Christian Churches of God

No. CB124

 

 

 

 

The Helmet of Salvation

 

(Edition 1.0 20080718-20080718)

 

In this paper we will cover key aspects related to the salvation of mankind and the fallen Host.

 

 

 

 

 The Helmet of Salvation

 

 

From CB123, we learned that the armour of God is among the many blessings Eloah has given us. In this lesson we will focus on the Helmet of Salvation and its importance to each and every one of us.

 

We are told from Ephesians 6:10 to put on the armour of Eloah.

 

Ephesians 6:10-13, 17-20 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. … 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

Eloah is our Salvation

 

The starting point of salvation is that God the Father of all is the source of salvation (Isa 12:2)

 

Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

 

God is the Rock of Israel; the Rock of their salvation (Deut. 32:15).

 

God is the Savior of all – man and the Host. There are numerous scriptures that refer to Eloah as our Saviour.  He calls, He leads us to repentance, and He gives us to Christ (see Jn. 6:44).

 

Let us look at how Messiah is the means that Eloah helps brings us to salvation.

 

Messiah as the instrument or means to salvation

 

Christ is the instrument or means of salvation. (Rom. 10:9ff.). His sacrifice covers all points of the sacrificial law. The killing of animals will be regulated in the Millennium and all flesh killed will be holy to the Lord (Zech. 14:20-21). See The Relationship between Salvation by Grace and the Law (No. 82). The sacrificial law is suspended now, but will be re-instituted or started under Christ's rule in the Millennium. For more details see the papers Messiah the Complete and Perfect Sacrifice (No. CB120); The Sacrifices and Offerings of Eloah during the Millennium (No. CB121) and The Golden Jubilee and the Millennium (No. 300).

 

Just as with the sacrificial system Messiah fulfilled many components of the sacrificial law, so too with the aspects related to salvation. Let us briefly look at some of the roles Messiah has that are tied to salvation.

 

He is the Christ or Messiah (Mat. 16:16; Jn. 1:41), sent from God to be our Saviour and Redeemer (Mat. 14:33; Jn. 8:42; Eph. 1:7; Tit. 2:14). 

 

Salvation in regards to Messiah

 

Messiah is the captain of our salvation (Heb. 2:10); the author of or our salvation (Heb. 5:9); appointed or set aside for salvation of mankind and the fallen Host (Isa. 49:6); he was raised up for our salvation (Lk. 1:69), brings salvation (Isa. 62:11; Lk. 19:9). He speaks in righteousness and saves those that obey him (Isa. 63:1; Heb. 7:25; Mat. 18:11; 1Tim. 1:15). He died so we can have eternal life providing we obey and keep all of Eloah’s Laws (Jn. 3:14,15; Gal. 1:4). Messiah was exalted to God’s right hand as a Prince and Saviour to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins (Act 5:31).

 

Though we all need the Messiah’s sacrifice we all have to demonstrate faith for salvation to be revealed.

 

Faith is intertwined with our salvation

 

We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1Pet. 1:5).

 

1Peter 1:5 Who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time  (NASV)

 

The outcome of faith is thus salvation (1Pet. 9:10).  Here again we see parts of the armour of God – salvation and faith tied together and necessary for us to achieve eternal life.

 

The knowledge of Salvation

 

The knowledge of salvation is a function of Christ and the prophets (Lk. 1:77). This knowledge is extended to the Church where the saints are stewards or keepers of the Mysteries of God (1Cor. 4:1). Salvation is from the Jews (Jn. 4:22), but was extended in Christ to those who worship God in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:23-24). There is salvation in no other name under Heaven given among men that we might be saved (Acts 4:12). Salvation is given by the Gospel to everyone who has faith – first coming to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. In the Gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith, for he who through faith is righteous shall live (Rom. 1:14-17). God did not design for mankind to be sentenced to hardship and death, but to receive salvation through Jesus Christ (1Thes. 5:9).

 

Let us now look at salvation in more detail.

 

Meaning of the word salvation

 

Salvation is used 164 times in the KJV of the Bible. So we can see the word salvation is used a lot in the Bible. We will first look at salvation in the Old Testament.

 

Psalm 62 uses salvation four times with two different Hebrew words. Yĕshuw`ah (SHD 3444) is used three times in verses 1,2, & 6 and means 1) salvation, deliverance a) welfare, prosperity b) deliverance c) salvation (by God) d) victory.

 

The word is taken from yasha` (SHD 3468), meaning: 1) to save, be saved, be delivered a) (Niphal) 1) to be liberated, be saved, be delivered 2) to be saved (in battle), be victorious b) (Hiphil) 1) to save, deliver 2) to save from moral troubles 3) to give victory to.

 

In verse 7 we see the word is yesha` (SHD 3468), meaning: 1) deliverance, salvation, rescue, safety, welfare a) safety, welfare, prosperity b) salvation c) victory.

 

Yesha` is also derived or taken from SHD 3467.

 

Even Messiah’s name, Joshua (Yoshua or Yahoshua), is in part derived or taken from SHD 3467 and SHD 3068. Yoshua or Yahoshua means Yahovah is salvation.

 

We can see from the definitions of these words that the One True God who established His Plan from the beginning fulfilled all aspects of salvation. Joshua the Messiah, as His son, through his perfect obedience to His Father’s Laws, fulfilled the aspects of these components of salvation by becoming the perfect sacrifice.

 

Historically, we see that Israel was taken out of Egypt (delivered from oppression) and then given the Law at Sinai. If they obeyed the Law, they were saved and given prosperity and victory over their enemies. Time and time again Israel rebelled against Eloah, yet time and time again Eloah raised up a prophet or judge to warn the people and bring the people back to the Laws of Eloah.

 

The New Testament gives us the record of Joshua the Messiah qualifying to sit at Eloah’s right hand after he qualified to replace Satan as Morning Star of the planet. Let us now look at the word salvation in the New Testament.

 

In the New Testament we see sōtēria (SGD 4991) most often used for the word salvation. It means: 1) deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation a) deliverance from the molestation of enemies b) in an ethical sense, that which concludes to the souls safety or salvation 1) of Messianic salvation 2) salvation as the present possession of all true Christians 3) future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.

 

It is taken from sōtēr (SGD 4990), meaning: 1) a deliverer or preserver; hence God or Christ as a saviour.

 

In Ephesians 6:17 (sooteriou), Acts 28:28 and Titus 2:11, we see sōtērion (SGD 4992) (a neuter of SGD 4991) used which means: a defender and by implication defence hence 1) saving, bringing salvation 2) he who embodies this salvation, or through whom God is about to achieve it 3) the hope of (future) salvation.

 

The form sōtēria (SGD 4991) is the feminine of 4990, as (properly, concretely) salvation as a noun.

 

So here again we see the words that are interrelated and emphasizing slightly different aspects or features of salvation.

 

Salvation means redemption. We know Messiah is the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8) and redeemed or bought us back from our state of sin, and made it possible for us to be reunited back to the Father. Messiah is our kinsman redeemer (Gen. 48:16) through the power or direction of the Father. For more details see the paper The Angel of YHVH (No. 24).

 

Let us look at other ways salvation is demonstrated.

 

Other examples of salvation

 

We see salvation illustrated or related to: a horn (Ps. 18:2; Lk. 1:69), a tower (2Sam. 22:51), a shield (2Sam. 22:36), a lamp (Isa. 62:1), a cup (Ps. 116:13), clothing (2Chr. 6:41; Ps. 132:16; 149:4; Isa. 61:10), wells (Isa. 12:3), walls and bulwarks (Isa. 26:1; 60:18), chariots (Hab. 3:8), a victory (1Cor. 15:57) – typified by the bronze serpent in Numbers 21:8-9 representing saving those fallen victim to the serpent, as the son of man had also to be lifted up (cf. Jn. 3:14-15) that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life; a helmet (Isa. 59:17; Eph. 6:17).

 

Each of these items emphasises or shows us various aspects or facets of the concept of salvation. For more information on salvation see: What Happens When We Die? (No. CB29); God's Plan of Salvation (No. CB30); and Sanctification of the Children of God (No. CB69)

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Let us now look at the concept of salvation being a ‘helmet’, in greater detail.

 

Concepts associated with helmets

 

The definition of helmet is 1: a covering or enclosing headpiece of ancient or medieval armor 2: any of various protective head coverings usually made of a hard material to resist impact 3: something resembling a helmet

http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/helmet

 

Helmets of course go over our heads. They protect our brain, hearing, shield our eyes and may even guard our mouths. Clearly, from a physical point of view we know why it is so important for our brains to be protected since the brain controls all the actions in the human body.

 

We are aware that Satan is prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2) and influences our thinking unless we stay close to God and obey Him. As we obey God He directs our thoughts (Pro. 16:4).

 

Guarding our thoughts

 

We know that we are to guard our thoughts since Hebrews 4:12 tells us Eloah knows all our thoughts. We will need to give account of all of them (1Cor.14:24ff.).

 

When we guard our thoughts the Holy Spirit remains with us; when we have evil thoughts we quench the Holy Spirit since it can not and will not reside or stay with evil thoughts.

 

It is so important that we always remember who the One True God is and worship Him at the correct times.

 

As we learned in the Lesson: Being Filled with the Holy Spirit (No. CB85), self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Daily we should be praying for self-control to get the help we need to guard/control our thoughts, words and actions.

 

Let us now look at ways we should be speaking.

 

Guarding our words

 

We are to strive to be like Eloah and His Laws that are holy, righteous, goodness, perfect and truth. Therefore, we should all strive or try to be like Nathan, who was found with no guile in his mouth

 

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no GUILE! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. (Jn. 1:46-48)

 

Guile simply means deceit or lies; therefore, without guile means purity, sincerity, to be honest.

 

The Bible tells us that a liar will not inherit the Kingdom of God (cf. Rev. 21:8).

 

Christians must be kept free from all guile or lies (Ps. 34:13; 1Pet. 2:1).

1Peter 3 is very clear about what we should do.

 

1Peter 3:10-11 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it

Matthew 12:34 tells us we will need to give account of every word we utter or speak. Most of us say a lot of things and we need to be careful what we say and to whom.

 

In Psalm 50 we actually see how our words can show salvation.

 

Psalm 50:23  Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation (way) aright will I shew the salvation of God. (KJV)

 

Let us now look at guarding what we are listening to and hearing.

 

Guarding our hearing

 

We saw in paper Priesthood of Eloah during the Tabernacle in the Wilderness (No. CB116) that when a priest was ordained blood was placed in three places: one of which was his ear (Ex. 29:20). We speculated that God wants us to hear the Law of God (ear), live the Law of God in our actions (thumb), and walk in the Law of God (toe).

 

We are to hear and obey Eloah as the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4ff. instructs us. We never want to be in the position of Revelation 3:20 and miss hearing Messiah knocking at the door, or in the position of:

1) those that do not listen (1Cor. 14:21), or

2) people who have turned to strange things – turned their ears from the truth – or

3) those who are dull of hearing.

 

Rather when our good shepherd, Joshua the Messiah, speaks we want to be an obedient sheep and hear and respond to his voice. John 10:3; Hebrews 3:7.15; 4:7 all speak of “if you hear his voice” harden not your heart. We always want to be obedient and open to what Eloah is telling us.

 

Remember, from the series on the Garments of the High Priest, we are to be Holy unto Yahovih. Let us briefly review that concept and see how it ties to our helmet of salvation

 

In summary: being holy unto Yahovih

 

In the Lesson: Mitre or Turban with the Golden Plate (No. CB66), we saw that the golden plate on the head of High Priest declared: “holy to Yahovih”.  We are to become holy  (Eph. 4:24) as God and His Law are holy.  In Revelation, we are warned to not allow anyone to take our crown (Rev. 3:11). We have just covered numerous points regarding our helmet of salvation.

 

We always want to keep ourselves free from sin, be obedient to Eloah, and not allow our crown of salvation to be taken away or given away by our own neglect.

 

Once we are called, God offers us salvation yet we can turn our back on God and place ourselves in the Second Resurrection. So, let us be obedient sons as Philippians 2 describes.

 

Philippians 2:12-15 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (KJV)

 

We are to be faithful soldiers in the army of Eloah, fully clothed in the armour of Eloah, following Messiah, the author and captain of our salvation, and assisting him in getting the Gospel of Salvation out to this dying planet.

 

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