The Bible also makes it clear that God has a unified plan for all of history. His ultimate purpose, "a plan for the fullness of time," is "to unite all things in him [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth" (Ephesians 1:10), "to the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:12). God had this plan even from the beginning: "remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose'" (Isaiah 46:9-10).(1)In Anthony Hoekema's The Bible and the Future, he lays out five important points (2) the Christian should keep in mind when thinking about and interpreting history:
- History is the working out of God's purposes;
- God is the Lord of history;
- Christ is the center of history;
- The new age has already been ushered in;
- And all of history is moving toward a goal: the new heavens and the new earth.
The reason I mention this is because so many times we lose sight of this truth - more often than not, it is during the very moment of crisis when we need to remember and believe it most. Surely, the fact that God is meticulously weaving all events in history for our joy and his glory should give us the coveted rest we so desire. That he is working all things in history out for the good of those who love him moves us to not only start another day with confidence but also (and more importantly!), to adore and worship him as the God who does these things. His governing of the universe is not some abstract vigilance over his domain but is a sovereign rule that leads the apostle Paul to say that this Lord of history "works all things according to the counsel of his will" (Ephesians 1:11).
(1) "Overview of the Bible," ESV Study Bible, pg. 23.
(2) Hoekema, The Bible and the Future, pgs. 25-40.
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