The Ultimate Purpose: Revealing God's Glory through Christ

The Purpose of the Universe: Revealing the Glory of God through Christ

Have you ever wondered why God created the universe? What is He trying to achieve through His governance? Is Jesus Christ a means to an end or the ultimate purpose?

Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God. He is God in human form, and therefore, He is the end goal, not just a means to an end. The purpose of the universe is to manifest the glory of God. The heavens and the history of the world are constantly declaring the glory of God.

But why did Jesus Christ come into the world? He came to address a problem - the fall of humanity. He came to rescue sinners from the inevitable destruction caused by their sins. These rescued individuals will have the privilege of seeing, savoring, and displaying the glory of God with everlasting joy.

On the other hand, there will always be those who reject the glory of God and heap scorn upon it. Therefore, Jesus Christ becomes the means to achieve God's purpose of manifesting His glory for the enjoyment of His people. Without the saving work of Christ, no one would be able to see, savor, or celebrate the glory of God. The entire purpose of the universe would be thwarted.

However, in the very act of accomplishing His mission on the cross, as He died for sinners, Christ supremely revealed the love and righteousness of the Father. This was the pinnacle of the revelation of the glory of God - the glory of His grace.

In that moment, Jesus Christ became not only the means but also the end of God's purpose in the universe. Through His death and resurrection, He became the central and supreme revelation of the glory of God. He is the ultimate focus of our worship as we spend eternity seeing and savoring more of what He revealed about God when He became a curse for us.

Jesus Christ is the end for which the universe was created, and He is the means that makes it possible for justified sinners to enjoy that end. Without His work, the purpose of revealing the fullness of God's glory for the delight of His people would never have been achieved.

Let's dive deeper into the Word of God to understand the significance of Jesus Christ as the means and the end of God's purpose:

1. Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

In this verse, the apostle Paul proclaims that he has been crucified with Christ. He no longer lives for himself but for Christ who lives in him. The life he now lives is by faith in the Son of God, who loved him and gave Himself for him. This verse emphasizes the radical transformation that occurs when we are united with Christ. It is no longer about our own desires and ambitions, but about living for Him and His glory.

2. Colossians 1:15-20 - "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

These verses from Colossians highlight the supremacy of Jesus Christ. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Everything was created through Him and for Him. He is the one who holds all things together. He is the head of the church and the firstborn from the dead. In Him, the fullness of God dwells, and through Him, all things are reconciled to God. It is through the blood of His cross that peace is made between God and humanity.

3. Hebrews 1:1-4 - "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs."

The book of Hebrews emphasizes the superiority of Jesus Christ. God spoke to the fathers through the prophets in the past, but in these last days, He has spoken to us through His Son. Jesus is the heir of all things, and through Him, God created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature. He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, showing His superiority over angels.

4. Revelation 5:9-14 - "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.' Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!' And the four living creatures said, 'Amen!' and the elders fell down and worshiped."

This passage from Revelation depicts a scene of worship before the throne of God and the Lamb, Jesus Christ. The redeemed sing a new song, declaring the worthiness of the Lamb to take the scroll and open its seals. They acknowledge that He was slain and by His blood, He ransomed people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation. The angels also join in this declaration of praise, along with every creature in heaven and on earth. The Lamb is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing. This passage beautifully portrays the exaltation of Jesus Christ as the central figure in the worship of God.

As we delve into these passages, we see that Jesus Christ is not just a means to an end, but the very purpose and end of God's plan. He is the ultimate revelation of the glory of God. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, He accomplished the salvation of sinners and revealed the depth of God's love and righteousness. In Him, we can see and savor the glory of God, and through Him, we are reconciled to God and made heirs of His kingdom.

Let us, therefore, fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and live our lives in light of His glory. May we continually seek to know Him more, to love Him more deeply, and to make His name known to the ends of the earth. Jesus Christ is the means and the end of God's purpose in the universe, and it is in Him that we find our true purpose and fulfillment.