How Does it all get fixed? The Hinge of History How Does it all get fixed?

The Big Questions How Did it All Begin? What Went Wrong? How Does it all Get Fixed? What is the Final Resolution?

The Humility of Christ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Php 2:6-11

Why didn’t God smash Satan immediately? He chose to enact a plan in which he would involve Himself in the consequences of this rebellion and fully endure its pain. In this way he demonstrates exactly the opposite of what Satan practiced. It is by humility and dependence that life and meaning are found and that the highest honors are gained.

The Divine Response “We shall give this rebellion a thorough trial. We shall permit it to run its full course. The universe shall se what a creature, though he be the highest creature ever to spring from God'’ Word, can do apart from Him. We shall watch this experiment, and permit the universe of creatures to watch it, during this brief interlude between eternity past and eternity future called time. In it the spirit of independence shall be allowed to expand to the utmost. And the wreck and the ruin which shall result will demonstrate to the universe, and forever, that there is no life, no joy, no peace apart from a complete dependence upon the Most High God, Possessor of heaven and earth.” Donald Barnhouse, The Invisible War, p. 51

Earth Temporarily Belongs to the Satan And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. “Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ” Luke 4:5-7

“Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world shall be cast out.” (John 12:31) “in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) “in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.( Ephesians 2:2)

God’s Offensive Force Reflect His Image: Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; Rule over the Satan’s world: and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Gen 1:26

God’s Offensive Force Reproduce a Godly Seed And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. V. 27 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; v. 28

Controlling Principle Starting Point Controlling Principle Goal Greek Marxist Evolutionary Postmodern Biblical None Endless cycles None Development Through Struggle Utopia None Create your own principle Create your own goal Genesis 1:1 The last will become the First Establish God’s Rule

Genesis 1:1 – In the Beginning The Starting Point

Genesis 1:1 1:3-31 In the Beginning And God said … 15 Billion yrs. 6 days

The Controlling Principle To Demonstrate the superiority of trust and obedience. Out of the least, God will bring the greatest. The Controlling Principle

Controlling Principle In the historical process God intends to demonstrate the futility of disobedience and unbelief and the superiority of trust and humility. Out of the lesser he will bring the greater. The inferior creature living in dependence will achieve a higher position that the superior creature sought through independence and unbelief, thus smashing pride.

God Himself enters history and demonstrates his ways! The Hinge of History God Himself enters history and demonstrates his ways!

The Humility of Christ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Php 2:6-11

Satan The Lord Jesus Christ Destruction! Exaltation! I will make myself like the Most High He was in the very essence of God I will ascend above the heights of the clouds He emptied Himself of his independent rights I will raise my throne above the stars of God He took the very form and essence of a servant I will I will ascend to heaven He became obedient to a cross-kind-of-death

Satan The Lord Jesus Christ Exaltation! Destruction! “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire.” “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name”

The Way of the Servant Kings But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.  “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,   and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mt 20:25-28

That Pale Blue Dot

The Establishment of God’s Rule in the Satan’s World The Goal

Man is to rule! When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. "You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:” Ps 8:3-6, NIV

The Future Reign of the Servant Kings Rapture Tribulation 7 yrs Second Coming The Messianic Kingdom The Future Reign of the Servant Kings 3 ½ Yrs 3 ½ Yrs 1000 Yrs Treaty Abomination 1260 days 2520 days “Parousia”