254. Saved and Safe
Jeremiah 33:16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The Lord our righteousness.
In the Messianic Age, the days of the New Testament, the Church, the believers in Jesus the Christ, will be saved and dwell safely. The promise of salvation is endemic throughout Scripture. The promise of dwelling safely refers first of all to living securely in the Promised Land, promised to Abraham, Moses and the children of Israel, and to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Secondly, it refers to the Jews in Exile who would be returned to the Land and live safely in that Land. Thirdly, the promise of dwelling safely refers to believers who enter the Kingdom of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This means that there is a safe place for the followers of Jesus to live. In the spiritual kingdom that Jesus ushered in, which is in the hearts of believers, a safe dwelling-place is secured for them. We dwell with God and He dwells with us. Safe, secure and happy living is in God.
The believer who lives in God has been saved from Sin, Death, and the Devil, and in that safe place He is safe from the evil designs of these Enemies. The Enemies will attack and threaten, and tempt and scare, and attempt to destroy life and prevent access to all the blessings and promises of God. But they cannot be successful, for we are saved and safe. This is God’s promise: we are more than conquerors; “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord [Romans 8:38-39].”
The Church has a new name: “The Lord our righteousness.” The Lord God Almighty Himself is our righteousness; therefore, we are saved, secure and will dwell safely in the Kingdom. The Lord our righteousness protects, preserves, keeps, guards and makes us feel safe from all spiritual enemies that seek our destruction. Sin is forgiven, cleansed and taken away; Death is swallowed up in victory, and Jesus promises the believer that “though he die, yet shall he live;” Satan is crushed under foot, his power is taken away, and his authority (right to rule) is stripped. We are saved and safe; we have eternal life. The Gospel tells us so every time we hear it.