From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An Introduction to Biblical Theology

by T. Desmond Alexander

The contours of the story are of one sent from heaven to subject the cosmos to its Creator and Lord. Born of a woman (Gal 4:4) and taking human form (Php 2:7), he engaged the enemy, was victorious in an epochal battle (Col 2:15; cf. 1:12–14), and was exalted to God’s right hand, where he now reigns as cosmic Lord (1Co 15:24–26; Eph 1:20–22; Php 2:9; Col 3:1; 1Ti 3:16), building his new temple (1Co 3:16–17; 2Co 6:16; Eph 2:19–22), and receiving praise and obeisance (Php 2:10–11). He will come again at the end of the age and conclude his defeat of the enemy, who will have waged a final revolt (2Th 2:8). In the end, death, the final enemy, will stand defeated along with every other hostile power, and Christ will hand over the kingdom to God (1Co 15:24–28). But in the meantime, the people of the Messiah stand between two episodes – climax and resolution – in the eschatological warfare, enjoying the benefits and advantage of Christ’s defeat of the enemy at the cross (Ro 8:37). Yet, as they await their Lord to descend from heaven on the final day (1Th 4:16–17), they are still beset by a hostile foe (Eph 6:10–17).22