I don’t remember hearing the expression eschatological salvation when I was studying at Dallas Theological Seminary. But over the past thirty years or so I’ve noticed that expression occurring increasingly in the commentary literature. Some pastors are using it as well.
So, what is eschatological salvation?
Most commentators and theologians would define the term as “a future salvation that will grant one access into Christ’s kingdom.” In this view, at the final judgment Christ will send some into the kingdom and some to the lake of fire. To be sent into the kingdom is to gain eschatological salvation.
Three theological systems think that way. Armenians believe that you can lose your current salvation, but that if you persevere in faith and good works until death, then you will win eschatological salvation, which will be announced at the final judgment. Old-line Calvinists believe that if you persevere, you show you truly were saved in the past, and you will learn at the final judgment that you indeed have eschatological salvation. New Calvinists say that you have initial salvation now, and you will gain eschatological salvation if you persevere to the end, though you will not know you have it until the final judgment.
This view is terribly flawed because there is no final judgment for believers. The Lord promised that those who believe in Him will not come into judgment regarding everlasting life (John 5:24). The salvation of a believer is final and eschatological the moment he first believes in Christ for everlasting life.
Did you know that the expressions eschatological salvation and final salvation are not found in the Bible?
The expression eternal salvation occurs only once, in Heb 5:9, and there it does not refer to getting into Christ’s kingdom. It refers to being chosen to reign with Christ as His partner (Heb 1:9). Note that in Heb 5:9 He gives this eternal salvation to those who obey Him, which in context refers to suffering for Him.
There are several references to being saved (present tense), that is, to remaining spiritually healthy, if we endure in faith and good works (1 Cor 1:18; 5:5; 15:2). In other words, Scripture does speak of being spiritually healthy at the Bema if we endure in the faith (cf. 1 Cor 3:15; cf. 2 Tim 2:12).
Therefore, it would be more accurate to say that eschatological salvation refers to rewards that will be given out at the Judgment Seat of Christ. No believer can doubt his eternal destiny unless he stops believing the promise of life. Of course, since everlasting life is everlasting, he retains everlasting life even if he stops believing. But unless he repents and gets back into fellowship with God, the believer who falls away from the Lord will forfeit the right to rule with Christ in the life to come.
Do you have eschatological salvation? Yes, if you understand the term to mean that you already have everlasting life and are guaranteed future kingdom entrance. No, if you understand the term to mean that you already have the right to rule with Him as His partner forever. That eschatological salvation will not be yours unless and until you endure to the end of your life.
Keep grace in focus and you won’t be misled by expressions like final judgment and eschatological salvation.
