What does "known from long ago" reveal about God's eternal plan for humanity? Setting the Scene Acts 15 records the Jerusalem Council, where the apostles wrestled with the question of Gentile inclusion. James settles the matter by quoting Amos 9:11-12, then adds: “says the Lord, who does these things known from long ago.” (Acts 15:17-18). That single phrase opens a window into God’s timeless design. What “known from long ago” Tells Us • God’s plan is pre-existent, not improvised. • He never reacts; He acts on what He already purposed. • Inclusion of all nations was woven into redemption history from eternity. God’s Eternal Blueprint in Three Dimensions 1. God Knows the End From the Beginning • Isaiah 46:9-10: “I declare the end from the beginning… My purpose will be established.” • No element of salvation history surprises Him. Every covenant, prophet, and promise unfolds what He already ordained. 2. Salvation Is for “the Rest of Mankind” • The Amos prophecy quoted in Acts 15: “So that the remnant of men may seek the Lord—and all the Gentiles who bear My name.” • Genesis 12:3; 22:18—God’s promise to Abraham that “all nations” would be blessed through his seed finds literal fulfillment in Christ (Galatians 3:8). 3. Christ Is the Centerpiece of the Eternal Plan • 1 Peter 1:20: “[He] was foreknown before the foundation of the world.” • Ephesians 1:4-5—We were “chosen in Him before the foundation of the world… predestined for adoption.” • God’s eternal knowledge is inseparable from the cross and resurrection, ensuring both Jew and Gentile share the same Savior. Practical Takeaways • Security: Our salvation rests on an unchanging plan. • Mission: Because Gentile inclusion was always God’s intent, evangelism to every people group aligns with His eternal purpose (Matthew 28:19-20). • Unity: Jew and Gentile, male and female, all stand on equal footing in Christ (Galatians 3:28); this unity was “known from long ago.” Looking Ahead with Confidence Revelation 7:9 portrays a countless, multi-ethnic multitude before the throne—precisely what God foretold. What He “made known from long ago” is steadily unfolding, and nothing can thwart it. |
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