The Plan of Redemption
Lesson #1- The Revelation of the Plan of Redemption
THE MYTERY REVEALED
1. What subject did the Bible say was hid for ages but was later revealed to his saints?
Colossians 1:25, 26
25. Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;
26. Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest (revealed) to his saints.”
Note: Paul tells us that there was a thing called “the mystery which hath been hid for ages and from generations” but later on it was revealed to his saints.
2. Where was this mystery hid from ages?
Ephesians 3:8, 9
8. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
3. What is this mystery that was hid for ages but was later manifest all about?
Ephesians 6:19, 20
19. And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20. For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Note: The preposition “of” is this case means “concerning, about or relating to” instead of “from or out of”. Thus, the mystery of the gospel means the mystery concerning or relating to the gospel.
4. What is this mystery of the gospel all about?
Romans 1:1-3
1. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2. (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
5. What part of the mystery of the gospel was not understood by the Jews in the time of Christ?
Ephesians 3:3-6
3. How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4. Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6. That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
6. In a broader sense what is this mystery of the gospel all about?
Desire of Ages, p. 22
“The plan of redemption was not an afterthought, a plan formulated after the fall of Adam. It was a revelation of ‘the mystery that hath been kept in silence through times eternal.’ Romans 16:25, R. V. It was an unfolding of the principles that from eternal ages have been the foundation of God’s throne.”
Note: This shows that the mystery that has been kept secret through times eternal is all about the plan of redemption which Paul calls the mystery of the gospel. Since the gospel is concerning Jesus Christ, the Son of God, it is but proper for the Apostle Paul to call it “the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4).
7. Was this revelation of the mystery of the gospel (the plan of redemption) intended only for the “saints” or was it also intended for all nations of the world?
Romans 16:25, 26
25. “Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.
26. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:”
8. Who did Jesus gave authority to make known to all nations the revealed mystery of the gospel?
Mark 16:15, 16
15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
9. Through whom did the Holy Spirit made the revelation of the mystery of the gospel to be made know to all nations?
Ephesians 3:3-5 “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;”
10. Who are the acknowledged sources and owners of this mystery?
Colossians 2:2 “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;”
Note: The preposition “of” in this case means “from or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.” Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.
11. Was the plan of redemption made only for fallen man?
Bible Commentary, vol 6, p. 1082.1
“The plan (of redemption) that should be carried out upon the defection of any of the high intelligences of heaven, this is the secret, the mystery which hath been hid from ages.”
Note: The plan of redemption was not prepared specifically for man, but it was a plan prepared as a contingency plan to be carried out upon the defection (apostasy or rebellion) of any of the high intelligences of heaven.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION
12. What subject should receive close examination by God’s people in these last days and why?
Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 575
“The great plan of redemption, as revealed in the closing work for these last days, should receive close examination.”
Gospel Workers (1892 Edition), p. 419.1
“There are themes that demand serious consideration. They are those of the great plan of redemption, which is soon to be finished.”
13. What did the SOP say is the central theme of the Bible?
Education, pages 125
“The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God. From the first intimation of hope in the sentence pronounced in Eden to that last glorious promise of the Revelation, “They shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads” (Revelation 22:4), the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible is the unfolding of this wondrous theme,–man’s uplifting,–the power of God, “which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57. {Ed 125.2}
14. Who is the alpha and omega of the plan of redemption?
Review and Herald, June 13, 1912. {Ev 485.1}
“All the great truths of the Scriptures center in Christ; rightly understood, all lead to Him. Let Christ be presented as the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, of the great plan of redemption. Present to the people such subjects as will strengthen their confidence in God and in His Word, and lead them to investigate its teachings for themselves. And as they go forward, step by step, in the study of the Bible, they will be better prepared to appreciate the beauty and harmony of its precious truths.”
15. What is the main objective of the plan of redemption?
Amazing Grace, p. 370.2
“The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back the world into God’s favor. All that was lost by sin is restored. Not only man but the earth is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. For six thousand years, Satan has struggled to maintain possession of the earth. Now God’s original purpose in its creation is accomplished. “The saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever” (Daniel 7:18).”
Great Controversy, p. 674.3
“The earth originally given to man as his kingdom, betrayed by him into the hands of Satan, and so long held by the mighty foe, has been brought back by the great plan of redemption. All that was lost by sin has been restored. “Thus saith the Lord . . . that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.” Isaiah 45:18. God’s original purpose in the creation of the earth is fulfilled as it is made the eternal abode of the redeemed. “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever.” Psalm 37:29.”
16. What is the key that will unlock the correct understanding of the whole treasure house of God’s words in the whole Bible?
Education, p. 126. 1
“He who grasps this thought (the unfolding of the central theme of the Bible, the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God) has before him an infinite field for study. He has the key that will unlock to him the whole treasure house of God’s word.”
A Call to Stand Apart, page 24
“God bids us fill the mind with great thoughts, He desires us to meditate upon His love and mercy, to study His wonderful work in the great plan of redemption. Then clearer and still clearer will be our perception of truth, higher, holier our desire for purity of heart and clearness of thought.”
17. Through the study of the plan of redemption, what does God expects from us?
Christ Object Lessons, p. 299.2
“The Lord desires us to appreciate the great plan of redemption, to realize our high privilege as the children of God, and to walk before Him in obedience, with grateful thanksgiving. He desires us to serve Him in newness of life, with gladness every day. He longs to see gratitude welling up in our hearts because our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, because we may cast all our care upon Him who cares for us. He bids us rejoice because we are the heritage of the Lord, because the righteousness of Christ is the white robe of His saints, because we have the blessed hope of the soon coming of our Saviour.”
18. What then should we be praying relative to the plan of redemption?
Our High Calling, p. 146.3
“My own scanty knowledge and feeble energies drive me to Jesus, and the language of my heart is, “Oh God, I can do nothing. I hang my helpless soul on Thee, Jesus Christ my Saviour. Put Thy grace into my heart. Attract my mind from my weakness to Thy almighty strength, from my ignorance to Thy eternal wisdom, from my frailty to Thy enduring might. Give me correct views of the great plan of redemption. Let me see and understand what Christ is to me, and that my heart, soul, mind, and strength are bought with a price. Christ has imparted to me that I may impart to others. Lift up my soul; strengthen and enlighten my mind that I may comprehend more clearly the character of God as revealed in Jesus Christ, that I may know that it is my privilege to be a partaker of the divine nature.”
19. Why do we need to pray for a correct understanding of the plan of redemption?
Selected Messages, book 3, p. 188.2
“Oh, that it might be said of ministers who are preaching to the people and to the churches, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures”! (Luke 24:45). I tell you in the fear of God that up to this time, the Bible truths connected with the great plan of redemption are but feebly understood. The truth will be continually unfolding, expanding, and developing, for it is divine, like its Author.”
20. What does a correct understanding of the plan of redemption do to us?
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 575
“The great plan of redemption, as revealed in the closing work of these last days, should receive close examination. The scenes connected with the sanctuary above should make such an impression upon the minds and hearts of all that they may be able to impress others. All need to become more intelligent in regard to the work of the atonement, which is going on in the sanctuary above. When this grand truth is seen and understood, those who hold it will work in harmony with Christ to prepare a people to stand in the great day of God, and their efforts will be successful. By study, contemplation, and prayer God’s people will be elevated above common, earthly thoughts and feelings, and will be brought into harmony with Christ and His great work of cleansing the sanctuary above from the sins of the people. Their faith will go with Him into the sanctuary, and the worshipers on earth will be carefully reviewing their lives and comparing their characters with the great standard of righteousness. They will see their own defects; they will also see that they must have the aid of the Spirit of God if they would become qualified for the great and solemn work for this time which is laid upon God’s ambassadors.”
21. What will the study of the plan of redemption do to our mind and soul?
Education, p. 26. 2
“This [science of redemption] is the highest study in which it is possible for man to engage. As no other study can, it will quicken (revive) the mind and uplift the soul.”
Note: According to the SOP, the plan of redemption when studied and properly understood will quicken or revive the mind and uplift the soul. Thus, it is the very message that need to be presented to the whole church if we are to expect a great revival and reformation in the church.
22. Besides us human beings, who else are studying the plan of redemption?
Education, p. 26. 2 “The science of redemption is the science of all sciences; the science that is the study of the angels and of all the intelligences of the unfallen worlds; the science that engages the attention of our Lord and Saviour; the science that enters into the purpose brooded in the mind of the Infinite–“kept in silence through times eternal” (Romans 16:25, R.V.); the science that will be the study of God’s redeemed throughout endless ages.
Summary and Conclusion:
To conclude this lesson, let us summarize the points that we have learned? We have learned that…
a. There is a “mystery” that was hid for ages but was later revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and prophets for all nations. Col. 1:25, 26; Rom. 16:25, 26; Ephesians 3:3-5
b. This mystery is all about the gospel concerning Jesus Christ. In a broader sense it is called the Plan of Redemption. DA 22
c. That we need to closely study the plan of redemption (5T 575) because
(1) it is the central theme of the bible (Ed 125) and
(2) it is the key to understand correctly the words of God (Ed 126.1) and
(3) its study will quicken (revive) the mind and uplift the soul (Ed 126.2) and
(4) Then clearer and still clearer will be our perception of truth, higher, holier our desire for purity of heart and clearness of thought. –A Call to Stand Apart, page 24
When we study the plan of redemption we will be led to see and appreciate the wisdom, knowledge and greatness of God.
Romans 11:33 “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
Psalms 139: 2, 6 “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off….Such knowledge is too wonderful; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”