Is Repentance Essential for Salvation?

Can someone tell me what this verse means spiritually within and physically without?

Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Thanks I appreciate it!

T____

Hi,

Thanks for asking that question… it became crystal clear to me this hour that the asking of questions is a big part of edifying this body…. if nothing is asked, no answers, no pearls, are given.

Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

I always assumed these verses pointed out prayer, and although they do, a big part also is fulfilled by Christ within His body by using His body of believers…. I never saw it so clearly that…

Mat 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

The questions we ask among the brethren are questions asked of Him. We know that…

Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

The root word in it is the Greek word ‘en‘ and can also mean ‘by’ or ‘at’ or ‘among’ … whatever you shall ask among my name gives me a lot more direction where we have to pose our questions.

I had my ‘aha’ moment… thank you, brother. I never understood that ‘shortened’ = ‘chastised’ and the ‘aha’ was even bigger when you showed that ‘manifold temptations’ = ‘experience (of evil)’. All makes a lot more sense to me now… thanks for sharing what the Lord is giving you.

YbiC,

R____

Hi T____,

Am not sure whether your question was answered on this thread or privately, but it’s one I studied recently. I remember discussing it with Mike Vinson, and it’s timely you are asking again:

I’ve caught up with most of the emails and further enlightened on inward and outward fulfillment of scripture.

Can someone tell me what this verse means spiritually within and physically without?

Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

I also wondered what it means for awhile, then prayer through “rightly dividing” technique opened the door.

Previous verse:

Mat 24:21 (KJV) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world [Greek: your AGE..] to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Following verses…

Mat 24:29 (KJV) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:…

Mat 24:39 (KJV) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be…

Concluding the chapter with…

Mat 24:50 (KJV) The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

So from verse 22, we begin to see WHAT “those days” entails for the 1) flesh… AND 2) the elect, which are ONE, that is the flesh… of the ELECT ones.

We read…”great tribulation”…”to this time”…”those days should be shortened”…”the tribulation of those days“..”powers of the heavens shaken”…”cut him asunder”… then finally we end it “weeping and gnashing of teeth”.

How is this fulfilled inwardly and outwardly? By now, from all The Lord is teaching us, we should begin to see this is just the tribulation that destroys the FLESH…(of verse 22), and through that destructions the salvation of the elect is wrought, that is the New Man is birthed.

Now let’s do some further digging that gives us an ‘Aha’ moment.

The Greek word for “shortened” is:

Greek 2856
κολοβόω
Pronunciation
kol- ob- o’- o

from a derivative of the base of 2849; to dock, i. e. (figuratively) abridge, shorten.

The derivative of that base…

Greek 2849
κολάζω
Pronunciation
kol- ad’- zo

from (dwarf); properly, to curtail, i. e. (figuratively) to chastise (or reserve for infliction), punish.

There it is!!

“Except those days be shortened” is just dark summary for all those verses from 21-51. It is a time of chastening punishment for the flesh.

We know flesh and blood will not or cannot inherit the kingdom of God. So Christ is not preaching salvation of the flesh itself, (some are preaching “eternal spiritual flesh”?!) but preaching the salvation of the spirit through the “shorten[ing]” of the flesh.

Those shortenings consist of being taken away by a flood as Noah’s flood. The anti-type is the baptism Peter mentions:

1Pe 3:20 (KJV) Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
1Pe 3:21 The like figure [Greek: “antitype”, the reality inward fulfillment] whereunto even baptism doth also now save us [“for the elect’s sake”) (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

The days being straightened, (to chastise (or reserve for infliction):– punish) are these weeping and gnashing of teeth, a simultaneous punishing regime to our flesh, “for the elects sake”, which is HOW Christ is being glorified “in his saints”.

2Th 1:8 (KJV) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: [old man’s flesh)
2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished [straightened] with everlasting destruction [“aionian destruction” is what Christ means as “great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world [Greek: your AGE..] to this time, no, nor ever shall be”..] from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, [the inward fulfillment] and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Here are the days of being “shortened” as Christ himself first was:

2Co 4:8 (KJV) We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2Co 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
2Co 4:11 For we which live are alway [age lasting punishment/destruction] delivered unto death for Jesus ‘sake, [“no flesh shall be saved”] that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. [“for the elect’s sake”]

Outwardly are the trials/tribulations we all are experiencing in the body. It is this chastening and as punishment to our flesh that causes our days, our time in Christ, to be an age of shortening, afflictions, when Christ comes “in his saints”, as Job lived in a figure.

Job 30:16 (KJV) And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.

The days of affliction are taking hold of those in Christ today (Col 1:24), and the world and those in the sea are experiencing this in type also. The groaning and travailing of ‘planet earth’, as this thread has brought to our thinking, is a type and shadow of the days being shortened.

Afflictions and trials, a “shortened” time, is a prelude to the deliverance from the bondage of corruption, which shall be fulfilled in ALL creation in God’s time outwardly.

Rom 8:22 (KJV) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [the creation being shortened in type and shadow – Mat 4:4 principle.]
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, [… for the Elect’s sake…] even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

How that body will be redeemed is revealed to us earlier:

Rom 6:6 (KJV) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, [these are the days of ‘shortening’] that henceforth we should not serve sin.

It is a “short work” indeed!

Rom 9:28 (KJV) For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

I hope this is clearer on what Christ means. All of Matthew Chapters 24-25 are summarized as “the day of the Lord”, “his coming” in his elects, the ending to all flesh. We are experiencing this earthquake, flood, ‘Fukushima’ now day by day “upon the earth”, unto salvation of the spirit, the New Man.

Just following some the letters from the members of the body, it is indeed a time of great chastening, tribulations and punishment for us, though joyful in it. It is the experience of evil, “manifold temptations”, as we go through this evil body of sin to attain a celestial heavenly body.

1Pe 1:6 (KJV) Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

“Manifold temptations” are the days of being shortened, that is, the experience of evil (Ecc 1:13/3:10)

Greek 3986
πειρασμός‚
Pronunciation
pi- ras- mos’

from 3985; a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity:– temptation, X try.

It’s not just the Old Testament we read about experiencing evil. Peter also knew of it and says we should rejoice in that tribulation. It’s not easy being “shortened”.

I turned on the news, and once again there is news of another natural disaster. I don’t pretend to understand all and how this ‘shortening’ of the creation is working unto salvation, but I am groaning inwardly for The Lord to put an end to it all and finally hear “time no longer”.

I am growing tired of being a ‘failure’… growing tired of this body of flesh mocking me about and trying to lengthen its day… am also groaning for the final redemption of this body.

Your brother whose days are being shortened, “for your sakes”,

2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

A____

Hi A____,

Thank you for pointing out what is the root of the word ‘shortened’. Wow! What an ‘Aha! moment’ as was said earlier.

‘Shortened’ is ‘chastened’. It is being judged! ‘Except we have those days of judgment (dying daily, suffering with Him, as opposed to continuing in the pleasures of sin for a season) there shall no flesh be saved’. Thank you, for that revelation!

I also want to add a confirming verse to what was pointed out here about the necessity of asking.

Jas 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

‘Asking’ and ‘begging’ are both forms of asking. Begging is simply a desperate form of asking, and when it comes to our salvation, we are all desperately in need of being forgiven of our sins.

The ‘asking’ part is our repentance, and that is what is being demonstrated in the parable of the two servants in the last half of Matthew 18. Both servants beg for patience, but the first servant, the one who was forgiven of the much greater debt, did not forgive his fellow servant who owed the first servant much less than the first servant had been forgiven by his Lord.

Mat 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Mat 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Mat 18:25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Mat 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. [Mercy “rejoiced against judgment” – Jas 2:13]

Both servants begged for patience and for mercy, but:

Mat 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Mat 18:29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Mat 18:30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

So the point of that parable is that the first servant had not really repented of his sins, because if he had really repented, then he would have wanted to forgive his fellow servant also. That is why Christ concludes that parable with these words:

Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Mat 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Our forgiveness of our brothers comes from remembering that it was only yesterday that we were ourselves begging for God’s mercy, and remembering that mercy which was showered freely upon us. So when we show no mercy to our brother, we are demonstrating that we have not really repented of our own sins, and in that state we will not enter into the temple of God, simply because, as has made so clear, “those days (of sin dominating our lives have not yet really) been shortened” and they have not yet been burned out of us by the seven last plagues of the wrath of God, and until that time we are “delivered to the tormentors till [we] pay all [our Lord] is due”, and what He is due is our true repentance, a true account giving, of all our own rebellious sins against Him.

Rev 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Rev 15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

The seven plagues of the seven angels are what bring us to true heart felt repentance.

Psa 107:25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
Psa 107:26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
Psa 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. [Because of “the seven plagues of the seven angels”]
Psa 107:28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
Psa 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
Psa 107:30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God [the seven plagues of the seven angels] leadeth thee to repentance?

The point being made in scripture is that our forgiveness is certain, but it will not be given “till the seven plagues of the seven angels has been fulfilled” in our lives, bringing us to true, godly repentance, and forgiveness of the sins of all those who have sinned against us.

A person who is not full of mercy is a person who has not yet repented of his own sins.

Your brother who prays for mercy to “rejoice against judgment” in his life.

Jas 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Mike