One of the most insidious false teachings of christianity is the error that, once someone believes, he IS saved. That is a lie that has fueled countless “altar calls” and “invitations” across the world—telling people that all they have to do is come forward and say a prayer, or make a decision, and they are saved. Many preachers falsely tell the people who do come forward and follow his instructions, “You’re saved now. Don’t ever let someone tell you that you’re not.”
A horrible lie.
And, since christianity blew off the Father’s traditions when it was invented after the New Testament writers had all died, unwitting folks have been led astray because they don’t have those foundations to show them the errors in what they are being fed.
Passover shows the path to the bride’s salvation, from Egypt to Mt. Sinai to receiving the covenant, as does the priestly progression in the tabernacle, from the gate to the Holy of Holies. But, christians know little about these because they are told that “Old Testament stuff no longer applies.” They are indoctrinated in false days and false teachings, and then given false eternal security.
In Hebrews 10:36, we’re told, “For you have need of patience [endurance], so that when you have done the will of Yah, you may receive what was promised.” The “will of Yah,” as we see in John 6:40, is to believe on the Son, and then to receive eternal life. And, by endurance, or patience, after one has that belief, he may receive what was promised.
In Hebrew, a word for promise is “omer,” and between the first day of the barley harvest and the first day of the wheat harvest, which is seven weeks, that period was called “the counting of the omer.” On the the Feast of Weeks, which marks the first day of the wheat harvest, the promise was given. Passover is associated with the barley harvest. The covenant was given on the first day of the wheat harvest. The time between is a period of WAITING for the PROMISE.
To the ancient Jews, who are a physical foreshadow of the bride, that is the day the OLD (physical) covenant was given—the Ten Commandments. The fulfillment of the Feast of Weeks occurred 49 days (seven weeks) after Messiah’s resurrection, and it was the giving of the NEW (spiritual) covenant, which is the seal of the Holy Spirit upon the bride. The Ten Commandments were just a physical representation, or picture, of the Holy Spirit’s seal—foreshadow vs. real substance.
The Holy Spirit is the promise (“omer”), as we’re told in Ephesians 1:13, “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Notice the progression: hearing the message of the truth, then repenting of unbelief (which is to believe), and then, after that, being sealed by the Holy Spirit. It is NOT an immediate action by a person’s decision, but a subsequent gift from the Father.
As we’re taught in James 1:3-4, “the testing of your faith [belief] produces patience [endurance]. And let patience have her perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” If one is given the Holy Spirit at the moment he first believes, then why would he need to endure to be made perfect and complete, lacking in nothing, which is what is accomplished by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling? The receiving of the Holy Spirit is what makes the believer wholly righteous in the Father’s eyes—it is the circumcision of one’s heart, and the eternal sealing of his redemption.
Hebrews 10 goes on to state in verse 39, “But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.” This echoes what Yahoshua said in Luke 8:13, that some believe with all joy for awhile, but then, when they are tested, they fall away, having no root (they never receive the source of life). Those who “fall away” are those who “shrink back.” But, the verse goes on with the promise that enduring in belief will result in the saving of the soul.
“Have faith TO the saving of the soul” speaks to a point in time or place. It does not say “FOR the saving of the soul,” but “TO,” which means “all the way until.” It simply confirms that one’s belief in Messiah Yahoshua, and confession of Him before others (usually involving at least some personal or relational risk) is what will result in receiving the covenant, just as the Israelites did at the mountain, after they were led by the Spirit from Egypt, through the Red Sea (baptism), and then to the mountain to await the giving of the covenant.
The way of the tabernacle shows the same progression: identifying with the sacrifice (Passover) at the brazen altar, and then cleansing at the laver (Red Sea). These are in the Outer Courtyard—they are what man does. While that is all christianity teaches, it falls short of actual salvation.
After that, comes the progression into the Holy Place with the menorah, bread of presence, and altar of incense (representing the Spirit’s presence and guidance), and then, into the Holy of Holies, which is the dwelling place of the covenant.
Do not let any pastor, preacher, or teacher tell you that because you made a decision, you were saved, for that is a lie of the counterfeit, and it is christianity’s false teaching that has resulted in 2.5 billion of them on the planet—folks who think they are saved without ever being told directly by the Holy Spirit they have been adopted by Yah the Father. They might have belief, but they have never received saving belief.
For more information: What Is Saving Belief?