From Eden to the New Jerusalem: Exploring God's Plan For Life On Earth

by T. Desmond Alexander

Publisher:

Inter-Varsity

, 2008

Overview

T. Desmond Alexander explores the Bible’s story by beginning in the final chapters of the book of Revelation. Anticipating the creation of a new earth and a new heaven, these chapters bring to fulfilment a process that began with the creation of the earth, as described in the opening chapters of Genesis. These passages frame the entire biblical “meta-story.”

This stimulating study outlines some of the central themes that run through the Bible, with broad brush strokes designed to show the general shape of the meta-story. Seeing the big picture helps us appreciate the details more clearly; and since the themes were an integral part of the biblical authors’ world, appreciating may significantly alter our reading of individual books.

Key Features

• Covers the theology of the entire biblical canon
• Provides a concise account of the meta-story of the Bible
• Traces major themes throughout scripture

Contents

• From Sacred Garden to Holy City: Experiencing the Presence of God
• Thrown from the Throne: Re-establishing the sovereignty of God
• Dealing with the Devil: Destroying the Source of Evil
• The Slaughter of the Lamb: Accomplishing the Redemption of Creation
• Feasting from the Tree of Life: Reinvigorating the Lives of People from Every Nation
• Strong Foundations and Solid Walls: Living Securely among the People of God

Top Highlights

“The very strong links between Genesis 1–3 and Revelation 20–22 suggest that these passages frame the entire biblical meta-story.” (Page 10)

“The symmetrical dimensions of the New Jerusalem are most unusual for a city. It is as high as it is long or wide. Interestingly, however, the proportions of the city match those of the Holy of Holies, the inner sanctuary of the temple, the only other cube specifically mentioned in the Bible. As 1 Kings 6:20 states, ‘The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high.’ The New Jerusalem also resembles the Holy of Holies in that both are made of gold. While, according to 1 Kings 6:20, the inner sanctuary was overlaid with gold, Revelation 21:18 records that ‘the city was pure gold’” (Page 20)

“Thirdly, the tabernacle was probably also viewed as a model of the cosmos” (Page 37)

“With the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost God’s presence, previously associated with the Jerusalem temple, is now linked to the newly created church. The church, which quickly comes to include Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles, becomes the new temple of God. Wherever the followers of Jesus meet, God is present with them by his Spirit. Consequently, as the church expands throughout the earth, God’s dwelling place is also extended.” (Page 18)

“Secondly, the tabernacle becomes the dwelling place of God on earth” (Page 34)

Praise for the Print Edition

This is thematic biblical theology at its best. Dr Alexander has done us all a great service in providing this succinct, inspirational and compelling examination of some of the great themes of the Bible. In doing so he gathers up many different threads in the biblical story and shows with skill their inter-relatedness, their fulfilment in Christ, and their consummation in the New Jerusalem. Rich pickings in a short space!

—Graeme Goldsworthy, former lecturer, Moore Theological College, Sydney, Australia

Product Details

• Title: From Eden to the New Jerusalem: Exploring God’s Plan for Life on Earth
• Author: T. Desmond Alexander
• Publisher: Inter-Varsity
• Print Publication Date: 2008
• Logos Release Date: 2016
• Pages: 208
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Life › Biblical teaching; Earth (Planet) › Biblical teaching; Bible. N.T. › Revelation
• ISBNs: 9781844742851, 1844742857
• Resource ID: LLS:DNNWJRSLBBLCLTH
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T23:20:57Z

About T. Desmond Alexander

T. Desmond Alexander is director of Christian training at Union Theological College in Belfast, Northern Ireland. From 1980 to 1999, he was lecturer in Semitic studies at the Queen’s University of Belfast. His main field of research is the Pentateuch, about which he has written extensively in academic journals and books. Alexander also has a special interest in the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. He is the author of From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Main Themes of the Pentateuch and Abraham in the Negev, and he is a coeditor (with Brian S. Rosner) of the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (IVP, 2000), available from Logos.