Although when we see a salt shaker on the table we think of enhancing the flavor of the food we are going to eat, the main use for salt originally was as a PRESERVATIVE.
JESUS said that believers were the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). HE was saying that by our lives and words we could preserve right values and hold back/ restrain wrong.
As Larry Dixon stated, “Salt was such an important symbol in the early church that when someone was baptized a pinch of salt was placed on the new believer’s tongue. Purified in Christ we are called to be a purifying agent in the world,” as we lead the lost to JESUS.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 speaks of this restraining power stating that we hold back the free flow of evil until we are taken out of the world. Then when the HOLY SPIRIT (who seals each believer) leaves with us as we are caught away to meet the LORD in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Revelation 7) our presence will no long hold back or restrain the evil and that’s when evil will be unleashed. The wickedness of mankind is seen clearly when after 42 months of prophesying God’s two Jewish witnesses are killed. The people celebrate their death and give presents to each other. Then the Antichrist is given power to reign for 42 months mocking GOD and all that is good (Revelation 13:5-6).
To be what JESUS intends for you to be, to hold back evil as the last of the Gentiles who will believe in JESUS come to him (2 Peter 3:9), “Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6).
Looking unto JESUS the Author and Perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 