Bible Student’s Notebook ™ The Herald of His Grace Volume 34 Presenting every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:28 Issue 842 The First Eon by — Edward H. Clayton (1887-1972) first assessment of our subject will need function: that of becoming one of the items within to take note of those general distinctions the ruling of the night, even though still being re- A that lie around this period, and to distin- lated to the celestial regions. guish it from all of the eons that follow. The first eon commenced in the primeval condition, with no sin In this way do we come to discern that darkness is an abroad. This is not the case for any other eon, not intruder, arising in the first eon, in the economy of the even the final or fifth eon, though its effects will be Earth, and from its appearance it actually kept back definitely contained. some measure of the original glory. In part, the dark- ness remains related to the Earth, and has been made The question of the orders of beings that belong to to be a major feature of the readjustment in respect of this eon will also press into view. We must then en- the second eon. The stars, whilst being a feature of the quire into the sequence of features by which the uni- first eon, are used to supply to us a figure whereby some verse was built up in the first eon, as well as extend- of the celestials can be referred to our understanding. ing out of it, for we will find that this eon fashions the character of all later eons. This item of darkness, coming through into the sec- ond eon from the first, is in a sense removed from Perhaps it may be thought that we should first con- continuing to be the void or mere accompaniment of sider the features which bring the material side into the chaos of the Earth, for not only does its appear- existence, but a little thought may soon show why ance come to be lessened, but it is coming to be inter- this must be made to be the second stage of enquiry. spersed by those bodies, the stars, which really belong We must certainly alert ourselves to the distinctions to the first eon. The stars did not appear through the that exist between the Earth and the Heavens, and darkness until the night of the fourth day (:19); but the so be ready to regard the beings which the Scrip- darkness has remained, not alone to the second eon, tures indicate for the celestial regions. This will be but forward into the third and fourth eons. It will not the most effective method of procedure, for it will be dispelled until the fifth eon when there is no night. lead us more easily into the then conditions, circum- stances and relationships on the Earth. Understood within the revelation of the Scriptures, the darkness of night serves as an indication of the Darkness effect of a contrary will in the universe, and the re- cord by darkness continues until the Adversary is re- In some regards we have to make a judgment around strained from any further function within the eons. the odd matter, even in using a statement given in reference to the week’s work in Genesis 1. For such a The First Eon ................................................ 7153 case we may refer to the words “and the stars” (:16). Raise, Rouse and Vivify............................... 7157 Undoubtedly these belong to the first eon, yet, in John’s Gospel and Paul’s Gospel ...................... 7159 relation to the week’s work, they were given a new ► Real worship is “as unto the Lord” in everything ... making all things a great Celestial investment! – Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. The separateness which has arisen around the first quence of the making of the Celestials, and as to when eon, making it distinct from other eons, was a very their entry into the order of the universe occurred. real division. Yet some prior effects therefrom, both physical and spiritual, are retained throughout the We have also references in Job 38 and Proverbs 8, following eons, two, three, and four. However, the and to these we will return later, to make due com- Heavens do again function along with the readjust- ments on their relation to our subject, the first eon. ed Earth, to make one whole, that is, the Universe. The Adversary That which has come to be termed the “disruption” by the Concordant Version, carried forward its rela- The bringing forth into creation of that one who was tion to the darkness. It is used, too, as a waymark of to fill the office of Adversary1 must be taken up as some important features of God’s ways. This is es- pecially notable in regard to those ways which flow 1. [Editor:] God is the Creator of all, including “evil” (Isaiah 45:7). God created Satan as the Adversary (Isaiah 54:16). Satan did not from His counsels formulated with Himself, preced- “fall” from a former condition into his current state, but was in- ing the creation. From His counsels come the secrets deed so created, for “from the beginning, the Adversary is sin- ning” (I John 3:8). For more information about Satan, his creation of Paul’s ministry, and they are especially in point in and purpose, see: regard to the Ecclesia, amidst its lot with Him Who Books: is the Head of the Universe. – The Creation of Evil, Sin and Satan: A Compilation. See the or- der form under “Compilations;” – The Problem of Evil, A.E. Knoch. See order form under “Knoch.” In other contexts, this same matter, the disruption, is Articles: instanced to deny and correct that all is continuing – Satan: A Brief Look at His Origin and Destiny, Clyde L. Pilkington, thus from the beginning of creation. This is II Peter 3, Jr., Bible Student’s Notebook #750; – The “Fall” of Satan, A.E. Knoch, Bible Student’s Notebook #547; and there are other passages which make reference to – The Future of Satan, André Piet, Bible Student’s Notebook #352; the first eon. These are of singular moment, for they – The Role of the Adversary in God’s Purpose, James A. Webb, Bible Student’s Notebook #280; furnish details which are guides in respect of the se- – God and Satan, John H. Essex, Bible Student’s Notebook #350. Bible Student’s Notebook™ – adult sonship position (Ephesians 1:5). Paul Our Guide – Christ Our Goal This publication is the product of humble efforts of ordinary ISSN: 1936-9360 men intended to stimulate the earnest study of Scripture. We Volume 34, No. 842 – October 19, 2020 do not claim infallibility for the contents of this publication; Scripture education in a weekly format! thus they are not meant to imply finality on any subject dis- cussed, or that further research would not add further light This free electronic publication is dedicated to: from the Word of God. God’s storehouse of truth is inexhaust- • the absolute sovereignty and deity of God (Romans 11:36); ible, so draw on its wealth by prayerful study. Our readers are • the proclamation of the riches of God’s abundant, exceeding asked to be as the Bereans and search the Scriptures (Acts grace (Romans 5:20; 11:6; Ephesians 1:7); 17:10-11; I Thessalonians 5:21). • the affirmation that God will save all through the death, burial This publication is not connected with any “church,” “de- and resurrection of Christ (I Timothy 2:3, 4; 4:10; Titus 2:11); nomination,” “movement,” “organization,” “mission,” “creed,” • the “preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the “meeting,” “school,” “conference” or “fellowship.” mystery, which was kept secret in ages past” (Romans 16:25); • true freedom and liberty apart from law (Galatians 5:1); Bible Student’s Notebook™ • the organic nature of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:16); • the Secret Administration, being the operational revelation for PO Box 265, Windber, PA 15963 today (Ephesians 3:9); Office: (800) 784-6010 – Local: (814) 701-0063 • the unprophesied, Celestial hope and calling of the Body of Christ (Colossians 3:4); [email protected] • the distinct message and ministry of Paul, the apostle to the Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. – Editor nations (Ephesians 3:1-3); André Sneidar – Managing Editor • the importance of receiving all whom Christ has received (Ro- Assistant Editors: Jamie Botner, James mans 14-15); Fine, Gary Ingison, Mark Vogt, • the recovery of rich Biblical truth that has too long remained hidden under the veils of traditionalism, prejudice, misunder- Managers and Assistants standing and fear (Mark 7:7, 13); Clyde L. Pilkington, III, Nathan H. Pilkington, Janet L. Maher, • the completeness of the believer in Christ (Colossians 2:10), with: Stephen Hill, Cindy Pilkington, Nadine Sneidar – total freedom from sins (Colossians 1:14); For definitions of abbreviations/acronyms, see index after the order form. – union in His death, burial and resurrection and ascended seat- ed position among the celestials (Romans 6; Ephesians 2:6); Copyright © 1989-2020 Bible Student’s Press™ 7154 BIBLE STUDENT’S NOTEBOOK™ – PO BOX 265; WINDBER, PA 15963 Issue 842 It is a shame for a man of God to go unopposed and unslandered through life. – A.E. Knoch (1874-1965) one of the leading matters in the first eon. Equally Heavens and Earth thereof, it is said that “the then the point as to when he first appeared amidst created world” perished (II Peter 3:5, CV). beings and the physical elements of creation must be considered.