GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE by J. B. Blosser

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 25, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 43.

GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE.

By J. B. Blosser

LET us go back to the time when only the eternal Father and His divine Son were in existence. That there was such a time is made plain in the following scripture: "Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature; for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by Him, and for Him; and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist." Col. 1:15-17. How far back in the eternal ages this was, has not been revealed. It is one of the "secret things" which "belong unto the Lord our God." But there are some things which have been kept secret since that time, which have been revealed unto us in the Gospel. These are the things which "belong unto us and to our children forever." Deut. 29:29.

The Father and His Son are in perfect accord. Divine love flows forth from hearts which are nothing but love, and "love worketh no ill." They were therefore in perfect accord with God's law, the foundation of His throne, the shining forth of His character.

God's great heart of love must have beings upon which He can bestow His love and blessings; which could share His happiness, and in turn show forth His character in loving service and praise to the glory of their Creator. He is "the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God." Col. 2:19. His great heart of love could only be satisfied with a service that would spring from hearts overflowing with gratitude and love, from intelligent creatures who could understand the character of their Creator. This being true, only voluntary service would be acceptable.

But what if any should choose not to serve Him, should choose to violate that law which was a reflection of His character of love, and rebel against His government, manifesting hatred, strife, and every evil work? Eternal death would be preferable to eternal sin and sorrow. Divine Wisdom and Love alone could

devise a plan to save them from eternal ruin. To unconditionally pardon the transgressor, without the law being fulfilled, would be to set it aside, which would be to bring ruin upon all; therefore this must not be done. Infinite Love could not consent to let them perish without exhausting every means within the universe to draw them to Himself again. They must be given another chance. A demonstration of the Creator's love must be made that will forever settle the question of His character. And in order that He might be just, and at the same time justify the ungodly, one must die for the transgressor whose life would be equal to that of the Creator; then those who might choose to come to Him could be restored to the holy, happy condition they had forfeited.

Thank God, the plan was devised to meet this terrible emergency. The Lord revealed these ancient counsels to the apostle Paul, and he bears the following testimony: "If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward; how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets, by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the Gospel; whereof I was made a minister, ; ; that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ; to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Eph. 3:2-11.

Thus we see that God's "eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord," is "that the Gentiles ["aliens from the commonwealth of Israel," Eph. 2:12] should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the Gospel." "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 made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself; that in the dispensation of the fulness 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; that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ." Eph. 1:3, 4, 9-12. "Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints; to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col. 1:26, 27.

Nor was this amazing sacrifice made without the consent of His Son, for that would be to coerce His will. "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:14. "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son." It was a mutual giving, the unfolding of the self-sacrificing character of Deity, for thus it is written, "And the counsel of peace shall be between them both." And so we find that all has been done that God needs to do for our salvation, and that this salvation existed in "the purpose" of God from the beginning.

Dear reader, did you ever stop to think what this manifestation of love for you was for? "Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" Rom. 2:4. Hast thou, my brother, by thy indifference been despising the "riches of His goodness"? Do so no longer. The Saviour's loving words are, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." John 12:32. Your own will, dear reader, is the only thing that can prevent your being drawn to Him. Will you not choose to serve Him who has manifested such wisdom and love for you in purchasing everlasting life and happiness for you with His own life? All spiritual blessings are yours: only accept of them, rejoice in them, and yield yourself unto Him, to be "purified from all iniquity." Do not try to make yourself any better, but come to Him just as you are, and receive by faith of His fulness, which was provided for you in the "council of peace" back in the eternal ages "before the world began," but has been "manifest in these last times for you." 1 Peter 1:20. He who has provided such a wonderful salvation will receive you gladly. Do not wait to understand all of His ways before casting yourself into His arms of love. He has demonstrated that even in His "secret councils." He is preparing good things for you. And after He has done so much for us, "how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" Heb. 2:3. Then let no one say that his case is hopeless, that he can not be a Christian. Christ "tasted death for every man," and "He is rich unto all that call upon Him." Then "let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."