Jesus said this twice in Matthew with reference to persecution: 10.22 and 24.13. The first reference seems to apply to the near future, yet not the immediate future when Jesus sent out the 12 Apostles, while the second reference applies to the great tribulation period.
Some would say this speaks of eternal salvation, and those who (truly) have salvation are those who endure to the end. If you don’t endure to the end, then you were never really saved, (or you lose your salvation—if you don’t believe in once saved, always saved).
There is the view more common among dispensationalists that this speaks of a physical salvation during the great tribulation. Due to the persecution of the great tribulation, a believer will have to trust God with his life, and through perseverance to the end, they will be saved physically. I could see that as a possible explanation, but will all who endure survive physically?
There are, I believe, parallels with the many references of the words of Jesus, saying, "he who loses his life will preserve it" (Luke 17.33). He said this just after he made reference to Lot's wife (who died). Jesus is talking about how it will be when he is "revealed": His second coming (17.24,30). She sought to save her life, and she lost it. So maybe it is about physical salvation. But it seems difficult to think that physical salvation is in view if many die for their faith during the great tribulation. I think that it is possible that losing your life (or soul, because the Greek is Psuche) results in a certain kind of preservation, not physically, but spiritually.
I think this salvation that Jesus is talking about to his disciples is not about eternal salvation or even physical salvation, but a spiritual kind of salvation that one will have if they endure in their faith to the end. It’s the same thing as where Jesus said in different ways and different times about those who lose their “soul/ life” for his (Jesus’) sake and the gospel. Losing your soul/life for the gospel and Jesus are not the terms of justification. I know that there will be an attempt to say that if you lose your soul/life that it is proof you are truly saved. But is that the intent of what Jesus is saying?
I believe he is talking about what one’s life consists of, being one’s identity. It’s like when people say they are seeking to find themselves--who they are. A believer who seeks to save his soul/life will lose it, but if he loses his soul/life for Christ’s sake and the gospel, he will find/ preserve/ save it. It will affect your identity, both now and in eternity.
Jesus said it several different ways, or the writers understood it with different words. Matthew records that if one loses his life for Christ's sake, he "finds it" 10.39; 16.25. Matthew also records that the one who "endures to the end will be saved" 10.22; 24.13. Luke records that he who loses his life for Christ's sake "will save it" 9.24. And in Luke 17.33, it says that "he who loses his life will preserve it." Mark 8.35 tells us that if one "loses his life for My [Christ's] sake and the gospel, they will save it." The word "life" is the Greek word for "soul" being "psuche." I think soul is telling here, because how can one lose his soul for Christ and the gospel? Some of my Free Grace brethren would say that soul speaks of physical life, but I think it speaks of one's identity or being. By losing yourself for Christ and the gospel, one actually finds themselves. This is a kind of salvation (or sanctification) that one will obtain if they endure to the end of tribulation.
People will make choices that causes them to lose themselves. They may feel worthless, or hopeless. They may become suicidal. (I’m not talking about bipolar people here.) I believe this is what Jesus is saying about believers who don’t persevere in tribulation. They seek to save themselves from trial and conflict, but in effect lose themselves. But those who persevere in the faith in the trials of life will find, preserve, or save themselves. He who endures to the end (the trial or tribulation) will be saved: His life will have meaning and approval before God.
Consider Jesus' words: "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich).” Revelation 2:9 (NKJV)
Also consider: "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." 1 Timothy 4:16
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