 |  |
The Church of the One Body consequently is blessed with peculiar blessings, these
blessings are to be enjoyed in a peculiar sphere, and now we learn, they are according to
a purpose made at a peculiar period.
#11. The Muniment Room (1: 3 - 14).
The Threefold Charter of the Church.
"Before the foundation of the world."
Part 2: In which the Hebrew word "tohu va bohu" are associated with
the Greek "katabole", to which is appended the opinion of several geologists.
pp. 81 - 85
We have provided evidence in the preceding article to justify fully the translation
"the overthrow of the world" in place of "the foundation of the world" in Eph. 1: 4. This
however is but the first step in our enquiry. Important as the correct translation of
katabole may be, it loses its value if we are unable to place it in its true position in the
outworking of the purpose of the ages. Our quest is a dual one. We ask "when" this
overthrow took place and "why" it took place, and if true answers can be given to these
questions, we shall then be able to appreciate the unique calling and character of the
present dispensation, which alone of all callings is associated with this period "before the
overthrow of the world".
In the list of occurrences of the phrase "from the foundation of the world" will be
found one quoted from Luke 11: 50 (see last issue, p.62). This speaks of the blood of
the prophets that has been shed "from the foundation of the world", and does not leave us
in doubt as to the name of the first on this list of martyrs, for it immediately adds "from
the blood of Abel". Only one person is so named in the Scriptures, and although he is
mentioned by name but four times in the New Testament on three occasions there is
reference to his blood that was shed. This reference alone is sufficient to discredit one
attempt that has been put forward to refer "the foundation of the world" to the yet future
kingdom of the Lord.
We go back therefore to the early chapter of Genesis, to a period before "Abel", to
discover this "overthrow". There are a number of references in II Peter that focus our
attention upon the flood in the days of Noah, and this too could well be described as an
"overthrow of the world", but the reference to Abel providentially prevents us from
drawing a line at Gen. 6: We must go back to an earlier period. The opening verse of
the book of Genesis stands alone. It is the record of the primal creation before the advent
of iniquity and judgment. This unique verse is expressed in the Hebrew language by
seven words, fourteen syllables and twenty-eight letters, a feature with which the student
of scripture will be familiar. The second verse in the Authorized Version reads:
"And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep."