Before the beginning of time...

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Scrobulous

Active member
Sep 17, 2018
290
73
28
#1
Hi folks,

Titus 1:2 says ‘resting on the hope of eternal life which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.’

So my question is, where is this promise made? Certainly the promise is referred to and the statement repeated several times in the NT:

Eph 1:4 for he chose us, in him before the creation of the world

2 Tim 1:9 this grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time

1 Pet 1:20 He (Christ) was chosen before the creation of the world

Mt 25:34 come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world

But, where is the promise actually given?
There are OT references to eternal life, but where does it say that eternal life was given to the saints from before the beginning of time?
I can’t find the promise given.
Can you?
 

preacher4truth

Senior Member
Dec 28, 2016
9,171
2,718
113
#2
Are you looking for a verse that says something like: "I God, before the foundation of the earth, promise eternal life to all saints. Amen!" ;) :p :)

If you are being ingenuous in your quest, you know you'll never find it in your exacting terms. I see this as an example of begging the question.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#3
Hi folks,

Titus 1:2 says ‘resting on the hope of eternal life which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.’

So my question is, where is this promise made? Certainly the promise is referred to and the statement repeated several times in the NT:

Eph 1:4 for he chose us, in him before the creation of the world

2 Tim 1:9 this grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time

1 Pet 1:20 He (Christ) was chosen before the creation of the world

Mt 25:34 come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world

But, where is the promise actually given?
There are OT references to eternal life, but where does it say that eternal life was given to the saints from before the beginning of time?
I can’t find the promise given.
Can you?
Not sure what you mean. The promise was made before the beginning of time. Time is a property of the universe, therefore the promise was made before creation.

Therefore "where" does not make much sense, there was no space, so to speak. In the mind of God, lets say.
 

Noose

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2016
5,096
932
113
#4
Reality is in a conscious mind and God is a mind- means all existence is in Him. Creation is the actualization of thoughts- means we existed as thoughts before creation and we still do and everything that happens or will ever happen, exists as thoughts.
If God says we were chosen before time is because of the above and several times in the OT it is mentioned:

Jer 31:2This is what the LORD says: “The people who survived the sword found favor in the wilderness when Israel went to find rest.” 3The LORD appearedto him from afar: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.

Psalm 25:Remember thy compassions, O Lord, and thy mercies, for they are from everlasting.
 

luigi

Junior Member
Dec 6, 2015
1,222
216
63
#5
Hi folks,

Titus 1:2 says ‘resting on the hope of eternal life which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.’

So my question is, where is this promise made? Certainly the promise is referred to and the statement repeated several times in the NT:

Eph 1:4 for he chose us, in him before the creation of the world

2 Tim 1:9 this grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time

1 Pet 1:20 He (Christ) was chosen before the creation of the world

Mt 25:34 come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world

But, where is the promise actually given?
There are OT references to eternal life, but where does it say that eternal life was given to the saints from before the beginning of time?
I can’t find the promise given.
Can you?
When Eternal life is promised to those who believe on Christ, Eternal life means from the beginning of time.
There is reference to Melchizedek with no beginning and no end to which order the Lord Jesus and others belong to.
There is reference in Job to all the sons of God shouting for joy upon the creation of the earth.
There is reference to those who believe on Christ (on the Way of Christ, which is to believe in love, truth, justice, etc.), will become one with Christ and the Father.
And with the Father, the singularity before time commenced, those attaining the promise of eternal life in the present, would then be one with the Father throughout the ages.

Hebrews 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,417
3,468
113
#6
Hi folks,

Titus 1:2 says ‘resting on the hope of eternal life which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.’

So my question is, where is this promise made? Certainly the promise is referred to and the statement repeated several times in the NT:
One either believes that the writer of Titus was inspired by the Holy Spirit of God to write down that or they don't..

So the promise was made and the writer of Titus revealed by the power of the Holy Spirit that the promise was made when it was made..
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
36,530
13,094
113
#7
Hi folks,

Titus 1:2 says ‘resting on the hope of eternal life which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.’

So my question is, where is this promise made? Certainly the promise is referred to and the statement repeated several times in the NT:

Eph 1:4 for he chose us, in him before the creation of the world

2 Tim 1:9 this grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time

1 Pet 1:20 He (Christ) was chosen before the creation of the world

Mt 25:34 come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world

But, where is the promise actually given?
There are OT references to eternal life, but where does it say that eternal life was given to the saints from before the beginning of time?
I can’t find the promise given.
Can you?
perhaps it is implicit in 'slain from the foundation of the world' or in that He knows and declares 'the end from the beginning'?

is this something we ought to infer simply from what we know about the character of God?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,763
113
#8
So my question is, where is this promise made?
When God foreordained and predetermined the sacrifice of Christ as the Lamb of God -- BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD -- it included the promise of eternal life.

1 PETER 1
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#9
Might want to consider Genesis the creation of Adam. The punishment for sin is death. Scripture suggest that if Adam didn't sin he would live forever.
 

Zmouth

Senior Member
Nov 21, 2012
3,391
134
63
#10
Titus 1:2 says ‘resting on the hope of eternal life which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.’

So my question is, where is this promise made? Certainly the promise is referred to and the statement repeated several times in the NT:
If a good tree brings forth good fruit and a corrupt tree brings forth corrupt fruit, then the nature of the tree is defined by the form of the fruit.
  • Then the nature of the fruit tree is defined by its form that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself.
  • And the nature of the nut tree is defined by its form that brings forth fruit in the which is the tree bearing seed.
Of course who knew that nobody can't eat the bitter almonds since they are fatal to anyone who does, that is unless one boils them first. But hey, it is written that man doth not live by the 'bread' alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Of course it is written in John 6:58, " This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever."

But if your hope of eternal life is based upon the promise that proceedeth from the mouth of God then what seems to be the issue?
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#11
I would agree not verbatim but infallibly suggested .Like in the portion in Acts 17 not served by human hands as one who is of one mind and always does whatsoever His soul desires. The secret thing of God which he conceals cannot be opened

Acts 17:23-28 King James Version (KJV) For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped( or served) with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
 
Nov 4, 2018
12
8
3
#12
Hi folks,

Titus 1:2 says ‘resting on the hope of eternal life which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.’

So my question is, where is this promise made? Certainly the promise is referred to and the statement repeated several times in the NT:

Mt 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (ASV)
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#13
Hi folks,

Titus 1:2 says ‘resting on the hope of eternal life which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.’

So my question is, where is this promise made? Certainly the promise is referred to and the statement repeated several times in the NT:

Eph 1:4 for he chose us, in him before the creation of the world

2 Tim 1:9 this grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time

1 Pet 1:20 He (Christ) was chosen before the creation of the world

Mt 25:34 come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world

But, where is the promise actually given?
There are OT references to eternal life, but where does it say that eternal life was given to the saints from before the beginning of time?
I can’t find the promise given.
Can you?
God is the not beginning of time . He is eternal . Time began on day four when he set the two timer keepers in the sky (Sun, Moon)to give us the light of the Sun and a lesser light for night the moon. They will not be in the new heaven and earth God will by the light as the glory that will light the whole world

The promise given to the saints from before the beginning began to be fulfilled with a work of our Faithful Creator declaring His will be done..............................In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth..Genesis 1 King James Version (KJV)1:1

You could say step one in working to fulfill the promise is setting up as it is written representing God not seen .and then the work began" let there be" and there was

The promise will not be completed until the last day when in a twinkling of a eye all saints will receive the goal of promise. Their incorruptible bodies as the eternal bride .They having died they did not see the promise .

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:)they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.Hebrew11:37-40

I would call it a "living promise" giving us a "living hope" as the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,261
2,386
113
#14
Hi folks,

Titus 1:2 says ‘resting on the hope of eternal life which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.’

So my question is, where is this promise made? Certainly the promise is referred to and the statement repeated several times in the NT:

Eph 1:4 for he chose us, in him before the creation of the world

2 Tim 1:9 this grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time

1 Pet 1:20 He (Christ) was chosen before the creation of the world

Mt 25:34 come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world

But, where is the promise actually given?
There are OT references to eternal life, but where does it say that eternal life was given to the saints from before the beginning of time?
I can’t find the promise given.
Can you?

"Titus 1:2 says ‘resting on the hope of eternal life which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time."

"So my question is, where is this promise made?
Certainly the promise is referred to and the statement repeated several times in the NT...
But, where is the promise actually given?"



You quite LITERALLY post the answer from scripture,
and then, with a straight face, you ask, "What is the answer?"



It must be a full moon.



...
 

Scrobulous

Active member
Sep 17, 2018
290
73
28
#15
"Titus 1:2 says ‘resting on the hope of eternal life which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time."

"So my question is, where is this promise made?
Certainly the promise is referred to and the statement repeated several times in the NT...
But, where is the promise actually given?"



You quite LITERALLY post the answer from scripture,
and then, with a straight face, you ask, "What is the answer?"



It must be a full moon.



...
If you read my post, I am asking where the original promise, in the OT is made. The NT is refering to a promise given by God. Where does God say, after the fall, that he offers eternal life to the saints?
 

Scrobulous

Active member
Sep 17, 2018
290
73
28
#16
Sorry for the delay, to all who responded.
My question is whether there is a scripture in the OT that suggests God always intended to offer eternal life after the fall. One can certainly infer that this was the plan and many OT saints were convinced of it, but they seem to have obtained this revelation out of their experience of God, rather than any specific promise in the scripture.
I asked the question because I was imagining myself living under the old covenant as a foreigner and wondering about my eternal future. What could I reasonably hope for? After all, I may have concluded that living in the house of the Lord was something only men like Job, or David, could aspire to.
It seems that many jews believed that after death they went to Sheol.
So, I posted to the forum.
 

Scrobulous

Active member
Sep 17, 2018
290
73
28
#17
Not sure what you mean. The promise was made before the beginning of time. Time is a property of the universe, therefore the promise was made before creation.

Therefore "where" does not make much sense, there was no space, so to speak. In the mind of God, lets say.
To clarify, I meant where in the Old Testament, not where in time!
 

Scrobulous

Active member
Sep 17, 2018
290
73
28
#19
Reality is in a conscious mind and God is a mind- means all existence is in Him. Creation is the actualization of thoughts- means we existed as thoughts before creation and we still do and everything that happens or will ever happen, exists as thoughts.
If God says we were chosen before time is because of the above and several times in the OT it is mentioned:

Jer 31:2This is what the LORD says: “The people who survived the sword found favor in the wilderness when Israel went to find rest.” 3The LORD appearedto him from afar: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.

Psalm 25:Remember thy compassions, O Lord, and thy mercies, for they are from everlasting.
But if you only had the OT, would you be able to say that God offered you eternal life. God’s love may br forever, but that does not mean you will live for ever to enjoy it.
 

Scrobulous

Active member
Sep 17, 2018
290
73
28
#20
When Eternal life is promised to those who believe on Christ, Eternal life means from the beginning of time.
There is reference to Melchizedek with no beginning and no end to which order the Lord Jesus and others belong to.
There is reference in Job to all the sons of God shouting for joy upon the creation of the earth.
There is reference to those who believe on Christ (on the Way of Christ, which is to believe in love, truth, justice, etc.), will become one with Christ and the Father.
And with the Father, the singularity before time commenced, those attaining the promise of eternal life in the present, would then be one with the Father throughout the ages.

Hebrews 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Certainly eternal life was offered in Christ. My question is whether this was known before Christ was revealed. Is there a universal promise that fallen man under the old covenant, had any hope of eternal life?