Was Moses saved?

[Aldebaran]

People often compare the Exodus of Israel from the land of Egypt, wandering in the wilderness for 40 years and taking over the land of Canaan to a Christian's journey through life and entering eternal life (entering the promised land). However, Moses made one mistake, and wasn't allowed by God to enter the promised land. If we apply that to the Christian's life, would this indicate that Moses came up short and "fell away" and therefore wasn't "saved"?

I realize he appeared with Elijah to Jesus in the NT, so he probably was. I guess I'd just to know why Moses not making it to the promised land doesn't match up with the rest of the analogy.

 

[ItIsFinished!]

Yes he was saved.
God did punish him for sin , and therefore wasn't able to enter the Promised Land , however he is with the Lord as seen on the Mount of Transfiguration.

 

[Basil the Great]

I was very surprised to hear a Lutheran pastor 30 years ago tell me that he did not know the answer to this question. Upon further reflection, many years later, I find that I do agree with him. We certainly believe that Moses is now or will be in Heaven. However, only God knows the fate of every single person that ever lived. Yes, the Catholics and Orthodox canonize saints and they are probably right 99.9% of the time. However, we can never be certain. God is the one who pronounces sentence and no Catholic or Orthodox or Oriental Orthodox or Protestant has the power to declare the salvation status of any deceased person. Virtually all of us believe that Hitler is either in Hell now or will be at some point. However, we cannot be certain. It is still possible that he repented before death or at the moment of death God granted him one last chance for redemption.

I recall that when Elvis Presley passed away Rev. Billy Graham issued a statement saying that he believed that Elvis was in Heaven. Yes, we can believe that someone is in Heaven or that they are in Hell or even Purgatory or even Limbo, but we simply do not have the ability to know with certainty.

 

[Aldebaran]

I was very surprised to hear a Lutheran pastor 30 years ago tell me that he did not know the answer to this question. Upon further reflection, many years later, I find that I do agree with him. We certainly believe that Moses is now or will be in Heaven. However, only God knows the fate of every single person that ever lived. Yes, the Catholics and Orthodox canonize saints and they are probably right 99.9% of the time. However, we can never be certain. God is the one who pronounces sentence and no Catholic or Orthodox or Oriental Orthodox or Protestant has the power to declare the salvation status of any deceased person. Virtually all of us believe that Hitler is either in Hell now or will be at some point. However, we cannot be certain. It is still possible that he repented before death or at the moment of death God granted him one last chance for redemption.

We may not be certain about whether or not Moses was saved, but when we look at how entering the promised land is supposed to be a foreshadowing of how christians enter Heaven if we have believed in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, there seems to be a bit of a problem.

 

[Samaritan Woman]

It's not uncommon for believers to overreach when it comes to typology and to read into it more than should be. Teachings based on typology should always align with the rest of scriptural doctrine and not be its own foundation.

 

[Basil the Great]

We may not be certain about whether or not Moses was saved, but when we look at how entering the promised land is supposed to be a foreshadowing of how christians enter Heaven if we have believed in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins, there seems to be a bit of a problem.

I should be fair to my former Lutheran pastor, a wonderful man by the way, and explain further. He took the position that he did, as he did not know if God's plan of salvation included those who lived and died before Jesus. I would guess that few pastors and priests share his lack of conviction on the issue.

 

[NBB]

He appeared with Jesus and Elias, i say that he is well saved.

 

[icxn]

...I realize he appeared with Elijah to Jesus in the NT, so he probably was. I guess I'd just to know why Moses not making it to the promised land doesn't match up with the rest of the analogy.

But it does match, except that in the analogy you are trying to make, Moses typifies the Law, which falls short in leading humanity to salvation. That is why Joshua, whose name is synonymous to Jesus, is the one to lead the people into the Promised Land.

 

[Aldebaran]

But it does match, except that in the analogy you are trying to make, Moses typifies the Law, which falls short in leading humanity to salvation. That is why Joshua, whose name is synonymous to Jesus, is the one to lead the people into the Promised Land.

Interesting! I never heard it that way before. I've always heard it emphasized that Moses disobeyed God by not representing Him correctly, and that was why he was not allowed to enter.

 

[icxn]

Interesting! I never heard it that way before. I've always heard it emphasized that Moses disobeyed God by not representing Him correctly, and that was why he was not allowed to enter.

Which is true. Still, it doesn't nullify the analogy. Both are true.