1.3 God’s Vision — Salvation for All to Enter the Kingdom of Heaven
Between Eden and the cross stands the long story of God reaching back toward humanity. Through Israel — through covenant, law, prophets, and promise — God kept a people for Himself and kept His promise alive among them: that through Abraham’s seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). The prophets looked forward to a servant who would be “a light for the Gentiles” (Isaiah 49:6), and in the fullness of time that servant came. Christ lived, died, rose, and ascended; at Pentecost He poured out the Spirit on all who believe; and the Vision lost in Eden began its restoration — no longer fellowship for two in a garden, but salvation offered to all, in every nation.
God is not willing that any should perish. His vision is for the gospel to reach every nation and for all people to be brought into His eternal Kingdom. He is looking to His Church to help fulfill this mission, with the indwelling of the Gift of the Holy Spirit, the specific gifts and calling that build the Body of Christ.
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Matthew 24:14
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Isaiah 49:6
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
1 Timothy 2:3-4
“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
1.4 Jesus’ Vision for People
Jesus came so that people would have life — abundant life now, and eternal life forever. His vision for every person includes salvation, freedom, intimate relationship with God, transformation, rest, peace, joy, unity, and love with one another. Woven throughout scripture, His love for us is so clear that it speaks for itself. Let the following words weigh on your heart as you realise how personal this is for you:
Salvation and Eternal Life
John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”
John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
John 11:25-26
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Freedom from Sin and Bondage
John 8:36
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Romans 8:1-2
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
Galatians 5:1
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Relationship with God
John 17:3
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
John 14:6
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.””
John 1:12
“Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
Romans 8:15-16
“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.””
Revelation 3:20
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Transformation and Spiritual Growth
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Romans 8:29
“For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
2 Corinthians 3:18
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Rest and Peace
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Joy and Fulfilment
John 15:11
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”
John 16:24
“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
1 Peter 1:8-9
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Unity and Love Among Believers
John 17:20-23
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me… that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Ephesians 4:2-3
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
1.5 The Kingdom of Heaven — Our Eternal Home
The Christian’s hope is not merely a better life on earth but an eternal life in the presence of God. Scripture paints a vivid picture of the Kingdom of Heaven, the new heavens and new earth, and the joyful destiny of those who belong to Christ. The love story continues in what He has prepared for us:
Entering the Kingdom of Heaven
John 3:3
“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.””
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Romans 10:9
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Matthew 18:3-4
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Revelation 7:9
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”
What Heaven Will Be Like
Revelation 21:3-4
“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:23
“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”
Revelation 22:1-2
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life… And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
John 14:2-3
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
The New Heaven and New Earth
Revelation 21:1-2
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”
Revelation 21:5
“He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new! Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.””
2 Peter 3:13
“But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”
Isaiah 65:17
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”
Being in God’s Presence Forever
Revelation 22:3-4
“No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.”
1 John 3:2
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
1 Thessalonians 4:17
“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
The Resurrection Body
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.”
Philippians 3:20-21
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.”
Eternal Rewards
Matthew 6:19-20
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Matthew 16:27
“For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what they have done.”
1 Corinthians 3:14
“If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.”
2 Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
2 Timothy 4:8
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”
1 Peter 5:4
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”