Christianity in truth begins with the possession of eternal life, and this life is in the Son: "the end" is also eternal life, but all is "the gift of God." We have eternal life while we are going on "in hope of eternal life." We find redemption also presented to us in Scripture in the same way. We have redemption now, and are waiting for redemption. Of the believer it is said, "In whom [Christ] we have redemption through His blood," and yet we are waiting for "the redemption of our body" (Eph. 1:7; Rom. 8:23). The same may be noticed as to salvation; we are saved, and yet we look forward to salvation. We receive "the end" of our "faith," even the salvation of our "souls" (1 Pet. 1:9), and yet "we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Rom. 5:9). The same inspired writer that says, "who hath saved us," also says, "We look for the Savior" (Phil. 3:20) "Who shall transform our body of humiliation into conformity to His body of glory" (Phil. 3:21; J.N.D. Trans.). This change and translation we are elsewhere told will take place when the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout (1 Thess. 4:16, 17). Then, having eternal life in all its glorious issues, we share with Christ the Father's presence in the Father's house, in all the unutterable blessedness of eternal glory.