And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: the same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

The Apostle Paul testifies that he was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given to him for us, to fulfill the word of God. Our Lord had told the disciples on the night of his arrest: I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come (John 16:12-13).

Just as Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost in writing the Old Testament (2 Peter 1:21), we have a more sure word of prophecy than hearing the voice of God directly, as Peter had heard in the holy mount, in the New testament (2 Peter 1:17-19). And, we have a safeguard on that truth, for no scripture is of any private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20).

Should anyone claim new revelation, it must align with known revelation: the Old and New Testaments. Thus, we know that the “lost books of the Bible” (as some call them) are actually man’s fabrications.

Paul’s dispensation was to fulfill the word of God regarding the mystery which had been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:26-27).

This dispensation, given Paul toward us, is the dispensation of the grace of God: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel (Ephesians 3:2,6).

The mystery of Christ was not made known unto the sons of men in other ages as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit (Ephesians 3:5). It is revealed now to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. God’s intent is that now, unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places,, might be known, by the church, the manifold wisdom of God according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3:9-11).

The Son’s Diety

Psalm 45:1-7

My heart is inviting a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pan of a ready writer. Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into my lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. Ad in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies: whereby the people fall under thee. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Hebrews 1:8-9

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Have you noticed the Spirit’s opening declaration in Hebrews regarding the Old Testament quotation? The words: unto the Son he saith. Many have read Psalm 45 before Christ came, even after his coming but before the coming of that which is perfect (1 Corinthians 13:10): the completed Word of God! They would wonder, Of whom does he speak? Now, we know! Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever is what God the Father says of God the Son! Jesus is God. He came in the flesh! God the Son, the only begotten of the Father.

Something else is worth mentioning here: Thou lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness (Psalm 45:7) is repeated as thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity (Hebrews 1:9). The familiar words that echo these truths by way of illustration are as follows: Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated (Romans 9:13).

The children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth (Romand 9:11). If Abraham were justified by works, he has whereof to glory; but not before God. What saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now, to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. God owes me, is the thought of any working their way to heaven (Romans 4:2-4)..

But to him that works not, but believes (belief is not a work) on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness by God (Romans 4:5).

What of Abraham’s offering Isaac? According to James (by the same Holy Spirit who instructed Paul), Abraham our father was justified by works, when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar (James 2:21). Abraham is first pronounced righteous in Genesis 15:6, when he left the Ur of the Chaldees. He believed in the Lord. His faith was counted unto him for righteousness.

He did not repeat his salvation when he offered Isaac, as in being made righteous anew. Nor was he being progressively saved by each act of obedience Abraham performed. Abraham believed God. So did Rahab. Their actions demonstrate the two great commandments: to love God and to love thy neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40)..

Abraham loved God. His obedience demonstrated that love. Rahab loved God’s people. She knew God had given Israel the land (Joshua 2:9), and she testifies, The Lord your God, he is God in heaven above and in earth beneath (Joshua 2:11).

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons (James 2:1). Abraham demonstrated that by offering Isaac. His son meant more to Abraham than we can comprehend; yet, he offered him. He was justified by his works. Rahab set strangers above her own people, though not her immediate family.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will change us in ways that demonstrate to this world that we are a friend of God.

Regarding Foreknowledge

When the Lord gives us an explanation for something in the Scriptures, it is best that we let that stand:

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied (1 Peter 1:1-2).

What did the Lord know before?

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever (1 Peter 1:18-23).

God the Father foreknew that he had foreordained Christ. He made our Lord manifest, that we might purify our souls in obeying the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thessalonica

A great illustration regarding the election of God is in Thessalonians:

Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing (1 Thessalonians 1:4-8).

The Thessalonians heard the gospel; they received the gospel; and, they spread the gospel. They turned to God from their idols, to serve the living God and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).

Peter, by the Spirit of God, told us to make our calling and our election sure (2 Peter 1:10). Notice which one comes first. For us to make our calling and our election sure, we have to know who is calling and what they are wanting. The Apostle John clarifies God’s call and his instruction by giving us these two commandments of God:

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us (1 John 3:23-24).

God’s pattern is presented in Isaiah. The Lord’s words in the first chapter::

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.  If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it (Isaiah 1:18-20).

The Lord’s words in the last chapter:

I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer;

when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not (Isaiah 66:4).

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Peter said it on the day of Pentecost: Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21). Paul echoes that message: Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

But what saith it (the righteousness which is of faith)? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him (Romans 10:8-12).