What is the Overarching Story of the Bible?
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." Revelation 21:5–8.
The Bible is about God saving a people for his glory through Jesus Christ. We see God’s glory story in eight stages of redemptive history:
(1) Creation: God made the whole world for his glory.
(2) Sin: Humans rejected God for their glory.
(3) Chosen: God chose Israel to glorify him among the earth by loving and obeying him.
(4) Rejection: Israel dishonored God by loving other things and disobeying him.
(5) Savior: Jesus lived, died, and rose again to redeem his people from sin for God’s glory.
(6) Church: Jesus saves everyone who trust in him by faith to the glory of God.
(7) Restoration: One day, Jesus will return and restore all things for God’s glory.
(8) New Creation: God’s people will glorify him by worshiping and enjoying him forever.
This is the overarching story of the Bible. And it is all for God’s glory.
Scripture 1.13.