The Grand Sweep of History

Current geo-political events have us on edge watching the news.  They also have us thinking back on the long history of ambitious rulers invading neighboring lands.  Today it’s Putin.  Once it was Hitler.  And Napoleon, and the Vikings, and Alexander the Great.  Empires rise and fall; their territories ebb and flow.

That’s one way to look at history.  But it’s rather small-minded.  Yes, the Roman Empire dominated the Mediterranean world for centuries; yes, the Babylonians were the superpower of their day.  But, again, these regimes had their season in the sun only to fade off into oblivion—nothing but a memory.

Compare that to the history that God is writing—and fashioning.  I’m thinking especially of the way the Bible narrates successive chapters of God’s grand story, the plot-line of all reality:  creation, fall, redemption, consummation. To get the big picture of history, you need to go back to the beginning—to the Grand Cause from which everything around us exists as dependent effects.  “In the beginning” the eternal God had already existed eternally; before he called creation into being, there was God (Gen 1:1; John 1:1-3).

And in the end?  Where is the long road of history, this epic saga of clashing powers, leading?  One day men and women from all people groups will bow in joyful worship of Jesus (Matt 24:14).  One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:10-11)—indeed King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev 19:16).  One day sin and Satan will be obliter­ated—gone forever (20:10).  One day, for all who trust in Jesus, every tear will be wiped away and death will be no more (21:4).

And between now and then?  Followers of Jesus are called to trust in his care (Matt 11:28), be assured of his presence (16:18; 28:20), encourage each other (Heb 10:23-25), love neighbors as well as enemies (Matt 22:37-40; 5:44), and invite those wandering this earth to join us in worshipping Jesus, now and forever (28:18-19)!