The Father’s Plan To Reconcile All Of His Prodigal Children Back To Himself

In my book, INTO THE FATHER’S HEART, (IFH) , published in Sept 2005, 50,000 copies (second edition) I deal with many themes and topics throughout the 30 chapters which include QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS as well as ADDITIONAL NOTES in the last two chapters. To read this book on line free, go to www.intothefathersheart.com

The first edition was published in 1982, 50,000 copies, making 100,000 in the last 32 years. They have all be distributed except for about 1,000 copies which were shipped here to the Philippines. 10,000 have been distributed since 2008. So, the message has been going rapidly since 1977, the year the Lord led me to write my first manuscript on this topic of the character of God.

And still we have not yet completely comprehended the fullness of His great heart of love which is yet to be revealed. But in these final years of this earth’s turbulent and traumatic experience it is going to be revealed as the woman in Isa 66 and Rev 12, gives birth to her children.

Paul refers to them as THE SONS (children) OF GOD, Rom 8:19-23. There are at least 24 titles for this same group. Here are six of the titles: THE ELECT Matt 24:22-24, THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA, Rev 3:7-12, THE STONE CUT OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN WITHOUT HANDS, Dan 2, THE MAN CHILD, Isa 66:7, Rev 12:5, A BARLEY CAKE Judges 6, 7.

We are not told how many human beings or saints will compose the ELECT (nor any of the other titles for this special group). But since Gideon’s Barley Company, Judges 6-8, is one of them, I think this is an indication that it will not be a large group. One 19th century visionary referred to this same group as THE LITTLE COMPANY.

In chapter 20 of IFH pg 228, “CHRIST’S SUPREME OBJECTIVE,” I explain that the purpose of the Saviour’s incarnation (being born into this world) was to show the human race the heart of the Father which had never been fully revealed in past ages, even to most of the OT patriarchs, such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob or even to Moses.

However, I do believe some OT characters such as Enoch, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel were given little glimpses of His heart, i.e. His glorious character of love, such as Isaiah spoke about in Isa 63.

Let’s read it: “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord (YHWH), according to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, and according to the multitude of His lovingkiindnesses.” Isaiah 63:7. Remember that “the path of the just (righteous) is as a the shining light which shines more and more unto the perfect day.”

The Hebrew word CHESED was translated by Miles Coverdale in 1521 as Lovingkindness intending to convey, as close as possible, the depth of its true meaning by combining two English words, Loving and Kindness. Most Bible scholars and translators agree that there is actually no precise meaning for “Chesed” in English. Grace and mercy are two other words which could be added to love and kindness and compassion as well. Perhaps the best way to convey Chesed’s meaning is to compare it to Agape love which was the Greek noun John used to express the love of God in John 3:16. But the ultimate way to discover the deepest meaning of Chesed and Agape is for us to go into the Father’s great heart of love with Jesus so we can experience it ourselves. And that is what I am attempting to do in this article.

Going on in Isa 63 we read in verses 8 and 9 the words of Christ and His Shekinah as they worked together striving to reveal the Father’s love to ancient Israel, the descendants of the 12 sons of Jacob. V 8 is a fascinating passage which takes us inside the Saviour’s heart and mind, as He observed the human race, especially Israel, before the incarnation.

“For He said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so He was their Saviour.” 698 BC.

As I have pondered on that verse through the years I have asked myself, “How could He be so naive? Why couldn’t He see that they were perverse and evil from the time they were born as Paul expresses it.? “There are none righteous, no not one.” Rom 3:10-18. I think we can find the answer in Heb 7:26 where Paul gives us this divine and inspired insight into the heart of both Christ and the Father. “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” Heb 7:26.

That word “harmless” is the key because it means “innocent and unsuspecting.” He had an innocent and harmless character. His mind, spirit and attitude was like that of a beautiful little child who never suspects anyone of anything unless he/she has been taught to be suspicious.

No wonder He told them that unless they became as “little children” they would not enter the kingdom of heaven. And that is why He was constantly shocked and surprised at the people’s unbelief and lack of understanding. “And He marveled because of their unbelief..” Mark 6:6. After the resurrection we read “And upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after he was risen.” Mk 16:14. He also said to Cleopas and his friend, “Oh fools and slow of heart to believe…” Luke 24:25.

Before He was taken back up to heaven Jesus told them to wait for the “Promise of the Father.” And so 120 of them waited in the Upper Room ten days until the Holy Ghost came upon them in Pentecostal power giving them the gift of languages so they could spread the message to all of the then known world. That was the Early or Former Rain (blessing) that came because they went into the Father’s heart leading them to become of “One Accord.” We are now waiting for the Latter Rain to fall on us today which will take us deeper into the Father’s heart so we may also be of one accord.

In Luke 15 Jesus told the parable of the Prodigal Son. Most people think this parable is about a “wayward” boy or young man. Well, that is true, he did become a wayward son after he received his inheritance. But the word “prodigal” does not mean “wayward.” It means “wasteful.” But it also can mean overly generous as well when you put the positive spin or connotation on it.

So, there are two ways to look at and define the word “Prodigal,” which is not even used in the parable itself found in Luke 15.

  1. spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant. synonyms : wasteful, extravagant, spendthrift, profligate, improvident, imprudent
  2. having or giving something on a lavish scale. “the dessert was crunchy with brown sugar and prodigal with whipped cream synonyms: generous, lavish, liberal, unstinting, unsparing

Which of these definitions do you think applies to the Father of the Prodigal son? The first one or the second? Obviously it applies to the second definition because, the central figure or character in this parable is the father. The son and his brother are only playing supporting roles in the cast. Let’s ask ourselves a question now. Wouldn’t you agree that this is the prodigal or wayward planet of the universe? Yes. And hasn’t the father truly been most generous and lavish in His treatment and blessings to this planet? Especially to His own people, who claim to believe in Him, such as Israel of old and today the USA, the nation which claims to be the most Christian nation on earth?

But Are there any other prodigals (wayward created beings) in the universe besides those here on planet earth?

Well, what about Lucifer (now Satan) and his angels? Could we or should we count them also as wayward or prodigal children? Are they part of God’s creation which has gone astray? Yes. And hasn’t Satan truly wasted this earth which the Father allowed him to steal away from Adam and Eve through deception? Of course. So, that would make Lucifer and his one third of the original created angels the most prodigal (wasteful) beings in the universe.

As I have contemplated what I should write from here on the Shekinah (Wisdom or Holy Ghost) has brought to my mind two scriptures I will now share. “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL UNTO ME.” John 8:32. The word “men” is in italics because it was not in the original Greek text because it is a supplied word. That is why I left it out. The “ALL” there in v 32 is referring to every created being in the universe, including Satan and his fallen angels who followed him out of heaven. Rev 12:1-4. Now let’s go to the first chapter of Ephesians.

From v 1 to 10 Paul talks about the will and plan of God the Father for the whole universe. Verses 9 and 10 sum it up beautifully. “He has made known to us his secret purpose, in accordance with the plan which he determined beforehand in Christ, to be put into effect when the time was ripe: namely, that the universe, everything in heaven and on earth, might be brought into a unity in Christ.” Eph 1:9, 10. REB (Revised English Bible).

Now, let’s go to Eph. 3 where Paul continues to speak about this “mystery” which the Father kept hidden for centuries, actually 4,000 years, from the time of Lucifer’s rebellion and fall and then the subsequent fall of Adam and Eve. Strong’s Analytical Concordance in the Greek section reveals that the English word “Mystery” is translated from the Greek word “Musterion,” 3466. It is a New Testament word. I did not find one listing for the word “Mystery” in the Hebrew section of Strong’s. Musterion can be translated “SECRET” as well which is what many modern translation use such as the New English Bible, the Revised English Bible, the LB, etc.

Paul tells us that this secret or mystery was kept secret for at least 4,000 years via “silence.” Yes, that is right. No human being or angel could explain it because it had not been made known until Jesus came in the flesh. I think that Jesus tried to reveal it to the disciples but they were slow to understand and accept it until many years later. Paul seems to be the one who opened the door to the Gentile world by his missionary journeys. I think some of the disciples did the same such as Philipp and Thomas. All of the disciples were martyred or killed except for John the beloved who died a natural death after writing the book of Revelation in 96 A.D. In the NEB, Eph 3 we read that Paul tells us that this mystery or secret was made known to him through revelation, calling it “the secret of Christ.”

“It was hidden for long ages in God the creator of the universe, in order that now through the church, the wisdom of God in all its varied forms might be made known to the rulers and authorities* in the realms of heaven. This is in accord with his age-long purpose, which he achieved in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
*Principalities and powers. KJV.

How far reaching and inclusive was this “secret plan” of the Father? Listen: “To the angels and the unfallen worlds the cry ‘It is finished’ had a deep significance. It was for them as well as for us that the great work of redemption had been accomplished. They with us share the fruits of Christ’s victory.” DA 758.

What angels are referred to? The good or the bad or both? Were the evil angels present at the cross? Of course they were. That is why there was so much darkness. They were all amazed that Jesus would allow Himself to be crucified. “We speak of the wisdom of God in a mystery (secret), even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” I Cor 2:7, 8. So that makes the crucifixion of Christ a sin of ignorance. Even Jesus recognized that when He prayed, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34; Acts 3:17.

Even under the law of Moses there was provision for sins of ignorance. Numbers 19 is a most unusual chapter in the Old Testament. All the offerings in the Bible are bullocks and rams, but here there is an exception – a heifer, a female cow who has never given birth.

All the offerings in the Old Testament are slaughtered and offered to God, but this offering of the red heifer, though killed and burned, is very different from the rest. While all others are offered to God to meet current claims – that is, the sin-offering, the burnt offering, or the peace offering according to the need of the day – the red heifer alone was not for the present need. It was offered to meet future needs. The ordinance of the red heifer stands alone. While other sacrifices are often brought before us, this one is recorded in no other part of Israel’s history.

Look at how many times Jesus excused and forgave His disciples again and again and again, just like ancient Israel. Isa 63:9, 10. He would never give up on them. Look at Peter denying Him and the others running away, forsaking Him. Jesus forgave them all after the resurrection. He no doubt would have even forgive Judas if he had still been alive and asked the Lord to forgive him like Peter did.

But now Judas will have to deal with his sin after the 1,000 years when he, along with all of the lost, will have to go through the cleansing of the Lake of Fire. Rev 20:9.

Saul of Tarsus had his own mini Lake of Fire in Acts 9. Saul arrested and had the followers of Christ put to death and yet he was forgiven when he asked the Lord to forgive him. He regretted this the rest of his life but said he had done it in ignorance, the same as Lucifer and all of his angels crucified Jesus in ignorance as well. The Bible says that Jesus came to “set the captives free.” Jude 6 states that the fallen angels are being “reserved in everlasting (age lasting) chains under darkness unto the judgment (final decision) of the great day.” That will take place after the millennium. Satan has truly deceived and deluded himself and his followers until this moment in time. He truly is the greatest victim of his own rebellion against the throne of God.

Is there any story or symbolism in the Bible which would indicate the Father’s plan to restore Lucifer? Yes there are and I have gone into great detail about that in my book “INTO THE FATHER’S HEART” as well as the REVELATION COMMENTARY.

In Isa 14 we see the Father pleading with Lucifer by warning of his future, explaining in detail that he cannot win but will be brought down to the pit. Then in Ezek 28:11-19, the Lord asks for us to take up a lamentation for his first born son recounting how perfect he was at the time of his birth or creation. If nothing else would reveal the CHESED of the Father and His God family this certainly would. But there is more. Look at the story of David and Absalom beginning in 2 Sam 13.

It is a perfect parallel between the Father and Lucifer. Absalom was the handsomest man in all of Israel. “No man was so much admired for his beauty as Absalom, from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot he was without flaw.” 2 Sam 14:25. And David’s love for him seems to have been the greatest of all of his children. But Absalom, like Lucifer before him, was very proud of himself. He was also very clever.

Like Lucifer he slowly deceived the people of Israel into believing that his father’s government had serious flaws which he promised to correct if he were in charge. It is a long story I will let you read for yourself. What I want us to look at is David’s tender regard for his rebellious son, his Chesed or Lovingkindness, even when Absalom raised up an army and took over the city of Jerusalem and his father’s throne so that David had to flee for his life.

Joab was the general in charge of David’s army which David sent out to do battle with the forces of Absalom. But on the day they went out David charged Joab and the other captains of the army to “Deal gently for my sake with my the young man, even with Absalom.” 2 Sam 18:5. In other words, bring him back alive. Do not kill him.

Both the OT and the NT states that David was a “Man after God’s own heart.” I Sam 13:14 & Acts 13:22. Various explanations have been given for this statement such as David was 1. Humble. 2. He loved His people. 3. He was a just and righteous man except for his sin with Bathsheba and killing Uriah, her husband. 4. He was a just king ruling Israel in the fear of God. 5. When his sin was revealed by Nathan to him he humbled himself in repentance asking the Lord to forgive him.

These are some of the reasons given by various writers as to why the Lord said David was a man after His own heart. But in my estimation of the life of David I believe the way he related to his rebellious son Absalom reveals the way that our heavenly Father has been dealing with Lucifer since the beginning. Just as David did not want Absalom hurt or killed but brought back to Jerusalem so David could talk and reason with him so it is that the Father wants Lucifer to be spared so He can try and reason and talk to him.

This has been His desire from the beginning but Lucifer has not been willing to listen.

So, what has the Father decided to do?

I believe that the Father’s end time plan is to find and perfect 144,000 people in this end time who will come into His heart with His Son so that He can fully explain how He thinks and feels about all of His prodigal son and daughters and how He needs our help in restoring all of His creation back to His throne.

The prophet Jeremiah tells us that in the end time God’s chosen Elect, along with the 144,000, will enter into His great heart of love and finally understand how He feels about His creation and His plan to reconcile and restore them back to His very own heart of love.

Here is the text on which the title of my book is based: “THE ANGER OF THE LORD SHALL NOT RETURN, UNTIL HE HAVE EXECUTED, AND TILL HE HAVE PERFORMED THE THOUGHTS OF HIS HEART: IN THE LATTER DAYS (last days) you shall consider it perfectly.” Jere 23:20.

This concept of total restoration is explained in more detail in my book IFH. It is level #4. It is the hardest concept for some people to understand and accept. I know it was for me. So I have sympathy for those who struggle with this concept. In conclusion I would like to share with you some texts which may help you to better understand restoration. Acts 3:21 predicts the “Restitution (Restoration) of all things.” Psalm 22:28-31 also predict everyone will bow down and worship the Creator.

Philippians 2:10, 11 also predict that every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and that this will bring glory to God the Father. Of course, this would not bring glory to the Father unless it were a true and genuine experience.

Then Rev 5:13 we read that “Every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”

I also have a study based on Rev 21 and 22 which shows that the saints inside of the holy city, New Jerusalem are not the ones who are 1. Thirsty. 2. Hungry. 3. Sad and crying. 4. In pain and suffering. 5. In need of healing by eating of the Tree of Life. 6. Being invited to come inside of the city after they have repented and drunk of the water of life and have eaten of the Tree of Life.

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