Bible Studies
THE DREAM STILL LIVES ON
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When God created (Genesis 1:1-31), the whole scheme was for good between God and us; between all humans; and between us and the created order The design was intended to bring blessing to all dimensions of the intricate connections between each part:
- God desired to bless us (Genesis 1:26-31)
- We were to receive, develop and enjoy the resources inherent in the created order— "I have given it to you" (Genesis 1:29)
- The earth's resources were to grow (Genesis 1:28)
Throughout Scripture, this "dream" or plan is revisited. God has not forsaken it, even though we have. Various writers beckon us to recover it and work toward it again.
Moses (Genesis 1:26-31)
- Our identity will be in God (v. 26)
- We will manage creation's vast resources with authority given by God (v.26)
- We will enhance the resources of creation (v. 28)
- We shall possess these resources as given to us by God (v. 29)
- We shall eat freely of them (v. 29)
- We shall be recipients of the gift of life (v. 30)
- All of this arrangement is good according to God’s criteria (v. 31)
“Then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce and the trees shall yield their fruit… You shall eat your bread to the full… I will give you peace in the land… And none shall make you afraid… For I will look on you favorably and make you fruitful… [And] you shall not be their slaves.”
The Psalmist (Psalm 104:24-31)
“The earth is full of your possessions… These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season… You open your hand; they are filled with good… You send forth your Spirit, they are created… And you renew the face of the earth… May the Lord rejoice in His works.”
Solomon (Ecclesiastes 12)
“Remember now your creator in the days of your youth… Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
Isaiah (Isaiah 65: 17-23)
“Behold I will create new heavens and a new earth… Be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create… The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her… They shall build houses and inhabit them. They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit… My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands… They shall not labor in vain.”
Paul (Romans 8:19-25)
“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly… For we know what the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs until now… But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”
John (Revelation 22:1-5)
“And he showed me a pure river of the water of life… And in the middle of the street… was the river of life which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month… And there shall be no more curse… And they shall reign forever.”
The promise of God’s original design and purpose will not die under the terrible load of sin, rebellion and condemnation. We can have hope because Christ has dies for us, Christ has risen, and we shall enter the new heavens to be with God forever!
God still believes in you! Do you?
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