By the Purpose of Mercy from Everlasting !
We know that this world / Earth was made for a Redemptive from sin Purpose in Christ when we consider the Nature of the Vessels of Mercy Rom 9:23
23 And
that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had
afore prepared unto glory,
The Vessels of Mercy were designated / selected for such before the foundation of the world, or before the world began ! They had been predestinated to be recipients of God Regeneration Mercy that would save them Titus 3:5
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done,
but according to his mercy he saved us, by the
washing of regeneration, and
renewing of the Holy Ghost;
This blessing bestowed from after becoming experimentally sinful in Adam and the fall ! Now all this was prearranged before Adam ever had a being, hence the Psalmest writes of this Mystery Ps 103:17
17
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
What does it mean " from everlasting " ? It means that it was according to God's Eternal Purpose in Christ, before the world began 2 Tim 1:9
9 Who
hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works,
but according to his own purpose and grace,/and Mercy which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Note:
Grace and Mercy are closely akin !
Notice also back in Ps 103:17, it is from Everlasting to Everlasting, not to all mankind, but specifically to THEM that frear Him !
Now how do they come to Fear Him ? None by nature fear God Rom 3:18
18
There is no fear of God before their eyes. Its pride to deny that we are exceptions to this !
How does one receive the Fear of God ? Its given by God when He gives us a New Heart by New Birth Jer 32:39
And
I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
This is the result of Regenerating Mercy which gives us a New Heart that Fears and Loves God.
Rom 9:23 again stated :
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy,
which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Which He had afore prepared unto Glory. This is the language of predestination. The word afore prepared proetoimazó and means:
I prepare or appoint beforehand, predestine. This was something already prepared and made ready in advance, In the Immutable Purpose of God :
i. e. for whom he appointed glory beforehand (i. e., from eternity), and, accordingly, rendered them fit to receive it, Romans 9:23; to prepare beforehand in mind and purpose, i. e. to decree, Ephesians 2:10,
In fact, it was the purpose of sin that would render them fit to become the experimental partakers of Mercy !
http://biblehub.com/greek/4282.htm
