The Plan of the Ages — Tracing God’s Eternal Purpose Through the Ages, the Throne, Firstfruits, the Kingdom, the Manifestation of the Sons of God, and the Consummation of All Things Until God Is All in All
The Plan of the Ages: By Carl Timothy Wray
AUTHOR
Carl Timothy Wray is the founder of Zion University and The Finished Work of Christ ministry. For more than forty years, he has devoted himself to the study of Scripture, seeking to understand God’s eternal purpose from Genesis to Revelation. His teachings emphasize the Finished Work of Christ, the Throne of God, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the Plan of the Ages, sonship, firstfruits, the Kingdom of God, and the ultimate reconciliation of all things in Christ. Through hundreds of free books, teachings, and videos, his ministry seeks to equip believers to see beyond isolated doctrines and discover the unified purpose of God unfolding through the ages until God is all in all.
The Plan of the Ages reveals God’s eternal purpose from before the foundation of the world through creation, redemption, the Throne of God, the Finished Work of Christ, the Church Age, the Kingdom Age, firstfruits, sonship, the manifestation of the sons of God, the mystery of the man-child, the Melchizedek priesthood, the Feast of Tabernacles, the consummation of the age, and the ages to come. This comprehensive study examines Jehovah Olam, the God of the Ages, and traces how God administers His purpose through successive ages until all things are gathered together in Christ and God becomes all in all.
The Plan of the Ages: INTRODUCTION
One of the greatest questions a believer can ask is this:
What is God doing?
For generations, believers have studied prophecy, doctrine, ministry, church history, signs, and events. Yet many have never stepped back and asked the larger question:
What is the purpose behind all of it?
Why did God create the ages?
Why did God establish Law?
Why did God send Christ?
Why did God pour out the Holy Spirit?
Why does creation groan?
Why does Scripture speak of sonship, firstfruits, inheritance, the Kingdom, the manifestation of the sons of God, and the ages to come?
The answer is found in a revelation that is largely absent from modern Christianity: Jehovah Olam, the God of the Ages.
God is not reacting to history.
God is administering history.
Before creation ever existed, God established an eternal purpose within Himself. The ages were created as the divine administration through which that purpose would be progressively revealed and ultimately manifested.
The Law had a purpose.
The prophets had a purpose.
Israel had a purpose.
The Church has a purpose.
The Kingdom has a purpose.
Every administration, every covenant, every priesthood, every ministry, every age, and every manifestation serves a predetermined objective established in the heart of God before the foundation of the world.
Throughout Scripture, God reveals a consistent pattern.
He gives a promise.
He prepares a people.
He establishes a witness.
He provides a sign.
He brings the promise to its fullness of time.
Then He introduces a new administration.
The blood upon the doorposts testified that Passover had come.
The tongues of fire testified that Pentecost had come.
Every transition in Scripture carried a witness that God had moved His purpose forward.
This book explores the ages as the unfolding administration of God’s eternal purpose.
We will examine the Throne before creation, the purpose of man, the entrance of mortality, the pattern of firstfruits, the Finished Work of Christ, the Church Age, the manifestation of the sons of God, the redemption of the body, the Feast of Tabernacles, the mystery of the man-child, the Melchizedek priesthood, the consummation of the age, the ages to come, and the ultimate goal toward which all creation is moving.
The central question of this book is not:
What is God going to do?
The central question is:
What has God always intended to do?
The answer unfolds through the Plan of the Ages.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
What Is God Doing?
Chapter 1
Jehovah Olam — The God of the Ages
Chapter 2
The Eternal Purpose Before Creation
Chapter 3
Why God Created the Ages
Chapter 4
The Plan of the Ages
Chapter 5
The Throne Before the Ages
Chapter 6
The Creation of Man
Chapter 7
The Fall and the Introduction of Mortality
Chapter 8
The Promise of Restoration
Chapter 9
The God of Firstfruits
Chapter 10
The Coming of Christ
Chapter 11
The Finished Work of Christ
Chapter 12
The Church Age
Chapter 13
The Manifestation of the Sons of God
Chapter 14
The Redemption of the Body
Chapter 15
The Perfect Man
Chapter 16
The Feast of Tabernacles
Chapter 17
The Mystery of the Man-Child
Chapter 18
The Melchizedek Priesthood
Chapter 19
The Consummation of This Age
Chapter 20
The Ages to Come
Chapter 21
God All in All
CHAPTER 1
JEHOVAH OLAM — THE GOD OF THE AGES
One of the greatest mistakes believers make when studying Scripture is beginning with man.
Most begin with Adam.
Others begin with Israel.
Others begin with the Church.
Others begin with prophecy.
Yet none of these reveal the beginning of God’s purpose.
If we are to understand creation, redemption, sonship, firstfruits, the Kingdom, the manifestation of the sons of God, and the consummation of the age, we must begin where God begins.
We must begin with God Himself.
Before there was creation, there was God.
Before there was time, there was God.
Before there were ages, there was God.
Before there was Adam, there was purpose.
Before there was sin, there was purpose.
Before there was redemption, there was purpose.
Purpose did not begin in Genesis.
Purpose began in God.
This is why one of the most important revelations in all of Scripture is the revelation of Jehovah Olam—the God of the Ages.
THE ETERNAL GOD
Isaiah 57:15
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy…”
God does not merely live a long time.
God inhabits eternity.
God is not trapped within time.
God is not reacting to events.
God is not adjusting His plans according to circumstances.
God sees the end from the beginning.
Isaiah 46:9-10
“For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done…”
Before creation began, God already knew where creation was going.
Before Adam was formed, God knew the end of Adam’s story.
Before the ages began, God knew the consummation of the ages.
God is Jehovah Olam.
The God of the Ages.
THE PURPOSE BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD
Many believers think God’s purpose began when Adam sinned.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Ephesians 1:4
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…”
God’s purpose existed before creation.
Before there was a world to save.
Before there was a sinner to redeem.
Before there was a Church to build.
God had already purposed Christ.
1 Peter 1:19-20
“But with the precious blood of Christ…
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world…”
The cross was not God’s emergency plan.
Christ was not God’s backup plan.
Redemption was already present within the eternal purpose of God before creation ever existed.
THE AGES WERE CREATED TO REVEAL PURPOSE
One of the greatest mysteries in Scripture is that God works through ages.
Why did God not simply create the finished product immediately?
Why Law?
Why Prophets?
Why Israel?
Why the Church?
Why the Kingdom?
Why ages?
Because ages are the administration of purpose.
Ephesians 3:11
“According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The purpose is eternal.
The administration unfolds through ages.
The purpose is settled.
The manifestation unfolds progressively.
The dream existed before creation.
The ages reveal the dream.
THE GOD OF THE AGES
The word “Olam” carries the idea of eternity, perpetuity, hidden duration, and ages.
Genesis to Revelation reveals a God who administers purpose through successive ages.
Law was an age.
Grace is an age.
The Kingdom is an age.
The ages to come are ages.
God moves through administrations.
God moves through seasons.
God moves through dispensations.
Yet behind every administration stands one unchanging purpose.
Jehovah Olam.
The God of the Ages.
GOD ALWAYS WORKS THROUGH AGES
The Bible repeatedly speaks of ages.
Matthew 28:20
“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
The phrase literally points to the consummation of the age.
Ephesians 2:7
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace…”
Notice carefully.
Paul does not speak of one age.
He speaks of ages.
God is administering purpose through ages.
The ages are not random.
The ages are not accidents.
The ages are divine administrations.
THE FULLNESS OF TIME
Every promise possesses a fullness of time.
Galatians 4:4
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son…”
Christ was promised for centuries.
Prophets testified.
Types testified.
Shadows testified.
Yet the manifestation waited for the fullness of time.
When the fullness arrived, the promise became visible.
The same principle appears throughout Scripture.
A promise is conceived.
A season of preparation follows.
A fullness of time arrives.
Then manifestation appears.
This is the pattern of Jehovah Olam.
THE PATTERN OF DIVINE ADMINISTRATION
Throughout Scripture, God follows a consistent pattern.
Promise.
Preparation.
Witness.
Sign.
Manifestation.
Administration.
Harvest.
God promised Abraham.
Then came Isaac.
God promised Israel deliverance.
Then came Moses.
God promised Messiah.
Then came Christ.
God promised the Spirit.
Then came Pentecost.
The pattern never changes.
Jehovah Olam administers His purpose through appointed seasons.
EVERY CHANGE OF ADMINISTRATION HAS A SIGN
Whenever God introduces a new administration, He provides a witness.
Passover had a sign.
Exodus 12:13
“And the blood shall be to you for a token…”
The blood testified that a transition had occurred.
Pentecost had a sign.
Acts 2:3-4
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire…
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.”
The sign testified that a new administration had begun.
God never leaves His people without a witness.
He establishes a sign.
The sign confirms the transition.
The transition introduces the administration.
The administration advances the purpose.
THE CENTRAL QUESTION OF THE AGES
The central question is not:
What is God going to do?
The central question is:
What has God always intended to do?
Ephesians 1:10
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ…”
This is the purpose behind the ages.
This is the purpose behind creation.
This is the purpose behind redemption.
This is the purpose behind the Kingdom.
This is the purpose behind every administration.
God is gathering all things together in Christ.
The ages are the administration.
Christ is the center.
The purpose is reconciliation.
The destination is God all in all.
CONCLUSION
Before we can understand Adam, we must understand Jehovah Olam.
Before we can understand redemption, we must understand purpose.
Before we can understand prophecy, we must understand the ages.
Before we can understand manifestation, we must understand administration.
The God of the Ages established an eternal purpose before the foundation of the world.
The ages are the unfolding revelation of that purpose.
Every covenant.
Every priesthood.
Every ministry.
Every administration.
Every age.
Every manifestation.
Serves one predetermined objective:
The gathering together of all things in Christ until God becomes all in all.
To understand the ages, we must first know the God of the Ages.
Jehovah Olam.
CHAPTER 2
THE ETERNAL PURPOSE BEFORE CREATION
One of the greatest errors in biblical interpretation is beginning with Genesis 1:1.
While Genesis reveals the beginning of creation, it does not reveal the beginning of God’s purpose.
God’s purpose did not begin with Adam.
God’s purpose did not begin with Israel.
God’s purpose did not begin with the Law.
God’s purpose did not begin with the Church.
God’s purpose existed before the foundation of the world.
If we fail to begin where God begins, we will misunderstand where God is taking creation.
The key to understanding the Plan of the Ages is discovering what existed in the heart of God before creation ever appeared.
GOD HAD A PURPOSE BEFORE THERE WAS A WORLD
Ephesians 1:4-5
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself…”
Before there was a world.
Before there was a sun.
Before there was a moon.
Before there was an Adam.
Before there was a fall.
God already had a purpose.
Notice that Paul does not begin with creation.
Paul begins before creation.
He takes us behind Genesis.
He takes us into the eternal counsel of God.
The purpose was already established.
The ages would simply become the administration through which that purpose would unfold.
CHRIST WAS NOT GOD’S BACKUP PLAN
One of the greatest misconceptions in Christianity is the idea that Christ became necessary because Adam failed.
Scripture reveals something entirely different.
Revelation 13:8
“The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
1 Peter 1:20
“Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world…”
Christ was not Plan B.
Christ was not God’s reaction.
Christ was not an emergency solution.
Christ was central to the eternal purpose before creation ever existed.
Before there was sin, God knew redemption.
Before there was death, God knew resurrection.
Before there was corruption, God knew glory.
Before there was Adam, God knew Christ.
THE MYSTERY HIDDEN IN GOD
Ephesians 3:9
“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God…”
The mystery was not hidden from God.
The mystery was hidden in God.
Before creation existed, God carried within Himself a purpose that would progressively unfold through the ages.
The prophets saw portions.
The patriarchs saw portions.
The Law revealed shadows.
The feasts revealed patterns.
The tabernacle revealed types.
The prophets revealed glimpses.
Yet the fullness remained hidden within God until the appointed times of revelation.
GOD’S DREAM BEFORE CREATION
Every builder begins with a vision.
Every architect begins with a design.
Every creator begins with a purpose.
Creation itself reveals that God is purposeful.
Nothing in Scripture suggests randomness.
Everything points toward intention.
Romans 8:28
“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.”
Purpose precedes activity.
Purpose governs activity.
Purpose determines direction.
The ages were not created without objective.
The ages were created to reveal what God had already determined within Himself.
THE AGES ARE THE UNFOLDING OF THE DREAM
Many believers understand redemption.
Far fewer understand administration.
The eternal purpose existed before creation.
The ages became the unfolding revelation of that purpose.
Think of a seed.
The entire tree exists within the seed.
Yet the tree does not appear instantly.
The seed unfolds progressively.
Roots appear.
The trunk appears.
The branches appear.
The fruit appears.
The life was present from the beginning.
The manifestation unfolded progressively.
So it is with God’s purpose.
The eternal purpose existed before creation.
The ages reveal the unfolding of what was already present within God.
THE END WAS ESTABLISHED BEFORE THE BEGINNING
Isaiah 46:10
“Declaring the end from the beginning…”
God does not discover the end.
God declares the end.
The end exists within the beginning.
The destination exists within the purpose.
The purpose governs the journey.
This means God has never been uncertain.
The ages may appear chaotic to men.
The nations may rage.
Kingdoms may rise and fall.
Empires may come and go.
Yet behind every age stands Jehovah Olam, administering His purpose toward an appointed conclusion.
ALL THINGS WERE CREATED FOR CHRIST
Colossians 1:16
“For by him were all things created…
All things were created by him, and for him.”
This verse changes everything.
Creation is not merely about man.
Creation is Christ-centered.
History is Christ-centered.
The ages are Christ-centered.
The Kingdom is Christ-centered.
The purpose is Christ-centered.
The destination is Christ-centered.
Everything begins in Him.
Everything moves through Him.
Everything ultimately finds its fulfillment in Him.
THE GATHERING OF ALL THINGS IN CHRIST
Ephesians 1:9-10
“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will…
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ…”
This is one of the most important passages in the entire Bible.
Notice the language.
Mystery.
Will.
Dispensation.
Fullness.
Times.
Gathering.
Christ.
These are the building blocks of the Plan of the Ages.
The purpose was hidden.
The purpose was revealed.
The purpose is administered through ages.
The purpose moves toward fullness.
The purpose gathers all things into Christ.
This is the destination toward which the ages move.
THE AGES SERVE THE PURPOSE
The Law served the purpose.
Israel served the purpose.
The prophets served the purpose.
John the Baptist served the purpose.
The Church serves the purpose.
The Kingdom serves the purpose.
Every administration exists because it contributes something necessary to the unfolding of God’s eternal design.
Nothing is wasted.
Nothing is accidental.
Everything serves the purpose.
THE PURPOSE IS GREATER THAN THE AGE
One of the greatest mistakes believers make is becoming fascinated with an age while forgetting the purpose.
The Law was never the purpose.
The Law served the purpose.
The Church is not the ultimate purpose.
The Church serves the purpose.
The Kingdom itself serves the purpose.
The purpose is greater than every administration.
The purpose is greater than every age.
The purpose existed before the ages.
The purpose remains after the ages.
The ages are servants.
The purpose is king.
THE PURPOSE OF THE AGES
Ephesians 3:11
“According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Notice carefully.
Paul does not speak of temporary purpose.
He speaks of eternal purpose.
The purpose existed before creation.
The purpose governs the ages.
The purpose survives every transition.
The purpose remains unchanged while administrations change.
The purpose remains fixed while ages unfold.
The purpose remains certain while manifestations progress.
CONCLUSION
Before there was creation, there was purpose.
Before there was Adam, there was purpose.
Before there was sin, there was purpose.
Before there was redemption, there was purpose.
Before there were ages, there was purpose.
The eternal purpose was established within God before the foundation of the world.
The ages are the administration of that purpose.
The covenants serve the purpose.
The priesthoods serve the purpose.
The ministries serve the purpose.
The manifestations serve the purpose.
Everything moves toward the fulfillment of what God determined within Himself before creation ever began.
To understand the Plan of the Ages, we must first understand that purpose precedes creation.
The ages reveal what God already purposed.
The next question therefore becomes:
If God established an eternal purpose before creation, why did He create the ages to administer that purpose?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 3:
WHY GOD CREATED THE AGES.
CHAPTER 3
WHY GOD CREATED THE AGES
One of the greatest mysteries in all of Scripture is not creation itself.
The mystery is why God created the ages.
If God possesses all power, why did He not simply create the finished product immediately?
Why thousands of years?
Why Law?
Why Prophets?
Why Israel?
Why the Church?
Why the Kingdom?
Why the ages to come?
Why this progressive unfolding of purpose?
The answer is found in understanding Jehovah Olam—the God of the Ages.
The ages are not accidental.
The ages are not random.
The ages are not delays.
The ages are the administration of God’s eternal purpose.
THE AGES WERE CREATED TO ADMINISTER PURPOSE
Ephesians 3:11
“According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Purpose existed before creation.
The ages came afterward.
The purpose is eternal.
The ages are temporal.
The purpose is the destination.
The ages are the journey.
God did not create the ages because He lacked power.
God created the ages because purpose unfolds through administration.
Every age contributes something necessary to the revelation of Christ.
GOD THINKS IN AGES
Most believers think in days.
God thinks in ages.
Most believers focus on events.
God focuses on purpose.
Most believers see moments.
God sees the entire administration.
Isaiah 46:10
“Declaring the end from the beginning…”
Before the first age began, God already saw the final age.
Before the first covenant appeared, God already saw God all in all.
Before Adam was formed, God already saw the consummation.
The God of the Ages sees the entire plan at once.
THE AGES REVEAL WHAT IS HIDDEN IN GOD
Ephesians 3:9
“The mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God.”
The mystery was hidden in God before it was revealed in creation.
The purpose already existed.
The ages reveal the purpose progressively.
What God concealed within Himself before creation is unveiled through the ages.
The Law reveals a portion.
The prophets reveal a portion.
Christ reveals a greater portion.
The Spirit reveals a greater portion.
The Kingdom reveals a greater portion.
The ages progressively unveil what has always existed in God.
THE AGES ARE NOT FAILURE
Many people read Scripture as though God keeps trying different plans.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Law was not a failed experiment.
Israel was not a failed experiment.
The prophets were not a failed experiment.
The Church is not a failed experiment.
Every administration accomplishes exactly what God intended it to accomplish.
Galatians 3:24
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ…”
The Law fulfilled its assignment.
The Law prepared the way.
The Law pointed to Christ.
The Law served the purpose.
Every age serves the purpose.
THE AGES ARE PROGRESSIVE
Mark 4:28
“First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.”
This principle governs creation.
This principle governs harvest.
This principle governs revelation.
This principle governs the Kingdom.
God works progressively.
The blade is not failure.
The ear is not failure.
The process moves toward fullness.
Likewise, the ages move toward fulfillment.
The ages reveal progressive stages in the administration of God’s purpose.
THE PRINCIPLE OF FIRSTFRUITS
God never begins with the harvest.
God begins with firstfruits.
The firstfruits reveal the nature of the harvest.
The firstfruits reveal where God is going.
The firstfruits reveal the next stage of administration.
Romans 8:23
“We ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit…”
The firstfruits are never the end.
The firstfruits are the beginning of manifestation.
Throughout Scripture God continually moves:
Promise.
Firstfruits.
Harvest.
Fullness.
This pattern governs the ages.
THE PRINCIPLE OF THE FULLNESS OF TIME
Every age possesses a beginning.
Every age possesses a purpose.
Every age possesses a fullness.
Galatians 4:4
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son…”
The Messiah was promised for centuries.
Yet the manifestation waited for the fullness of time.
The promise existed.
The purpose existed.
The manifestation waited for the appointed season.
This reveals one of the great laws of divine administration.
Every promise contains a fullness of time.
THE AGES MOVE THROUGH TRANSITIONS
Every age eventually reaches its fulfillment.
Every administration eventually completes its assignment.
Then God introduces a transition.
Hebrews 8:13
“In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old…”
The writer of Hebrews explains a transition.
The old fulfilled its purpose.
The new appeared.
This pattern repeats throughout Scripture.
One administration prepares the way for another.
One covenant prepares the way for another.
One priesthood prepares the way for another.
One age prepares the way for another.
EVERY TRANSITION HAS A SIGN
Whenever God introduces a new administration, He provides a witness.
Passover had a sign.
Exodus 12:13
“And the blood shall be to you for a token…”
Pentecost had a sign.
Acts 2:3-4
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire…”
The sign testifies that a transition has occurred.
The sign confirms the administration.
The administration advances the purpose.
Throughout Scripture God continually confirms major transitions with visible witnesses.
THE AGES REVEAL CHRIST
John 5:39
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
Every age reveals Christ.
The Law reveals Christ.
The sacrifices reveal Christ.
The priesthood reveals Christ.
The tabernacle reveals Christ.
The prophets reveal Christ.
The Church reveals Christ.
The Kingdom reveals Christ.
Christ is not merely part of the story.
Christ is the story.
The ages exist to reveal Him.
THE AGES MOVE TOWARD GATHERING
Ephesians 1:10
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ…”
This verse reveals the destination of the ages.
The ages are not moving toward chaos.
The ages are not moving toward randomness.
The ages are moving toward gathering.
Everything God does is Christ-centered.
Everything God does is moving toward union.
Everything God does is moving toward reconciliation.
Everything God does is moving toward fulfillment.
The ages are the administration of that gathering.
WHY GOD CREATED THE AGES
God created the ages to reveal His purpose.
God created the ages to unveil Christ.
God created the ages to administer redemption.
God created the ages to manifest sonship.
God created the ages to reveal His wisdom.
God created the ages to bring creation into its appointed destiny.
God created the ages so that what was hidden in Himself before the foundation of the world could be progressively revealed and ultimately manifested.
CONCLUSION
The ages are not delays.
The ages are administration.
The ages are not accidents.
The ages are purpose unfolding.
The ages are not evidence of failure.
The ages are evidence of divine wisdom.
Jehovah Olam created the ages to reveal what He purposed before creation.
Every age serves that purpose.
Every administration serves that purpose.
Every covenant serves that purpose.
Every priesthood serves that purpose.
Every manifestation serves that purpose.
The ages are moving toward a predetermined destination established in Christ before the foundation of the world.
The next question therefore becomes:
If God created the ages to administer His purpose, what does the overall structure of that administration look like?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 4:
THE PLAN OF THE AGES.
CHAPTER 4
THE PLAN OF THE AGES
Now that we have established the existence of God’s eternal purpose and the reason God created the ages, we arrive at one of the most important subjects in all of Scripture:
The Plan of the Ages.
Most believers understand isolated events.
Many understand individual doctrines.
Some understand portions of prophecy.
Very few understand the ages as one continuous administration of God’s eternal purpose.
Without a revelation of the Plan of the Ages, Scripture often appears fragmented.
The Law seems disconnected from Grace.
Israel seems disconnected from the Church.
The prophets seem disconnected from Revelation.
The Kingdom seems disconnected from redemption.
Yet when the Plan of the Ages is understood, every piece finds its place.
The Bible becomes one story.
The ages become one administration.
Christ becomes the center of everything.
THE AGES ARE NOT RANDOM
One of the greatest revelations a believer can receive is that God is not reacting to history.
God is administering history.
Acts 15:18
“Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”
Nothing surprises God.
Nothing catches God off guard.
Nothing forces God to alter His purpose.
The God of the Ages is moving creation toward a predetermined destination.
The ages are the administration of that journey.
THE PURPOSE NEVER CHANGES
Administrations change.
Covenants change.
Priesthoods change.
Ministries change.
Manifestations change.
The purpose never changes.
Ephesians 3:11
“According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Notice carefully.
Paul does not speak of purposes.
He speaks of purpose.
One purpose.
One objective.
One destination.
The ages change.
The purpose remains.
THE AGES ARE DIVINE ADMINISTRATIONS
The word “dispensation” speaks of administration.
Government.
Stewardship.
Management.
Arrangement.
God governs His purpose through successive administrations.
Each administration accomplishes something unique.
Each administration prepares the way for what follows.
Each administration contributes to the unfolding revelation of Christ.
THE LAW HAD A PURPOSE
Galatians 3:24
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ…”
The Law was not the destination.
The Law was preparation.
The sacrifices prepared.
The priesthood prepared.
The tabernacle prepared.
The feasts prepared.
The prophets prepared.
Everything pointed forward.
The Law served the purpose.
THE GRACE AGE HAS A PURPOSE
Pentecost was not the destination.
Pentecost was preparation.
Ephesians 4:11-13
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints…
Till we all come…”
Notice the language.
Perfecting.
Building.
Growing.
Maturing.
Preparing.
The Church Age is an administration of formation.
God is building something.
God is preparing something.
God is maturing something.
The Church Age serves the purpose.
EVERY AGE PREPARES FOR THE NEXT
This principle appears throughout Scripture.
Moses prepared for Joshua.
Joshua prepared for David.
David prepared for Christ.
John prepared for Jesus.
The Law prepared for Grace.
One administration prepares for another.
One age prepares for another.
One manifestation prepares for another.
This is the nature of divine administration.
THE PRINCIPLE OF TRANSITION
Whenever God transitions from one administration to another, five things appear.
A Promise.
A Preparation.
A Fullness of Time.
A Sign.
A New Administration.
This pattern appears repeatedly.
PASSOVER
Promise:
Deliverance from Egypt.
Preparation:
Moses.
Fullness of Time:
The Exodus.
Sign:
Blood upon the doorposts.
New Administration:
Israel becomes a covenant nation.
PENTECOST
Promise:
The Holy Spirit.
Preparation:
Christ and the apostles.
Fullness of Time:
Acts Chapter 2.
Sign:
Tongues of fire.
New Administration:
The Church Age begins.
The pattern remains consistent.
Promise.
Preparation.
Fullness.
Sign.
Administration.
GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES A SIGN
Throughout Scripture, transitions are marked by visible witnesses.
Exodus 12:13
“And the blood shall be to you for a token…”
Acts 2:3
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire…”
The sign is not the purpose.
The sign is the witness.
The sign confirms that the administration has shifted.
The sign reveals that the promise has entered manifestation.
THE AGES MOVE THROUGH FIRSTFRUITS
God never begins with the harvest.
God begins with firstfruits.
Christ is firstfruits.
The Church received firstfruits.
Every administration begins with firstfruits.
The firstfruits reveal what is coming.
The firstfruits announce the harvest.
The firstfruits reveal the direction of God’s purpose.
Romans 8:23
“We ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit…”
The firstfruits are not the end.
The firstfruits are the beginning of manifestation.
THE THREE GREAT REVELATIONS OF THE FEASTS
The feasts reveal three great conditions.
Passover reveals redemption.
Pentecost reveals impartation.
Tabernacles reveals fullness.
These are not merely Jewish holidays.
These are revelations of spiritual condition.
These are revelations of divine administration.
These are revelations of progressive maturity.
Passover reveals a redeemed people.
Pentecost reveals a Spirit-filled people.
Tabernacles reveals a mature people.
The same people.
Progressively brought into greater dimensions of God’s purpose.
THE AGES ARE MOVING TOWARD FULLNESS
Ephesians 1:10
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ…”
This may be the governing verse of the entire Plan of the Ages.
Notice the language.
Dispensation.
Fullness.
Times.
Gathering.
Christ.
This is administration.
This is purpose.
This is destination.
The ages are moving toward fullness.
The administrations are moving toward fullness.
Creation is moving toward fullness.
The purpose is moving toward fullness.
Everything is moving toward Christ.
THE PLAN OF THE AGES IS CHRIST-CENTERED
The purpose begins in Christ.
The ages reveal Christ.
The Law points to Christ.
The prophets point to Christ.
The Church reveals Christ.
The Kingdom manifests Christ.
The ages ultimately gather all things into Christ.
Colossians 1:16
“All things were created by him, and for him.”
Christ is not merely part of the plan.
Christ is the center of the plan.
Christ is the purpose of the plan.
Christ is the destination of the plan.
THE FINAL DESTINATION
The Plan of the Ages is moving toward a conclusion.
The ages are not endless.
The administrations are not endless.
The purpose reaches fulfillment.
1 Corinthians 15:28
“That God may be all in all.”
This is the destination.
This is the purpose.
This is the reason for the ages.
This is the reason for creation.
This is the reason for redemption.
This is the reason for every administration.
Everything moves toward God being all in all.
CONCLUSION
The Plan of the Ages is the administration of God’s eternal purpose through successive ages.
The purpose never changes.
The administrations change.
The covenants change.
The priesthoods change.
The ministries change.
The manifestations change.
The purpose remains.
The Law served the purpose.
Grace serves the purpose.
The Kingdom serves the purpose.
Every age serves the purpose.
Every administration moves creation closer to the fulfillment of God’s eternal design.
The Plan of the Ages reveals that history is not random.
History is administration.
History is purpose unfolding.
History is Jehovah Olam revealing what He purposed before the foundation of the world.
The next question becomes:
If the ages are administering God’s purpose, what was governing creation before the ages ever began?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 5:
THE THRONE BEFORE THE AGES
CHAPTER 5
THE THRONE BEFORE THE AGES
One of the greatest mistakes believers make when studying God’s purpose is beginning with creation.
Creation is not where God’s government began.
Creation is not where God’s authority began.
Creation is not where God’s Kingdom began.
Before there was a creation, there was a throne.
Before there was a universe, there was a throne.
Before there was an age, there was a throne.
Before there was a covenant, there was a throne.
Before there was redemption, there was a throne.
If we do not understand the throne, we will never understand the Plan of the Ages.
The ages did not create the throne.
The throne created the ages.
THE THRONE PRECEDES CREATION
Psalm 103:19
“The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.”
Notice carefully.
The throne is established before the administration is revealed.
The government exists before the manifestation appears.
The Kingdom exists before the creation enters the scene.
The throne is not God’s response to creation.
Creation is the expression of the throne.
The throne is the source.
Creation is the result.
GOD NEVER RULED WITHOUT A THRONE
The throne reveals government.
The throne reveals authority.
The throne reveals administration.
The throne reveals purpose.
Many believers understand God as Savior.
Far fewer understand God as King.
The throne reveals that God governs all things according to purpose.
Nothing is random.
Nothing is accidental.
Nothing is outside His administration.
Isaiah 46:10
“Declaring the end from the beginning…”
Only a King upon a throne can declare the end from the beginning.
Only a sovereign ruler can establish purpose before creation.
The throne reveals God’s absolute government.
THE THRONE IS THE CENTER OF SCRIPTURE
The Bible begins with God.
The Bible ends with a throne.
Revelation 22:1
“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”
Notice where life comes from.
The throne.
Notice where authority comes from.
The throne.
Notice where administration comes from.
The throne.
Notice where the river comes from.
The throne.
Everything proceeds from the throne.
The throne is the center of divine administration.
THE THRONE BEFORE SIN
One of the most important revelations in Scripture is this:
The throne existed before sin.
The throne did not appear because man fell.
The throne did not appear because redemption became necessary.
The throne existed before there was anything to redeem.
This changes everything.
The throne is not primarily about fixing problems.
The throne is about administering purpose.
Before there was sin, there was purpose.
Before there was redemption, there was purpose.
Before there was judgment, there was purpose.
The throne existed to administer that purpose.
THE THRONE BEFORE THE LAW
Many believers think the story begins with Moses.
The throne existed long before Moses.
The throne existed before Abraham.
The throne existed before Noah.
The throne existed before Adam.
The Law did not create God’s government.
The Law became one administration under God’s government.
The throne remained unchanged.
Administrations changed.
The throne remained.
THE THRONE BEFORE GRACE
Grace did not create the throne.
Grace proceeded from the throne.
The throne established Grace.
The throne established redemption.
The throne established reconciliation.
The throne established sonship.
Everything proceeds from the throne.
Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace…”
Notice carefully.
Grace has a throne.
Grace is not independent.
Grace is administered.
Grace flows from government.
Grace flows from authority.
Grace flows from the throne.
THE THRONE IS THE SOURCE OF THE AGES
Jehovah Olam administers purpose through ages.
The throne administers the ages.
Daniel 7:9
“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit…”
Daniel sees something before he sees the kingdoms.
He sees the throne.
Before he sees beasts.
Before he sees empires.
Before he sees administrations.
He sees government.
The throne governs history.
The throne governs the ages.
The throne governs the unfolding purpose of God.
THE THRONE REVEALS ONE ADMINISTRATION
Many believers see multiple plans.
Many see multiple kingdoms.
Many see multiple purposes.
Scripture reveals one throne.
One government.
One purpose.
One administration.
Psalm 45:6
“Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever…”
The throne never changes.
The purpose never changes.
The administrations change.
The throne remains.
The covenants change.
The throne remains.
The priesthoods change.
The throne remains.
The ministries change.
The throne remains.
Everything changes.
The throne remains.
THE THRONE AND THE SON
The eternal purpose is Christ-centered.
The throne is Christ-centered.
Colossians 1:16
“For by him were all things created…
And for him.”
Everything moves toward Christ because the throne itself is Christ-centered.
Hebrews 1:8
“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever…”
The throne belongs to the Son.
The purpose belongs to the Son.
The Kingdom belongs to the Son.
The ages serve the Son.
The creation serves the Son.
The administration serves the Son.
Everything is moving toward Christ.
THE THRONE AND THE RIVER
Revelation 22 reveals one of the most beautiful pictures in Scripture.
The river of life flows from the throne.
Life flows from government.
Life flows from authority.
Life flows from administration.
The throne is not merely authority.
The throne is the source of life.
The throne is the source of reconciliation.
The throne is the source of restoration.
The throne is the source of purpose.
Everything that God administers flows from the throne.
THE THRONE GOVERNS EVERY TRANSITION
Every age changes.
The throne remains.
Every covenant changes.
The throne remains.
Every administration changes.
The throne remains.
Every manifestation changes.
The throne remains.
This is why the throne becomes one of the most important revelations in understanding the Plan of the Ages.
The throne is the constant.
The ages are the variables.
The throne governs every transition.
The throne introduces every administration.
The throne establishes every purpose.
The throne oversees every fulfillment.
THE THRONE IS MOVING TOWARD A DESTINATION
The throne is not static.
The throne is administering purpose.
Ephesians 1:10
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ…”
The throne is governing toward this destination.
The throne is administering toward this destination.
The throne is moving creation toward this destination.
The throne is gathering all things into Christ.
CONCLUSION
Before there was creation, there was a throne.
Before there was Adam, there was a throne.
Before there was Law, there was a throne.
Before there was Grace, there was a throne.
Before there were ages, there was a throne.
The throne is the source of divine administration.
The throne governs the ages.
The throne governs history.
The throne governs purpose.
The throne governs creation.
The throne governs redemption.
The throne governs manifestation.
The throne governs the Kingdom.
The throne is the center from which God’s eternal purpose flows into every age until all things are gathered together in Christ and God becomes all in all.
The next question becomes:
If the throne existed before creation and governed the ages, why did God create man in the first place?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 6:
THE CREATION OF MAN
CHAPTER 6
THE CREATION OF MAN
Having established the eternal purpose of God, the creation of the ages, and the throne that governs all things, we now arrive at one of the most important questions in Scripture:
Why did God create man?
Most believers have asked:
Why did man fall?
Why did man sin?
Why did man die?
Far fewer have asked the greater question:
Why did God create man in the first place?
If we misunderstand the purpose of man, we will misunderstand the entire Plan of the Ages.
Man cannot be understood apart from purpose.
Man cannot be understood apart from Christ.
Man cannot be understood apart from God’s eternal intention.
MAN WAS CREATED FROM PURPOSE
Genesis 1:26
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion…”
Notice carefully.
Before God formed man, God revealed His intention.
Image.
Likeness.
Dominion.
These are the three great revelations of man’s creation.
God did not create man primarily to survive.
God did not create man merely to exist.
God created man for image, likeness, and dominion.
Purpose preceded creation.
Purpose governed creation.
THE IMAGE OF GOD
Genesis 1:27
“So God created man in his own image…”
The first thing revealed about man is image.
Man was created to reveal God.
Man was created to express God.
Man was created to manifest the nature of God within creation.
The eternal purpose was never merely about creating creatures.
The eternal purpose was about creating a vessel capable of expressing God.
This is why Christ becomes central.
Colossians 1:15
“Who is the image of the invisible God…”
Christ is the perfect image.
Adam was created pointing toward Christ.
The first man pointed toward the Last Adam.
The natural pointed toward the spiritual.
The shadow pointed toward the reality.
THE LIKENESS OF GOD
Genesis 1:26
“After our likeness…”
Likeness speaks of maturity.
Likeness speaks of character.
Likeness speaks of nature.
Image reveals design.
Likeness reveals development.
A child may possess image.
A mature son reveals likeness.
Throughout Scripture God is moving humanity toward conformity to Christ.
Romans 8:29
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…”
Notice again.
The purpose is Christ-centered.
God’s intention is conformity to His Son.
The ages exist to administer this purpose.
DOMINION WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL DESIGN
Genesis 1:26
“And let them have dominion…”
Dominion was not added later.
Dominion was present from the beginning.
Man was created to participate in divine government.
The throne preceded man.
Man was created in relation to the throne.
Man was created to function under God’s government and reveal that government within creation.
The Kingdom did not begin in Revelation.
The Kingdom was present in God’s intention from Genesis.
MAN WAS CREATED FOR CHRIST
Colossians 1:16
“All things were created by him, and for him.”
This includes man.
Man was not created for himself.
Man was created for Christ.
Man was not created to become the center.
Christ is the center.
Everything begins in Christ.
Everything moves toward Christ.
Everything finds fulfillment in Christ.
The purpose of man can only be understood through Christ.
ADAM REVEALS A MYSTERY
Romans 5:14
“Adam… who is the figure of him that was to come.”
Adam was a figure.
A pattern.
A shadow.
A prophetic picture.
The first man pointed toward another man.
The natural pointed toward the spiritual.
The earthly pointed toward the heavenly.
The first Adam pointed toward Christ.
From the very beginning, God’s purpose was Christ-centered.
THE CREATION OF MAN WAS PROPHETIC
Everything about Adam was prophetic.
The garden was prophetic.
The tree of life was prophetic.
The dominion mandate was prophetic.
The marriage of Adam and Eve was prophetic.
Paul reveals this mystery.
Ephesians 5:31-32
“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother…
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
Even marriage pointed beyond itself.
Everything in creation points toward Christ.
Everything in creation serves the eternal purpose.
MAN WAS CREATED FOR SONSHIP
One of the greatest revelations in Scripture is that God’s purpose extends beyond servanthood.
God desires sons.
Ephesians 1:5
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself…”
The purpose was sonship.
The purpose was inheritance.
The purpose was relationship.
The purpose was family.
The purpose was conformity to Christ.
The ages are administering the revelation of mature sonship.
MAN WAS CREATED FOR GLORY
Romans 8:18
“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.”
Notice carefully.
Not merely glory around us.
Not merely glory above us.
Glory revealed in us.
God’s purpose was always manifestation.
God’s purpose was always expression.
God’s purpose was always glory.
The image was created for glory.
The likeness was created for glory.
The son was created for glory.
CREATION ITSELF IS WAITING
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
This is one of the most astonishing verses in Scripture.
Creation is waiting.
Creation is expecting.
Creation is looking toward something.
What is creation waiting for?
The manifestation of the sons of God.
This reveals that the creation of man was never merely about Adam.
The creation of man was always connected to sonship.
The creation of man was always connected to manifestation.
The creation of man was always connected to the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose.
MAN CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD APART FROM CHRIST
Many attempt to understand humanity through Adam alone.
Scripture points us beyond Adam.
1 Corinthians 15:45
“The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”
The first Adam reveals the beginning.
The Last Adam reveals the purpose.
The first Adam reveals the seed.
The Last Adam reveals the fulfillment.
The first Adam reveals the shadow.
The Last Adam reveals the reality.
Christ is the interpretation of man.
Christ reveals what man was always intended to become.
THE PURPOSE OF MAN AND THE PLAN OF THE AGES
The creation of man was not an isolated event.
The creation of man was part of the Plan of the Ages.
God created man for image.
God created man for likeness.
God created man for dominion.
God created man for sonship.
God created man for glory.
God created man for Christ.
Everything that follows in Scripture unfolds from this purpose.
The fall did not cancel the purpose.
Sin did not cancel the purpose.
Death did not cancel the purpose.
The ages were created to administer the fulfillment of the purpose.
CONCLUSION
Man was not created randomly.
Man was created according to eternal purpose.
Before Adam existed, God already knew Christ.
Before Adam existed, God already knew sonship.
Before Adam existed, God already knew glory.
Before Adam existed, God already knew the destination.
Man was created in the image of God, after the likeness of God, and given dominion under the government of God.
The creation of man reveals God’s intention.
The ages reveal how God administers that intention.
The next question becomes:
If man was created for image, likeness, dominion, sonship, and glory, what happened?
Why did mortality enter?
Why did corruption appear?
Why does creation groan?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 7:
THE FALL AND THE INTRODUCTION OF MORTALITY
CHAPTER 7
THE FALL AND THE INTRODUCTION OF MORTALITY
Having established God’s eternal purpose in the creation of man, we now arrive at one of the most significant events in all of Scripture:
The Fall.
Yet even here, we must be careful.
Many believers make the Fall the center of the Bible.
The Fall is not the center.
Christ is the center.
The Fall explains the problem.
Christ reveals the purpose.
The Fall introduces mortality.
Christ introduces life.
The Fall reveals what entered.
Christ reveals what overcomes.
To understand the Plan of the Ages, we must understand exactly what entered creation through Adam.
THE DAY DEATH ENTERED CREATION
Genesis 2:16-17
“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
This was the first warning.
Death was not part of God’s original design.
Death was not part of God’s eternal purpose.
Death was not present in the image of God.
Death entered through disobedience.
The moment Adam rebelled, something entered creation that had never been present before.
Mortality.
Corruption.
Separation.
Bondage.
Decay.
The reign of death began.
WHAT WAS LOST?
Most discussions focus on what Adam did.
A greater question is:
What was lost?
Image was marred.
Likeness was hindered.
Dominion was compromised.
Fellowship was disrupted.
Life was replaced by mortality.
The purpose was not destroyed.
But man’s ability to walk in that purpose was dramatically affected.
The seed remained.
The purpose remained.
The throne remained.
The promise remained.
Yet mortality now stood in the path of manifestation.
DEATH BECAME A KING
Romans 5:14
“Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses…”
Notice the language.
Death reigned.
Death became a ruler.
Death became an administration operating within creation.
Death began governing what God originally intended for life.
Romans 5:17
“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one…”
Death became more than an event.
Death became a condition.
Death became a realm.
Death became a power operating within creation.
THE ENTRANCE OF CORRUPTION
Romans 8:20-21
“For the creature was made subject to vanity…
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption…”
The Fall introduced corruption.
Corruption means decay.
Corruption means deterioration.
Corruption means the inability to sustain life.
Everything God created became subject to corruption.
The body became corruptible.
Creation became corruptible.
The world entered a state of bondage.
This is why Romans 8 becomes so important.
Paul is not merely discussing forgiveness.
Paul is discussing creation’s deliverance from corruption.
MORTALITY ENTERED THE BODY
One of the greatest consequences of the Fall was mortality.
The body that had been created for life became subject to death.
Genesis 3:19
“For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”
The body became mortal.
The body became corruptible.
The body became subject to decay.
This is why bodily redemption becomes such a major theme later in Scripture.
You cannot understand redemption without first understanding what entered through Adam.
THE CREATION BEGAN TO GROAN
Romans 8:22
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”
Notice carefully.
Creation groans.
Why?
Because creation remembers purpose.
Creation was not created for corruption.
Creation was not created for bondage.
Creation was not created for death.
Creation was created for life.
The groaning reveals that creation is not satisfied with its present condition.
Creation itself longs for deliverance.
THE FALL DID NOT CANCEL THE PURPOSE
This is one of the most important revelations in the entire Bible.
The Fall did not destroy God’s purpose.
The Fall introduced opposition to God’s purpose.
The purpose remained.
The throne remained.
The eternal purpose remained.
The ages would now become the administration through which God would overcome what entered through Adam.
The purpose did not change.
The administration expanded.
THE PROMISE APPEARS IMMEDIATELY
Genesis 3:15
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed…”
Notice what happens.
The moment the Fall occurs, the promise appears.
The moment mortality enters, redemption is announced.
The moment corruption appears, restoration is promised.
God immediately begins revealing the solution.
The purpose continues moving forward.
THE SEED OF THE WOMAN
Genesis 3:15 contains one of the most powerful prophetic promises in Scripture.
The Seed is coming.
A Deliverer is coming.
A Redeemer is coming.
A Victor is coming.
The purpose has not failed.
The purpose has not been abandoned.
The purpose is advancing toward fulfillment.
The ages will now reveal how God brings that purpose to manifestation.
THE FIRST ADAM AND THE LAST ADAM
1 Corinthians 15:45
“The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”
The Bible presents two Adams.
The first Adam introduces mortality.
The Last Adam introduces life.
The first Adam introduces corruption.
The Last Adam introduces incorruption.
The first Adam introduces death.
The Last Adam introduces resurrection.
The first Adam reveals the problem.
The Last Adam reveals the solution.
THE AGES NOW HAVE A MISSION
Before the Fall, the purpose already existed.
After the Fall, the purpose still exists.
The difference is that mortality has entered the story.
Now the ages become the administration through which God reveals redemption.
The Law will serve the purpose.
The prophets will serve the purpose.
Christ will serve the purpose.
The Church will serve the purpose.
The Kingdom will serve the purpose.
Every administration will contribute to overcoming what entered through Adam.
THE LAST ENEMY
1 Corinthians 15:26
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
Notice carefully.
Death is called an enemy.
Death is not presented as the goal.
Death is not presented as the fulfillment.
Death is presented as an enemy.
The Plan of the Ages is moving toward the complete overthrow of death itself.
This is one of the great themes of Scripture.
The purpose that existed before creation cannot reach its full manifestation while death reigns.
Therefore death itself must ultimately be overcome.
THE GROANING OF CREATION
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Why does creation groan?
Why does creation wait?
Because creation understands that God’s purpose is larger than the Fall.
Creation understands that mortality is not the final word.
Creation understands that corruption is not the destination.
Creation is waiting for manifestation.
Creation is waiting for fulfillment.
Creation is waiting for the unveiling of what God purposed from the beginning.
THE FALL REVEALS THE NEED FOR REDEMPTION
Without the Fall, redemption would not be understood.
Without mortality, life would not be appreciated.
Without corruption, incorruption would not be desired.
Without bondage, liberty would not be celebrated.
The Fall reveals the problem.
The ages reveal the solution.
The purpose remains unchanged.
CONCLUSION
The Fall introduced mortality.
The Fall introduced corruption.
The Fall introduced bondage.
The Fall introduced the reign of death.
Yet the Fall did not cancel God’s eternal purpose.
The throne remained.
The purpose remained.
The promise remained.
The Seed remained.
The ages would now become the divine administration through which God progressively overcomes everything that entered through Adam.
The story is no longer merely about creation.
The story is now about restoration.
The next question becomes:
If mortality entered through Adam and creation was subjected to corruption, how did God begin revealing His plan to restore what was lost?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 8:
THE PROMISE OF RESTORATION
CHAPTER 8
THE PROMISE OF RESTORATION
The moment man fell, God spoke.
The moment mortality entered, God spoke.
The moment corruption appeared, God spoke.
The moment death began its reign, God spoke.
This reveals something profound about the nature of God.
The Fall did not surprise God.
The Fall did not interrupt God’s purpose.
The Fall did not cancel God’s eternal plan.
The purpose existed before the Fall.
The purpose existed before creation.
The purpose existed before the foundation of the world.
Therefore, when man fell, God immediately began revealing the restoration that was already present within His eternal purpose.
THE FIRST PROMISE IN SCRIPTURE
Genesis 3:15
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
The first prophecy in Scripture is not about judgment.
The first prophecy is about victory.
The first prophecy is about restoration.
The first prophecy is about Christ.
The first prophecy is about the Seed.
Before Adam leaves the garden, God introduces the answer.
Before history unfolds, God reveals the destination.
The promise appears immediately.
The restoration begins immediately.
THE SEED OF THE WOMAN
Throughout Scripture the Seed becomes one of the great themes of divine purpose.
The Seed appears in Genesis.
The Seed appears in Abraham.
The Seed appears in David.
The Seed appears in Bethlehem.
The Seed appears at Calvary.
The Seed appears in resurrection.
The Seed appears in the Kingdom.
Galatians 3:16
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made…
And to thy seed, which is Christ.”
The entire Bible is the story of the Seed.
The ages reveal the Seed.
The purpose unfolds through the Seed.
The restoration comes through the Seed.
Everything centers upon Christ.
THE PROMISE IS GREATER THAN THE PROBLEM
One of the greatest revelations in Scripture is that God’s promise is always greater than man’s failure.
Adam’s fall was real.
Death was real.
Corruption was real.
Yet none of these were greater than God’s purpose.
Romans 5:20
“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”
Notice the language.
Not equal.
Not barely sufficient.
Much more abound.
The promise is greater than the problem.
The purpose is greater than the Fall.
Life is greater than death.
Christ is greater than Adam.
THE HOPE OF CREATION
Romans 8:20-21
“For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope:
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption…”
Creation was subjected in hope.
What an astonishing statement.
Creation groans.
Creation suffers.
Creation waits.
Yet creation possesses hope.
Why?
Because God never abandoned His purpose.
The Creator subjected creation in hope because restoration was already present within His eternal plan.
THE RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS
Acts 3:21
“Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things…”
This is one of the great promises of Scripture.
Restitution means restoration.
Recovery.
Renewal.
Bringing back into proper order.
The promise is not merely individual.
The promise is cosmic.
The promise extends beyond Adam.
The promise extends beyond Israel.
The promise extends beyond the Church.
The promise touches creation itself.
The ages are moving toward restoration.
THE RECONCILIATION OF ALL THINGS
Colossians 1:19-20
“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself…”
Notice again the scope.
All things.
Not some things.
Not a few things.
All things.
This does not diminish judgment.
It reveals purpose.
The cross was not merely about forgiveness.
The cross was about reconciliation.
God was moving creation toward Christ.
The ages are the administration of that reconciliation.
GOD WAS IN CHRIST
2 Corinthians 5:19
“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself…”
The purpose of God has always been reconciliation.
The purpose of God has always been restoration.
The purpose of God has always been gathering.
The purpose of God has always been union.
This is why Christ stands at the center of the Plan of the Ages.
Everything moves toward Him.
Everything is administered through Him.
Everything is gathered into Him.
THE GATHERING OF ALL THINGS IN CHRIST
Ephesians 1:9-10
“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will…
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ…”
This may be one of the most important promises in the entire Bible.
Notice the progression.
Mystery.
Will.
Dispensation.
Fullness.
Times.
Gathering.
Christ.
The purpose is clear.
The destination is clear.
The ages are moving toward gathering.
The ages are moving toward Christ.
The ages are moving toward fulfillment.
WHY RESTORATION REQUIRES THE AGES
If God intended restoration, why did He create the ages?
Because restoration unfolds progressively.
God reveals purpose progressively.
God reveals Christ progressively.
God reveals sonship progressively.
God reveals firstfruits progressively.
God reveals the Kingdom progressively.
The promise was given in Genesis.
The Seed appeared in Bethlehem.
The cross appeared at Calvary.
The Spirit appeared at Pentecost.
The Kingdom unfolds through the ages.
Everything moves toward fulfillment.
This is the wisdom of Jehovah Olam.
THE CERTAINTY OF THE PROMISE
Isaiah 46:10
“Declaring the end from the beginning…”
The promise is not uncertain.
The purpose is not uncertain.
The destination is not uncertain.
The God who declared the end from the beginning is administering the ages toward the fulfillment of His purpose.
The promise rests not upon human strength.
The promise rests upon divine purpose.
THE PATTERN OF RESTORATION
Throughout Scripture God follows the same pattern.
Promise.
Preparation.
Firstfruits.
Manifestation.
Harvest.
Fulfillment.
The Seed was promised.
The Seed appeared.
The cross was accomplished.
The Spirit was poured out.
The firstfruits appeared.
The harvest continues.
The purpose advances.
The restoration unfolds.
THE RESTORATION OF THE IMAGE
The Fall marred the image.
The purpose restores the image.
Romans 8:29
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
This is restoration.
Not merely forgiveness.
Not merely escape.
Not merely survival.
Conformity to Christ.
The restoration of the image of God within humanity.
THE RESTORATION OF DOMINION
Man was created for dominion.
The Fall compromised dominion.
The purpose restores dominion.
Hebrews 2:8
“Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.”
The purpose has not changed.
The image remains.
The likeness remains.
The dominion remains.
The promise remains.
God is restoring what He purposed from the beginning.
CONCLUSION
The Fall introduced mortality.
The promise introduced restoration.
The Fall introduced corruption.
The promise introduced reconciliation.
The Fall introduced death.
The promise introduced life.
The Fall introduced bondage.
The promise introduced liberty.
From Genesis onward, Scripture becomes the story of restoration.
The Seed is coming.
The Redeemer is coming.
The Restorer is coming.
The Kingdom is coming.
The purpose is advancing.
The ages are administering that purpose.
Everything is moving toward the gathering together of all things in Christ.
The next question becomes:
If God promised restoration from the beginning, how does He progressively reveal that restoration throughout history?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 9:
THE GOD OF FIRSTFRUITS
CHAPTER 9
THE GOD OF FIRSTFRUITS
One of the most misunderstood principles in all of Scripture is the principle of firstfruits.
Most believers recognize firstfruits as an offering.
Others recognize firstfruits as a feast.
Still others recognize Christ as the Firstfruits.
Yet very few understand that firstfruits is one of the governing principles of the Plan of the Ages.
God is a God of firstfruits.
God never begins with the harvest.
God begins with firstfruits.
God never manifests the whole before He manifests the part.
God never reveals the harvest before He reveals the firstfruits.
This principle appears from Genesis to Revelation.
Once seen, it becomes impossible to miss.
GOD ALWAYS BEGINS WITH FIRSTFRUITS
The nature of God is revealed in firstfruits.
Before there is a nation, there is Abraham.
Before there is Israel, there are patriarchs.
Before there is a kingdom, there is David.
Before there is a Church, there is Christ.
Before there is a harvest, there are firstfruits.
God continually reveals the end through the beginning.
The firstfruits reveal what is coming.
The firstfruits reveal the nature of the harvest.
The firstfruits reveal the direction of divine purpose.
FIRSTFRUITS REVEAL DESTINATION
When a farmer sees the first ripe fruit, he sees the future harvest.
The firstfruits are not the whole harvest.
The firstfruits are the revelation of the harvest.
The firstfruits testify that what was promised has begun to appear.
The firstfruits announce manifestation.
The firstfruits announce transition.
The firstfruits announce that the season has changed.
THE LAW OF FIRSTFRUITS
Exodus 23:19
“The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God.”
The principle appears early.
God establishes firstfruits within Israel.
Why?
Because firstfruits reveal ownership.
Firstfruits reveal origin.
Firstfruits reveal destiny.
The firstfruits belong to God because the harvest belongs to God.
The firstfruits reveal what follows.
CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS
1 Corinthians 15:20
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
This is one of the most important firstfruit revelations in Scripture.
Christ is not merely resurrected.
Christ is called Firstfruits.
Why?
Because His resurrection reveals a greater harvest.
What happened in Christ reveals what God intends to accomplish through the ages.
The firstfruits reveal the harvest.
Christ reveals the destination.
THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN
Romans 8:29
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…
That he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Notice the language.
Firstborn.
Many brethren.
Firstfruits.
Harvest.
Pattern.
Fulfillment.
Christ stands as the first revelation of God’s intended outcome.
The harvest follows the firstfruits.
THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
Romans 8:23
“And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit…”
Notice carefully.
Paul does not say fullness.
Paul says firstfruits.
The Spirit has been given.
Life has been imparted.
The earnest has been received.
Yet something remains ahead.
The firstfruits reveal a greater harvest yet to come.
This is one of the great themes of the Plan of the Ages.
THE THREE DIMENSIONS OF FIRSTFRUITS
One of the greatest mistakes believers make is assuming all firstfruits are the same.
Scripture reveals multiple dimensions of firstfruits.
Just as there are progressive ages, there are progressive firstfruits.
Just as there are progressive administrations, there are progressive firstfruits.
The question is never merely:
What are firstfruits?
The question is:
Which firstfruits?
FIRSTFRUITS OF PASSOVER
Passover reveals redemption.
Passover reveals deliverance.
Passover reveals separation from Egypt.
The blood becomes the sign.
The lamb becomes the witness.
The redeemed become the firstfruits of a covenant people.
Passover introduces redemption.
The firstfruits reveal a redeemed people.
FIRSTFRUITS OF PENTECOST
Pentecost reveals impartation.
Pentecost reveals empowerment.
Pentecost reveals the earnest of the Spirit.
Acts 2 reveals the sign.
Tongues of fire.
Power from on high.
A Spirit-filled people emerge.
Pentecost reveals the firstfruits of the Spirit.
The Church Age begins.
A new administration appears.
FIRSTFRUITS OF FULLNESS
Every administration possesses firstfruits.
Every harvest possesses firstfruits.
Every age possesses firstfruits.
If Passover possessed firstfruits…
And Pentecost possessed firstfruits…
Then fullness also possesses firstfruits.
This principle flows naturally from the nature of God.
God always begins with firstfruits.
God always reveals the harvest through a first manifestation.
The firstfruits reveal what is coming.
FIRSTFRUITS ANNOUNCE A NEW ADMINISTRATION
Throughout Scripture, firstfruits appear at moments of transition.
The firstfruits are never merely agricultural.
The firstfruits are governmental.
The firstfruits announce that God is moving history forward.
The firstfruits reveal that a new administration is appearing.
The firstfruits reveal that a promise has entered manifestation.
THE FIRSTFRUITS AND THE FEASTS
The three great feasts reveal three great conditions.
Passover reveals redemption.
Pentecost reveals impartation.
Tabernacles reveals fullness.
Likewise, each feast possesses firstfruits.
The firstfruits reveal what God is doing in that administration.
The firstfruits reveal where the age is moving.
The firstfruits reveal the nature of the coming harvest.
THE FIRSTFRUITS AND THE PROMISE
God promised Abraham.
Isaac appeared as firstfruits.
God promised a nation.
Israel appeared as firstfruits.
God promised Messiah.
Christ appeared as firstfruits.
God promised the Spirit.
Pentecost appeared as firstfruits.
Throughout Scripture the pattern remains unchanged.
Promise.
Firstfruits.
Harvest.
Fulfillment.
THE FIRSTFRUITS AND THE MANIFESTATION OF SONS
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Creation is waiting.
Why?
Because creation understands the principle of firstfruits.
The firstfruits reveal the harvest.
The first manifestation reveals the destination.
The first unveiling reveals what follows.
Throughout the Plan of the Ages, God continually reveals the future through firstfruits.
THE FIRSTFRUITS REVEAL THE HARVEST
James 1:18
“That we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”
The firstfruits reveal God’s intention.
The firstfruits reveal God’s purpose.
The firstfruits reveal God’s destination.
The harvest does not define the firstfruits.
The firstfruits define the harvest.
God continually reveals where creation is going by revealing firstfruits.
THE GOD OF FIRSTFRUITS
Why does God continually work this way?
Because He is revealing His nature.
God never begins with the multitude.
God begins with the remnant.
God never begins with the harvest.
God begins with firstfruits.
God never begins with fulfillment.
God begins with promise.
The firstfruits reveal the certainty of the promise.
The firstfruits reveal the certainty of the harvest.
The firstfruits reveal the certainty of God’s purpose.
CONCLUSION
Throughout Scripture, firstfruits reveal the nature of God.
The firstfruits reveal purpose.
The firstfruits reveal manifestation.
The firstfruits reveal transition.
The firstfruits reveal administration.
The firstfruits reveal harvest.
Christ is Firstfruits.
The Spirit is given as firstfruits.
The ages unfold through firstfruits.
The harvest always follows the firstfruits.
The God of the Ages is also the God of Firstfruits.
He continually reveals the end through the beginning and the harvest through the firstfruits.
The next question becomes:
If God continually reveals His purpose through firstfruits, what was the greatest firstfruit manifestation in human history?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 10:
THE COMING OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 10
THE COMING OF CHRIST
Having established the principle of firstfruits, we now arrive at the greatest firstfruit manifestation in human history:
The coming of Christ.
Everything before Christ pointed toward Christ.
Everything after Christ is interpreted through Christ.
The Law pointed toward Him.
The prophets pointed toward Him.
The sacrifices pointed toward Him.
The priesthood pointed toward Him.
The feasts pointed toward Him.
The ages themselves pointed toward Him.
Christ did not suddenly appear without witness.
God spent centuries preparing the earth for His coming.
The promise was ancient.
The manifestation arrived in the fullness of time.
THE FULLNESS OF TIME
Galatians 4:4
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son…”
This verse reveals one of the greatest principles in the Plan of the Ages.
Every promise possesses a fullness of time.
The promise may exist for centuries.
The manifestation waits for the appointed season.
Abraham waited.
Israel waited.
The prophets waited.
The earth waited.
Then the fullness arrived.
The promise became visible.
The invisible became visible.
The Word became flesh.
GOD PREPARED THE WORLD FOR CHRIST
Christ did not arrive without preparation.
God spent generations preparing the way.
Moses prepared the way.
The sacrifices prepared the way.
The feasts prepared the way.
David prepared the way.
The prophets prepared the way.
Everything pointed forward.
John 5:46
“For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.”
Moses was not the destination.
Moses was preparation.
The Law was preparation.
The shadows were preparation.
The purpose was Christ.
THE PROPHETIC WITNESS
Amos 3:7
“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
Before God manifests, He reveals.
Before God unveils, He announces.
Before God transitions an administration, He raises a witness.
This pattern appears throughout Scripture.
Noah before the flood.
Moses before the Exodus.
John before Christ.
The prophetic witness prepares the remnant.
The prophetic witness creates expectation.
The prophetic witness announces the coming administration.
THE REMNANT WAS READY
One of the most remarkable things about the first coming is that only a remnant recognized it.
Simeon recognized Him.
Anna recognized Him.
John recognized Him.
The shepherds recognized Him.
The disciples recognized Him.
The nation possessed the Scriptures.
The remnant possessed expectation.
The difference was preparation.
The prophetic witness had prepared a people.
THE SIGN OF THE FIRST COMING
Every transition possesses a sign.
Passover had blood.
Pentecost had tongues of fire.
The coming of Christ possessed signs.
A virgin conceived.
A star appeared.
Angels announced His birth.
Prophecy was fulfilled.
The signs testified that the administration had shifted.
The promised Seed had arrived.
The Messiah had come.
The fullness of time had arrived.
THE WORD BECAME FLESH
John 1:14
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”
This is one of the greatest revelations in Scripture.
The eternal entered time.
The invisible became visible.
The promise became manifestation.
The purpose took on flesh.
Everything the prophets anticipated stood before humanity in visible form.
The coming of Christ was not merely another event.
The coming of Christ was the manifestation of God’s eternal purpose entering history.
CHRIST REVEALS THE FATHER
John 14:9
“He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.”
For the first time in history, humanity could look upon the perfect expression of God.
The image appeared.
The likeness appeared.
The purpose appeared.
The invisible God became visible through Christ.
Everything Adam failed to reveal appeared perfectly in Christ.
CHRIST THE LAST ADAM
1 Corinthians 15:45
“The last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”
The first Adam introduced mortality.
The Last Adam introduced life.
The first Adam introduced corruption.
The Last Adam introduced incorruption.
The first Adam introduced death.
The Last Adam introduced resurrection.
The first Adam revealed the problem.
The Last Adam revealed the purpose.
Everything God intended for man was perfectly revealed in Christ.
CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS
1 Corinthians 15:20
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
Christ did not merely rise from the dead.
Christ became Firstfruits.
His resurrection revealed God’s intention.
His resurrection revealed the harvest.
His resurrection revealed the destination.
What appeared in Christ reveals what God intends to accomplish through His eternal purpose.
The firstfruits reveal the harvest.
Christ reveals the future.
CHRIST FULFILLED THE LAW
Matthew 5:17
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
This is one of the most important transition verses in Scripture.
Christ did not destroy the Law.
Christ fulfilled the Law.
The Law completed its assignment.
The shadows reached their reality.
The preparation reached its fulfillment.
The old administration had served its purpose.
A greater administration now appeared.
THE PRIESTHOOD BEGAN TO CHANGE
The coming of Christ introduced something revolutionary.
A new priesthood.
A new covenant.
A new ministry.
A new administration.
Hebrews 7:12
“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”
This was not merely a theological adjustment.
This was a governmental transition.
The ages were advancing.
The purpose was moving forward.
The shadows were giving way to reality.
CHRIST INTRODUCED A NEW ADMINISTRATION
Everything changed because Christ appeared.
The sacrifices pointed to Him.
The priesthood pointed to Him.
The temple pointed to Him.
The feasts pointed to Him.
The Kingdom pointed to Him.
The purpose hidden for ages was now standing among men.
The administration had shifted.
The promise had entered manifestation.
THE KINGDOM APPEARED
Mark 1:15
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand…”
Notice the language.
The time is fulfilled.
The fullness of time had arrived.
The Kingdom was appearing.
The administration was changing.
The purpose was advancing.
What had been promised for generations was now entering manifestation.
THE GREATEST TRANSITION IN HISTORY
The coming of Christ represents one of the greatest transitions in all of Scripture.
The old covenant prepared for Him.
The prophets testified of Him.
The Law pointed toward Him.
The ages anticipated Him.
Then the fullness of time arrived.
The promise became flesh.
The Seed appeared.
The Firstfruits appeared.
The Kingdom appeared.
The administration shifted.
The purpose advanced.
CONCLUSION
The coming of Christ was the greatest firstfruit manifestation in human history.
Everything before Him pointed toward Him.
Everything after Him flows from Him.
The Law prepared for Him.
The prophets prepared for Him.
The remnant waited for Him.
The fullness of time revealed Him.
Christ appeared as the image of God, the Last Adam, the Firstfruits, the fulfillment of the Law, and the center of God’s eternal purpose.
The promise had become manifestation.
The ages had reached a hinge point.
A new administration had begun.
The next question becomes:
What exactly did Christ accomplish through His life, death, resurrection, and exaltation?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 11:
THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST
CHAPTER 11
THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST
Everything in the Plan of the Ages points toward Christ.
The Law pointed toward Christ.
The prophets pointed toward Christ.
The sacrifices pointed toward Christ.
The priesthood pointed toward Christ.
The feasts pointed toward Christ.
The throne itself points toward Christ.
Now we arrive at the greatest accomplishment in human history:
The Finished Work of Christ.
If Chapter 10 revealed the coming of Christ, Chapter 11 reveals what Christ accomplished.
The Finished Work stands at the center of God’s eternal purpose.
Without the Finished Work, there is no reconciliation.
Without the Finished Work, there is no sonship.
Without the Finished Work, there is no Kingdom.
Without the Finished Work, there is no manifestation.
Without the Finished Work, there is no gathering of all things in Christ.
IT IS FINISHED
John 19:30
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished…”
These may be the most powerful words ever spoken upon the earth.
“It is finished.”
Not partially finished.
Not mostly finished.
Not someday finished.
Finished.
The work necessary to secure God’s eternal purpose was completed.
The victory was accomplished.
The legal foundation was established.
The Lamb fulfilled His assignment.
THE CROSS WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT
Acts 2:23
“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God…”
The cross was not a tragedy.
The cross was not God’s emergency response.
The cross was not an unexpected event.
The cross was present in God’s purpose before the foundation of the world.
The Lamb was foreordained.
The sacrifice was foreseen.
The purpose was predetermined.
The cross was central to God’s eternal design.
CHRIST BECAME THE LAMB
John 1:29
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
For centuries lambs had been offered.
For centuries blood had been shed.
For centuries sacrifices testified.
Now the reality had arrived.
The shadows had reached fulfillment.
The Lamb had appeared.
Everything the sacrifices pointed toward was standing before humanity.
THE LAW REACHED ITS FULFILLMENT
Romans 10:4
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
The Law had fulfilled its purpose.
The sacrifices had fulfilled their purpose.
The priesthood had fulfilled its purpose.
The shadows had fulfilled their purpose.
The preparation was complete.
The reality had arrived.
The old administration had successfully accomplished its assignment.
Christ fulfilled what the Law could only anticipate.
THE DEBT WAS PAID
Colossians 2:14
“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us…”
The cross dealt with every legal claim standing against humanity.
The debt was canceled.
The accusation was answered.
The record was removed.
The legal barrier was taken out of the way.
The Finished Work established a legal foundation for everything that follows in the Plan of the Ages.
PEACE WAS MADE
Colossians 1:20
“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross…”
Notice carefully.
Peace was made.
Peace was not merely offered.
Peace was accomplished.
The cross established reconciliation.
The cross established peace.
The cross established the foundation for restoration.
The cross became the center point of history.
GOD WAS IN CHRIST
2 Corinthians 5:19
“God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself…”
The cross reveals the heart of God.
The purpose was reconciliation.
The purpose was restoration.
The purpose was gathering.
The purpose was union.
God was moving creation toward Himself through Christ.
The Finished Work reveals God’s intention toward creation.
THE RECONCILIATION OF ALL THINGS
Colossians 1:20
“By him to reconcile all things unto himself…”
This verse reaches beyond individual experience.
The cross possesses cosmic implications.
The purpose is larger than personal forgiveness.
The purpose is larger than individual salvation.
The purpose is connected to the gathering together of all things in Christ.
The cross secured the foundation for that purpose.
CHRIST DESTROYED THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL
1 John 3:8
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
Christ did not merely expose the problem.
Christ defeated the problem.
The works of darkness were judged.
The authority of death was challenged.
The kingdom of darkness suffered defeat.
The victory was established.
The Finished Work secured the triumph.
HE SPOILED PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS
Colossians 2:15
“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
The cross was not defeat.
The cross was victory.
The cross was conquest.
The cross was triumph.
The cross was the public declaration that the purpose of God would prevail.
The Finished Work established Christ as victor.
THE VEIL WAS RENT
Matthew 27:51
“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom…”
The veil represented separation.
The veil represented limitation.
The veil represented restricted access.
When the veil was torn, a new administration appeared.
Access was granted.
The way was opened.
The old order was passing away.
The new order was appearing.
A NEW COVENANT WAS ESTABLISHED
Hebrews 8:6
“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry…”
The Finished Work introduced a new covenant.
A better covenant.
Established upon better promises.
The old administration prepared for this moment.
The new administration emerged from this moment.
The ages had reached another major transition.
A NEW PRIESTHOOD APPEARED
Hebrews 7:12
“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”
Aaron’s ministry had fulfilled its purpose.
The Levitical system had fulfilled its purpose.
A greater priesthood now appeared.
A Melchizedek priesthood.
An endless-life priesthood.
A heavenly priesthood.
A priesthood centered in Christ Himself.
THE RESURRECTION CONFIRMED THE WORK
Romans 1:4
“And declared to be the Son of God with power…
By the resurrection from the dead.”
The resurrection became the Father’s witness.
The resurrection became the sign.
The resurrection declared that the sacrifice was accepted.
The resurrection declared that death had been challenged.
The resurrection declared that a new administration had begun.
The resurrection declared that Christ had prevailed.
THE ASCENSION ESTABLISHED THE THRONE
Ephesians 1:20-21
“When he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places…”
The Finished Work did not end at the cross.
The Finished Work moved through resurrection into exaltation.
Christ ascended.
Christ was enthroned.
Christ sat down.
The work was complete.
The King took His seat.
The throne received its rightful occupant.
THE FINISHED WORK IS THE FOUNDATION OF EVERYTHING
The manifestation of the sons of God rests upon the Finished Work.
The redemption of the body rests upon the Finished Work.
The Kingdom rests upon the Finished Work.
The reconciliation of all things rests upon the Finished Work.
The ages to come rest upon the Finished Work.
Everything God administers through the ages is built upon what Christ accomplished.
The legal foundation has already been established.
The remaining ages administer the progressive manifestation of what Christ secured.
THE FINISHED WORK AND THE PLAN OF THE AGES
The Finished Work did not conclude God’s purpose.
The Finished Work secured God’s purpose.
The cross established the legal victory.
The ages administer the unfolding manifestation of that victory.
The Finished Work is the foundation.
The ages are the administration.
The purpose is the destination.
Everything now moves forward from Calvary.
CONCLUSION
The Finished Work of Christ stands at the center of the Plan of the Ages.
The cross fulfilled the Law.
The Lamb fulfilled the sacrifices.
The Son fulfilled the purpose of redemption.
Peace was made.
Reconciliation was secured.
Victory was established.
The veil was removed.
A new covenant appeared.
A new priesthood appeared.
A new administration appeared.
The resurrection became the sign.
The ascension established the throne.
The work was finished.
The foundation was laid.
The next question becomes:
If Christ finished the work and sat down upon the throne, what is the purpose of the present Church Age?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 12:
THE CHURCH AGE
CHAPTER 12
THE CHURCH AGE
Having established the Finished Work of Christ, we now arrive at a crucial question in the Plan of the Ages:
If Christ finished the work, why are the ages continuing?
If the cross secured the victory, why does history continue?
If Christ sat down upon the throne, what is God doing now?
The answer is found in understanding the purpose of the Church Age.
The Church Age is not the destination.
The Church Age is preparation for the destination.
The Church Age is one administration within the Plan of the Ages.
The Church Age exists to administer what Christ accomplished until God’s purpose reaches its appointed fullness.
PENTECOST DID NOT BEGIN THE PURPOSE
One of the greatest mistakes believers make is assuming Pentecost began God’s purpose.
The purpose existed before creation.
The purpose existed before Adam.
The purpose existed before Abraham.
The purpose existed before Moses.
The purpose existed before Pentecost.
Pentecost did not begin the purpose.
Pentecost began a new administration of the purpose.
Acts 2:1
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come…”
Notice the language.
A fullness arrived.
An administration appeared.
A transition occurred.
The purpose continued moving forward.
THE SIGN OF PENTECOST
Every major transition in Scripture possesses a sign.
Passover had blood.
The Exodus had deliverance.
The first coming had prophetic fulfillment.
Pentecost possessed a sign.
Acts 2:3-4
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire…
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.”
The sign testified that a new administration had begun.
The Spirit had been poured out.
The Church Age had arrived.
The promise had entered manifestation.
THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER
Acts 1:4
“Wait for the promise of the Father…”
Pentecost was not an accident.
Pentecost was a promise.
Christ prepared them.
Christ instructed them.
Christ commissioned them.
Then the promise arrived.
This reveals a principle we have seen throughout the Plan of the Ages.
Promise.
Preparation.
Fullness of Time.
Sign.
Administration.
Pentecost perfectly follows the pattern.
THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT
One of the most important revelations concerning the Church Age is found in the word earnest.
Ephesians 1:13-14
“Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession…”
An earnest is a down payment.
An earnest is a pledge.
An earnest is a guarantee.
An earnest is not the fullness.
The Spirit was given as the earnest.
The Spirit was given as the guarantee.
The Spirit was given as the witness of what is to come.
The Church Age is therefore an age of earnest.
An age of preparation.
An age of formation.
An age of growth.
THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
Romans 8:23
“We ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit…”
Notice carefully.
Paul does not say fullness.
Paul says firstfruits.
The Spirit has come.
The Spirit has been poured out.
The Spirit is working.
The Spirit is transforming.
Yet Paul still speaks of firstfruits.
This reveals progression.
This reveals administration.
This reveals that Pentecost itself points beyond Pentecost.
THE CHURCH AGE IS AN AGE OF FORMATION
One of the greatest misunderstandings concerning the Church Age is the idea that its primary purpose is simply to gather converts.
Conversion is important.
Evangelism is important.
Yet Scripture reveals a greater purpose.
Ephesians 4:11-13
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints…
Till we all come…”
Notice the language.
Perfecting.
Growing.
Building.
Maturing.
The Church Age is an age of formation.
God is building something.
God is preparing something.
God is maturing something.
THE PERFECT MAN
Ephesians 4:13
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith…
Unto a perfect man…”
This is one of the great destinations of the Church Age.
The goal is maturity.
The goal is fullness.
The goal is conformity to Christ.
The goal is not perpetual infancy.
The goal is not endless preparation.
The goal is maturity.
The Church Age exists to prepare a people unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
CHRIST IN YOU
Colossians 1:27
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
The Church Age is unique.
Under the Law, Christ was revealed through shadows.
Under Grace, Christ is revealed within.
The Spirit forms Christ within believers.
The Spirit transforms.
The Spirit renews.
The Spirit conforms.
The Spirit prepares.
This inward work becomes one of the defining characteristics of the Church Age.
FROM GLORY TO GLORY
2 Corinthians 3:18
“But we all…
Are changed into the same image from glory to glory…”
Notice the progression.
Not glory to defeat.
Not glory to failure.
Glory to glory.
The Church Age reveals progressive transformation.
The Spirit is actively conforming believers to the image of Christ.
This is not stagnation.
This is growth.
This is preparation.
This is administration.
THE CHURCH AGE REVEALS SONSHIP
Romans 8:14
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
The Spirit introduces sonship.
The Spirit reveals inheritance.
The Spirit reveals relationship.
The Spirit reveals destiny.
The Church Age is not merely producing servants.
The Church Age is preparing sons.
This theme becomes increasingly important as we move deeper into the Plan of the Ages.
THE CHURCH AGE AND CREATION’S GROANING
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Notice something remarkable.
The Spirit has been poured out.
The Church exists.
The gifts exist.
The ministries exist.
Yet creation still waits.
Why?
Because the Church Age is an administration of preparation.
Creation is looking beyond formation toward manifestation.
Creation is waiting for what the Spirit is producing.
THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY
Ephesians 4 reveals one of the great purposes of the Church Age.
Apostles.
Prophets.
Evangelists.
Pastors.
Teachers.
These ministries were given for a purpose.
Not merely activity.
Not merely organization.
Not merely maintenance.
The purpose is maturity.
The purpose is preparation.
The purpose is growth.
The purpose is bringing the saints unto fullness.
The Church Age possesses a ministry suited to its administration.
THE CHURCH AGE IS NOT THE DESTINATION
This is one of the most important revelations in the Plan of the Ages.
The Law was not the destination.
The Church Age is not the destination.
The Church Age serves the purpose.
The Church Age prepares for what follows.
The Church Age is an administration.
The purpose is greater than the administration.
The purpose remains.
The administration advances.
THE CHURCH AGE PREPARES FOR FULLNESS
Everything in the Church Age points toward fullness.
The Spirit points toward fullness.
Sonship points toward fullness.
The gifts point toward fullness.
The ministries point toward fullness.
The earnest points toward fullness.
The firstfruits point toward fullness.
The Church Age is preparing for what God has always purposed.
THE CHURCH AGE AND THE PLAN OF THE AGES
The Church Age occupies a unique place in God’s administration.
The Finished Work established the legal foundation.
The Church Age administers the formation.
The Kingdom reveals manifestation.
The purpose moves toward fulfillment.
Each administration contributes something necessary.
Each administration advances God’s eternal purpose.
CONCLUSION
The Church Age began with Pentecost.
The sign was tongues of fire.
The promise was the Spirit.
The administration was formation.
The Spirit was given as the earnest.
The Spirit was given as firstfruits.
The Spirit was given as the guarantee of what God intends to accomplish.
The Church Age exists to perfect, mature, and prepare a people unto the fullness of Christ.
The Church Age is not the destination.
The Church Age is preparation for manifestation.
The next question becomes:
If the Church Age is preparing a people through the Spirit, what exactly is creation waiting to see?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 13:
THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD
CHAPTER 13
THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD
There is perhaps no greater question concerning this present age than this:
What is God preparing for?
What is the purpose of the Church Age?
What is the purpose of the Spirit?
What is the purpose of the fivefold ministry?
What is the purpose of all this growth, all this maturing, all this preparation?
Romans 8 gives the answer.
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Creation is waiting.
The earth is waiting.
The nations are waiting.
The ages are moving toward a manifestation.
The question is not whether God has sons.
The question is when those sons move from preparation into manifestation.
CREATION IS WAITING FOR A MANIFESTATION
Notice carefully what Paul says.
Creation is not waiting for another promise.
Creation is not waiting for another prophet.
Creation is not waiting for another covenant.
Creation is not waiting for another Pentecost.
Creation is waiting for manifestation.
The promise already exists.
The work is already finished.
The Spirit has already been poured out.
The question now becomes manifestation.
What has been prepared in the invisible must eventually appear in the visible.
THE CHURCH AGE IS AN AGE OF PREPARATION
The Church Age did not begin with manifestation.
It began with preparation.
Acts 2:4
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.”
Pentecost introduced impartation.
Pentecost introduced power.
Pentecost introduced formation.
Pentecost introduced firstfruits.
But Pentecost was never presented as the final destination.
Pentecost was preparation for fullness.
The Church Age is God’s great school of sonship.
The Spirit is forming Christ within His people.
The Spirit is preparing a people for manifestation.
THE PERFECT MAN
Ephesians 4:11-13
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints…
Till we all come…
Unto a perfect man…”
This is one of the clearest statements concerning the purpose of the present age.
The goal is not perpetual infancy.
The goal is maturity.
The goal is fullness.
The goal is a perfect man.
The goal is the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
The fivefold ministry exists because God is preparing something.
The Church Age exists because God is preparing something.
The Spirit is working because God is preparing something.
THE FULLNESS OF TIME
Every promise contains a fullness of time.
The Messiah came in the fullness of time.
Pentecost came in the fullness of time.
Every administration arrives in its appointed season.
The manifestation of the sons of God likewise possesses a fullness of time.
The promise may be ancient.
The manifestation arrives when the appointed season appears.
Jehovah Olam administers every promise according to its fullness of time.
GOD IS A GOD OF FIRSTFRUITS
God never begins with the harvest.
God begins with firstfruits.
Before Israel there was Abraham.
Before the nation there were patriarchs.
Before the harvest there are firstfruits.
Before the many brethren there is the Firstborn.
Romans 8:29
“That he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Christ appeared first.
The harvest follows.
This is the pattern of God throughout Scripture.
THE MANIFESTATION REQUIRES FIRSTFRUITS
The manifestation of the sons of God follows the same divine pattern.
God never begins with the multitude.
God begins with firstfruits.
God never begins with the harvest.
God begins with the first ripe fruit.
Throughout Scripture every major administration begins with a firstfruit company.
Passover had firstfruits.
Pentecost had firstfruits.
The principle remains unchanged.
God reveals the harvest through the firstfruits.
THE SIGN OF MANIFESTATION
Every major transition in Scripture possesses a sign.
Passover had blood.
Pentecost had tongues of fire.
Every administration possesses a witness.
Every transition possesses a testimony.
The sign reveals that preparation has reached fulfillment.
The sign reveals that manifestation has begun.
The sign reveals that God has shifted administrations.
The sign is not the purpose.
The sign confirms the purpose.
FROM PREPARATION TO ADMINISTRATION
One of the great themes of Scripture is the movement from preparation to administration.
Moses prepared Israel.
Joshua administered inheritance.
John prepared the way.
Christ administered the Kingdom.
The Church Age prepares.
Manifestation introduces administration.
This pattern appears repeatedly throughout Scripture.
God prepares.
God manifests.
God administers.
MANY SONS UNTO GLORY
Hebrews 2:10
“For it became him…
In bringing many sons unto glory.”
Notice the destination.
Glory.
Not merely forgiveness.
Not merely conversion.
Not merely participation.
Glory.
The purpose that existed before the foundation of the world moves toward glory.
The ages are administering that purpose.
The Spirit is preparing that purpose.
The manifestation reveals that purpose.
THE GREAT OBJECTIVE OF THIS AGE
The Church Age is not the final objective.
The Spirit is not the final objective.
The fivefold ministry is not the final objective.
The objective is what these things are producing.
The objective is mature sonship.
The objective is conformity to Christ.
The objective is manifestation.
The objective is bringing many sons unto glory.
Everything in this age serves that purpose.
CREATION’S EXPECTATION
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Creation has not lost its expectation.
Creation still waits.
Creation still groans.
Creation still looks toward fulfillment.
The Spirit prepares.
The Church prepares.
The ministries prepare.
The ages prepare.
Everything moves toward manifestation.
Everything moves toward maturity.
Everything moves toward the unveiling of what God purposed before the foundation of the world.
CONCLUSION
The manifestation of the sons of God stands at the center of the purpose of this present age.
The Church Age is preparing for it.
The Spirit is preparing for it.
The ministries are preparing for it.
The firstfruits principle points toward it.
The fullness of time governs it.
Creation waits for it.
The ages advance toward it.
The great question is no longer whether God has promised sonship.
The question is:
What does manifested sonship look like when it appears?
That question leads us directly into the next chapter:
THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY
CHAPTER 14
THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY
Having established the manifestation of the sons of God as one of the great objectives of this present age, we now arrive at one of the most misunderstood promises in all of Scripture:
The Redemption of the Body.
Most believers understand the redemption of the soul.
Many understand forgiveness.
Many understand justification.
Many understand reconciliation.
Yet when Paul begins speaking about the redemption of the body, many become uncertain.
Why?
Because the redemption of the body belongs to the larger revelation of God’s eternal purpose.
The redemption of the body cannot be understood apart from sonship.
The redemption of the body cannot be understood apart from firstfruits.
The redemption of the body cannot be understood apart from the manifestation of the sons of God.
The redemption of the body cannot be understood apart from the Plan of the Ages.
PAUL PLACES THE BODY IN THE FUTURE PURPOSE OF GOD
Romans 8:23
“And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit…
Waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
Notice carefully.
Paul is writing to Spirit-filled believers.
They already possess the Spirit.
They already possess firstfruits.
They already possess life.
Yet Paul says they are waiting.
Waiting for what?
The redemption of the body.
This reveals a distinction.
The Spirit has already been given.
The body remains part of the unfolding purpose.
THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
Romans 8:23
“We ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit…”
Notice the language.
Firstfruits.
Not fullness.
Firstfruits reveal beginning.
Firstfruits reveal promise.
Firstfruits reveal harvest to come.
The Spirit within believers becomes a witness of God’s future intention.
The Spirit is not merely evidence of salvation.
The Spirit is evidence of destiny.
The Spirit reveals where God is taking creation.
THE BODY WAS NOT EXCLUDED FROM REDEMPTION
One of the greatest errors in Christian thought is limiting redemption to the soul.
God created man spirit, soul, and body.
The Fall affected spirit, soul, and body.
Mortality entered the body.
Corruption entered the body.
Death entered the body.
If redemption is to fully address the Fall, redemption must ultimately address everything affected by the Fall.
THE BODY AND THE FALL
Genesis 3:19
“For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”
This became the testimony of mortality.
Dust returning to dust.
Corruption returning to corruption.
Death reigning through Adam.
The body became subject to mortality.
The body became subject to corruption.
The body became subject to decay.
This condition became the common experience of humanity.
CREATION’S GREAT ENEMY
1 Corinthians 15:26
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
Notice carefully.
Death is called an enemy.
Death is not presented as the goal.
Death is not presented as the fulfillment.
Death is presented as the enemy.
The Plan of the Ages is moving toward the overthrow of death itself.
This places bodily redemption at the center of God’s purpose.
THE QUICKENING OF THE MORTAL BODY
Romans 8:11
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you…
He shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
This is one of the most remarkable promises in Scripture.
Paul does not mention dead bodies.
Paul mentions mortal bodies.
Bodies presently subject to mortality.
Bodies presently subject to corruption.
Bodies presently subject to death.
The Spirit is presented as the answer.
The same Spirit that raised Christ is working toward God’s ultimate purpose.
THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY IS A MANIFESTATION
The redemption of the body is not merely a doctrine.
The redemption of the body is a manifestation.
The redemption of the body is not merely a theological concept.
The redemption of the body is a reality that must eventually appear.
The promise must become visible.
The purpose must become visible.
The manifestation must eventually appear within history.
WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP
1 Corinthians 15:51
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.”
Paul calls this a mystery.
A mystery hidden.
A mystery revealed.
A mystery connected to change.
The mystery points toward transformation.
The mystery points toward manifestation.
The mystery points toward the ultimate victory of life over death.
THIS MORTAL MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY
1 Corinthians 15:53
“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
Notice Paul’s language.
Corruption.
Incorruption.
Mortality.
Immortality.
These are not abstract concepts.
These are conditions.
These are states of being.
Paul is revealing the direction of redemption.
Life overcoming death.
Incorruption overcoming corruption.
Immortality overcoming mortality.
MORTALITY SWALLOWED UP OF LIFE
2 Corinthians 5:4
“That mortality might be swallowed up of life.”
This may be one of the most astonishing statements in Scripture.
Not life swallowed up by mortality.
Mortality swallowed up by life.
The direction is clear.
The purpose is clear.
The victory is clear.
Life is the destination.
Life is the objective.
Life is the triumph.
THE BODY OF HIS GLORY
Philippians 3:20-21
“Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body…”
Paul once again directs attention to the body.
Not merely the soul.
Not merely the spirit.
The body.
The pattern remains Christ.
The standard remains Christ.
The purpose remains Christ.
The body itself is brought into view.
THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY AND SONSHIP
Romans 8 places these themes together.
Sonship.
Manifestation.
Creation’s expectation.
Redemption of the body.
These are not disconnected subjects.
They belong together.
Paul presents them as part of one unfolding purpose.
One administration.
One movement toward fulfillment.
THE SIGN OF FULLNESS
Throughout Scripture every administration possesses a sign.
Passover possessed blood.
Pentecost possessed tongues of fire.
Every transition possesses a witness.
Every transition possesses a testimony.
The sign reveals that a new administration has appeared.
The sign reveals that preparation has reached fulfillment.
The sign reveals that manifestation has begun.
The redemption of the body therefore occupies a unique place in the discussion of fullness.
Because bodily redemption is not merely preparation.
Bodily redemption is manifestation.
It is visible.
It is experiential.
It is a testimony.
It is a witness.
THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY AND THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Passover revealed redemption.
Pentecost revealed impartation.
Tabernacles reveals fullness.
Throughout Scripture, fullness is associated with completion.
Harvest.
Inheritance.
Fulfillment.
Manifestation.
The redemption of the body belongs within this larger framework of fullness.
The promise moves toward manifestation.
The firstfruits move toward harvest.
The earnest moves toward fullness.
THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY AND CREATION’S LIBERTY
Romans 8:21
“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
Notice the connection.
Corruption.
Liberty.
Children of God.
Manifestation.
Creation’s future is tied to God’s purpose in sonship.
Creation’s hope is connected to the revealing of what God has prepared.
THE PLAN OF THE AGES MOVES TOWARD LIFE
From Genesis onward, death appears as the enemy.
Life appears as the answer.
The Tree of Life appears in Genesis.
The River of Life appears in Revelation.
Life stands at the beginning.
Life stands at the end.
The purpose has never changed.
The ages are moving toward the triumph of life.
CONCLUSION
The redemption of the body stands as one of the great promises of Scripture.
The Spirit has been given as firstfruits.
The body awaits redemption.
Creation waits for manifestation.
Mortality awaits life.
Corruption awaits incorruption.
The promise awaits fulfillment.
The redemption of the body is not an isolated doctrine.
It belongs to the larger revelation of sonship, manifestation, firstfruits, fullness, and the eternal purpose of God.
The Plan of the Ages is moving toward the victory of life over death and the fulfillment of what God purposed before the foundation of the world.
The next question becomes:
If the redemption of the body is connected to maturity, manifestation, and fullness, what does Scripture mean when it speaks of the Perfect Man?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 15:
THE PERFECT MAN
CHAPTER 15
THE PERFECT MAN
As we continue following the unfolding purpose of God through the ages, we arrive at one of the most extraordinary promises in the New Testament:
The Perfect Man.
This promise stands at the center of the Church Age.
This promise stands at the center of sonship.
This promise stands at the center of maturity.
This promise stands at the center of manifestation.
The question is not whether God desires maturity.
The question is whether God will accomplish what He promised.
If God promised a Perfect Man, then the Plan of the Ages must ultimately produce a Perfect Man.
THE PURPOSE OF THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY
Ephesians 4:11-13
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints…
Till we all come…
Unto a perfect man…”
Notice carefully.
The fivefold ministry was not given merely to maintain churches.
The fivefold ministry was not given merely to hold meetings.
The fivefold ministry was not given merely to increase knowledge.
The fivefold ministry was given for one great objective:
The Perfect Man.
This is the destination of the administration.
This is the purpose of the ministry.
This is the goal of the age.
TILL WE ALL COME
Ephesians 4:13
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith…”
The word “till” is important.
Till means destination.
Till means completion.
Till means fulfillment.
Till means arrival.
The Church Age possesses an objective.
The Spirit possesses an objective.
The ministries possess an objective.
The objective is maturity.
The objective is fullness.
The objective is the Perfect Man.
THE MEASURE OF THE STATURE
Ephesians 4:13
“Unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
Notice the standard.
Not the measure of Moses.
Not the measure of Elijah.
Not the measure of David.
The measure of the fullness of Christ.
Christ becomes the standard.
Christ becomes the pattern.
Christ becomes the revelation of maturity.
Everything in this age is moving toward conformity to Christ.
THE PERFECT MAN IS CHRIST-CENTERED
The Perfect Man is not human achievement.
The Perfect Man is Christ revealed.
The Perfect Man is Christ formed.
The Perfect Man is Christ expressed.
Galatians 4:19
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.”
The Spirit forms Christ.
The ministries reveal Christ.
The purpose manifests Christ.
Everything points toward Christ.
THE PERFECT MAN AND GENESIS
The Perfect Man did not begin in Ephesians.
The Perfect Man began in Genesis.
Genesis 1:26
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”
Image.
Likeness.
Dominion.
The purpose has never changed.
The Perfect Man is the fulfillment of what God intended from the beginning.
The ages administer what God purposed in Genesis.
THE PERFECT MAN AND ROMANS 8
Romans 8:29
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
Again the purpose appears.
Conformed.
Image.
Son.
Christ.
The destination remains unchanged.
God is moving creation toward conformity to Christ.
The Perfect Man is the visible expression of that conformity.
THE PERFECT MAN AND SONSHIP
Children possess life.
Sons possess maturity.
The Church Age introduces sonship.
The Perfect Man reveals mature sonship.
The Spirit produces growth.
The Spirit produces maturity.
The Spirit produces conformity.
The Spirit prepares sons for manifestation.
The Perfect Man reveals what mature sonship looks like.
THE PERFECT MAN AND FIRSTFRUITS
God never begins with the harvest.
God begins with firstfruits.
Every administration reveals firstfruits.
Every harvest begins with firstfruits.
The Perfect Man follows the same divine pattern.
The firstfruits reveal the harvest.
The firstfruits reveal the destination.
The firstfruits reveal what follows.
This is the nature of God.
THE PERFECT MAN AND THE FULLNESS OF TIME
Every promise possesses a fullness of time.
Christ appeared in the fullness of time.
Pentecost arrived in the fullness of time.
Every administration reaches its appointed season.
Likewise, the promise of the Perfect Man possesses a fullness of time.
The purpose may be ancient.
The manifestation arrives in its appointed season.
Jehovah Olam governs every promise through fullness of time.
THE PERFECT MAN AND THE BODY OF CHRIST
Ephesians does not merely speak of individuals.
Ephesians speaks corporately.
One body.
One faith.
One Spirit.
One Lord.
One hope.
One God and Father of all.
The Perfect Man is presented corporately.
A mature people.
A mature body.
A mature expression of Christ within the earth.
The purpose moves beyond isolated individuals toward corporate maturity.
THE PERFECT MAN AND THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS
Romans 8 reveals manifestation.
Ephesians 4 reveals maturity.
These themes belong together.
Manifestation requires maturity.
Manifestation requires sonship.
Manifestation requires preparation.
The Perfect Man becomes the bridge between formation and manifestation.
The Church Age prepares.
The Perfect Man appears.
The administration advances.
THE PERFECT MAN AND THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY
The redemption of the body and the Perfect Man are closely connected.
The purpose of God is not partial.
The purpose of God is complete.
Spirit.
Soul.
Body.
The Fall affected all three.
The purpose addresses all three.
The Perfect Man reveals the completeness of God’s intention.
The purpose moves toward wholeness.
The purpose moves toward fullness.
The purpose moves toward manifestation.
THE PERFECT MAN AND THE KINGDOM
The Kingdom requires maturity.
The Kingdom requires sons.
The Kingdom requires administration.
The Kingdom requires those who have been prepared through the ages.
The Perfect Man becomes a revelation of Kingdom maturity.
The Perfect Man becomes a revelation of Kingdom administration.
The Perfect Man becomes a revelation of the increase of Christ within creation.
THE PERFECT MAN AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGE
The purpose of this age is not merely attendance.
The purpose of this age is not merely information.
The purpose of this age is not merely activity.
The purpose of this age is transformation.
The purpose of this age is maturity.
The purpose of this age is conformity.
The purpose of this age is sonship.
The purpose of this age is the Perfect Man.
Everything in this administration serves that objective.
THE SIGN OF MATURITY
Every administration possesses a sign.
Passover possessed blood.
Pentecost possessed tongues of fire.
Every transition possesses a witness.
Every manifestation possesses a testimony.
The sign reveals that preparation has accomplished its purpose.
The sign reveals that maturity has appeared.
The sign reveals that a new administration has begun.
Throughout Scripture, God confirms His transitions with visible witnesses.
THE PERFECT MAN AND THE PLAN OF THE AGES
The Perfect Man is not an isolated doctrine.
The Perfect Man belongs to the Plan of the Ages.
The purpose was established before creation.
The throne governs the purpose.
The ages administer the purpose.
Christ reveals the purpose.
The Spirit prepares the purpose.
The Perfect Man manifests the purpose.
Everything is moving toward the fulfillment of what God intended from the beginning.
CONCLUSION
The Perfect Man stands as one of the great promises of Scripture.
The fivefold ministry points toward it.
The Spirit prepares for it.
Sonship moves toward it.
Manifestation reveals it.
The ages administer it.
The Perfect Man is the mature expression of Christ within a prepared people.
The Perfect Man reveals the fulfillment of image, likeness, sonship, maturity, and conformity to Christ.
The purpose that began in Genesis continues moving toward manifestation.
The next question becomes:
If the Perfect Man represents maturity and fullness, what feast in Scripture most clearly reveals this state of completion?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 16:
THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
CHAPTER 16
THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Having examined the Perfect Man, we now arrive at one of the most profound revelations in all of Scripture:
The Feast of Tabernacles.
Of the three great feasts given to Israel, none reaches higher than Tabernacles.
Passover reveals redemption.
Pentecost reveals impartation.
Tabernacles reveals fullness.
The progression is intentional.
The progression is divine.
The progression reveals the administration of God’s purpose through the ages.
Passover is not the end.
Pentecost is not the end.
The purpose moves toward fullness.
The purpose moves toward Tabernacles.
THE THREE GREAT FEASTS
Deuteronomy 16:16
“Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God…”
God established three major feast seasons.
Passover.
Pentecost.
Tabernacles.
These were more than Jewish celebrations.
These were prophetic revelations.
These feasts reveal the progressive unfolding of God’s purpose.
The feasts reveal redemption.
The feasts reveal growth.
The feasts reveal maturity.
The feasts reveal the journey from beginning to fullness.
PASSOVER REVEALS REDEMPTION
The blood upon the doorposts became the sign.
Exodus 12:13
“And the blood shall be to you for a token…”
Passover reveals deliverance.
Passover reveals salvation.
Passover reveals separation from Egypt.
Passover reveals the beginning of the journey.
A redeemed people emerge.
The journey begins.
PENTECOST REVEALS IMPARTATION
Acts 2:1
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come…”
Pentecost reveals the gift of the Spirit.
Pentecost reveals empowerment.
Pentecost reveals firstfruits.
Pentecost reveals formation.
Tongues of fire become the sign.
The Spirit begins preparing a people.
The journey continues.
TABERNACLES REVEALS FULLNESS
Unlike Passover and Pentecost, Tabernacles appears at the completion of harvest.
Exodus 23:16
“And the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year…”
Notice the language.
Ingathering.
Completion.
Harvest.
Fullness.
Tabernacles stands at the end of the process.
Tabernacles reveals completion.
Tabernacles reveals maturity.
Tabernacles reveals fulfillment.
THE FEAST OF INGATHERING
Tabernacles is repeatedly associated with harvest.
Gathering.
Increase.
Completion.
Fulfillment.
The symbolism is unmistakable.
God is revealing the conclusion of a process.
God is revealing the maturity of a people.
God is revealing the fulfillment of purpose.
What began in seed reaches harvest.
What began in promise reaches manifestation.
THE LAST OF THE THREE FEASTS
The order matters.
Passover first.
Pentecost second.
Tabernacles third.
Redemption.
Impartation.
Fullness.
Justification.
Formation.
Manifestation.
Beginning.
Growth.
Completion.
The sequence reveals divine administration.
The sequence reveals the Plan of the Ages.
THE FEAST OF FULLNESS
Tabernacles reveals fullness.
Not merely blessing.
Not merely increase.
Fullness.
This is why Tabernacles occupies such a unique place in Scripture.
The feast points beyond beginning.
The feast points beyond preparation.
The feast points toward completion.
The feast points toward maturity.
The feast points toward manifestation.
THE FULLNESS OF TIME
Every promise possesses a fullness of time.
Christ appeared in the fullness of time.
Pentecost arrived in the fullness of time.
Likewise, fullness itself possesses an appointed season.
God administers purpose through ages.
God administers manifestation through fullness of time.
Tabernacles becomes one of the clearest prophetic pictures of that principle.
THE FEAST AND THE PERFECT MAN
Ephesians 4:13
“Unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
Notice the language.
Fullness.
Maturity.
Completion.
The Perfect Man and Tabernacles speak the same language.
Both point toward maturity.
Both point toward fulfillment.
Both point toward completion.
Both point toward the realization of God’s purpose.
THE FEAST AND SONSHIP
Romans 8 reveals the manifestation of sons.
Tabernacles reveals maturity.
Sonship reveals inheritance.
Tabernacles reveals fulfillment.
The themes belong together.
The Spirit prepares sons.
The age prepares sons.
The ministries prepare sons.
Tabernacles reveals mature sonship.
THE FEAST AND FIRSTFRUITS
Every administration possesses firstfruits.
Passover possesses firstfruits.
Pentecost possesses firstfruits.
The principle remains unchanged.
Tabernacles also reveals firstfruits.
God never begins with the harvest.
God begins with the first ripe fruit.
The firstfruits reveal the harvest.
The firstfruits reveal the direction of purpose.
The firstfruits reveal the certainty of fulfillment.
THE FEAST AND MANIFESTATION
Tabernacles is not merely about preparation.
Tabernacles reveals manifestation.
Passover reveals redemption.
Pentecost reveals formation.
Tabernacles reveals manifestation.
The feast speaks of what becomes visible.
The feast speaks of what appears.
The feast speaks of fulfillment entering history.
THE FEAST AND THE KINGDOM
Luke 12:32
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
The Kingdom and Tabernacles are closely connected.
The Kingdom reveals administration.
The Kingdom reveals inheritance.
The Kingdom reveals mature participation in divine purpose.
Tabernacles reveals a people prepared for administration.
The feast reveals maturity entering function.
THE FEAST AND THE THRONE
The throne governs every administration.
The throne governs every age.
The throne governs every manifestation.
Tabernacles does not replace the throne.
Tabernacles reveals the increase of the throne’s purpose.
The feast reveals the advancement of divine administration.
The throne remains central.
The purpose remains unchanged.
The manifestation increases.
THE FEAST AND THE SIGN
Every major transition possesses a sign.
Passover possessed blood.
Pentecost possessed tongues of fire.
Every administration possesses a witness.
Every administration possesses a testimony.
The sign reveals that the administration has changed.
The sign reveals that preparation has reached fulfillment.
The sign reveals that a new stage of purpose has appeared.
Throughout Scripture God confirms transitions with signs.
The feast therefore directs attention toward manifestation rather than mere theory.
THE FEAST AND THE HARVEST
The imagery of Tabernacles is harvest imagery.
Completion.
Gathering.
Increase.
Fulfillment.
This language appears throughout Scripture.
God is not merely planting.
God is harvesting.
God is not merely promising.
God is fulfilling.
God is not merely beginning.
God is completing.
Tabernacles reveals harvest.
THE FEAST AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGE
The Church Age prepares.
The Spirit prepares.
The ministries prepare.
The purpose moves toward maturity.
The purpose moves toward fullness.
The purpose moves toward manifestation.
Tabernacles becomes one of the clearest prophetic pictures of where the present administration is heading.
The feast reveals destination.
The feast reveals completion.
The feast reveals fulfillment.
THE FEAST AND THE PLAN OF THE AGES
The Plan of the Ages moves progressively.
Promise.
Preparation.
Firstfruits.
Manifestation.
Harvest.
Fulfillment.
Tabernacles stands near the culmination of this progression.
The feast reveals what God has been working toward throughout the ages.
The feast reveals fullness.
The feast reveals maturity.
The feast reveals the completion of a process that began long before creation itself.
CONCLUSION
The Feast of Tabernacles stands as the great feast of fullness.
Passover reveals redemption.
Pentecost reveals impartation.
Tabernacles reveals completion.
The feast points toward maturity.
The feast points toward harvest.
The feast points toward manifestation.
The feast points toward fulfillment.
The feast points toward the realization of God’s eternal purpose within a prepared people.
The Spirit prepares.
The ages prepare.
The ministries prepare.
The throne governs.
The purpose advances.
The feast reveals fullness.
The next question becomes:
If Tabernacles reveals fullness and manifestation, who is the corporate company revealed in Scripture as the firstfruits of that fullness?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 17:
THE MYSTERY OF THE MAN-CHILD
CHAPTER 17
THE MYSTERY OF THE MAN-CHILD
Having examined the Feast of Tabernacles and the revelation of fullness, we now arrive at one of the most discussed and misunderstood symbols in the entire Book of Revelation:
The Man-Child.
For generations believers have debated the identity of the Man-Child.
Some see Christ alone.
Others see the Church.
Others see a future company of overcomers.
Yet regardless of interpretation, one thing is certain:
The Man-Child appears at a critical moment in God’s administration.
The Man-Child appears during transition.
The Man-Child appears during conflict.
The Man-Child appears immediately before a major advancement in divine purpose.
The timing is not accidental.
The placement is not accidental.
The symbolism is not accidental.
THE WOMAN AND THE MAN-CHILD
Revelation 12:1-5
“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.”
This is one of the most remarkable passages in Revelation.
A woman appears.
A birth appears.
A child appears.
A throne appears.
A kingdom appears.
A transition appears.
Everything in the chapter speaks of movement.
Everything speaks of manifestation.
Everything speaks of purpose advancing.
THE PRINCIPLE OF BIRTH
Throughout Scripture, God reveals new administrations through birth.
Isaac was born.
Israel was born.
Moses was born.
Christ was born.
Every major transition carries birth imagery.
Why?
Because birth reveals manifestation.
What was hidden becomes visible.
What was conceived becomes manifest.
What was promised enters history.
The Man-Child follows this same divine pattern.
THE MAN-CHILD APPEARS AT THE TIME OF FULLNESS
Every promise possesses a fullness of time.
Christ appeared in the fullness of time.
Pentecost arrived in its appointed season.
Likewise, birth itself possesses a fullness of time.
A child may be conceived long before it appears.
A promise may exist long before it manifests.
Galatians 4:4
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son…”
The principle remains unchanged.
Conception.
Formation.
Fullness.
Birth.
Manifestation.
The Man-Child appears within this framework.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE PERFECT MAN
Ephesians 4:13
“Till we all come…
Unto a perfect man…”
Notice the language.
Perfect Man.
Maturity.
Fullness.
Completion.
The Man-Child appears after a period of preparation.
The Perfect Man appears after a period of preparation.
Both reveal maturity.
Both reveal fulfillment.
Both reveal the completion of a process.
The connection is impossible to ignore.
THE MAN-CHILD AND SONSHIP
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
The Man-Child and manifested sonship belong to the same family of revelation.
Both involve manifestation.
Both involve maturity.
Both involve purpose advancing.
Both involve transition.
Creation waits for manifestation.
Revelation reveals a birth.
The themes converge.
THE MAN-CHILD AND FIRSTFRUITS
God never begins with the harvest.
God begins with firstfruits.
This principle governs every administration.
Christ appeared as Firstfruits.
The Spirit was given as firstfruits.
Every harvest begins with firstfruits.
The Man-Child appears as a first manifestation before wider administration unfolds.
This pattern is consistent with the nature of God throughout Scripture.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE THRONE
Revelation 12:5
“And her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.”
Notice the destination.
The throne.
Not merely heaven.
The throne.
Government.
Authority.
Administration.
Purpose.
The throne has been central throughout the Plan of the Ages.
The throne existed before creation.
The throne governs the ages.
The throne governs manifestation.
The throne governs sonship.
The appearance of the throne in Revelation 12 is therefore highly significant.
THE MAN-CHILD AND KINGDOM ADMINISTRATION
The child is connected with ruling.
Revelation 12:5
“Who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.”
The language is governmental.
The language is administrative.
The language is kingdom language.
This is not merely about existence.
This is about administration.
This is about participation in divine purpose.
This is about the increase of God’s government.
THE MAN-CHILD AND TABERNACLES
The Feast of Tabernacles reveals fullness.
The Feast of Tabernacles reveals harvest.
The Feast of Tabernacles reveals completion.
The Man-Child appears in a context of manifestation.
The Man-Child appears in a context of maturity.
The Man-Child appears in a context of fulfillment.
The themes are remarkably similar.
Tabernacles reveals fullness.
Birth reveals manifestation.
Both reveal completion.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE SIGN OF TRANSITION
Every major transition in Scripture possesses a sign.
Passover possessed blood.
Pentecost possessed tongues of fire.
The birth of Christ possessed signs.
Every administration possesses a witness.
The Man-Child appears as a sign of transition.
The appearance of the child reveals that preparation has reached fulfillment.
The appearance of the child reveals that a new administration is emerging.
The appearance of the child reveals that God’s purpose is advancing.
THE WAR IN HEAVEN
Immediately following the appearance of the Man-Child, Revelation records conflict.
Revelation 12:7
“And there was war in heaven…”
Throughout Scripture, major transitions are often accompanied by conflict.
Moses confronted Pharaoh.
David confronted Goliath.
Christ confronted darkness.
The advancement of purpose frequently exposes opposition.
The conflict does not stop the purpose.
The conflict reveals the purpose is advancing.
THE MAN-CHILD AND OVERCOMING
Revelation 12:11
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb…”
The chapter emphasizes overcoming.
Victory.
Triumph.
Advancement.
The Man-Child appears within a context of overcoming.
This is not a picture of defeat.
This is a picture of purpose advancing.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE PLAN OF THE AGES
The Man-Child does not appear in isolation.
The Man-Child belongs to a larger story.
The eternal purpose established before creation.
The throne governing the ages.
The promise of restoration.
The principle of firstfruits.
The coming of Christ.
The Finished Work.
The Church Age.
The manifestation of the sons of God.
The redemption of the body.
The Perfect Man.
The Feast of Tabernacles.
All of these themes converge as the story moves toward fulfillment.
THE MAN-CHILD AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGE
What is God preparing for in this present age?
This question runs through the entire book.
The Spirit is preparing.
The ministries are preparing.
The Church Age is preparing.
The ages are preparing.
The purpose is moving toward manifestation.
The purpose is moving toward maturity.
The purpose is moving toward fulfillment.
The Man-Child appears as one of the great symbols of that advancement.
THE MYSTERY OF THE MAN-CHILD
The mystery is not merely the identity of the child.
The mystery is the purpose revealed through the child.
Birth.
Manifestation.
Maturity.
Government.
Authority.
Administration.
The child becomes a prophetic picture of purpose advancing from preparation into manifestation.
CONCLUSION
The Man-Child stands as one of the most powerful symbols in the Book of Revelation.
The child appears through birth.
The child appears at a moment of transition.
The child appears in connection with the throne.
The child appears in connection with government.
The child appears in connection with overcoming.
The child appears in connection with manifestation.
The themes of firstfruits, sonship, maturity, fullness, and administration all converge in this remarkable symbol.
The purpose that began before the foundation of the world continues moving toward fulfillment.
The next question becomes:
If the Man-Child is connected to government, authority, and participation in divine administration, what priesthood is capable of administering that purpose?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 18:
THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
CHAPTER 18
THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
Having examined the mystery of the Man-Child, we now arrive at one of the most important revelations in the entire Plan of the Ages:
The Melchizedek Priesthood.
Few subjects reveal the transition of administrations more clearly than the priesthood.
Whenever God changes priesthoods, He changes administrations.
Whenever God changes priesthoods, He changes ministries.
Whenever God changes priesthoods, He changes laws.
Whenever God changes priesthoods, He advances His purpose.
The priesthood reveals what God is doing in an age.
The priesthood reveals the mandate of an age.
The priesthood reveals the administration of an age.
To understand the consummation of this age, we must understand the Melchizedek Priesthood.
THE FIRST APPEARANCE OF MELCHIZEDEK
Genesis 14:18
“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.”
Melchizedek appears suddenly.
No genealogy.
No recorded beginning.
No recorded ending.
No explanation.
No preparation.
He simply appears.
A king.
A priest.
A mysterious figure standing in the middle of Abraham’s story.
The first appearance is brief.
The significance is enormous.
KING AND PRIEST
The first thing Scripture reveals about Melchizedek is that he is both king and priest.
King of Salem.
Priest of the Most High God.
This combination is extraordinary.
Under the Law these offices were separated.
Kings ruled.
Priests ministered.
Yet Melchizedek reveals both functions united in one administration.
Government.
Priesthood.
Authority.
Ministry.
Together.
BEFORE THE LAW
One of the most remarkable things about Melchizedek is where he appears.
He appears before Moses.
Before Aaron.
Before the tabernacle.
Before sacrifices.
Before the Levitical system.
Before the Law.
The Melchizedek Priesthood predates the Law.
This is extremely important.
The priesthood existed before Sinai.
The priesthood existed before Aaron.
The priesthood existed before Levitical administration.
A GREATER PRIESTHOOD
Psalm 110:4
“The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
David writes these words centuries after Abraham.
Notice carefully.
God does not point forward to Aaron.
God points back to Melchizedek.
The future purpose of God is connected to a greater priesthood.
A priesthood beyond Levi.
A priesthood beyond the Law.
A priesthood beyond shadows.
CHRIST THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIEST
Hebrews 5:6
“Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”
The writer of Hebrews makes the connection unmistakable.
Christ is not presented as an Aaronic priest.
Christ is presented as a Melchizedek priest.
This changes everything.
The priesthood changes.
The administration changes.
The ministry changes.
The age advances.
THE CHANGE OF PRIESTHOOD
Hebrews 7:12
“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”
This is one of the most important transition verses in Scripture.
A change of priesthood.
A change of law.
A change of administration.
A change of ministry.
God is revealing how He advances His purpose through the ages.
The Law fulfilled its purpose.
The Aaronic priesthood fulfilled its purpose.
A greater administration appeared.
TELL AARON TO TAKE OFF HIS GARMENTS
Numbers 20:28
“And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son…”
This event is profoundly symbolic.
The garments changed.
The ministry changed.
The administration changed.
The priesthood continued.
The man changed.
The garments changed.
The administration advanced.
Throughout Scripture God continually reveals transition through priesthood.
The garments testify that administrations change while purpose remains.
THE LAW FULFILLED ITS PURPOSE
Galatians 3:24
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.”
The Law was not failure.
The Law was preparation.
The sacrifices were not failure.
The sacrifices were preparation.
The priesthood was not failure.
The priesthood was preparation.
Everything pointed toward Christ.
Everything pointed toward a greater priesthood.
Everything pointed toward fulfillment.
THE POWER OF AN ENDLESS LIFE
Hebrews 7:16
“Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.”
This may be the defining characteristic of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Not genealogy.
Not lineage.
Not earthly descent.
The power of an endless life.
This priesthood is rooted in life.
This priesthood is rooted in resurrection.
This priesthood is rooted in the victory of Christ.
THE PRIESTHOOD OF THIS PRESENT AGE
The Church Age introduced the reality of this priesthood.
Christ became High Priest.
Christ entered the heavenly sanctuary.
Christ sat down upon the throne.
Christ ministers continually.
Hebrews reveals that a new priesthood has already appeared.
The old administration has passed.
The new administration has begun.
KINGS AND PRIESTS
Revelation 5:10
“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Notice the language.
Kings.
Priests.
Government.
Ministry.
Authority.
Service.
The same dual reality revealed in Melchizedek.
The same dual reality revealed in Christ.
The same dual reality revealed in the Kingdom.
THE MELCHIZEDEK ORDER AND SONSHIP
The Melchizedek Priesthood belongs to mature administration.
Children require tutors.
Sons enter inheritance.
Children are prepared.
Sons administer.
The Melchizedek Priesthood reveals mature participation in the purpose of God.
The priesthood reveals sonship entering function.
THE MELCHIZEDEK ORDER AND THE THRONE
The throne and priesthood cannot be separated.
The throne governs.
The priesthood administers.
The throne establishes purpose.
The priesthood carries out purpose.
Christ is both King and Priest.
The throne and priesthood unite in Him.
The administration of the ages flows from this reality.
THE MELCHIZEDEK ORDER AND THE KINGDOM
The Kingdom is not merely authority.
The Kingdom is administration.
The Kingdom is participation.
The Kingdom is mature sonship functioning under divine government.
The Melchizedek Priesthood reveals the priestly dimension of Kingdom administration.
The throne and priesthood work together.
Government and ministry work together.
Purpose advances.
THE MELCHIZEDEK ORDER AND THE MANIFESTATION OF SONS
Romans 8 reveals manifested sons.
Hebrews reveals a Melchizedek priesthood.
The themes belong together.
Manifestation speaks of maturity.
Priesthood speaks of administration.
Sonship speaks of inheritance.
The Plan of the Ages moves from preparation toward administration.
The Melchizedek Priesthood reveals mature participation in God’s purpose.
THE MELCHIZEDEK ORDER AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGE
What is God preparing for?
This question has followed us throughout the book.
The Spirit prepares.
The ministries prepare.
The Church Age prepares.
The purpose moves toward maturity.
The purpose moves toward manifestation.
The purpose moves toward administration.
The Melchizedek Priesthood reveals the nature of that administration.
THE SIGN OF A NEW PRIESTHOOD
Every administration possesses a sign.
Passover possessed blood.
Pentecost possessed tongues of fire.
Every priesthood possesses a witness.
Every transition possesses a testimony.
The change of priesthood reveals the change of administration.
The appearance of a new priesthood reveals that God’s purpose has advanced.
The sign confirms the transition.
The transition reveals the administration.
THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD AND THE PLAN OF THE AGES
The Melchizedek Priesthood stands near the culmination of many themes we have followed.
The throne.
The purpose.
The firstfruits.
The manifestation of sons.
The Perfect Man.
The Feast of Tabernacles.
The Man-Child.
The Kingdom.
All of these streams converge.
The Melchizedek Priesthood reveals mature participation in the administration of God’s eternal purpose.
CONCLUSION
The Melchizedek Priesthood is greater than the Law.
Greater than Aaron.
Greater than Levi.
Greater than earthly administration.
It is the priesthood of Christ.
A priesthood rooted in endless life.
A priesthood joining kingship and priesthood.
A priesthood joining government and ministry.
A priesthood revealing mature participation in God’s purpose.
The Law prepared for it.
The prophets pointed toward it.
Christ established it.
The ages advance through it.
The next question becomes:
If the Melchizedek Priesthood reveals mature administration, what event marks the great transition from preparation into the fulfillment of this present age?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 19:
THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS AGE
CHAPTER 19
THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS AGE
Throughout this book we have followed one central question:
What is God doing in this age?
What is God preparing for?
What is the purpose of the Church Age?
What is the purpose of sonship?
What is the purpose of the Spirit?
What is the purpose of the fivefold ministry?
What is the purpose of the Feast of Tabernacles?
What is the purpose of the Man-Child?
What is the purpose of the Melchizedek Priesthood?
All of these questions lead to one destination:
The Consummation of This Age.
The consummation is not merely the ending of an age.
The consummation is the fulfillment of an age.
The consummation is the completion of an administration.
The consummation is the manifestation of what God has been preparing throughout the age.
WHAT IS A CONSUMMATION?
Most believers think only of endings.
Scripture often emphasizes fulfillment.
Matthew 13:39
“The harvest is the end of the world…”
The phrase speaks of the consummation of the age.
Harvest.
Completion.
Fulfillment.
The age reaches its objective.
The administration accomplishes its purpose.
The preparation reaches manifestation.
This is consummation.
EVERY AGE HAS A PURPOSE
The Law had a purpose.
The Church Age has a purpose.
Every administration has a purpose.
Every administration possesses a beginning.
Every administration possesses a season of preparation.
Every administration possesses a fullness.
Every administration reaches consummation.
The consummation reveals whether the administration accomplished its objective.
THE CHURCH AGE HAS A DESTINATION
The Church Age is not endless.
The Church Age was given a mandate.
Ephesians 4:13
“Till we all come…
Unto a perfect man…”
Notice the word:
Till.
The Church Age is moving toward a destination.
The ministries were given until.
The preparation continues until.
The formation continues until.
The purpose continues until.
God has an objective.
THE PURPOSE OF THE PRESENT AGE
What is God preparing for?
Romans 8:19
“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
Paul answers the question.
Creation is waiting.
The Spirit is preparing.
The ministries are preparing.
The age is preparing.
Everything points toward manifestation.
Everything points toward mature sonship.
Everything points toward fulfillment.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PREPARATION AND MANIFESTATION
One of the most important distinctions in Scripture is the difference between preparation and manifestation.
The Church Age is preparation.
Manifestation is fulfillment.
A child may be formed.
Then the child is born.
A seed may be planted.
Then the harvest appears.
A promise may be given.
Then the promise manifests.
Throughout Scripture God moves from preparation to manifestation.
The consummation reveals that movement.
THE FULLNESS OF TIME
Galatians 4:4
“But when the fulness of the time was come…”
This principle appears throughout Scripture.
Christ appeared in the fullness of time.
Pentecost arrived in the fullness of time.
Every administration possesses an appointed season.
Every promise possesses an appointed season.
Every manifestation possesses an appointed season.
The consummation of the age appears when the fullness of time arrives.
THE SIGN OF PASSOVER
Every administration possesses a sign.
Passover had blood.
Exodus 12:13
“And the blood shall be to you for a token…”
The sign revealed a transition.
The sign revealed a new administration.
The sign revealed that God had changed gears.
The sign testified that a people had entered a new relationship with God.
THE SIGN OF PENTECOST
Acts 2:3-4
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire…
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.”
Again the pattern appears.
Promise.
Preparation.
Fullness of Time.
Sign.
Administration.
The tongues of fire revealed that a new administration had begun.
The Church Age had arrived.
THE SIGN OF FULLNESS
Throughout Scripture, God never introduces a major administration without a witness.
He never introduces a major administration without a sign.
The sign confirms the transition.
The sign confirms the manifestation.
The sign reveals that preparation has reached fulfillment.
This principle becomes crucial when discussing the consummation of the age.
If an administration begins with a sign, its fulfillment likewise possesses a witness.
THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS AGE AND THE PERFECT MAN
Ephesians 4:13
“Unto a perfect man…”
The Perfect Man is not merely a doctrine.
The Perfect Man is the objective.
The Perfect Man is the destination.
The Perfect Man is the fulfillment of the Church Age mandate.
The ministries prepare.
The Spirit prepares.
The age prepares.
The Perfect Man reveals consummation.
THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS AGE AND MANIFESTED SONSHIP
Romans 8:19
“The manifestation of the sons of God.”
Manifestation is not preparation.
Manifestation is fulfillment.
Manifestation is visibility.
Manifestation is testimony.
Manifestation reveals that the purpose has entered history.
Creation waits for manifestation because manifestation reveals consummation.
THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS AGE AND THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY
Romans 8:23
“Waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
This promise occupies a unique place in Scripture.
The Spirit has already been given.
The earnest has already been received.
The firstfruits have already appeared.
Yet Paul points forward.
The body remains part of God’s purpose.
The body remains part of manifestation.
The body remains part of consummation.
THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS AGE AND TABERNACLES
Passover reveals redemption.
Pentecost reveals impartation.
Tabernacles reveals fullness.
Tabernacles stands at the end of harvest.
Tabernacles reveals completion.
Tabernacles reveals fulfillment.
Tabernacles reveals maturity.
The Feast of Tabernacles therefore becomes one of the clearest prophetic pictures of consummation.
THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS AGE AND THE MAN-CHILD
The Man-Child appears through birth.
Birth reveals manifestation.
Birth reveals transition.
Birth reveals that preparation has reached fulfillment.
The Man-Child appears in connection with government.
The throne.
The Kingdom.
Administration.
The symbolism points toward purpose advancing into a new stage of fulfillment.
THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS AGE AND THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD
The Melchizedek Priesthood reveals mature administration.
The Law prepared.
Grace prepared.
The priesthood of Melchizedek reveals participation in divine government through endless life.
The consummation of the age is not merely about maturity.
It is about maturity entering administration.
THE GREAT TRANSITION
Every major transition in Scripture follows the same pattern.
Promise.
Preparation.
Firstfruits.
Manifestation.
Administration.
Harvest.
Fulfillment.
The consummation of this age follows the same pattern.
God has promised.
God has prepared.
God has formed.
God has matured.
God has administered.
The consummation reveals fulfillment.
THE MANDATE OF THIS PRESENT AGE
What is God doing right now?
He is preparing a people.
What is the Spirit doing right now?
He is preparing a people.
What are the ministries doing right now?
They are preparing a people.
What is creation waiting for?
A manifested people.
The mandate of this age is preparation for manifestation.
The mandate of this age is preparation for maturity.
The mandate of this age is preparation for fulfillment.
THE PURPOSE OF THE CONSUMMATION
The consummation is not the end of purpose.
The consummation advances purpose.
The consummation introduces a new administration.
The consummation reveals a new phase in the unfolding of God’s eternal plan.
One administration reaches fulfillment.
Another administration begins.
The purpose continues moving forward.
THE THRONE REMAINS
One thing never changes.
The throne.
The throne existed before creation.
The throne governed the Law.
The throne governs Grace.
The throne governs the Kingdom.
The throne governs manifestation.
The throne governs consummation.
Administrations change.
The throne remains.
The purpose remains.
THE CONSUMMATION OF THIS AGE IN THE PLAN OF THE AGES
The consummation of this age does not stand alone.
It is connected to everything that came before it.
Jehovah Olam.
The Eternal Purpose.
The Throne.
Creation.
The Fall.
Restoration.
Firstfruits.
Christ.
The Finished Work.
The Church Age.
Manifested Sonship.
The Redemption of the Body.
The Perfect Man.
Tabernacles.
The Man-Child.
The Melchizedek Priesthood.
All of these streams converge at the consummation of this age.
CONCLUSION
The consummation of this age is the fulfillment of the purpose assigned to this administration.
The Spirit prepares.
The ministries prepare.
The Church prepares.
The sons mature.
The purpose advances.
The fullness of time arrives.
The sign appears.
The manifestation comes forth.
The administration changes.
The age reaches its objective.
Yet God’s purpose continues.
For the consummation of this age is not the end of the story.
It is the doorway into the next stage of God’s eternal purpose.
The next question becomes:
What lies beyond the consummation of this age?
That question leads us directly into Chapter 20:
THE AGES TO COME
CHAPTER 20
THE AGES TO COME
Throughout this book we have followed the unfolding purpose of God from before the foundation of the world through creation, the Fall, redemption, Christ, the Church Age, sonship, manifestation, and the consummation of this age.
Now we arrive at one of the most overlooked subjects in Scripture:
The Ages to Come.
Many believers spend enormous amounts of time discussing past ages.
Others focus almost entirely upon the present age.
Yet Paul repeatedly directs our attention beyond the present administration.
The purpose of God does not end with the consummation of this age.
The purpose continues.
The ages continue.
The administration continues.
The revelation continues.
The increase continues.
THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF AGES TO COME
Ephesians 2:7
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
Notice carefully.
Paul does not say age.
Paul says ages.
Plural.
Future.
Ongoing.
This single verse changes everything.
Many believers think only in terms of one age ending.
Paul speaks of ages beyond the present administration.
Jehovah Olam is the God of the Ages.
The purpose continues unfolding.
THE PURPOSE DOES NOT STOP
One of the greatest mistakes believers make is assuming God’s purpose ends when an administration reaches fulfillment.
The Law reached fulfillment.
The purpose continued.
The Church Age reaches fulfillment.
The purpose continues.
The consummation of this age is not the termination of purpose.
The consummation advances purpose.
One administration fulfills its assignment.
Another administration begins.
The purpose remains.
GOD’S PURPOSE IS GREATER THAN ANY SINGLE AGE
The Law served the purpose.
Israel served the purpose.
The prophets served the purpose.
The Church serves the purpose.
The Kingdom serves the purpose.
Every administration contributes something.
No administration contains the entirety of God’s purpose.
The purpose is larger than every age.
The purpose existed before the ages.
The purpose continues through the ages.
The purpose remains after the ages.
THE AGES REVEAL THE RICHES OF CHRIST
Ephesians 2:7
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace…”
Notice what God is revealing.
Grace.
Kindness.
Christ.
The future ages continue revealing Christ.
The future ages continue unveiling God’s purpose.
The future ages continue displaying the riches of divine wisdom.
The revelation of Christ does not stop.
The unveiling continues.
THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT
Isaiah 9:7
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end…”
This remarkable prophecy reveals continual increase.
Increase.
Expansion.
Advancement.
Growth.
The Kingdom is not static.
The government is not static.
The administration is not static.
The purpose continues advancing.
The ages to come reveal that increase.
THE THRONE CONTINUES
One thing has remained constant throughout this book.
The throne.
The throne existed before creation.
The throne governed the Law.
The throne governed Grace.
The throne governs the Kingdom.
The throne governs the ages to come.
Administrations change.
The throne remains.
Manifestations increase.
The throne remains.
The purpose advances.
The throne remains.
THE AGES TO COME AND CHRIST
Colossians 1:18
“That in all things he might have the preeminence.”
Christ remains the center.
The ages reveal Christ.
The present age reveals Christ.
The ages to come reveal Christ.
Everything continues moving toward greater revelation of Christ.
Everything continues moving toward greater manifestation of Christ.
Everything continues moving toward greater participation in Christ.
THE AGES TO COME AND SONSHIP
Sonship does not end with manifestation.
Sonship continues into administration.
Sonship continues into inheritance.
Sonship continues into participation.
Sonship continues into purpose.
The manifestation of sons reveals the beginning of administration.
The ages to come reveal the increase of administration.
The purpose continues unfolding.
THE AGES TO COME AND THE KINGDOM
Luke 1:33
“And of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
Notice the language.
No end.
The Kingdom continues.
The government continues.
The increase continues.
The purpose continues.
The ages to come reveal the ongoing administration of God’s Kingdom.
The Kingdom does not disappear.
The Kingdom expands.
THE AGES TO COME AND RECONCILIATION
The purpose of God has always been gathering.
The purpose of God has always been reconciliation.
The purpose of God has always been restoration.
Ephesians 1:10
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ.”
This gathering continues unfolding.
This reconciliation continues unfolding.
This restoration continues unfolding.
The ages to come reveal the increase of that purpose.
THE AGES TO COME AND THE HARVEST
God is a God of harvest.
God is a God of increase.
God is a God of fulfillment.
The harvest principle continues.
The purpose continues.
The administration continues.
The increase continues.
What begins in firstfruits advances toward greater fulfillment.
The ages to come reveal that increase.
THE AGES TO COME AND DIVINE EDUCATION
The ages reveal the wisdom of God.
The ages reveal the nature of God.
The ages reveal the purpose of God.
The ages to come continue that revelation.
The universe continues learning.
Creation continues discovering.
The riches of Christ continue unfolding.
The wisdom of God continues being displayed.
The revelation is endless because Christ is inexhaustible.
THE AGES TO COME AND THE PURPOSE OF JEHOVAH OLAM
We began this book with Jehovah Olam.
The God of the Ages.
Now the circle closes.
Jehovah Olam administers purpose through ages.
Past ages.
Present ages.
Future ages.
The purpose remains consistent.
The administrations continue unfolding.
The revelation continues increasing.
The destination continues approaching.
THE AGES TO COME AND THE PLAN OF THE AGES
The Plan of the Ages does not terminate at the consummation of this age.
The Plan of the Ages continues.
The throne continues.
The Kingdom continues.
The increase continues.
The administration continues.
The purpose continues.
The ages to come become the next chapters in the unfolding revelation of God’s eternal purpose.
THE AGES TO COME AND THE FINAL DESTINATION
Although Scripture speaks of ages to come, it also reveals a final objective.
A final gathering.
A final reconciliation.
A final fulfillment.
A final consummation of purpose.
The ages are moving somewhere.
The administrations are moving somewhere.
The purpose is moving somewhere.
Everything is moving toward the same destination established before the foundation of the world.
THE MYSTERY OF THE FUTURE AGES
The future ages remain largely hidden.
Just as Moses could not fully see Pentecost.
Just as the prophets could not fully see the Church Age.
We cannot fully see every detail of the ages to come.
Yet we can see the direction.
The throne remains.
Christ remains central.
The Kingdom increases.
The purpose advances.
The revelation unfolds.
The destination approaches.
THE CERTAINTY OF THE PURPOSE
Isaiah 46:10
“Declaring the end from the beginning…”
The future ages are not uncertain.
The purpose is not uncertain.
The destination is not uncertain.
The God who began the plan is bringing the plan to fulfillment.
Jehovah Olam remains upon the throne.
The ages continue serving His purpose.
CONCLUSION
The ages to come reveal that God’s purpose is greater than the present administration.
The consummation of this age advances the purpose.
The future ages continue the purpose.
The Kingdom continues increasing.
The throne continues governing.
The revelation continues unfolding.
Christ continues receiving preeminence.
The purpose continues moving toward its ultimate objective.
The ages to come reveal the continuing administration of God’s eternal purpose until every objective established before the foundation of the world reaches complete fulfillment.
And this brings us to the final chapter of the book.
The destination toward which every age, every administration, every manifestation, every firstfruit, every harvest, every throne, every kingdom, and every purpose has been moving from the beginning.
That final chapter is:
GOD ALL IN ALL
CHAPTER 21
GOD ALL IN ALL
We have now arrived at the final destination of the Plan of the Ages.
This is where everything has been moving.
This is where every administration points.
This is where every promise leads.
This is where every age finds its meaning.
This is where every purpose finds fulfillment.
Before there was creation…
Before there was Adam…
Before there was Israel…
Before there was the Law…
Before there was the Church…
Before there was Pentecost…
Before there was the Kingdom…
There was purpose.
And that purpose has always been moving toward one glorious conclusion:
God All in All.
THE END REVEALED FROM THE BEGINNING
Isaiah 46:10
“Declaring the end from the beginning…”
God does not discover destinations.
God establishes destinations.
God does not react to history.
God governs history.
The end existed before the beginning.
The destination existed before creation.
The purpose existed before the ages.
The Plan of the Ages is simply the administration of that purpose.
THE GREAT DESTINATION
1 Corinthians 15:24
“Then cometh the end…”
Notice the language.
The end.
Not the end of purpose.
The end of administration.
The end of a process.
The end of a journey.
The fulfillment of a purpose.
The completion of a plan.
The arrival at a destination.
CHRIST DELIVERS THE KINGDOM
1 Corinthians 15:24
“When he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father…”
This is one of the most profound verses in Scripture.
The Kingdom is not abolished.
The Kingdom is fulfilled.
The Kingdom reaches its objective.
The Kingdom accomplishes its purpose.
The Kingdom completes its assignment.
The administration reaches fulfillment.
The purpose continues.
ALL ENEMIES SUBDUED
1 Corinthians 15:25
“For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.”
Notice again the word:
Till.
Christ reigns toward an objective.
Christ reigns toward fulfillment.
Christ reigns toward completion.
Christ reigns toward the accomplishment of God’s eternal purpose.
The reign is purposeful.
The reign is effective.
The reign is successful.
THE LAST ENEMY
1 Corinthians 15:26
“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
Death entered through Adam.
Death became the great enemy.
Death became the great contradiction.
Death became the great witness of the Fall.
Yet Scripture reveals its destiny.
Destruction.
Not preservation.
Not coexistence.
Destruction.
The purpose of God moves toward the complete overthrow of death itself.
LIFE TRIUMPHS
From Genesis to Revelation the story is life.
The Tree of Life appears in Genesis.
The River of Life appears in Revelation.
Life stands at the beginning.
Life stands at the end.
Life is the purpose.
Life is the victory.
Life is the testimony.
Life is the destination.
Everything in the Plan of the Ages moves toward the triumph of life.
THE GATHERING OF ALL THINGS
Ephesians 1:10
“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ…”
This is one of the great governing verses of Scripture.
Gathering.
Unity.
Christ.
Purpose.
Fulfillment.
This gathering has been unfolding throughout the ages.
The Law contributed.
The prophets contributed.
Christ contributed.
The Church contributed.
The Kingdom contributes.
The ages contribute.
Everything moves toward gathering.
THE RECONCILIATION OF ALL THINGS
Colossians 1:20
“By him to reconcile all things unto himself…”
The purpose has always been reconciliation.
The purpose has always been restoration.
The purpose has always been gathering.
The purpose has always been peace.
The cross established the foundation.
The ages administer the manifestation.
The purpose continues advancing toward fulfillment.
THE KINGDOM ACCOMPLISHES ITS PURPOSE
The Kingdom is not an end in itself.
The Kingdom serves purpose.
The Kingdom advances purpose.
The Kingdom fulfills purpose.
The Kingdom reveals purpose.
When the Kingdom reaches its objective, it delivers its accomplishment unto the Father.
Purpose fulfilled.
Administration completed.
Destination reached.
THE THRONE REMAINS
One reality has remained constant throughout this entire book.
The throne.
Before creation there was a throne.
Before Adam there was a throne.
Before the Law there was a throne.
Before Pentecost there was a throne.
Before the Kingdom there was a throne.
The throne remains.
Administrations change.
The throne remains.
Ages change.
The throne remains.
Manifestations increase.
The throne remains.
Purpose advances.
The throne remains.
THE FULLNESS OF TIMES
Ephesians 1:10
“In the dispensation of the fulness of times…”
Notice carefully.
Not one time.
Times.
Ages.
Administrations.
Progressive unfoldings.
The fullness of times reveals that every age contributes something.
Every administration contributes something.
Every manifestation contributes something.
The fullness of times reaches completion when purpose reaches fulfillment.
THE SUCCESS OF GOD’S PURPOSE
One of the greatest revelations in Scripture is that God’s purpose succeeds.
God does not fail.
God does not abandon His purpose.
God does not lose His purpose.
God accomplishes His purpose.
Isaiah 46:10
“My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”
The purpose succeeds.
The plan succeeds.
The Kingdom succeeds.
The ages succeed.
The throne succeeds.
JEHOVAH OLAM REVEALED
At the beginning of this book we introduced Jehovah Olam.
The God of the Ages.
Now we see why this revelation is so important.
Without Jehovah Olam, the ages appear disconnected.
Without Jehovah Olam, history appears fragmented.
Without Jehovah Olam, many promises appear contradictory.
Yet through the revelation of the God of the Ages, everything reconciles.
The ages become one story.
The administrations become one purpose.
The revelations become one unveiling.
The destination becomes clear.
THE PURPOSE BEFORE CREATION
Ephesians 1:4
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…”
The purpose existed before creation.
The purpose existed before Adam.
The purpose existed before the Fall.
The purpose existed before history.
History is the administration of that purpose.
The ages are the unfolding of that purpose.
The Kingdom is the advancement of that purpose.
God All in All is the fulfillment of that purpose.
THE GREAT RECONCILIATION
The purpose is larger than individual experience.
The purpose is larger than a nation.
The purpose is larger than an age.
The purpose is cosmic.
The purpose is universal.
The purpose encompasses all things created by Him, through Him, and for Him.
The ages move toward reconciliation.
The ages move toward gathering.
The ages move toward fulfillment.
THE CONSUMMATION OF THE PLAN OF THE AGES
The Plan of the Ages reaches its climax here.
Creation.
The Fall.
Restoration.
Firstfruits.
Christ.
The Finished Work.
The Church Age.
The Manifestation of Sons.
The Redemption of the Body.
The Perfect Man.
Tabernacles.
The Man-Child.
The Melchizedek Priesthood.
The Consummation of This Age.
The Ages to Come.
Every stream converges.
Every road leads here.
Every administration points here.
GOD ALL IN ALL
1 Corinthians 15:28
“That God may be all in all.”
This is the final statement.
Not merely God in some.
Not merely God over all.
Not merely God among all.
God all in all.
The purpose fulfilled.
The plan completed.
The ages accomplished.
The Kingdom delivered.
The enemies subdued.
Death destroyed.
Life triumphant.
Christ glorified.
The Father revealed.
God All in All.
CONCLUSION
The Plan of the Ages begins before the foundation of the world and ends in the fulfillment of God’s eternal purpose.
The throne governs every administration.
The ages reveal every stage.
The Spirit prepares.
The Kingdom advances.
The sons mature.
The purpose unfolds.
The manifestations increase.
The harvest arrives.
The ages continue.
The destination approaches.
And when every administration has fulfilled its assignment…
When every purpose has reached its objective…
When every enemy has been subdued…
When death itself has been destroyed…
When all things have been gathered together in Christ…
Then the great mystery hidden from ages and generations reaches its glorious fulfillment:
THAT GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL.
THE END
THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PLAN OF THE AGES
