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Where Is History Headed To?

The Christian worldview tells us that all of history is heading to its final fulfilment because of the decisive victory accomplished by Jesus Christ at the cross. However, it can be difficult to describe what that fulfilment (or consummation) looks like, as the Bible uses much metaphorical language to describe it. But that does not mean we cannot say anything about it.

For this short introduction, where the Christian story is headed to is structured into four categories: its Concept, Content, Characteristics, and Core.

  1. Concept – The Kingdom of God. The Christian story envisions a future where the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of God and of His Messiah. Whereas the kingdom of God was inaugurated at Jesus’ first coming 2000 years ago, it will be consummated in its full glory at His second coming. At this time, all that was broken and torn apart because of sin will be gloriously restored to wholeness.

 

  1. Content – The New Jerusalem. Genesis 1-2 and Revelation 21-22 are like bookends to the whole Bible. It is worth comparing the pictures presented in both. For example, what was once two people in a garden becomes a flourishing city. Whereas there was one tree of life in Genesis, the river in Revelation is lined with the trees of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is nowhere to be found. The name of the city is the New Jerusalem, the place where God dwells with His people.

 

  1. Characteristics – Life, peace and righteousness. Imagine a world where there is no more death and sorrow, where physical and emotional wounds are healed. Imagine a world where wars have ceased and people and creation live in peace and harmony. Imagine a world with no more injustice, oppression and poverty, but instead filled with righteousness and joy. That is the Christian hope for the future when Jesus’ second coming radically transforms this broken world. Our minds may fail to grapple with it, but does it not represent our hearts’ deepest longings?

 

  1. Core – The presence of God. “The dwelling place of God is among mankind!” (Rev 21:3) At the core of the kingdom of God and the new Jerusalem is the presence of God. What began as a presence in the garden was quickly marred by sin, yet God chose to mediate His presence to His people through His covenants. Jesus Christ was the embodied presence of God among us during His life on earth. The Holy Spirit dwells in Christian hearts. But there will come a day when we will stand in the glory of the unabated, unmediated presence of God, and there the greatest hope that ties all Scripture together will be fulfilled as Creator and creation are fully reconciled and restored.
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Daily Devo

Daily Devotional Journal

Scripture:
Daniel 2:36-39, 44-45; 3:1-2
Tue, 21 March 2023

God’s History or Your History?

Observation:

What is the difference between the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
(Dan 2:31-33, 38) and the statue that Nebuchadnezzar made (Dan 3:1)?

Deeper Reflection
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream troubled him so much that he had sleepless nights (Dan 2:1). And he was so desperate to know its true meaning that he made an unreasonable demand on his wise men that was impossible to meet, and he would destroy them all should they fail in the task (Dan 2:5, 10-12). But now that Daniel had made known to him both the content and the meaning of his dream, it was a great relief – given by God – for the king.After that, Nebuchadnezzar “made a statue (selem 22 ) of gold” (Dan 3:1). God had revealed to Nebuchadnezzar in his dream His plan of world history, which is symbolised by “a single great statue (selem)” (Dan 2:31). The statue is made up of a golden head, silver arms, bronze thighs, and iron legs with feet made up of a mixture of iron and clay (Dan 2:32-33). God said to Nebuchadnezzar clearly: “You are the head of gold” (v.39). But Nebuchadnezzar rejected God’s plan of world history. He did not want to be just a “head of gold”. He wanted to be a “statue of gold”! God said to him, “After you there will arise another kingdom”, symbolised by the silver arms (v.39). As a “statue of gold”, there is no such thing as “after you” for Nebuchadnezzar. And the shattering stone outside human control, representing God’s everlasting Kingdom (vv.44-45), was ignored and forgotten. Nebuchadnezzar the “statue of gold” was resisting the supreme kingship of God. What foolish and futile arrogance!Do you want God’s history for your life or do you want to write your own history?
22 In Aramaic
Application:

How do I deal with my not wanting to be just a “head of gold” but a “statue
of gold”?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for pastors and staff: To be highly conscious of God’s story in their lives
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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