Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:15 and 1 Corinthians 15:24-28
Review and Explanation: When God created the earth and humankind, He intended for the earth to be a place where His rule was honored and obeyed without fail. But then the rebellion occurred, involving Satan, one-third of the angels, and all of humankind. The earth then became a place in God's universe where rebellion against His rule was allowed. Nevertheless, immediately after the Fall, God promised to restore the earth as a place where His rule is honored and obeyed without fail among humankind. Genesis 3:15 records that promise: "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
God's promise makes reference to several key components of Christ's kingdom on earth. In Christ's kingdom, the unrighteous will be defeated and removed for judgment. The unrighteous are the offspring of the serpent (Satan). When Christ's kingdom is established on earth, He will defeat Satan and his kingdom, as indicated by the "bruising" of the serpent's head. However, prior to Satan's defeat, he will strike a blow against Christ, which is the significance of the serpent "bruising" the heel of the promised offspring of the woman. So, in Genesis 3:15, Christ is represented as a triumphant Savior/King. Referring to Him as the "offspring" of the woman points ahead to the virgin birth. The promised Savior/King will be much more than just another human deliverer, conceived in the ordinary way through the relations between a husband and wife. The promised Savior/King will be both God and Man.
After Satan and his kingdom are defeated and the kingdom of Christ is established here on earth, the earth will once again become a place where the rule of God is fully honored and obeyed. Then, 1 Corinthians 15:24 tells us, Christ will "deliver" His kingdom to the Father, merging His kingdom with the universal Kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 11:28 explains: "When all tings are subjected to him (Christ), then the Son himself will also be subjected to him (God the Father) who put all things in subjection under him (Christ), that God may be all in all." This is what God promised would happen someday, and this is the plan He is working even now to complete.
Reflection Questions: What difference should it make in your life to know that God has a plan for this world? What difference should it make in your life to know that His plan revolves around the Kingdom of the promised "offspring" of the woman, the promised Savior/King? How might you reflect today whose side you're on in the battle between the serpent and his side versus the promised Savior/King and his side?
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