Just Kamping

Lately, I have immersed myself in the book of Revelation which has captivated my heart in many different ways. Revelation contains John’s vision of past, present, and future realities of this world. The more I study and learn specifically about the future realities – the culmination of history – the more I have been thinking of the need for Abram and Eden to know the whole story of Scripture.

They need to know because they were born into this story that started at the beginning of creation and extends to the end of the age, into eternity. God knew about them before the foundation of the world, knit them in my womb within the last 3 years, and is sustaining their lives at this specific moment in history. He created them in His image to be in relationship with Him and to find their satisfaction and significance in Him alone. Knowing their place in the story, that is, God’s story, is vital to them knowing who God is, who they are, and what life is all about.

At the beginning of God’s story, the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, had a perfect relationship with God – the One that all mankind was created for. Yet, this relationship had a boundary- they were told not to eat the forbidden fruit on a certain tree. If they did, they would die. And by implication, their relationship with God would be broken. The ancient serpent, Satan, came onto the scene and deceived them into thinking that God was withholding something good from them by not allowing them to eat of the forbidden fruit. They believed Satan’s lie and ate it. Because of this, their relationship with God was broken and their rebellion resulted in physical and spiritual death (Romans 5:12) and the corruption of creation (Romans 8:20).

But God didn’t end the story there, He graciously gave a promise that the offspring of the woman would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). From that moment on, there has been a raging war between the offspring of the woman and the offspring of the serpent. Satan, our adversary, has been prowling around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). As God’s story unfolds, you see over and over again this battle. Satan is crafty and cunning and always deceiving people into living a life contrary to God and His ways.

In God’s perfect timing, He fulfilled the promise that the serpent’s head would be crushed. God sent His own Son, Jesus, to walk on this earth for the purpose of redeeming humanity. He did this by living a perfect, sinless life and dying a sinner’s death that satisfied the wrath and justice of God towards sin. He resurrected from the grave three days later. Those who place their faith in Jesus are granted His righteousness and the forgiveness of sins. The serpent’s destruction was secured that day.

At this current time in the story, Jesus has already ascended into the Heavenly throne room. He has sent the Holy Spirit to empower those who have placed their faith in Him to live for His kingdom and as His representatives on earth. This means they live as Jesus lived (1 John 2:6). And how did Jesus live? He humbled* Himself daily to love and serve people. He showed grace and forgiveness towards sinners. He proclaimed the good news of the Gospel and taught people how to live in light of it. He patiently endured the persecution and hostility that was shown Him because of His undivided heart to the will of God. He willingly laid down His life for the joy that was set before Him, which was the salvation of souls and the glory of His Father.

God’s people will also have to patiently endure the hostility that will come as a result of being united to Jesus. “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). If Jesus was persecuted, His followers will also be persecuted. It is promised that “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). It is for a brief time, though. God will eventually consummate His kingdom. God’s people will have endless joy living in perfect fellowship with Him for all of eternity. For now, it’s as Andrew Peterson says, “All this darkness is a small and passing thing. This is the storm before the calm, the pain before the balm, the cold before the warm, the tears before the song, this is the dark. The dark before the dawn.”

This is the story that Abram and Eden have been brought into. As mentioned above, it is a story about a raging war. God has won the victory through the finished work of Jesus. Satan has been defeated and knows his ultimate destruction is near. I pray that Abram and Eden would fight the good fight of faith and take hold of eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12) knowing that God’s Kingdom is worth living for.

– Sarah

*an earlier version stated “died to himself daily”. I’ve updated this to “humbled” as it better represents my intended thought.