THE KEY TO THE BIBLE, INSTRUCTOR - 6th SESSION

·        Assign kingdom verses to read.

GET ACQUAINTED – What questions would you like to ask other participants?

We have been considering how the entire Bible relates to Christ.  Revelation builds progressively and accumulates images as previews to prepare mankind for the coming of Christ and the Gospel.

·        What insights did you bring to share?

2 Pt.1:16-19 "We [Peter, James, and John] were eyewitnesses of [the Lord Jesus Christ's] majesty…while we were with Him on the mountain, we heard God the Father say He was well pleased with Him [Mt.17:5], yet the prophetic word is more sure [than that experience]…"

KINGDOM OF GOD

·        The phrase Kingdom of God (Mk.1:14-15) expresses God's relationship to His people.  In the Old Testament, there are different expressions of the Kingdom (people, place, rule) that serve to prefigure and preview the reality which is in Christ expressed in the Gospel.  Jesus' first coming marked the beginning of the end of the old age (kingdom of the world) because He embodies the new (kingdom of God).  The church is the expression in the world (age that is passing away) of the kingdom of God (age to come) during the overlap period of the two ages.  Christians live in both ages, in the overlap paradox of "the already but not yet," "saved" yet "awaiting salvation" at the close of the old age (Rev.11:15) when all things will be summed up in Christ at His second coming (Eph.1:9-10; Col.1:19-20).  [see Correlating The Kingdom With The Church & Age http://pop.eradman.com/]

Tracing the Kingdom of God Through the Bible

1.    What was the purpose of Christ's coming and redeeming the world?  So God and His people can dwell together.  God’s intent is to be in relationship and fellowship with His people.  Many images are employed to describe that relationship and union: covenant; chosen people; adoption; family; father/son; marriage; redemption; reconciliation; restoration; tabernacle; temple; peace; rest; abide; etc.  The kingdom of God is one of the most central and unifying themes in Scripture.

·        Ask participants to read the following kingdom verses and state the point being made: Mt.4:17, 23; 5:20; 6:33; 13:10-11, 40-43; 24:14; Jn.3:3, 5-6; 18:36; Lk.1:31-33; 17:20; Acts 1:3; 8:12; 19:8; 1 Cor.4:20; 15:50-53; Heb.1:8; 12:25-29

1.    What indication do we have in the early chapters of Genesis that God's original intention was to dwell with man?

“Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness ...”God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Gen.1:26-27)…And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden" (Gen.3:8a)

·        The first time the idea of establishing a kingdom is explicitly stated is in Gen.17:7-8, where God changes Abram's name to Abraham and says, "I will establish My covenant...to be God to you and to your offspring after you…and I will be their God".

·        Generations later, a famine in the land of Canaan forced the descendants of Abraham to relocate to Egypt where they were eventually enslaved by pharaoh.

2.    What reasons did God give for delivering Israel from Egypt?

Ex.6:2-8 "I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered My covenant (v.5)…I will take you to be My people and I will be your God" (v.7)

Ex.29:45-46 "I am the LORD their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them."

·        Remember that because of sin, man was cast out of God's holy presence (Gen.3:23-24); His dwelling with people necessitated first dealing with sin.  God used the delivery of Israel from slavery in Egypt as a picture of our deliverance from slavery to sin.  [redemption]

3.    Where did God say he would meet with Israel?  (Ex.25:8-9; 29:42-44a)  Tabernacle; tent of meeting (40:2); tent of testimony (Num.9:15); house of the Lord

·        When the tabernacle was completed, it was filled with the glory of the LORD signifying God's presence among them (Ex.40).    The tabernacle was a symbol of God's dwelling with man.  "I will set My dwelling place among you...I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people" (Lev.26:11-12).  Years later, after they had conquered the land and settled in it, Solomon built a permanent structure and "the glory of the LORD filled the house" (2 Chron.7:1-5).

·        But Israel turned away from God.  Ezekiel saw a vision of the glory of God departing from the temple because of their continuing idolatry (Ez.10-11).  God was not their God.  In despair he cried, "Ah, Lord GOD, will You make a full [complete] end of the remnant of Israel?" (11:13)  But God promised to once again take them as His people and be their God.  There would be a New Covenant, in which God would provide a new heart and put a new spirit within, one which would be able to respond with love and obedience (11:17-20).  {"a New Covenant" (Jer.31:32-34), "an everlasting covenant" (Jer.32:37-41).}

4.    Ezekiel also saw a renewed city of God.  What was it called?

Jehovah Shammah (Ez.48:35) "The name of the city from that time on shall be The LORD is there."

·        As prophesied, Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, and the people were taken to live in exile.  [Read Apdx.F after completing this lesson.]  They eventually returned and rebuilt a temple, but God did not return to dwell there in His Shekinah glory.

5.    What was the prophecy made by the post-exilic prophet Zechariah?

(Zech.2:10-13) "I am coming and I will dwell in your midst."

·        This brings us to Jesus.  Read Jn.1:1-2, 14.  Thus begins the story of how God dealt with the sin that separated [cut off] man from God in the first place.  In Mt.1:20-23, an angel of the Lord announced, "all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet saying, 'Behold the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel which is translated 'God with us'." [Isa.7:14].

6.    On the eve of Christ's death, He instituted the New Covenant.  What did he promise the disciples at this last supper?

(Jn.14:16-18)  (a) He was going to send the Holy Spirit to live in them.  (b)"I will come to you"

7.    As a result, what do all believers (Jew and Gentile) become?  [see Apdx.E]  1 Cor.3:16 - the temple of the Holy Spirit. - the new temple of God (notice the connection with redemption in 6:19-20)  1 Pt.2:5, 9-10 - spiritual house, holy priesthood, a chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, people belonging to God, the people of God  {also Eph.2:19-22; Ex.19:5-6}

8.    The apostle John describes eternity in terms of a New heavens and earth to which the holy city, the new Jerusalem comes.  What does the angel say he will show John?  The bride, the wife of the Lamb

What does he show him?  The holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God having the glory of God  What’s missing?  The temple

Rev.21:1-3, 9b-11a, 22-23.  "Now the tabernacle [ESV dwelling place] of God is with men, and He will tabernacle [live, dwell] with them.  They will be His people, and God Himself will be with men, and be their God."  "I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  The city had no need of the sun…for the glory of God illuminated it.  The Lamb is its light."

·        Notice that this study did not progress by going through passages on the kingdom.  Read and comment on the following: Lk.16:16; 1 Cor.15:50; Col.1:12-20; 1 Thes.2:12; 2 Tim.4:18; Rev.1:4b-6; 5:8-10; 11:15

9.    What is the goal of the Gospel?  Completion, fulfillment, and satisfaction in fellowship with God

1 Cor.15:20-28 “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead…in Christ shall all be made alive…then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power…For ‘God has put all things in subjection under His feet’…When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to Him who put all things in subjection under Him, that God may be all in all.”

1 Pt.3:18 "For Christ suffered once for sins…that He might bring us to God" [means to an end]

Ps.42:1 “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God”

·        PROJECT from lesson 1 DUE:  Explain Mt.2:13-15.  This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called My Son." (Hos.11:1) referring to God's calling His son (the nation Israel) to be born from the womb of Egypt (originally a place of refuge) at the Exodus (Ex.4:22).  Jesus is True Israel to whom the history of redemption points, ff.

·        This study represents the crux of the Scriptures.  It is like laying the keel of a ship or boat.  In earlier times, laying down the keel referred to setting the central or main timber making up the backbone of a vessel.  The keel was the principal structural member running lengthwise along the center line from bow to stern.  The ribs and rest of the ship’s framework were tied to the keel to support the hull and represent the story of the Bible.  This story is the subject of many of the recommended materials.

THE BIBLE STORY

Telling the story of the Bible means relating the historical account to the Gospel.  This is most effectively accomplished by chronologically going through the historical narrative pointing out the significance of what is revealed by the story.  It is not just a matter of reviewing the historical facts and describing the events as they occur.  The lessons involving the unseen realities of God and His ways as well as Man and his condition are key to preparing hearts to receive the Gospel.  Spiritual truths answer questions like: What is the underlying truth? Why are things the way they are? Why does it have to be this way? and What is the remedy?  See God’s Big Picture – Tracing the storyline of the Bible

[Firm Foundations by Trevor McIlwain, New Tribes Mission] [Hand out Bookmarks]; [Show various Harmonies]

Further study

The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm, the story of the Bible told and illustrated for children

Read through the books of historical movement [on bookmark] in chronological order (one Gospel > Mark, or a harmony).  Look for the spiritual story embedded in the framework of Biblical history.  Bear in mind that most books contain sections in that are not chronologically arranged.

The Flow of Biblical History – There are Chronological Bibles

The books of

Historical Movement

Other Books Written

During the Period

Genesis

Job, Psalms

Exodus

Leviticus, Psalms

Numbers

Deuteronomy, Psalms

Joshua

Psalms

Judges

Ruth, Psalms

1 & 2 Samuel

Psalms

1 & 2 Kings

There is a Harmony

of Samuel, Kings &

Chronicles

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon,

1 & 2 Chronicles, Isaiah, Hosea, Joel,

Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum,

Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Psalms

Daniel

Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel

Ezra

Haggai, Zechariah

Nehemiah

Esther

Malachi

 

Matthew, Mark,

Luke & John

or a Harmony of the Gospels

Acts

 

There is a Harmony

Of the Life of St.Paul

 

James, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Galatians,

1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans, Philemon,

Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians,

1 Peter, 1 Timothy, Titus, 2 Timothy,

Hebrews, 2 Peter Jude, 1, 2 & 3 John

Revelation

 

 

BOOKMARKS - DIRECTIONS: (1) select the bookmarks, (2) print selection on heavy paper, (3) cut page 1" above and below print, (4) cover printed side with contact paper, (5) cut out bookmarks.

The books of

Historical

Movement

The books of

Historical

Movement

The books of

Historical

Movement

The books of

Historical

Movement

The books of

Historical

Movement

The books of

Historical

Movement

Chronological

Bible

Chronological

Bible

Chronological

Bible

Chronological

Bible

Chronological

Bible

Chronological

Bible

Genesis

Genesis

Genesis

Genesis

Genesis

Genesis

Exodus

Exodus

Exodus

Exodus

Exodus

Exodus

Numbers

Numbers

Numbers

Numbers

Numbers

Numbers

Joshua

Joshua

Joshua

Joshua

Joshua

Joshua

Judges

Judges

Judges

Judges

Judges

Judges

1 & 2 Samuel

1 & 2 Samuel

1 & 2 Samuel

1 & 2 Samuel

1 & 2 Samuel

1 & 2 Samuel

1 & 2 Kings

Harmony of

Samuel, Kings

& Chronicles

1 & 2 Kings

Harmony of

Samuel, Kings

& Chronicles

1 & 2 Kings

Harmony of

Samuel, Kings

& Chronicles

1 & 2 Kings

Harmony of

Samuel, Kings

& Chronicles

1 & 2 Kings

Harmony of

Samuel, Kings

& Chronicles

1 & 2 Kings

Harmony of

Samuel, Kings

& Chronicles

Daniel

Daniel

Daniel

Daniel

Daniel

Daniel

Ezra

Ezra

Ezra

Ezra

Ezra

Ezra

Nehemiah

Nehemiah

Nehemiah

Nehemiah

Nehemiah

Nehemiah

Malachi

Malachi

Malachi

Malachi

Malachi

Malachi

Matthew, Mark,

Luke & John

Matthew, Mark,

Luke & John

Matthew, Mark,

Luke & John

Matthew, Mark,

Luke & John

Matthew, Mark,

Luke & John

Matthew, Mark,

Luke & John

Acts

Harmony

Of the Life

 of St. Paul

Acts

Harmony

Of the Life

 of St. Paul

Acts

Harmony

Of the Life

 of St. Paul

Acts

Harmony

Of the Life

 of St. Paul

Acts

Harmony

Of the Life

 of St. Paul

Acts

Harmony

Of the Life

 of St. Paul

APPENDIX - D

Chap.6 of RPCD http://pop.eradman.com/

CHRIST REIGNS AS KING TODAY

The good news is that the Kingdom of God has come in the person of Jesus Christ.

APPENDIX - E

Chap.7 of RPCD

THE PEOPLE OF GOD ARE ONE

Old and New Testament saints constitute a single united body of the redeemed.

The gospel and salvation are not confined to the Jews, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring…there will be one flock and one shepherd” (Jn.10:16).  Caiaphas the high priest “prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation [Israel], and…that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad [Gentiles] (Jn.11:51-52).  “He Himself is the propitiation [propitiatory, place of satisfaction] for our sins and not for ours only but [He is] also [the place of satisfaction] for [the sins of] the whole world” (1 Jn.2:2).  There is one household (Heb.3:2-6), one shepherd and king over God’s people, David [Christ the son of David] (Ezek.34; 37:15-28).

The coming of Christ and teaching concerning the church is not something different from what the Old Testament taught.  Paul understood the church to include all who had faith like that of Abraham, ie., to have its roots in the Abrahamic Covenant (Rom.4).  He told king Agrippa that his proclamation of light to both Jews and Gentiles did not go beyond (was not foreign to, out of character with) the promises of Moses and the prophets (Acts 26:22-23).12  The New Covenant establishes a new unified kind of race, spiritual in nature (1 Cor.15:45; Rom.5:14; 9:6-13).

The mystery = Jews and Gentiles (all people on an equal basis) as fellow heirs to the promises of God in Christ, united in one body (Gal.3:6-9, 11-14, 26-29; 5:5-6, 6:15; Eph.3:3-6; 4:4).  In Christ the rift between peoples is repaired as symbolized by His reconciling both Jews and non Jews into the same body.  This new peace, a graft contrary to nature13  (Rom.11:11-14), is a display of God’s wisdom to heavenly rulers and authorities (Eph.3:10; Col.1:15-20), marking the reconciling of heaven and earth.  To again distinguish between people by separating God’s people into Jews and Gentiles is to break the union God has forged in Christ (Gal.2:18).

The union of Jews and Gentiles as one people of God in the church was not a mystery in the absolute sense.  It was anticipated and alluded to by the prophets, ie., “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance" (Isa.19:25).  In other words, the Old Testament prophecies of Israel’s future acceptance and blessing include all the redeemed from every nation and time.  There is no reason to think that the church is anything other than the totality of the true people of God, the community of the faithful essentially related to Him through believing Him [see Apdx.D, E and G].

-------------------

12. See The Hope of Israel: What Is It? (1922) by Philip Mauro, Chap.3, How the O.T. Prophecies Concerning Israel Are Interpreted by Paul http://www.preteristarchive.com/Books/1922_mauro_hope/mh-03.html excerpts from Hope of Israel, chap 3 at http://pop.eradman.com/  Bear in mind that Mauro was addressing a form of error of his day, not ours.

13. God intervenes and changes things contrary to nature (the usual, expected and accepted flow of events).  The very existence of the universe and the nation Israel are such things.  God placed David as king of Israel instead of Jonathan, king Saul’s son.  He transferred the blessing of the firstborn from Esau to Jacob and from Manasseh to Ephraim.  He redeemed a lost world.  This “contrary to nature” concept and the related “contrary to hope” (Rom.4:18) are rich studies in themselves.

APPENDIX - F

MESSIAH - SON OF MAN/SON OF GOD