As an earthly example, it is like a person owning a piece of land which he wants to

develop. So he plans to do this, and to carry it out he employs others to assist in the

work. He chooses (elects) certain firms whom he feels will produce the best work for

him, and provided that he does not infringe the law in what he plans, he cannot be

criticized. He cannot employ everybody! Yet, when God does something similar to this

He is judged to be unfair because He elects some and leaves out others! Not only this,

but these critics confine election to salvation and nothing else, whereas we have seen that

it goes far wider. Of course it includes salvation, for those whom God has selected have

become involved in sin and death and these must be removed, otherwise the divine

kingdom plan can never be realized.

This realization awaits the creation of new heavens and earth wherein dwelleth

righteousness (II Pet. 3: 13). These are spotless and perfect with spotless and perfect

beings in them and so it is here that the final kingdom of God is realized and God's

perfect rule and control will be supreme with nothing to spoil it.

We must not confuse the 1,000 year reign of Christ (the millennium) with this final

phase of the kingdom of God for the millennium takes place in the present heaven and

earth at the return of Christ and can be called the most favoured age since the fall of man.

There will be universal peace, but sin and death are still there, so it cannot be the

fulfillment of the perfect kingdom.

Ephesians 1: looks forward to a time when all in heaven and on earth will be brought

under the headship of Christ and then there will be perfect unity. The N.I.V. renders it

"to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one Head, even Christ" (1: 10).

"Gather together in one" of the A.V. is literally "head up again" in Christ. Phil. 2: 5-11

N.I.V. reveals the time when Christ is exalted to the highest place and then when every

knee shall bow in heaven, earth, and even under the earth and every tongue confess that

Jesus Christ is Lord (Jehovah). This will be to the glory of God the Father.

Here the divine plan comes to a glorious conclusion. As Ezekiel was told, God is

carefully watching over His plan as it is fulfilled step by step. His sovereignty allows

nothing to frustrate it. The eternal reign of God will fulfil to His eternal glory.