He could make provision, however, for another man exactly equivalent to Adam to go into death voluntarily; and by thus dying his life could be given as a corresponding price for Adam and his offspring, that Adam and his offspring might be released from death and given a trial for life.

The Scriptures definitely show that it was God's purpose and intention from the beginning to make just such a provision.

He made a specific promise to this effect when he said: "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction".

(Hosea 13:14) This promise of Jehovah to ransom the human race must be carried out, because God is unchangeable.

Having made the promise, he will perform it .-- Malachi 3:6; James 1:17.
[198]It is very important, then, that we understand the meaning of ransom; hence we here define it.