What is the purpose of Christ's return?
The next time that the Hebrew term for “very” (me’od) is used in the book of Genesis is in the statement “Cain was very angry” (Gen. 4:5), a disposition that quickly led to the first murder in history. The fact that Cain was “very angry” was a vivid demonstration of the fact that God’s creation was no longer “very good.” The event that changed God’s “very good” creation was the decision of Adam and Eve to act in deliberate disregard of the will of God, following the Serpent rather than obeying the One who had created a perfect world (Gen. 3:1–6).
The consequences of the fall were swift, decisive, and numerous (Gen. 3:7–19). First, the relationship of Adam and Eve with God was fractured: they had to hide from God, no longer being naturally comfortable in his presence, a predicament that required their banishment from paradise. Human beings have lived outside of paradise ever since. Second, the relationship between Adam and Eve became selfish: she desired her husband while he established his rule over her.
The consequences of the fall were swift, decisive, and numerous (Gen. 3:7–19). First, the relationship of Adam and Eve with God was fractured: they had to hide from God, no longer being naturally comfortable in his presence, a predicament that required their banishment from paradise. Human beings have lived outside of paradise ever since. Second, the relationship between Adam and Eve became selfish: she desired her husband while he established his rule over her.
It was competition between their sons Cain and Abel that led to the first murder. Much of the crime and much of the grief throughout history is the result of selfish competitiveness. Third, the place of Adam and Eve in creation was no longer “natural” but intimately connected with pain, sweat, and death. The ground of the earth was cursed by God (Gen. 3:17), which explains the difficulties of earning a living. Because Adam and Eve doubted God’s goodness expressed in a perfect creation, God’s blessing has become limited—limited to fallen people who die and limited to fallen creation under God’s curse.
Thus one of the theological reasons that Jesus will return is this: God will restore his perfect creation in which all things will be new (Rev. 21:5) and which will be inhabited by people who are righteous and holy and who will never die (Rev. 21:4, 27; 22:3).
Thus one of the theological reasons that Jesus will return is this: God will restore his perfect creation in which all things will be new (Rev. 21:5) and which will be inhabited by people who are righteous and holy and who will never die (Rev. 21:4, 27; 22:3).
Since Adam’s descendants are “naturally” unrighteous and unholy, it is only people who have accepted God’s offer of righteousness and holiness who will live in God’s new world. God will restore his perfect creation in a new heaven and a new earth in which death, mourning, crying, and pain will be no more (Rev. 21:1–4).
Schnabel, E. J. (2011). 40 Questions about the End Times. (B. L. Merkle, Ed.) (pp. 248–249). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic & Professional.
Schnabel, E. J. (2011). 40 Questions about the End Times. (B. L. Merkle, Ed.) (pp. 248–249). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic & Professional.
