Clear Design
From the cosmic order of galaxies down to the intricacies of the tiniest cell, Creation shows design and purpose. Take for instance, the fact that Earth is the only planet known to support life. It has just the right range of temperatures, suitable gases in the atmosphere and life-sustaining water. Why such a perfect combination of conditions? Because the Creator intentionally designed this planet for life.
He who created the heavens, He is God; He who fashioned and made the earth, He founded it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited. (Isaiah 45:18)
Creation and Completion
The Bible starts and ends with an ideal world. The first chapter of the Bible describes Creation. At the end of this account comes a statement that implies a beautiful, peaceful, balanced world: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). No problems, no fear, no pain, no suffering, no violence. All was “very good” as God intended it. The focal point, the showplace of Creation where human beings were to live, was the Garden of Eden. In the middle of the garden were two special trees: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
God gave Adam a commandment concerning this latter tree. He was not to eat fruit from it, on penalty of death. But Adam and Eve decided they knew better than God, and broke this commandment. The consequence of their disobedience was catastrophic. Death, toil and suffering entered the world. The rest of the Bible shows the way back to the world order the Creator first intended. The final chapters of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, describe the time when God’s purpose will be complete. “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:4).
The Key to God’s Purpose
The Creator, “Yahweh is His Name” (Amos 5:8), has a purpose with the earth. This is the fundamental message of the Bible. In this purpose is the restoration of the earth to its original state of peace, harmony and oneness with God, under His Imperial Rule.
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. They will neither harm nor destroy on all My Holy Mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of Yahweh as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6-9)
We know that we all desire the above. So why, since everybody seeks for this idyllic world, haven’t humans, over thousands of years, obtained that for which they eagerly seek? Is it because we need more time? More time would just postpone relief from God, as it’s not in most people to learn from history. Would we be able to stop not only our violence but also educate the animals in the way of peace so that “the wolf will live with the lamb”? Only our Creator can restore everything back to perfection.
God has ordained that the only way back to the “tree of life” is through the true knowledge and belief in Him (John 17:3). The earth will be filled with the knowledge of Yahweh. This promise appears a number of times in the Bible. In fact, it is key to understanding the basics of God’s purpose. What is the “knowledge of Yahweh”? First and foremost, it involves knowing His character. The following passage repeats the above promise with one important addition:
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the GLORY of Yahweh, as the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14)
When Moses asked God to show him His glory, God responded by describing the characteristics that comprise His goodness: “Then Yahweh passed by in front of him and proclaimed, ‘Yahweh, Yahweh GOD, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet will by no means leave the guilty unpunished’” (Exodus 34:6, 7).
God’s purpose will be complete when the entire earth reflects His goodness. The world will be governed by a leader possessing the personal characteristics of God Himself and filled with people who demonstrate these characteristics in everything they think and do.
The Creator is active right now, preparing to fulfill His purpose in a new Creation filled with His glory. World events are moving towards a climax that will culminate in the return of His son Jesus Christ to establish this new world order. Just as important, God is working with individuals who respond to Him and seek to understand and participate in His purpose.
A Lifetime Goal
God wants His character and goodness to be displayed in human lives: “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). An image is a mirror reflection. The Creator’s original purpose was for His image to be reflected in the human beings He created. Adam and Eve were called upon to use their God-given will and intellect. They had to make a conscious decision to do things God’s way. So do you. You have to take initiative to respond to the word of God.
He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4)
You take on a lifetime mission when you make it your goal to be re-created in God’s image, to share His goodness and ultimately His divine nature. You undertake to follow the example of Jesus Christ, whose life demonstrated God’s perfect character to humanity.
With God’s help and mercy you strive to be re-created in the image of Christ. This transformation of self starts with an understanding of God’s purpose revealed in the Bible. Your understanding of God’s message influences your attitudes and actions. Your life becomes reoriented and takes on new direction and meaning. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17). The final reward of the faithful is a gift more wonderful than the human mind can imagine. God Himself will complete your transformation, making you a personal image of His eternal glory with perfect character and immortal nature.
Starting Points
What is the basis for the personal re-creation of which the Bible speaks? There are three essentials: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13). First comes faith – faith in God, in His only Son, Jesus Christ, and in His promises.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:1-6)
Active and genuine faith leads to a building of character in the believer. God describes this development: “Add to your faith moral excellence, and to moral excellence, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, Love” (2 Peter 1:5-7).
There is a difference between being a socially affable person, and being perfect in motivation and character, to which no one can attain without the love of God in them.
Hope for the Future
Hope, the second essential, is a positive attitude towards the future. With the hourly news reports of human suffering, senseless violence, wars, famines, contamination of what we eat, drink, and breathe – how could a thinking person have any hope for the future? The only answer is understanding and participating in God’s purpose. Hope is not a vague, hesitant speculation that probably God will make everything turn out well. It is the expectation that His purpose will come to pass. This awareness brings assurance in your personal life. “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to purpose” (Romans 8:28).
History is on its way to a conclusion which will bring the return of Jesus Christ to set up God’s Kingdom on a restored earth. “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17). “In keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). Life without hope is meaningless and futile. Hope based on false assumptions or speculation brings disappointment and disillusionment. Hope measured in possessions or achievements leads to emptiness. What our Creator offers is a clearly defined hope that is sure and true, a hope that helps you put into perspective the problems of daily life, knowing God is in control, and that there is a good latter end for those that demonstrate the faithful love of God through Jesus Christ.
The Highest Good
The greatest of these is love. (1 Cor. 13:13)
From creation the basis of God’s purpose has been love, BUT as He defines love (see 1 Corinthians 13). Why did God give Adam and Eve the option to follow their own wishes? He wanted them to choose His way of their own free will. He did not make robots. Rather, God wanted them to love Him willingly, as He loved them. They let Him down. However, God still loves the human race. He still wants men and women to choose to love Him. Jesus was once asked to identify God’s greatest commandment, a commandment that can either be accepted by us or refused. His reply can be summarized in one word: Love.
Love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)
Without the proper motivation we cannot participate in God’s plan and purpose to glorify Him. It takes a knowledge and love of Yahweh and His Son to rightly direct us in this process of manifesting God in our lives. We must be pliable to His influence, to let the word draw us close to Him. This love bridges the gap between God and man and is not found among men apart from God’s influence on them. It destroys fear, provides hope and comes from truth. If you accept love, not selfishness, as your standard, how does this affect your personal aspirations?
You can participate in the Creator’s purpose. He can recreate you in His image if you respond to His love.
The goal of our commandment is love from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1:5)