Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 8/3/2007

Question
   What is the "eternal purpose" mentioned in Eph. 3:8-11 Thank you. Will people ALWAYS sin, even in the kingdom of Heaven

Answer
Hello,


Thanks for this great question!


Ephesians 3:8-11
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: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

This is not saying that the heavenly beings need to be converted, but need to see what God will do in the lives of those he saves.

His eternal purpose is to save the lost and reach all who will believe.

Luke 19:10
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

All that will believe has been predestinated to be conformed to be like Christ eventually.

Romans 8:29
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.

In Christ,
Pastor Don