Not only man but the earth had by sin come under the power of the wicked one, and was to be restored by the plan of redemption. At his creation Adam was placed in dominion over the earth. But by yielding to temptation, he was brought under the power of Satan. "Of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." 2 Peter 2:19. When man became Satan's captive, the dominion which he held, passed to his conqueror. Thus Satan became "the god of this world." 2 Corinthians 4:4. He had usurped that dominion over the earth which had been originally given to Adam. But Christ, by His sacrifice paying the penalty of sin, would not only redeem man, but recover the dominion which he had forfeited. All that was lost by the first Adam will be restored by the second. Says the prophet, "O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion." Micah 4:8. And the apostle Paul points forward to the "redemption of the purchased possession." Ephesians 1:14. God created the earth to be the abode of holy, happy beings. The Lord "formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited." Isaiah 45:18. That purpose will be fulfilled, when, renewed by the power of God, and freed from sin and sorrow, it shall become the eternal abode of the redeemed. "The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever." "And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him." Psalm 37:29; Revelation 22:3.


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Frelsesplanen

Ikke blot mennesket, men også jorden var på grund af synden kommet under den Ondes magt og måtte genoprettes ved forløsningsplanen. Ved skabelsen fik Adam herredømmet over jorden. Men ved at give efter for fristelsen kom han under Satans magt. "Træl er man af det, som man er bukket under for." 2. Pet. 2, 19. Da mennesket blev Satans fange, gik det herredømme, det havde, over til dets besejrer. Derved blev Satan "denne verdens gud". 2. Kor. 4, 4. Han havde tilrevet sig det herredømme over jorden, som oprindelig blev givet til Adam. Men når Kristus ved sit offer betalte syndens straf, skulle han ikke alene forløse menneskene, men også genoprette det herredømme, som menneskene havde tabt. Alt det, der gik tabt ved den første Adam, vil blive genoprettet ved den anden. Profeten siger: "Du, o hyrdetårn, Zions datters høj, til dig skal det komme, det forrige herredømme tilfalde dig." Mika 4, 8. Og apostlen Paulus peger frem til den tid, da "hans ejendomsfolk kan blive forløst". Ef. 1, 14. Gud skabte jorden til bolig for hellige, lykkelige væsener. Herren "dannede jorden, frembragte, grundfæsted den" skabte den ej "øde, men danned den til at bebos". Es. 45, 18. Denne hensigt vil blive opfyldt, når den, fornyet ved Guds kraft og befriet for synd og sorg, bliver de forløstes evige bolig. "De retfærdige arver landet og skal bo der til evig tid." Sl. 37,29. "Og der skal ikke mere være noget, som er under forbandelse. Og Guds og Lammets trone skal være i staden, og hans tjenere skal tjene ham." Åb. 22,3.

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