Chapter 4—The Plan of Redemption Is Unveiled
The fall of man filled all heaven with sorrow. There appeared no
escape for those who had transgressed the law. Angels ceased their
songs of praise.
The Son of God was touched with pity for the fallen race as the
woes of the lost world rose up before Him. Divine love had conceived
a plan whereby man might be redeemed. The broken law of God
demanded the life of the sinner. Only one equal with God could make
atonement for its transgression. None but Christ could redeem fallen
man from the curse of the law and bring him again into harmony with
Heaven. Christ would take upon Himself the guilt and shame of sin to
rescue the ruined race.
The plan of salvation had been laid before the creation of the
earth, for Christ is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”
(
Revelation 13:8
); yet it was a struggle with the King of the universe
to yield up His Son to die for the guilty race. But “God so loved the
world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
. O, the
mystery of redemption! the love of God for a world that did not love
Him!
God was to be manifest in Christ, “reconciling the world unto
Himself.”
2 Corinthians 5:19
. Man had become so degraded by sin
that it was impossible in himself to come into harmony with Him
whose nature is purity and goodness. But Christ could impart divine
power to unite with human effort. Thus by repentance toward God and
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faith in Christ, the fallen children of Adam might once more become
“sons of God.”
1 John 3:2
.
The angels could not rejoice as Christ opened before them the
plan of redemption. In grief and wonder they listened as He told
them how He must come in contact with the degradation of earth, to
endure sorrow, shame, and death. He would humble Himself as a man
and become acquainted with the sorrows and temptations which man
would have to endure in order that He might be able to succor them
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