Creation to Revelation: the Bible in 16 devotionals
As our brief overview of Scripture comes to a close, let us pause to reflect on what we have experienced throughout this journey, from creation to Jesus Christ revelation.
“In the beginning” gave us a progression for the start of our linear voyage through time.
The end will come when Jesus returns; all of His glory will fulfill what God promised to the prophet Isaiah 700 years before the birth of Christ: a new heaven and a new earth. (Isaiah 65:17-26).
In Matthew 19:28, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Instead of the image of pearly gates and angels floating on clouds playing on hopscotch – admit it, you’ve been dreaming this very image! – there will be a renewed universe, just as you are a renewed creation in Christ. You will be the same person, but transformed. Just as the resurrected body will be the same body with its identity intact, just as Christ’s body bore the scars of the Cross, you will live again with Christ. The earth as we know it will no longer exist. It will return to its original state of perfection. There will be no war, no death. Everything that God created perfect will be renewed to its perfected state. The fallen world will pass away. Only God can be in charge of this since He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the beginning and the end. (Revelation 21:6)
The devil, of course, does not know that the battle is lost. He is a created being, and unlike God, does not live outside of time. In fact, the battle was lost at the Cross, for Jesus overcame the wages of sin by His sacrifice on the Cross and through His resurrection. But as spiritual warfare is described in Ephesians 6:10-20, the devil battles on, and you must robe yourself in the strong and mighty armour of God in order to survive.
Jewish wedding rituals occurred in 2 stages: the petroleo and the wedding. The petroleo includes the exchange of promises, just as God has done throughout Scripture. He promised us faithfully that He would do the things that He has said through His covenants. The Jewish wedding is a festival where the bride makes herself ready to receive the bridegroom, and a joyous festival follows. The same could be said with the promise of the new heaven and the new earth. The bride is awaiting the return of Jesus, the husband.
Many have tried to predict the time when Jesus would return. Much talk of the “end times” makes for great, and sometimes futile, discussions in Bible studies around the world. But I have a different interpretation: after Jesus’ death on the Cross, and His ascension into Heaven, we have been in the end times.
Your purpose it to live like Jesus as if He is coming tomorrow. Be the best witness of God’s love, mercy, and grace in this fallen world.
Thank you for reading Creation to Revelation: the Bible in 16 devotionals. May God continue to bless you all of the days of your precious life.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.