The universe is a BIG place.  It is mind-blowing to realize there are more stars out there than there are grains of sand on the earth.  The universe is still expanding, and I cannot imagine what it is expanding into!  But, I can envision two possible scenarios for mankind interacting with living, sentient beings elsewhere in the universe.  I admit there are more possibilities but today I can only describe these two.

Both scenarios (and any other ones) start with the following understanding from the Bible:  The God who created the universe is majestic and can set things up however he desires. Man is made in God’s image.  Abraham and Israel were chosen to be God’s people, through whom the promise would be delivered.  From the line of David, God sent his only begotten Son as a redemptive sacrifice for mankind.  The church body of Christ was chosen to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.  Jesus will return in glory to judge the living and the dead, and to usher in a new Heaven and new Earth for those who believe in Him. 

Scenario number one says that this earth is the one place where the designer caused life to exist.  This should deepen our wonder and awe as we comprehend that His glorious power in creation was done solely for our benefit! We would need to understand our place as the chosen people and acknowledge with the Psalm 8 writer, “O LORD, our LORD!” 

Scenario number two adds another layer to the “witnesses” directive.  Whatever other beings are out there need to know the One True Trinitarian God of the Universe.  So, if men travel to other inhabited planets, part of God’s purpose will be having believers tell what we know about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. 

I don’t know enough to determine which scenario (or another one) is true.  But I do know enough to understand that Our LORD has a plan that includes us. I like the first scenario better because (a) nothing gets added to scripture, (b) it increases my awe for God, and (c) it probably won’t take as long.