Seek Good And Not Evil That Ye May Live And So the Lord, the God of Hosts, Shall Be With You - Part 1715

"In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that has fallen, and close up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old ... that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by My Name," saith the Lord that doeth this. 

Note that this same scripture -- in which the words of the prophets agree; as it is written is repeated in Acts 15:16-18. At that time (as we have alluded to previously) there had been much disputing about the law and circumcision. The scribes and Pharisees demanded that it was needful for believers to keep the Law of Moses, which led to the apostles and elders coming together to consider this matter.

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them, "Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should here the Word of the gospel and believe. And God which knows the hearts, bare them witness giving them the Holy Ghost even as [He] did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." (Acts 15:5-11)

Note that all the multitude gave silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren, hearken unto me. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His Name. 

In this context, the promise that was known unto God from the beginning of the world, and all His works is so that there would be a people -- from among the Gentiles which have turned to God. A people who believe on His precious Name in this current dispensation of grace, knowing from whence came our salvation. 

It is in this context that then, and now, men have hazarded their lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, because we who believe know that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved. We have a calling and He has placed His purpose in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb. It is in the fulfillment of His calling that He will receive all the glory and praise and honour that He so rightly deserves. Yes, indeed, known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world. 

As the psalmist so aptly wrote, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid ... though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." (Psalm 27:1-14)

Why? Because we "are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light ...” (I Peter 2:9)

Stand in the offering plate.