Emmanuel Evangelical Church Chippenham

Background

There is a common theme or message of the Bible.

The unifying theme of the Bible is the Kingdom of God; although the term is not used in the Old Testament, the concept is present throughout. (The Kingdom of God is expressed in covenant [God’s promises/relationship] and in redemption [God’s deliverances/saving acts].)

Understanding this theme will help us to understand any part of the Bible correctly.

God’s plan is to establish the Kingdom of God – the Bible is the account of what God has done, is doing and will do to bring that about.

In Study 1 we saw the pattern of the Kingdom established: that God created Adam & Eve to be his subjects, his people, living in his realm of Eden in obedience to his word: “God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule.” In particular we saw the primacy of the Word of God in creation, ordering everything and in his rule over creation.

Summary: creation results in the kingdom with God, mankind and the rest of creation all relating perfectly.

But then we have the fall: man rejected God’s rule, disobeyed his word, lost his blessing and was thrown out of God’s place – Adam & Eve were no longer God’s people, no longer in God’s place, no longer under God’s rule. The perfect relationship between God, man and the rest of creation was destroyed.

God’s ultimate purpose means he will not withdraw his love; but how can he restore these perfect relationships while being just?