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Plan B

or

The Origin and Purpose of Humanity

by

Ron Parsons

Some of the comments in these readings are adapted from books in my library.  No recognition is given because they are not intended as authorities, but are used because they express my understanding clearly. All the ideas expressed in this article, right or wrong, are my own.

There was a time when God was alone.

Then He brought forth His ONLY begotten Son. John 1:18.

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Proverbs 8:

22 "The LORD possessed Me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth [more on this later.]: 26 while as yet He had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world."

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It was through Him that God made the universe.

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Hebrews 1:

1 God, who at sundry [various] times and in divers [different] manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds [of the universe, all of them].

Colossians 1:

13 [God] has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood [life], even the forgiveness of sins. 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn [foremost] of every creature: 16 for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: 17 and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

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After that God worked through His Son to create the intelligences who live in the universe on their home planets. Foremost of these are the beings called "angels" or "messengers" in the Bible, while the rest are simply known to us as "the sons of God". See Job 1:6-7. Angels live on a planet that is called "Heaven" in the Bible which is in a solar system situated behind the nebula of Orion.

(There are three "heavens" mentioned in the Scriptures:

#1 the atmosphere where birds fly;

#2 outer space where galaxies and constellations orbit;

#3 the planet which is the home of God and the angels.)

Why did He create the universe and its peoples? "You are worthy, O LORD, to receive glory and honour and power: for You have created all things, and for Your pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11. This was Plan A – a perfect family of living creatures helping others, as He does. There were no children being born in that family – they were all created full-grown, for as Jesus told us, ". .in the resurrection they [humans] neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." Matthew 22:30.

In that kingdom His Son has a special place.

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Hebrews 1:

5 For to which of the angels said He at any time, "You are My Son, this day have I begotten You?" [Psalm 2:7] And again, "I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?" [Psalm 89:26] 6 And again, when He brings in the firstbegotten into the world, He says, "And let all the angels of God worship Him [as God]." [Psalm 97:7]

7 And of the angels He says, "Who makes His angels spirits [people who understand], and His ministers [workers] a flame of fire [full of energy]." [Psalm 104:4] 8 [They were created for a special purpose.] But to the Son He says, "Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness [goodness] is the sceptre [power] of Your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows." [Psalm 45:6-7]

[He is more special. How?] 10 And, "You, LORD, in the beginning have laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Your hands: 11 they shall perish [they are finite]; but You remain [You are infinite]; and they all shall wax old as does a garment; 12 and as a vesture shall You fold them up, and they shall be changed: but You are the same, and Your years shall not fail [because You are immortal]." [Psalm 102:25]

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The people of the universe did not know how God or His Son came into being any more than earthly children know much about their parents till they grow up. But part of life is to find out these things, for eternal life is a ceaseless approach unto God through Jesus Christ.

In the meantime:

God values His freedom and loves obedient children. Yet into His perfect universe He introduced the POSSIBILITY of disobedience/sin by giving His creatures the right of choice to disagree with Him. Therefore He says:-

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Isaiah 45:

5 "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me: I girded you [with life], though you have not known Me 6 that they may know [understand] from the rising of the sun, and from the west [the whole universe], that there is none beside Me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. 7 I form the light, and [therefore] create darkness [by contrast]: I make peace, and create evil [by the gift of choice]: I the LORD do all these things."

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The Son was a manifestation of the Father at creature level, so that the created ones could relate to God. His name was "Michael" which translates as, "He who is like God." This new individual took on angel FORM, but not the reality, for He was simply a Helper. (There is so much difference between God the Father and His creatures that a Mediator is needed.) On ceremonial occasions His position was on the right hand of God, while the highest created being stood on God’s left. See Exodus 25:18-20. They appeared to share the position of power, but in fact, only the Son could move into the Glory of God the Father and converse directly with Him – all others communicated through the Son.

Then came rebellion!!

Lucifer the leading angel became Satan the adversary because of his jealousy of the position of the Son of God. He also refused to acknowledge the character of the Father and referred to Him as "the Boss (Baal)." That led to a negative situation in heaven which caused Satan and his sympathisers to rebel against His authority and to want to leave the presence of their Father (typical teenagers). But that would have left a gap in the perfect number of angels who live in heaven and serve the people of the universe, so something had to be done.

This was the reason that the Son of God came to this out-of-the-way part of the universe in which lay a dark solar system. He did not CREATE the earth at that time as we think of creating, but rearranged the solar system to support the new life He was going to bring into existence. The sun and its planets were made in the original creation before the angels, as were all of the other uninhabited places in the universe, therefore none of the creatures had seen the act of creation, just as Adam did not see his home formed.

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Genesis 1:

1 In the beginning [the Son of] God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without [visible] form [being covered by water], and void [of life]; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

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This time Michael came surrounded by many of His loyal followers and followed at a safe distance by Satan and his. All were curious as to what He was planning to do.

His first action was to reveal the power that had always been inside Him.

He said, "Let there be light, and there was light" – not from the SUN but from the SON. Then, step by step, allowing twenty-four hours between each one for angelic contemplation, He changed the solar system into a Paradise for Adam and Eve, setting both the sun and the moon alight as His agents to keep the system operating.

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Genesis 1:

14 And [the Son of] God said [on the fourth day], "Let there be lights [two of them] in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth:" and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night [they were of different intensities].

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Then late on the sixth day He made the man.

All this both groups of angels watched with intense interest and deep thinking. "Why the slow methodical process?" "Surely this must have been how we were created?" Up to that point they were in complete understanding of what their LORD had done for them for they are quick-witted.

But then He did something they had not expected.

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Genesis 2:

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and He took one of his ribs [from over his heart], and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 and the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called "Woman", because she was taken out of Man."

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The complete man was now a divided one – some of his attributes remained in the male body while others were transferred to the female one. But many were shared between them both in varying degrees.

Why the division?

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Hebrews 2:

6 But one in a certain place [Psalm 8:4-6] testified, saying, "What is man, that You are mindful of him [what’s important about humanity]? Or the Son of man, that You visit Him? 7 You made him [Adam] a little lower than the angels; You [then] crowned him with glory and honour, and did set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things [on earth] in subjection under his feet [You made him father of the earth]."

[But there is a problem with that] for in that He put ALL in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But [right] now we see not yet all things put under him [there is rebellion in nature – fighting and death among the creatures and the moon has gone out]. 9 But we [do] see Jesus, who [as a man] was [also] made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour [by His behaviour]; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man [by taking Adam’s place. See 1 Corinthians 15:45-47].

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Although Adam and Eve apart were slightly less than the angels when created, together they were greater in that they could recreate themselves through procreation. By this combination God’s creative power was manifested. In this spectacular way the Son of God introduced sex and babies into the universe.

Why?

To illustrate His own position to the jealous ones.

Just as Eve was separated from Adam, so Michael was "brought forth" from God. However, Adam and Eve needed to combine to re-make a complete being, while the Son of God is equal with His Father in all respects except the position implied by His title. Aside from that He "thought it not robbery to be equal with God." Philippians 2:6. Then, working together the Father and the Son created all the people of the universe in one act, while Adam and Eve were to produce their children individually over a period. All this was in answer to Satan’s accusation that God did not share with His creatures – that He was Baal, the Boss.

The creation of humanity and their gift of reproduction pushed Satan over the edge, and after a war of words (Revelation 12:7-9), he left his home (it was his choice) and plied Adam with his temptations. "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but LEFT their own habitation, He has reserved [preserved] in everlasting chains [of sin] under darkness [willing ignorance] to the judgment of the great day." [He is no respecter of persons and tries to keep all of His creatures alive.] Jude 1:6.

It was the Son of God who was in charge of the earth from its beginning, but Adam soon gave it away in a misconceived belief that he owned it! That made it necessary to redeem it from foreign ownership, yet the Son of God did not attempt to retrieve it by force. Nor did He argue in the court of the universe (the real United Nations) that His creature had no right to gift it. He did not even argue that it was deceitfully gained. He simply earned the right in the eyes of the people of the universe to receive it back when it is willingly relinquished by Satan. God does not accuse, it is not in His nature. Nor does He use force of any kind. This "way" of His is called "redemption", and is the plan whereby He is making good out of evil and during which He is saving those who will respond to Him.

Later, Christ Jesus took man’s nature (not just the form), for this was made necessary by part of the plan of redemption which requires an exchange of life. He had to be one of us (Christians) in body for this to be effective. The world's Redeemer was treated as we deserve to be treated, in order that we might be treated as He deserved to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins upon His own divine life, that we might receive His imputed righteousness. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. This can only be done for, and by, blood relations. See Ruth 4:1-5. "For both He that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one [origin]: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brothers [and sisters]." Hebrews 2:11.

He was NOT a natural human, but a Christian one, and He lifts us to His level when we are converted, for only changed humans can have the attitude required to live in God’s family. The Scripture says: "For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed [nature] of Abraham ["the father of the faithful" Romans 4:16]. Wherefore in all things it behoved [it was imperative for] Him to be made like to His brothers [and sisters], that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted [He could have responded], He is able to succour [work with] them that are tempted." Hebrews 2:16-18.

Unless there is a possibility of yielding, temptation is no temptation. Temptation is resisted when a man or woman is powerfully influenced to do a wrong action; and, knowing that he/she can do it, resists, by faith, with a firm hold upon divine power. This was the ordeal through which the man Jesus passed successfully by using His Father’s power. And, knowing this, we know we Christians can (with His power) do the same – overcome temptation.

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2 Corinthians 5:18-19

And all things are of [come from] God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us [Christians] the ministry of reconciliation [the job of spreading that word]; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling [the people of] the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us [Christians] the word of reconciliation.

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Our job as Christians is to explain this to natural men and women and angels. 1 Corinthians 4:9. We are to tell them of this Person.

As one man put it: "Suddenly," he says, "the character of a Saviour was vividly impressed upon my mind. It seemed that there might be a being so good and compassionate as to himself atone for our transgressions, and thereby save us from suffering the penalty of sin. I immediately felt how lovely such a being must be, and imagined that I could cast myself into the arms, and trust in the mercy, of such a One. But the question arose, How can it be proved that such a being does exist? Aside from the Bible, I found that I could get no evidence of the existence of such a Saviour [apart from a personal experience with Him], or even of a future state." (William Miller as quoted in GC 319.1}.

It is written of Jesus:-

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Hebrews 1:

3 Who being the brightness of His [the Father’s] glory [character], and the express image of His person [He is equal with God, John 14:9], and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins [after Calvary], sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high [They now share a throne]; 4 being [now] made so much better than the angels [as the Son of man], as He has by inheritance [as the Son of God] obtained a more excellent name [reputation] than they.

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At first there was only the word of God to explain Christ’s position,
now there was the physical fact. The LORD God proved His place as THE only begotten Son of God by entering into the negative existence of death (cut off from the God of life) while in humanity, and returning from it by His own inherent immortality, "for God only has immortality." See 1 Timothy 6:15-16.

Thus it is written as an introduction to one of Paul’s letters:

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Romans 1:

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle [a sent person], separated to the gospel of God, 2 (which He had promised before 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; 4 and [yet] declared to be the Son of God with power . . . by the resurrection from the dead.

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Christians have ETERNAL life, not immortality, for only God has that! 1 Timothy 6:16. We connect with Him at conversion and partake of His immortal life. That’s the gospel! Jesus declared, "I am the resurrection, and the life." John 11:25. In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived, so "He that has the Son has life." 1 John 5:12. The divinity of Christ is the believer's assurance of eternal life.

He also proved His character as the Son of God by not reviling those who persecuted Him and slew Him on the cross. He simply said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" while the people of the universe looked on in awe. Luke 23:34. It was the same with the people of the world. "Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God." Matthew 27:54. Born in the likeness (bodily) of sinful men and women (Romans 8:3) He exhibited only the graces of God as all Christians do, and this was widely recognised.

In this way, through the Son of man Plan B became the centre point of history. Redeemed men and women are to replace the rebellious angels, to serve in their place and bring back joy to the heart of God and their fellow creatures. This world will become the capital of the universe and both the Father and the Son will live here for evermore.

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Revelation 21:

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away [reconstituted]; and there was no more sea [no great oceans]. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle [working place] of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

5 And He that sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write: for these words are true and faithful." . . .

 

Chapter 22

1 And he [an angel] showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river was there the tree of life [it is double-trunked, joining over the stream, just as he is both the Son of God and the Son of man], which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing [serving] of the nations. [See Matthew 23:11.] 3 And there shall be no more curse [of death]: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him: 4 and they shall see His face; and His name [character] shall be in their foreheads. . . .

6 And he said to me, "These sayings are faithful and true: and the LORD God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show to His servants the things which must shortly be done."

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See also Ezekiel chapter 47 for another look at the river.

Plan B, rather than being a little lower than Plan A, has become the strong point of a universe immensely blessed by such an event. It is crowned with glory and honour.

When this is fully accomplished, from something bad God will have brought forth something good. He will have changed the result of sin and brought about an expansion of understanding in the universe. At that time it will be said, "Death is swallowed up in victory", never again to be experienced.

1 Corinthians 15:54 and Nahum 1:9.

oooOooo

 

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