By: Robert Serreyn
Question? Does the word “saved” in Matthew 24:13 refer to salvation?
(Matthew 24:13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Answer: NO,
In Verse One through Thirteen of chapter Twenty Four Jesus is speaking to his disciples that is our CLUE that Verse Thirteen IS NOT refering to salvation BECAUSE Eleven of the Twelve disciples were ALREADY saved, so there was NO NEED for Jesus to make mention of the need for salvation.
The word “Saved” DOES NOT always mean or refers to salvation, it depends on the context of the verse where the word is used.
Take for instance Romans 10:13, this verse is PROBABLY the most MISUSED verse there is when it comes to the gospel, MOST churches and gospel tracts quote Romans 10:13 as a salvation verse, BUT the word SAVED in this verse DOES NOT mean saved for salvation BUT it carries the meaning to be kept, protected, or delivered alive PHYSICALLY, not eternally.
(Romans 10:13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The word “SAVED” in Matthew 24:13 carries the SAME meaning as Romans 10:13 to be kept, protected, or delivered alive PHYSICALLY, not eternally, BECAUSE Verse Thirteen says we are told to ENDURE unto the end and you DO NOT have to “Endure” to be saved eternally,
The SAME goes for Romans 10:13 we are NEVER TOLD to “Call upon the Lord” for salvation ONLY to believe.
To show the DIFFERENCE in context where the same word is used but has a DIFFERENT meaning lets go to Acts 16:31.
(Acts 16:31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
The word SAVED in this verse means to be saved eternally BECAUSE the context of the verse is FOCUSED ON WHO the person (philippian jailer) must believe on to be saved.
ALWAYS remember a person IS NOT saved by doing or not doing something, our absolute best (righteousness) is filthy rags in God’s eyes – Isaiah 64:6
(Isaiah 64:6) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
All a person needs to do to be saved is BELIEVE (trust completely alone) that the Lord Jesus Christ DIED, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for ALL their sins.
So if a verse has the word SAVED in it, before assuming it is refering to salvation check the CONTEXT to see how the word SAVED is used or WHO the verse is speaking to first, if the context of the verse or the verses BEFORE it are addressing BELIEVERS or if the verse indicates in having to DO OR NOT DO Something than IT CANNOT be in reference to salvation BECAUSE salvation is not by works of ANY sort no matter how sincere.
(Titus 3:5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
(Romans 4:5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
(Ephesians 2:8,9) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to known IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH