1 Peter 1:20
He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you
Truth to Learn
Before the creation of the heavens and the earth, God determined that Christ would die for your sins and mine.
Behind the Words
The Greek word translated “foreordained” is proegnosmenou, which is a compound of pro, meaning “before” and a form of ginoskō, meaning “to know.” This word means “to know beforehand” or “to determine beforehand.”
The expression “before the foundation of the world” comes from the Greek, pro katabolēs kosmou. The word pro, as we just learned means “before,” katabolēs literally means “to throw down” which refers to “laying a foundation,” and kosmou is our familiar friend “cosmos” or “world system. “
Meaning Explained
It’s interesting to look at all three verses in the Bible that contain the expression pro katabolēs kosmou.
Father, I will that they also, whom you have given me, be with me where I am; … for you loved me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4)
who in fact was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was made known in these last times for you (1 Peter 1:20)
These verses tell us three things that happened at what is referred to as “the council of God,” which occurred before time began: 1) the three persons of the Godhead had love for one another, 2) we were chosen for salvation and given by the Father to the Son, and 3) the sacrificial death of the Lamb of God (Jesus, the Son) was determined (ordained). God didn’t just create things and then “let it happen.” He has a plan for the ages and everything is being worked out exactly as He planned.
The last part of today’s verse tells us that, although the prophets didn’t understand the messages they were delivering because it was not yet revealed, the reality and significance of the death of Jesus Christ has been made known in these last days (the time in God’s plan in which you and I are living.)
Application
God has revealed the plan of salvation to us today in a way and to a degree never before experienced by mankind. How can we ignore that which He has put so much effort into revealing to us. There are more copies of the Holy Scriptures available in more languages and more translations than at any other time since the creation of the world! There is more preaching, there are more radio messages, and there are more television broadcasts about the Bible than ever before!
And yet, 2 Timothy 4:3 says:
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires …
What are you doing with God’s Word today?
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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