Have you ever wondered about the true meaning behind common bible phrases?
In our fast-paced modern world, it’s easy to misinterpret or overlook the profound wisdom hidden within the scriptures.
But what if these bible phrases hold secrets that could reshape our understanding of life itself?
One such phrase, “the foundation of the world,” appears throughout biblical texts and has sparked countless debates among scholars and believers alike.
But what did it mean to those who first heard it? To uncover its true significance, we must journey back in time, setting aside our modern assumptions and immersing ourselves in the language and culture of the ancient world.
As we peel back the layers of history, we might just discover a truth that has been hiding in plain sight for millennia.
FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD MEANING
We will begin this study with the Book of Matthew Chapter 13 vs 34 – 35:
All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. (KJV)
The “foundation of the world” is a critical theme of the scriptures which must be understood alongside another phrase referred to by the authors of the scriptures as the “end of the world”.
In today’s world, the term “foundation of the world” can be interpreted as before the world was created or the beginning of the creation of the world, whilst the term “end the world” can be interpreted to mean when the world is going to come to an end, most likely via destruction.
We must understand that the scriptures are ancient materials or books, written in a language that the authors and their immediate audience knew and understood.
Thus, it would be very misleading to impose on the scriptures the understanding and appreciation of words and phrases in today’s world.
it’s vital to understand the language and grammar of the authors of the scriptures. To sit in the seat of the audience and find out what exactly they heard (understood) when they were taught God’s word by the authors.
Therefore, what did the audience hear and understand in their world as “the foundation of the world”?
In Matthew’s account in the opening text, Jesus made mention of “the foundation of the world”, when he taught his immediate audience God’s word from the scriptures.
Now, if Jesus and Mathew taught from the scriptures, it therefore implies that the understanding of the phrase will be from the scriptures (Genesis to Malachi).
In our opening text, Mathew quoted from the book of Psalms, Psalms 78:1-2. Again, it is important to note that the author here, of course, Asaph, was teaching from the law, that is, the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy).
In the four gospels, in the book of Luke, Jesus made mention of the foundation of the world.
Luke 11:50-51, Here, he taught about all the prophets who were killed from the foundation of the world, from Abel to Zechariah, thus, referring to Genesis 4, where we read about the prophet Abel.
It is important to note also that the phrase “foundation of the world” was used in the four gospels too.
It therefore suffices to say that Jesus and His holy apostles were not innovating in their use of the phrase, “foundation of the world” and “the end of the world” they were teaching from the Holy Scriptures.
Hence, the reader in today’s world will have to read the prophetic scriptures to understand what the authors taught and not impose the meaning of the words in today’s world on them.
So therefore, the foundation of the world has to do with God’s plan and project on the earth at the beginning.
God’s plan for man and the world from the beginning was communicated as the foundation of the world.
Before the creation of the world, God had a plan. This plan is what is termed the foundation of the world.
BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD SCRIPTURES
Below are several bible verses that talk about the foundation of the world used in various contexts:
The lamb was slain from the foundation of the world:
Revelation 13:8 (KJV): “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
Before the foundation of the world, I knew you:
Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV): “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Predestined before the foundation of the world:
Ephesians 1:4-5 (KJV): “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Verse 5: Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.
Chosen before the foundation of the world:
1 Peter 1:20 (KJV): “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.
God’s plan of salvation before the foundation of the world:
2 Timothy 1:9 (KJV): “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 I Christ Jesus before the world began.
My passion lies in reaching out to young adults in communities and schools, witnessing the transformative power of faith in their lives.
This blog extends my ministry, sharing insights, encouraging believers, and exploring Christ's teachings in daily life.
Welcome, Brother James.
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