Slain from before the foundation of the world?
In regards to the atonement, when was Christ's sacrifice made? In other words, when was the price paid for our sins?
In an article from the Living Word Library, we see this:
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Here's a short exposition of certain words from key passages:
In an article from the Living Word Library, we see this:
The Lamb Slain from the foundation of the World
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Revelation 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast -- all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. (NIV)
Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who died for the sins of the world (John 1:29). Jesus mission became clear to mankind only after He had been crucified on the cross. Yet the scriptures reveals in Revelations 13:8 that "the Lamb was slain from the creation of the world"
Peter repeats this truth in even more detail when he wrote about the precious blood of Christ.
1 Peter 1:18-20 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. (NIV)
The reality is this. The blood of Jesus was shed for us before the creation of the world, but was only revealed to us when Jesus was crucified on the cross, died and rose again. Not even satan knew about the shed blood until then. This truth, once understood, should have great implications for our faith and victorious living over satan, sin and sickness.
Firstly Peter makes it clear (in verses 18 and 19 above) that we are "redeemed from the empty way of life by the blood of Christ" and that this was accomplished "before the creation of the world" In other words, the fall of mankind did not destroy God's purpose in creating mankind. God is omniscient (all knowing) and nothing takes Him unaware nor is He unprepared for any event. God does not go running after Satan trying to sort out the mess he (satan) creates. Rather, the blood of Jesus has already taken care of it.
There is nothing satan, sin or sickness can bring that the blood has not already made provision for. Our redemption is in the blood. The blood is God's answer to everything that satan throws at us. You can be sure that God has made certain that the blood of Jesus has enough authority and power to meet all mankind's needs. And you know what? Not even satan understood the redemptive power in the blood until after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 2:7-10 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" -- 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
The next time you go to the presence of God with a need, don't encourage unbelief by trying to work out in your mind how God will provide the answer. Take comfort in the fact that the blood of Jesus is the answer. The blood is our omnipotent God's provision for all our needs. If Jesus' blood had not been shed from the creation of the world, then we might have had a good reason to worry. God would have overlooked a vital fact. But glory is to God. In His all-knowing wisdom He has slain the lamb before the "creation of the world". The blood has provided for our redemption, every need and provision.
1 Peter 1:18–20
18 knowing that you were not redeemed
with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life
inherited from your forefathers,
19 but with precious blood, as of a
lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
20 For He was foreknown before the
foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of
you
The word "foreknown" in vs 20 - 4267. προγινώσκω
proginṓskō; fut. prognṓsomai, 2d aor. proégnōn, from pró (4253), before, and ginṓskō
(1097), to know. To perceive or recognize beforehand, know previously, take
into account or specially consider beforehand, to grant prior acknowledgement
or recognition to someone, to foreknow.
(B) Used of events, to previously decide or
plan, to foreknow for God is to foreordain 1 Pet. 1:19, 20 presents Christ
as the “Lamb of God foreknown from the foundation of the world” (a.t.). He is
said to be foreknown because God had planned and determined in His eternal
counsel to provide His Son as a sacrifice for His people. Certainly more is
meant than that God knew ahead of time that Christ would so come and die. God’s
foreknowledge is given here as the cause for His Son’s sacrifice–because He
planned and decreed it.[1]
Revelation 13:8
8 All who dwell on the earth will
worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the
foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.
8
The “creation of
the world” refers to the creation of the visible order. It is mentioned ten
times in the NT. Jesus speaks of a kingdom prepared since the creation of the
world (Matt 25:34), and Paul of the believers’ election before the creation of
the world (Eph 1:4). The problem in the immediate verse is not the meaning of
the phrase but its place in the sentence. Was it the writing of believers’
names or the death of the Lamb that dates from the creation of the world? The
RSV and many of the newer translations follow the first alternative. The
faithful are guarded by their election (the writing of their names in the
Lamb’s book of life) from being deceived by the pretensions of the Antichrist.
This is said to have taken place at the creation of the world. Rev 17:8, a
parallel verse, would support this interpretation. However, the premise that
John must be absolutely consistent in his literary expression is questionable.
There is no particular reason why he should be denied the freedom to use a
given phrase in several ways. It is better in this case to follow the order of
the Greek syntax and read, “the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the
world.” That is, the death of Christ was a redemptive sacrifice decreed in the
counsels of eternity.[2]
[1]
Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word
study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG
Publishers.
[2]
Mounce, R. H. (1997). The Book of
Revelation. The New International Commentary on the New Testament
(251–252). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
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