HISTORY

                                                                            History

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History is pronounced as His story among Christians. Whether the Battle of Bannockburn, Waterloo or seeming mundane events, this, of course, is in relation to God’s sovereignty. Something seemingly as insignificant as a sparrow falling from a tree or a hair from our head is part of God’s will. It is all part is His story. “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Rom. 11:36). So, if history were a train, God is the one pushing it from behind, pulling it from the front, as well as being in the train. “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psa. 139:7). God is everywhere. He is Almighty. He guides the stars on their courses. He guides history.

The Father created creation. The Son redeemed it. And the Spirit sustains, maintains and guides it towards its glorious future. Therefore, history has a purpose, which is “For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’” (2 Cor. 6:16; Lev. 26:11-12; Rev. 21:3). So, His story is about God dwelling in His redeemed creation with His redeemed people in bliss forever. Therefore, Christianity is not a mere speculative philosophy. It is a historical religion, grounded God’s material creation. And, like any good novel or movie, it has a beginning, middle, and ending.

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In eternity past, the Triune God had a plan in which God the Father promised God the Son a beautiful place where He could dwell among a people without number, yes, should He agree to and fulfil the terms and conditions of this everlasting covenant. God the Spirit was the Witness to this promise. The Father promised the Son the Spirit to assist Him. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14a). With God’s plan from eternity in mind, notice the presence of each Person of the Trinity in the following, “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matt. 3:16-17). “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8) had a mission. “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51; Isa. 50:7). The whole Bible records His story. “You search the Scriptures … and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). Thus, God reveals His story to the Christian by two Witnesses, the Spirit working with the Word in the believer’s heart.

Like all good novels, and movies, yes, and even Handel’s Messiah, there are high points and low points throughout His story. The protagonist is Jesus Christ, and the antagonist is the Devil. High point: Jesus’ riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. Low point: Jesus’ being nailed to a cross. High point: His resurrection, subsequent ascension and baptising His Church on earth with the Father pouring out Their Spirit. Why? To guide the train of history to its destination: “Now I saw a new heaven and new earth…” (Rev. 21:1a).

Yes, Jesus is aboard the train of history. The train stops every Sunday to pick up new passengers and let those aboard stretch their legs and their lungs by singing His praise wherever His Gospel is faithfully proclaimed. At what stage of His story are we? “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2b). All aboard?