We read in the Genesis account of God's original plan for his earthly creation. In Genesis chapter 2:15 we read “and Jehovah God took the man, and put him in the garden of Eden to dress it and keep it.” Along with man’s gardening duties he had animals to care for and later his wife Eve for companionship. The original intention for humanity seems to be summed up in the first few chapters of Genesis, namely that man had a fellow creation to have a relationship with, on the human plane as well as animal life. Also we recall that Adam’s relations with God were perfect and holy, and he spoke with God and we believe would have had a special connection with the creator of all things.
After sin entered the earth we have seen its troublesome effects everywhere, everyday. The scriptures abound with wonderful pictures that promise “restitution of all things.” One of the earliest promises was made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 “ and in thee and thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” God in his plan has provided a group of saints that will make up Abraham’s seed, Galatians 3:29 “ and if ye are Christs, then are ye Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise covenant.” Here we see the connection is made between the church and Abraham’s seed. “ for the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:19). In the current days we see the creation is still waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God (completing his church).
We read in Acts 3:19-21 of the “ restoration of all things spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets that have been from old.” When we examine the Old Testament prophets we find many promises of peace and prosperity on earth, as well as resurrection “ but your dead shall live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy…” ( Isaiah 26:19). “If a man dies will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come. You will call and I will answer you; you will long for the creature your hands have made” (Job 14:14-15). “They will say “this land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; the desolate land is fortified and inhabited” ( Ezekiel 36:35). Perhaps one verse that tells us God's plan plainly is stated in Ephesians 1:10 “ unto a dispensation of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him.”
In summary friends we read from Revelation 21:3-4 “ and I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, anymore.”
- A Follower of Christ