The Everlasting Plan
Made in His Image and Likeness
The Everlasting Plan
My wife has a tendency to read the end of the story – especially if the story is compelling, well written, and includes just enough uncertainty as to its ultimate outcome (or at least the means of getting there). I believe that characteristic is what influences a lot of Christians to “skip to the end” of History (Mankind’s story) to confirm that “God wins!” And this seems to be especially true when the last book in the Bible – the Revelation of Jesus Christ – is being discussed. All of the symbols and mysteries and tribulation (especially the tribulation) and we just want to skip to the “rapture” and get out of the way. Philip Mauro in his book “Things Which Must Soon Come to Pass”, which was published about 100 years ago, wrote that the Revelation is “not written in common speech, like the other Books of the New Testament, but in ‘sign’ language” but, he adds, “that every sign and symbol, or figure is interpreted somewhere in the Bible.” I fully agree with those statements and accept them as reasons for why the verses from the Revelation are among the most commonly read and quoted on the one hand, but that the Book as a whole is the most controversial of the Canon of scripture on the other. It is like the child who squeezes her eyes closed while listening to the crisis climax of her favorite fairy tale – she knows how it ends, but the tension is still overwhelming – so she would much rather just skip to the end: “and they lived happily ever after.”
It is in recognition of that tendency that in this, a post that addresses the Everlasting Plan of God, I will begin with the end.
When I read, really read for the first time, Revelation chapter 21, which describes us – the ransomed and redeemed, after all has been restored – especially starting in verse 3, when the loud voice from the Throne of God is speaking, I was struck with the impression that God Himself was conducting an Orientation meeting for all of the new residents of the New Earth and New Heaven. He describes for us, those alive now (for in truth the entirety of the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ was written for all Christians from all times as a means for us to Overcome – and to enable us to be fruitful by assisting others to join us in Overcoming) as He speaks to John from Eternity about what awaits us. In all I see ten Truths, ten conditions of eternity, that our Father describes:
Truth 1: “The tent of God is among Mankind” – He is camping out with His people.
Truth 2: “He will dwell among them” – just in case we were not clear with what He meant in the first truth – He will “have His tent” (which is what the word translated “dwell” actually means) among us.
Truth 3: “We will be His people” – we are His family, His people – the fulfillment of His desire.
Truth 4: “God Himself will be among us” – just in case we did not fully grasp the first and second truth, God Almighty will be unveiled and He will be with us – we will look upon His face and live!
Truth 5: “”He will wipe away every tear” – no matter the cause of our sorrow: the tears of the past sufferings or regrets or remorse will be erased, as if they had never been shed.
Truth 6: “There will be no more death” – in any and all of its stages and manifestations and forms – death is no more.
Truth 7: “There will be no more mourning” – the sorrow over loss is no more (I do find it especially merciful that this truth seems to double up with Truth 5 – removing both the feelings and the fruits of sorrow).
Truth 8: “There will be no more crying out” – screams of fear or anguish or anger will be no more.
Truth 9: “There will be no more toil” – that is not to say no more work, just no more toil – the labor and effort caused by the curses of sin.
Truth 10: “First things have been moved aside, making way for “all things new” – in case anything might appear to have been overlooked – this acts as our catch-all.
I do want to point out – Revelation 21:24-27 make clear: our individuality, our testimonies, and our position in Christ come with us (please do not equate our position in Christ as a euphemism for rank or hierarchy – it refers to our giftings and characteristics). We do not become automatons or pets or toys – we are His Joint-heirs and we are members in particular of His Body – but without any sin or uncleanness or lying – none of which will ever be found in the Eternal City of God!
Also, for those who, like me, actually enjoy long days of accomplishment, it should be noted that though, as we saw, there is no toil for the curses are gone, there will be work. We are still His bond-servants and He will be giving us work to do (Rev.22:3) and joint-heirs and priests of the God and of the Lamb. And though I would love more detail, this is what we have for now, and I will be satisfied in trusting Him.
And so, our story and History ends – or better said: begins anew.
As for our beginning in the Everlasting Plan – as defined by the Everlasting Covenant in which we were invited to participate: we were made in the Image and Likeness of God, by His will. For all other days and all other acts of creating and making, we are told “God said, Let there be” or “God made” or “God saw” or “God called” or “God placed” or “God blessed” or “God created”. But with Man, He made it clear that this was a part of the agreement of the of the Everlasting Covenant – that all of the Godhead, Who would each take part in this Everlasting Plan, were involved in this grand design:
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man (“adam”) in Our Image, according to Our Likeness.’”