GOD’S PLAN THROUGH THE CROSS OF CHRIST

It is easy to think that God’s original plan began at creation. Many have thought that if only Adam and Eve have never sinned the world would have been a perfect place.

This line of reasoning is understandable but may I suggest that God’s original plan was eternally formulated before the world began.

THE ETERNAL PLAN OF GOD

“In the eternal fellowship of the Trinity, the Father and the Son planned that God’s grace would be supremely revealed through the saving work of the Son”. John Piper

According to the Scriptures, the centre and pinnacle of God’s purpose was the Cross of Christ (Ephesians 1:8-9). The Father predestined believers to become His adopted children through the redemption of His Son (Ephesians 1:6, 2 Timothy 1:9). In this plan, God’s grace shine brightly through Jesus Christ (Revelation 13:8).

Prior to the fall, God allowed Adam and Eve to be tested by Satan, however, at the same time the fall was ordained by God (Genesis 3:1-8). Sadly, the communion between God and our first parents lasted for a limited period (Genesis 3:22-24).

If that was the case then it is reasonable to suggest that the worship in the Garden of Eden was based solely on being creatures of God and that it was not grounded on God’s saving grace (Genesis 2:15).

However, this doesn’t mean that Adam and Eve’s worship was not pure or done based on God’s love. The truth is, when they were tested, they failed and proved that humans will need God to rescue them.

The worship at this stage was less glorious because God’s grace was not shining through His Son redemptive work and therefore be the source of our worship (Revelation 5:9-10,12). 

“Christ’s eternal glory, which he shares with the Father and the Holy Spirit, is the supreme goal of all that he did. In redeeming a people for himself, he displayed his many perfections in such a way that he will now receive the glory he deserves. That glory will be displayed and acknowledged around his throne, in the songs of heaven forever” ESV Study Bible, page, 2774).

THE GLORIOUS NEW CREATION 

After the fall, God activated His redemptive plan to save a people for Himself (Genesis 3:15). He subjected creation to decay in order to usher in the New World (Romans 8:20-21).

His redemptive program which He actively started in Eden was the beginning of a glorious plan, He agreed with His Son before the creation of the world (Genesis 3:15, Ephesians 1: 9-10, Revelation 13:8).

Amazingly, the New Exodus started at the first coming of Jesus and His resurrection inaugurated the coming world. 

The first creation was not the real deal but a testing ground for the glorious new world. For instance, the initial purpose of marriage at Eden foreshadowed the real marriage between Christ and the Church ( Genesis 2:23-24, Ephesians 5:32, Revelation 21:9).

In the New Creation, The Lamb is the New Adam. Adam and Eve were commissioned to rule the world but they failed. But the God-man restored the world and He will reign forever (Revelation 22:1-5).

“Eden had been, in effect, a physical prophecy of the new heaven and new earth, but what it pointed forward to is even greater and more special than that original garden” Paul Gardner, “The Compassion and Protection of Christ”, page, 279).

The Tree of Life which was in the Garden of Eden finds it eternal fulfilment in the New Creation. It will be a permanent source of life and healing to the saints forever (Revelation 22:2).

The most glorious blessing of the new creation is the presence of God, the One who gave Himself to save His people. God’s people will know Him better than Adam and Eve did (Revelation 21:3, 22-27, Revelation 22:1-4).

In His infinite wisdom, God displayed His attributes of holiness, righteousness, wrath, grace and love. We can conclude that God created the world to reveal His glory supremely through His Son.