support,
nourish, make firm or lasting.” Notice it is a VERB. It is interesting that
the Hebrew words OMENET
(nurse) and OMENOT (pillars) come from this root. The Hebrew word –EMUNAH means
"faithfulness, trust, firmness, stability, support, to be reliable.” It is first
used in Shemot (Exodus) 17:12 concerning Mosheh’s hands being EMUNAH or steady
or firm so the battle could be won over the Almalikites. This required an action
on the part of Mosheh for deliverance to come to Yisrael.
So what does this
mean; are we then saved by our own works? Absolutely not! In Romans, Paul says
that we were saved while we were yet sinners. Just as the children of Israel did
not receive salvation from Egypt because of any works that THEY did, rather God
CHOSE them and redeemed them as a GIFT.
Salvation is not
something that can be earned. However, after being saved we must live life in a
saved condition, by following God's instructions (laws). In reality, being saved
has more to do with living your life TODAY than it has to do with what will
happen in an after-life.
But doesn't getting
saved mean that you're going to heaven?
The Kingdom of
“Heaven”
We read in the New
Testament both John the Baptist and Yeshua saying, “Repent, for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matt. 3:1
1 In those days
John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 And saying, Repent you, for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matt.4:17
17 From that time
Yeshua began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven
is at hand.