Fathers Love for His children knows no bounds. (Jn 17:23-24,but read the entire 17th chap) Sometime ago He created all things (including His children) (at or for) His pleasure (Rev 4:11). As we have heard, some of His children turned against Him, (2Pet 3:5-6, Jude 6, Gen 1:1, and Gen 6) obviously seeking to destroy and take over His works.
In the 2Peter reference, it is made quite plain that there are three distinct ages assigned to the Earth (and Heaven), by Father Himself.
Lets seek to discover something about the similarities and differences of these ages, for thereby we may begin to see a small portion of the depth of Father's love for us. We will of necessity, deal mainly with this age and the next, for there is precious little written for us in His Word concerning the first age. Let us proceed with some thoughts based on what we can know from that that is written.
As we study, we can be assured that as stated in Heb 13:8 "Jesus Christ (is) the same yesterday, and to day, and forever." And as with Mal 3:6, "I change not" sayeth the Lord. We will also need to understand the "free will" Father gives His Children. Father will force no one to "Love the Good", but allows us as individuals to choose. This He of course did for Adam in the garden. Adam and Eve made their choice out of free will. For those who have trouble with this "free will", see also (Deu 30:19,Josh 24:15, Prov 1:29,3:31, Isa 56:4,65:12) to name just a few.
Thus, as we can be assured of the unchanging nature of Father, and the "free will of his children", we should not go too far astray using what we know of mankind's traits. After all, we are flesh, and the lusts and weaknesses we have are well known to us. Let’s play "what if"
The First age
There are at least 3 things we can surmise from the Word about this first age. 1), Father Was there, and He never changes. 2) We were with Him, and had free will, and 3) Some of His children, our brothers and sisters, rebelled against His Will.
Think about it, WE were all there. This thought is amazing, for only in glimpses the Father allows us as individuals can we have any recall of it. Though we were there as individuals, to be sure, WE WERE NOT FLESH, for the Word says in Gen 6, (of this age) that God was grieved that He had made man flesh. Thus at that time, our soul and spirit obviously occupied another type of body. For Paul said "there are different bodies", but only one soul. (see 1 Cor 15, but especially V 40). He also said in Heb 4:12 "For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Note that the "joints and marrow" describe flesh. We will use thoughts we know about the flesh when we seek some of the reasons for the first rebellion, for these "weaknesses" we show in the present flesh are a real part of the actual soul and spirit
With reference to the deeds (deeds=WORKS) committed by the ones who rebelled against Father in the first age, we should realize something very special about the continuance of the rebellion. An individual's soul and its spirit can not know death until Father so wills it. Out of His love, He did not so will it at that time. He willed instead the present age.
For those who love to study deeper thoughts, consider that all souls MUST HAVE HAD full knowledge at the time of the rebellion. Ol'slewfoot got many anyway, perhaps a third of them as written in Rev 12. It is an amazing thought to me that even with full knowledge, many fell away from Father's Will. For those that concur with this thought, consider it as a warning to even the "Elect". Ol' slewfoot is very subtle in his ways.
Another interesting deeper thought is that up until the "rebellion", there was apparently no need for a manner of "sacrifice for forgiveness", for as the Word says of slewfoot (Ezek 28:15), "thou wast perfect in thy ways (works, deeds) until iniquity was found in thee".
Evidently when the rebellion occurred, the option was open for Father to terminate the existence of any or all the souls that rebelled. This was His right, as Creator. But consider the following. If Father had elected to terminate some souls, He would have had to go against His own nature. For the deeper study, consider each of the Laws Father has written for us in the 10 Commandments, (Ex 20) for He never changes. Law number "six" says "Thou shall do no murder." In His wisdom, He gave each of us free will. Within the Word, we have the right to choose for ourselves. (see Deu 30:15-20, Josh 24:15, Prov 1:29,3:31, Isa 54:6, and 65:12.) Some will freely, and with FULL KNOWLEDGE, choose death of the soul, for it is so written. Also, in the first age, even though we all obviously had full knowledge then, many chose to follow "death", or slewfoot..
Thus I am convinced, that this present age and the 1000-year period to follow, which most refer to as the millennium, represent an "overcoming time out" in Eternity. Father in His infinite love has elected for our sakes to preserve those portions of His creation that are worthy. Thus Father did, in His Wisdom, allow a means of escaping "death". He is allowing us to choose.
Again, for some that enjoy deeper study, consider the following. There was apparently no need for "sacrifice" for forgiveness in the first earth age. Apparently, "repentance and forgiveness" became a necessary thing after the rebellion. Thus Father ordained the second Age as necessary to insure the survival of those who would love Him. As we know and as was spoken by Yashua in Jn 3 however, Father set bounds and requirements for escaping "death", and a prerequisite which each soul could individually choose.
Yashua spoke the simple prerequisite to Nicodemus, yet many do not understand the full meaning of His statement. Of course we all see the part about being "born again" and know it means "born from above". But have you thought of what of Jn 3:13 is really saying about Father's plan following the rebellion? "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man, which is in heaven."
Yashua is showing us a part of Fathers plan. Each soul was given the option of coming into this present flesh blindness, with no recall of the First Age, or remaining in bonds in Heaven until the time of judgment. Amazingly, in spite of eternal death promised by Father some souls have elected this latter, even from the First age, which is why Jude (4-6), and Peter (2Pet2:4) can say they are presently in holding for future judgment. That slewfoot must be some "convincer" to have such a following.
Consider also the following about Yashua's statement of Jn 3:13, for it offers some suggestions which we will draw on in the next parts of this series. It is obvious that Father is completely fair and impartial in His Judgment, for He (Father) himself came into His own flesh age, having all the infirmities and lusts of the flesh we all do. This is eloquently spoken by Yashua Himself (Jn 3:13)and by Paul in Heb 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;"
But what of the other characters of the first age that have appeared in this age as "angels"? Specifically have you considered the fact that Michael and Gabriel and perhaps countless unnamed others would have to partake of this same flesh blindness? The top of the "chain of command" is Father Himself. If He did it, how can others be excused?
Satan and his angels are an example of the present and future fate of those who refused to partake of the plan. They are "already condemned to death" for their decision. We, of course have not heard the last of him, yet. He will be coming in the future, and soon. We must have the arms we can to guard ourselves with the Word until the Holy Spirit is poured out on us.
It would not be proper, and it would also be confusing in the next parts if we did not discuss something about some special children of Father. There are some, which the Word tells us in many places that Father foreknew, and selected. These are the "Elect",and they apparently earned the selection by the "WORKS" they did in the first age. We know precious little about the details of the works, yet we can see in the examples Father has put in His Word of the men and women who did His will. If as the Word says "surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life", then the "works" the elect did in this age must reflect the works the elect did in the first.
There is a special time coming soon which time we are waiting for. It is coming at the end of this age, and will include a battle for the LORD waged by the Elect against the powers of darkness, slewfoot himself. We must be prepared with the armor on and in place. We must know both the time and place for our battle. We must wait until Father's Holy Spirit tells us it is time.
Finally brothers and sisters, consider that it was only since the slewfoot led rebellion was there any necessity for Father to provide for "repentance and forgiveness". I know I have mentioned this three times. Its important for understanding what follows for yo0u to think about. For apparently, all the "morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job 38:7) Now if we think about "morning stars", we can pick 2 out of the Word. One is "Lucifer" and one is Yashua.
There is a need for both sacrifices, and repentance in this Age.
We will take up with this thought in the next part.
In Yashua, Bob Sellers Sept 1997
