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.

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:

`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

With reference to the Body of Christ:

`Chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world' (Eph. 1:4).

Comment upon the most obvious difference between these two sets of

passages is unnecessary.  Let us, however, not miss one precious item of

doctrine that is revealed by comparing together the three references to `before

the foundation'.

In John 17:24 Christ was `loved' agapao; in 1 Peter 1:19,20 He was

`without blemish and without spot' amomos.  In Ephesians 1:4 the believer is

said to have been chosen before the foundation of the world `in love' agape, to

be `blameless' amomos (Eph. 5:27).

Here, those who were chosen in Christ, were looked upon as being so

closely identified with Him, that the same terms are used.  No wonder that as we

proceed we read of further identification with the Beloved.  This identification

not only speaks of being `crucified together with Christ' but `raised together',

`seated together' and ultimately to be `manifested together with Him in glory'.

These two sets of terms `before' and `since' indicate two distinct time

periods.  Further study will show that `before' or `since' the age times is a

somewhat similar set of terms, but before these can be allied we must arrive

at some understanding of the meaning of the word `foundation'.

Our thoughts naturally turn to such passages as Job 38:4 and Isaiah 48:13

where the Lord speaks of `laying the foundation of the earth'.  Now, happily, we