1 Peter 1:20

1 Peter 1:20 ‘For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you'

‘foreknown before the foundation of the world' -Before God even created the universe, earth and man, He knew going in that this would cost Him the life of Jesus (Acts 2:23; Acts 3:18; Acts 4:28; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 3:11). The phrase ‘foundation of the world', means the creation of the world (John 17:24; Ephesians 1:4; Luke 11:50; Hebrews 4:3). God knew that in creating mankind, He would have to make man with. freewill (for obedience and love that is forced has no ethical value). But that meant that some might make the wrong choice, hence sin would enter. The death of Christ for the sins of the world wasn't. last minute idea and neither did Jewish rejection catch God by surprise. POINTS TO NOTE: 1. This doesn't mean that Adam and Eve were destined to fail in the garden, but it does mean that God knew that eventually someone would sin. 2. Premillennialism is such an attack upon God's wisdom. For that theory has God planning to set up an earthly kingdom when Jesus initially came (i.e. Jewish acceptance) into the world, but at the same time having Jesus die according to. predetermined plan (Jewish rejection). 3. Also note that foreknowing the future doesn't mean the same thing as determining the future. God knew that Jesus' generation would crucify Him, but God didn't force them to do it (Acts 3:13).

‘has appeared in these last times' -This is. reference to Jesus' incarnation, and not His Second Coming. He ‘has' appeared, the aorist tense denotes. specific point in time. (1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 9:26; 1 John 1:2; 1 John 3:5; 1 John 3:8). ‘These last times'-‘lit., at the end of the times' (Vincent p. 639). Jesus had appeared at the end of the Jewish age, in the ‘fullness of time' (Galatians 4:4), and His death had triggered the beginning of the last period of time upon the earth (Hebrews 1:2; Acts 2:17).

‘for the sake of you' -(2 Corinthians 8:9). ‘for your benefit' (Phi). Again, Peter reminds Christians who were suffering, that despite their trials, they were living in. privileged time. Do we fail to appreciate the ‘time' in which we are living? When Bibles and study aids are so abundant and inexpensive? When bible software makes it so easy and fast to find. verse,. word or. phrase? When we have the benefit of looking back and seeing the whole plan of God unfolded. Add to all of this the scientific and archaeological evidence made available to our generation which endorses the scientific and historical accuracy of the Scriptures. Look at all the tools that we have to spread the gospel and get the message out!