The Story of the Universe: God, Heaven and Earth, Man, Jesus Christ, the Church—the Golden Lampstand, the Holy City New Jerusalem—the Bride

 

The Story of the Universe: God, Heaven and Earth, Man, Jesus Christ, the Church—the Golden Lampstand, the Holy City New Jerusalem—the Bride 

Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"

Zechariah 12:1 "The LORD... who forms the spirit of man within him"

Revelation 1:20 "The seven lampstands are the seven churches"

Ephesians 1:22-23 "The church, which is His body"

Revelation 21:2,9-10 "The holy city, New Jerusalem... as a bride" 

Stage	Definition	Description	Examples	Application	Related Scriptures
God	Creator and source of the universe	God is the origin of all things, creating heaven, earth, and all things; He is the beginning of the universe's story	God created humans in His image and likeness	Recognize God as the source of our life and worship Him	Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"
Heaven and Earth	The physical universe created by God	God created heaven, earth, and all things as an environment for human existence and to express God	The six days of creation, the heavens and earth that God saw as good	Appreciate and manage the world God created	Genesis 1:1-31, Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God"
Man	Created in God's image with a spirit	God created man with spirit, soul, and body; man's spirit is the organ to contact God	The creation of Adam and Eve, Eve prefiguring the church	Fellowship with God through our spirit	Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, Zechariah 12:1 "The LORD... who forms the spirit of man within him"
Jesus Christ	God incarnate, the Redeemer	God became flesh and came among men to bring salvation	Jesus's birth, life, death, and resurrection	Accept Christ as Savior and experience Him as life	John 1:1,14 "In the beginning was the Word... and the Word became flesh", Philippians 2:6-8
Church —Golden Lampstand	The Body of Christ, God's house	The enlargement of Christ, composed of regenerated believers, shining light on earth	Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit, the birth of the church	Be built together to express Christ's light	Revelation 1:20 "The seven lampstands are the seven churches", Ephesians 1:22-23 "The church, which is His body"
Holy City New Jerusalem —the Bride	The ultimate consummation of the church, the wife of the Lamb	The ultimate manifestation of the church, the eternal union of God and man, the ultimate expression of the divine-human nature	The Holy City descending from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband	Pursue maturity, prepare for Christ's return	Revelation 21:2,9-10 "The holy city, New Jerusalem... as a bride", Revelation 22:17 "The Spirit and the bride say, Come!"

 

Conclusion:

From the perspective of the Bible, the story of the universe reveals God's wonderful plan and purpose. This story begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation, depicting how God initiated His plan through creation and ultimately achieves eternal union with humanity. The mystery of this universal story lies in how God, beginning with creation and through redemption, obtains His full expression. As shown in the referenced scriptures, God enters into man through Christ, Christ is enlarged through the church, and the church is ultimately revealed as Christ's bride—the Holy City New Jerusalem, where "the Spirit and the bride say, Come!", and God and man become eternally one.

 

*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 21 The Mystery of the Church