In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded towards
us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of
his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in
himself."--Ephesians 1:4-9.
[473]The world referred to here means the social and political order
existing from the time of the flood until the coming of the Lord's
kingdom, and is designated in the Scriptures as the present evil world.
St. Paul therefore says that before the foundation of this world God
made provision for the choosing of the members of the church. He did not
choose the individuals, but he predestinated or foreordained that there
should be such a church or new creation, and that these should be
adopted as his children through his beloved Son Jesus Christ, and should
become the members of his household, and that these should be made in
the image and likeness of Christ Jesus the head. (Romans 8:29) As we
view the experiences through which Jesus passed, we may expect to find
that the body members would have similar experiences; and this we do
find.
[474]Fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus was the day of
Pentecost. There went forth the call to the remnant of the Jews to come
unto the Lord, accept Jesus as their head and be transferred from Moses
into Christ and become the members of the 144,000, constituting the
church.
Pages:
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327