The Beginning And The End: Examining The Amazing Symmetry of Biblical Prophecy

The Beginning And The End: Examining The Amazing Symmetry of Biblical Prophecy

Colin Lituri 

According to a highly respected lexicon, the idea of restoration here can be understood as ‘restoring all things to perfection’ or ‘to their starting points.’ How amazing is that! Think about it—a time is coming when God is going to restore everything in this world back to the perfection of its starting point! Only God could execute such an incredible plan! As we eagerly anticipate its coming blessing, come with me on a brief study of the first and last books of the Bible which demonstrate the need for restoration and detail the amazing symmetry of biblical prophecy!

Revelation tells of the events of the end times, and chapters 17—18 bring us back to “Babylon” having risen again! And, just as with the original tower of Babel, there are both religious and commercial aspects to this future city. The false prophet who will support the coming Antichrist heads up a religious organization described as “Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth” (Revelation 17:5). This false and wicked system will be responsible for the death of many of God’s people with an insatiable desire for more (v. 6). 

At the same time, “Babylon the great” is also a commercial system which brings great wealth to its adherents who have accepted the rule and worship of the Antichrist (18:3) and, as with the original, its destruction will be complete (vv. 20–24)! And while worldwide judgment had preceded the “tower of Babel,” in the symmetry of biblical prophecy, now worldwide judgment follows the fall of “Babylon the great,” as Jesus returns to Earth.

Restoration now becomes a reality for the people of God as the blessed, eternal state comes into being. John wrote: “I saw a new heaven and a new earth…” (21:1). With these words, reminding us of the original creation, we are introduced to the perfect (restored) new world with God again dwelling with man (v. 3). The New Jerusalem will descend from heaven (v. 2), and restoration will move towards its ultimate completion. 

Adam and Eve, in their state before the fall, had lived a full life, free from the terrible destruction and pain of separation from God they ultimately brought on themselves. But now, in the eternal state, God will restore this perfection, for He “will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (v. 4). This will all take place in an incredible, almost indescribable city of God (vv. 10–26). 

One more incredible display of God’s restoration symmetry is seen in the Tree(s) of Life growing beside the river of life coming from the throne room (22:1–2). Adam was barred from this tree when he sinned, but now, in the restoration of all things, “the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse” (vv. 2–3). And all who are there—you and I and all the faithful of all generations—“shall see His face, and His name shall be on [our] foreheads” (v. 4). 

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