Since time immemorial no subject has been dearer to the heart of humanity than that of salvation. People have longed to be saved from suffering or preserved from impending dangers, but the questions then were and still are: Where may salvation be found? and, How may it be attained?
When the children of Israel were confronted by dangers and hardships along the way their fear-filled murmurings were in striking contrast to the words of courage and faith of their great leader (Ex. 14: 13): "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day." Moses' command was not to turn back or to yield to fear, but to stand still and see God's saving power today. Thus we find that with the overthrow of the Egyptian bondage and the entrance upon a new and glorious history, the first rays of the message of salvation dawned for the children of Israel.
The Psalmist urged (Ps. 95:1), "O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation." The Bible also compares the certainty of God's protecting power to a shield, a helmet, and a sword. The early prophets taught the meaning of salvation in symbols and in songs. Isaiah, who constantly stressed the importance of faith in God rather than reliance upon any temporal means, proclaimed (62:1), "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." How understandingly and compassionately the beloved prophet looked through and beyond Jerusalem's lack of Truth—false pride and power—and beheld the beauties of heaven and the burning lamp, whose brightness would some day enlighten the entire world!
