Day 012: What is the Master Story of the Bible? PT 02

Today, we finish our “birds-eye-view” of the Master Story revealed in the Bible. At the end of this present age of human history, Jesus will return to set things right.

Chapter 4 | Proclamation [Acts-Revelation 18]

Ephesians 3:7–10
This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of the Messiah, and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. This is so God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens.

After Jesus’ ascension to heaven, He entrusts the spreading of His message to His Body, the Church. In this chapter, Jesus empowers His people for this work through the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit. All those who are “alive in Christ,” engage the Great Spiritual War by self-sacrifice and proclamation of The Gospel. This Gospel isthe “Good News” of Jesus’ birth, His great saving works, His present reign as “Son-of-God-in-power” and His return to establish His Everlasting Kingdom (see Romans 1:3-4, Revelation 11:15).

At the end of this present era (and the end of the fourth chapter of The Master Story) very difficult times will come (2 Timothy 3:1-9). In The Last Days, there will be a great Rebellion within institutional Christianity in which people will walk away from truth, particularly the truth that is “in Jesus.” There will be many “false teachers” and “false prophets” that come to lead many people astray (Matthew 24:4-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

In those days, The Beast who is also called the Antichrist will come to power and lead the world in a rebellion against God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 1 John 2:18-22, Revelation 13-14). He will establish the worldwide empire through Satanically inspired power, miracles, and wonders. At this time there will be a Great Persecution of God’s people, especially the nation of Israel. The Last Days will be the darkest period of human history. But this is not the end; Christ will soon return to set things right.

Chapter 5 | The Restoration [Revelation 19-20] 

Revelation 11:15
The seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever!

The beginning of the fifth chapter of the Master Story overlaps with the end of the fourth chapter. At the end of this present age, Jesus will return to defeat His enemies, destroying the Beast/Antichrist and all who have allied themselves with his Dominion of Darkness (Revelation 19:11-21).

After Jesus destroys the Beast and his Kingdom, He initiates a New Age, His Kingdom (often called The Millennium, Revelation 20:1-6). This Kingdom is the final age of human history. There is much that happens during this time (like the binding and loosing of Satan, the final rebellion) that we will cover in later studies. *This is also a controversial area of theology that has many different views.

At the end of this final age, everyone will be judged by Christ and their eternal destinies will be confirmed (2 Corinthians 5:10). Those who have trusted and followed Christ will be welcomed into His presence forever. Those who have willfully rejected God’s gift and have despised Him will be consigned to the place that they have desired—to be free from God’s true, good, and glorious rule. This is The Second Death, The Lake of Fire (Isaiah 66:24, Revelation 20:15). 

Epilogue | Eternity (Future) The Renovation
[Revelation 21-22 (and selected portions of the Prophets)]

1 Corinthians 2:9
But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.” {NET}

God will destroy/purge the present Heavens and Earth with fire (2 Peter 3:10-13). God creates the New Heavens and a New Earth where He will dwell in unbroken fellowship with His people. Finally, what was lost by Adam is restored by Jesus but in a more glorious way than anyone could fully foresee. In this beginning of the eternal age, all things are made new and the former things have all passed away—a whole new era begins (Revelation 21:4-5).

Can you see how the Master Story that we believe we are living in shapes the way we think about life and the life choices we make?

Take some time and think about this question seriously:

Are your thoughts and ideas about the world shaped by The Master Story revealed in the Bible that we presented this week? Why or Why not?

*You can find a complete list of all the MilktoMeat readings here.