In His love, God plans “to unite all things” in Christ. Human history records story after story of division and conflict. That is not how the world began. When God first created the world and its human inhabitants, God’s goodness and order filled everything. “God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). But God also created humans with personal will, the ability to choose. The first couple, Adam and Eve, used their power of choice against God. They listened to God’s enemy, Satan, who appeared as a snake (Genesis 3:1-12). Satan is the leading spirit who revolted against God, a rebellion that also has a beginning and an end (1 John 3:8; Revelation 20:10.) Scripture describes Satan as “the ruler of this world” (John 14:30). “The whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). He and his demons continue, throughout history, to deceive humans and lead them astray.
Following Satan’s lead, the first humans sinned by eating from the one forbidden tree (Genesis 1:29; 2:9, 16-17). Thus was the creature separated from his Creator. Soon, Cain murdered his brother and went into exile, away from his family (Genesis 4:1-12). Violence increased until God used the great flood to make a fresh start (Genesis 6:5-8). Yet, even after the flood, sin caused havoc across the entire globe and all along the line of time. God foresaw the chaos in which we live. Turmoil and disorder are the opposite of His desire and nature. “God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Therefore, God planned to restore unity by sending His Son in “the fullness of time” (Ephesians 1:10; Galatians 4:4). Even now, God is fulfilling His plan “to unite all things in [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth” (Ephesians 1:10). The final restoration—the return to God’s original design for us—will come at Jesus’ return.
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets long ago. (Acts 3:19-21)