The phrase “before the foundation of the world” is used several times in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. It refers to the time before God created the heavens and the earth, before sin entered the world. Understanding what the Bible teaches about this time period can help us gain perspective on God’s eternal plan of salvation and His sovereignty over all things.
Here are some key points about what the Bible says regarding before the foundation of the world:
- God’s plan for salvation was determined before the foundation of the world. Bible verses such as Ephesians 1:4 and 2 Timothy 1:9 indicate that God chose and predestined believers in Christ before the world began. This speaks to God’s sovereignty and His eternal perspective.
- Names were written in the Book of Life before the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8 refers to those whose names have not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. God knew even before creation who would accept Christ’s sacrifice.
- Jesus was foreordained before the foundation of the world. 1 Peter 1:20 states that Jesus was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for our sake. This means God planned from eternity past to send Christ as Savior.
- The kingdom was prepared from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:34 describes the kingdom as having been prepared for believers from the foundation of the world. God prepared in advance the blessings of eternity for His people.
- God gave grace in Christ before the ages began. 2 Timothy 1:9 speaks of God’s grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. The blessings of grace are not an afterthought but were part of God’s plan from eternity.
- The lamb was slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8 describes Jesus as the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world. This expresses the eternal efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice, even before He physically died on the cross.
The exact timing of “before the foundation of the world” is not definitively revealed in Scripture. However, we know from Genesis 1:1 that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. This marked the foundations or beginning of the world as we know it. The events and plans described as happening before the foundation of the world would have preceded God’s work of creation in Genesis.
Some key implications from these verses include:
- God’s sovereignty – He is eternal and all-knowing, with plans formulated outside of time.
- God’s foreknowledge – He knew beforehand who would accept salvation through faith in Christ.
- Christ’s eternal divinity – As part of the Trinity, Jesus existed before creation.
- The eternal efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice – His atoning death was sufficient to cover sins for all eternity.
- The eternal security of believers – God prepared in advance heavenly blessings which cannot be taken away.
- The mercy and grace of God – Even before creation, He demonstrated His lovingkindness towards humanity.
In summary, the phrase “before the foundation of the world” encompasses past eternity before the creation of the material universe as described in Genesis 1. It speaks to God’s transcendence over time and His sovereignty in formulating His redemptive plan. Though the exact duration is undefined, Scripture gives us glimpses into God’s eternal perspective and actions taken prior to the world’s existence, including the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.
As finite human beings constrained by time and space, it can be difficult to fully comprehend the eternal nature of God and plans formulated before time began. However, we can be encouraged and find great hope knowing that our sovereign God knew us and loved us even before the foundation of the world. Our salvation rests securely in His hands from eternity past to eternity future.
Some key Bible verses on before the foundation of the world include:
Ephesians 1:4 – “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.”
2 Timothy 1:9 – “[God] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.”
Matthew 25:34 – “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
John 17:24 – “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”
1 Peter 1:20 – “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.”
Revelation 13:8 – “And all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.”
These verses reveal that our loving God, from before the foundation of the world, prepared the way of salvation through Jesus Christ. Though we cannot fully grasp eternity, we can praise God for His redemptive plan that spans all the ages!
Some other Bible passages referencing before the foundation of the world include:
John 17:5 – “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
Romans 16:25 – “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages.”
1 Corinthians 2:7 – “But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.”
Titus 1:2 – “In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.”
These verses emphasize that Christ shared God’s glory before the world began, and that God kept His plans hidden as a mystery for ages until the coming of Christ. They reinforce that God formulated His wise decrees and promises of eternal life even before the passage of ages and time.
In seeking to go deeper on the question of “when was before the foundation of the world,” some key points emerge:
- Only God is eternal – he exists beyond time and space. God has no beginning or end (Psalm 90:2).
- “Before the foundation of the world” refers to past eternity before God’s work of creation in Genesis 1.
- Exact duration of this time period is not defined. It emphasizes God’s transcendence rather than specifics.
- May parallel verses about “before the ages began” – referencing before passage of time (Titus 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:9).
- “Ages” implies sequential time periods, so “before” indicates prior to this.
- Ultimately a divine mystery – finite minds cannot fully comprehend scope of eternity.
- Emphasizes God’s sovereignty, foreknowledge, love in formulation of redemption plan.
In as much as Scripture reveals, “before the foundation of the world” refers to past eternity before the creation events of Genesis 1, when time and space as we know it began. It points to God’s transcendent nature and His redemptive plans formulated outside the constraints of time and ages. The exact duration prior to creation defies human comprehension, but provides glimpses into the eternal nature of God’s love and sovereignty.
As the only eternal being, God exists beyond and outside of time. Psalm 90:2 declares, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” God has no beginning or end, but simply exists. Within the being of God resides the eternal plan formed even before the completion and passing of ages.
Scripture does not specify if there was a literal duration of time prior to creation or whether God in His eternal existence formulated the plans for redemption immediately preceding the creative acts in Genesis 1. But it is clear from verses like 1 Peter 1:20 that God foreordained Christ’s sacrifice “before the foundation of the world.” Whenever the precise timing, God established His redemptive plan even prior to bringing the material world into existence.
The eternal nature of “before the foundation of the world” ultimately points more towards God’s transcendence rather than literal duration. 2 Timothy 1:9 and Titus 1:2 reference God’s plans “before the ages began,” emphasizing His perspective outside of and prior to the passage of sequential time periods. The emphasis is on God’s eternal nature and His foreknowledge, rather than comprehensible time frames.
While we cannot grasp the full extent of “before the foundation of the world,” we can know some key truths:
- God is eternal, unlimited by time.
- He formulated His sovereign plans for redemption prior to creation.
- This highlights His foreknowledge, mercy, and grace towards humanity even before we existed.
- Christ’s sacrifice was ordained and sufficient for all eternity.
- Our eternal security rests in God’s hands, not our own works.
Though the human mind cannot comprehend the full scope of “before the foundation of the world,” Scripture provides glimpses into God’s eternal perspective and timely revelations for His glory and our understanding. We can rejoice that our lives are part of a greater story authored by the eternal God even before the passing of time and ages. This truth should lead us to worship the one true God who reigns beyond all time and space.
Some key points of application from the Bible’s revelation about before the foundation of the world include:
- We can have assurance of our salvation – God foreknew and predestined believers, so our eternal security rests in His sovereign plan.
- Humility – God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours, so we approach eternal mysteries like this with awe and reverence.
- Worship – God is worthy of all praise and honor for His transcendence across the ages.
- Gratitude – We can thank God that He demonstrated His love toward us even before the world existed.
- Hope – We have an anchor for our soul in God’s eternal kingdom prepared in advance for His people.
- Evangelism – Since God wants none to perish, we spread the gospel so more can have eternal life.
- Godly living – Since we are chosen and redeemed, we seek to lead holy lives.
Meditating on God’s eternal nature and His redemptive plan spanning before creation began should inspire worship, hope, and gratefulness. It provides perspective for living godly lives aligned with God’s purposes planned long before we existed. We can rest in His love and timing, even for matters that seem uncertain from our limited vantage point.
Just as God prepared in advance the blessings of salvation, He also foreknew those who would reject Christ and face eternal separation from God. Verses like 1 Peter 1:20 indicate God’s foreknowledge of those who would believe in Christ for salvation. Matthew 25:41 also references that hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, even before the world began.
God’s desire is for all to come to eternal life through Christ, as indicated in 2 Peter 3:9 which states God is “not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” However, in His sovereignty God also foreknew those who would persist in unbelief. Their rebellion against God was foreknown before the world began, even though the outworking in time and space came later.
This tension between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility is complex for finite minds to fully reconcile. But we can have confidence that God is merciful and just, and His judgments are true and righteous altogether (Psalm 19:9). He does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but desires all to repent and live (Ezekiel 33:11).
Believers can have assurance that God foreknew those in Christ before the world began (Ephesians 1:4). Our eternal hope is anchored in Christ’s finished work, not our own merits. Out of reverence for God’s justice and mercy, we share the gospel so more may know the hope of eternal redemption prepared for humanity before ages past.
In closing, let’s recap some key truths from Scripture about before the foundation of the world:
- It encompasses past eternity before creation.
- Emphasizes God’s transcendence and sovereignty.
- God foreknew and predestined believers in Christ.
- The efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice spans all time.
- God prepared eternal blessings in advance for His people.
- Hell was originally prepared only for Satan and demons.
- Though eternal, God’s plan was kept as a mystery for ages.
- This truth inspires our worship, hope, and gratitude.
The Bible provides glimpses of before the foundation of the world to reveal God’s transcendent nature and timely redemptive plan. Though we cannot grasp the full extent of eternity, we marvel at God’s sovereignty and foreknowledge in formulating His wise decrees even before the passing of the ages. This inspires awe, reliance on Christ alone, and eternal praise to our great God who reigns beyond time!