The Eternal Purpose

The subject of this paper begins in pre-creation glory and extends into the day of God, eternity, encompassing time.

"The Bible, in its object, is a whole, which presents to us God coming forth from His essential fullness to manifest all that He is, and to bring back into the enjoyment of this fullness with Himself those who, having been made partakers of His nature, have become capable of comprehending and loving His counsels and Himself." J.N.D.

To know our God in the way He has revealed Himself to us in His Word will keep us in the enjoyment of His Person and His love. All of God's counsels for us in Christ are for our eternal happiness.

In His purpose God has made the earth to be, for the present, the center and laboratory wherein He is now preparing a people to be to His eternal praise.

Not until the creation did God come forth from His essential fullness to disclose His power and Godhead. Later, in the death of Christ, God made known His entire nature of love and justice in giving His only begotten Son to die on the cross so that He could offer eternal salvation to all who would believe.

Love and justice equate in perfection in His nature, for God loves the sinner, but His justice demands punishment for our sins. Christ died, paying the penalty for us who believe, and God's justice is satisfied.

I trust that from this treatise you will discover more fully how much God loves you. If you are not a believer, God loves you just the same, for His every motive is love.

It is in Manhood in Jesus that the Father was fully made known and glorified on earth. Soon, before all created intelligence, the Man Christ Jesus shall come forth in the glory of His Father as King of kings and Lord of lords.

We see in God's purposes, first, a loving Father desiring to have children with Him forever, children who are just like His own Son. These are being prepared here and now to be morally like Christ, and in resurrection they will be physically like Him. What continual joy is our part, having become God's children by believing on the Lord Jesus as our Savior and Lord.

Second, Christ is to have a bride, a helpmate, who, as His companion, shall share with Him the inheritance and all that the Father has given Him.

"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand" (John 3:35).

The work of Christ on the cross is complete, setting the sinner who believes free from all guilt and giving to believers purged consciences.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

Christ shall also, in virtue of the work of the cross, remove sin from before the eye of God, so that both in heaven and on earth righteousness might dwell forever, unblighted by sin.

God has always dwelt in a morning without clouds, a sphere with no meridian nor night. He has invited by the gospel message those who have lived during the present two thousand years, between the time of Pentecost and the calling away of the Church, (the rapture), to live forever with Him in this glorious morning to enjoy the presence of the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

The portion and the home to which we have been invited have never been created; they have always existed (John 14:2,3). It is a home of everlasting glory, love, and rest, where every desire of a newborn soul shall be satisfied forever. God has given us (believers) a new nature so that we are able to enjoy intelligently our new environment and life. We have this nature through new birth.

Third, in God's counsels there will be a new creation where all things will be new and of God. The present creation of the earth on which we dwell, including the sea and firmament, was by God and said to be very good. The new creation will be of God, which will reflect His nature of love and righteousness. The believer is already a new creation.

What a day that will be when we shall behold that which reveals God wherever we look. God shall show to all creation that Christ will reign upon the throne of glory, Supreme in headship over all created things.

After they are renewed, heaven and earth will remain forever in blessing and rest, while the Church, Christ's wife, will share the inheritance with Him (Eph. 1:11).

Picture yourself, dear friend, in the new creation of God, with Christ!

If you have believed in your heart that Jesus died for you and that you have received forgiveness of your sins, all blessings shall be yours. Christ has done all the work; you can add nothing, for none could add to the work of the Son of God on the cross, to satisfy the holiness of God, when He cried out, "It is finished" (John 19:30).

"A mind at perfect peace with God,

Oh, what a word is this!

A sinner reconciled through blood;

This, this indeed is peace!

"By nature and by practice far,

How very far from God!

Yet now by grace brought nigh to Him,

Through faith in Jesus' blood."

(Little Flock Hymnbook #27 app.)

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God" (John 1:1,2).

The Word, Who is the Son of God, Who was before creation, is divine, and His Person is distinct.

"All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:3).

How good to have the direct revelation from God that all things were made by "the Word," the answer to what might otherwise have caused us to wonder as to creation.

There are three Persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Referring to the Son, the Word of God says, "In him was life; and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4).

"The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was" (Prov. 8:22,23).

"Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men" (Prov. 8:30,31).

"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me" (Prov. 8:17).

It has been estimated that approximately one-eighth of the earth's surface is dry land, and only a part of that is habitable. It is with the sons of men in this given area out of the entire universe that the Son of God found His delight, anticipating the coming creation of man who would dwell there.

God desires to be known in His full character and wants companions in His eternal home. Oh! how we are loved eternally.

It is in this special part of creation that Christ, the Center of all of God's ways and purposes, is made known to us as existing before all creation.

"While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world" (Prov. 8:26).

How good to have a glimpse of what took place in heaven before creation when we hear Him say to the Father, "Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, 0 my God: yea, thy law is within my heart" (Psa. 40:7,8).

The volume of the book, the divine roll of God's counsels, has but one subject, Christ as the perfect Man, walking and living according to divine precepts in the midst of man's wickedness, sorrow, and hatred to God, ever continuing in holiness, doing God's will, even unto death, completing the foundation of God's eternal counsels, and then seating Himself as Man at God's right hand on the throne in heaven.

In Manhood He said, "A body hast thou prepared me" (Heb. 10:5).

This body was fitted for the One Who is always God the Son, and in incarnation He was revealed in the flesh as Man. His Person never changes. He is unveiled in two natures combined, that of Man as well as of God. He remains a Man, forever, and God, blessed, forever (1 Cor. 15:24-28).

"How wondrous the glories that meet

In Jesus, and from His face shine,

His love is eternal and sweet,

Tis human, `tis also divine!

"His glory not only God's Son-

In manhood He had His full part-

And the union of both joined in one

Form the fountain of love in His heart."

(Little Flock Hymnbook #61)

God first came forth from the essential fullness of His Being to display His eternal power, wisdom, and Godhead glory.

"Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?" (Job 36:22).

Ultimately He displayed His holiness, love, and grace, when redemption was accomplished on the cross of Christ.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honor and majesty" (Psa. 104:1).

Order of Creation Given in Psalm 104

1. "Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment" (Psa. 104:2).

Here, God for the first time was beginning to unveil Himself amidst the incalculable stretch of space. What a glory is His! With what splendor He covereth Himself!

"For whatsoever doth make manifest is light" (Eph. 5:13).

2. "Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain" (Psa. 104:2).

"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).

The measure of God's power is the infinite glory of His person.

"O God, how wide Thy glory shines,

How high Thy wonders rise!

Known thro' the earth by thousand signs,

By thousands through the skies.

"Those mighty orbs proclaim Thy power,

Their motions speak Thy skill:

And on the wings of every hour,

We read Thy patience still."

(Little Flock Hymnbook #335)

3. "Who layeth the beams of his (upper) chambers in the waters" (Psa. 104:3).

These chambers are created dwellings. The angels have their dwellings in the heavens, some of which have been corrupted since creation but shall be renewed when the earth is renewed (Rev. 12:8; Rev. 21:1).

4. "Who maketh the clouds his chariot" (Psa. 104:3).

Are we not told of His coming in the clouds?

"Then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds" (1 Thess. 4:17).

"Behold, he cometh with clouds" (Rev. 1:7).

5. "Who walketh upon the wings of the wind" (Psa. 104:3).

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting" (Acts 2:2).

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:4).

6. "Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire" (Psa. 104:4).

The heavens were completed before the angels who were to inhabit them were created (Rev. 12:7,8). The angels are "ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Heb. 1:14). They are also ministers of judgment (2 Thess. 1:7).

7. "Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever" (Psa. 104:5).

This seems to be the last of the seven parts of the physical creation at this period. The earth was a special creation all of its own, prepared to be inhabited.

We are not told that any other heavenly body, star, or planet was created to be inhabited, and we know that there are no men dwelling on any other heavenly body, because Adam was the first man. The creation of earth was given a special place in the book of Job.

"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?" (Job 38:4)

"When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:7)

It is impossible for us to picture the tremendous display of glory as the myriads of angels viewed the earth coming into being. The light, the heavens, the chambers on the waters, the clouds, the wind, were already there when the angels were created.

What a sight to behold the newly created angels (the sons of God) shouting for joy as they experienced the creation of the special planet upon which God's counsels rest.

Who naturally would think that among all of the myriads of great stars (suns), our infinitesimal planet, earth, should have the honorable place where God's eternal counsels in Christ would be brought to light and secured?

"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear" (Heb. 11:3).

Sometime following the creation of the universe (Gen. 1), Satan, who was the highest in order and most glorious of angels, fell because of pride (Ezek. 28:11-19). This began "the mystery of God" in which He allows evil to continue unpunished for a season until it fully ripens (Rev. 10:7).

Earth Without Form Void

"And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep" (Gen. 1:2).

All was left a waste, covered with water and darkness. How long this condition existed we are not told, nor are we given details of this tremendous convulsion of the earth and sea, and perhaps succeeding ones.

"The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever" (Deut. 29:29).

Marvelous underwater formations, the mountains, valleys, springs, lakes, rivers, meadows, hidden deposits of gems, minerals, etc., appeared at the great unveiling when God caused the waters to recede, and He set their bounds.

"Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?" (Job 38:8)

"And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?" (Job 38:11)

The Present Earth

"For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain (a waste), he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD, and there is none else" (Isa. 45:18).

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork" (Psa. 19:1).

This present earth was formed in six literal days, which included the placings of the sun, moon, and stars.

"Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust" (Psa. 104:29).

Whatever creatures and vegetation might have been created before that time succumbed in the cataclysm.

"Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth" (Psa. 104:30).

The first man Adam was created on the sixth day in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26-31).

Out of Adam's riven side God formed the woman to be Adam's helpmate, giving a preview of God's counsels concerning Christ and the Church (Gen.

2:21-24). This took place before Adam's fall in the garden of Eden, showing that God had a plan before sin entered into the present earth.

There is a purpose with the woman, both in the first and the new creation. Adam, with Eve, was given a dispensation of headship over all creation on earth or sea (Gen. 2:18). This typifies the last Adam (Christ) whose glory is above all dispensation.

In the counsels of God, Christ as Man is given headship with His wife over all created things in the universe. The first Adam's fall cost him his dispensation, but the last Adam's (Christ's) dispensation can never end.

"And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living" (Gen. 3:20).

God has never left Himself without witness from the beginning of creation, as we see in Adam's act of faith.

"There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye (keenest in nature) hath not seen: The lion's whelps (strongest in nature) have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion (sagacious) passed by it" (Job 28:7,8).

This path has always been available to man and will still be so until the Lord comes, the path of faith by the power of the Spirit of God. It was trodden by antediluvian saints, by Noah, and by Abraham, the father of faith.

The period without law (liberty of conscience) and that of the law of Moses prove the complete depravity of Adam's race.

"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22).

The epoch between the fall of Adam and the incarnation of Christ shows God's ways, not His purposes, except hints in the form of types, pictures, etc. (Psa. 103:7).

When Christ was born as King of the Jews, He was rejected by both Jew and Gentile (Matt. 2:16). He was also later rejected as the eternal Son, the Sent One from the Father (John 1:10,11; Mark 14:61-63). The nation of Israel refused to own Him, being led astray by their leaders, even after signs, wonders, and pleadings by the Holy Spirit were given them through Stephen, whom they stoned to death (Acts 7:51,59).

Christ was slain by wicked hands because He claimed to be the Son of God, which He is, the great I AM.

Heb. 2 gives four reasons why Christ Jesus came down to earth to die: 1. To fulfill the counsels of God 2. To accomplish atonement, to satisfy God's claims against us, in order that we might be saved from our sins 3. To annul the power of him who held the power of death and deliver those under it 4. To be made a great High Priest in things pertaining to God (Heb. 2:8-18).

What greater love could God show to us than the cross of Christ! Through this work on the cross the vilest sinner may have eternal life, the Father's house, and the eternal inheritance with Christ, and he will be a part of the bride of Christ, by believing God's Word ( Luke 23:42,43).

How wonderful the love of Christ for us! By simply owning, as the prodigal son, our shame and guilt before the Father, He will have His arms outstretched and ready to receive us into the everlasting habitations. Won't you come to Him today? (Luke 15:20).

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John. 5:24).

Judgment means to be banished forever and condemned in the lake of fire.

The Body of Christ

While the Lord was still here in this world He promised His presence in the midst of the two or three who are gathered by the Spirit unto His name (Matt. 18:20).

When the Lord Jesus ascended on high, as Man He was given the Holy Spirit in a glorified body so that we, too, might soon have the Holy Spirit as glorified men in glorified bodies (Acts 2:33).

At Pentecost God formed the Church, the body of believers, sending down the Holy Spirit to indwell that body and also to indwell each member of the body (Acts 2:4,33). He gave unto men gifts of ministry both to announce the glad tidings and to edify the Church.

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles" (1 Cor. 12:13).

Each man, woman, or child who is cleansed by the blood of Christ, owning Jesus as his Lord and Savior in his heart, is in that "one body."

Ever since the day of Pentecost, God has been adding believers to the Church which is not yet complete, else believers would have already gone to heaven.

Before the millennial day, the Church, the body of. Christ, will be in heaven, complete with all of its members including those who have died in Jesus. All shall have been raised and joined together forever to the Head, Christ, as one new Man Christ the Head and the Church, His body (1 Cor. 15).

We are instructed now: "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling" (Eph. 4:3,4).

About the year 1830 the Spirit of God revived the truth of the practice of "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit," for the testimony of the one body had been broken outwardly into many fragments. Many such fragments are in the form of denominations formed by man's will.

Through the work of the Holy Spirit in grace, there are some gathered on the basis of the "one body," although few know about it or heed it if they do (Eph. 4:1-4).

When the Spirit of God gathers two or three unto the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Christ promises His own presence in the midst. Such a company meeting together with those of like mind on the principle of the one body does not pretend to be the Church but gathering on the true ground of the Church. The Church is in fragments today.

In Israel in former days there was only one center, Jerusalem. Today, since Pentecost, there is only one Center, Christ. If I should knowingly set up another, it would be acting contrary to the Scriptural truth of the "one body."

What confusion exists in the religious world today because of disobedience! Such confusion will eventually bring in apostasy, the result of man's doing his own will.

All of the priests, bishops, choirs, formal attire, and outward display show the holdover of Judaism, an earthly religion which God has set aside (Heb. 8:13).

"No man also having drunk old wine (Judaism) straight way desireth new; for he saith, The old is better" (Luke 5:39).

There is still opportunity to bow to God's Word. How we should, as believers, desire to please the Lord Who died for us and be mindful of the judgment seat of Christ when rewards will be given.

"Cease to do evil; Learn to do well" (Isa. 1:16,17).

Separation from evil is God's principle of unity if the purpose is to gather on divine ground according to the Word of God.

The kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of the Son of man are each a part of the overall kingdom of God (Matt. 13:11; Mark 4:11).

The present earth serves as a laboratory for a preparation of the fulfilling of the "eternal purpose" in which the Man Christ Jesus will be the Center and where God will be all in all.

The world government upon earth began in the hands of Noah, a fallen man, then given to Israel who forfeited this honor because of disobedience and idolatry (1 Sam. 10:1), next to the Gentiles under Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon (Dan. 2:37), and lastly it was taken over by the Roman Empire (Dan. 7:7,8) which at the end, before the reign of Christ, shall be held responsible for all earthly government and judged accordingly (Dan. 7:26-28).

The Kingdom of Heaven

The distinction between the kingdom of heaven and the Church is that the kingdom of heaven is a sphere of responsibility in which all profession of the present day is found and assumed to be real, but there is counterfeit material in it which will be left behind when Jesus returns. All who believe, since Pentecost, will have their part in the Father's house in heaven.

The true Church is composed of only those who are real and do not belong to earth. They are resting upon the finished work of Christ, trusting in His precious blood, and are holy and never can be lost because Christ is their life. This gives real rest of heart and true devotedness to God our Father and to our Lord Jesus Christ.

During the tenure of the Roman Empire, John the Baptist foretold of the kingdom of heaven, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3:2).

In the following Scriptures, the Holy Spirit gives principles which belong to the kingdom of heaven.

"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 4:17).

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:3).

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven" (Matt. 5:11,12).

"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).

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?... And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:21-23).

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, greatest of prophets born of women, will have his portion in the heavens forever.

"Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there bath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matt. 11:11,12).

To take the kingdom by force calls for the energy of the Holy Spirit within. There must be wholehearted resistance to Satan who uses many pleasant things of this life which are sin, especially religious, to hinder the soul from following a rejected Christ.

After Christ went on high, the kingdom of heaven commenced and will end when the Lord comes for His Church, during which time any might press into it to follow a rejected King in His absence.

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you test. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).

The rapture of the Church will close the kingdom of heaven in mystery on earth; it will then be spoken of as "the kingdom of their Father" in heaven (Matt. 13:43).

The Kingdom of the Son of Man

"The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain" (2 Sam. 23:3,4).

After the great tribulation the kingdom will no longer be a mystery but will be publicly seen on earth (Matt. 13:41).

In the kingdom of the Son of man, the millennium, every power or authority on earth and in heaven will be subject unto Christ. This is His dispensational headship.

"That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Eph. 1:10,11).

God's promises to the patriarchs shall then be fulfilled as Israel reigns on the earth under Christ for one thousand years (Gen. 15:18; Mic. 7:20).

"For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God" (Rom. 8:19).

The manifestation is the coming of Christ and the Church to reign over the earth during the millennium.

"Sons of God" implies a position of dignity for both the angels in the Old Testament and for the Church in the New Testament (Job 1:6; Rom. 9:26 N.T.). In the New Testament more is meant by "sons of God" inasmuch as we are sons now by a new nature, being born of God by the Holy Spirit, a nature which the angels do not possess. "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham" (Heb. 2:16).

The entire creation fell with Adam, its head, and now waits for deliverance from its thraldom and servitude, deliverance by the new Head, Christ, with the Church. This will be at the manifestation of the sons of God.

The curse removed, peace and rest will be the order of the millennial day, when creation is delivered "into the liberty of the glory of the children of God" (Rom. 8:21 N.T.).

The one-thousand-year period of peace and tranquility, such as this world has never known before, will be the last test of man before the final judgment on the wicked (Rev. 20:7-10).

Those who have owned the King during this period will be blessed forever on a new earth (Rev. 21:2,3). The remainder shall be destroyed and later judged at the great white throne.

In retrospect, we have seen the government on earth, first as an earthly monarchy under Israel; second, after Israel's failure, given to Nebuchadnezzar, a Gentile, at Babylon; and, finally, the Roman Empire ruled. We noted that during the time of the Roman Empire, after Christ had gone on high, the kingdom of heaven in mystery began and will continue until the Lord comes, then will be followed by the kingdom of the Son of man.

"Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he bath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all" (1 Cor. 15:24-28).

We have pictured the kingdom of God in two temporary earthly stages as the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of the Son of man until the time that it will emerge among the redeemed, possessing its full, final, moral character of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost as the kingdom of God, even the Father, in heaven (1 Cor. 15:24), also as the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:11). In this kingdom we shall reign with Christ forever and ever. There will be no nations after the millennial day (Heb. 12:28; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 22:5).

"In the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteous ness" (2 Peter 3:10,13).

Following the greatest of all physical convulsions of earth or heaven, the earth shall be re-formed for man to dwell on forever, and the heavens changed, in both of which righteousness shall dwell. Those who have come out of the millennial earth, living, shall dwell on the new earth.

All who have lived or died in faith up until Pentecost, all martyrs, and the holy, unfallen angels, shall live in the newly created heavens (2 Peter 3:13).

Life shall be in the spirit, not in the flesh which cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 15:50).

The Creation of God

Christ is "the beginning of the creation of God" (Rev. 3:14).

Christ, the Firstborn, is the beginning of the manifestation of all of the power and glory of God. Being the "Firstborn" of all creation means that He has the full title to it all. It does not mean Firstborn in the sense of birth but as Creator and Redeemer (Col. 1:15-18).

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 5:17,18).

The foregoing verses speak of the creation of God with the character of God stamped upon every part of it. This is the inheritance which the Church will share with Christ, reaching out to all created things in the universe (Eph. 1:11).

The Father's House

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. 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 14:1-3).

Anything that we have ever known of joy and happiness fades as we look on to that day when we, the Church, will dwell with the Father and with His Son Jesus in their eternal abode where they have always lived.

For us, this is grace that knows no bounds to take the beggar from the dunghill to dwell with the Father and inherit the throne of glory with His Son (1 Sam. 2:8).

God's purpose is to have His home filled with children just like Christ (Heb. 2:13). We shall by nature enjoy the same things that the Father and Son enjoy, the very desires which fill the Father's bosom.

The children shall also be the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:27).

All of the present history of the believer is an exhibition of the hidden eternal counsels of the divine bosom to be revealed later in the Father's house.

"Oh bright and blessed scenes!

Where sin can never come,

Whose sight our longing spirit weans

From earth where yet we roam.

"And can we call our home

Our Father's house on high,

The rest of God our rest to come,

Our place of liberty?

"Yes! in that light unstained,

Our stainless souls shall live,

Our heart's deep longings more than gained,

When God His rest shall give.

"His presence there, my soul,

Its rest, its joy untold,

Shall find when endless ages roll,

And time shall ne'er grow old."

(Little Flock Hymnbook #64)

Beloved, what will it be like to feel at home with the Father and to know that we are loved eternally by the Father and the Son ( 1 Thess. 5:10)!

One who has a longing desire for soul peace, love, and rest may find it immediately in the bosom of Jesus.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:31).

The Church, the Bride of Christ

The moment when Christ presents the Church to Himself, a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, will be a time of gladness such as heaven has never witnessed before and which will never end (Eph. 5:27). It will be the joy of Christ over His bride, prepared just for Him and also for the joy of the Father. This will be the highest moment of bliss in heaven. Will you be a part of this glorious occasion, beloved?

Christ loves His bride with an everlasting love. That is why He has endured such pain and loss to have her as His eternal companion.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matt. 13:45,46).

Christ graciously forms, in His bride, during her earthly sojourn, the cravings for a heavenly country of a pure atmosphere, the country which has always been His home.

The Lord employs His holy Word to accustom us to the nature of His home, fitted in every way for both His and His Father's presence, to be a companion for Jesus, as Eve was for Adam.

We learn suffering and loss here in this world to realize more, even now, what it cost Him to redeem and have us, the "pearl of great price" (Matt. 13:46). He sold all that He had and bought it.

In keeping with purity, proper in the Father's house, the bride is to be holy, so Christ cleanses her morally by the "washing of water by the Word" now (Eph. 5:26).

The elements of the heavenly glory in which we shall participate are discovered down here in His presence (Eph. 3:17-21).

That which does not correspond to heavenly propriety in the believer's life is found and judged in our daily walk. We may not always be conscious of the end in view, but the work of love goes on, preparing our hearts for an eternity of happiness of which He is both the Author and Measure.

Spiritual affections are also developed here below, as we experience the emptiness of this world. Christ's infinite love in going to the cross willingly for us to pay our debt of sins and bearing all the shame raises in us richer desires than any brought about by adverse circumstances (Eph. 5:25).

Christ cares for His bride day by day and waits upon her to deepen those affections in the inner man, as seen in The Song of Solomon.

We are weaned from earth by a sense of His love and the continual reminder of that love as we remember Him in His death, at His table, each Lord's Day from week to week, as members of His body (Acts 20:7).

We are cleansed morally to His likeness by having our eyes fixed upon that pure Object, Christ. We shall have the fresh, balmy fragrance of life in the Spirit to enjoy heaven in perfect liberty as the sons of God, in an atmosphere which will be no small part of the banquet of love when Jesus girds Himself to serve us.

"Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them" (Luke 12:37).

How could anyone reject God's offer of salvation when he could receive Christ as his Savior and become part of His bride?

"Meet companion then for Jesus,

From Him, for Him made;

Glory of God's grace forever

There in me displayed.

"He and I in that bright glory

One deep joy shall share:

Mine, to be forever with Him;

His, that I am there." F.B.

I trust that my reader will seriously consider the end of his path, short or long, and avail himself of eternal life while it is still today. Your decision at this moment may be final should your life be suddenly snatched away.

"The redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth forever" (Psa. 49:8).

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2).

"The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).

May we have the spirit of Mary Magdalene, to find nothing in this world, to be empty, poverty-stricken spiritually, if without Jesus. May these desires fill our hearts.

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen" (Rom. 11:33-36).

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