CONCLUSION

Part Three
Theology Proper: 21 THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD
A DISPENSATIONAL THEOLOGY
By Charles F Baker

It is our understanding from the teaching of the Scriptures that in eternity past, before creation or time came into being, the Triune God existed in all of His perfections. The Persons of the Godhead formulated a plan which involved the creation of a vast material universe with a host of spirit-beings called angels, and a planet called Earth, upon which this plan would be enacted. For wise purposes which God has not been pleased to reveal He decreed to permit sin to enter His universe, without Himself being responsible for its origin or results. But at the same time, if we can speak of time in eternity, He decreed to manifest His love and grace in providing a salvation for that part of creation which had been created in His own image. In this redemptive program He purposed to people both the heavens and the earth with sinners saved by His grace. In order that this program might be implemented He determined that the Son should come into the world, take upon Himself humanity, suffer and die a redeeming death. And, in order to secure the redeemed peoples He chose them from before the foundation of the world for Himself. Apart from His election Scripture indicates that none would ever have been saved (Romans 3:10-12). Why He chose only the ones He did and why He did not choose more or all has not been revealed. It would seem that this is one area in which man must exercise faith in God: belief that God is absolutely righteous in all of His ways, even though His ways are past finding out. Human speculation in this area only leads to doubt and further difficulty.

Faith believes that God’s purpose and decrees are all just and good and that when the final decree is carried out all of God’s creation will unite in giving all honor and glory to God. God’s decrees, while they concern man, do not find their end in man, but in God. Whatever He has decreed, He has decreed for His own glory.

“Thou art worthy, O LORD, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all these things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11).

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