These outlines are from a series I led in a small group/class at Community Christian Church in Romeoville Illinois, from February to July 2006. They are the outlines which I handed out. Some of them require further explanations, which of course I did during our discussions in the two hour class on each session which met bi-weekly. But they do contain enough of the basic outline of material covered, namely, the Kingdom of God as seen within a big picture-panoramic view. I hope and pray that you will be enriched and blessed by something found here! JB

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The Pattern of the Kingdom

Week One-John Boda

The Kingdom of God:

God's people in God's place under God's rule & blessing.

Scriptures: Genesis 1-2

There are four important truths seen here about creation and God's kingdom pattern:

1. God is the author of creation.

Genesis 1; 1 starts off, "In the beginning...." what was before?

Can we know anything of it?

No-God is eternal and existed forever before the emergence of our universe and has chosen not to reveal it to us.

(All we can know is there WAS something before the beginning-God was there as the Trinity-his eternal purpose-as well as glory and love-(see John 17)

But we don't have any further insight given anywhere in the Bible as to what was before, or even more details of how God created everything.

Also, from Jewish tradition of what is taught on Gen 1:1 -

The first letter of the first word in the Bible is the Hebrew letter -

"Beth"...written in Hebrew it looks like a backwards "C".

Since the Jewish Bible in Hebrew is both written and read from right to left.....they believe since it is closed on all three sides except facing forward....we as well can only know and learn what is forward from it as well!

(Big Bang Theory & Cosmology function similarly)

Another word to remember is the Latin word - Ex Nihilo -

It means "Out of nothing" which is what we believe Gen 1:1 depicts.

Last session we discussed the four things which are eternal-

What are they?

1. God the Father

2. God the Son

3. God the Holy Spirit

4. God's Eternal Purpose

There are verses here in the first two chapters of Genesis which are linked to these four eternal things either directly or indirectly,

Can you find them?

Here are some verses with clues:

Gen 1:1

Gen 1:2  

Gen 1:3

Gen 1:26  

Whenever you read or study the Bible always looks for repetitive words and phrases, they mean something and are there for a reason!

After reading Gen 1:1 - what is the main repetitive phrase used?

What is its significance?

Which person of the God-head actually created everything?

All three were involved! But God-the Son-Jesus was the supreme creative person!

(John 1:3 & Col 1:16)

Were the days in Gen 1:1 twenty four hours each...or millions of years each with "day" being an epoch?

Summary: God is taking us on a journey from creation to new creation! God made everything in the beginning and will redeem everything in the end!

2. God is the King of Creation

We are tracing the Kingdom and building of God and must see this truth here: The Kingship of God!

Since God created everything, he is the supreme king of everything.

Remember that it was the Son-Jesus-who created, and he claimed to be a king with a kingdom. (John 3:3-5) (John 18:36)

At the end of all things when Jesus returns, one of his names is "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (Rev 19:16)

Psalms 10:16 says that the Lord is King forever.

Read Isaiah 9:6-7

A child is born (Through Mary)

A Son is given (Through God)

Mary is the mother of Jesus the child born

The Son given was from God-

(God has a son but does not have a mother)

This is an eternal Kingdom and government!

Is this government a democracy or a theocracy?

Is this a true saying?

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The Bible instructs us to seek after many things like peace, truth, and love, but what is the very FIRST thing we are told to seek? (Matthew 6:33)

Also in giving us a model prayer, what is the first thing Jesus tells us to pray for after first addressing God? (Matthew 6:10)

(Can someone recite the Lord's Prayer all the way through to notice the end as well?)

3. Human Beings are the Pinnacle of Creation

Read Gen 1:27

Of all of the vast diversity of creation only human beings are created in God's image!

What does this mean?

How is it different from the animal world?

The Hebrew word - Create - in its various forms, like many Biblical words, can be confusing as there are different Hebrew words that are translated simply as "create".

One kind means to "make" something or fashion it from material already present. Another means to create by fiat...or can denote "ex nihilo" the act of creation that only God can do out of nothing.

In our text of Genesis, there are only three places that use the word for creating ex nihilo -

"Bara" in Hebrew:

1. Gen 1:1 - The initial elements of all creation-the cosmos

2. Gen 1:21 - all conscious living creatures - the animal life.

3. Gen 1:27 - Mankind - Human beings. (On this occasion the word bara is used repeatedly as if God used exclamation points!!!)

So far...by this information...it does not appear that mankind is anything more special than animals or even the whole created order. (Except from Gen 1:27 where it states mankind was created in God's image)

To go further...we must dig even deeper into the original words:

Due to time limitations and the desire to cover other info in this outline, I have to keep this brief.

Basically, it appears that all living creatures on earth have souls -

Or what is translated as "Breath".

In Hebrew it is "Nefesh". This can be found in Gen 1:30 where "breath" or "life" is nefesh. Even mankind has nefesh, and is a living nefesh - the end of Gen 2:7

But where human beings are unique and different from all animals and other life on earth is something else also found in Gen 2:7 - The Breath of Life.

This is another word - "Neshama" and denotes God placing a spirit inside of Adam and Eve by which they would be able to communicate with God!

In review....all living creatures have the nefesh....but only mankind has the neshama!

All living creatures have breath and life given to them by God, but they cannot commune with God unless they have the neshama, which is only given to people-who are created in God's image!

Read Psalms 8 now (only nine verses) and how does it relate?

What happened to this neshama when they sinned? How do we commune with God now?

Another indication of mankind's unique position is found in the few verses, compare Gen 1:24, 25 with verses 26-30 on God's sixth day work.

4. Rest is the Goal of Creation

As discussed last session, the Bible is the complete Word of God, every word and letter from Genesis to Revelation. However, as also discussed, the arrangement of the books along with chapters and verses are not necessarily divinely inspired!

Case in point is here in Genesis!

Chapter two should not really start until 2:4......the way it is now; it appears that although man's creation is the pinnacle, it also was the goal of creation. But Biblically speaking, the real goal of creation is rest, and Genesis chapter one should end right at Genesis 2:3. This may seem strange and unusual to hear, but let me clarify. The goal of creation is actually The Sabbath Rest of God - which is another name for the perfected Kingdom of God. (Which we will discuss in our last session)

Each day of creation may be 24 hour days, they may be millions of years, and very likely they may be both! But each creation day has a literal "evening and morning" except one, which is that?

In other words, each day no matter how long it was, comes to an end, except one! It is an eternal day with no end!

Going Deeper into God's Rest

The Sabbath day commandment was given to Israel forever.

(Ex 31:17)

The Saturday-seventh day Sabbath is only one of many Sabbaths. All the feast days in Lev 23 are also Sabbaths, and they all are a type and shadow of something to come. (Col 2:16-17)

Every Sabbath day in the Bible finds it's fulfillment in Christ-some already fulfilled-some yet to come.

First fruits- I Cor 15:20

Unleavened Bread- John 6:47-51

Feast of Trumpets-I Cor 15:52

Passover- I Cor 5:7

Pentecost- Acts 2:1

Day of Atonement- Matthew 24:21-22

Tabernacles- Rev 21:3

All these feast-Sabbath days find their fulfillment in Christ. We now live under the New Covenant and since Jesus fulfilled the Old, we also find all the Sabbaths fulfilled in him, and we are not required to observe them. (Pus they were all originally given only to Israel and not to the Gentile Church)

Included in all these Sabbath days is the weekly Sabbath day rest. This also is fulfilled in Jesus-now by faith-but someday soon it will be clearly seen in the perfected kingdom.

The Sabbath Rest is clearly spoken of in Hebrews Chapter Four..

This Sabbath Rest is one and the same as The Day of Salvation spoken of in Is 49:8 also quoted by Paul in II Cor 6:2

In Heb 4:11 it speaks of this Sabbath rest as "another day".

This therefore cannot be Saturday, and it is not Sunday!

The "day" spoken of is an age-really eternity-right now it is every day by faith we rest in the finished work of Christ and learn to walk in his ways.

Key things to remember:

The rest spoken of which God entered into after creation in Genesis two, was not a physical rest, but a finishing of creation, which was declared to be very good.

The Old Testament Sabbath was based on a works covenant, and the New Testament Sabbath is based on grace.

The Old Testament Sabbath was the seventh day each week, the New Testament Sabbath is the "day of salvation" which is every day, now by faith, and will materialize physically on the earth when God perfects his kingdom.

God's people in the Old Testament rested in a day, now God's people rest in the finished work of a person-Jesus.

What kind of rest was Jesus speaking about in Matthew 11:28?

Panoramic Summary (So Far)

The Kingdom of God

God’s People – Adam & Eve

God’s Place – Eden

God’s Rule – God’s Word and perfect fellowship

& Blessing

The Building of God

Physically – The Raw elements in Eden

Spiritually – Adam & Eve

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The Perished kingdom

John Boda 3/27/06

This is the outline for session two of the series entitled;

The Panoramic Bible Scan.

We are following the story line of the Kingdom and Building of God through the Bible. For a quick review, here are the divisions:

1. The Pattern of the Kingdom

2. The Perished Kingdom

3. The Promised Kingdom

4. The Partial Kingdom

5. The Prophesied Kingdom

6. The Present Kingdom

7. The Proclaimed Kingdom

8. The Perfected Kingdom

The Text for today's session in Genesis Chapter Three, although included within the perished kingdom theme would be also chapters 4 – 9.

1. Who is the Serpent? Where did he come from? Why is every picture you've ever seen of a talking snake tempting Eve in the garden wrong?!

( II Cor 11:14)

The Serpent IS Satan – Rev 12:9 / Rev 20:2

 More insight into Satan, his origin and destiny: / Ezekiel 28: 12-19 / Is 14:9-17

2. The age-old battle between God and Satan, which continues today is NOT Dualism.

What is dualism?

What popular movie series depicts dualism in their story?

3. Was the Adam & Eve story in the Garden of Eden a real historical event.....or is it symbolic and part of a bigger picture?

 (Trick question that can be answered in one word)

Romans  5:12-19

(In verse 14 we see Adam was a type of Jesus-with Jesus being what is called the antitype)

Also...the Bible views everyone in two camps - either in Adam...or in Christ. If we are only in Adam- we are still lost and unforgiven...but if we are in Christ-the second Adam-we are saved and forgiven. (See I Corinthians 15: 45-49)

I Corinthians 15:20-22

Read Jesus comment on Adam & Eve in Matthew 19:3-9 (also in Mark 10:2-12)

Jesus does two things:

1. He refers to Adam & Eve as BOTH historical and allegorical

2. He links both creation accounts in Genesis 1 & 2 together. In other words one is not more valid than the other and/or a different or contradictory version.

4. Notice a few things of Satan's methods which are still the same:

A. What was the focus of his attack?

B. How did he begin his attack?

C. Also notice that he couldn't hypnotize or control them to do anything, but rather had to suggest and give subtle lies so they would act out of their own free will to disobey.

5. What was so terrible about eating some fruit? Was it from a special and evil tree?

(I'll supply the answer to this!) It wasn’t the apple on the tree but pair on the ground!

The Consequences of Sin

After that one act of rebellion and sin everything changed! Some immediately, some gradually.

What are some of the things that were affected?

Relationships

Creation:

The animal world, weather patterns,.

Spiritually, sin brought seven things:

1. Blindness ( II Cor 4:4)

2. Independence

3. Separation

4. Fear

5. Guilt

6. Self Justification

7. Death

In Genesis 2:17, God tells Adam that in the DAY he eats of the forbidden tree, he will die. But we see that Adam lived a very long life and died at the age of 930!

What gives?

Physical - (II Peter 3:8)

Right after the account of sin's entrance in Genesis Chapter three, we find a direct consequence following in Chapter four. What is it?

The Bible clearly teaches that sin is not passive, but active and progressive! (James 1:15)

If such ideas and thinking make you want to feel helpless and hopeless like, if that's the case, we are all in deep trouble....that is actually a good state to be in- helpless and totally reliant on God and his mercy and grace!

See Romans 7:24 and Paul's next step logical conclusion in the next few verses.

Finally, I know some of you are thinking this! "If Adam and Eve sinned way back then...that was their problem. What's that got to do with me, I wasn't there?!"

See Romans 2:1-3 / 3:9-20 /5:12-21 /

We can't ever have this excuse with God...we are all guilty and in dire need of his grace & mercy!

Getting back to our tracing God's Kingdom and Building....where is his Kingdom now? Where is his building now?

Remember our definition of the Kingdom of God:

God's people in God's place under his rule and blessing.

God's people: Line of Seth

God's Place: Banished (for now)

God's rule: curse pronounced

(Blessing hidden for now)

God's building: Dormant for now-

But mankind begins their own plan of building. Genesis 4:17/Gen 11

Further notes on Satan’s style and method of attack:

If you study and look very carefully at Genesis Chapter three, you will find, not only a direct attack on the Word of God, but broken down into what I call:

The Three-Fold Corruption of The Word of God

(The Word is not corrupted, but it is attacked and corrupted by Satan and men in how they interpret it in three ways)

1. Adding to the Word:

Eve added to what God had said to Adam by inserting the words, “ ..Nor shall you touch it” (Gen 3:3

2. Taking from the Word:

Eve subtracted from what God had said by leaving out, “ …freely” ( Gen 2:16)

3. Distorting the Word:

This part is similar to taking from the word and very subtle. Eve said, “ …lest you die” (Gen 3:3)

God’s word said, “ ….in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Gen 2:17)

The Bible commands us not to add or take from the word!  Deut 4:2 / Prov 30:5,6 / Rev 22:18,19

Distorting the Word of God is also warned about: II Cor 4:2 / II Peter 3:16 / II Cor 11:3,4

When Jesus was tempted by Satan, at one point Satan quotes a verse to Jesus to get him to throw himself down from the temple to see if God would really protect him. Satan quotes Psalms 91:11-12 but leaves out a key phrase. You can compare Satan’s version and what God said yourself. See Luke 4:9-11 and then Psalms 91:11-12

When you study the Bible for Satan’s tactics you are basically studying what is called 

“ demonology”. Someone once said, “There can be no sound theology without sound demonology”. It is commendable to be aware of the enemy! The Bible states that we can clearly be taken advantage of if “ We are ignorant of his schemes” (This is found in II Cor 2:11 and the word schemes is also translated as devices…it is the Greek word – “Noema” which simply means thought patterns within the mind.

If you read I John 2:16…you will see that it speaks of “The world” which is The Kosmos in the Greek – an organized order and/or system orchestrated by Satan against God. This system consists of three things which is also Satan’s methods by which he can try to achieve his goals of attacking God’s Word through people.

1. Lust of the Flesh
2. Lust of the Eyes
3. Pride of Life

All three of these methods were used against Jesus in Luke four during his temptation. If you re-read Genesis three once again with this in mind, you will also see all three were used in Eden to Eve. If they are difficult to remember, you can also see all three in labeling Satan himself in three Biblical ways:

1. The Tempter
2. The Deceiver
3. The Accuser

The three enemies to any Christ Follower are, The World, The Flesh and The Devil.

Satan tempts us through the flesh

Satan deceives us through the world

Satan accuses us (to ourselves and to God) through himself

In conclusion, please do not become obsessed with looking for Satan behind every thing! Yes, he is still at work today using these tactics, but God has destroyed his power and sealed his doom! We CAN live a victorious life of freedom by faith right now!

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The Promised Kingdom

4/10/06   John Boda -  

In our last session we discussed The Perished Kingdom, and how sin entered the world through Adam and Eve. Now we will continue our series of tracing God's Kingdom and Building. Our text is varied, but begins once again in Genesis Chapter Three.

" I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel. "

In this verse in Gen 3:15, we see the very first promise and hope of God bringing restoration and a victorious solution to the terrible problem of sin. Here in one chapter, (And also throughout the Bible), we see three themes:

1. Human sin

2. God's Judgment

3. God's Grace & Mercy

What one incredible event perfectly depicts all three-where God's curse and cure were the same?

                 The Cross!  

(Another place we see all three is found in Gen Chapter Six with special focus on verse eight)

What about seeing this in Gen 4 & 5 too? It is clearly there!

Let's go back to our text of the Serpent Crusher:

Who is God speaking to?

Who is the woman?

Who will crush who's head?

Who will strike who's heal?

What do these terms mean?

Further insight into who will get "crushed" is found in Rom 16:20

It is very significant and interesting that this first promise of redemption is found within this context at the start. Why?

Read Ephesians 1:3-6

What does it tell us about God?

If God knew it would happen, why did he allow sin to come with all its suffering, shame and death?

Abraham

Abraham is an extremely important person in the Bible! It is through this man that we first see much more insight and details of God's Kingdom restoration plan.

On almost every page of the Bible you can trace the common theme of sin-judgment-grace...but there are some places we can't, such as Genesis Eleven. Which element is missing here?

Hint: It is the one that is quickly picked up in the next chapter with Abraham-Gen 12:1-3

" Now the Lord said to Abram:

"Get out of your country, from your family and your father's house, to a land I will show you.

I will make you a great nation,

I will bless you and make your name great

I will bless those who bless you,

And I will curse him who curses you.

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

It has been said that the rest of the Bible is simply the expounding of this text!

What are the three main elements

to the promises God made to Abram? They are linked to our Kingdom of God definition)

1._Leave your country

2._Leave your family

3._Go to a specific place

It is very important to understand a few things about Abraham (Abram):

1. There was nothing particularly special about him, or why he was chosen! It was simply a divine act of providence by God's grace. (Are we chosen the same, or differently?)

2. This was an unconditional promise of God! Nothing was required of Abraham, except one thing...what was that? -Faith!

3. This calling and these promises of God was much more than just statements and promises, but something extremely serious and binding called - Covenant.

Covenants

The most basic meaning of the word covenant is simply:

To cut the blood

Or A binding promise and agreement sealed by bloodshed

It is one of the most common words in the Bible, and it is another word for our word,” Testament"., as in the Old and New Testaments - we could just as easily and correctly say, the Old and New Covenants.

Covenants are always sealed in blood, and usually contain some visible sign of their enactment.

Here are the most agreed upon big covenants in the Bible:

1. The Noahic Covenant

God makes a covenant with Noah after the flood and promises never to destroy it again with water.

Sign given - The Rainbow

2. The Abrahamic Covenant

God promises to raise up a great nation from Abraham's descendants and give them a land to live in where he will bless them, and the whole world will be blessed through them.

Sign Given: - Circumcision

3. The Mosaic Covenant

God promises the people of Israel that they will be his special people with blessing and protection, but only if they obey him. A conditional promise with the law of God given, with the

Sign given - The Sabbath

4. The New Covenant

The Israelites break their covenant obligations and fail miserably. (We wouldn't have done any better!). God's judgment comes, but along with it is his promises through the prophets of a new and much better covenant coming. One which involves an inward change of heart giving us the power to obey, and know God! This is totally accomplished by Jesus by his death, burial and resurrection.

Sign given - Baptism

Although these covenants are distinct, they are also bound together, and are all part of God's eternal plan of establishing his Kingdom!

Today...all Christ-Followers are under the New Covenant of grace.

But this New Covenant is actually a continuation of one of the other three listed, which one?

Why? (Romans 4:11-12 / Gal 3:9)

Finally, we are tracing the Kingdom and Building of God through the Bible...where are we during this time of The Promised Kingdom? Remember our Kingdom of God definition:

God's people in God's place under His rule and blessing

God's people - Abraham and his descendants

God's place - Canaan (The land he would show Abraham and lead him to settle)

God's rule and blessing - Blessing to Abraham and the entire world through him.

God's building - Still hidden but will come through Abraham as indicated by God's promises.

Further Notes on the New Covenant

The New Covenant is spoken of as “A Better Covenant “in the Bible. It is better than the old because we are not just given a set of rules and laws, but we are also given the power to do it!

“Do this and live the law commands but gave me neither feet nor hands,

A better word the Gospel brings, it bids me fly and gives me wings.”

To get an understanding of how this covenant can be better, you can get much insight from the book of Hebrews. It has often been called, “The Book of Better Things!” Here is a listing of the “better” things found in Hebrews;

Better things Heb 6:9

Better hope Heb 7:19

Better Covenant Heb 7:22

Better Promises Heb 8:6

Better Sacrifice Heb 9:23

Better Country Heb 11:16

Better Resurrection Heb 11:35

Based on the incredible description of God’s New Covenant to us in Hebrews 8:10-12, we can see that this New Covenant consists of three parts: (Read it!)

1. Cleansing
2. Life and Power
3. Inward Knowledge

This is far more than what Israel had with the Old Covenant! This is why it is BETTER!

Key scripture verses to read:

Jer 31:31,34

II Cor. 3:6

Hebrews 10;16

In II Corinthians chapter three we are told a beautiful difference between the Old and New Covenants.

The Old – was written on tablets of stone.

The New – is written on our hearts.

The old kills, the new gives life….the old is fading, the new is increasing. The old condemns, the new brings life and righteousness.

Notes

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The Partial Kingdom

  4/24/06 - J. Boda

So far we have covered:

The Pattern of the Kingdom

The Perished Kingdom

The Promised Kingdom

All these have been within a few pages of Genesis! Since we are tracing the Kingdom line all through the Bible, you may have been wondering if we will ever get out of the first book.

Well...get ready here we go...engage into warp drive!

Here in the Partial Kingdom, we will briefly look at the history of Israel from Abraham unto the high point of Solomon's reign- a period covering about 1000 years!

So far, our definition of the Kingdom of God is:

God's people in God's place under God's rule & blessing.

Now, added under the aspect of "God's rule and blessing", is:

God's King, which we will see in this session.

These four aspects of the Kingdom of God can be divided up to be seen easier:

1. God's People - Gen 12 - Ex 12

2. God's Rule & Blessing - Ex 19 - Lev.

3. God's Place/Land - Numbers - Joshua.

4. God's King - Judges - II Chron.

Book by Book Overview

Since we are now zooming in warp drive, and covering a lot of the Bible, it is important to give a brief summary of each book along with the key characters and story.

Exodus

The Great Escape!

Summary - God saves his people and gives them his commandments

Means - "Going out"

Written by - Moses

Approx - 1445-1405 B. C.

Key people:

Moses - Author

Miriam - Prophetess and older sister of Moses. 2:7 15:20-21

Pharaoh's Daughter - The princess who rescued baby Moses from the water and adopted him. 2:5-10

Jethro - Midian shepherd who became Moses' father-in-law.3;1 4;18

Aaron - Brother of Moses and first high priest of Israel. 4:14, 40:31

Pharaoh - Unnamed Egyptian leader at the time.

Joshua - Assistant to Moses and military leader who led Israel into the promised land.

Key events:

Ten Commandments given. 20:1-17

Israel delivered from Egyptian bondage over the Red Sea.14;15-15:21

The tabernacle of God constructed. 35:1-40:

Leviticus

The Blueprint for redemption

Summary - Details the laws of approach to God, and fellowship with him.

Means - Matters of the Levites

Author - Moses

Written - Approx 1445-1405 B. C.

Key People:

Moses - Prophet and leader who was God's mouthpiece to give the people law and leadership.

Aaron - Moses' brother and first high priest of Israel.

Key events in Leviticus:

Beginnings of the Priesthood - 81-10:20

Guidelines for Practical Holiness given-171-27:34

Numbers

Travelogue of a Wilderness Journey

Summary - A record of the thirty nine years of judgment that Israel spent in the wilderness.

Means- (Greek word for book is "Arithmoi" meaning Arithmetic. Latin is "Numeri" meaning Numbers.

Author- Moses

Written-Approx 1445-1405 B.C.

Key People:

Moses - Aaron - Miriam - Joshua

Caleb - One of the scouts sent to spy the land and only one of two faithful to God with a good report.

Eleazar - Son of Aaron who succeeded him as high priest.

Korah - Levite who was killed after he led a rebellion against God. 16:1-40

Balaam - Prophet and sorcerer who half-heartedly obeyed God and attempted to lead Israel into idol worship. 22:1-24:25, 31:7,8,16

Key events in Numbers:

Examples of rebellion and also faithfulness to God.

God's judgment and also grace and mercy seen in leading them, providing manna, and continued presence and fellowship through Moses, Joshua, Aaron and Caleb.

Deuteronomy

The Great Review

Summary - Records the last words of Moses and consists of a review of the laws given by God

Author- Moses Although it records Moses death, probably finished by Joshua)

Written- 1410-1405 B.C.

Means- "These are the words"

Key People:

Moses,Joshua

Key Events in Deuteronomy:

Joshua commissioned as the new leader and successor to Moses.

31:1-29

Jesus prophesied as the coming prophet similar to Moses-18;15

Confirmed to be him Acts 3;22-23,7;37

(Like Moses because both were prophet/priests and both spared death as babies, and both delivered the people.)

Joshua

God's Bold Warrior

Summary-Joshua succeeds Moses to lead Israel into the promised land!

Author- Joshua

Written- Approx. 1405-1385 B.C.

Means - Jehovah Saves

Key People:

Joshua

Rahab - Prostitute from Jericho saved from death by her faith and obedience to God.

Achan - Disobeyed God by sealing from the plunder of Jericho causing Israel to lose the next battle-killed for it.

Eleazar - Son of Aaron who succeeded him as high priest and helped Joshua lead Israel.

Key Events in Joshua:

The entering and conquering of the Promised Land.

Judges

Chosen Servants for Troubled  Times

Summary - "In those days there was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25

Author - Samuel

Written - Approx 1043-1004 B.C.

Means - "Deliverers"

Key People:

Gideon - Israel's fifth judge and the one who destroyed the Midianites. Judges 6-8

Sampson - Dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth, also a judge and mighty warrior against the Philistines. 13:24-16:31

Delilah  - Sampson's lover who betrayed him to the Philistines for money. 16:4-21

Key Events in Judges:

The decline and judgment of Israel, along with God's mercy/grace giving victory and leading in between. A total of twelve judges ruled before the era of Kings.

Ruth

God's International Family

Summary - A dazzling display of the providence of God.

Author - Samuel

Written - Approx. 1030-1010 B.C.

Means - "Friendship"

Key people:

Ruth - Naomi's daughter-in-law, later married to Boaz and becomes a direct ancestor of Jesus.

Naomi - Widow of Elimelech and mother-in-law of Orpah and Ruth.

Boaz - Wealthy farmer who married Ruth. He is a direct ancestor of Jesus.

Key Events in Ruth:

The providence and direction of God behind the scenes leading Ruth to Bethlehem and to Boaz to become his wife.

First & Second Samuel

Establishment of David's Line

Summary - These two books tell the story of Israel becoming a Kingdom, with emphasis on God's choice of David.

Author - Unknown (Possibly Samuel)

Written - Approx. 931 B.C.

Means -

Key people:

Eli - High priest and Israel's judge for forty years, trained Samuel.

Hannah - Mother of Samuel, dedicated him to God as a child.

Samuel - Priest, prophet, and greatest judge of Israel. He anointed Israel's firs two kings.

Saul - First king of Israel, but greatly flawed. he became jealous of David and tried to kill him.

Jonathon - Saul's son who loved David and protected him.

David - The greatest king of Israel, shepherd, musician, prophet and ancestor of Jesus.

Nathan - Prophet and advisor to David, and the one who confronted him on his sin.

Absalom - One of David's sons who tried to overthrow David's rule and become king himself.

Key Events in Samuel:

1. Saul, the first king of Israel is anointed.

2. Saul's rebellion and kingship lost, then given to David.

3. David's triumphal reign

First & Second Kings

Royal Disappointments & Disasters

Summary - The story of the failure of human leadership when it turns away from God.

Author - Unknown

Written - 561-538 B.C.

Key People:

David

Solomon - The son of David and Bathsheba and the third king of Israel. He built the temple of God and became the wisest man who ever lived, a gift given by God.

Rehoboam - Solomon's son who succeeded him as king of Israel. His evil deeds led to the division of Israel into two kingdoms. He then became the king of the southern kingdom of Judah.

Jeroboam - Solomon's son and evil king of the northern kingdom of Israel.

Elijah - Prophet of Israel during this period.

Ahab - Eighth and most evil king of Israel

Jezebel - Wife of Ahab and became queen of Israel. Also very evil and against God. She was killed and eaten by dogs.

Hezekiah - 13th king of Israel and one of the few who remained faithful to God.

Isaiah - Mighty prophet who lived and prophesied during the reigns of five kings of Israel.

Nebuchadnezzar - The king of Babylon who conquered and destroyed Jerusalem.

Key Events in Kings:

1. The Reign of Solomon

2. The building of the temple.

3. The divided kingdom

4. The defeat and exile of the northern kingdom by Assyria

5. The defeat and exile of the southern kingdom by Babylon

First & Second Chronicles

Historical Review

Summary - This two-part book of Chronicles provides a summary and review of history, a review that includes material from Genesis to II Kings.

Author - Ezra

Written - 450-430 B.C.

Means  "Annals of the days"

Key People:

David

David's mighty men - A special group of warriors pledged to fight for David.

Nathan, Rehoboam, Hezekiah,

Solomon

Jehoshaphat - Succeeded his father Asa as king of Judah, followed God but made poor choices.

Asa - King of Judah, tried to accomplish God's purposes through corrupt means.

Key Events in Chronicles:

1. David's reign

2. Solomon's reign

3. The reign of the kings of Judah

 God's Place

If you remember our definition of the kingdom of God, part of it involves - God's Place.

The very first clue that God not only wants a people, and wants to rule and bless them, but desires a specific place (And later building), is found in Genesis 12:1,where God first calls Abraham:

"....leave your country, your people, and your father's household and go to a land I will show you."

Abraham goes to the land of Caanan and we find out the general area. Then, as God unfolds his plan further, (Called progressive revelation) we find an even more specific location. God tells Abraham to go to one specific mountain and bring his only son Isaac for a sacrifice.

In keeping with viewing things in the Bible within the big panoramic view, God's building program can be seen in several stages:

Stage One:

God calls Abraham and tells him to go to a specific place. Gen 12:2...then in Gen 22:2,4 this specific place gets even more specific - a certain mountain, when Abraham brings his son Isaac to it for sacrifice.

(Between these two stages, is another temporary structure called The Tabernacle. This was mobile and used by Israel while wandering in the wilderness for forty years. While it holds great truths and significance, we must continue on with the larger view)

Stage Two:

David captures the fortified city of Jebus from the Jebusites and makes it his capital. II Sam 5:6-10

Stage Three:

David purchases the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite in Jerusalem to make a sacrifice to the Lord. This certain spot (Jerusalem is on that specific mountain in stage one), is also the exact spot, in stage one, where Abraham brought Isaac.

Stage Four:

King Solomon builds a mind boggling temple of extreme beauty and expense for God, and it is built on this mountain, at the threshing floor area within Jerusalem. II Chron. 3:1-2

Stage Five:

God almighty makes it THE PLACE for his presence and for sacrifice unto him. II Chron. 7:12,16

Stage Six:

God's son, Jesus is killed here on the same mountain, very close to the temple, also was buried and risen very close by. Mt.27:33

Stage Seven:

In the perfected kingdom, Christ will return to this "Holy Mountain" and dwell in Jerusalem. Zech 8:3

(Also in Rev 21...this encompasses a complete new Jerusalem which will prosper forever!)

At every point of this development of God's building, it involved sacrifices unto the Lord.

First with animals, then with Jesus himself - the Holy Lamb of God,. The final stage seven has no sacrifices as none will be needed then! This line of sacrifices can also be seen within the panoramic view:

1. A sacrifice for a man - Abraham & Isaac Gen 22

2. A sacrifice for a family - The Passover Ex. 12

3. A sacrifice for a nation - The day of atonement, Lev. 16

4. A sacrifice for the world -  The cross and death of Jesus. John 1:29, I John 2:2

In conclusion, let's see how this partial kingdom fits within our definition of the kingdom of God:

God's people, in God's place, under his rule & blessing.

God's people - The Israelites

God's Place - Caanan, Jerusalem and then the temple

God's rule & blessing - The law and the king

Notes

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        The Prophetic Kingdom

5/08/06 J. Boda

As I stated in our last session, the roles of Prophet and Priest are similar, yet different.

Prophet - Represents God to the people.

Priest - Represents the people to God.

Today we are covering another vast portion of scriptures in dealing with the Kingdom prophesied to come.

The first of the great prophets were - Moses, Elijah and Elisa.

There are seventeen prophetic books in the Bible. They are usually divided up as the major - and the Minor Prophets.

Why this classification?

It was based not on the importance of the message, but of the size of each book.

All of the prophetic books have the same flowing theme:

Sin - Judgment - Mercy & Hope

The prophets of both the northern and southern kingdoms warn the people over and over to return to God, but they become complacent and continue moving away. Their complacency is shattered when the Assyrians defeat and capture Israel in 722 B.C......then later Judah gets the same by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The prophets declare that these disasters are not unlucky historical events, but acts of God's judgment, fulfilling his word through them.

Fast forward to our day/culture:

Can we assume the same idea for 911? And/or Katrina?  (NO)

God's covenant promise to Moses was largely conditional - if you obey, you will be blessed and prosper, if you don't, you will suffer loss and judgment.

However, even before Moses-God first made his promise to Abraham, was it conditional - or unconditional?

(Gen 12:1-3)

There always was hope and a remnant that God was working with! (Is 10:20-21)

All through these prophetic books, the prophets speak of many new things to come, some have already happened, and some still yet to come:

A new exodus - a new covenant - a new nation - a New Jerusalem -a new Temple - a new King -and a new creation.

So far, even through Solomon's glorious reign, everything was only partial and just a shadow or type of the real deal and eternal that is to come!

All these new things are focused on one person - (any guess'?)

He is known as "The Servant" in

Is 49:5, 52:13, 53:12

He is known as "The Branch" in

Is 4:2, Jer 23:5, 33:15, Zech 3:8,

Zech 6:12

He is known as The Prophet in

Dt. 18:15, 18, (The people asked John the Baptist if he was this prophet in John 1:21)

Two key Old Testament passages which are very vivid in the prophetic sense concerning Jesus, and should be memorized as to their location are:

Is 53 & Psalms 22 Look at these passages now.

(Also Is 9:6-7)

The prophets also spoke of a new covenant:

“The time is coming declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah". Jer. 3131

This is also spoken of in Joel 2:28-32:

When was this fulfilled, how, and by whom? (Luke 22:20)

Another great prophet in the Old Testament was Daniel. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah, but while Jeremiah stayed in Israel, Daniel was one of the captives in Babylon.

See the chart on Daniel's interpretation of the King's dream in a previous outline.

What do you know about Daniel?

As we conclude this session, as usual, let's summarize the specifics of our Kingdom of God definition:

God's people in God's place under God's rule & blessing

God's people - The scattered remnant of Israel

God's place  - physically. Lies in rubble, destroyed by Babylon until it is partially re-built, first by Zerububal and then Herod.

Spiritually...the new temple and new creation the prophets speak of and of which will soon be made clearer through Jesus and the Church.

God's Rule & Blessing - God still rules and blessing the remnant which are scattered, but the prophets speak of his eternal rule in heaven and earth under the coming king!

Final Thoughts

One of the key things that Jesus said, over and over throughout his life was;” It is written.” Or in speaking of things in reference to what was written. He constantly went about fulfilling all that was written about him, and made that very clear!

When he spoke of “It is written”, what was he speaking of? See Luke 24:27 & Mt 5:17-18

God’s signature is knowing and declaring what is to come, and being 100% accurate in its detailed fulfillment!

Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there is none other like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, “ My counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure.

Isaiah 46:9,10

Declare to us the things to come, tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods.

Isaiah 41:23

See Dt 18 21,22 – A true Prophet from God is determined by the accuracy of the message, if it really is from God, it HAS to be true and come to pass!

In the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, there have been at least 48 distinct prophecies fulfilled from the Old Testament. But there are more prophecies about him t