Genesis 3:8 has “The LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day,” that being the Garden of Eden. And just WHY has God come to that pristine spot? To spend some time (an eternal God, mind you) with His creation, with Adam and Eve! Thus fulfilling man’s greatest need!
Then in Exodus 29:45-46 God proclaims: “And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.” God’s “Grand Goal” reiterated! Maybe even amplified, certainly exposited more fully.
Now (finally, some of you may be thinking) we share a Leviticus Text! One that parallels Genesis 3:8 and Exodus 29:45-46 … obviously so!
“And I (the Lord) will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.” Leviticus 26:11-12
I already have a “Bible Portion” Booklet containing Leviticus 26 (just Leviticus 26 only) to preach in an upcoming Revival Meeting. Every Sermon from one (or more) of those 46 Verses!
Look … the Bible’s first three Books!
Genesis … God with man!
Exodus … God with man!
Leviticus … in much more detail … God with man!
Oh, the New Testament as well, beginning with the Gospels … God (incarnate, Jesus Christ) with man!
And then (after Pentecost … during the Church Age) the Holy Spirit (indeed God) with man, inhabiting Believers!
It is the “Grand Goal” of all history!
It is the “Grand Goal” of all prophecy!
It is the “Grand Goal” of the Heart of God!
And … what about the Book of Revelation? Containing the Bible’s “Final Chapters?” Notice this: “And I (John) heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Revelation 21:3
Wow!
There’s that Grand Goal once more!
The Passion of God … Jesus expressing it to a Samaritan woman! “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” John 4:23
God Himself … seeking our love and adoration and loyalty and yes … worship! And rightly so. He created us! He has redeemed us! He is our “ALL!”
Oh dear Lord, HOW GREAT THOU ART!
“WORTHY IS THE LAMB!”
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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