“The bible did not fall from the sky, but arose in the crucible of the challenges and trials of the people of God. The more we understand the settings and situations in which its various books arose, the better we will understand God’s revelation to us today” (Philip Johnston, IVP Introduction To The Bible)
The Bible is a book of history. It is grounded in real events, populated by real people. This is a very significant realisation and helps us to grasp just how substantial our salvation really is! Our redemption is not based on mere philosophies, but on events that took place in history. As sure as these people existed, and as certain as these events took place, so certain and sure are we of our great salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament is the history of a nation, spanning several thousand years. In fact, Israel still plays a major role in God’s redemptive plan. In the words of Desmond Alexander, in the ‘IVP Introduction To The Bible’, “the authors of the Bible’s historical books frequently affirm the role of God in shaping world events. Indeed, for them human history can only be accurately comprehended when the activity of God is fully recognized. Consequently, the OT story is in large measure an account of the interface between divine and human activity, especially as it relates to God’s redemptive plan for all creation.”
The New Testament is the history of a man, spanning one lifetime, springing from God’s chosen nation, in order to save all nations.
“The New Testament is in the Old concealed;
The Old Testament in the New revealed.” Augustine
The Old Testament is a book of unexplained ceremonies, unachieved purposes, unappeased longings and unfulfilled prophecies. Apart from the New it makes no sense. The New Testament brings fulfilment to all that the Old anticipates, and makes clear what was once veiled in mystery. What begins in Genesis at the river’s source, spills into eternal completion in the final book of revelation. Where the Tree of Life was lost from man’s grasp, now He eats freely; that which was cursed now gives way to eternal blessing. The tears that began to flow in Eden, are forever dried by Eden’s Creator in the New Jerusalem.
We also have in the scriptures the histories of world governments, the rise and fall of nations, and even the foretelling of the ages to come. In all of this, God’s Sovereign hand is clearly displayed!
Biblical timeline - His-Story is revealed in the Bible timeline chart
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Also Available – The Bible Timeline Notes
Accompanying Bible Timeline notes are also available for immediate download. The notes will greatly enhance your comprehension of the timeline, and introduce Biblical concepts that will broaden your understanding of God’s grace at work through the ages.
These comprehensive notes broadly cover:
- Timeline concepts to grasp the overall sweep of God’s dealings through history
- Jesus Christ through the Scriptures
- Prophetic pictures and concepts woven into Biblical history
- Major historical events on the timeline and where they are in the Bible
- and more
You can purchase the notes for only $10
http://www.studythebiblenow.com/browse-modules/bible-overview/1-bible-timeline/
See the rest of the Bible Timeline Series of posts…
Bible Timeline I – The Stunning Vista of bible chronology
Bible Timeline II – Christianity is rooted in rock solid history
Bible Timeline III – Dispensations
Bible Timeline IV – The Covenants
Bible Timeline V – A Supernatural Legal Drama
Bible Timeline VI – The Historical Understanding of the Biblical Timeline
Bible Timeline VII – Bible History the Typical Principle
Teacher John MacArthur takes you through the key aspects of the Bible in this guide for students. Bible
Thanks for that. John MacArthur is an excellent Bible Teacher for sure. Have you taken the opportunity to download the Bible Timeline yet? Its pretty cool and may come in helpful as you teach others key concepts from Bible History and how things fit together.
John MacArthur & Pretrib Rapture
Who knows, maybe John (Reformedispy) MacArthur is right and the greatest Greek scholars (Google “Famous Rapture Watchers”), who uniformly said that Rev. 3:10 means PRESERVATION THROUGH, were wrong. But John has a conflict. On the one hand, since he knows that all Christian theology and organized churches before 1830 believed the church would be on earth during the tribulation, he would like to be seen as one who stands with the great Reformers. On the other hand, if John has a warehouse of unsold pretrib rapture material, and if he wants to have “security” for his retirement years and hopes that the big California quake won’t louse up his plans, he has a decided conflict of interest. Maybe the Lord will have to help strip off the layers of his seared conscience which have grown for years in order to please his parents and his supporters – who knows? One thing is for sure: pretrib is truly a house of cards and is so fragile that if a person removes just one card from the TOP of the pile, the whole thing can collapse. Which is why pretrib teachers don’t dare to even suggest they could be wrong on even one little subpoint! Don’t you feel sorry for the straitjacket they are in? While you’re mulling all this over, Google “Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty” for a rare behind-the-scenes look at the same 180-year-old fantasy.
I will be honest with you and say that regarding the endtimes I have not heard or read John’s standpoint so I cannot really comment. I personally have some real questions about pre-trib myself which I consider in detail in my Bible School session for sale in the Spirit life Bible School (Module 9 Session 3 – The Rapture, Tribulation and Millennial Reign). The 70 week prophecy and the identity of the Prince mentioned is a key that unlocks the door and significantly affects our understanding of the last days will pan out.
As I say, I cannot comment on John’s theological sand but I am glad that you have brought up a very interesting and provocative debate regarding our interpretation of Scripture.