A Panoramic Study of God’s Plan

Preface What is the real meaning and true value of life? Is there an eternity with certain and tangible consequence? If God is the creator, and He is good, why is there so much struggle, pain, difficulty – evil? Is there a real spirit-realm and an actual devil with some kind of destructive, calculating, rebellious agenda? If so, how do we know what's going on in a realm we cannot see, but obviously affects our lives? Could my life make any real difference in this crazy, mixed up world? Questions about life, the human experience, and the tragic history of humanity leave us longing for meaning, answers and personal significance.1 In the gospel of John chapter ten verse ten, Jesus, as the good shepherd, stated that He came “...that they might have life and might have it abundantly.” But in the same verse He spoke of a thieving, murderous enemy. “The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy...”2 An evil enemy and a good shepherd in the same passage, with you and me (as sheep) caught in the middle! It seems like God wants to save us and Satan wants to destroy us – wow! What makes us so special? Well, it's because of who we are; our value comes from our origin. We've come from Adam and we're created in the very image of God; Adam was bequeathed the earth itself as an inheritance and commanded to fill and rule it for eternity. That's a significant legacy! But Adam rebelled and paradise was lost. And there was death in the garden. But love, grace and redemption was pledged to all who would believe in a promised Savior. And there was another death on Golgotha. Wow, this story is getting dangerous! There's more. Those who would simply believe the promise were born from above and become part of God's redeemed family. These children were promised that God would send His Son once again in the future as the second Adam to regain paradise lost. Presently, the children of God are being prepared for that time when Jesus returns as the King of kings. The coming King will subdue and judge this wicked world and then establish His Kingdom entrusting authority, dominion and glory to those who followed Him in faithful obedience. Imagine yourself, a future world-ruler serving the King of kings in the age to come. Imagine yourself being a manifestation of God's grace as a redeemed sinner while at the same time a testimony and vessel of God's righteous judgment condemning angelic majesties to an eternal lake of fire. Holy Smokes! In C. S. Lewis' story “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” four children passed through a wardrobe into another world, another reality. With time, they learned and grew in understanding. That understanding gave them incredible potency, power and significance which transformed their lives into an epic battle between good and evil. Suddenly their lives were of huge significance because of who they were – “sons and daughters of Adam.” The Word of God is that venue through which we discover our incredible importance, power and significance as sons and daughters of Adam and co-heirs with Jesus Christ! The Word of God is the only source of information whereby we can enter into that unseen spirit-realm and thus, be equipped to live as redeemed and victorious warriors in the only real battle that matters. Will we follow our fleshly desires and chase after the lusts and lies of this evil, cosmic system? Or will we believe the truth and give ourselves to God in humble submission and faith? Eternity will tell. Yes, there is a real Satan, a real Shepherd, and a very real battle for our lives! We've got to realize our true significance as God's redeemed children; we've got to have our vision cleared. We've got to be equipped as victorious warriors in the few years God gives us in time. There's way too much at stake to be idle. Paul says, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16).