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"THE ETERNAL PURPOSE"
From Dust To Divinity There exists a glorious eternal excellency found in the revealed will of our Almighty God who has from everlasting, sovereignly purposed to progressively raise mankind from dust to divinity, bringing him forth by innumerable ways and means of His heavenly and earthly fires of glory. Holiness has been determined as the Lord’s most glorious house of habitation forever. Therein, the righteous are destined to shine forth in perfection of splendid beauty, even in a new and living way. Ultimately, the fulfilled revelation of a divine destiny shall be seen and exhibited as the Almighty’s magnificent, unmerited gift unto glory for all the creation. This majestic and harmonious revelation, in the end of the ages to come, shall eventually be made manifest, bringing to full light the total supremacy and efficacious power of God in mercy and love. We as the creature are told that God loves us, but this is an understatement; for God is love. In order to love, there must be fellowship and union with the beloved, but there also must be separation and individuation. In the realm of the spiritual Godhead of love as understood by Christians, there is found indivisible unity in duality-Jn.17:21-26. In the natural, we experience that the union of love is made even more real and intense by separation. This principle has from the beginning, even in the garden of Eden, been put into operation by the Spirit of God in order to teach us and develop within us, the true and holy love of God-Nu.31:23. Knowledge of our infinite God and His love is goodness and light, but it seems infinite goodness and light cannot be manifested in the finite realm without a knowledge also of darkness and evil- Gen.3:22. The principle here, lies in the fact that the darker it becomes, the brighter a light will stand out in that darkness. These principles serve to help us better understand the purpose and workings of our creator God in creation, whose grand purpose includes bringing forth offspring after His own incorruptible spirit-life kind-Gen.1:26. Principle of the Cross It is very evident that God is definitely not finished His work of creation-1Ptr.4:19. In order to produce God’s best, His own divine design from its conception, involves a process of growth unto maturity, both in the natural and in the spiritual realms-1Cor.3:18. It is another basic principle and law of God that only a mature seed can bring forth life after its own kind, and that which is sown is not made alive unless it dies-1Cor.15:36. Jesus taught this saying, "Except a grain of corn, a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies it abideth alone, but if it dies, it bringeth forth much fruit."Jn.12:24. Jesus was continually proclaiming that all original creatures of God must lose the life they have in order to gain that new life in unity that God has purposed for them. This is the dying principle. The principle of the cross of Calvary-1Cor.1:23; Col.1:22. The Work Of God There is found in the New Testament, a simple and fundamental definition of what is involved in the Creator’s work. Jesus said, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him (Christ) whom He )the Father) hath sent." Jn.6:29. Yes, this is totally the work of God, not man, in control of human destiny. Mankind, has none other than a divine destiny ultimately determined by the acts of God and not of man. The gospel was given, written and preached to declare the sovereign works of God within His creation-Ro.1:16; Mk.16:15. Yahweh has through the ages, chosen to reveal His heavenly message to man in a step by step, line upon line, and sometimes seemingly contradictory way-Prv.4:18. By direct divine revelation from the Spirit of God, there was given unto the dark and alienated mind of a young man named Saul, a great spiritual understanding and knowledge in what came to be known as "the mystery of Christ." Col.4:3. One of the basic and ultimate purposes of God’s mysterious dealings with man, is that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward them through Christ Jesus - Eph.1:17-19; 2:7. Paul understood that all eternal purposes were to be carried out and fulfilled through the hidden working of the Creator’s own divine will, sovereignly intervening in the interplay of good and evil - Isa.46:10,11; Eccl.3:11. He saw God choosing His own creation of spirit called mankind, who though often unawares, were to be an ever active instrument in expressing and carrying out His predestined plan according to His own good pleasure…one which He had purposed entirely in Himself - Eph.1:9; 2:10; 3:5. Part of this now revealed will, is that man be holy and without blame before Him, eventually possessing and expressing a divine and glorious love after the express likeness of Him who created him - Eph.1:4,5;3:17-19. The scripture further reveals that all things were created only for God’s eventual eternal and ultimate pleasure (Rev.4:11) and set in motion according to the plan of the ages which He purposed to carry out through Jesus Christ our Lord - Eph.3:11. This awesomely great predetermined plan was to be confined within, and also governed by natural and spiritual laws. Laws which originate with the Creator Himself and which only He has the right to govern and uphold - Eccl.3:11. It is very clear that the blue print of this plan in all its minute details, was finished from the foundation of the world - Ac.15:18; Heb.4:3. Included in the progressive working operation of this perfect plan, was the absolute perfect will of the Father who sent His only begotten Son that all men through Christ might believe the truth (Jn.1:7,9), even the ultimate truth, that in the predetermined and divinely controlled dispensing of time and its countless events, God will have reconciled unto Himself and restored the whole of His workmanship and creation under its one head, even the Lord Jesus Christ - Eph.1:9,10; 1Cor.15:22-28; Col.1:20. Having been given divine understanding in these aforementioned truths, Paul could boldly say, "for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." Ac.20:27. Perhaps the greatest mystery in all of God’s wisdom is the manner in which the Holy Spirit has in the past, continues in the present, and will yet in the future, completely fulfill to the uttermost, this divine counsel - Dan.2:22; Deut.29:29. "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness." 1Tim.3:16. This mystery is contained in the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory - 1Cor.2:7; Eph.3:9. "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter." Prv.25:2; 9:10. There is a progressive revelation of the divine plan, "which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit." Eph.3:5; Col.1:26. Ordained Crucifixion From out of the infinite realm of God’s being, the finite portion of His great plan and eternal purpose of salvation and redemption became manifest through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ - 2Tim.1:10; Rom.16:25. Although "the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; …unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1Cor.1:18. The cross is the very center and heart of the plan of redemption. Many do not realize that the crucifixion and the events leading up to it were carried out completely in the predetermined timing and will of the Almighty (Lk.18:31-33), and that in one sense, it actually "pleased the Lord." Isa.53:10. Christ was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of the Father into the hands of His slayers (Ac.2:23) for to do whatsoever His hand and counsel determined beforehand to be done -Ac.4:28. For it was written, "I will smite the Shepherd." Matt.26:31. Knowing this, Jesus could petition in the will of His Father crying, "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do." Lk.23:34. He knew well what had to be done and the purpose for it! Yes, Jesus knew and accepted "all things that should come upon Him." Jn.18:4; Lk.9:44, 51. Pilate could have had no power at all against Christ except it were given to him from above - Jn.10:18; 19:11. Those things which God before had shown by the mouth of all His prophets that Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled - Ac.3:18; Lk.24:25-27. All things were divinely and sovereignly accomplished that the scriptures be fulfilled - Jn.19:28, 36, 37; Lk.22:37; 24:24. We see Jesus in His humanity was made "for the suffering of death" (Heb.2:9) but "it was not possible that He should be holden of it." Ac.2:24. This, Jesus also foreknew - Matt.26 :32; Jn.2:19-22. "Thus it is written, and thus it behoved (was needful and necessary for) Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day." Lk.24:46. These things were not known by any of the princes of this world; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory - 1Cor.2:8. Now "therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Ac.2:36. In all things, including His sinlessness, He was "ordained of God." Ac.10:42; Heb.8:3. It could have happened no other way! Although Satan had committed his worst sin, God in His higher wisdom had planned to use it for His greatest victory…the destruction of all sin. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." 1Jn.3:8. Time and its events are always entirely within the scope of God’s providence and jurisdiction - Ac.1:7; Eccl.3:1; 8:6; Matt.24:36, 44. Many do not believe, or somehow cannot even comprehend, that the original fall of man away from their former state of fellowship with God was not at all an accident or any such thing. "Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight which he hath made crooked." Eccl.3:17. "The vessel that He made of clay was marred in the hand of the Potter, so he made it again another vessel (a new creation), as seemed good to the potter to make it." Jer.18:4. Did God "whose work is perfect" (Deut.32:4) make a mistake? Could the devil have foiled the Creator’s original plan? If he did, what is to prevent him from doing it again? Is God not the sovereign governor? Rather, it was in the infinite mind and purpose of God before the foundation of the world, that the Lamb whom He loved "before the foundation of the world" (Jn.17:24), be slain for the universal redemption of the entire finite creation which the Creator ordained and foreknew was to become in great need of salvation and restoration - Rev.13:8; 1Ptr.1:19,20; Tit.1:2; 2Tim.1:9; Eph.1:4; 2:10; Isa.46:9,10. "Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world (ages)."Ac.15:18. Even, "the worlds (ages, time periods, dispensation, eons) were framed (sectioned out, prearranged, prepared) by the word of God." Heb.11:3. "He made the worlds (ages)" ( Heb.1:2) and they are His to do with as He pleases after "the counsel of His own will." Eph.1:11. A very basic purpose in the creation of the earthy life was, that man should seek the Lord of glory and find Him - Ac.17:25-28; Jn.1:7; 3:17. That he "should be holy and without blame before Him in love." Eph.1:4. But can man do this on his own accord? According to His predetermined plan, God at first through the disobedience of Adam, "hath concluded them (mankind) all in unbelief that He might (eventually) have mercy upon all."(Ro.11:32), including Israel. It is adequately supported in the scriptures that the creation itself was not willingly made subject to the vanities of death in this finite creation, nor was the creation the originator of these vanities, but rather was so placed by and through the immediate will of the Creator. He alone, did allow them to be placed, in joyful omniscient anticipation and perfect divine hope of His age spanning plan’s predetermined ending…a guaranteed infallible fulfillment in efficacious universal victory - Ro.8:20. Scripture indicates that man in his fallen condition is completely and totally dependent upon God’s drawing and redeeming power - Jn.6:44,65; 12:32; 15:5. He is unable to lift himself from his tomb of misery and travail which is fabricated by ever present walls of circumstance and environment - Ro.7:18. "For when we were yet without strength (helpless with no hope) in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Ro.5:6. Man indirectly brought death upon himself (Ro.5:12-18) but he was not the creator of the original evil just as he is not the creator of original righteousness -Ac.14:15. Therefore, it is fitting that God does sovereignly render back to man God’s own righteousness, which righteousness was ordained to bring back man’s soul from the evil pit into which he found himself -Jb.33:26-30; Ro.5:6-12. How and where then, did the original source of evil begin? What ongoing purpose does it serve in the creation? What shall be its ultimate end? All Things…Of God Basic truth containing fundamental answers to these question, are first of all to be found in fundamental scriptures, which reveal the overall omnipotence and the absolute sovereignty of Almighty God in all aspects of His creation - Isa.40:28. Let us begin with some of the aspects contained in the scriptures’ assertions that "all things are of God." 2Cor.5:18. When the vast scope of this can begin to be comprehended, then certain floods of truth and love will begin to flow through the opened doors of receptive hearts. Even the extent and timing of this is "of God." According to rational reasoning in light of present world conditions and even according to the word of God, it is the devil who is in subservient control of the kingdoms of this world (Matt.4:8,9; 2Cor.4:4), for "the earth is given into the hands of the wicked." Jb.9:24; Isa.26:13. "The works thereof are evil." Jn.7:7. But, by a further study of the scriptures, it can readily be seen that there is a much higher power and authority also present. "All the earth is mine" (Ex.19:5), says the Lord. The "most high God" is not only totally and sovereignly in control of the whole earth but also of the entire universe -Psa.62:11. Many scriptures support this essential truth. The supreme sovereignty and providence of God is all encompassing in all aspects of that which He alone created - Rev.4:11. In this, "His greatness in unsearchable." Psa.145:3; Jb.5-9. Our "most high God" rules in the kingdom of men and "he appointeth over it whomsoever he will." Dan.5:21. "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine: thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all." 1Chr.29:11. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all." Psa.103:19; 2Kgs.19:15,19. Our God is truly the "God of gods" (Psa.136:2), "Lord of Lords" (1Tim.6:15), and "King of kings" Rev.17:4; 19:16. The same is Jesus who was given "a name which is above every name." Phil.2:9; Eph.1:21. "The great, the Mighty God, the Lord of hosts is his name." Jer.32:18. He only, is surely "the Lord of all the earth" (Josh.3:11), the "Lord of all" (Ac.10:36), who is "over all, God" (Ro.9:5), far "above all Gods." Psa.95:3; 97:9; 2Chr.2:5; Jn.3:31. He rules in absolute authority "high and lifted up" and his power and majesty fills the temple of the universe - Isa.6:1. "What God is there in heaven or earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?" Deut.32:4; Psa.50:1. "Who is so great a God as our God?" Psa.77:13; 83:18; 86:10. Absolutely nothing in the entire universe can thwart the overall plan which is revealed in the divine will and ultimate purposes of the Almighty One - Psa.135:6; Jb.42:2 NIV. Why fear Satan? "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Ro.8:31. "With Him is wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding." Jb.14:13; Prv.8:14. "God knoweth all things." 1Jn3:20; Prv.15:3. Therefore we can know for a certainty, "there is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel (purpose directed) against the Lord (Prv.21:30)", whose works are truth, and His ways (righteous) judgment - Dan.4:37. He has spoken, I will work, and who shall hinder it?" Isa.43:13. The truth is, neither you nor I nor anyone else can prevent God from carrying out to the fullest, His ultimate will and purposes. "His work is perfect." Deut.32:4; Psa.18:30; 2Sam.22:31. How can He fail? "Among the gods there is none like thee, O, Lord, neither are there any works like unto thy works." Psa.86:8. Through His power "which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working" (Isa.28:9), "great in counsel and mighty in work" (Jer.32:19), "the Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to naught: He maketh the devices of the people of none effect." Psa.33:10. "For who hath resisted His will" (Ro.9:19) in the infinite sense of application? If a desire be of God, "ye (your own carnal mind and ego) cannot (ultimately) overthrow it: lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." You cannot even initially resist His will unless He allows it for His purposes. He only, "worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Eph.1:11), whereby according to His workings "He is (willing and) able even to subdue all things unto Himself." Phil.3:21. Ye do err greatly if you believe anything less. No Power But Of God All "power belongeth unto God." Psa.62:11. Nothing is apart from the scope of His control. "There is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." Ro.13:1; Psa.62:11. Apply that truth to your daily living and your peace of mind. He "is the head of all principalities and powers" (Col.2:10), "Upholding all things by the word of His power" (Heb.1:3), "angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him."1Ptr.3:22. "Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory" (Mtt.6:13) and "of the increase of His peace and government there shall be no end." Isa.9:7. His kingdom "is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions (good and evil) shall serve and obey Him." Dan.7:27. "He that cometh from above is above all" (Jn.3:31), high above all opposing powers, whereby He "hath put all things under His feet." Eph.1:22. He is "Lord of both the dead and the living" (Ro.14:9), having "power over all flesh" (Jn.17:2) both in life and in death, "so that in all things He might have the preeminence." Col.1:18. "Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite." Psa.147:5; Jb.37:16. "He ruleth by His power forever." Psa.66:7. All infinite spirit and finite matter, including all things both good and evil, directly or indirectly, proceed from the very being of the Father who is the origin and source of all creation in Christ - 1Cor.8:5,6; Rev.3:14. As for questioning the origin of God the Father, this is far beyond all scriptural revelation. logic, or finite human understanding and reasoning (Jb.11:7; 36:26; 37:23) and is truth "dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto." 1Tim.6:16. We should not be troubled nor concerned with thoughts of who created our God, for there is only the One dualistic Almighty god of the scripture revelation to whom we as created being must ultimately answer - Isa.46:9; Ac.4:12. We are discovering that the primary cause and source of all positive power as well as the creation of all negative or evil power, along with its subsequent judgments, is with God and not man - Psa.18:15; Isa.45:7; Ro.11:33. Therefore God is somehow also ultimately responsible for all its evil effects. We should begin to see this even more clearly in scriptures that follow. In wording that our natural limited minds (1Cor.13:12) can comprehend, the Bible reveals that the wisdom of "the only wise" (1Tim.1:17) God was manifest in creation through His son Jesus Christ - Prv2:6,7. Christ is shown to be both "the power of God, and the wisdom of God" (1Cor.1:24) in "whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Col.2:3; 1Cor.2:7. The Father is said to have possessed wisdom in the beginning of His way before His works of old - Prv.8:22-36. "Oh Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom Thou hast made them all." Psa.104:24. "In the beginning was the Word (even the Word of wisdom)…all things (originally) were made by Him….without Him (Christ the Word, carrying out the wisdom of the Father) was not anything (including the potential for evil) made that was made." Jn.1:1-3; Jer.51:15. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth" (Psa.33:6), "and all their host have I commanded" (Isa.45:12) "and they were created." Gen.2:4; Psa.148:5. These hosts also include less than righteous angels - 2Chr.18:18-22. Many scriptures concerning the creation and redemption use the words "all things" without qualification or quantity so there can be no doubt this is exactly what they mean. Anything less and we read private interpretation into the scripture. He saith, " I am the Lord that maketh all things" (Isa.44:24), "Of whom are all things…by whom are all things" (1Cor.8:6), and by Him all things consist (hold together)."Col.1:17. Nehemiah claims, "Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their hosts, the earth and all things that are therein, the seas and all that is therein." Neh.9:6; Isa.66:2; Ac.17:24. This clearly reveals the works of "the great God that formed all things." Prv.26:10. In other words, all things were purposed, formed, fabricated, dispatched or brought into existence by Him. How can we help but see that these "things" both scripturally and of necessity, include things other than holy things and hosts of holy ones? A portion of these "things" will remain in varying degrees and states of immaturity and imperfection until the perfect One who sits on the throne of all power has made all these things new - Rev.21:5. "That God, which ever lives and loves, One God, one law, one element, And one far-off divine event, to which the whole creation moves." Alfred Tennyson
"For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: To whom be glory forever. Amen." Ro.11:36
C h a p t e r T w o
"THE MAGNIFIED WORD" OF THE "EVERLASTING GOSPEL"
There are many things freely given us that we might know the true "things" of God (1Cor.2:11,12), but the natural man (even the carnal mind) receiveth not the things (wisdom and knowledge) of the Spirit of God: for they (spiritual interpretations) are foolishness unto Him; neither can he know them because they are (only) spiritually discerned -1Cor.2:4. Therefore, it is a fact that "none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand." Dan.12:10b. "If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool (for God hath chosen the foolish things of this world), that he may be wise." 1Cor.3:18. All matter in words and wisdom which the Holy Ghost teacheth (1Jn.2:27; Jn.16:13-15), comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1Cor.2:13), originate not in fleshly wisdom (2Cor.1:12) being not of the letter, but of the Spirit -2Cor.3:6. The Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God - 2Cor.2:10. "Oh Lord how great are thy works and thy thoughts are very deep." Psa.92:5. "Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God." Ro.11:13. The written word of God states that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2Tim.3:16) and that "every word of God is pure" (Psa.12:6; 119:140; Prv.30:5) and "true from the beginning." Psa.119:160a. And so they are. "Thy word is truth" (Jn.17:17) wherein is contained the perfect law of the Lord - Psa.19:7. Although the original "holy oracle" (Psa.28:2) was divinely given, received, and written by chosen ones of God (Jer.36:2; Ro.16:25,26), certain human knowledge and varied erroneous interpretation gradually crept into translations throughout the centuries to this date. Hence, today we have many varied and different translations, interpretations and resultant schisms even amongst the brethren who compose the body of the true Christian church. Nevertheless, Jesus said, "The scriptures cannot be broken" (Jn.10:35), meaning they cannot and will not be "loosed" from their original harmonious plan and purposes. God has sovereignly seen to that, for He remains in control of the beginning through unto the end of all things - Isa.45:9:11; Psa.33:4; Isa.40:28. The holy scriptures are now set in "one book of life" (Deut.17:18), which was written and recorded to give hope and direction to all mankind -Ro.15:4. The basic revelation and understanding that God has for us has not been lost. It may be now buried in some places under words of error but it is still thee to be revealed. Even to most Christians, the words of the Bible are yet like unto "dark speeches." Num.12:8. No spoken or written words of inspiration are of lasting spiritual value unless magnified by the Holy Ghost (2Ptr.1:20; Ac.28:24-27), even "He" (some would say "she") whom the Father has sent to teach us all things - Jn.14:26. The (true) word of God endureth forever, and this is the word by which the gospel was preached unto us by the original chosen of God - 1Ptr.1:25; Eph.3:3-5. Brethren, as we "seek out the book of the Lord and read" (isa.34:16), studying "the book of the living" (Psa.69:28), let us make sure we are carefully and prayerfully studying "to show ourselves approved unto God." (2Tim.2:15; Deut.17:9) and not unto man; constantly praying for the Holy Spirit to rightly divide the word of truth…for only in Christ and the father abides the fulness of the Spirit of truth - Jn.16:13. Let us "give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." 1Tim.4:13. In this way shall the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another (col.3:16), wherein the word shall become profitable for (true) doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness - 2Tim.3:16b. Jesus said, "Search the scriptures" (even daily-Ac.17:11) ; they are they which testify of me (Jn.5:39), the one who only, is the resurrection and the life - Jn.11:25. "He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters (life giving Spirit)." Jn.7:38,39. "If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink" (Jn.7:37), "for I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground (even fallow ground of the soul-Jer.4:3; Ezk.36:9): I will pour my (life giving) Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon they offspring" (Isa.44:3), for "I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse (my church)…O friends; drink abundantly O beloved" (S.S.5:1) and truly then they "soul shall be as a watered garden." Jer.31:12. Listen closely to the words of life that have called out to man for centuries and so shall they continue…"and the Spirit and the bride (church of the new creation heaven and earth) say, come, and let him (which does include anyone and everyone-Isa.55:1) that is (still) athirst come, and whosoever will (of any and all that have not yet been called nor enabled by grace to come and drink of the Spirit which Christ now gives-Jn.4:13) let him (which still thirsts and is now been enabled to drink} take of the (onrushing) waters of (the river of) live freely." Rev.22:17. Yea, "Come, eat of my bread (word of life) and drink of the wine (even the water which has been given life) which I have mingled." Prv.9:5. "The waters (of love) wear the stones" (of resistance) Jb.14:19. "Thou turnest man to destruction; and (yet still in mercy and love) sayest, Return ye children of men." Psa.90:3. "O Lord, thou hast ordained them for (righteous, not torturous) judgment, and O mighty God thou hast established them for correction" (Habk.1:12), "for thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy unto all them that (you cause to) call upon thee." Psa.86:5; Jer.9:23,24. "And I saw another messenger having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell upon the earth, and to every nation and kindred and tongue and people" (Rev.14:6), including all nations which have forgotten God and been turned into hell - Psa.9:17. He who holds the keys to unlock hell and death (Rev.1:18) and is the gateway and door into truth and newness of life, has seen to it that the gates of life remain open (Rev.21:25; 22:14), and "the leaves (ministries) of the tree (Christ) were for the (spiritual) healing (cleansing, reconciling, and restoring) of the nations." Rev.22:2; Jn.15:4,5. Are not the Lord’s way’s (even of salvation) everlasting (Habk.3:6), whereby His commandments and word shall remain sure and steadfast throughout all ages? Psa.11:7,8. Did not the Lord say unto the seed of Jacob, "I the lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right?" Isa.45:19. Shall not He remember his covenant to Abraham, wherein it was promised to him and his spiritual seed "that all families of the earth be (eventually) blessed?" Ge.12:3. Shall not he remember His covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations (Psa.105:8), and shall not His faithfulness of love be made known to all generations? Psa.89:1; 119:89,90. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"Ge.18:25. The old heaven and earth shall pass away, but the life giving Spirit of the word beckoning "come" shall remain the same as yesterday, today and even unto the final age of the ages - Matt.5:18; 24:35. He doeth this for His name’s sake (Isa.48:9), whereby His word (in all its fulfilment) shall remain magnified above all His name - Psa.138:2. Is it not written, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve? Matt.4:10. Will you not now begin to "let the lord be magnified which hath pleasure (only) in the prosperity of his servant?" Psa.35:27; Phil.1:20. "The counsel (purpose in the word) of the Lord standeth forever, the thoughts of His heart (all of which are expressed in His everlasting gospel of salvation, standeth) to all generations." Psa.33:11. It standeth and remaineth "to the intent (expressed purpose) that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by (through) the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose (plan of the ages) which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Eph.3:11. In the meantime, as we continue within the narrow confines of the present finite world, we can steadfastly endure the battle of flesh and spirit knowing through the wisdom of God, the vanities and futility of our corruptible flesh as compared to the joy and fruitfulness of the eternal spirit, which God has made known to us through the merciful revelation of His transcendent grace and His all encompassing and unceasing love. The great enmity of mankind is but a background to magnify and display the far greater love of our God. Such love is as measureless as it is timeless; a vast portion being yet unrevealed. "As it is written, eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, (all) the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1Cor.2:9. This holds just as true for all those that He loves also. "Many waters cannot quench (the fires of our Gods’consuming) love , neither can the floods (of Satan’s hordes) drown it." (S.S.7:7.), for it shall continue to burn in its many forms with great intensity upon the sea of wickedness, even until the last drop of rebellion shall ultimately evaporate in the unquenchable fires (Ezk.20:47,48) which burn forever in the deep secret (Deut.29:29) places of the Almighty’s complete and perfect non-coercive love. Truly, "our God is a consuming fire." Heb.12:29. This is a general outline of the Lord’s ultimate purpose according to His eternal declared word…according to the "everlasting gospel.". This is the plan of the ages according to the declared will of our Saviour God. This is the divine destiny of all in His creation. This beloved, is love. "Charity never faileth." 1Cor.13:8. "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matt.7:13,14 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude that no man could number, of all nations and kindred’s, and people, and tongues, stood before the Lamb, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands." Rev.7:9 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "All dominions shall serve and obey Him." Dan.7:27 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Jesus throughout all ages…Amen" >>>>>>>>>> "He that hath an ear let him hear.."Rev.3:22 >>>>>> "Come out of her, my people" (Rev.18:4), "come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter."Rev.4:1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
"He is in one mind and who can turn Him?" Jb.23:13. Who can even resist Him?" Ro. 9:19. "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in him Amen." 2Cor.1:20. They are sure and certain, "for of (out from) Him (Christ as Creator and preeminence) and through Him (as the only mediator) and (back in) to Him (as the final goal of a restored and redeemed creation) are all things." Ro.11:36. "I am…the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord." Rev.1:8. Hath not God written to us excellent things in counsels (purposes) and knowledge that He might make known the certainly of the words of truth: that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them the send unto thee…" Prv.22:20,21. Search the scriptures (Jn.5:39) wherein He hath "made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which he hath purposed in Himself." Eph.1:9. "Call unto me and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not" Jer.33:3, even "to make ALL MEN see what is the fellowship of the mystery….according to THE ETERNAL PURPOSE (plan of the ages-Grk.) which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Eph.3:9-11. "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every nation and kindred and tongue and people." Rev.14:6 K. Ross Mckay E-mail Light Of His Glory Ministries
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