[Mark 4:11]  

 

And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

[Romans 11:25]

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

It is most ironic that Mark {John Mark}, the very person whom Paul parted ways with Barnabas over, {just before Paul's second missionary journey} would be the only Apostle, other than John the beloved Apostle [Revelation 10:7], who would ever mention the revelation that Christ had given to Paul, by the very title of which Paul himself was so fond.

The mystery, alluded to in [Mark 4:11], of the heavenly Kingdom [the double portion] had been offered to Israel in the four Gospels, beginning with the preaching of John the Baptist, ["repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"] and after John's beheading, this message was preached by Christ Himself, and then Christ sent His disciples out with the same message, but, Israel had refused the offer and had "caught the householders son, cast Him outside the vineyard, and slew Him". [Matthew 21:39]  

The first portion of God's promise to Abraham was concerning the Earthly Kingdom. The second portion of God's promise to Abraham was concerning the Heavenly kingdom. Why? Because the heavens do rule!

Who rules over the heavenly kingdom right now? Satan and his minions. 

And, who will rule over those same heavens during the Millennial Reign of Christ? A man. 

And what is that man's name? Jesus, the Christ.

The religious leaders of Israel could see no further than the literal rendering of their own history , with it's Law written in the Torah for all to see if only they would see with spiritual discernment. In fact they weren't even seeing that far, for they had been blinded by the traditions of their own teachers {the Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees} and had ignored the teachings of the actual Word of God for so long that they had no hope of recognizing their long awaited Messiah.

In the book of [Acts up to chapter 28:28] God had reoffered the heavenly kingdom to Israel, via Paul and what was left of the original 12 Apostles, while at the same time God was creating a 'new creature' in Christ Jesus [2Corinthians 5:17] [Galatians 6:15] . The new creature would accept the offer of 'the mystery' [the heavenly kingdom]. Why would God make the re-offer to Israel, and at the same time, offer the heavenly kingdom to the 'new creature'? Why, to provoke them to jealousy just as He said He would do. [Deuteronomy 32:21] God knew from the foundations of the world that Israel would reject the heavenly kingdom.

The heavenly portion of the kingdom had been intended to be a double portion of the inheritance, of Abraham's covenant,  through their promised Messiah. Israel, as a corporate body, is an adopted Firstborn Son of God. [Exodus 4:22] and as a Firstborn Son, the inheritance of Israel has always been understood to be "the land" or the earthly kingdom. But apparently Israel would not consider or believe God's Word concerning the second portion of Christ's inheritance; the heavenly kingdom. [Matthew 23:37] [Romans 11:25] [Psalm 145:13]

Christ had been crucified, Stephen had been stoned to death, and in [Acts chapter 28:28] they rejected Paul's offer for the third and final time. From that time on the kingdom of the heavens would never be offered again to Israel corporately, as a first born son, by an Apostle,. Israel has thrown away the double portion of the inheritance just as Reuben and Esau had in their time of trial. 

From that point on they would have to come into the inheritance of the double portion [the Kingdom of Heaven] by the Cross, just like the Gentile dogs. But even now, as it was then, they can see no further than their useless traditions. Abraham and Moses, to the secular Jews of modern times are just story book names for children, nothing more and nothing less. 

The only part of the inheritance left for the Jew is, the rule of Christ through David, during the 1000 year earthly kingdom [Ezekiel 37:22-28] which would be set up at the same time that Christ and the 'new creature in Christ', [the saintly overcomer], would be ruling from the kingdom of the heavens during the Lord's Day [The seventh 1000 year day]. This is the very same kingdom that Satan and his minions have been ruling from during the entire length of Man's Day, [the previous six 1000 year days]. [Revelation 20:2-4] 

Paul referred to this 'mystery' as "my gospel".

Romans 16:25   Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus 

                 Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Why did Paul refer to this mystery as "my gospel"? 

Because Christ had revealed the fullness of the mystery to Paul and to Paul alone, in the Arabian desert, where he had spent three short years, before continuing in his ministry throughout Middle Asia. [Galatians 1:17] 

The references the other Apostles had made to the Kingdom of Heaven had been made in reference to Israel inheriting the heavenly portion up until [Acts 28:28] because Christ had commanded that the message be taken to the Jew first and then the Greek. [Romans 1:16] 

The mystery message was uniquely 'Paul's gospel' in another sense as well. Never before had the heavenly kingdom been offered to anyone but the Jew. God had designed the ministry of Paul in such a way that he would have the distinct privilege of carrying this message to the Jew and Gentile alike, although to more Gentiles than to Jews over the course of the life of his ministry. Paul was the very first missionary to the Gentiles.

The Gentiles could not be offered the heavenly kingdom because they were lost and dead in sin and, under the curse of Adam, undone without any hope of reaching God. [Genesis 2:16, 17] The Jew could not be offered the heavenly kingdom anymore for they had refused the first offer by defiling themselves with the dead body of their Messiah and subsequently refused the second offer by stoning Stephen and refusing to hear the message from Paul on three separate occasions. God chose to do something unusual indeed.

God chose to create a "new creature" [2Corinthians 5:17] [Galatians 6:15] [the Christian] who would be adopted into the family of God and given a chance to attain the inheritance of rulership with Christ as an adopted first born son or bride and thus have access to the covenant of  Abraham through Jesus, the Christ. This would make Christ's inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven available to all Christians but there would be conditions upon Christians concerning the inheritance just as there had been conditions upon the Jew's and their inheritance. [Ephesians 1:11], [Ephesians 1:14], [Ephesians 1:18], [Ephesians 5:5], [Colossians 1:12], [Colossians 3:24]

The first thing that was to be established was to place this new creature in a position in Christ whereby all would be enabled to begin their journey toward the inheritance that is potentially theirs. 

Fallen Man must be saved [born again] in order to have access to the potential inheritance that is theirs through Christ. They must receive the free gift of everlasting, spirit salvation before they can ever hope to rule and reign with Christ [soul salvation]. 

Once they have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, they would have a foundation upon which to build their works of faith in order to have any hope of soul salvation.  [1 Corinthians 3:11-15] 

Below you will find a few of the many references found in the New Testament concerning the salvation of the Soul. Please notice the future tense of each verse. As you will see, Spirit salvation is a past aspect of our over all salvation whereas soul salvation is a future aspect of our over all salvation.

[Hebrews10:39] says it like this: But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. 

Drawing back into perdition is not loss of everlasting life or to put it another way, is not loss of spirit salvation. Rather, it is loss of the reward of ruling and reigning with Christ or to put it another way, it is loss of soul salvation. Spirit salvation is not ours to lose. Soul salvation is all of ours to lose.

James {the half brother of Jesus} also concurs:

[James 1:21]  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

[James 5:19-20]  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 

The reference to "a sinner" in this verse is reference to Christian sinners, not the unsaved.

Dear reader I hope you are not one of those who think believers cannot sin or be caught up in sin. The Scriptures are full of examples of believers who can be caught up in sin.

[1 Peter 1:9] agrees with the writer of Hebrews and James, saying in like manner:  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

If spirit salvation is the beginning of our faith does it not make sense that soul salvation is the end of our faith?

Paul described this salvation as a hope in many places throughout his epistles and we will mention a few here below.

 

[Romans 5:2]   

 

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 

The glory mentioned in {5:2} above, in the Greek, means 'Majesty' and is a reference to the glorious, majestic reign of Christ for one thousand years with the Christian saints who have overcome the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. That is our hope! how can spirit salvation be a hope since we already possess everlasting life?

 

Romans 5:5   And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Now here is an odd statement to most modern day theologians to trip over. How can you be saved by hope? Is it not written: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

So how can we reconcile this very obvious but seeming contradiction? First, we must recognize that the Word teaches us that the scope of the word salvation is not limited to only being born again from above {being saved} or having everlasting life through spirit salvation.

There are three separate and distinct salvations that Scripture teaches us of..

[1] the salvation of the spirit {being born again} {having everlasting life}

[John 3:3]   Jesus answered and said unto him {Nicodemus}, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 

Please notice that this verse said 'see' the kingdom of God. Moses got to "see" the promised kingdom but Moses did not get to go into the promised kingdom and just like Moses, many Christians will get to "see" their promised kingdom but will never get to go into that kingdom as a first born son or the Bride of Christ..

But just a few verses later Christ tells Nicodemus: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Please notice that Our Lord now says "cannot "enter into the kingdom of God". What is the difference? The other aspect of our over all salvation is the difference. It is the washing of the water by the Word of God. Is it not written that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God? So we see that we are saved from faith to faith or from one aspect of faith to another aspect of faith. We are saved for a purpose. We are saved unto good works. How will we know what those good works are if we do not study the Word of God?

It is not our works that save us, nor is it our works that keep us saved. It is the works of the Holy Spirit through us that is accounted as our good works. Spirit salvation is a finished work of Christ. But, that is not to say that there is nothing else to do. For it is incumbent upon all Christians to keep the commandments of Christ, confess sins on a continual basis, and watch for the return of our Lord and King. Christians cannot do these things in and of works of the flesh, but rather, by the Holy Spirit and the whole council of God taken from His Word.

[2] the salvation of the soul {so great salvation}

[Hebrews 2:3] How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

The so great salvation, referred to in this verse, is soul salvation.

[1 Thessalonians 5:23]  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Please notice that Christians are new creatures in Christ made in the image of God and therefore tripartite or three parts; spirit, soul and body.

[Hebrews 10:39]  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. 

The soul must be saved at some time in the future.

[James 1:21]  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 

Notice that it is the washing of the Word of God that saves our souls for it will produce the need to confess and repent of ongoing sin in our lives. This does not however make us sinless and  perfect. Why do you suppose it is that Christ has the office of being our High Priest? Is it not written: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

It is our burden to help our brethren to see the error of their ways. This is not judging them but admonishing them unto good works.

[James 5:19-20]  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. 

Finally the Apostle Peter would have us know when and where the salvation of the soul takes place.

[1Peter 1:9]   Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 

Where is the end of our faith? Is it not at death? And, if at death, then is it not of utmost importance for Christians to keep themselves from falling away into states of uncaring apostasy, unbelief, and unfaithfulness which will only sow unto them which do such, swift destruction?

The destruction of soul life is not the destruction of the soul body itself but rather the destruction of the unity of the soul with the spirit and the body.

For more on the destruction of soul life please read: A Warning to the Churches, The Mystery of the Second Death  and Garments Clean and White 

[3] the salvation of the body.

[1 John 3:2]   Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

[1 Thessalonians 5:23]  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your  whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So, now we can see that when the scripture says "by grace are ye saved" it is talking about being born again or spirit salvation which is the foundation or beginning point from which all Christians must start their journey to soul salvation. In addition we also find that it is 'soul salvation' that 'hope' refers to.

Romans 8:24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

The phrase "For we are saved by hope:" is referring to salvation of the soul and the question that naturally arises next is: When does the salvation of the soul take place? And, the answer to that is: At the out-resurrection from among the second dead for that is where those who have been found worthy of the out-resurrection, having garments clean and white, will go on to the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive their reward of ruling and reigning with Christ as His Bride and thus realize the "end of their faith, even the salvation of their souls". [1Peter 1:9]

There are two areas of scriptural study wherein we may test the Spirit. Typology and the plain written Word.

First, let us go to typology. Let us take a moment to visit the [First Adam] and his bride, for they are the [type] from which God patterned Christ's body [the church] and the body of Christ's bride {the Christian overcomer}.

Once God creates something it is created perfect  and it can't be made any more perfect. Once God creates something new, in a certain way that is the way it will be created from then on {rule of first mention}. It does not change because God does not create anything imperfect for is it not written: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever?

God simply does not change.

Therefore, since Eve came from one body {Adam}, the Bride of Christ will come from one body {the last Adam} or  [the body of Christ] or [the general assembly of the saved]. This will occur after the rapture.

We can get a good look at the Bride of Christ in [Hebrews 12:22-24]

12:22   But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an

  innumerable company of angels,

 

12:23   To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the 

   Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

 

12:24   And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things

  than that of Abel.

Notice that [verse 23] said the general assembly and church of the firstborn. The firstborn of the Holy scriptures are those who receive the {double portion} of the inheritance [that is if they haven't done anything to negate that double portion as did Reuben, Esau and Israel]. Otherwise, they have only what has been given any adopted child of God, the single portion of everlasting life {spirit salvation, being born again of the Spirit from above}.

The 'firstborn' of the church are the overcomers, the faithful, the obedient that will not only receive everlasting life [the single portion] but, they will also receive the reward of being made Priest-Kings to rule and reign with Christ for 1000 years, in the Kingdom of Heaven [the double portion] is {soul salvation}. [Revelation 20:6]

The title [firstborn] is synonymous with the title [Bride of Christ]. Both of these terms or titles are used in scripture to convey the idea of someone who is given more that a single portion of the inheritance {spirit salvation} hence [everlasting life] can be much more abundant and intimate with Christ Jesus to those who overcome unto soul salvation.

The firstborn inherits a reward [the double portion] it is not a gift but rather is a prize and as in the case of the use of this term in scripture, the firstborn [in the Semitic tribes] always inherited {the kingship or leadership position of the family}, plus {the priesthood or spiritual leadership position}, and {a double portion of any material possessions} being passed down from the father. 

In similar manner a [bride] inherits all things in the possession of the Bridegroom. She is His Co-heir.

So, we see the use of these two terms or titles being used synonymously to convey the idea that Christians who are found worthy to be out-resurrected from the second dead and go on to receive their rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ, will share Christ's inheritance with him during the 1000 year, Kingdom reign of Christ.

[Revelation 2:11] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

This means that some Christians will not rule and reign because they will indeed, be hurt of the second death.

[1 Corinthians 15:50]  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 

All Christians are caught up at the time of the rapture of the Church in bodies of flesh and blood and yet they are Adamic bodies {bodies like Adam's was before his spiritual death by sin}. Nonetheless, that body is a body of flesh and blood and that body cannot enter into the marriage with Christ who is incorruptible with a body that is corruptible. Is it not written "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:"

Now let's take a look at the Word to find evidence of where the [salvation of the soul] takes place in the literal text.

[Philippians 3:8-14]  

[8]  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

"That I may win Christ"! What does Paul mean by that? Is Paul not saved? Has he not already "won Christ"?

Yes, Paul has been born again of the Spirit of God but the context in which Paul is speaking is not one of spirit salvation but rather one of soul salvation.

Dear reader, we can absolutely be assured of our spirit salvation for it is a gift of God. We could not have worked out our own spirit salvation. If that had been the case then Christ would not have had to die on the cross of Calvary in our stead! 

But we most certainly cannot be absolutely assured of our soul salvation for that is not a gift but rather is a prize and one must work for a prize; just as Paul will attest to below.

[9]  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Verse 9 is the foundation upon which all else is built. It is the foundation of spirit salvation. [1 Corinthians 3:11]

The power of His resurrection is indicating that Paul wants to know the same resurrection that Christ experienced. 

Paul is not talking about or referencing, here in this chapter, the 'rapture' of the church. Christ's 'type' of resurrection and the 'type' of resurrection that the church, {at the time of the rapture} will experience, are two entirely different kinds of resurrections.

Christ lived in a body just like that of Adam's before he sinned. Christ lived in an immortal body and that is why He had to 'will' himself to die [he intentionally gave up the ghost] on the cross. Therefore, when Christ died and was resurrected He was resurrected into a body animated by the Spirit of God [not animated by blood]. [1 Corinthians 15:50]

Christ experienced the "second death" when He died. [Philippians 3:10]  He could not have experienced death in a body that  we mere mortals experience; for His body was not a body of corruption like ours, hence, His body did not experience corruption. [Acts 2:27] The 'second death' is something else entirely and God willing we will get to that in a moment.

In [Philippians 3:11] Paul says: "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." The original Greek would read more like this: 'If by any means I might attain unto the out - resurrection from among the second dead.' Why? Because the  Greek word translated as "resurrection" here, in this verse, has the Greek word {Ek}, meaning 'out', associated with the Greek word {Exanastasis} meaning 'a rising up, a rising again'.

These saints are arising out of a multitude of the soulically dead believers who have just been raptured and have consequently died and been held or hurt of the second death. All Christians will experience the second death but not all Christians will {be held by} or "hurt" of the second death." 

[Revelation 2:11] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Now the question arises: Is this chapter not referring to the rapture of the Church? and the answer is: No. That is why Paul uses the particular phrase "unto the out - resurrection of the dead". The idea, from the original Greek, here is that there is another resurrection 'out of' those who have just been resurrected in the rapture which will occur just a short time before this particular resurrection! 

The natural process of the order of things from the time of the rapture, for those who have overcome is,  second death, , being resurrected from the second death {or out-resurrection} into the body animated by Spirit {not animated by blood} and thus being worthy to stand before Christ and be rewarded the inheritance of ruling and reigning with Christ, {at the Judgment Seat of Christ}. This results in salvation of the spirit, soul and the body.       [1 Thessalonians 5:23] 

Soul salvation, must occur first, and then the salvation of the body. The salvation of the body must also occur at this point since the body animated by blood is considered to be corruptible as long as blood is the animating force of the body.

[1 Corinthians 15:50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 

There is still a missing piece of the puzzle that we now must address before we can understand this whole concept. To get that part of the puzzle we have to go to the book of Revelation once more.

[Revelation 15:2]   And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 

Notice that there is fire present and also notice that the fire is not hurting those who have the victory. The fire is not hurting them or has no hold on them. These who have the victory in {15:2} have been beheaded, during the seven years of tribulation, for the testimony of Christ Jesus. They have experienced the 'first resurrection' they now have bodies animated by spirit and they are not hurt of the second death. They have been found worthy [have overcome] and when their Adamic, flesh and blood bodies went into the flames, they died the second death and were immediately resurrected into their spirit bodies [the first resurrection].

What has just been described is 'soul salvation' and the resultant salvation of the body. The only difference for these overcomers and those of the church dispensation is that these will rule and reign upon the Earth as first born sons, not from the heavenlies above for it is only the overcomers from the Church dispensation that will have the opportunity to become the Bride of Christ.

[Revelation Verse 20:6] is the perfect picture of soul and body salvation together. This is not to be confused with everlasting salvation {spirit salvation alone}. Notice again that [verse 6] says "and shall reign with him a thousand years." 

That is not to say that those who have attained soul salvation won't go into 'eternity' or the 'everlasting ages' for they surely will, but, spirit salvation and soul salvation occurs at two entirely different times. 

Spirit salvation occurs at the time one first believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and is everlasting. But the everlasting ages of the new heaven and new Earth begins only when time is no more.

Soul salvation, for the overcoming saints of the 'dispensation of the church' occurs at the out-resurrection from among the second dead and the subsequent Judgment Seat of Christ. Soul salvation begins within time for they will rule and reign with Christ for 1000 years and therefore is before the end of time and before the creation of the New Heavens and New Earth which is the commencement of the everlasting ages commonly known as eternity future.

Now let us take a closer look at [Philippians 3:11] 

[11]  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

[12]  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

[13]  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Paul uses the word "attain" here in [verse 11] and in [verse 12] as well as the word apprehend in [verses 12 and 13].

Another reason we know that this resurrection is not the rapture is because Paul is already saved. The saved do not have to attain or apprehend or do any other kind of works to be included in the rapture of the saved. They will automatically be raptured because they are saved.  

However, Paul is saying that the saved have to do some kind of work to be worthy to partake in this particular resurrection.

Did you know that in many cultures of the world that the bride of a wedding and all of the guests of a wedding party are required to make their own wedding garment? That is the work that Christians are required to do. They are responsible for appearing before Christ at the time of the rapture in acceptable garments or garments that will make them worthy to be out-resurrected from among those who will be held or hurt of the second death.

Let's take a look at a few supporting scriptures.

Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Christ gives this kind of Christian grave council in the very next verses: 

"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

And again an admonishment from Christ through John the Revelator.

Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they {The Father and His Angels} see his shame.

If you dear reader are a Christian let the Apostle John admonish you "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." 

Let James, the half brother of Jesus Christ, admonish you "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner {an unfaithful Christian} from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."

And finally, let the Apostle Paul admonish you all as he admonished the Philippian Church "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Now we need to go to [1 Corinthians 3:13-15]

            [3:13]  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

The 'day' in [verse 13] is the day of the Judgment Seat of Christ for the overcomer but for the non-overcomer it is the day of the Great White Throne. 

Also, notice that the works of the saints will  be revealed by fire.

               [3:14]  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

                The reward, for the overcomer, is 'entry into' or the 'reward of the inheritance' of the Kingdom with Christ {soul salvation}.

            [3:15]  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

"He, the non-overcomer,  shall suffer loss" means loss of the inheritance of the Kingdom with Christ {loss of soul salvation}. Why, because they have been hurt of the second death. They are dead. Therefore, they cannot be judged at the Judgment Seat. They must be reserved unto judgment at the Great White Throne which occurs after the 1000 year reign of Christ.

"Saved; yet so as by fire" means everlastingly saved but not included in the Kingdom with Christ {loss of soul salvation}.

There are other Scriptures that supports the argument of works for 'soul salvation'. Here are just a few. [Ephesians 2:10] [1Titus 2:10] [1Titus 5:10] [The entire second chapter of James] and [James 3:13]

And finally let us summarize our study of [Philippians 3]

14]  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

So we find, after diligently searching the scriptures, that the mystery of the gospel of Paul is the mystery of 'soul salvation' for the saved human being. It is the "prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus".

The key to attaining this prize is death to self thus allowing the works of the Spirit through us in our daily lives. In other words, obeying God and His commandments. Again The entire second chapter of James is a very good place to start in order to find out what God requires of us at the out-resurrection. Another good reference is the entire chapter of [2 Peter Chapter 1].

We all have heard it preached that we are saved so as to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us so that a dark and dieing world might see Christ in us and therefore might want to know more about our God and be saved.

But, let us stop to consider the beam in our own eye before we consider the mote in the eye of our fellow human beings.

The Word says that our own soul, in it's natural condition, is deceitful and full of wickedness. 

[Jeremiah 17:9]

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 

The word 'heart' in the Hebrew is 'Leb' meaning [soul, heart (of man), heart (of moral character), mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory, inclination, resolution, determination (of will), seat of appetites, seat of emotions and passions.]

So we see that the moral character, of the natural state, of the soul of man, is that of being "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked".

Let me point out that just because one gets saved {born again of the spirit} does not mean that the soul and physical body is automatically saved, at the same time, as well. The spirit of the saved man, having the presence of the Holy Spirit, is in a constant state of conflict with the soul of the saved man. The souls of the saved naturally work with the flesh to have dominance in our daily lives.

[Romans 7:15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21]

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

[Galatians 5:17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

A Christian American Indian described it like this at one time, saying, that he had a white dog and a black dog fighting inside of him. When asked which of the dogs was winning the fight, he said, the one to which I say 'sic him'. Another one would say: the one I feed the most.

That is humorous to us all but it is the truth. If we say to our dark soul 'lay down and die' on a daily basis the Holy Spirit will rule upon the throne of our hearts.

The salvation of the soul of the saved man is progressive, beginning just after one is born again of the Spirit and is not actually 'fully realized' until the Judgment Seat of Christ has been culminated.

The dark soul of man is corrupting and corruptible and the work of the saved man is to overpower his dark soul with the help of the Holy Spirit, dwelling in the born again spirit, and bring it into subjection of the Holy Spirit. This process is called dieing to self. The Apostle Paul, in the verse below said that he puts away his own wants for the cause of Christ on a daily basis.

[1 Corinthians 15:31] I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

What does all of this mean to the 'new creature' in Christ? It means that we must die to our own selfish wants/desires, confess our sins constantly and practice the commandments that Christ has given us on a day by day basis until death.

[Galatians 5:17-21]

5:17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

5:18  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. [shall not realize soul salvation]

We are called to die to self and allow the Holy Spirit to work through us. 

[Galatians 5:22-26]

5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

5:26  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

As we can see, the narrow way unto 'soul salvation' can only begin after one has believed on the Lord Jesus Christ [been born again of the Spirit]. Then and only then, can the saved person ever hope to accomplish dieing to self, [crucifying the flesh] daily, in order to walk in the Spirit. 

An unsaved man absolutely cares not, indeed will not, walk in the Spirit. The unsaved are dead in sin and trespasses. They are dead under the curse of Adam. Their spirits have not been reborn because they do not believe God. Their daily lives are spent, all the day long, doing the things that their dark souls desire them to do. Therefore, they will suffer everlasting second death unless they, at some point, believe what God has done on their behalf.

This body of death, that we all are captive of; does not come into salvation until the 'Resurrection from the dead' which is in the future and for the Christian that overcomes, occurs just before the Judgment Seat of Christ for they will not be hurt of the second death.

However, for the Christian that does not overcome, the salvation of their physical body will not occur until the Great White Throne judgment.

The mystery of Paul's Gospel had not been revealed in it's entirety before Christ called Saul to become the Apostle Paul.

It was Paul to whom Christ gave the ministry of the mystery to, but, the other Apostles were not totally ignorant of the mystery because Paul had revealed it to them. 

Peter alludes to the mystery of salvation of the spirit, soul and body that has been preached unto us all {the saved and the unsaved alike}.

[1 Peter 1:12]

10  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

11  Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

It is to the generations of man whom have lived throughout the dispensation of the Church {almost 2000 years} that the mystery of the revelation of the Christ has been ultimately revealed.

Dear reader let me ask you a question. What will you do with 'so great a salvation'? The so great a salvation of the soul.

It is my sincere hope that this work will be of some help to any who are seeking the deeper things of God.

May the Lord bless and keep you.

Original version 2004, Arden, N.C. - revised 2007, Candler, NC

 Samuel M. Ennis - 

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