We give in conclusion the occurrences of the two phrases: 'from the

foundation of the world' and 'before the foundation of the world', and

believe most surely, that Ephesians 1:4 teaches us that the members of the

Body of Christ, were chosen in Him before the overthrow of the kosmos, as

spoken of in Genesis 1:2.

With reference to the use of parables, in speaking of the

mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven:

'That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the

prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things

which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world' (Matt.

With reference to the separation of the nations at the Second

Coming of Christ:

'Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come,

ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for

you from the foundation of the world' (Matt. 25:34).

With reference to the character of those who killed the prophets

sent to them:

'That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from

the foundation of the world, may be required of this

generation' (Luke 11:50).

With reference to the typical character of the Sabbath:

'As I have sworn in My wrath, if they shall enter into My

rest: although the works were finished from the foundation

of the world' (Heb. 4:3).

With reference to the character of the Offering of Christ:

'Nor yet that He should offer Himself often ... for then

must He often have suffered since the foundation of the

world' (Heb. 9:25,26).

With reference to names written in the book of life:

'Every one whose name hath not been written from the

foundation of the world, in the book of life of the Lamb

that hath been slain' (Rev. 13:8 R.V. margin).

'They whose name hath not been written in the book of life

from the foundation of the world' (Rev. 17:8 R.V.).

With reference to Christ alone:

(a)  'Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world' (John

'As of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily

was foreordained before the foundation of the world' (1 Pet.