Obviously, nothing ever takes God by surprise, and that includes the rebellion of Lucifer and the other angels who followed him or the disobedience in the Garden of Eden by first Eve and then Adam.  From before the foundation of the world, God had a plan of redemption to give man an opportunity to be reconciled to God.  The first promise of that plan was given when God addressed the serpent used by Lucifer (Satan) to tempt Eve. God said: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He (the Redeemer, Jesus Christ) will bruise you (Satan) on the head (a fatal blow..Heb. 2:14), and you shall bruise Him (the Redeemer) on the heel” (Gen. 3:15).  The “seed of the woman” (implying a virgin birth...Isa. 7:14) would have to suffer (at the Cross) in order to deal a death blow to sin and Satan. The Apostle Peter wrote concerning that event: “And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin, and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed (restored)” (I Pet. 2:24). 

     From that point forward we see the plan of redemption developed. God set a pattern in Genesis 3 when He provided coverings for Adam and Eve from animal skins. We have the picture of an innocent substitute and the shedding of blood to cover (atone for) sin.  Then throughout the rest of the Old Testament we see the sacrificial system continuing that theme, all pointing to the coming of the “Seed of the Woman” to defeat sin and Satan.  “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who are under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Gal. 4:4,5). “By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins…That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (I Jn. 4:9,10; Jn. 3:16b).  

     With Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, the plan of redemption was complete, offering man a way to be reconciled to God and to enjoy Him forever. “And the witness is this that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life; and he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life” (I Jn. 5:11-13). 

     In Scripture, prior to the revealing of the plan of redemption, we have the account of God’s Creation of the universe, the earth and all things in it  and on it, including man, in six literal 24-hour days (Gen. 1,2). After the carrying out of the plan of redemption, we have Scripture concluding with prophecy of “what must take place after these things” (Rev. 4:1).  We are given details of the future of the Church and of Israel and of Christ’s coming to reign for 1,000 years and then of the  final judgment of all unbelievers and finally of the eternal state for both saved and lost  (Mt. 5:41,46; Jn. 5:28,29; Rev. 20: 11-15).  

     So, the “bookends” of God’s redemptive plan are creation and prophecy.  It is interesting to see how intensely these have been attacked by our adversary, the devil, and how these two essential truths are rationalized away in some Christian circles. Many are intimidated by today’s modern science that is founded on evolutionary assumptions that leave our Creator out completely.  So, some come up with theories (such as “Theistic Evolution” or the “Day-age Theory”) that compromise Scripture with the supposed evidence of evolution. They fail to take a literal approach to the Creation account.  But, there is no reason we need to, nor should we, compromise God’s truths for man’s theories. Paul warned saying, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception…” (Col. 2:8), and that is exactly what the teaching of evolution is–empty deception (with no true evidence).  Similarly, many believe that things are just going to continue going on as they always have (“uniformitarianism”). Peter addresses them, writing: “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’ For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the Word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men…the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (II Pet. 3:3-10).  (NOTE: Yes, there is going to be “global warming”!)

      Note that the truths from God’s Word that are mocked today are the creation account, the Flood of Noah, and prophecy of coming judgment.  Creation and the “the day of the Lord” (or final days of history before eternity begins) are the “bookends” of God’s redemptive plan for man to be saved eternally.  If the enemy, Satan, can get man to doubt the validity of the “bookends” of creation and prophecy, then he can get them to doubt and reject God’s redemption plan as well.   But, praise God, “All Scripture (including the creation account, redemption plan, and prophecy) is inspired (“God-breathed“) and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (II Tim. 3:16,17).  

Forever His,

Pastor Dave