The definition of epic
Noun - a long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the history of a nation.
• The genre of such poems: the romances display gentler emotions not found in Greek epic.
• A long film, book, or other work portraying heroic deeds and adventures or covering an extended period of time: a Hollywood biblical epic.
Adjective - of, relating to, or characteristic of an epic or epics: England's national epic poem Beowulf.
• Heroic or grand in scale or character: his epic journey around the world a tragedy of epic proportions.

The following is a study on chapter 13 of John Eldridge's book "The Ransomed Heart". In this chapter He includes the church you and I in the right now in the epic battle for God's kingdom.

- Something hidden in the ancient past - An epic is a heroic struggle that spans great expanses of time. We as the body of Christ share in His suffering. The devil has bruised His heel but the victory from GENESIS TO REVELATIONS is we will crush the devils head. We join Jesus Christ the captain of the Lord of hosts in this epic struggle. In the final battle we must be found present, faithful, and ready. We will join those who have gone before us to usher in the great victory that has spanned the ages. We will restore the kingdom to the Father.
-
- Something dangerous now unfolding - The battle for souls, eternal life standing for the truth, fighting against evil and doing what’s right is our present assignment. We are the sentinels watchmen to preserver the present move of God. The battle is real and dangerous lives are at stake, the eternal destiny of people hang in the balance. Life, death, and suffering is real we live as Gods witness to the truth and the great epic of the battle over good and evil. We all want to be hero's the decision is yours to live victoriously.
-
- Something waiting for us in the future to discover - The Bible is the real life story of Gods plan in which we have a part to play. We are the men and woman of faith in our generation as the heroes of faith in the past were in theirs. The lives of those in the Bible that have gone before us are real. These hero's that have gone before us have touched our lives. We will touch the lives of people now in this generation. Future generations will be affected by our lives just as the hero's of the past affected us. A great reward awaits us an unfolding of our position in the future kingdom of God.

- Some crucial role for us to play Perhaps nothing is more dangerous than to miss our mission and fail to seize God’s opportunities. What are we called to do. Pray, serve, raise our families in the Lord, lead our neighbors to Christ, be a light, stand for righteousness, show mercy and kindness. The time will come when we will hear God's voice, will you rise to the occasion and take your place.?The mundane is the prelude to glory and the days of preparation for battle.

2) The goodness of God must be revealed

- The goodness of God is our message God is the author this is His story and plan for all free will beings to choose good over evil. It is His story that we would conquer evil and good will triumph in our lives. Satan is always lurking, planning warring against good and God. He is warring against us to defeat us. He wants evil to triumph. We must fight the good fight of faith.

3) The greatest story ever told we are in it
- There is a universal story that all people understand. All the stories we have ever read that have moved us to joy and to tears reflect something deep within us. It reveals to us we are part of something true and powerful a story that is unfolding. The desire to do something great that is in us and in the story is made alive when we see these stories. The reality of our life as part of a great miracle becomes clear.

Find how the following words apply to your understanding of God's Epic story in your life.

- Beauty
- Intimacy
- Adventure
- Danger
- Loss
- Betrayal
- Heroism