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Glorification: The End of Salvation

Christ’s resurrection indicates God’s satisfaction with His work. In 1
Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul proclaimed that because Christ has
been raised from the dead, believers shall be also.

Christ’s work in our behalf did not end with His death and
resurrection. He shows His concern for us by His intercession on our
behalf before His Father in heaven (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). Jesus
Himself assured us that He would intercede for us. (Read Luke 22:32;
John 14:16; and John 17:9.) Christ’s intercession is effective to preserve
His blood-bought people from falling and prepare them to be in His
presence forever.

Assurance of Glorification

While the fact of our glorification is based upon the objective work
of Christ in history, our assurance of future glorification is based upon
certain terms that arise out of the work of Christ as it applies to believers.
Titus 1:2 and 1 John 2:25 use the term promise in speaking of our future
glorification. Others, such as 1 Corinthians 15:20 and 23, speak of Christ
as the firstfruits of our salvation in most modern translations, although
the TEV uses the word guarantee. Second Corinthians 1:22, 5:5, and
Ephesians 1:14 indicate that the Holy Spirit is the deposit or guarantee
of our full and final salvation. Second Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13
and 4:30 assert that the Holy Spirit seals us for the day of redemption.
Finally, Ephesians 1:14, 18; 5:5; Colossians 3:24; Hebrews 9:15; and
1 Peter 1:3–4 refer to salvation as our eternal inheritance reserved in
heaven for us. Let’s look at these terms more closely to see more fully
their significance:

• The term promise implies a future fulfillment.
• The term firstfruits implies a full crop, the beginning of what will
be a great harvest.
• The term deposit gives the idea of a down payment that is a
guarantee that full payment will eventually be made.
• The term seal speaks of ownership and security, guaranteeing
that the day of full redemption will come.
• The term inheritance implies something to be received in
the future.

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