Page 37 - Gods Plan of the Ages

Christ is especially the Savior of those recognized by God as believers in this age. Those
who walk as overcomers now will not suffer loss in the ages to come. Blessed and holy are those
who attain to the first resurrection (Revelation 20:6). Christ, as the firstborn of the Father, and
the first to embrace the suffering of the cross, has received preeminence above the rest of
creation.

Philippians 2:8-9
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point
of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed
on Him the name which is above every name...

Christ will in turn bring forth a firstfruits company of sons who will be preeminent among
all those who follow. These ones must also experience "death on a cross." Yahweh will
eventually fill "all in all." At this time, however, it is a remnant that are yielding to the cross,
being emptied of self that they might be filled with the fulness of Christ. The ages will reveal that
the way of reconciling every creature to God the Father will involve suffering. The soul must be
crushed.

Mark 14:34
And He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep
watch."

None can escape this crushing. Christ is the forerunner. He is our pattern man. He
embraced the cross and was judged to be perfect.

Hebrews 2:10
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in
bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.

Christ surrendered to the path of suffering and was judged perfect. Yahweh would have
all men to be perfect.

Matthew 5:48
"Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

This perfection, arriving at the mature stature that belongs to Christ, comes as we follow
in His steps.

I Peter 2:21
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an
example for you to follow in His steps...

Being fully conformed to the image of Christ is what is implied in Paul's statement that
God would be "ALL" in His creation. The Father has determined that this perfection will come
to the entirety of His creation. Yahweh will not be "all in some." He will not be "some in some."
Nor will He be "some in all." When Christ's reign has accomplished all for which it has been
established, Yahweh will be "all in all."