What does "foreknown before the foundation of the world" reveal about Jesus' mission? Verse Under the Spotlight “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” (1 Peter 1:20) Planned from Eternity • “Foreknown” means more than bare foresight; it carries the idea of divine determination and loving approval. • Before atoms existed, the Father had already fixed the Son’s redemptive role. Compare: – Ephesians 1:4 “ He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world …” – Revelation 13:8 “… the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world.” • Jesus’ mission rests on God’s eternal counsel, not on human history’s unfolding events. Not Plan B but Plan A • The fall in Genesis 3 did not surprise God; Calvary was woven into the original tapestry of creation. • Acts 2:23 links Christ’s death to “the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God.” • Because the mission predates creation itself, it can never fail or be overturned. Purpose Revealed “in These Last Times” • “Revealed” highlights the incarnation. The eternal plan became visible when the Word became flesh (John 1:14). • Galatians 4:4 “ When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son …” • The phrase “for your sake” personalizes redemption. The timeless plan reaches right into individual lives. Love Displayed Beyond Time • John 17:24 speaks of the Father’s love for the Son “before the foundation of the world.” Redemption flows out of that eternal love. • The cross stands as the historical manifestation of a love that outlasts millennia. • Romans 5:8 shows the practical outworking: “God proves His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Certainty for Every Believer • Because the mission was settled in eternity, salvation is secure. • Titus 1:2 ties “the hope of eternal life” to a God “who cannot lie, promised before time began.” • Eternal planning guarantees present assurance; what God resolved before the world began, He will finish (Philippians 1:6). Living in the Light of an Eternal Plan • Rest in the unshakeable purpose of God. • Celebrate the revealed Savior by walking in holiness (1 Peter 1:15–16). • Proclaim the timeless gospel, knowing it carries the weight and certainty of heaven’s eternal decree. |
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