Or you could say the beginning and the end. The Bible spans over 4000 years of human existence, however it talks about at least 6000 years when you add the prophecies of Revelation, depending on which end-times view you may have. But that is not the point of this lesson. The point is even though there is that many years between the two, the connection is absolutely remarkable. The same things that are mentioned in the Creation are also apparent in the Apocalypse (note: in Greek the book of Revelation is αποκάλυψη, or apokalypsi and Genesis in Hebrew is b'resheet-beginning). Take a look at this chart:
Genesis
|
Revelation
|
In the beginning (1:1)
|
I am the beginning (21:6)
|
God created the heavens and the earth (1:1)
|
I saw a new heaven and a new earth (21:1)
|
Let there be light (1:3)
|
The Lamb is the light (21:23)
|
He made the sun, the moon, the stars (1:16)
|
No need for these lights (22:5)
|
Land of gold, bdellium, onyx (2:12)
|
Land of gold, precious stones (21:19)
|
River in Eden (2:10)
|
River flows in it (22:1)
|
Tree of life (2:9)
|
Tree of Life (22:2)
|
Knowledge of good and evil (2:9)
|
No temptation (21:27)
|
Fellowship with God (1)
|
Fellowship again (22:4)
|
Adam was given a bride (3:20)
|
Jesus was given a bride (21:9)
|
Serpent accuses (3:4)
|
Dragon perishes (20:2)
|
Sin enters (3:6)
|
Sin dies (21:27)
|
Man is cursed (3:17)
|
Man is redeemed (21:7)
|
Pain given (3:17-19)
|
Pain gone (21:4)
|
Death entered (3:19)
|
Death dies (20:14)
|
Man is given clothes (3:21)
|
Man is clothed (7:9)
|
Messiah is promised (3:15)
|
Messiah reigns (22:5)
|
He created (1:1)
|
He brings us home (22:5)
|
There are more just like this and each one of these has an even deeper story and connection with them. Nothing was done by accident. This is not a coincidence. Nothing was done by man's works or discoveries. All was done by God and all will be ended by God. When He said He was the beginning and the end, He proves it with these words, 4000 apart but still in complete synchronicity. Everything in between shows us how we were created, lost our fellowship with God and how we are supposed to get it back. The beginning is the same as the end because of the One who did it all.
(Note: this chart was borrowed from George Faull of the Summit Theological Seminary)
1 comment:
Very true,
the depth of what is contained in the Bible is amazing. To God there is no time and no limits.
Post a Comment