Resources/Articles
The Foresight of Scripture
The scriptures declare that the physical creation and the spiritual creation share this: Neither came about by chance or evolved from nothing, but were the forethought and a predetermined plan of God. The physical was made with a view to the spiritual. The phrase “in the image of God” implies this of necessity. God made him thus (Genesis 1.27; 9.6). Christ was likewise purposed for this reason. He was involved in both creations (John 1.1-3).
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5.17). Man was purposed to be an image of God by his life. God so ordained it. The apostles preached this fact (1 Corinthians 2.7). Likewise, the physical nation of Israel was “created” with a view to the “creation” of the spiritual nation of Israel (Isaiah 43.1; 44.2,21,24; Romans 4.16; 9.7; Galatians 3.7).
There are yet more similarities between physical Israel and spiritual Israel. Of physical Israel we find: “They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities; and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation” (Deuteronomy 32.21). The Jewish nation of Israel had abandoned obedience to the law (read Deuteronomy 32 in its entirety); the “foolish nation” was referencing the Gentiles. The Gentiles had likewise chosen to become depraved, contrary to God’s purpose for their existence (Romans 1.21-32). God purposed for these two nations to become one through the gospel. Notice:
The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you. So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer (Galatians 3.8-9).
The Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3.6).
This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which he carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3.11).
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God
(1 Corinthians 1.24).
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory (1 Corinthians 2.7).
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians 3.10).
Thanks be to God for his eternal purpose.
