“Learning Christ before time began”  December 2017   

Since we have arrived at the 12^th month of the year, it is appropriate for us to reflect upon the path we that the soles of our feet have taken us. It is a worthwhile exercise to count our blessings, and even to extend notes of thanks to those who impacted our lives, even in small ways that we could have missed. As far as this ministry is concerned, I am filled with gratitude to those who are consistent in remaining a vital part of what we share and how we serve. I am compelled to recognize the love and support of those who took time during the year to lend a helping hand mostly in funds to help defray the expense of producing and mailing these writings.

Your help and prayers in producing these newsletters is your seed that will be counted in the upcoming harvest: because the good Lord is the One who keeps the books and will not short-change any one of us. To that end, Paul encouraged us “Not to be weary ion well doing; for we shall reap in due season if we faint not. Please accept my sincere thanks for the part you have played over this passing year.; and my sincere and best wishes to you throughout the upcoming year of 2018.

As we indicated in a previous issue of this series, the stories being preached and taught about Jesus Christ, begin at the manger and ends at the resurrection tomb. As soon as the Master rose in the clouds to sit at the Father’s right hand, all we knew and preached about Jesus comes to an end. But if Jesus is indeed the Alpha and Omega, in reality, we must interact with him from the beginning (that is what the Alpha) actually alludes to. Before we proceed to enter New Testament times, there are still a number of stories (I’d rather call them events—stories seem to be almost mundane.) that we need to observe since they highlight a number of wonderful aspects of the pre-incarnate Christ. (Called the Christ of God.)

Going back to Exodus, we find a classic event that captures the essence of what we are talking about. God had commissioned Moses to move forward with a stiff-necked people. Let us observe how personal and humanly this encounter with God was for Moses. “And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.” Picture this! Moses did not speak to a disembodied spirit, because God did not choose to be invisible. Moses, in anxiety tempered with an air of uncertainty entreated the Lord by suggesting:

 “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he (God) said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. And he (the Lord) said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see my face, and live.

 And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by. And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.” Exodus 33: 11-23. It is worth mentioning an account that we know so well. “Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadad, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:

 And they saw the God of Israel…And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.” Exodus 24: 9-11. Reading these accounts by themselves pose no conflict in terms of the O.T. Moses, and some among the children of Israel did see God: and this account should not throw us into confusion.

 There can be no argument that God revealed himself in human form (or bodily appearances) to people back in ancient times. Consider the following account: “But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. And God left off talking with him (Abraham) and God went up from Abraham.” Genesis 17: 21, 22. There are about seven such occurrences when God appeared to Abraham in bodily form that is usually called theophanes.

 We deem the scriptures that substantiate such facts to be an integral part of the inspired Word of God. But as we step across the great divide from the Old Testament to the New Testament, we are faced with what seems to be conflict of truths or mild contradictions. Such contradictions will become more prominent and pronounced, if we dissect the scriptures into segments, carved out and made to fit one’s personal philosophy.

 Some years ago, a friend from Carson, California (I lived in San Diego at that time) joined me on a trip to Whittier not many miles away. We went to a little book store where we could find books that were banned, or spoken against by mainstream religious entities. Mostly by those who taught the imminent return of Christ in the Rapture and espoused the idea of the coming forth in violent fashion the dreaded man of sin—the antichrist.

While browsing the shelves, I saw a book that deals with the sovereignty of God and predestination. In a nut shell the author suggested that the sovereignty of God is sound doctrine by itself; and predestination is also a truth by itself. The problem arises when we try to combine both into a single doctrinal truth. He suggested that they were never meant to be coupled into one.

 Before long, as we open the pages of the New Testament gospels, we run into what seems at first glance to be monumental contradictions. Alas! We just read accounts of people seeing God, and God speaking with Moses face to face as one friend to another. These truths seem to be so simple that we seldom see the need for further discussion or friendly debate.

 But we open the New Testament to John to hear Jesus say: “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father (while living as a man preaching and teaching—yet all the time, still being in the bosom of the Father—a place he never left.) he hath declared him…Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.” John 1: 18; 5: 37. It stands to reason that much of what Jesus said and what he meant were not contradictions of Old Testament truths, but meant to bring more clarity to the truths that were shrouded by the clouds of ensuing years.

 The simplest solution to what appears to be contradictions, is to suggest that the person seen in the Old Testament as God, is now the Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament. To achieve this, and embrace this broader concept, we have to trace the existence of Christ, by tracking backward in time and place, to try and determine when and where Jesus Christ fits into our history.

 Like we said before, most preachers, teachers and even scholars of the scriptures join the wise men at the manger, and stand alongside the disciples as they gaze up into heaven; then join the disciples in the upper room: awaiting the coming of the Holy Ghost and the birth of the Apostolic Church. John’s gospel opens up to us a grand entrance into the essence of time, and allows us to catch a glimpse of the period “before time began.” Jesus Christ is featured here as God since the Word existed in the beginning with God and was God. If this is true, we will do well to remember that there is only ONE GOD.

 It is written: “Look unto me, and be ye saved, al the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, and the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto ME (not unto US) every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” Isaiah 45: 22, 23. “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.” Isaiah 46: 9.

Now, if John declares that the Word in the beginning was God, and later wrote: “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1: 14) it stands to reason that there is no other God somewhere. The Lord himself said that he did not know of any other God and he is God all by himself. Our knowledge or personal philosophy cannot undo or rewrite these Old Testament truths.

 Taking these truths into consideration, we slowly begin to put the picture together: The Old Testament in unison with the New Testament. We must ignore for a moment the manger scene and the baby boy born there. John pulled the curtains back, beyond when time first began and wrote of Jesus Christ: “The same was with God in the beginning. Connect this truth with the Savior and Messiah born to Mary and Joseph!

 “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1: 1-9. Paul added to this truth in one of his pastoral letters. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father (that eternal Spirit out of whom Jesus came) that in him should all fulness dwell. Colossians 1: 16-19. This total overview of the subject at hand seems to afford us an opening into what seemed mysterious in times past.

 The abundance of scriptures that are available to us, when placed in their proper order according to the sequence and unfolding of God’s person and purpose among us children of men, we are not left in the dark to wander and be like those who shoot phantoms in the dark. We are given a sure word of prophecy, and as we mentioned before, his word is forever settled in heaven.

 It is not simply that Christ was with God when he created everything around us; including we ourselves. To the contrary, Christ is the Creator. When we read that God created the heavens and the earth, do not look away for some distant entity or person. Without him (Jesus Christ) was nothing made that was made. In fact, no one can be born without him bringing forth that life for his light was the life of men… He lighteth every man that cometh into the world. Thank God: by his grace I am what I am! And by him I will be what I am destined to be.

As we bask in the newly found knowledge of Him who was before time, and who will ever be the First and the Last—Alpha and Omega, perhaps it’s time to put ourselves in the picture to discover our origin; as we fit into the excellence of God’s grandiose plan for the ages. We have so far, proven from scripture that Jesus Christ was before all things: meaning he existed before time began. Listen to how Jesus referred to this truth, which, in his case was not an after- thought or a child-like fantasy.

Our Lord prayed saying: “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory that I had with thee before the world was.” John 17: 5. Let us trace reality as it applies to us in this study. Quite often, we have heard discussions from various panels of experts as they join the ordinary person who asks, “who am I? Where did I come from? What is my purpose here? And where do I go from here?

 The average person (and many unbelieving experts assert that we began with our parents, and they cite our DNA, family traits, and such the like. In finding our true origin, let us do a little research with the help of inspired writers of the scriptures. David marveled about himself and concluded: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest part of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; (Yet being undeveloped) and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139: 13-16.

 We have a stronger account of where we came from and what was the Creator’s predestinated will for us, i.e. the place we are destined to occupy in the Master’s elaborate plan. The Apostle Paul has catalogued two compelling accounts that serve us well.

 “According as he hath chosen us IN HIM i.e. (in Christ) before the foundation of the world. That means that before time began, we were already chosen in Christ. “Thank you Jesus!” that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” Ephesians 1:4-6. Notice that the verse did not say that we were made acceptable—we were made “accepted.”

The job has been done—we are in!! Here is one of my favorite! “For we are his workmanship (or handiwork) created IN CHRIST JESUS unto good works, which God hath before i.e. that is before the foundation of the world: ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2: 10.

Paul offers another explicit account of the truth we are looking at when he wrote: “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” 2^nd Timothy 1: 9. In previous writings I have shared the following thought; but at this juncture, it seems appropriate for me to revisit the event since it fits in perfectly with what we just noted above.

 The “in Christ” concept should not be taken lightly, because when we understand it as being a divine principle and as an integral part of our relationship with Christ and the God of heaven and earth, our faith and assurance as it pertains to our place in the family of God can be totally accepted.

Notice above, that we were chosen IN HIM, and that we were created IN CHRIST JESUS. Let us assume that you are going to bake a cake from scratch. You first get the correct kind of flour: you collect eggs, corn starch, butter, sugar, vanilla, rose water, salt, nutmeg and such the like. When the eggs are mixed into the flour and thoroughly whipped together, you do not call it eggs anymore—you call it cake. (or cake mix) The same applies to every other spice and tasty blends that are mixed in with everything else. Because they are now components that constitute the cake, their original nature, name and individual characteristics are changed into one new reality.

 Each item thrown into the mix, loses its original nature and identity. It is no wonder that we can agree with Paul in saying that if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things are passed away and all things are become new. The “IN-CHRIST” exercise takes us out of one realm and into another; as Paul wrote: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8: 2. Notice once again that this transaction is made viable “in Christ.”

 Let us take it slowly, watching and weighing every word, and keeping them where they belong in the narrative. We begin up front, then go backward after a while. Speaking of the paying of tithes, Paul introduced a marvelous scenario that we do better in not brushing it aside, or taking a passing glance as we move on to bigger issues. What I will share next, by this time, may not be new to you because I have mentioned it several times in recent studies; but it seems good to mention it once more, simply to highlight an important point that can change your world.

For many years I delighted in Paul’s announcement that he is crucified with Christ. But I was not quite sure of how he arrived at that conclusion. I wondered what was his secret; if he had some sort of special revelation or encounter with Jesus Christ. Was he just saying something because it sounded good, and is able to grab the attention of others? People who write commercials for large corporations, are geniuses in creating “sound-bites” catch phrases, and marketing ploys.

A few preachers that I know personally, are skillful in knowing what to say, and how to say it in getting the people on their feet dancing and shouting. From my keen observation, I concluded that it was not based upon what the preacher said, but by the way he or she said it. It was not like that in Paul’s case. Being crucified with Christ was not a mirage, or an empty thought that slowly passed through his mind. After a while, I discovered exactly why Paul embraced the fact that when Christ died, he (Paul) also died with him. Please do not let go of what I am about to share. If you hold on to it and apply it to your life, “YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN—AS LONG AS YOU SHALL LIVE!!

One day, in about the year B.C.1913, Abraham, on his way back from rescuing Lot met a notable man: “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram (that is before his named was changed) of the most high God. And he (Abram) gave him (Melchizedek) tithes of all.” Genesis 14: 18-20. As we walk through the doors of the New Testament, the writer of the book of Hebrews offered this vital scenario that underscores why Paul could easily conclude and accept that he was crucified with Christ.

Thus, we read: “And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes IN ABRAHAM. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.” Hebrews 7: 9, 10. Levi was a great grandson of Abraham, who lived about 400 years after Abraham. But 400 years before he was born, he paid tithes the same day that Abraham offered tithes to the great man—the king of Salem. As far as Paul’s assessment is concerned, if that was the case of Levi, so it is his case.

But Paul did not hold this truth to himself, and for himself alone (if we are willing and able to appropriate it unto ourselves. Make a careful note here! “For we are his workmanship (his handiwork) created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” Ephesians 2: 10. It is no wonder, then, that Paul wrote again: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.” Eph.1:4. Before time began, or the ages were framed, we were already chosen by God, from our place IN CHRIST: and that is a fact and a truth that cannot be discredited or revoked by men or angels. This truth should serve as an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll. Be blessed my friends!  

Royce O. Kennedy

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