Anchor Scripture: Colossians 1:20; Leviticus 25

So far, we have seen how God, based on his character in which his mercy endures forever, purposes a phased treatment of sin. God will invoke the jubilee law code to fulfill his plan to reconcile all things to himself (Col. 1:20). There are other schools of thought, however, who disagree with the idea that God would reconcile all things to himself. They argue that the scripture condemns sinners eternally, and that men must go to the judgment with finality once unable to latch on to salvation in the present dispensation of grace. Going forward, we will seek to elaborate and deepen our knowledge of the purpose of God in the fall and reconciliation of man. Additionally, the idea of God reconciling all things to himself, as recorded in Isaiah 59:16 is evident. God is literarily to pull himself up by the bootstrap. And the whole universe, both the visible and invisible created order were made by him and for him (Col. 1:16).

God’s will is evidently declared in creation (Romans 1:20); for all things are his, and all things consist of him (John 1:3). When man is bruised, he naturally does whatever is in his power to get well. Similarly, if any part of God falls short in their execution of purpose, God with whom nothing is impossible, must do everything in his power to recover himself. And because everything is created for his purpose, God expects all of his creation to deliver on the purpose for which they were created. If all things consist of Him, then it behooves God to go all out for the redemption of any part of himself that may derail. This circles us back to Isaiah 59:16 where we saw God’s purpose to redeem himself – and specifically because he is able, and as allowed by law (Lev. 25:26, 27).

Thus, the created order proceeded out of God. In the same vein, he made man in his own image – the nature and likeness of God. Now through the exercise of self will, that nature of God enables in fallen men a disposition to also want to create; and even a desire to take over and be in control. This tendency, incidentally, is what led to the disobedience and fall of man. God’s response to this mishap was to institute the reconciliation program, which was designed on purpose to teach humanity the lesson that nothing is possible outside of God; and that “by yourself you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

The fall of man did not come as a surprise to God either. On grounds of the permissive will of God (Lam. 3:37), the fall was allowed. However, God immediately set in motion the reconciliation program intending to reveal man’s depravity and his lack of ability to rule himself. The fall and the reconciliation process would orchestrate events to showcase the original purpose to keep the oneness of God intact, i.e., to protect the unity of the one God for the good of all. Man was to learn by experience that he cannot exist by his own means, but in relying on the person of God by whom he was given existence. God is all that can be, and nothing else can be but that which proceeds out from him and for him.

The story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) is a vivid depiction of the ways of man on earth. It shows that once man figures out that he is not able to establish his own unity (oneness) after much toiling, he eventually sees his own limitations in trying to lead himself. The right choice is made manifest in his reality – his need to return and be one with his Maker. This was the hope and intent in the design of the program from the beginning. Therefore, man is said to be reconciled to God the instant he retraces his steps back to his source of life.

Since the ancient past, God gathers his children from time to time for appraisal. It is a time to review individuals’ performance about their purpose. As seen in Job 1:6, a judgment seat is a key feature of this setting. Similarly, God beckoned to the people in Isaiah 1:18 and said: “come now and let us reason together.” These are seasons for stock taking and shows that accountability is a requirement of God in the universe. No one can exist for himself outside of him and survive. So that the real life (eternal life), is possible only in God; for “in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Sin only leads to a disconnectedness from God (Isaiah 59:2). It is the state of death – a confine, a hold for fallen souls. Sinners are in this state today in the world experiencing the first death, that is, the first phase of the separation of souls from the Holy God. Man is, thus, experiencing in this phase the first impact of the disconnectedness from God due to sin.

Revelation chapter 20 narrates how the next enactment of a universal appraisal (judgment) would transpire. As noted, God is to call together all creation, “whether they be things in earth or things in heaven” (Col. 1:20) to the judgment. Everything, both the fallen angels and men alike will be judged; and all are to receive a due recompense of their reward. As we have established, man is currently in a state of death – a kind of school in the world – to unlearn the errors of disobedience, and to embrace God’s righteousness. Failure to attain this expectation leads to the condemnation of affected souls at the judgment. Just as in secular education, therefore, the day of examination (judgment) is sure to come. On that day, everyone will be examined and Jesus as the judge is to reward everyone according to their works (Rev. 22:12). This will mark the end of the first phase of the torture of sin. Those found wanting are to be cast into the lake of fire to usher in the second phase, which is the second death (Rev. 20:14).