A Biblical Examination of Redemption, Perishing, and Faithful Endurance

Edward D. Andrews
10 minutes ago
4 min read

Introduction

Salvation—drawn from the Greek sōtēria and Hebrew yāshaʿ—signifies deliverance, rescue, or preservation from peril. Biblically, it encompasses being saved from sin, death, and the oppressive systems of humanity. For devout believers, salvation therefore includes preservation from both present evil and future wrath through Christ’s atoning work.

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Salvation as Rescue from Danger

In Scripture, salvation often denotes deliverance from physical danger or oppression (e.g., Psalm 18:2, JHVH is my rock and my fortress). Christians perceive a twofold application: rescue from present tribulation and future judgment. A "great crowd" enduring the last days finds that salvation also means preservation through tribulation, paralleling Old Testament deliverances like Israel in Egypt or Daniel in the lions’ den.

Does God Intend to Save All Humanity?

Genesis and Deuteronomy emphasize human free will—God provides clear choices but does not coerce acceptance. Analogies like a drowning man rejecting a life preserver illustrate this clearly.

2 Peter 3:9

“This verse affirms that Jehovah does not desire anyone to be destroyed but wants all to reach repentance.” This reflects divine patience and benevolence—God opened the path for repentance, yet eternal obliteration awaits those who refuse (2 Peter 3:7–9).

1 Corinthians 15:22

“All in Adam die; so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” Paul speaks of physical resurrection; those in Hades will be raised, not all eternally restored. John 5:28–29 confirms that post-resurrection judgment occurs, with both life and condemnation options.

Universal Versus “All Kinds of” Salvation

Terms like pas (“all”) in Titus 2:11, John 12:32, Romans 5:18, 1 Timothy 2:3–4 and similar passages need nuance. Pas can mean “every type” rather than every individual. Scripture plainly shows some do not achieve salvation (e.g., Acts 10:34–35; Revelation 7:9–10).

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Scriptures Predicting Some Will Never Be Saved

Scripture explicitly teaches that some will perish or face eternal destruction:

2 Thessalonians 1:9 — They will suffer “eternal destruction…excluded from the presence of JHVH.”
Revelation 21:8 — Those unrepentant are cast into the lake of fire, the second death.
Matthew 7:13–14 — The narrow gate leads to life; it is found only by a few, with many choosing the broad road to destruction.

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The Possibility of Losing Salvation

Various passages demonstrate that salvation, though secure in Christ, requires perseverance:

Jude 5 — God delivered Israel, yet destroyed unbelievers in the wilderness.
Matthew 24:13 — “He who endures to the end will be saved.” This implies that departure results in loss.
Philippians 2:12 — Work out your salvation “with fear and trembling,” arguing for active, continued obedience.
Hebrews 10:26–27; 6:4–6 — Warn of deliberate sin after knowing truth, rejecting Christ’s atonement, resulting in fearful consequences.
Hebrews 6:4–6 describes those enlightened and then falling away—Hebrews warns that some may irrevocably depart from saving hope.

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Faith and Works: Instruments of Salvation

Scripture affirms salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9). Yet works demonstrate genuine faith:

Hebrews 5:9 — Jesus is “the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” Obedience validates faith.
James 2:14, 26 — Faith without works is dead, indicating true salvation produces transformative action.
Acts 16:30–31 — “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” True belief necessarily produces behavior in agreement with that belief.

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Summary of Key Principles of Biblical Salvation

This survey of Scripture reveals several clear principles:

• Christ’s sacrificial death provides a real, universal opportunity for salvation—but not a guaranteed outcome for all individuals.

• Human freedom is preserved; God’s patience and mercy must be met with repentance and faith.

• Resurrection is universal to the righteous and unrighteous but followed by divine judgment.

• Some will be permanently destroyed, not eternally tormented—their end is annihilation.

• True believers must continue in faithfulness; perseverance is essential.

• A faith that lacks obedience and works is spurious—a hallmark of the unsaved.

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Conclusion

Salvation in the biblical worldview is neither universal nor guaranteed without personal response. It is a gift offered by mercy, accepted through faith, evidenced in works, and maintained by perseverance. Its denial condemns one to destruction—not eternal conscious torment, but eternal perishing outside divine mercy. True followers walk by faith, produce fruit, and endure to the end.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).