Where Is the Story Headed?
The Bible begins in a garden.
It ends in a city.
It begins with God walking with Adam and Eve.
It ends with God dwelling forever with His redeemed people.
Everything in between tells the story of how God restores what sin destroyed.
From Genesis onward, the Bible looks forward.
The prophets looked forward to the Messiah.
The Messiah established His Kingdom.
The gospel continues to call people into that Kingdom.
But the story is not finished.
The New Testament looks beyond the present age to the return of Christ.
When He comes again, the dead will be raised, every person will stand before Him, and death itself will be destroyed.
Then God's purpose will be complete.
John describes that future in Revelation:
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth..." (Revelation 21:1)
He continues,
"Behold, the dwelling place of God is with men, and He will dwell with them." (Revelation 21:3)
Those words should sound familiar.
They echo the opening chapters of Genesis.
What was lost in Eden is restored—but on a far greater scale.
There is no more curse.
No more death.
No more sorrow.
No more pain.
God's redeemed people live forever in His presence.
This is the goal toward which the whole Bible has been moving.
Creation was not God's final destination.
Neither was Israel.
Neither was the Law.
Neither even the church in its present earthly form.
Each was part of God's unfolding plan to bring redeemed people into eternal fellowship with Himself.
That is why the New Testament describes Christians as people who live with hope.
Our hope is not simply to escape this world.
Our hope is to live forever with God in the new creation He has promised.
The Bible begins with fellowship.
It ends with fellowship restored.
God's purpose has never changed.
From beginning to end, He has been creating a people who freely love Him, gladly live under His rule, and enjoy His presence forever.
That is where the story is headed.
Continue Your Study
We've followed the story from Creation to the New Creation.
What great themes unite the whole Bible?
And how does every part of Scripture point us to Jesus Christ?
Related Bible Studies
The Kingdom of God
The Temple Story from Genesis to Revelation
Understanding Revelation
What Is the Church?
Companion Video
Where Is the Story Headed?
Read First. Conclude Later.