God’s Plan for His Children
What is the purpose of human life on this earth? Is the creation of the heavens and the earth just a happening without any good reason.
The Apostle Peter makes an interesting statement in 2nd Peter 3:6 that would add to a better understanding of our earthly planet and the life upon it. “ Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished”. The word of God, the Bible, enlightens us
on what we need to know concerning the first earth age, and as the apostle Peter describes as the “world that then was”.
It’s often said that, if it wasn’t for Adam bringing sin into the world, all would be ok. Is that the teaching of God’s word? 2nd Peter 2:4, “ For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them in chains of darkness, to be reserved
unto judgment”; So the angels sinned long before Adam.
Before we continue, we should put in order the events and the sequence of their occurrences. Genesis 1: 1 “ In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”. Created implies a perfect and polished creation. Verse 2 reads, “ and the earth became without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep”. This earth and it’s fossil record tells us that the earth is millions of years old and underwent an upheaval. Isaiah 45: 18, “ For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it, he created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord”. So what happened to our beautiful earth?
Jeremiah 4: 22, “ For my people is foolish they have not known me; they are sottish children and they have no understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge”. Verse 23, “I beheld the earth, and lo, it was without form and void; and the heavens they had no light”.
Verse 25, “ I beheld, and lo, there was no man, and all the birds of heaven had fled. Verse 26:, “ I beheld, and lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by His fierce anger”.
The book of Job gives us a little more insight of that first earth age. Father’s discourse with Job, 38: 4, “ Where was thou when I laid the foundation of the earth? Declare if thou hast understanding”. Verse 7, “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.”.
Many believe that Jer. 4:22–26 is talking about Noah’s flood found in Gen. 6-9 but it is not. Jer. 4 says that no man existed but Gen. 6 says that Noah and his family were saved, there were birds on the Ark and so on. So what does the Bible tell us about the event that is recorded for us in Jeremiah and the angels that sinned and what was the cause of the upheaval we read about?
The book of Revelation is written to reveal to us events that occurred only by revelation by Jesus Christ. We read in Rev. 12:4, telling us of Satan’s first rebellion, “ And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven”. Satan wasn’t always that way. Ezekiel 28:15 reads, “ Thou was perfect in all thy ways from the day that thou was created until iniquity was found in you”. Isaiah 14:13 adds more to the problem that caused the destruction of that first earth age. “ For thou hast said in thy heart, ‘ I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: Verse 14, “ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High”. His problem was that he wanted to play God and we are told that he deceived the whole world. ( Rev. 12:9 )
Our Father’s Mercy
The challenge to our Father to those that were led astray in the world that was as Peter says , tells us of our Father’s love for His children, that He devised a plan to gather all His children, if they believe in Him. This present earth age as we read in 2nd Peter 3: 7, but the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men”. Verse 13, “ Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for a new heaven and a new earth”. This 2nd earth age is our testing ground. Whatever problems or difficulties we have will have to be worked out here while we are in the flesh.
Hebrews 2:14, “ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is , the devil”.
All of God’s children which are called souls, and were created before the foundation of this earth are to pass through this earth age in a flesh body, Ezekiel 18:4; Job 38:7; Genesis 1:26. God wouldn’t ask His children to do anything that He wouldn’t do Himself. John 1:1, “ In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God”. And verse 14, “ And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth”.
Choice is Ours
It was said before that this earth is our time for testing and overcoming. How will we know? Our Father never leaves us wanting. Malachi 4:5, “ Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming and dreadful day of the Lord”; Verse 6,“ And He shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse”. Notice that the word Fathers is plural. As was stated above, Satan likes to play the role as father and savior but our creator God will win out in the end. Which Father will you align yourself to?
Conclusion
Throughout the word of God there are countless scriptures that touch on the age that was. That evidence will be addressed at another time. This article’s only purpose is to make one aware that there is a purpose being worked here below. Father’s purpose is that all men everywhere repent and listen to Him who is our true Father.