GOD’S PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHED

Since the spiritual powers God created to rule the nations under His authority failed to fulfill their mandate, God’s plan included the next phase. He also planned to create another race, humans, who would be like Him. Humans would be both spiritual, of Him, and physical, of the earth. He would put His own breath in them so that they could fellowship with Him as well as live on, and relate to, their physical world.

‭Genesis 1:26-28 NLT‬
[26] “Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” [27] So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. [28] Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

Their mandate was to rule the natural world, to take care of the earth and its resources, in preparation for a far greater responsibility. They would take over the rule of the nations from the fallen and doomed “princes” who forfeited their right to govern the nations.

‭1 Corinthians 6:2-3 NLT‬
[2] “Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? [3] Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.”

Life on this earth, then, is an apprenticeship, not only testing our ability to rule over our own unruly spirits but also training us to take responsibility and to be faithful to the role assigned to us in this life.

However, included in this divine blueprint is the interlude of man’s rebellion, led by the wicked spirit rulers, and God’s seemingly risky salvation plan. The human to which God entrusted His rescue plan was none other than His own Son, incarnate in a human body from birth to death.

He, Jesus, lived the life of a perfect son despite His humanity, in a hostile environment, then died the death of a condemned blasphemer in obedience to the Father’s will. His death paid the debt for all sin for all time, setting those humans free who believe in Him to live righteously in preparation for their role as God’s representative rulers over the nations.

God appointed His Son as Lord as a reward for His obedience,

‭Philippians 2:6-11 NLT‬
[6] “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. [7] Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, [8] he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. [9] Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

… And appointed Him to rule over all the nations.

‭Psalms 2:6-8 NLT‬
[6] “For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” [7] The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. [8] Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.”

So, God’s cosmic plan reaches its climax, seen by Daniel in his vision centuries before it happens. In this long quote from Daniel 7, we have a glimpse of the final chapters of history.

‭Daniel 7:13-27 NLT‬
[13] As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. [14] He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed. [15] I, Daniel, was troubled by all I had seen, and my visions terrified me. [16] So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this: [17] “These four huge beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. [18] But in the end, the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever.” [19] Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one so different from the others and so terrifying. It had devoured and crushed its victims with iron teeth and bronze claws, trampling their remains beneath its feet. [20] I also asked about the ten horns on the fourth beast’s head and the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This horn had seemed greater than the others, and it had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly. [21] As I watched, this horn was waging war against God’s holy people and was defeating them, [22] until the Ancient One—the Most High—came and judged in favor of his holy people. Then the time arrived for the holy people to take over the kingdom. [23] Then he said to me, “This fourth beast is the fourth world power that will rule the earth. It will be different from all the others. It will devour the whole world, trampling and crushing everything in its path. [24] Its ten horns are ten kings who will rule that empire. Then another king will arise, different from the other ten, who will subdue three of them. [25] He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time. [26] “But then the court will pass judgment, and all his power will be taken away and completely destroyed. [27] Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him.”

Daniel’s great vision take us, full circle, to the beginning, when God’s cosmic plan was set in motion from the moment of creation. What was the purpose of this entire saga?

‭Ephesians 3:10-11 NLT‬
[1″God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. [11] This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

And to reveal, once and for all, who is in charge.

‭Isaiah 45:6 NLT‬
[6]… So all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the Lord, and there is no other.”