Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

Picturing Theology, Revised Edition | 31

The Story God Is Telling Rev. Don Allsman

Chapter Title

Chapter Summary

Theme Verse

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 were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:1-3). Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned (Romans 5:12). They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen (Romans 9:4-5). So that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3:10-11). Then comes the end, when he delivers the Kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15:24-26). The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. And he shall reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15b). The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8b).

God exists in Perfect Fellowship before creation. The devil and his followers rebel and bring evil into existence.

An Attempted Coup

(Before Time) Genesis 1:1a

Insurrection

God creates man in his image, who joins Satan in rebellion

(Creation and the Fall) Genesis 1:1b – 3:13

God contends to set apart a people for his own, out of which will come a King to deliver mankind, including Gentiles. Clues to his battle plans are hinted at along the way.

Preparing for Invasion

(The Patriarchs, Kings, and Prophets) Genesis 3:14 – Malachi

Victory and Rescue

The Savior comes to deal a disarming blow to his enemy.

(Incarnation, Temptation, Miracles, Resurrection) Matthew – Acts 1:11

The Savior reveals his plan of a people assigned to take progressive ownership from the enemy as they enjoy a foretaste of the Kingdom to come.

The Army Advances

(The Church) Acts 1:12 – Revelation 3

The Savior returns to destroy his enemy, marry his bride, and resume his rightful place on the throne.

The Final Conflict

(The Second Coming Revelation 4 – 22

The common thread of the Bible narrative is warfare.

The War between the Kingdoms

“It is a world where terrible things happen and wonderful things too. It is a world where goodness is pitted against evil, love against hate, order against chaos, in a great struggle where often it is hard to be sure who belongs to which side because appearances can be deceptive. Yet for all its confusion and wildness, it is a world where the battle goes ultimately to the good, who live happily ever after, and where in the long run everybody, good and evil alike, becomes known by his true name.” – Frederick Buechner. Telling the Truth .