Foreordained before the Foundation of the World 1 Peter 1:20

Peter the apostle desired for the “scattered” Christians to know they were “not redeemed with corruptible things” such “as silver and gold”, “but with the precious blood of Christ” which was like “a lamb without blemish and without spot”. In chapter one and verse twenty of his letter, Peter told the Christians this plan was “foreordained before the foundation of the world” where we read:

Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world,

but was manifest in these last times for you,

The verse begins, “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world,...” Peter began with the words, “Who verily” which refers to “Jesus Christ” and means “truly, certainly, surely and indeed” “was foreordained” which means “to have known beforehand or foreknow” “before the foundation” or “in front of and prior to the laying or throwing down, injection or depositing in or founding” “of the world” which is the Greek word “kosmos” and refers to “the ornamentation, decoration and adornment of the heavenly hosts and the earth”. The redemption of people was planned so far ahead of it's need that it was designed before God laid the foundation of the earth.

The verse goes on to say, “... but was manifest in these last times for you,” Peter went on to add the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be stated takes precedence over what was just written “moreover, nevertheless, notwithstanding and in exception” “was manifest” or “made known what was hidden or unknown whether by words, deed or in any other way” “in these last” or “extreme, uttermost and latter end” “times” which means “a space of time which designates a fixed or special occasion” “for you” which refers to the “scattered” Christians. Even though the plan for the redemption of man was before the earth was formed, it was revealed and made known during the time Peter wrote this letter which he considered to be “these last times”.

When we think through these words of Peter, we marvel at the magnificence of God. He omnisciently knew people were going to need redemption even before the world began, and so He devised a plan to redeem them to Himself before they were created. This plan was for us as well, and when we realize we are “sinners” who have been saved through the shedding of the “precious blood” of Jesus Christ, we participate in the greatest “foreordained” plan that has ever existed. Praise be to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ His Son!

Next time Peter tells the Christians how God “raised” Jesus “up from the dead, and gave him glory”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.