It was in September 1992 that the first issue of the monthly magazine, The Covenant Messenger was published from northern California, with the headline that read: “Proclaiming the message of Accomplished Salvation.” From the perspective of those who teach the prophetic fulfillment of “all things written” (Luke 21:22), this means that God’s “purpose of the ages” (Eph. 3:11) was consummated with the coming of Christ in 70 CE. If this is the case, what does this mean for those living 2,000 years later?
The very concept of ‘accomplished salvation’ has been distorted and misunderstood by many today. The term ‘accomplished salvation’ was taken from an Old Testament passage: “…for today the LORD has accomplished salvation in Israel” (I Sam. 11:13), and as it relates to the redemptive work of Christ, “according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:11). The progression of redemptive history moved toward the fulfillment of the “seed” promise (Gen. 3:15; 12:1-3) that brought Christ into the world to provide “redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14), “and by Him to reconcile all things [Jew/Gentile] to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:20).
Although some have mistaken fulfillment with termination, the Bible teaches the establishment of ‘salvation’ as that into which one enters through faith in Christ (John 3:16; Acts 4:12). Since the New Covenant is the “everlasting covenant” (Heb. 13:20), the very essence of the “everlasting gospel” (Rev. 14:6), that brought about the “the gift of God” “…everlasting life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23b LITV), then what God has accomplished now forever remains for the enjoyment of “everyone who believes” (John 3:16; Rom. 1:16). It is God Himself who proclaimed through the prophet Isaiah: “…My righteousness will be forever, And My salvation from generation to generation” (Isa. 51:8). “And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation” (Luke 1:50). Salvation remains both an accomplished fact, and a present reality for all who respond to the glorious “gospel of Christ” (Rom. 1:16) today.
Fulfillment testifies to the end or completion of a process and does not negate the purpose of benefit of the process itself. When the building of a house is considered, various steps are taken in the process of what is required to complete it. The architect designs the blueprint describing the foundation, dimensions, and materials necessary for the actual construction. Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and other technicians are all involved in the process moving forward to the time when all of the elements and work are completed. While the work of building the house has been accomplished, the benefit then becomes available for someone to move into that which is built and to make it a home!
The process of redemption, reconciliation, and restoration that began at the time of Adam and Eve was carried forward through redemptive history and brought to completion through Christ as the “death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8). Following His victorious resurrection from the dead and ascension back into the heavens, the “gospel of the kingdom” (Matt. 24:14) was then “preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations,” to “every creature under heaven” (Col. 1:23). To “all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues” (Rev. 7:9)–both Jew/Gentile during the first century CE. These were “firstfruit” believers (James 1:18), having the “firstfruits of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:23) in eager anticipation of the arrival of the “harvest” taking place at the “end of the age” (Matt. 13:39), and bringing about the solidarity of Jew/Gentile entering into the “one body” (Eph. 4:4) during those “last days” (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21). Does this necessarily imply that with the “end of the age” the offer of salvation would then forever cease?
The Bible teaches Christ “became a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 6:20), “We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Heb. 8:1). The gospel is “everlasting” (Rev. 14:6), the covenant is “everlasting” (Heb. 13:20), the kingdom is “everlasting” (II Pet. 1:11), and therefore, the benefits of ‘accomplished salvation’ remain as the provision for “whosoever will” (Rev. 22:17 KJV) to accept his invitation to “take the water of life freely.” The “gates shall not be shut at all” (Rev. 21:25) of entrance into the New Jerusalem–the covenant dwelling place of the people of God (Rev. 21:1-4). Salvation forever remains for those who respond in faith (Heb. 11:6)! [LARRY SIEGLE]