The epic story of paradise lost and restored inspires a new hope—the hope that this broken world, once good and beautiful, can and will be made new and us along with it. This transformation is not limited to some distant time, place or age but is at work in our world and lives today. The hope of God is near.
In the beginning the world was strikingly good, and it comprised two realms—heaven and earth. The earth basked in the radiance of heaven, and heaven’s glory took up residence on the earth in a garden called Eden. The garden rested on the Mountain of the Lord—a thin place between the two realms. In this beautiful setting, the Lord of Heaven walked with the Ruler of Earth, none other than mankind.
The Lord of Heaven spoke, and a prophecy brought hope—a Hero of Light would enter the Darkness. He would crush evil and restore all that was good, including humanity’s dominion and radiance.
The Prince of the Air, jealous of the union between God and Man, sought to bring ruin, which is his way. He appeared in the garden, taking the form of a serpent, a magnificent and intoxicating creature. The Serpent tempted Eve, and Eve convinced Adam, and the first of mankind fell for the Serpent’s wiles. They surrendered their rule to this Dark Prince and tarnished their image—the Image of God. Their failure brought ruin to all the earth. Beauty faded, light went dark, and evil prevailed.
Heaven’s brilliance on the earth dimmed, but it was not extinguished. The Lord of Heaven spoke, and a prophecy brought hope—a Hero of Light would enter the Darkness. He would crush evil and restore all that was good, including humanity’s dominion and radiance.
Until the time when the prophecy could be fulfilled, guardians were placed at the garden’s gate, and an impenetrable shroud formed between the realms of heaven and earth. Their once warm embrace turned cold. A new alliance formed between a dark spiritual realm and a corrupted, broken earth. These two dark realms formed a fallen world, and the earth’s kings and governors fell under the sway of the Prince of the Air, the Ruler of Darkness, the Devil himself. And all people of this dark world endured hardship, ruin, and oppression.
In a time when evil did its worst and hope seemed lost, the Lord of Heaven remembered his promise. He pierced the shroud with a single ray. The light passed over a young woman, and a son was conceived. He would be called the Light of the World. Upon his birth in a little village, the angels sang and hope was reborn, not simply for that town or time—but for all places and all time.
The Light of the World became a man, and dwelt among his creatures—the creatures he created. But his own did not recognize him. Not to be deterred, the Light formed a small band, called them his friends, and shared with them his glory, until his radiance became their own.
The Hero of Light intended to reclaim dominion of the world and all its people. He prepared his followers in secret, knowing his mission would draw the attention of dark forces, including the Prince of the Air and the rulers of the day, both religious and political.
The Light did what he must to peel back the cloak separating heaven and earth and restore mankind to his rightful place. The Light turned his face to the darkness and made headway into the visage of death, into the unknown, where serpents dwell. While this was the plan when the first of humanity fell, those close to the Light could not comprehend his choice to enter peril. Some doubted; some fell away, and one betrayed him—the Son of Perdition.
Undaunted, the Hero of Light made his way to the Great City, knowing full well his Light would be extinguished. After they arrived, he had dinner in a hidden room with his friends one last time. They broke bread, drank wine, and by these simple acts, the Light showed his followers how he would reclaim dominion and restore all things, including humanity. It would be days, weeks, even years later before his followers would fully grasp his actions, not only what he did around that table, but his surrender on a mount that was his destiny—the hill called Golgatha.
On that hill, The Prince of the Air released all his power, and our Hero died—nailed to a tree. The Light went dark, the sky turned black, and the dead walked. The Devil danced, and the earth quaked, but the Light’s defeat was victory in disguise. Through his death, the Light of the World would overcome death.
The Light was buried in a tomb. With the passing of a day and the coming of the next morn, the Lord of Heaven speaks, and the Light of the World breaks free of the grave. As the sun rises in the east, the Light bursts forth in radiance and glory. Death was but a bruise.
The Light shines fiercely, and the whole world is lit. The earth is made new, the Image of God restored, and paradise reopened. The corruptible is made incorruptible; the mortal is made immortal. The veil between the two realms is torn asunder, and a new thin place is formed. Heaven and earth kiss once more.
“In being united with Christ in his death and resurrection we are empowered to live in the thin place connecting heaven and earth. There the immortal genius given to each of us is awakened.”
—Boyd Morris | Bishop of Basileia Alliance | The Abbey of St. John
With the raising of the Light, a new ruler has arrived—replacing the reign of darkness. A new day has dawned, a new age has begun, and humanity’s original dominion is restored.
The Lord of the Light, the first born of a new humanity, draws to himself a people from every tongue and tribe and nation, anointing them with resurrection power. He makes them his kings and priests on the earth to carry out his mission of hope and restoration. These agents of the new King share his light and love with those who remain in darkness, and anyone who receives the Light is restored by the Light. He makes them immortal and gives them a destiny. He calls them the Sons and Daughters of the Lord of Heaven.
Glory and grandeur spread throughout the earth and replace the dominion of darkness. The Light reigns. Long live the Light.
