was so disturbed that he was grieved (Daniel 7:15). So distressed was he about this dream, especially the fourth beast, that he confessed that even his countenance changed. We naturally fear beasts. They are bigger, faster, and fiercer than we are. It always seems as if they want to devour us. This is a consequence of sin – a natural enmity between man and animal. So, as we read this chapter, our natural fear of beasts and of the unknown (i.e. - prophecy) takes over.

But wait, who is giving the prophetic vision? Who wins in the end? Upon careful reading, the answer is provided to us. God wins and those who by faith believe He has given them the victory, win also. This prophecy demonstrates -- as does all prophecy -- that God knows what is happening on this planet. Because, He cares, God lets us know what has happened, is happening, and what will happen. We are thus warned. Having already made provision for us, He remains involved in our world. He assures us victory, if only we believe in His Son as our Savior.

You see there is a difference in knowing that God is capable of saving us, and being assured of that salvation. Paul talks about assurance, not capacity. We are not waiting to see if Christ is capable of being victorious. Christ is victorious! He lived a perfect life in our sinful flesh. He died the second death. He was resurrected and taken to Heaven in glory. Christ endured all that we will experience, and He has given us that which made His victory possible: the Holy Spirit and His power. Christ has assured salvation for us all, that is, the whole world, on the cross. His resurrection is the proof of this. Are we still at war? A look at Daniel 7 will remind us that we still are. But do not fear. There is provision for this too. Salvation is in three stages. Have you noticed the verb in the verses dealing with salvation or deliverance is in three different tenses: Past, present, future? That is because salvation is in three stages. On the cross Christ paid the world’s penalty for sin. As the scripture states, “the wages of Sin is death.” But thanks be to God, we can be assured that Christ’s blood paid the price. Titus 3: 5-6 says,

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

We are thus justified. In other words the cross allows for the Righteousness of Christ to be imputed to us. We are declared Righteous through the merits of Christ (Romans 5:1). The next stage is in the present tense. We are currently being saved. 1 Corinthians 1:18 is a good example,

1Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

This stage of salvation imparts His righteousness to us. It sanctifies us. It saves us from the power of sin. That is why 2 Peter 2:9 says, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations…” We are thus assured that not only will we not die eternally, but that in our sinful flesh we can have perfect and sinless characters, as Christ did. The last stage of salvation is in the future tense. We will be saved. Matthew 10:22 states, “…he that endureth shall be saved.” Other examples are Mark 16:16, John 10:9, and Acts 15:11. This is glorification. This shall happen at Christ’s second coming. When “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1Co 15:52). And we shall be saved from the presence of Sin. Christ went through these three stages and was victorious. He assures those who believe by faith, that His grace is sufficient and complete, and that they too, are being, and will be victorious.

Daniel 7 may seem to be a dreadful passage, but it is actually good news, because, we see God’s hand saving His own throughout this world’s terrible history. If we trust God He gives us His perfect love – agape. His perfect love casts away all fear (1 John 4:18).

Raul Diaz

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