Explanation to the Pictures |
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originally
We live in a story God is writing with us. (existence = story) Originally our earthly realm was united with God's heavenly realm. (heaven and earth) God's purpose for us was to bring his wholesome order over the whole earth with us as His representatives, acting as His partners, in relationship with Him. (identity and meaning of life) God wanted to rule over the earth as king with a righteous rule, and for us to be His co-regents and subjects. (justice and order) For this purpose, man was created by God – and like God – to live a life that doesn't end and is not forgotten. (life and being) |
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broken
Man rejected God's idea because they wanted to do their own thing. (rebellion) The union between God and man, between heaven and earth, broke apart. (separation) Since humanity broke away from the source of its life, we become sick and die – we will pass from this world and be forgotten. (death) Instead of bringing a wholesome order to the world under God's reign, chaos, disorder, violence and oppression entered and enslaved us. (disorder) For this reason, man is inclined to evil in his heart. Though the extent is different for everyone, we all cause harm to one another and are part of the universal problem that is visible even today and impossible to solve in human terms. (evil) |
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(un)expected
After this catastrophic beginning, God revealed Himself in a special way to a people (Israel) over a long period of time, in order to pursue His goal of fellowship with man. At the climax of this story, God Himself stepped – both unexpectedly and expectedly – unto the stage. God came from heaven into the human world and became a real human in Jesus. (arrival I) Because He loves us, He took all evil and injustice of the world on Himself, and died a cruel death on the cross. (cross) Unexpectedly, Jesus rose from the dead three days later to a new, unfading life, and overcame death and evil in its very core. (resurrection I) This new life changes everyone who acknowledges Jesus as their true king. Evil has lost its power over them. This is recognizable by the fact that they overcome evil with good – they can do this becaus God Himself lives and works in them as the Holy Spirit. (dwelling) God works in us, healing not just our hearts and souls, but also our bodies, as a sign of what is to come. (salvation) |
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new
The surprising resurrection of Jesus was the beginning of a new creation that God will bring to completion one day. (beginning) Evil, sickness and our natural death can no longer separate us from God and His life if we belong to Jesus. Our life is held in trust beyond death with Him (heaven), until... (beyond) …until Jesus arrives visibly again from heaven to our earthly sphere. Just like Jesus, all those who acknowledge Him as Lord will rise up with a new, imperishable body. We will live in perfect relationship and partnership with God, and will never die again. (arrival and resurrection II) God will remove all evil and distructive influence from the world and will make it new, uniting it once more with heaven. (new creation) |
