“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—this man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.” Acts 2:22-23

The darkest day in human history was the day that wicked men nailed the Son of God and the Savior of the world to a tree. On that day, two things that are as different as light and darkness, were on full display for all the world to see: love and hate. The Author of love was lifted up so that all might be drawn to Him; the author of hate was nowhere to be seen, but his servants were there.

What we are told about that day is a revelation indeed, coming from the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Peter. The spiritual shepherds of Israel, filled with jealousy, coming from the vessel of hate, conspired to kill the Lamb of God. And with the help of the Roman government, did so. But all their wicked planning and doing simply accomplished the key part of God’s plan for the ages: the redemption of fallen man.

God’s plan for the ages was settled in heaven before the world began; the Old Testament is filled with types of His plan. The Garden of Eden was never intended to be a permanent place for man; it was a type of the paradise God has prepared for His redeemed people in the ages to come. In the Garden, man was made from the dust of the earth and was subject to corruption; in the coming ages, God’s people are Spirit-born, immortal, incorruptible beings. They will enjoy the presence of the Father and Jesus forever, in a new heaven and a new earth.

In the beginning, there in the Garden we plainly see the Author of love and the author of hate in action. The Author of love created a most beautiful place for our parents to live: everything was good. It even had the Tree of Life there. All the created beings were subject to Adam: it was perfect, EXCEPT….the author of hate was lurking nearby. He always is.

Satan appeared as a beautiful creature. Eve was not startled or afraid of him when he approached her. She easily entered into a conversation with him…and listened to him. Here is a warning to God’s children today: a “pastor” or “teacher” may look and sound really good and catch your attention, but beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. So, the Devil talked nice to Eve, but what was his motive?

Jesus tells us the motives of the Author of love, and the author of hate, pure and simple: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 The Lord loved Eve and wanted her to live; the Devil hated her and wanted to destroy her.

God’s plan for the ages is on the horizon and is rapidly progressing towards the Day when Jesus Christ will return to this earth:

“And the Lord will be King over all the earth; in that day the Lord will be the only One, and His name the only one.” Zechariah 14:9

All of the bloody wars, all of the violence, rape and murder, all of the abortions and the attacks on the sanctity of marriage and the family; all of the racism and anti-Semitism, wherever it’s found, is the product of one being: the author of hate—the Devil.

The living testimonies of folks from every nation, country, tribe and tongue tell how they have been rescued from the domain of darkness and brought into the kingdom of light—these lives are a testimony to the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Author of love. In Him we patiently wait for the ages to come.

Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted at bboldham@sbcglobal.net