by Gavin Ryalls

Created on: February 07, 2010   Last Updated: February 08, 2010

One way of looking at the Bible is to break it into three parts: The first two chapters of Genesis, Genesis 3 to Revelation 20, and Revelation 21 to 22. This is a little general admittedly, but it is accurate and meaningful nevertheless. The opening chapters of Genesis deal with the fall of man. Adam and Eve were created in Eden and through temptation were thrown out of that paradise. The last two chapters of Revelation concern the new heaven and earth which will be created after Christ's return. Everything in between is the story of God's reconciliation to his children in order that we may share that eternity with him.

God certainly has a past. But to limit our understanding to this is to miss God for what he is. God is the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end. He existed before time began and will exist into the future throughout eternity. In the end he will gather all things to himself. God is beyond eternity and is omniscient. He knows the past, present and future. It is only once we grasp this magnitude and learn also that this power and authority cares for us as individuals that we can perhaps come close to understanding the depth of his love. It is only here that we can begin to reflect on the profound mystery that is God.

To understand God as some two dimensional character from the books that are the Bible is to miss the point. God is not some deity that might be represented by a miniature statue on a shelf. He doesn't exist to provide for our needs if we say the right prayers and keep ourselves good. On the contrary, we exist to serve him, not the other way about. God's promises for the future are as valid as his actions in the past. And those promises give our lives meaning and purpose.

Certainly, and sadly, there are many people who do only know God for what he has done. And his past is dramatic indeed. But not as dramatic as what he has in store for us. He sent his son Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins so that we may be saved and enter eternity. This is his promise that lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It is this knowledge and understanding that distinguishes the faithful from those that haven't taken the time to know God a little better. Were God known only for what he has done, there would be no faith and worse, nothing to look forward to.

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