The term redemption means to restore to the original or rightful owner that which was taken from him by trickery, forfeiture, or force. In the case of mankind, Adam and Eve were tricked by Satan and gave away their inheritance. The Lord Jesus came from Heaven and with His blood paid the price necessary to restore man's inheritance.

The price of redemption has been fully paid for us. But Satan, not being an honorable person, refuses to surrender the lost property. Therefore Satan must be bound so that what he is holding illegally, the nations of the earth and the earth itself, may be returned to the original and rightful owners. Redemption from the hand of such an enemy can be accomplished only by force, by war.

Man was not created in Heaven but on the earth. To bring him to Heaven that he may make his eternal home there would not be to redeem that which he had lost but to change what man is, to alter the original great Divine declarations of the sixth day of creation.

Do the Scriptures actually teach that the day of redemption will find man on a restored earth rather than in Heaven? Indeed they do! Eternal residence in the spirit Paradise is not found.

So the heathen [nations] shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory. When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. (Psalms 102:15,16)

The Lord will return to the earth to govern the nations.

For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD. (Psalms 102:19-22)

The kingdoms of the world will yet serve God. God's will shall be done on the earth in the day of redemption.

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. (Psalms 67:1-7)

God left the earth because of the rebellion that took place in the Garden of Eden. It is God's intention to return to the earth and to dwell here forever. The earth is the home of mankind, and mankind is composed of God's children. God desires to be where His sons are.

. . . Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen [nations] for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. (Psalms 2:7,8)

The inheritance of the Lord Jesus is the nations and the farthest reaches of the earth. We are coheirs with Jesus, our elder Brother.

To be continued.