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See this article on Glory of God.
Click here to view the BIG PICTURE again.
Group or Individual
Activity: Read again
Ephesians 1:3-6 ,
Ephesians 1:7-12 and
Ephesians 1:13-14 and list all the things
spoken of that we are ultimately called to.
Think about/discuss
each one and say what you think it means. Read also
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 and
1 Thessalonians 2:12 and state what
we are called to. How does this tie into what you have already read ?
God's original purpose for man (to see a world full of those bearing His Image, glorifying his name) can only be reached through Jesus by the power of His Spirit working in and through us. Only as we are obedient to His call on our lives then we will do His will and see His purposes outworked.
(2) When Will This Be ?
Finally, the Word of God shows us, this destiny will be met when every tongue, tribe and nation stands before God worshipping Him (See Revelation 7:9). When representatives from every tongue, tribe and peoples have been brought before King Jesus, the end will come (See Matthew 24:14). This will only happen when the Gospel has run it's course around the World (See the article on the Prophetic Westward Sweep Of The Gospel Throughout History.)
The Bible also shows us that heaven is just the waiting room of the saints. When Jesus returns in power and glory, all His saints will be gathered together to meet Him in the sky with new resurrection bodies (See 1 Thessalonians 4:17) . The saints will then descend to rule and reign with Jesus for a thousand years on earth after a period of God's wrath being poured out (See Revelation 20:4-6).
(3) Conclusion.
This was God's original intention - the earth filled with saints bearing His image, ruling and reigning with justice and righteousness. The kingdoms of this age that have been ruled by Satan's dark forces will become the Kingdom of Light as the saints rule and reign over every people group on earth.
We are now in training for this rulership, and though God's kingdom now is seen in His rule and reign in our lives and not as a physical territory, with His second coming His kingdom will be finally established on earth (See Revelation 11:15). With representatives from every tongue, tribe and nation the stage will be set for Jesus to return and apportion out rewards of rulership depending on our faithfulness to His call on our lives (Read the Parable of the Talents).
The fulness of God's original intention will of course be seen with the arrival of the new heaven and new earth after the thousand year Millenium - the ultimate glory we are called into.
·Go back and finish the final overviews.
