En Tois Epouranios #36

By Michael S. Mecikalski

Seriously considering the creation of the vast universe, the planetary systems, the Earth, the atmosphere, the elements, plant & animal life and the complex miracle of human life; to realize the Creator of all just being on Earth in our form leads one to exclaim in dumbfounded astonishment; “how can that be?!!” I’m sure the apostle John had these thoughts as he testifies in I Jo.1:1&2 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon (meaning gazed at in admiration) and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life; (for the Life was manifested, and we have seen It, and bear witness and shew unto you that Eternal Life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)” Certainly one of the most tremendous affirmations of witness ever uttered or written; awesome!

I.Pet.1:19 & 20 states “…as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world.” The Koine Greek word used by the Holy Spirit here for foundation is “katabole”. Eph.1:4 states “According as He has chosen us in Him (Christ) before the foundation of the world.” The Koine Greek word used by the Holy Spirit here for foundation is also “katabole”. As a matter of fact, they are both nouns in the genitive case, feminine gender, singular number (N-GF –S). I.e. they are exactly the same word. As the Precious Blood was foreordained before the “katabole” of the world, so also the choosing of each member of the Church of His Body and of His Fullness was foreordained before the “katabole” of the world! Knowing Who and What The Son of God is, I’m not sure if there are human words that convey the love, blessing and honor present within this Truth; such a close association with the Godhead; unspeakable really! I pray that the Holy Spirit works in your hearts and minds on this one!

In comparing Eph.1: 4 & 5 “according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world …” with I Pet. 1:18-20, it should be noted that the “foreordination” of the Lamb & the shedding of His Precious Blood and the foreordination of The Church of His Fullness are not exactly the same. The foreordination unto sonship of The Church of The Body of His Fullness is described by the Gr. word “proorizo”. It means to set bounds or determine beforehand. It carries with it the idea of preceding human history. It directs us to what we are predestinated to (i.e. sonship adoption with all spiritual blessing in the Heaven far above all Heavens in The Christ).

Cont…