In some ways, the king’s story ends where it began. What started with a paradise lost ends with a paradise found. According to the king’s own predictions, the rebel and all of his followers will be defeated and removed from the earth.⁸² Through a series of catastrophic endtime events, the king will break the will of his enemies in much the same way he broke the grip of the prince of the south. Then, finally, with the defeat of all enemies, the king will return to live among his people forever.⁸³

For now, no one can imagine what the king has in store for those who have trusted him in this life. In many ways his future, like his past, is shrouded in mystery.

What we do know is that the king promised that the time of his return would be a surprise. We also know that up until now the king’s ideas have always been wise and good. We know that he has given us reason to trust him with our lives, with our fears, and with the rest of the story as it unfolds.

This is our story. It reminds us who we are, where we’ve come from, and where we’re going. It helps us to see the choices that are ours in the free world of the king.