heaven

How Do I Know I Am Saved?

Sadly, some go through life wondering how to tell if they are saved. They live each day in anxiety about their soul’s eternal destiny. However, there is something worse; those who are wrongfully convinced they are saved. People in either of these conditions will not be saved. Those who erroneously believe they are saved, of course, will not go to heaven. Those who are not sure will not go either. No one who makes it to heaven will be surprised to be there because it requires a concerted, determined effort (Col. 3:1, 2; Heb. 11:6). So, how do you know—correctly—you are saved?

You do not know you are saved simply because you are sincere. The prophets of Baal were sincere, but they were sincerely lost (1 Kgs. 18:25-29). They truly believed Baal was real, even to the point that they cut themselves. Yet, all the sincerity in the world did not make it a reality.

You do not know you are saved by feeling it. Saul felt compelled to offer a sacrifice (1 Sam. 13:8-14). However, Saul was misled by his feelings and stood condemned. Jacob felt Joseph was dead. There was even “evidence” to lead him to that feeling (Gen. 37:29-36). His feelings were wrong; Joseph was alive.

You do not know you are saved because you are religious. The Pharisees and Sadducees were religious men, but they were hypocrites (Matt. 6:1-18). Saul of Tarsus was religious too—and he was not a hypocrite, but was nonetheless lost (Phil. 3:4-6; Acts 23:1). Regular worship, study, and prayer did not mean these men were saved.

You do not know you are saved because you are moral. Cornelius was a moral man (Acts 10:1, 2). He treated his fellowman with kindness and love. He was not only moral, but devout too. Still, the angel told him he must be saved (Acts 11:14).

So, how do you know if you are saved? You know when the Word of God tells you you are saved. In other words, if you do what the Bible tells you to do, then you will know you are saved. Have you believed in Jesus (Jn. 8:24)? Have you repented of your sins (Lk. 13:3)? Have you confessed Christ before men (Lk. 12:8, 9)? Have you been baptized to have your sins washed away (Acts 22:16)? Remember, the Holy Spirit promised that those who repent and are baptized will receive the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). This, of course, was based on belief in Jesus (Acts 2:36, 37).

What about the Christian? How can a Christian know he is saved? We can know in the same way as stated above, by the Word of God. Paul said, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Rom. 8:16, 17). When our spirit adheres to what the Holy Spirit revealed in the Bible, then we are truly children of God and will inherit salvation. Generally speaking, we are saved and will be saved if we “do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1).

Thankfully, we are not left to guess about salvation. God has revealed what man must do to be saved and stay saved. How do I know I am saved, by God’s eternal, sure, steadfast Word!

Confession Is Required

Depending on who you talk to in the religious world, you will receive different answers on what is required to have eternal life—even if we only consider those who believe in Jesus. Some will say nothing at all is required; others that faith alone is sufficient. Of the latter group, there are those who say that must confess Jesus is the Christ, but when pressed on the matter, would not say it is essential to salvation. Faith alone will do, so they claim. Faith is necessary (Jn. 8:24; 3:16). However, faith alone is not enough.

Paul wrote, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:9, 10). This confession is made with the mouth. It is not merely a way of living as some want to make it. We do “confess” our belief in God by the way we live, but we must also verbally assent to the Lordship of Jesus.

An example of confession leading to salvation is found in Acts 8. The Ethiopian eunuch was taught the gospel (Acts 8:35). When he and Philip came to water, he asked, “What hinders me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36). Philip told him he must believe, at which point the Ethiopian confessed his belief—“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:37).

The confession of Jesus Christ is not some type of word magic. The seven sons of Sceva thought there was something special in saying the name “Jesus,” but found out differently (Acts 19:13-16). Saying Jesus is the Christ must come from the heart, a deep, genuine conviction that He is the one and only Savior. Without this confession, you cannot be saved.

Romans 10:9, 10, is not the “sinner’s prayer.” Confession with the mouth is not merely in a prayer uttered to God. Yes, we may express to God that we believe in His Son. However, the confession leading to salvation is not a statement made in prayer. If it was, Saul of Tarsus would have been saved before Ananias came to him—but he was not. There is no doubt that Saul believed in Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-6). It is an indisputable fact that he was praying for three days (Acts 9:11). Yet, when Ananias came to him, he still had sins that needed to be washed away (Acts 22:12-16). Do you think Saul acknowledge Jesus as the Savior in any of his prayers over a three day period? Likewise, do you think he told others—his traveling companions—that he believed in Jesus?

Sometimes people wonder about confessing sins before being baptized. We know Christians are to confess their sins (Jas. 5:16; 1 Jn. 1:7-10). However, alien sinners are not required to tell of their sins. Why? First, everyone already knows they are sinners; and that is the reason they are being baptized. Second, if a man obeys the gospel when he is 50 years old, could he remember all of the sins he committed?

Confession of Jesus as the Christ is required of all who want to become Christians. For those who truly believe in Jesus, this is not a problem. Too, their conviction will lead them on to obey the commands of the One whom they confessed, namely to repent and be baptized (Lk. 24:47; Mk. 16:16).

Revelation 17

Revelation 17 introduces us to the great harlot. She stands in contrast to the woman of the wilderness from Revelation 12. Her dominion is on the many waters; she rules over “peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues” (Rev. 17:1, 15). These men are intoxicated with her and all she has to offer.

She sits on the beast (Rev. 13:1). There is great luxury and opulence with her (gold, precious stones, etc.), but she is desolate (wilderness). The cup in her hand is gold, very appealing, but full of abominations (toxic). This is a perfect description of Rome. Its material wealth and world domination intoxicated men, but her moral and spiritual bankruptcy proved her ultimately harmful.

This woman on the beast appears very appealing, but is revealed to be a harlot (Rev. 17:5); and is drunk with the blood of the saints. Rome was involved in the ruthless persecution of Christians.

This harlot (Rome) has characteristics of many ancient harlots. She was a harlot of conquest and destruction like Nineveh (Nah. 3:1, 4). She was similar to Tyre, the harlot of commerce (Isa. 23:15-17). Pleasure was a top pursuit, just like Babylon (Isa. 47:8, 9). She was also analogous to the great spiritual harlot, Israel (Isa. 1:21). All of these abhorrent features were found in first-century Rome. Therefore, she is condemned by God.

In Revelation 17:7-18, the angel explains the vision.

Lust controls the beast and the beast upholds the lust (Rev. 17:7, 9).

The seven heads, mountains, and kings are the power aligned against Christ (Rev. 17:9-11).

The ten kings are lesser kings who compromise with the beast (Rev. 17:12, 13).

The Lamb will win (Rev. 17:14).

The waters are people of the earth (Rev. 17:15-17; cf. Dan. 2:40-43).

The woman is specifically identified as “that great city;” lust, seduction, allurements of the flesh (Rev. 17:18).

Looking back it is easy to see how all of this fits Rome. Remember, the letter of Revelation was written to Christians in the first century. Its primary application was to them, not us. Just like 1 Corinthians was written to the church at Corinth and was first pertinent to them. We can learn from these letters, but let us be careful with Revelation in trying to make it primarily applicable to present-day events.

Back to the point: Kings of the earth compromised many things to curry the favor of the Roman Empire. These forces, driven by their worldly lusts, stood opposed to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. Hence, there was a great battle taking place. It appeared that they were winning. Christians (those of the seven churches and others) were concerned that their cause would fail. This letter was written to let them know the Lamb, Jesus, would be victorious over this satanic power. All who were with Him would gain the victory too—they just had to remain faithful.

Reserved In Heaven

“Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 1:3-6).

What Is Reserved In Heaven?

Peter describes an inheritance reserved in heaven, but what is this? Paul said it is the “crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:8). It is the crown of life, as James puts it (Jas. 1:12). The inheritance is eternal life.

We will one day leave this world and our body. This will happen either when we die or when the Lord returns. When He does come back, everyone will receive a new body, a body suited for eternal life in heaven (1 Cor. 15:35-53).

Who Will Receive The Inheritance?

The faithful. Peter said that the inheritance is reserved “who are kept by the power of God through faith.” Notice, they are not kept by the power of God alone, nor are they kept by faith alone. It takes both God and man working in harmony to receive salvation; man must comply with God’s will (Heb. 5:9).

These people are ones who were “begotten again.” Jesus told Nicodemus that men must be born again, born of the water and the Spirit (Jn. 3:3-5). This takes place when a man receives and obeys the word of God, namely in repentance and baptism (1 Pet. 1:22, 23; Acts 2:38; note Peter was preaching on Acts 2).

When Will The Inheritance Be Received?

“In the last time.” Some people are under the mistaken notion that when a faithful Christian dies, he or she go immediately to heaven. This is not a biblical concept. Rather, the crown of life, the crown of righteousness, salvation, the inheritance, will be received when the Lord returns—the last time—that Day (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

When Christians die, they go to the Hadean world. The account of the rich man and Lazarus sketches for us what happens when the faithful and unfaithful die. The unfaithful go to torments, while the faithful go to Abraham’s bosom, also known as Paradise (Lk. 16:19-31). At the end of the world, this realm, Hades, will be destroyed in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone (Rev. 20:14). Another statement showing that we will not go to heaven until the Judgment.

What Does This Mean For Us Now?

Because of the abundant mercy of God reserving an inheritance in heaven, we have a living hope. This is what keeps us going from day to day in this miserable, dark world. It is the anchor of the soul (Heb. 6:18-20).

This is the one and only true hope of mankind (Eph. 4:4). We will not live on earth forever. That hope is a false hope. We will not pass into oblivion; false hope. There will not be 72 virgins for faithful male martyrs (don’t know what the females are supposed to get); another false hope. The one hope is resurrection to eternal life in heaven with God; a hope that ought to motivate us to live faithful and true to our Savior and God.

Vital Repentance

Many of our neighbors believe faith alone will save. This doctrine, however, does not stand when examined in light of God’s Word. Rather that a soul-saving doctrine, faith only damns man.

The Bible teaches that a man must not only believe in Jesus as the Son of God, but also repent of his sins (Jn. 8:24; Lk. 13:3). Jesus declared such in the great commission. He said, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Lk. 24:46, 47). Peter obeyed the Lord and told men from the start of the gospel that repentance is for the remission of sins, to have one’s sins blotted out (Acts 2:38; 3:19). In other words, if one wants to be forgiven and counted as a child of God, a Christian, then one must repent of his sins.

What is repentance? It is not sorrow for sin. It is not a change of behavior. Rather, it is a change of mind which comes from sorrow for sin and leads to a change in behavior. Paul said to the Corinthians that their “sorrow led to repentance,” “for godly sorrow produces repentance” (2 Cor. 7:9, 10). John said, “bear fruits worth of repentance” (Lk. 3:8). When a person repents, he changes his mind about the sinful things he has done. He makes up his mind not to engage in lawlessness anymore—and fights to stick to it.

The man who believes in Jesus but continues to get intoxicated, has not repented. The woman who has confesses Jesus as the Christ but remains in adultery, has not repented. The teenager who is convicted that Jesus is the Savior but persists in looking at pornography, has not repented. The same is true for anyone who believes but continues in sin. There is no repentance and, therefore, no salvation.

Repentance is vital to salvation. It will lead us away from rebellion and to submission to Christ’s commands, including baptism (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38). It will lead us to a changed life, a life dedicated to serving the Lord.