The Divine Plan of the Ages
Chapter 10 Answers

1. What is the common misapprehension respecting those who will be saved? (page 173)

Failing to see that the plan of God for mankind in general contemplates a restitution to their former estate, the human perfection lost in Eden, Christian people generally have supposed that none will be saved except those who reach the spiritual nature.

2. How was man created and has God abandoned his original plan for man? (page 174)

Man was created in the image of God; that is, with the similar mental powers of reason, memory, judgment and will, and the moral qualities of justice, benevolence, love, etc. He was made a ruler over all earthly things, created perfect. God has not abandoned his original plan to have man in his own image and the king of earth, and that he will remember him, redeem him and restore him to the same again.

3. Does a little lower in degree mean a little less perfect? Explain your answer. (pages 175,176)

No. Perfect man is lower in degree, or nature, than angels the same way that a perfect horse is lower in degree, or nature, than perfect man.

4. Describe the contrast between man, now degraded by sin, and man as he was originally created. What will man be restored to? (page 177)

Man was created perfect. Sin has gradually changed his features, as well as his character. Multiplied generations, by ignorance, licentiousness and general depravity, have so blurred and marred humanity that in the large majority of the race the likeness of God is almost obliterated. The moral and intellectual qualities are dwarfed; and the animal instincts, unduly developed, are no longer balanced by the higher. Man has lost physical strength so that his length of life is shortened. Man will be restored to his original perfection of mind and body and to glory, honor and dominion.

5. How does our Lord's change of nature, his Ransom sacrifice, and, finally, his exaltation to the divine nature prove that the divine, angelic and human natures are separate and distinct? (pages 178-181)

When Jesus was in the flesh, he was a man, perfect man. (Phil. 2:7,8; Heb. 2:16; John 1:14) Previous to that time, he was a perfect spiritual being. (John 17:5; 2 Cor. 8:9; Heb. 2:9) Since his resurrection, he is a perfect spiritual being of the highest divine order (2 Pet. 1:2-4; Matt. 3:16,17; Luke 3:21,22) This proves that a perfect man is not an angel and that a perfect angel is not the same divine nature of God.

6. What is the Bible testimony concerning spirit beings? In other words, what do the Scriptures tell us about spirit beings? (pages 181-184)

Spirit beings are separate and distinct from the human nature and are not composed of flesh, blood and bones. They are heavenly, celestial, spiritual. They can be present, yet invisible. They can assume human bodies and appear as men. They are glorious in their normal condition, and are frequently referred to as glorious and bright.

7. Define the terms "mortality" and "immortality." Explain the confusion that has been caused by the false understanding of the word "mortality." (pages 184-185)

Mortality signifies a state or condition of liability to death; not a condition of death, but a condition in which death is a possibility. Immortality signifies a state or condition not liable to death; not merely a condition of freedom from death, but a condition in which death is an impossibility. Confusion has been caused by the erroneous idea of mortality meaning a state in which death is unavoidable. The conclusion is then made that Adam was immortal before he died because had he been mortal, there could have been no threat or penalty to him since he could not have avoided death anyhow. The correct understanding is that Adam had life and death was entirely avoidable, yet he was in such a condition that death was possible -- he was mortal.

8. Was Adam on trial for immortality? If no, can mortal beings have everlasting life? Explain. (pages 186,187)

No. His trial was to see whether he was worthy or unworthy of a continuance of the life and blessings already possessed. Immortality is ascribed only to the divine nature -- God, Jesus, and the Church. The fact that Satan can be destroyed (Heb. 2:14) proves that angels as a class are mortal. Immortal beings will possess a nature incapable of death, life in themselves. Mortal beings will have a nature susceptible to death, yet, because of perfection of being and knowledge of the evil and sinfulness of sin, giving no cause for death. They will be everlastingly supplied with those elements necessary to sustain them in perfection, and shall never die.

9. Does justice require that God should make no difference in the bestowment of his favors among his creatures?

No. God had the right to create Jesus higher than the angels, for example. Otherwise, there would be no limit to making all creatures equal -- that even insects should eventually attain the very highest plane of existence.

10. Does all nature, both animate and inanimate, exhibit the glory and diversity of divine power and wisdom?

Yes. As the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork in wonderful variety and beauty, much more shall his intelligent creation exhibit in variety the superior glory of his power.

11. What confusion has a false idea concerning justice caused and what are God's sovereign rights?

A false idea of justice has caused the idea that election as taught in the Bible is either an arbitrary, unconditional election or that it is conditional. An election on God's part is the expression of his choice for a certain purpose or condition. Though God selects according to certain conditions all who will be admitted to the divine nature, yet it cannot be said that these more than others merit it.

A favor should never be esteemed as a justly merited recompense. It is purely of favor that any creature has existence on any plane. God has a right to do as he pleases with his own; and he chooses to exercise this right for the accomplishment of his plans.

12. Is God's provision for man a satisfying portion? Explain your answer. (pages 191-193)

In the resurrection, the human race will be restored to that glorious perfection and be crowned with glory, honor, and have dominion over the earth as its representative Adam had originally. The earth also will be restored to its original condition of Edenic paradise.

13. Explain the election of the body of Christ. (pages 193-196)

The election is not an individual predestination, as some claim. But it is a class that was predetermined in God's purpose to fill the honorable position of the Body of Christ. The selection of the individuals in this class would be upon conditions of severe trials of faith, obedience, and sacrifice. Thus, individual members of the predetermined class are being chosen or accepted during the Gospel Age to be the Body of Christ.

14. How does the church's change of natures take place? Explain or describe the developmental process of the new nature. (pages 196-198)

The conditions on which the Church may be exalted with her Lord to the divine nature are precisely the same as the conditions on which Jesus received it, consecrating their all and then faithfully carrying out that consecration vow until the sacrifice terminates in death. They will share the likeness and glory of the Lord in the divine nature.

The new nature begins with hearing the call through the Word of truth to consecrate themselves and from the moment of consecration, they are reckoned as new creatures. The embryo new creature continues to grow as the human nature is crucified. As the Spirit of God continues to unfold through his Word, he thus quickens the mortal body to render him service. The birth of the new creature is in the first resurrection, when we are spirit beings.

15. Explain the difference between a transformation of character and a transformation of nature and how they take place. (pages 198-204)

The transformation of nature is a gradual process which takes place over the lifetime of the Christian by submitting ourselves to the will of God, to be transformed by heavenly influences exercised through the word of God. The divine will becomes our will and we reckon the human will as not ours. We begin to think, to reason, and to judge from the divine standpoint. God's plan becomes our plan and God's ways, our ways. This is the process by which the transforming work is accomplished. When a person is converted and turns from sin to righteousness, from unbelief and opposition to God to faith and the reliance upon him, that is a transformation of character.

Transformation of character will lead to the process of a transformation of nature, which will, if faithful, lead to spirit birth.