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"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken of by the prophet, saying, I will open my
mouth in parables; I will write things which have been kept secret from the foundation of
the world" (Matt. 13: 35).
(2)
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).
(3)
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).
(4)
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)
(5)
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).
(6)
With reference to names written in the book of life:
"Everyone 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.).
BEFORE THE FOUNDATION.
(1)
With reference to Christ alone:
(a)
"Thou lovedst Me, before the foundation of the world" (John 17: 24).
(b)
"As of a lamb without blemish and without spot; who verily was foreordained
before the foundation of the world" (I Pet. 1: 19, 20).
(2)
With reference to the Redeemed:
"Chosen 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 the three references to "before the foundation" together.
In John 17: 24 Christ was "loved" agapao; in I Pet. 1: 19, 20 He was "without
blemish and without spot" amomos. In Eph. 1: 4 the believer is said to have been
chosen before the foundation of the world "in love" agape, to be "blameless" amomos.
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, that 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 studies 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".