Many of the earliest stories we hear start with, “Once upon a time…” From there the author paints the setting and introduces the characters. Schools offer classes such as America History: 1492-1865 or AP World History. We tell stories and histories to our kids chronologically so they can understand the sequence of events.
In a similar fashion, God tells HIS story (the story of creation and all humanity) chronologically—because beginnings matter. The first Old Testament verse, Genesis 1:1, explains, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. From this we learn how everything started and Who started it. We marvel at our physical world, from the vastness of space to the depths of the seas, and find wonder in all the plants and animals with whom we share the planet. Yet this only explains our physical origin.
We also need to explore a different aspect of history, because humans are not merely physical beings but also spiritual. That’s why John wrote his gospel. Besides showing the Gnostics of his day the error in their thinking–denying Jesus’ deity– John reveals the beginning of our spiritual reality.
John 1:1-5 states, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
In other words, Jesus existed from the very beginning as fully God but later came to earth as fully human, laying down His life to offer people forgiveness and freedom.
Just as some wrestle with learning history lessons, the world could not comprehend the light of Jesus invading its spiritual darkness. So they made up a new history! People wanted a different story to explain how everything began. An altered, amoral beginning would rationalize selfishness, pride, greed, and any other form of evil.
Every story has a start and a finish, and we find the conclusion of His story in Revelation. When Christ returns He will judge every person, based on one question alone. Did they receive the free gift of eternal life He died to give them? After separating those who accepted the gift from those who did not, He’s going to basically pick up everything He created, burn it in a cosmic furnace, and start over from scratch. The new heaven and new earth will be exactly as He originally intended. “God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4). God will make all things new!
This story has a happy ending. And it will soon be our reality. As Jesus promises in Revelation 22:20, “Yes. I am coming quickly!” I can hardly wait for all of these events to unfold. How about you?
