MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
June 18, 2025
God’s Purposes Revealed by Inspiration
ORIGIN OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION BEGINS THE REVEAL OF THE MYSTERY OF REDEMPTION
Knowing first the fundamental truths of creation and The Creator and the reason and nature of the fall of man are foundational pillars upon which the great controversy and the plan of redemption/salvation of the genuine gospel can only be truly understood and treasured by fallen mankind.
But stretching further beyond into “eternity past”—precisely how long ago before the creation-origin (never evolution) of planet Earth and of man, the only creature in the universe originally made, in fact, personally hand-crafted “in the image and likeness of God,” is not revealed.
And yet, to so totally-undeserving, fallen, sinful, finite mortals such as I, subjects of the saving grace emanating from and manifested in Christ the Word’s image-character of divine love, enduring mercy, spotless purify and holiness, perfect righteousness and justice as defined in His immutable law and foundation of His everlasting kingdom, is the veil pulled slightly aside by the great I AM.
It reveals even much more to earnest seekers “of the truth as it is in Jesus” alone, the unparalleled self-sacrificing, self-denying love and humility packed together with His omniscience and omnipotence.
And what is it? As magnified by “the lesser light that points and leads to the greater light” of the Bible, I quote (all emphasis and bracketed words supplied):
“The plan of salvation had been laid BEFORE the creation of the earth; for Christ is ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world’ (Rev. 13:8): yet it was a STRUGGLE, even with the King of the universe, to yield up His Son to DIE FOR THE GUILTY RACE, that ‘whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16).
“Oh, the MYSTERY OF REDEMPTION! The LOVE of God for a world that did not love Him! Who can know the DEPTHS of that love which ‘passeth knowledge’ [see Eph. 3: 17-19]. We Through endless ages, immortal minds [of the eternally-redeemed] seeking to comprehend the MYSTERY of that incomprehensible love, will [simply] WONDER AND ADORE.
“God was to be MANIFEST in Christ [cf. 1 Tim. 3:16; John 1: 1-3, 14, etc.], ‘reconciling the world to Himself’ (2 Cor. 5:19). Man had become so DEGRADED BY SIN [‘the transgression of the law’] that it was IMPOSSIBLE for him, IN HIMSELF, to come into HARMONY with Him whose NATURE is purity and goodness.
“But Christ, AFTER having REDEEMED man FROM the condemnation of the law., would IMPART [divine] lPOWER, TO UNITE WITH HUMAN EFFORT. Thus by ‘REPENTANCE towards God and faith in Christ,’ the fallen children of Adam MIGHT ONCE MORE become ‘sons of God.’ (1 John 3:2, KJV).” Quoted from Ellen G. White, Patriarchs & Prophets, Pacific Press Publishing Asso, 1913 ed., pp. 63-4.
To be continued, God willing. Bless all, NMF.