From Eternity to Eternity

The Cross reveals the glory of God’s eternality. In Christ’s death, the unchangeable plan of God’s redemption reached back to eternity past and stretched forward to eternity future. In eternity past, three members of the Godhead counseled together and designed “so great a salvation” (Hebrews 2:3). Purposed by our triune God before time began, the Cross became the supreme outworking of God’s eternal decree in time (Ephesians 1:11).

Expanding on this grand truth, the apostle Paul wrote, “He [God] chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4), indicating that in eternity past God chose His own unto salvation based on the death of Christ, which would make all who would believe worthy. Paul wrote that God has “saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity” (2 Timothy 1:9). It was according to God’s eternal plan that Jesus came and made the necessary sacrifice for our sins in order to secure our salvation.

Furthermore, God’s eternalness is seen by His gift offered to us in the Cross—the free gift of eternal life. As its very name suggests, the Cross provides that which has eternal value. Eternal life is a quality of life in which the God of eternity comes to dwell within us through our faith in Christ. The apostle recorded these words of Christ: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life” (John 5:24).

The Cross means we will live with God—forever! Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26). All who believe in Christ will live with God forever, praising the Lord Jesus as God’s Lamb who purchased our salvation.

In heaven, the apostle John saw “a Lamb standing, as if slain” (Revelation 5:6), occupying the center place of worship, adored by saints and angels alike. What a glorious picture of eternity!

Excerpt taken from Made in Our Image, by Steven Lawson.