Aspects of Glorification - Part 2

References: (1) This passage Romans 8:29-30 introduces readers to 5 ESSENTIAL DOCTRINES: (1) foreknowledge, (2) predestination, (3) calling, (4) justification, and (5) glorification. These doctrines are intimately linked, forming an WIDE-RANGING VIEW frequently called the “GOLDEN CHAIN OF SALVATION.” (2) The fifth and final link in the golden chain of salvation is GLORIFICATION. God will remove us from the PRESENCE of sin and place us into an eternal state of glory with a new BODY like unto the risen Jesus Christ’s glorious body (Phil. 3:21). (3) In Rom. 8:30 Paul speaks of glorification in the past tense. This is because of his assurance that “He who began a good work [in us] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). (4) The golden chain of salvation reminds us that salvation is ENTIRELY an act of God. Jonah wrote that the LORD said, “I will pay what I have vowed, ‘Salvation is of the LORD“ (Jonah 2:9). It is God who foreknows, predestines, calls, justifies, and glorifies. The appropriate response is to “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). (5) Do not suppose that we ourselves PRODUCE the faith required for justification: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that [faith] is not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). In other words, saving faith is a sovereign and gracious gift from God. (6) When people reject the GIFT offered through Jesus Christ, their rejection has DISASTROUS eternal consequences. First of all, there is no other ALTERNATIVE WAY for salvation. Jesus said, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE . NO ONE comes to the Father except through Me.” Secondly, that decision REQUIRES THEM TO PAY THE PENALTY for their rejection. After the Day of Pentecost, Peter said to the family of the high priest, “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” that through the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12), and those who reject Him, for whatever reason, face an eternity in the “OUTER DARKNESS” of hell where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 25:30). (7) My plea to anyone in the audience: Have you trusted Christ for your salvation? I pray that you have. Because if you haven’t, things will not be very pretty. You will be like the Israelites who REJECTED Him and were DEPRIVED of the blessings promised to those saved. The decision to accept or reject Jesus as Savior is the ULTIMATE LIFE DECISION. The CHOICE is up to you. (8) Evil, sin, and Satan and his cohorts were defeated OFFICIALLY at the Cross (Heb. 2:14; Col. 2:14). They will be defeated ACTUALLY AND FINALLY at Christ’s Second Coming to earth at the end of this age. (9) Until Jesus returns, we understand that we are NOT YET PERFECT. We are BURDENED with sin STILL, and our spiritual vision is DISTORTED. “For now we see in a mirror DIMLY, but then FACE TO FACE. Now I KNOW IN PART; but then I shall KNOW just as I also am KNOWN” (1 Cor. 13:12). Every day, we should be diligent by the Spirit’s guidance to put to death what is sinful in us (Rom. 8:13). (10) 1 Cor. 15:20-28 describes that the last enemy — DEATH — will be destroyed. (11) How and when will we be finally glorified? Paul answers that question: At the last trumpet, when Jesus returns a, the saints will undergo a fundamental, instant transformation. Paul amplifies, “we shall all be CHANGED, in a MOMENT, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:51). Then the “perishable” will put on the “imperishable” (1 Cor. 15:53). (12) In the epistle 1 John the apostle John writes, “Dear friends, NOW we are children of God; and it has NOT BEEN REVEALED what we SHALL BE, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be LIKE Him, for we shall see Him AS HE IS. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is PURE” (1 John 3:2-4). This is Episode 191.