Communion and the Flow of History

Communion is the unifying theme of History. Our communion with God is at first unbroken and pure, then fractured through Sin, then Redeemed but still subject to the Sin nature. Finally, Communion will be gloriously recreated in the New Heaven and Earth. Thus it is the essence of the believer's Blessed Hope.

Notice however, that the "price of admission" is suffering. The Fall introduced suffering and sickness because of sin. But Jesus' death effected our Redemption and began the restoration of all things. Now after the cross we are still forced, however, to come to God through the body and blood of Jesus. We must drink pain and suffering in order to enjoy the sweetness of His love for us.