Lecture Summary: God's Original Desire and Subsequent Rebellions

God's Original Intent

• Human and Supernatural Family: God's vision of a harmonious existence between humans and supernatural beings.
• Eden: Heaven on Earth where humans act as God's imagers, tasked with spreading God's goodness globally.

The Fall and Rebellions

• First Rebellion (The Fall): Introduced death and separation from God for humanity.
• Second Rebellion (Genesis 6:1-4): Produced Nephilim, presenting lethal threats to Israel; involved supernatural beings (Watchers).
• Third Rebellion (Tower of Babel): Nations were divorced from God and assigned to corrupt sons of God, leading humanity into idolatry.

Jesus and the Reversal of the Rebellions

Key Events and Theology

• Crucifixion and Resurrection: Addressed the death problem; believers inherit eternal life and are returned to God's family.
• Jesus' Mission (New Testament): Confronted depravity and cosmic geography problems through his ministry and the spreading of the kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God

• Announcing the Kingdom: Jesus couples kingdom announcements with demon expulsions to demonstrate authority (e.g., Matthew 8, Mark, and Luke accounts).
• Gentile Inclusion: Jesus is not just the messiah for Jews but for all nations. Demonstrated through his actions and titles used by demons in Gentile territories.
• 70 Disciples Sent: A reference to the 70 nations from the Babel story, signifying reclaiming of the nations.

Cosmic Geography

• Mount Hermon and Bashan: Mythologically significant locations; Jesus' Transfiguration at Mount Hermon challenges supernatural powers.
• Caesarea Philippi: 'Gates of Hell' declaration interprets that the church will overcome satanic domains.

Paul's Mission

• Gentile Mission: Aimed at completing the task of spreading the gospel to all nations, including Spain (Tarshish), to fulfill God's reclaiming of all nations.
• Spiritual Warfare: Paul’s terminology reflects his worldview of battling principalities and powers that control nations.
• Restoring the Family of God: Paul's vision involves the believer’s destiny to judge angels and replace the fallen sons of God in the divine counsel.

Reclaiming the Nations

• Pentecost (Acts 2): Symbolic reversal of Babel with the Holy Spirit enabling diverse languages, showing God’s inclusive plan. Early believers from all nations begin spreading the gospel.
• Jewish Diaspora and Return: Early believers spread from Jerusalem to wider Gentile regions, setting a foundation for the worldwide mission.

Believer's Destiny

• Hebrews 2 and Revelation: Believers are God's children, destined to rule and judge alongside Christ, sharing in his authority.
• Revelation 2 and 3: Expressions of authority given to believers, reinforcing their roles in restoration and cosmic order.

Call to Action

• Discipleship and Evangelism: Fulfillment of the Great Commission is pivotal for Jesus' return and the establishment of the global Eden.

Conclusion

• Believers play an essential role in God's plan to overcome evil, spread his kingdom, and restore the world to its Edenic state.

Key Points to Remember

• Understand the narrative arc from Eden to the new Eden and our role within it.
• Recognize the importance of reclaiming the nations through discipleship and spreading the gospel.
• Realize the cosmic battle and the authority believers have been given over the fallen powers.