The nearer Scripture approaches that section of God's purpose that is connected with

Israel, the plainer and more definite it becomes. Israel's history fills the bulk of the

Bible. The Nations have a comparatively small space, while the Church occupies a small

portion of the New Testament. The things in heaven, the spiritual powers, are connected

with the great purpose unfolded in the Word, yet we know very little of what their place

in that purpose will be.

There are many references in the Scriptures to the fact of a purpose, and it may be

well for us to establish this before we proceed to enquire into the details of that purpose.

Rom. 8: 28, 9: 11, Eph. 1: 11, and II Tim. 1: 9 are sufficient to show that the

salvation of men is part of a purpose. The word prothesis means "a placing before," and

indicates a well-considered plan. That this plan or purpose is unalterable Eph. 1: 9 and

Jer. 51: 29 will be sufficient to prove.

The words in II Tim. 1: 9, "Before the world began," are not strictly true as a

translation. The original reads pro chronõn aiõniõn, and should be rendered "Before

age-times." Another occurrence of this same expression is found in Titus 1: 2, where a

somewhat parallel doctrine is discovered. Before the age-times, then, the purpose of God

was formed, and in harmony with this is the teaching that the members of the One Body

were "chosen in Him before the foundation of the world" (these words will be dealt with

shortly, D.5:). Not only is it important to see that the purpose or plan of God was made

before the age times, but that the very ages themselves are necessary part and platform

for the unfolding and ripening of that purpose. Eph. 3: 11 (A.V.) speaks of an "eternal

purpose." Now while the thought in these words is very majestic, the teaching of the

passage is not strictly rendered by them. The word "eternal" is an adjective, whereas in

Eph. 3: 11 it is not the adjective aiõniõs that is used, but aiõn, "age." The true rendering

of the passage, therefore, should be, "According to a purpose of the ages."

The Bible is occupied with that purpose. The Bible spans the ages. What was before

the ages, and what lies beyond, is not strictly within the scope of the Book. Men labour

to explain and emphasize eternity. Philosophy may burden the mind with the effort to

grasp "that which has neither beginning nor end, that which has neither centre nor

circumference," but the Bible does not. Scripture commences with, "In the beginning

God." From that basis, the Scriptures commence to unfold the purpose of the ages.

Having surveyed the Scriptures with regard to the fact of the purpose, we next

consider some passages which relate to its fulfillment. Here at once we learn that the

accomplishment of God's purpose does not rest with the creature, but with God Himself.

Eph. 1: 11 is emphatic on this:--

Isa. 46: 9-11 also shows that the O.T. equally with the New demonstrates this fact:--