The older you become, the more you tend to look back over your life in assessment to see where you have come from and where you are.
Now-a-days, financial advisors do this for you regarding your personal wealth, how it’s building up, is it on target, will you retired with sufficient funds to support yourself, especially at the same level you enjoyed before you retire.
All these are good and necessary things, because the sad reality is that you generally cannot depend upon others to assist you when you are old, frail and in need. The picture is that you be forward looking and prepare in advance to care for yourself when you are old. Pension Schemes, Endowment Policies, Annuities and other forms of investments are required if you want to retire with peace of mind.
I’m not thinking of amassing wealth to live in total luxury. I am thinking more of financial security and independence once the last cheque is deposited into your account. We are encouraged to consider these matters seriously so that we don’t become dependent on the state, children or other family members. Often, projections don’t materialize the way we intended or hoped for. Just take what happened during 2020 when COVID-19 hit us. The interest rates plummeted, forcing those living off investment interest to adjust their monthly budgets radically. The truth is that although you provide and believe you will be safe and secure, other factors could burst the comfort bubble.
However, there is one certainty you may have for the future that will not and cannot ever change! We will consider this over 2 or 3 days.
1) You have a secure promise.
Heb 6:16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
In this passage we see in verse 19 that … “we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” The writer is saying we may have total assurance that our faith in Jesus Christ will lead to us being with Him forever … because our security is where Jesus is … in … “the inner sanctuary behind the curtain”. The picture is of the earthly temple with the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies separated by a thick curtain … a dividing wall. At Jesus’ death the curtain tore from top to bottom giving us access into God’s presence. It is there that our Lord is to be found … there with the Father. He holds surety over the promise. The oath of promise that the Father took is so solid because He cannot lie. What He says is! Remember how He spoke and all creation came into existence out of nothing. It’s that same Word He speaks in an oath. Eternity is promised; eternity is secure; eternity is almost; eternity will be … for all blood washed souls!
2) You have a secure salvation. In Hebrews 1:5-14, the writer is making the argument that Jesus is superior to angels. In verse 14 we read that He gives angels the ministry to look after and protect everyone who has been born again.
Heb 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Where this verse’s intent is an angelic ministry throughout life, the main focus is eternity! There are four who protect your salvation.
First, there is the Lord Jesus:
Joh 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”
The Saviour’s intent is eternal salvation not something that is temporal and can be lost. His substitutional work is not like Adam’s was. He reversed the curse totally and eternally for those He has saved.
Second, there is the Father:
Joh 10:29 “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”
The Father sent the Son on a Rescue Mission. The cost was huge–as humans, we cannot even begin to estimate the cost–therefore Father will never permit Jesus’ salvific work to fail! Satan’s attempted assassination after Jesus’ birth failed. His attempt to annul Jesus’ Lordship and Kingship in the desert failed. His progressive attempts to end Jesus’ ministry and life throughout His three year ministry failed … why? God the Father caused it to fail because His Rescue Plan was intentional, unchangeable and purposeful.
Third, there is the Holy Spirit. In the following passage, look for “eternal house in heaven” in verse 1 and “heavenly dwelling” in verses 2 and 3. Because God saved us for (“made us for” verse 5) heaven, He secures His “purpose” (v5) by guaranteeing it by giving us His Holy Spirit (v5).
2Co 5:1 Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Fourth, there are the angels … as per Hebrews 1:14.
The hand of God the Father; The hand of God the Son; The indwelling God the Spirit supported by The Triune God’s heavenly agents (angels) secure our eternal salvation.
Dear Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we rejoice in the absolute security we have of that which is spiritual and eternal wealth. Thank You for the mechanisms You have set in place to protect our eternal salvation. Thank You that we may trust you and depend upon You to see us all the way through this life into Your glory. Amen.