| Christian Life and Doctrine | March 1978 |
The Eternal Purpose
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place.” —Isaiah 57:15
OUR frail minds cannot grasp the full meaning of this scripture. Our God has always existed, and before him is eternity! We realize, but cannot comprehend, that God was once alone. Once there were no stars, or sun, or earth, or moon, or any other being. Yet, by the operation of his Holy Spirit, we know some of the thoughts he had before spiritual or material creation had begun. These thoughts are called his “Eternal Purpose.”
This special knowledge of the church is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:8,9: “Wherein He hath abounded toward 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.”
Paul later identifies the “mystery of his will” as the “eternal purpose.” (Eph. 3:11) To know this “eternal purpose” is a high privilege, but even more than that is the realization that we know it because of our unique relationship to the Father. This knowledge is now reserved for just a few, but one glad day all creation will understand it and exult in it.
In the distant past of eternity, when God was alone, he desired something. When one thinks of the power and wisdom of God, could he not, if he desired something, just command, and it would become a reality? Not in this instance. For the Heavenly Father to gain that which he desired required a plan that embraced many ages, really eons of time. This is because his wisdom, love, and justice directed a specific course of action which would in no way violate his character.
The Heavenly Father desired a family on his own plane of existence—the divine nature. This is suggested in many scriptures. One that is especially delightful is the 132nd Psalm. This psalm, written by David, shows his great concern that there was not a permanent resting place for the ark of the covenant. He wrote, “Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood.” (Ps. 132:6) David was so desirous of building a habitation (temple) for God that he used a vivid illustration: “Lord, remember David, … how he sware unto the Lord, … I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.” (Ps. 132:1-5) Then he beseeches God not to “turn away [from] the face of [his] anointed.”
This seems to indicate David was reminding the Heavenly Father that to David’s son was promised the honor of sitting on the throne of David as the specially anointed one. God repeats his promise for David’s assurance: “The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.” Then there is an enlargement of the thought: “Their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.” (Ps. 132:11,12) The thought suggested is not just a “king” (singular) on David’s throne, but “kings” (plural). And this, of course, agrees with the promise that there would be “joint-heirs” with Jesus Christ and that the Christ (the anointed) will be “kings and priests.” Then, by the Holy Spirit, the illustration is changed. This anointed class, in this psalm, is called Zion. This practice is followed in many other instances. Notable among them is that in Micah 4:2: “For the law shall go forth of Zion [the Christ], and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem [the Ancient Worthies].”
Then, in tender terms, the Heavenly Father speaks of his desire—this desire he had when he was alone. His eternal purpose to have this desire fulfilled brought forth the wonderful plan of the ages which, when completed, will show the “much diversified wisdom of God.” (Eph. 3:10, Diaglott) Hear his words to David: “For the Lord hath chosen Zion [the Messiah class]; he hath desired [Hebrew, avah, Strong’s, ‘greatly desired’] it for his habitation. This is my rest forever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.”—Ps. 132:13,14
Thus the Heavenly Father shows that the fulfillment of this desire is to have a family on the divine plane—immortal beings with whom he can fellowship in the most complete sense. They would have within themselves eternal life and would be endowed with the mental resources which belong to such exalted beings. They could receive this immortal life because they also would have his disposition or character.
To receive this character-likeness each one will have to be willing, without any coercing, to pass through harsh and trying experiences allowed by the Father. And while passing through these, each must maintain an attitude of heart loyalty to God, exerting a supreme effort to demonstrate love in every way. God has decreed that all who will eventually have everlasting life must willingly be motivated by the law of love. This would apply to all intelligent beings, on whatever plane of existence they would live. Jesus spoke of this in John 4:23: “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”
One of the objects of the permission of evil on the earth has been to demonstrate the bitter fruit of following an evil course. Hence, when the kingdom begins to function and those who do righteously are rewarded, how well they will be able to distinguish between good and evil. It will also serve as a lasting lesson for angels and any beings yet to be created. All will be able to contrast the exceeding sinfulness of sin with the perfection, majesty, and grandeur of God’s righteous law. Those who receive life will have willingly chosen a life of obedience—there will be no forcing of them in the decision.
However, for one to receive the divine nature, as promised to Jesus and his church, requires specially stringent measures. He must be tested to the uttermost. To be on the highest plane of existence means one has life within oneself—such could not die. What a frightening thought if Satan had possessed such life!
Hear the chilling account of his selfish, evil desires: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer. … For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, … I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”—Isa. 14:12-15
God would violate his own law if he created one on such a high plane without having previously crystallized his character in righteousness by severe testing. The Scriptures indicate that the most glorious being ever created was our Lord Jesus in his prehuman existence. The Apostle Paul speaks of him as “the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth.” (Col. 1:15,16) Yet, to be raised from the dead in “the express image of his [the Father’s] person” (Heb. 1:3) required testing of a severe type in the presence of evil. The Apostle Paul states, “though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” (Heb. 5:8) We realize Jesus was obedient before he came to earth, and he was also obedient as a child and a man. Just what does it mean, “he learned obedience”?
This suggests that obedience to righteousness became a fixed or crystallized part of his character because it was willingly exercised in the presence of many testings, such as privation, suffering, and finally a cruel death. The account of Satan’s temptings in the wilderness illustrates how Jesus always sought to know the Father’s will and to be obedient thereto. He was tempted along the same lines that we are, that is, the world, the flesh, and the Devil.
He was tempted to use his unique power of miracles to satisfy his fleshly needs. We read that he was very hungry because of fasting and then Satan suggested, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” (Matt. 4:3) He knew the power of miracles was to glorify the Father and show forth the glories of the kingdom. How clear his answer: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4) In other words, Jesus was saying: “My miracle power is not to be used to sustain myself but to glorify the Father; my food and natural needs will come by the Father’s providences.”
Next “the wicked one” suggested a dramatic demonstration by Jesus so that he would be recognized immediately as from God. Satan even used scripture to make it sound acceptable. Satan suggested that Jesus cast himself from a pinnacle of the temple and land unhurt in the street. He said to our Lord: “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” (Matt. 4:6) Jesus’ answer was clear and scriptural, because his heart intention was right. He replied: “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” (Matt. 4:7) God had not instructed Jesus to do such things as a means of revealing himself to the devout of Israel as their Messiah. Jesus had been instructed in the Word to preach the truth, heal the sick, open the blind eyes, unstop deaf ears, raise some of the dead. This was how he was to be recognized as the Messiah—not by asking the Father to rescue him unharmed in a dramatic action, such as jumping from the pinnacle of the temple.
Satan persisted in his tempting. He suggested to the mind of Jesus the glory of the then existing kingdoms and said, “All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” Our Lord was firm in his decision, saying: “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”—Matt. 4:10
Thus Jesus was tempted to use worldly tactics, which are Satan’s, to further his ministry. With our Lord’s perfection of mind and body, he could have charmed the rulers of his day. In our time men speak of some politicians as having “charisma.” What is meant is that such leaders have special personal charm and appeal. Jesus, however, knew so well the Father’s will for him. That will was not for him to captivate and maneuver people to accomplish ultimate ends, nor should this be our motivation.
He was to preach the clear truth of the coming kingdom. The Father would determine and draw those who would be the followers of our Lord. Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” (John 6:44) He was to “preach the Gospel to the poor, … to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18,19) This very ministry alienated him from the leaders of his day and eventually led to his death.
In Ephesians 3:9 the Apostle Paul speaks of the “mystery” of God. This word is translated from the Greek word musterion, which is defined in Young’s Concordance as “that which is known to the initiated.” The thought is borrowed from the secret societies of that faraway day, which were similar to those in our day, such as the Masons. One is initiated into a secret society, then he is told the secrets, such as passwords, etc. Rotherham translates musterion as “sacred secret,” and this translation especially appeals to us.
During the Gospel Age, only the true disciples, beginning with Jesus, know God’s “sacred secrets.” Special emphasis is given in the Word to the sacred secret that the Messiah is composed of Jesus and all his faithful disciples—the body members. The Messiah class in glory will become God’s special, intimate family—his eternal purpose.
In Ephesians 3:10,11 the Apostle Paul makes clear that the knowledge of this great truth (which knowledge is needed to bring this truth to fruition) will reveal the much diversified wisdom of God.
The full outworking of the plan will indeed reveal the “manifold wisdom” of God. It will demonstrate to all eternity the beauty and wisdom of the law of love. It will exhibit the almighty power of the Creator in causing all things to follow his plan of the ages. It will reveal the tender, gentle character of the Eternal Father. All beings throughout all eternity will understand the full meaning of his name as he spoke it to Moses, as recorded in Exodus 34:6: “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.”
But why must this knowledge of a planned divine family be kept a sacred secret until it is completed? The Apostle Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, makes clear the reason for the development of this divine family in a secret manner. He writes: “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to naught: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery [sacred secret], even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”—I Cor. 2:6-8
For one to be raised to the divine nature there must be complete crystallization of character in righteousness. As before noted, this can come only by willingly passing through harsh and trying experiences with an attitude of heart loyalty to God, plus exerting a supreme effort to demonstrate love in every way.
How differently would the princes of the world have acted toward our Lord if they had known the truth! If they had known only of his prehuman existence, they would have stood in awe of him and adored him. If, when seeing him, they had known that in time he would become a divine immortal being seated at the right hand of God, they would, as the hymn reads, have “fallen prostrate at his feet.”
When he walked among the children of men after consecration, he alone knew the awesome truth that he had been with the Father in ages past. He knew the prophecy of Micah which told not only of his human birthplace but also of his relation to the project of creation. Micah wrote, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting [margin—‘the days of eternity’].” (Micah 5:2) The “days of eternity” suggest that point in eternity when our Lord was “the beginning of the creation of God” (Rev. 3:14), and to him was committed the project of creation. As the Apostle Paul states of him in Colossians 1:15,16, “[He] is … the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth.”
As he traveled through Israel in his ministry, this knowledge of his prehuman existence must have, by faith, had a profound effect on him. At night he would sometimes absent himself from the disciples for prayer. What thoughts must have coursed through his mind as he saw the stars shining in the black velvet of night—he had been there!
How necessary to keep secret this special work of developing the family of God! But much, much more was needed than just secrecy. The almighty power and wisdom of God was needed to select meticulously each experience for this prospective divine family. Our dear Lord was so aware of this feature of the Father’s plan! One of the many illustrations of such overruling providences in our Lord’s life was during his last night on earth as a man. He and his disciples were in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew his imprisonment was near. Peter had a sword and used it in an attempt to prevent our Master’s being harmed.
“Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” (John 18:11) Just think of this final cup of sorrow! The high priest had him scourged, the Roman soldiers “platted [him] a crown of thorns,” mocked him, spit upon him, and nailed him to the cross to hang until he died. It was prophesied of him: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and … he openeth not his mouth.” (Isa. 53:7) “The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”
The Apostle Paul so clearly stated that we with whom the Father is dealing, we who possess the “sacred secrets,” shall all have meticulously God-selected experiences. Our Father will also provide us cups of sorrow, and shall we not drink them uncomplainingly? Note how confidently the apostle states this truth: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28) The apostle’s complete faith in this caused him to demonstrate loyalty to God in a most sublime way.
In II Corinthians 11:25-28 he notes briefly some of the persecutions he had experienced. Among them he lists beatings with rods by the Jews and also the Gentiles. He recalls being stoned nearly to death, and he lists perils by shipwreck, by heathen, by robbers, among false brethren, and much weariness and painfulness. He experienced hunger and thirst, often lack of food. But he knew that all the “cup-of-sorrow” experiences were selected for his good, for his development. Hence he could remember them, and because of the framework in which they were viewed, he could and did minimize their severity: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom. 8:18) And again: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; [we can do this, Paul continues, because] we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.”—II Cor. 4:17,18
Note again how the apostle emphasizes why “all things work together for good … to them who are the called according to his purpose.” He states in the next verse (Rom. 8:29), “For [or, because] whom he did foreknow [the church class], he did predestinate [predetermine] to be [ultimately, by faithful obedience] conformed to the image of his Son.” None could be finally chosen to live and reign with Christ unless their characters had been crystallized in righteousness. Those who receive the divine nature, or life, are so eternally dedicated to the law of love that defection would be impossible.
How wonderful and meaningful to us is that phrase in Romans 8:28, “to them who are the called according to his purpose.” The testimony of God’s Word is that this class, which is to be his family, is drawn by the Heavenly Father. Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” (John 6:44) Also, in Psalm 65:4 we read, “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts.”
We who have been drawn to the Lord and respond in consecration become increasingly aware of the sacred secrets. The great truth opens to us that the called and spirit-begotten of this age shall, if faithful, become a part of God’s own intimate divine family. But to receive all the necessary development to be “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ … we [must] suffer with him.” (Rom. 8:17) Our glorious Heavenly Father will carefully select each experience we are to encounter. It will be chosen with divine wisdom to suit our particular individual needs. Hence we shall accept it as “a cup from the Father” and as “our light affliction, which is but for a moment.”—II Cor. 4:17
The full acceptance of this truth concerning God’s overruling providence means we shall not become bitter, nor have self-pity, nor tend to complain about our lot in life. Rather, let us each say, “As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”—Ps. 17:15