The opening words of Scripture, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth,” describe the beginning of the universe as we know it. But what happened before the universe was created – before the world was? Every now and then a ray light from eternity past shines from the pages of Scripture. John 17:5 is such a ray.
Before there was time, space or matter, there was YHVH – the Father, the Word and the Spirit – the eternal God in three persons – dwelling in perfect council, fellowship, love and unity. In Jesus’ high priestly prayer of John 17, Jesus gives His people a glimpse of the operations and transactions among the three divine persons before the world was.
In this timeless council, it was determined not only who should be the Captain of salvation, but also the details as to the way and means that salvation would be ministered unto men.
