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"BY REASON OF HIM" Rom.8:2O
In this study we will examine fundamental principles and issues in the light of some basic scriptures (Heb.5:12; 1Ptr.4:11) concerning the wondrous overall works of God-Deut.3:24; 1Chr.9:12,16,24; Psa.66:3,4; 86:8,9; 111:1. We will build upon basic truth concerning "the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God." Heb.6:1. This we do as God permits. THE SCOPE OF GOD’S PROGRESSIVE WORKS God, in the hidden wisdom (1Cor.2:7; Psa.104:24) of His perfect foreknowledge (Jb.37:16) and in the determined counsel of His "eternal (age enduring) purpose" for "all men" (Eph.3:9-11), has set in motion a totally infallible plan of action. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."1Jn.3:8. When this is concluded, all mankind will have come to know Christ as their Saviour and Lord, to the glory of God the Father-Phil.2:10,11; Isa.45:23; Rev.5:13; 15:4; Psa.22:27,29. Our Creator has a truly great plan and purpose in creation. He alone, as "Lord of all" (Ac.10:26; Gal.4:1), has created all things (Jn.1:3; Rev.4:11), is reconciling all things (Col.1:16-20), and will yet restore all things (Ac.3:21) making all things new-Rev.21:5. Mankind is the highest form of life of all things that He has created to dwell on the earth-1Cor.8:6; Ac.17:24-28. Man plays an important role in all that is being reconciled and saved through God’s grand age -abiding plan and purpose-Rom.5:8-11; Psa.8:4-6. As an ongoing interim part of this plan in this present day of salvation, "of His own will begat He us (to become faithful Christians) with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures." James 1:18. They who are the true "born again" (1Ptr.1:23) "church" (Matt.16:18; Eph.1:22; Col.1:24), are now also known as "the general assembly and church of the firstborn."Heb.12:23. Since the advent of Christ they are the first redeemed portion of all humanity. They are only the beginning of all the new creation (2Cor.5:17; Gal.6:15) offspring,of Him who is the firstfruit (1Cor.15:20,23) of the firstfruits, even "the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence." Col.1:18. The Bible reveals that God is presently in the process of completing His remarkable works involving all mankind and "every creature."Rev.5:12,13. This shall not result in an incomplete nor imperfect accomplishment, nor can it, for all His works are in perfection-Deut.32:4. "The Lord is good to all and His tender mercies are over all His works."Psa.145:9. It is clearly not God’s purpose nor will to leave anyone nor anything to the destruction of death, hell, nor annihilation for eternity. "Thou preservest them all."Neh.9:6. Rather, it is His full intention to ultimately reconcile and restore all things, including all thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, visible or invisible, whether they be on earth or they be in heaven-Col.1:16-20. All things are possible with God-Mk.9:23 Therefore, in the dispensation of the fullness of times, we see God sovereignly carrying out all His works as "He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, nor say unto Him, What doest Thou?" Dan.4:35; Isa.14:27. He who is the fulfillment of agape Love cannot fail in His truly remarkable works of love-1Cor.13:8; Jn.3:16. As a basic part of His counsel of divine restitution, the Lord successively, yet intermittently, is now in the process of commanding "all men every where to repent." Ac.17:30; Isa.45:22-25; 55:11. "The Son of man is come to save that which was lost."Matt.18:11. In order to do this, "the Father sent the Son to be Saviour of the world." 1Jn.4:14; Jn.12:47. It is not His purpose to save only a portion of His creation or a portion of the world!-Jb.34:13; 1Jn.2:2. The Father has relegated all power unto His Son (Jn.17:2), for it is His determined will and omnipotent intention that ultimately "all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father" (Jn.5:20-23) and that "all flesh shall see (Grk.- experience) the salvation of God." Lk.3:6; Isa.40:4,5; Psa.65:2. Now, "He hath given assurance to all men, in that He hath raised Him (the Son) from the dead." Ac.17:31. THE INFALLIBILITY OF GOD’S WORKS Sadly, how few there are that have enough faith to believe that the aforementioned will ever happen! Most Christian’s have a hard enough time believing "all Israel shall be saved." Rom.11:26. How much harder it must be to believe for the redemption of "all men." Like the religious leaders of old, some even fear it-Jn.11:47. However, after the same manner as with all Israel, God is with all men also "able to graft them in.."Rom.11:23. The traditions of men in their teachings of "eternal hell" and eternal annihilation have made a good portion of the clear truth of God’s word of none effect-Mrk.7:13; Rom.4:14. Therefore, hearken unto what the holy Spirit saith unto the church. The Gates of hell shall not predominate nor triumph forever against the Lord, nor shall they prevail against all those whom He has ordained to yet draw unto salvation! Matt.16:18; Jn.12:32. Regardless of how well intentioned carnal men may be, they continue to misinterpret and malign the holy scriptures, ignorantly insisting that the entirety of God’s work and plan shall never be fulfilled. Yet, the simple truth and the voice of reason calls out to them, shouting out the basic principle and foundational fact ...that "no plan (of God’s) can be thwarted." Jb.42:2 (NIV). "What His soul desireth (wills) even that He doeth."Jb.23:13. Jehovah is a perfect God (Matt.5:48; Heb.5:9), doing a perfect work (Deut.32:4), in His own perfect way (2 Sam.22:31), by His own perfect love (1Jn.4:12) and in His own perfect time-1Cor.15:23; 1Tim.2:5:6. He cannot possibly fail in completing all the work that He began in His creation! He shall not make His own words of no effect! Hath He not said, "I shall work and who shall let (hinder) it? "Isa.43:13; Jb.9:12; 11:10. He alone can say this because He alone, regardless of man, always "worketh all things after the counsel of His own will."Eph.1:11; Psa.135:6. A SURE FOUNDATION In building natural structures such as bridges, towers, buildings etc., a strong and lasting foundation must first be constructed. For them to be as strong as possible, there can be no error or mistakes made in construction...especially in the foundation. Likewise, in the formation of any true doctrine, except they have a strong and sure foundation, not only the foundation itself but the rest of the structure as well, is invariably subject to damage and ruin. The winds of falsity and the flood of lies break through the walls and foundations of all man made structures, exposing their weaknesses and damaging their interiors. To be without cracks and without any weaknesses, all true doctrinal structures in the Bible that are built upon by man, need be built upon foundations that the Master Builder Himself has laid or their labour is in vain-Psa.127:1. The ingredients in His foundations always contain the rock of God (Psa.62:6,7; Matt.16:18) combined with untempered mortar (Ezk.13:4) submerged together in the water and spirit of God’s truth-Jn.16:13; Eph.4:21. Unfortunately, concerning spiritual truth, the natural human mind is subject to much error-1Cor.2:10-16. Only, "the foundation of God standeth sure."2Tim.3:1. There is no kind of true spiritual foundation that any man can lay other than that which is already laid and found in the Lord Jesus Christ-1Cor.3:10-15; Matt.7:24-27. In completing the foundation for mankind’s salvation, Jesus proclaimed these wondrous words concerning the pending purpose, the accomplishment, and the fulfillment of His being lifted up to a literal death upon the cross. He stated matter of factly and prophetically saying, "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me..."Jn.12:32-34; 3:14; 8:28; 18:32. In order "that He might fill all things" (Eph.4:10; 1:20-23), our ascended (Eph.4:8-10) "King of kings and Lord of lords", (1Tim.6:15), "the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up" (Isa.6:1; 52:13) saith, "I will say the word and perform it...the word which I have spoken shall be done." Ezk.12:25-28; Isa.46:11; 55:11. He said He will draw not just some, not even many, but all unto Himself. His word shall not return void of its fulfillment nor be found ineffectual in its efficacy. This principle is contained throughout the Bible and is foundational truth for all believers. We can be sure the word of "the blessed and only Potentate" (1Tim.6:15) contains the fullness of truth (Jn,6:63; Prv.22:20, 21), for Christ is the personification of God’s truth (Jn.14:6) and all fulness of truth is to be found in Him-Col.2:9. "The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men." Tit.1:2. Through the lifted up and risen Christ alone (Ac.4:12), all men now "have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Eph.2:18) so "that all men through Him might believe."Jn.1:7,9. It is of a basic truth that...not only through (Rom.11:36) Christ, but also with (Eph.2:5) Christ, by (Rom.5:18,19) Christ, as well as "in Christ shall all be made alive" (1Cor.15:52), whereby the Spirit of the Father and Christ shall ultimately become matured and complete "in all." 1Cor.15:28. That means "be everything to everyone, supreme, the indwelling and controlling factor of (eternal) life." 1Cor. 15:28 (Amplif.). If Christ fails or misses in attaining to this lofty goal, then the sinless Son will surely have committed the world’s greatest sin, for the meaning of the word "sin" is "to miss the mark. "There is no restraint unto the Lord to save by many or by few."1Sam.14:6. Jehovah brings the counsel of the ungodly to naught and makes their rebellious thoughts to be of no effect. It is the sovereign counsel of the Lord that stands throughout the ages. The thoughts of His heart are given in grace to all generations-Psa.33:10:11. Eventually, through the greatness of His power, all (1Cor.15:25) His enemies shall submit themselves unto Him (Psa.66:3,4), even that "last enemy"..death-1Cor.15:26. He is well "able to subdue all things unto Himself."Phil.3:21. His work is as sure as His word. His "works are truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase."Dan.4:37. THE SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN To accomplish this, the Almighty has ordained a divine process of election through His Son in bringing salvation and repentance to "every man in His own order."1Cor.15:23;12:8. The timing of personal salvation is in God’s hands-Jn.3:8. We have this blessed assurance through the death of our Lord (Ac.17:31), "for there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself "a ransom for all to be testified (made evident) in due time." 1Tim.2:5,6; Gal.1:15. Therefore as Christians, we are exhorted to pray, intercede and give thanks for all men (1Tim.2:1) and to completely "trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially (now in this life made evident) of those that believe."1Tim.4:10. "Even so then at this present time also, there is a remnant according to the election of grace." Rom. 11:5. Death and hell have only a temporary role in the span of the ages. The duration of the ages is not eternal for they have both a beginning (Rom.16:25; Tit.1:2) and an ending. Christ Has been manifested "at the end of the ages" (Heb.9:26) to put away sin. However, There are more ages to come (Eph.2:7 ASV), until in "the fulness of times" (Eph.1:10) "then cometh the end.."1Cor.15:24. Meanwhile, in the interval of the ages, age abiding condemnation (Mk.3:29), punishment (Matt.24:26) ,judgment (Heb.6:2) and fire (Matt.25:41) remain an essential part of God’s eonial program. As sure as the powers of death and hell which prevail in the ages had a beginning, so shall they also have an end-1Cor.15:24-28. Simply put, hell is only a state or place of unholy sin and death. This is all part of the first death, which death is not only physical but also a temporary spiritual veil that covers the earth-Isa.25:6-9. In contrast, heaven is any place or state wherein dwells holiness and eternal life. Godly fire is a process of salvation-1Cor.3:13-15; Mk.9:49; Lk.3:16,17; 12:49; Jer.23:29. It’s ultimate purpose is to judge and consume all sources of the hellish fires of ungodliness (Jas.3:5,6; Hab.2:12,13) sin and evil whereby "judgment shall return unto righteousness."Psa.94:15; 9:8; 103:6; Isa.5:16. Because the holy Spirit of "our God is a consuming fire" (Heb.12:29), no longer shall the place nor need for hell be found...when all the numerous powers of the first death have been totally destroyed by the all-consuming fire of the Spirit of our living God-Rev.20:14; 21:4,5; Jb.28:3. The second death is a most holy operation. It progressively works to destroy that first working power (1Jn.3:8) which presently holds the first man adam and the rest of nature in "the bondage of corruption"-Rom.8:21,22. The incorruptible life that comes forth from the second and last man adam (1Cor.15:45) and from the power of His sinless life and death, shall swallow up (1Cor.15:54,55) and consume all elements that are a part of the first death until our Almighty "God omnipotent" (Rev.19:6) truly becomes "everything to everyone." 1Cor.15:28 (Mof.). "Thus, in the end, shall God be wholly and absolutely God."1Cor.15:28 (Phil.). Our omnipotent Almighty "Lord of all" (Ac.10:36) was in the past, is in the present, and surely will be in the future fulfillment of His redemptive plan, nothing less than "the Saviour of all men". "I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."Rev 1:8 (ASV). Concerning the work which Jesus accomplished on earth with its far reaching effects and ordained results, Christ in His divine foreknowledge could say of a surety, "It is finished."Jn.19:30. If all that He desired to do were not finally and fully accomplished, then His divine work would have failed and the foregoing titles denoting who He is, was, and always will be, would be exposed as a fallacy. Jesus Christ would not be "the same yesterday, and today, and forever."Heb.13:8. He would have proven to be far less than Almighty, certainly not "Lord of all" and forever would be only the Saviour of some men! "Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of Me) to do Thy will, O God."Heb.10:7,9; Jn.4:34. We are even now to put our trust in our competent and faithful (Deut.7:9) Saviour of all who proclaimed He will ultimately draw all men unto Himself and "will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth."1Tim.2:4. This truth concerning His will is not contained in the mere whim or wish of an impotent or incompetent God-2Chr.20:6; Isa.45:20-32; 59:1. This is the Lord’s revealed conclusive will and infallible determinate intention already put into action by our Potentate Saviour...and the fulness of truth is "there is no resisting His will." Rom.9:19 (Knox). With regard to the interim period of His ongoing program the Lord says, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.." Rom.9:15; Hos.1:7; 2:23. Again, in the same manner as He "who will", this is not a mere desire or wish to act but a divine working action being carried out through a supreme and absolute will. It is a positive affirmation inherent in His attribute of omnipotence. We must continue to trust that "the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but (His absolute sovereign determination is) that all (men) should come to repentance."2Ptr.3:9; 2Cor.1:20; Matt.18:14. Concerning His merciful election of mankind, He "doeth according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise and glory of His grace." Eph.1:5,6. It is an ordained purpose of His plan to use ungodly things and people "to fulfil His will."Rev.17:17; Rom.8:28. Again, this is all foundational truth, yet stubborn men continue to deny it. Whatsoever thing pleases the Lord, that He does-Psa.135:6; 115:3; Eccl.8:3. Whether one has the faith now to believe it or not..."that that is determined shall be done" (Dan.11:36) for who can withstand His ultimate, absolute, unrestrained will forever? Rom.chptrs. 9-11. AN UNCONDITIONAL UNIVERSAL ELECTION Respected theologian John Calvin correctly taught the total depravity of mankind and also that divine election, redemption, and regeneration through repentance from dead works is totally the work of God and by grace alone. Thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of salvation. He taught a portion of the basic truth of unconditional election believing that to deny God’s sovereignty is to affirm an unbiblical Arminianism. However, some cracks in his own foundation began showing when he put an overemphasize on man’s responsibility and hence believed in a limited election. The biblical truth is, that it’s primarily God’s responsibility to rescue man from the total depravity of sin and death which was initially ordered upon him as a result of his induced disobedience. [For a solid scriptural foundation concerning this, ask for our booklet "The sinless Son"]. This He does in his totally sovereign unrestricted universal election. "Thou [God] turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men."Psa.90:3; Ac.17:30. In the same working principle as was in the original fall of man and then later applied to Israel, we learn that "God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all." Rom.11:32. It was "by reason of Him", by reason of His will, not man’s that the Creator Himself that essentially subjected man and nature to these vanities-Rom.8:29,30. Therefore it is essential and appropriate He that takes the primary initiative and responsibility in rescuing and reconciling mankind from his total blindness and sinful depravity-Psa.90:3; Psa.94:10; Isa.45:7; 2Cor.5:17. Mercifully, and certainly not by accident, provision was made for man’s reconciliation before the foundation of the world-1Ptr.1:19,20. Apart from divine spiritual intervention, man is deaf and blind to the gospel message-Mk.4:11; Jn.12:39,40. He is said to be born spiritually "dead in trespasses and sins"- Eph.2:1; Rom.8:6; Rom.3:11; 2Cor.5:14. The dead cannot rise on their own. Not in resurrection and not in initial salvation. Therefore, man can in no way effect his redemption until "the inspiration of the Almighty" (Jb.32:8) actively and graciously empowers him-Ezk.36:24-27; 37:5-14; Rom.5:5. This is why man must be born a second time-Jn.3:3-8. This supernatural spiritual birth is entirely "according to the election of grace." Rom.11:5. Concerning human salvation, "there is no power but of God." Rom.13:1. [See our booklet "The Power Of God Unto Salvation" which has several hundred scriptures in the foundation of this truth]. In his teaching, Calvin limited God by believing in a partial or limited atonement. But the scripture rightly divided points to an all encompassing universal atonement. It could not properly be termed unlimited because there is ultimately to be an end in the final consummation of God’s will for mankind. It is true that Christ died for all those that God gave Him to save-Jn.17:2,6,9,12. But the number of persons He died for was not just some, or many. It was all persons who have ever lived and will ever live or die in this earth. Christ became the propitiation (appeasement, covering, atonement etc.) "for the sins of the whole world."1Jn.2:2; Jn.1:29. He became "a ransom for all" (1Tim.2:6) by "tasting death for every man." He did not die for a limited number of men, rather "He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again." 2Cor.5:15. Neither was Christ’s death a death only of potential atonement for all men. This would be leaving it to chance. The real bottom line is it would be leaving it up to man! Theoretically, if none claimed his death, He would have died for naught. It’s amazing the number of Christian’s who mention the words "chance" or "another chance" when talking about salvation! Neither "chance" nor its companion "choice" which originates with man have anything to do with personal salvation! The atonement is totally conditional upon God to make it effectual. Believing that Christ’s death was a potential symbolic atonement for any person in the future who might possibly accept Him, trivializes the act of atonement. It makes it insignificant. Jesus died expressly to atone for all the specific sins of all men who are specified as sinners and there is no impartiality with respect to persons or nations with God -Rom.2:11; Gal.3:8, 28; Ac.10:34-36. An unrestricted universal atonement lays the foundation for an unrestricted universal election and an unrestricted universal salvation in the infinite universal grace and love of God. MANY OR ALL? Calvin believed Christ did not atone for all men because he believed much of mankind was not then, nor ever would be saved. Hence, He died for many but not all-Matt.26:28. Here is where his foundation developed a bad crack.! The word "many" in Matt.26:28 is not what it seems! Nor does it contradict other scriptures which show the all inclusiveness of Jesus’ death. The original Greek is "the many" which can only have the meaning of all as it surely does in Rom.5:19 where the same words describe those who were made sinners as well as those yet to become righteous. Ro.5:12 and 3:23 says all became sinners, so "the many" are actually "all". "Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience (the) many (all) were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall (the) many (all) be made righteous." Rom.5:18,19; 1Cor.15:21.22. To more easily grasp the concept of this consider the following. Recently I saw a large crowd of people in a room. The many that I saw were really all who were there. I have gone fishing many times in the past. These undetermined number of times were all the times I have gone. When I say there are many people on this planet I am speaking of them all! The many I mentioned includes all that there are! WHOLLY THE WORK OF GOD In order for the foregoing to be so, repentance must also be the result of an unconditional as well as irresistible grace. All whom God elected must eventually come to the saving knowledge of Christ and the Father (Jn.6:45) when God draws them (Jn.6:44) and causes them to come (Psa.65:4) through Christ-Jn.14:6. His goodness (Rom.2:4) and His Spirit grants them repentance-Rom.8:14. Jesus said that it is through the work of God that ye believe on Him-Jn.6:29; Isa.26:12. Our saving faith comes entirely through the "operation of God." Col.2:12. This initial work is unconditional and unsolicited. Truly, "A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." Jn.3:27; Jas.1:17; Lk.10:22. This is truly irresistible grace in action-Eph.2:8-10; 2Tim.!:9; Tit.3:3-7. God has added to the church wholly "as it hath pleased Him."1Cor.12:18. "As many as were ordained unto eternal life believed."Ac.13:48. As many as were given to receive the powerful gift of faith unto repentance and salvation to become the adopted sons of God (Jn.1:13), were said to be born from above, "born again", "born of the Spirit." Jn.3:3-8. They "were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man (their own will) but of (the will of) God."Jn.1:13; Eph.1:5,11; Jas.1:18. They were "born of Him"1Jn.2:29; 5:1. No human will or effort was involved! Because our original inclusion in vanity is "by reason of Him" (Rom.8:20), our saving faith also comes from above, for it is actually "the faith of God" (Rom.3:3) and "of Christ." Gal.2:16,20; Eph.3:12; Phil.3:9. It comes not at all from ourselves. Jesus is "the author... of our faith" Heb.12:2. We can not of ourselves work it up or produce it in any way. Our calling and election is entirely "of Him."Rom.9:16. Grace and mercy is also solely from or "of God" (Rom.9:16; Tit.1:4) for only "of Him are ye in Christ Jesus."1Cor.1:30. To believe man’s autonomous self-will can really resist God’s absolute sovereign will is to believe in the impossibility of resistible grace and sovereign human will. To believe Jesus died merely wishing or hoping all men would accept Him is demeaning to God’s sovereign nature and many of His attributes. It puts the owness for salvation on man and robs glory from God. To believe God looked into the future and saw a limited number only who would ever accept Him as their Lord, does away with the necessity and especially the established fact of an atonement for all. "Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save." Isa.59:1; Dan.4:35. Nor is it shortened that He will not save, "for of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things concerning creation, redemption and restitution-Rom.11:36. It is wholly Gods work! ALL MEN DRAWN UNTO HIM Christ has been "appointed heir of all things" (Heb.1:2) by the Father who "loveth the Son and hath given all things into His hand."Jn.3:35. "All things" necessarily includes all people in His creation. Those whom God draws and calls unto eternal salvation remain in the Lord’s hand until they are glorified -Rom.8:28-39; Isa.43:13; Jn.10:27-29; 6:37-39; Psa.37:28 etc. Christ will not lose anyone His Father has given Him (Jn.6:37) for it is not in God’s ultimate will that any should perish-2Ptr.3:9. However, It is God’s will that He who has power and authority over "all flesh" give eternal life to as many as the Father has given Him -Jn.17:2. Just who and how many will be given and be drawn through Christ unto Himself by the Father? Jn.6:44,65. Jesus revealed these ones to be "every man that hath heard and learned of the Father."Jn.6:45. He later revealed the true scope of this truth when he said of a great truth, "I will draw all men unto me (Jn.12:32; 1Tim.2:4), "even as many as the Lord our God shall call."Ac.2:39. Therein shall the saying be fulfilled, "Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none." Jn.18:9. Not one will be lost! Lk.15:4-6; Lk.19:10. How will this marvelous thing be accomplished? Jesus said, "My Father worketh even until now, and I work." Jn.5:17 "The Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the works."Jn.14:10. "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work." Jn.4:34; 5:36; 9:4.. The great "Alpha and Omega" (Rev.22:13) who is the author and the finisher of our faith (Heb.12:2) cannot help but also be the same author and finisher of all His natural and spiritual creations-Rev.1:8; 21:5,6. IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS GOOD PLEASURE Make no mistake for God is not at all like the man in Lk.14:28-30. He is patiently and primarily working in a firstfruit portion of mankind "both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Phil.2:13. All God’s gracious works and purposes including those involving the whole of mankind, were foreknown, foreordained and predestined from the foundation of the ages to attain completion-Ac.15:18; 17:26; Heb.4:3; 11:3; Isa.46:9-11; 43:13; Eph.1:4,5,11; 2Ths.2:13; Tit.1:2; 2Tim.1:9. In confirming this great truth the Lord saith, "As surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand."Isa.14:21. "There is no wisdom nor counsel nor understanding against the Lord" (Prv.2130) that could cause His will and purposes to return void! His infallible word shall accomplish that which it pleases and shall prosper in the thing whereunto it was sent-Isa.55:11. Truly, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created." Rev 4:11. Thou hast declared "the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure. Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it." Isa. 46:10,11. Therefore, in all things, "the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand, He shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied." Isa.53:10:11. GOD’S ULTIMATE PLEASURE AND PURPOSE God certainly has all the necessary tools and resources at hand to complete every purpose of His plan wherein now He hath "appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." Heb.9:26. We can be confident that He who hath begun His good work of restoration in you performing it unto perfection (Phil.1:6), will also perform His perfect work in the rest of His creation wholly fulfilling it "according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself."Eph.1:9. He hath made known to us "the mystery (secret) of His will—of His plan, of His purpose. [And it is this:] In accordance with His good pleasure (His merciful intention) which He had previously purposed and set forth in Him, [He planned] for the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages to unify all things and head them up and consummate them in Christ, [both] things in heaven and things on the earth. In Him we also were made [God’s] heritage (portion) and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose, Who works out everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His [own] will."Eph.1:9-11 (Amplif.). "And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, which He {the Father} exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named---above every title that can be conferred---not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church (a head -ship exercised throughout the church) [Ps.8:6], which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all---for in that body lives the full measure of Him who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere [with Himself]." Eph.1:19-23 (Amplif.). By reason of Him, "the whole creation (of irrational creatures) has been moaning together in the pains of labour until now" (Rom.8:22 Amplif.), yet mercifully "by Him actions are weighed. The boughs of the mighty men are broken and they that stumbled are girded with strength" (1Sam.2,3,4), again.. "by Him."Col.1:16-20. Listen carefully beyond the moans. Surely now you can hear the words and melody of a most beautiful song rising above the din. How utterly glorious is that great and marvelous song of total victory; the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb! Rev.15:3,4. *All scripture references other than those noted are from the KJV. K. Ross McKay E-mail Light Of His Glory Ministries
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