The LORD has caused the scriptures to be written for us as finite men. We are unable to fully comprehend the concept of eternity, since we are mere creatures who are made to inhabit a time continuum. The scriptures tell us that HE inhabits Eternity. HIS eternal nature is primarily that which separates between HIMSELF and all of that which HE has created out of nothing. I can think of little else which is more beyond the understanding of men, than this. Paul declared this very truth when he spoke of JESUS CHRIST, “who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting.” (1Tim 6:15-16)
John declares the same when he said, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:18) This is the very principle which the LORD set forth unto Moses when he asked to see the LORD’s glory. “And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” (Exo 33:20) Isaiah was given but, a glimpse of HIM with dimmed view as he saw those heavenly creatures (i.e.; seraphims) who covered their eyes and feet in the presence of HIS glory, “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isa 6:3)
If these creatures, who have always carried out this faithful service for which they were created, could not so much as touch the surface (“with twain they did fly”) upon which the THRONE of GOD did rest, how much less is it possible that sinful and rebellious men could behold HIM there. HE is “HOLY”, which denotes HIS separation from that which HE has created.
Yet just as clearly as HE sets forth the impossibility of men coming into HIS presence in their own power and understanding, HE also declares HIS willingness and purpose to reveal HIMSELF to HIS children in the PERSON of JESUS CHRIST. This is what John means when he says, “HE hath declared HIM.” “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.” (Luke 10:21-24)
John tells us that the “WORD” was in the beginning, and then defines the WORD as being both with GOD and being GOD. (see John 1:1,2) HE who is the WORD is HE who alone hath immortality, yet by HIS grace HE has shown HIMSELF to unthankful and unworthy creatures. The WORD of GOD cannot be captured upon any page which men have been enabled to craft and write, since HE is eternal. Yet it has pleased HIM to give us the very essence of the WORD in written form that we might be edified thereby and instructed concerning HIS purpose and PERSON.
Thus, HE has been mindful that we are dust, knowing our frame and limitations, and in HIS mercy has revealed HIMSELF in the pages of the Holy Scriptures. How could we have known HIM apart from the declaration of HIMSELF by those which were sent with the gospel of JESUS CHRIST. Even as Paul declares, “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 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, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” (2Tim 1:8-11)
It is quite evident (to the enlightened mind) that the same scriptures which tell us of CHRIST also tell us that HE has a particular people which HE has loved from the beginning. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 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: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Eph 1:3-6)
Paul weaves this glorious truth into every discourse about the SAVIOR of sinners. “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2Thes 2:13-14) It is impossible to have a right understanding of that which CHRIST has done, without a clear knowledge of who it was that HE finished HIS work for. If a man considers that HIS work of redemption was done as a mere general atonement, then how could HIS work be finished if there are some who yet perish in spite of HIS best attempt to save them.
The scriptures are abundantly clear that HE is content with that which HE has accomplished, “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” (Isa 53:11) HE will surely bring those for whom HE shed HIS precious blood into a place of the enjoyment of that which HE purchased for them. “For whom he did foreknow,(i.e.; knew intimately from the beginning) he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Rom 8:29-30)
We understand that what HE came to do HE did completely even as HE spoke of those “sheep” which were given to HIM by HIS FATHER. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40) The very faith by which they believe is both of HIM and in HIM. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (John 10:27-29)
So, we can safely say that those who believe are one and the same with those for whom HE has given HIMSELF as an offering for sin. “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:13) HIS unfailing love for all of those who are the called according to HIS purpose, is demonstrated for us by HIS determination to uphold HIS disciples to the very “end”. “Having loved HIS own which were in the world” They had no option as to where they would be, for HE created them to occupy this world until HE comes again, whether in the light of daily life, or the sleep of death. HE will not forsake HIS own, “HE loved them to the end.” This is absolute and unequivocal love bestowed upon those whom HE has loved from the beginning and will never leave them behind for any reason. “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2-3) Do you believe in HIM? HE is the SON of GOD.
mam