EDEN FULFILLED (17 OF 18)
Scripture: Revelation 21:1-27, Revelation 22:1-5
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Eden Fulfilled (17 of 18)
Series: Revelation
Patrick Edward
Revelation 21:1-22:5
Introduction
In the beginning God creates. In His goodness He crafts a world of beauty and diversity, but His prized creation is humanity, the only object He crafts as His image. With this creature He will share a special relationship and through this creature He will make Himself known and present with all of creation. He places man and woman in a special part of His world, in a garden within an area called Eden. This garden is not simply, however, an area lush with exotic and beautiful flora and fauna. Rather, what makes this place so unique is God's special presence. Here He dwells in a distinct manner with creation and with humanity.
The Garden is the Temple of God, but it not only a temple in the sense that it is not a self-contained and stagnant area. It is not a temple where one goes to in order to meet with God. Rather, it is a temple that itself goes to humanity and the rest of creation. It is a place of creativity, ingenuity; it is a place of culture making. It is to be a place where the governance and the essence of the Kingdom of God goes forth into the rest of creation. In other words, this Garden is not only a Temple, but also a City, a city that is to one day fill all the earth.
Humanity is charged, thus, as vice-regents, governors, kings and queens really, to carry out this task. As they dwell in harmony with God and in His worship, they carry that presence and task as they fill the earth. This is the essence of their rule and dominion of the earth.
Of course, we need not even consult the Scriptures to know in our experience alone that this is not what transpired. Something went dramatically wrong. Humanity doesn't live in peaceful communion with its Creator. The earth doesn't reflect the character and goodness of God. But the story of the Bible, which is really the story of God in bringing about His purposes for creation, tells of how humanity and ...
Series: Revelation
Patrick Edward
Revelation 21:1-22:5
Introduction
In the beginning God creates. In His goodness He crafts a world of beauty and diversity, but His prized creation is humanity, the only object He crafts as His image. With this creature He will share a special relationship and through this creature He will make Himself known and present with all of creation. He places man and woman in a special part of His world, in a garden within an area called Eden. This garden is not simply, however, an area lush with exotic and beautiful flora and fauna. Rather, what makes this place so unique is God's special presence. Here He dwells in a distinct manner with creation and with humanity.
The Garden is the Temple of God, but it not only a temple in the sense that it is not a self-contained and stagnant area. It is not a temple where one goes to in order to meet with God. Rather, it is a temple that itself goes to humanity and the rest of creation. It is a place of creativity, ingenuity; it is a place of culture making. It is to be a place where the governance and the essence of the Kingdom of God goes forth into the rest of creation. In other words, this Garden is not only a Temple, but also a City, a city that is to one day fill all the earth.
Humanity is charged, thus, as vice-regents, governors, kings and queens really, to carry out this task. As they dwell in harmony with God and in His worship, they carry that presence and task as they fill the earth. This is the essence of their rule and dominion of the earth.
Of course, we need not even consult the Scriptures to know in our experience alone that this is not what transpired. Something went dramatically wrong. Humanity doesn't live in peaceful communion with its Creator. The earth doesn't reflect the character and goodness of God. But the story of the Bible, which is really the story of God in bringing about His purposes for creation, tells of how humanity and ...
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