METANARRATIVE OF THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD: A COHERENT NARRATIVE OF SCRIPTURE

[sparkman]

I am really into metanarratives of the Bible.

Metanarratives are overarching storylines of the Bible that help show the coherent thread of Scripture, particularly to seekers and newer Christians. Metanarratives give the seeker or new Christian confidence in the integrity of the Scriptures, and help reinforce the idea that it is coherent and the product of one unified Mind.

My focus in Bible study lately has been dominated by a metanarrative related to the dwelling place of God. I have been reading books by GK Beale on this topic.

The basic thesis is this: Adam was given a commission by God to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth with image-bearers of God. This commission was conveyed to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the nation of Israel, and Jesus Christ. The Church, as the body of Christ, has this role to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth with fellow image-bearers of God. This commission is fulfilled, not just with physical reproduction, but with making disciples and reproducing in a spiritual sense. The Church is God's spiritual temple, and stones are being added to it. At the end of this current evil age, this spiritual reality will have a spiritual dimension to it, in the New Heavens and New Earth (which I believe are equivalent to the New Jerusalem).

Anyways, this metanarrative (over-arching storyline) has a lot of explanation power.

In this view, Adam was a priest, who was assigned the duty of keeping the earth, in a similar way that priests kept the tabernacle and temple. The Garden of Eden was his temple, and if he had succeeded, he would have sired descendants who multiplied and filled the earth with image-bearers of God.

He should have guarded the Garden of Eden from any unclean thing, including the serpent. He should have been like the gatekeepers of the Temple of ancient Israel, and kept the serpent out.He failed in this endeavor.

Ezekiel 28 describes an Adam-like figure, a fallen man. This man had clothing that was similar to the clothing of the priests of ancient Israel..the bejeweled clothing. I am not saying Adam had clothing, but I believe this figure was representative of him, and that the bejeweled clothing represented his priesthood role.

I am aware that the popular view is that this figure was Lucifer, but I disagree with it, as does Beale, so I'm in good company. It also calls him the anointed cherub, and I would relate this aspect of Adam to the cherubim who took over guarding the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve were exiled.

The simple version is this, though:

1. The Garden of Eden was a garden-temple, where man met with God.
2. Adam was commissioned to replicate himself, and to create more image-bearers of God.
3. Adam had priest-like duties in regards to the Garden.
4. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob had encounters with God where they were told they would become populous.
5. Ancient Israel was given a similar commission to be a light to the Gentiles (the nations).
6. Imagery regarding the Garden of Eden, including botanical references, applies to the tabernacle. Imagery also
applies to the New Heavens and New Earth/New Jerusalem.
7. Jesus Christ himself was the true Temple and True Tabernacle (see John 1-2, where Jesus "dwelt" or tabernacle
with mankind, and called Himself the Temple).
8. Jesus was the cornerstone of the spiritual temple of God, the Church, where the Holy Spirit resides.
9. Christians are priests in this spiritual temple, and sacrifice to God with their praise, witnessing, and sometimes martyrdom...their objective is to reconcile believers to God, much in the same way that the Levitical priesthood
reconciled sinners to God through animal sacrifices, in a typological fashion.
10. The consummation of the present evil age will witness the creation of a New Jerusalem/New Heavens and New
Earth where the spiritual reality will become a physical reality, and God will dwell with mankind on this new garden-temple-city.

I am not going to provide Scriptures relating to this concept, as they are too numerous. If someone really wants to study it, read these books:

God Dwells Among Us, GK Beale
The Temple and the Church's Mission, GK Beale

One thing that I will point out is that the dimensions of the New Jerusalem are a cube, and the dimensions of the Holy of Holies are also a cube.

I recommend another book by J. Daniel Hays called The Temple and the Tabernacle: A Study of God's Dwelling Places from Genesis to Revelation as well, but I think Beale is the one who has pioneered in developing this metanarrative. NT Wright has also written some similar materials, but I'm not a big fan of his.

 

[sparkman]

At the end of this current evil age, this spiritual reality will have a spiritual dimension to it, in the New Heavens and New Earth (which I believe are equivalent to the New Jerusalem).

This should have been:

At the end of this current evil age, this spiritual reality will have a physical dimension to it, in the New Heavens and New Earth (which I believe are equivalent to the New Jerusalem).

 

[sparkman]

I am also planning on reading Revelation: A Shorter Commentary by GK Beale.

Beale proposes that the witnesses of Revelation 1 are actually the Church. They will be protected spiritually in that they cannot lose their eternal lives, but their physical bodies are subject to being destroyed by the world.

The reason he thinks the two witnesses are the Church is related to the two faithful churches of Revelation 2-3. There were two faithful churches, and 5 unfaithful ones.

There are also other clues in regards to this, but you will have to read the books in order to see where he's coming from.

I realize that some of these views will disturb premillennial dispensationalists. With all their intricate claims regarding end time events, they are likely to blow their tops reading Beale..IF they challenge their worldviews by reading his books (which I doubt)

 

[Hizikyah]

Ezekiel 28 describes an Adam-like figure, a fallen man. This man had clothing that was similar to the clothing of the priests of ancient Israel..the bejeweled clothing. I am not saying Adam had clothing, but I believe this figure was representative of him, and that the bejeweled clothing represented his priesthood role.

I am aware that the popular view is that this figure was Lucifer, but I disagree with it, as does Beale, so I'm in good company. It also calls him the anointed cherub, and I would relate this aspect of Adam to the cherubim who took over guarding the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve were exiled.

I like this thread but want to point out, that It is definitly not human being talked about. I do believe it is satan (the adversary, not lucifer the lightbearer). A man can't be a covering cherub.

1. "[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]You were the anointed keruḇ that covered[/FONT]" a covering cherub

2. "[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]perfect in your ways from the day you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you[/FONT]" the word unrighteousness is the Hebrew word evil

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Ezekiyl 28:13-19, “You were in Ĕḏen, the garden of the MostHigh. Every precious stone was your covering: the ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, shoham, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald and gold. The workmanship of your settings and mountings was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed keruḇ that covered. And I placed you, you were on the set-apart mountain of Yah. You walked up and down in the midst of stones of fire. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you. By the greatness of your trade you became filled with violence within, and you sinned. So I thrust you from the mountain of Yah, and I destroyed you, O covering keruḇ, from the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was lifted up because of your loveliness, you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendour. I threw you to the earth, I laid you before sovereigns, to look at you. You profaned your set-apart places by your many crookednesses, by the unrighteousness of your trading. Therefore I brought forth fire from your midst. It has devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth before the eyes of all who see you. All who knew you among the peoples were astonished at you. Waste you shall be, and cease to be, forever.”[/FONT]

 

[sparkman]

My view is that it is talking about Adam. Do you think Satan has gems encrusted upon him? He is a spirit being.

The symbolism of cherubim has also been used in reference to kings in Assyria, so there could be some allusion to Adam's viceroy position on earth.

As I mentioned, the cherubim that guarded the garden of Eden after the Fall were fulfilling the role that Adam should have fulfilled in keeping the serpent, part of the creation, out of the Garden of Eden, and subduing him.

Tradition has taught us Ezekiel 28 refers to Satan. I question that tradition.

That should be something that would get a Judaizer all excited.

However, it's not a major point in the discussion.

I like this thread but want to point out, that It is definitly not human being talked about. I do believe it is satan (the adversary, not lucifer the lightbearer). A man can't be a covering cherub.

1. "You were the anointed keruḇ that covered" a covering cherub

2. "perfect in your ways from the day you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you" the word unrighteousness is the Hebrew word evil

Ezekiyl 28:13-19, “You were in Ĕḏen, the garden of the MostHigh. Every precious stone was your covering: the ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, shoham, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald and gold. The workmanship of your settings and mountings was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed keruḇ that covered. And I placed you, you were on the set-apart mountain of Yah. You walked up and down in the midst of stones of fire. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you. By the greatness of your trade you became filled with violence within, and you sinned. So I thrust you from the mountain of Yah, and I destroyed you, O covering keruḇ, from the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was lifted up because of your loveliness, you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendour. I threw you to the earth, I laid you before sovereigns, to look at you. You profaned your set-apart places by your many crookednesses, by the unrighteousness of your trading. Therefore I brought forth fire from your midst. It has devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth before the eyes of all who see you. All who knew you among the peoples were astonished at you. Waste you shall be, and cease to be, forever.”

 

[Hizikyah]

My view is that it is talking about Adam. Do you think Satan has gems encrusted upon him? He is a spirit being.

The symbolism of cherubim has also been used in reference to kings in Assyria, so there could be some allusion to Adam's viceroy position on earth.

As I mentioned, the cherubim that guarded the garden of Eden after the Fall were fulfilling the role that Adam should have fulfilled in keeping the serpent, part of the creation, out of the Garden of Eden, and subduing him.

Tradition has taught us Ezekiel 28 refers to Satan. I question that tradition.

That should be something that would get a Judaizer all excited.

However, it's not a major point in the discussion.

But it says "covering cherub" and yes I do believe a spirit being can have gems, cxan we quantify what a spirit being is to say how they can or can not have gmes? No we can not, so using that as a qualifier or disqualifier is not valid IMO.

It may not be satan but it 100% definitly can not be a human. A covering cherub is a spirit being.

Here is another thing that shows it is satan;

Ezekiyl 28:13-19, “You were in Ĕḏen, the garden of the MostHigh. Every precious stone was your covering: the ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, shoham, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald and gold. The workmanship of your settings and mountings was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed keruḇ that covered. And I placed you, you were on the set-apart mountain of Yah. You walked up and down in the midst of stones of fire. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you. By the greatness of your trade you became filled with violence within, and you sinned. So I thrust you from the mountain of Yah, and I destroyed you, O covering keruḇ, from the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was lifted up because of your loveliness, you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendour. I threw you to the earth, I laid you before sovereigns, to look at you. You profaned your set-apart places by your many crookednesses, by the unrighteousness of your trading. Therefore I brought forth fire from your midst. It has devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth before the eyes of all who see you. All who knew you among the peoples were astonished at you. Waste you shall be, and cease to be, forever.”

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Revelation 12:7-9, “And there came to be fighting in the heaven: Miḵa’ĕl and his messengers fought against the dragon. And the dragon and his messengers fought, but they were not strong enough, nor was a place found for them in the heaven any longer. And the great dragon was thrown out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who leads all the world astray. He was thrown to the earth, and his messengers were thrown out with him."[/FONT]


"I threw you to the earth"

"[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]He was thrown to the earth[/FONT]"

 

[Dino246]

At the end of this current evil age, this spiritual reality will have a spiritual dimension to it, in the New Heavens and New Earth (which I believe are equivalent to the New Jerusalem).

This should have been:

At the end of this current evil age, this spiritual reality will have a physical dimension to it, in the New Heavens and New Earth (which I believe are equivalent to the New Jerusalem).

I'm wondering at your assertion that the new heavens and new earth are "equivalent" to the new Jerusalem. In Revelation 21, John sees the first two in verse 1, and then sees the latter in verse 2, apparently separate from the others, as it comes "down out of heaven" (the new heaven, that is). Later, in verses 23 and on, it discusses the light of the city being the Lamb, and the nations walking by "its" (the city's) light. Further, it says that the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, so they must have been outside at some point.

Anyway, I'm not trying to undermine your whole thread; it's an interesting way to look at Scripture.

 

[sparkman]

I'm wondering at your assertion that the new heavens and new earth are "equivalent" to the new Jerusalem. In Revelation 21, John sees the first two in verse 1, and then sees the latter in verse 2, apparently separate from the others, as it comes "down out of heaven" (the new heaven, that is). Later, in verses 23 and on, it discusses the light of the city being the Lamb, and the nations walking by "its" (the city's) light. Further, it says that the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, so they must have been outside at some point.

Anyway, I'm not trying to undermine your whole thread; it's an interesting way to look at Scripture.

Here's a youtube video where Beale explains the entire view that I described:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5LwVq6Qwu0

He would cover the specific point you mentioned.

I would cover it, but it would take a lot of explanation.

One of the principles which he uses to view Revelation is an acknowledgement that it is heavily symbolic and this must be considered with regards to interpreting Revelation. Dispensationalists are claiming the opposite; take everything literal unless you absolutely cannot. This has led to endless end-time speculations

I think his view makes a lot more sense with regards to metanarratives. Too many Christians are focused on one narrow spectrum of Scripture, ignoring the metanarratives.

 

[sparkman]

But it says "covering cherub" and yes I do believe a spirit being can have gems, cxan we quantify what a spirit being is to say how they can or can not have gmes? No we can not, so using that as a qualifier or disqualifier is not valid IMO.

It may not be satan but it 100% definitly can not be a human. A covering cherub is a spirit being.

Here is another thing that shows it is satan;

Ezekiyl 28:13-19, “You were in Ĕḏen, the garden of the MostHigh. Every precious stone was your covering: the ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, shoham, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald and gold. The workmanship of your settings and mountings was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed keruḇ that covered. And I placed you, you were on the set-apart mountain of Yah. You walked up and down in the midst of stones of fire. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you. By the greatness of your trade you became filled with violence within, and you sinned. So I thrust you from the mountain of Yah, and I destroyed you, O covering keruḇ, from the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was lifted up because of your loveliness, you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendour. I threw you to the earth, I laid you before sovereigns, to look at you. You profaned your set-apart places by your many crookednesses, by the unrighteousness of your trading. Therefore I brought forth fire from your midst. It has devoured you, and I turned you to ashes upon the earth before the eyes of all who see you. All who knew you among the peoples were astonished at you. Waste you shall be, and cease to be, forever.”

Revelation 12:7-9, “And there came to be fighting in the heaven: Miḵa’ĕl and his messengers fought against the dragon. And the dragon and his messengers fought, but they were not strong enough, nor was a place found for them in the heaven any longer. And the great dragon was thrown out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who leads all the world astray. He was thrown to the earth, and his messengers were thrown out with him."


"I threw you to the earth"

"He was thrown to the earth"

A few points of comparison are not enough to be compelling to me.

Again, the gems are related to the gems on the priest's garments. Why? Was Satan a priest to humanity? I don't think so.

Also, when the Bible says that the Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23), does that mean that he literally is a shepherd with a shepherd's hook, and that I am a sheep that he is leading? No..but there is some point of similarity between the two.

Regarding being thrown down to the earth, I could be thrown down to the earth (humiliated) while still on the earth. Someone could humiliate me, without me being in heaven.

Also, who was Satan trading with? (v. 16) These are activities regarding men..where does the narrative stop with a human man and start with Satan?

The answer is: where the interpreter wants it to. He switches between man and Satan as he wills.

I think it's talking about Tyre as a type of the fallen man, Adam.

However, like I said, this part isn't necessary for Beale's metanarrative.

It does indicate a few things..that Adam as a fallen man may have been a type of priest since the jewels were related to the high priest's jewels. It indicates that Eden might have been a mountain plateau..especially since only the east side needed to be guarded. It indicates that there were multiple sanctuaries in Eden...Beale refers to the three sanctuaries which is similar to the tabernacle; Eden itself, the Garden of Eden, and the outer area which the rivers flowed to, eventually populated by mankind in general.

Anyways, if I read these Scriptures the way Beale proposes, Adam was a type of guardian cherub because he was in God's presence and was responsible for protecting the Garden of Eden from evil. He was cast out of Eden due to his sin. He was no longer in the presence of God, which is symbolized by the stones of fire.

Some claim that Satan will be destroyed based on their interpretation of these verses, by the way. I don't see that in Scripture, but rather eternal torment.

In essence what I'm saying is any way you view it, there are inconsistencies, and the interpreter switches backwards and forwards between Satan and man, in order to form his interpretation.

As I've said, though, it's not critical to Beale's argument.

 

[phil36]

Hi Sparkman,

Its amazing to see the metanarratives like strands running through scripture. 'Biblical theology' is an important study.

Graeme Goldsworthy has a great pithy statement: Gods people, in Gods place, Under Gods rule.

We see this in creation, with the promise to Abraham, to the Mosaic community, and now to all in Christ who will inherit the life everlasting and living in the land.. the new Heavens and Jerusalem, where Gods people will be in Gods place under his rule everlasting in peace. At present we are already - but not yet.

John 1:14

When we see this over arching theme scripture becomes clearer.


A couple of good books if any one is interested in Biblical theology (at east an introduction to some themes):

'According to Plan' - Graeme Goldsworthy

'Goldsworthy trilogy- Gospel and Kingdom, Gospel and wisdom, Gospel in revelation. - Graeme Goldsworthy.

'From Eden to the New Jerusalem (Exploring God's plan for life on earth) - T.D alexander.

And for those who like a challenge in reading:

From paradise to the Promised land (An introduction to the Pentateuch). T.D Alexander.

 

[Dino246]

Here's a youtube video where Beale explains the entire view that I described:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5LwVq6Qwu0

He would cover the specific point you mentioned.

I would cover it, but it would take a lot of explanation.

Thanks; I'll check it out when I have the time.