|
The election of some to salvation was made before the foundation of the world; "According as
he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love"(Eph. 1:4).
(See Eph.1:5,11; 1Pet.1:20; 5:13; Acts 2:23; Rom.11:5; 1Pet.1:20; 2Pet.1:10; 1Thess.1:4)
"God has displayed His eternal purpose in His word to remind the elect that their salvation is no afterthought with Him. Our
salvation was God's forethought. Among the references to things that are from eternity is:
(1) The glory of the Son was with the Father; "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine
own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was" (John 17:5).
(2) The love of the Father was for the Son; "Father, I will that they also, whom thou has given me,
be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou has given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of
the world" (John 17:24)
(3) God's purpose to save sinful man by grace was before the world began; "Who hath saved us, and
called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us
in Christ Jesus before the world began" (IITim. 1:9).
(4) The wisdom that conceived the plan to save sinful man was ordained before the world began; "But
we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory" (ICor. 2:7).
(5) The promise of eternal life was made by God before the world began; "In hope of eternal life,
which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began" (Titus 1:2).
(6) The Lamb was slain in the purpose of God before the foundation of the world;"Who verily was foreordained
before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you" (IPet.
1:20)
"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (anti-christ), whose names are not written in the
book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev.13:8).
Review by:W.E.Best
|
