I have been asked many times how did the people before Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection get to Heaven. We know that Christ’s paid for the sins of everyone when He took the cross; so how did the people before the crucifixion encounter salvation? Was it a salvation justified by works? Let us see what the scripture has to say.
What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Rom.
Abraham was justified by faith; not by his works. He could not sacrifice enough animals, or be good enough to atone for his sins. Only by Christ is salvation brought to the world; only through Christ was Abraham saved! The same thing that saves sinners today saved sinners before Jesus went to the cross: a living faith in the one true God and His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary .
So if salvation was brought by Jesus through the cross, then how did the atonement reach those before? Well what is a post-dated check? A post-dated check is a guarantee from the writer that on the date written, the payment stated on the check will be able to be withdrawn; the funds have not been deposited as of yet, but they will be there. Now with man a post-dated check is a dangerous thing, so many things can happen and the check may bounce. However, with God there is no variableness; a guarantee from God is sure.
Those before the cross received a post-dated check for salvation, paid for by the death of Jesus on the Cross.
The same salvation that has saved for ages continues to save today, spread the word: He loves everybody and offers the same salvation to all!
