command #service iptables save changed the original config of iptables

[kesavulur]

Hello Masters of linux

I am in a deep trouble
i modified some settings in IPTABLES and issued the command
#service iptables save
after this command i restarted the iptables by issuing the command
#service iptables restart
which got executed .
but when i tried to open iptables for editing the same old cahnges done before few minutes at the location
#vi /etc/sysconfig/iptables
the settings seems to be changed
and the original file got saved like "iptables.save"
now i am totally confused
please help me ASAP !