What is this book about?
The Bible is an organic unity. Although consisting of two testaments, it is one book. It begins in paradise with the first Adam and ends with a description of another paradise with the Second Adam. Sometimes we don’t see this unity. We read the chapters but miss the line of development through the Scriptures. We might prefer to read the New Testament only; but without the Old Testament we will not understand the development from first Adam’s fall to the fulfilment of Christ’s ministry as the Second Adam. What holds this story of redemption together, is God’s covenant promises. He promised fallen Adam that He would provide Someone Who would crush the head of the serpent. Christ was that Person. What He did, was to open eternal paradise for those who believe in Him.
In our book, we endeavoured to follow this line. God called His people to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exod. 19:5). His people were to be His bride church. Yet, they failed miserably by breaking covenant with God, becoming the unfaithful bride. In this book, we recall the nature of the failure of the Old Covenant church and draw some lessons for the New Covenant church. We try to learn from the disappointment of her priests, prophets, and kings. Against this, we contrast the perfect ministry of Christ as Priest, Prophet, and King. We try to understand how Adam’s frustrated Cultural Mandate is restored and enlarged in the Great Commission of Second Adam who sends His disciples to the ends of the earth. To Him is given all power and authority. He gifted His church bride with the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses.
As we interpret the Great Commission in light of Christ’s Kingship, we try to rent the veil of pessimism that has obscured the bright future of God’s Kingdom on earth. Christ called His church to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matt. 5:13-16). As Israel had a land to conquer and occupy, so the church has the world to ‘invade’ and influence nations, cultures, and lifestyles with the Gospel. There must be victory under Christ’s Lordship. But success is only secure for as long as the bride remains faithful to the Groom.
This book is not designed to be a Systematic or a Biblical theology. However, it is not void of theological truths. We deliberately avoided technical academic language. If you are a lay preacher or a Bible study leader, you will find some helpful chapters or paragraphs to glean from.
With us, read, study, love, and apply the Scriptures. Be willing to learn from the past failures of the bride of Christ. Fix your eyes on Him (Heb. 12:2). “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). Look over the levee bank; there’s a whole world to reach with the fulness and power of the Gospel message (Rom. 1:16-17). We must finish the task.
Once we have done what Christ commissioned us to do, we will enter the eternal Promised Land.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Amen.
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