Why Return to Eden Matters: The First Exile Explained

Dr. Daniel Ragusa speaks at the Reformed Forum Annual Theology Conference, held at Lakeland Church in Gurnee, Illinois on September 27, 2025.

Dr. Ragusa, focuses on the dark period of Israel's exile and how it illuminates the deep human longing to return to God's presence, which had been lost due to their rebellion. Dr. Ragusa first establishes the devastating nature of exile by contrasting it with the desired state of dwelling in God's house, a theme illustrated by the pilgrimage described in Psalm 23. He references the Heidelberg Catechism to frame the Christian experience as moving from the "valley of exile" (sin and misery) up to the "mountain of God" (righteousness and everlasting life) through the work of the "mountain ascending mediator," Jesus Christ. Crucially, even in the midst of the exile's darkness, God's hope continues to shine through the prophets, promising restoration, which is ultimately fulfilled in the gospel and glory of Jesus Christ.

Chapter Markers

• 00:00:00 - Introduction: Reformed Forum Conference and Speaker/Topic (The Son in Exile: Christ as the Hope of Restoration)
• 00:00:23 - Speaker's Greeting and Connection to Redemptive Historical Thinking
• 00:01:31 - Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 19: Jesus Christ as Deliverer from Exile and Misery
• 00:01:54 - The Catechism and the Mountain Theme: From the Valley of Exile to the Mountain of God
• 00:03:03 - The Redemptive Historical Approach in the Catechism (Gospel revealed in paradise, proclaimed by prophets, fulfilled in Christ)
• 00:03:54 - The Dark Period of Israel: Rebellion and the Curses of the Covenant (Exile)
• 00:04:49 - Hope in the Darkness: God Gives His Word Through Prophets (Ezekiel and Daniel)
• 00:05:40 - Understanding the Devastation of Exile: What God's People Lost
• 00:06:06 - The Covenant of Grace: The Longing to be Near God and "Coming Home" *
• 00:07:05 - The Pilgrimage of Psalm 23: Desiring to Dwell in the House of the Lord *
• 00:09:17 - Exile as the Devastating Reverse of Dwelling in God's House
• 00:09:50 - Definition of Exile (Dr. Ian Duguid): Longing for an unreachable home
• 00:11:18 - Tracing Exile to the Beginning: Adam's Fall and the First Exile
• 00:14:43 - The Deeper Protestant Conception of Exile: The Estrangement of Man's Heart Before God
• 00:17:47 - Restoration is the New Birth and Resurrection to Life in Christ
• 00:19:10 - True Restoration: The Holy Spirit Circumcises and Infuses New Qualities in the Will
• 00:29:50 - King David's Restoration from Exile (As a type of waiting on the Lord)
• 00:37:35 - Daniel's Vision: The Son of Man Receives the Kingdom and Restores God's People
• 00:38:58 - Christ Identifies with the People's Exile: His Baptism for Repentance
• 00:40:33 - Christ's Ministry in Galilee: Ministering to Those Who Dwelt Under the Shadow of Death
• 00:41:48 - Christ's Authority: He Refuses the Earthly Kingdom and Waits for the Father to Give Him All Authority
• 00:43:29 - Christ's Death and Resurrection: His Exile and His Restoration (Ascension)
• 00:44:51 - Conclusion: The Church in Exile Today and the Full Entrance into the Eternal Kingdom
• 00:47:33 - Out of Exile into Our Father's Home