Hebrews - Salvation before Jesus? - 1

"All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it." (Hebrews 11:13)

Dear Mrs. Kurtz,
How were people saved before Jesus? Were people who made sacrifices the only people who were saved? It talks in Hebrews about how He came and saved those who were "waiting" for Him. What does that mean?

Dear Friend,

This is an excellent question, yet it is difficult to answer well. So, I will endeavor to answer this question by presenting a series of truths for your consideration. Let's delve into the Word together, shall we?


All men and women are created for eternity. 

"Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3:11)


All men and women are presented with the truth about God.

"But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and the sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." (Romans 1:18-20)


All men and women are accountable for their unrighteousness.

"When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God's written law. And the Jews, who do have God's law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. For merely listening to the law doesn't make us right with God. Even Gentiles, who do not have God's written law, show that they know His law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God's law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thought either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. And this is the message I proclaim--that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone's secret life." (Romans 2:12-16)


All men and women are sinful and deserving of eternal punishment, hell.

"As the Scriptures say, 'No one is righteous--not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one'." (Romans 3:10-12)

All men and women are saved from their sin through Jesus.

"But now God has shown us a way to be made right with Him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." (Romans 3:21-23)

• According to Hebrews, what was the purpose of the sacrifices?
• According to Romans chapters 4 and 5, how are men and women saved?
• Who deserves eternal life/salvation? Why?

Heavenly Father, we wrestle to grasp truths about You; please help us! We thank You for Your goodness and mercy. We thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus.

We'll continue the discussion in another post!