"The greatest glory is God’s dwelling with His people. His intent at the beginning and His intent at the end are the same: to bring glory to Himself by redeeming His creation to a place where His people will worship and praise Him eternally. "
Introduction
The beginning and end of God’s story is creation. In His ultimate design, God created all things for His people to dwell with Him in. Once sin entered the world in Genesis 3, in His steadfast love, Yahweh stayed committed to His plan of saving His creation despite all of man’s failings and missteps. Throughout the 66 books of the Bible, starting with Genesis and ending with Revelation, this story of redemption is on full display – creation, fall, redemption, and new creation. God himself will ultimately make all things new as a way to again dwell among those He loves dearly. The goal is to offer a place where His people can live with Him forever to bring glory to Himself.
Revelation: New Creation
Rather than starting from the beginning, the end is where God’s final picture of redemption is revealed. In Revelation 21 and 22, John, the author of the book, displays what God has in store for the end. It is a beautiful hope that the children of God have as it exposes the glories of God and what all His people can enjoy. Death will have no sting and the resurrected people of God will live eternally.
Revelation 21
The fitting conclusion of the grand storyline of the Bible is a new heaven, new earth, and a new Jerusalem. This stunning picture follows the final great white throne of judgement on those who are lost being cast into the lake of fire. The first earth passed away and the new city, Jerusalem descended from Heaven (Revelation 21:2). God himself plans to reside with His people and wipe away every tear and remove mourning and crying (21:3-4). Ever since the beginning, he always intended to dwell with those He created.
Revelation 22
John continues in chapter 22 pointing to the pure river and tree that give life to the saints. The curse is gone and God’s people can marvel at the throne of the Lamb where they shall finally see His face – an intimate and long-awaiting moment for all. Awe-struck worship will consume the “eschatological garden will be the throne room of God and the Lamb”. Then, Jesus sends his departing words to His people, verifying that all of what has been said is true and trustworthy. Jesus is coming quickly and all who desire are called to respond to take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17).
In God’s loving kindness, He provides a renewed place of worship in New Jerusalem where He promises to dwell among His people. It will be better than what was created in Genesis 1 and 2 – only because of the seed promised in Genesis 3. Before going to Jesus though, the story continues in the Old Testament. The books of Genesis and Isaiah cast a vision for what is eventually revealed through John in the book of Revelation.
Genesis and Isaiah: Echo Texts and Themes
God’s original intention of creation must be formed in order to better understand the overall view of creation. Sovereign over all – Elohim is in charge of creation and made all things in His order. Everything was “very good” until man falls into temptation. Sin enters the world and God begins his plan of redemption, seen in the last two chapters of Isaiah, as he eagerly awaits to bring his creation back into their glorious home.
Genesis 1 – 3
Elohim created the world, humanity, and the land in Genesis 1 and 2. It was just-right and had been intelligentially intended for man to live with God in perfect worship. The purpose for mankind, first seen as Adam and Eve, was to “serve God, enjoy his presence, and obey [their] creator”. Then, the initial covenant established was broken through man’s disobedience. As a result, sin took over the world as “God [declared] that there will be ongoing and permanent changes in… relationships with the world, each other, and God himself”. Fortunately, God had a plan that involved a promised seed to come that would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15).
Isaiah 65 – 66
The book of Isaiah concludes with two chapters that share the long-awaited expectation of God’s people being returned to their original creation. Isaiah uses the image of a restored city that will involve the new heavens and a new earth where people will know and delight in God eternally. The serpent’s food shall be dust and God’s redemptive plan will be accomplished (Isaiah 65:17-25). This “holy mountain” will be cleansed from religious hypocrisy, pride, pain, and idolatry. Sin will no longer be evident while God’s people worship in the New Jerusalem. In full confidence, Israel can rejoice over the future blessing that will comfort in the “river” and “grass” of the Lord’s renewed Eden (Isaiah 66).
Intertextual Connections
There are several cross references between the Old Testament and New Testament that can be shown in the books of Genesis, Isaiah, and Revelation. Isaiah 65:17-19 and Isaiah 66:22 both have similar verbiage as Revelation 21:1. These three verses come together to share the hope that will be found in a new heaven and new earth. Second, the tree of life that is mentioned in Genesis 3:22 is also referred to in Revelation 22:2,14. There will be a renewed Eden that will “no longer recall transgression”. Third, Genesis 2 is a picture of what humanity should look like – to worship God. Revelation 21 and 22 portrays a holy city that restores the broken worship that happened in Genesis 3. Lastly, there will be a renewed promise in Jesus, who is the “root and the descendent of David”. The root of David is the same seed that God promised in Genesis 3:15 that would come and destroy the enemy once and for all.
All Points to Christ
All Scripture leads to Jesus. Ever since the fall in Genesis 3, God’s people have eagerly awaited the renewal and redemption of all things. God acted in the New Testament by giving His son, Jesus Christ – coming as the “promised seed’, “the Lion of Judah”, and “the root of David”. Sin was absorbed by the cross – where the Messiah took on guilt and shame imputing righteousness to those who believed. Through Christ, the new creation has come, but God’s people continue to wait for the New Jerusalem that is prophesied in Isaiah and Revelation. God is committed to this promise and will make the entire world new. Those who are in Christ will rejoice when He comes again to claim victory over Satan once and for all. It is only through Christ, and Christ alone, that this is possible.
Conclusion
The greatest glory is God’s dwelling with His people. His intent at the beginning and His intent at the end are the same: to bring glory to Himself by redeeming His creation to a place where His people will worship and praise Him eternally. The shortcomings of man will not hinder the promises of God. What began as “very good” in Genesis 1 and 2 will not be interrupted by what happened in Genesis 3. Isaiah prophesies a coming day that is repeated by John in Revelation, pointing to a holy city where God’s people will live for eternity without sin. This good news is only available to those who place their trust and faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ, who was sent by Elohim to bear the weight of sin for all. Finally, there is hope in the assured Second Coming where the Savior will proclaim victory over Satan by crushing his head completely.
Comentários