The Pentateuch - Conclusion

The Pentateuch is an unfinished story. It lays foundation for the biblical meta-narrative that runs from Genesis to Revelation.
The story of God’s mission to reconcile humanity and all creation to himself unites the library of books of the Bible.
At the beginning we have the creation of heaven and earth and at the end with have the creation of new heaven and new earth.

In between we have a story of God’s redemptive work - all as a grace - that aims to restore the broken relationship between himself and wayward humanity, and aims to renew all creation.

Fundamental to this process is the incarnation of Jesus Christ, his sacrificial death, bodily resurrection, glorious ascension to the right hand of the Father, and future return as universal judge.

From creation (Gen 1-2) to recreation (Rev 21-22)

From the garden of Eden in Gen to the new of Jerusalem in Rev.

In the process, we see, the tent-tabernacle in the desert, the temple in the earthly city of Jerusalem.

Then, we have the “body of Jesus” as the temple, and the followers of Jesus - the church - as the new temple.
Thus, human bodies replace the stones.

It all ends in the new Jerusalem coming from down from heaven.
It is not just a city but/and a temple, and personification of God’s people living in marriage relationship with God.

The story shows how God’s presence comes to fill the whole world.
And God’s presence is linked to God’s kingdom - an ever expanding God’s sovereignty on the earth.
But, God does it through us - those who submit to Him.
The first Adam was authorised to exercise dominion on his behalf over all the other creatures of the earth.
But, Adam obeyed the creature “serpent” rather than God.
And so, the serpent gained control over humans and everything placed by God under their rule.
In this way Satan becomes the prince of this world, usurping God himself.
Humans are losing their special status and their relationship with God - expelled from Eden.
The earth gets cursed and polluted by sins.
The people built a city - Babel-Babylon - a godless city.
Babylon will destroy Jerusalem - in history.
And Babylon is also seen in Revelation.
But, God does not abandon humanity. Jesus, the new Adam comes, holy and faithful to renew everything.

The Lion and the Lamb

(Rev 5:5-6)
Through Jesus, all those who believe in Him and are united to Him, are redeemed from the power of the serpent and restored to their royal and priestly statues.
From Gen 3:15 - the Bible anticipates the coming of the son of woman who will crush the serpent.
The searching centres on the tribe of Judah, a descendent of David. He will bring God’s blessing to all.
Jn 1:29 - Exodus story is behind it, but also the servant song of Isaiah.
Jesus’ sacrificial death restores everything.
And the descent of the Holy Spirit reverses the Babel story.
Filled with God’s Spirit, the church is a place filled with God’s glory.

Priest-kings and Holy Nation

1 Peter 2:9.
Christ’s followers are called to live in a world that is still antagonistic to its [their] Creator.
The world and humanity stands in need of divine redemption.
The restoration of the whole of creation from the consequences of human rebelliousness lies at the heart of God’s saving activity.
While this begins and ends with God, He invites those who have been redeemed to share in His mission.
Now, we are a “light of the world”.
Our task is demanding but it is necessary.
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