Before the Foundation and From the Foundation

Biblical Discernment

Before the Foundation and From the Foundation

jacksdon@gmail.com


Have you ever noticed the primary particle “from” and the preposition “before”as used in the following Scriptures? Have you ever lingered on them and studied the context? Let’s do that now.

The phrase “from the foundation of the world” is first used in the New Testament in Matthew 13:35 –

KJV “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, saying, I
will open my mouth in parables: I will utter things which have been
kept secret from the foundation of the world.”

You will recall that our Lord Jesus Christ spoke in parables while explaining some of the mysteries of the kingdom that was promised to Israel from the foundation of the world. Notice also that the prophets foretold this kingdom.

Luke 11:50

“That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation
Of the world, may be required of this generation.

Here the Lord Jesus Christ is talking to the “religious” crowd [Pharisees] of His day and declaring the “woes” upon them. Notice that the “prophets” are mentioned again.

Matthew 25:34

“Then shall the king say unto them on His right hand, Come ye blessed
Of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
Of the world.”

The scene is the judgment of the Gentile nations at our Lord’s second advent, when He comes to set up that “kingdom” that the prophets foretold. At this time the nations will be judged, including Israel. And Israel will be placed on His right hand [the sheep] and the Gentile nations [the goats] will be placed on His left hand. The sheep will “inherit” the kingdom promised and prepared for them from the foundation of the world.

Other verses that mention the phrase “from the foundation of the world are Hebrews 4:3; Revelation 13:8 and Revelation 17:8. A common thread in all of these verses is that they speak of things “from the foundation of the world” and involve the prophets and Israel.


Now, let us contrast the phrase “before the foundation of the world.”

Our Lord’s high priestly prayer [the true “Lord’s Prayer”] is found in the 17th chapter of the gospel of John. In verse 24 we find Him praying:

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where
I am, that they may behold my Glory, which thou hast given me; for
Thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

So the Lord Jesus Christ was loved by God the Father before the foundation of the world.

Now notice where we [members of the Body of Christ, the church of this dispensation of the grace of God] stood before the foundation of the world:

Ephesians 1:4

“According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world,
That we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”
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1 Peter 1:20 also speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ being foreordained before the foundation of the world………

You will note that Peter writes to the “dispersed Jews.”

Israel has a glorious future in the coming kingdom that was foretold by all the prophets [see Acts 3:18, 24, 25 for example]. In this kingdom Israel will be the “head and not the tail.” [Deuteronomy 28:13] and the twelve apostles will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel [on earth – Matthew 19:28].

So Israel has an earthly hope and calling. While the Body of Christ has a heavenly hope and calling [see Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 3:20; and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.] “chosen in Him BEFORE the foundation of the world.”

This is “rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” [2 Timothy 2:15].