Very little commentary is needed to explain the purpose and function of the Church. Paul in nearly every letter pinned down the purpose and practice to those who would belong to the Church. For the Jews, this concept was new because it was all-inclusive approach that was foreign to them.

The Church Established

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Peter was the one that God chose to build His church (see the Chart 8 Study)

The Church by definition: The word Church comes from the word Ecclesia – A group of people gathered together for a common or singular purpose. The Church has existed from the beginning of time but its purpose of function has been hidden. As part of the introduction and understanding of the Church through Paul, God reveals this mystery.

The Mystery of the Church

Note this beautiful comparison between marriage, the pattern of the Tabernacle and the Church

Ephesians 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

The Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

So the Church, as a group of people gathered together, looked to Paul for information of how the New Testament Church was to be organized and administered in faith and in practice. With this organization came the placing of Pastors after God’s own heart, Deacons to help with the daily administration, Teachers and Evangelists to help show and demonstrate the furtherance of the gospel. Mankind would come to God through Jesus Christ, by faith without works through this organization. Neither Jew nor Greek, bond or free made any difference; only trust and faith in the finished work of Jesus would matter.

satan however; would put his corruption into it the same as he had since the beginning:

Another Gospel

Galatians 1:6  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Another gospel is simply a person, a group, a church or organization that would attempt to tell you that the clear and simple salvation of Jesus Christ is:

• What Christ did was not good enough
• Requires works retain salvation
• Requires no blood, only death
• Heaven can be attained by good works
• Heaven can be attained by suffering
• Heaven can be attained by joining a church
• Heaven can be attained by getting baptized

Basically anything that differs from the presentation that God gave of Jesus Christ through Paul to the world in the area of eternal life… is another gospel.

Note: Paul mentions on several occasions that he would not have any to be ignorant of the things of this world and the things of faith. He identified that we are aware of satans devices and that we are not to underestimate them girding on the whole armour of God. However… we also see that in the last days so many willing to be ignorant, every learning yet never understanding by heaping to themselves teachers having itching ears. This is why it is important to read and study the King James Bible. There are many, many other gospels that are in the world today… and they are quite convincing. Those who are ignorant… will be deceived; even Jesus said that if it were possible, they would decieve the very elect.

See also

2 Corinthians 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

The misconception today in our modern churches is that we identify known church denominations revealing their deception… but be not deceived… the “other gospel” is being spread though many different avenues corrupting the very fabric of all that is around us.

Divination, Sports figures, music and more that present a different or warped view of eternity or the afterlife.

The Church in practice

The New Testament Church doctrine is the backbone of Modern Christianity. This faith based system allows for both individual salvation and corporate function.

Salvation

Salvation today is different than any other time in history or future. This division continues to reinforce God’s plan and purpose.

God has always made a way to receive His grace and it is always through obedience. In the old testament if you wanted to get to God you came through Israel; in the new testament through Jesus Christ… being that we are working within the Church age… let’s review salvation.

We have the Bible to guide us to the Truth:

1John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Heaven is a real place:

Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

Hell is a real place:

Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Matthew 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Matthew 13:41  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The Gospel is the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ:

1 Corinthians 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Just acknowledging God is not enough:

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

We have earned our sin just like earning a wage:

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God.

Good Works cannot get you to Heaven:

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Jesus Christ has given us a Gift we need only to accept:

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us

Jesus Christ wants Everyone to be Saved!

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

There is only one way to Heaven:

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Getting Saved is EASY!

Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2 Corinthians 6:2  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Church Ordinances

Baptism

Baptism over the time of Christ has changed in its purpose yet the end result is always the same. Baptism is an outward identification of an inward change. Whether it was the baptism of John or baptism in the church age both were to show others that you have set your life aside for Jesus Christ. Because we are studying the age of the Church we will focus on the purpose of baptism during the Church.

Romans 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Ephesians 4:4  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Colossians 2:12  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament Church that by outward demonstration by emersion under water provides a picture of the death, burial and ressurection of Jesus Christ. It does NOT effect your eternal security, but IS an appropriate ordenance; if for no other reason is that is was a command of the church in the furtherance of the gospel.

Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s supper is the second ordance that Jesus set into place. It is meant to place people in rememberance of what Jesus did for our sins.

1 Corinthians 11:23  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

This ordenance, much like baptism, is not to be taken lightly; in fact it is very serious. Note verse 29, that’s a pretty serious warning; yet churches across this country have the Lord’s supper (communion) every service to where there is no reflection and no rememberance… only a religios act.

Paul, as mentioned before, said he would have us not be ignorant; but he goes on to say that after the facts have been presented if they still won’t believe or practice correctly:

1 Corinthians 14:38  But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

The ascension and transition into the Church age.

As we previously mentioned, it was the responsibility of the Jews to establish the new testament church and to get the gospel into all the world. Peter was the one chose to set up the Church and rightly so:

Note: God calls who He needs to get the job done. It is our privilege to serve with this understanding because sometimes… we can’t seem to figure out why God chose THAT person. But different ministries require different types of temperance. God needed a rugged man to get his gospel out to a world that hated them because of Christ.

The Church Established

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

This is the first time that the “Church” was used. In its context here we see that it is not a building but rather a movement or gathering of a people.

Peter almost quits in John 21

The ministry isn’t what Hollywood makes it out to be. Think about the weight of responsibility that a Pastor has on him.

Hebrews 13:17  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Something was said that Peter did not like, enough for him to walk out on God. Jesus showed Peter that He was going to get the job done… with or without him. See Message – ADD LINK

So when Christ ascended to the throne of Heaven Peter and the disciples didn’t fully understand all the mysteries of the Church that were being revealed. Note the question the disciples ask:

Acts 1:6  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

The Gospel of the Kingdom was still needing to come to full effect. The disciples were commanded that after they received the Holy Ghost they were to go throughout the world and spread the Gospel…

But they didn’t, staying rather in Jerusalem.

The Book of Acts – The Transition

As the book of Acts goes through, we see a process where a clear transition from the old testament law to the new testament church doctrine was taking place. Without the need, in relationship to our chart, to go into detail of the many things that were revealed; the Book of Acts has been widely abused in the understanding of its purpose and intent. Modern evangelical and apostolic churches are quick to claim the promises and miracles of the book of Acts without rightly dividing and placing the book where it belongs. Again the book of Acts is transitional… meaning that everything was in flux; to pull new testament doctrine from the book of Acts without definitive new testament, church age, Paul line validation is simply doctrinal heresy.   

Through the first 8 chapters of Acts God worked through Peter to fulfill the “great commission” (Mark 16:15) however, we see a clear deviation of this plan after the stoning of Stephen in Acts Chapter 7. With Peter and the Jews refusing to leave Jerusalem God raised up Saul to scatter the Church (chapter 8). We then see the Gospel now being given to the Gentile. We also see a clear departure of the need for signs and wonders as the Gentiles walk by faith, not by sight. As the book continues we see the conversion of Saul to Paul and the furtherance of the Gospel, as well as, the mysteries of the Church being revealed. (SEE LINK HERE)

The Kingdom Postponed

Because of the failure of Israel to accept Jesus, God chose to give the Gospel of Jesus Christ over to the Gentiles; through Paul. Note this verse:

Romans 11:10  Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Life of Christ

The Life of Christ is, for our chart study and for all humanity, the pivotal connecting event in God’s process to restore fellowship. During the life and ministry of Christ much doctrine was expounded and revealed plus many signs and wonders were performed. This chart study will not exposit all of these wondrous works, but rather to identify information that is important to our understanding of God’s dispensations. The life of Christ was designed to do many things, as a process, to:

• Establish himself to God’s chosen people
• Deliver the New Covenant
• Fulfil prophecy regarding Himself
• Fulfil the elements of the law

The life of Christ is one of the most misunderstood and misplaced teaching as to Jesus’s purpose. Many New Testament churches are quick to run to the gospels to impute the elements of Jesus’s message to His people unto themselves, however the Bible Student will soon realize:

Jesus came to His OWN

Matthew 1:21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

When Jesus came, to fulfill those items identified, He came to the Jew. This is an important distinction in dispensational study. Note how Jesus viewed this woman in the coast of Tyre and Sidon in Matthew 15:21-28.  

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.

27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.

Note these instructions that Jesus gives to His disciples:

Matthew 10:5  These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Then we see the beginning of a different direction that Paul expounds on in Romans

John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

These verses and more go to show that God’s purpose was for Jesus to come to the Jew, His chosen people. The gospel of the Kingdom was for the Jew, the new covenant was for the Jew… it was then to be the responsibility of the Jew to bring the Gospel to all the world:

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

The New Covenant is Given

Part of Jesus coming to His own was to give the nation of Israel a NEW Covenant. This was God’s desire, which would trigger a change away from the law. Note where God said He would establish it:

Jeremiah 31:31  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Practically all of Hebrews Chapter 8 expounds on the New Covenant.

Hebrews 8:7  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

In the New Testament, after the ceremonial and civil law were made of none effect by the covenant we learn of those who would be false teachers:

1 Timothy 1:7  Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (read more)

NOTE: God’s plan was to make a new covenant with His people, then to have His people present this new covenant to all the world through salvation in Jesus Christ. However the Jew rejected Christ and the new covenant. For this reason god raised up Saul/ Paul to present the new covenant to the rest of the world:

Romans 11:10  Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

We will see as we go further through our chart how God did not cut Israel off, but rather postponed the inevitable.

Christ came to fulfil and end the ceremonial and civil law.

Part of what the life and death of Christ was to achieve, in the presentation of the new covenant, the end of the need for the ceremonial and civil law. (As the law of God was to be written in their heart)

Romans 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Note: Jesus did not come to destroy the law, Paul said specifically that we had not know sin except for the law (Romans 7:7)… but to rather fulfill the law and present that new covenant and end the need to use the law as a path to righteousness.

Matthew 5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

It is now through Jesus alone that we attain righteousness. Not by the law, not by works, not by ceremonies, not by nationality, not by affiliation; it is through Christ alone.

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Additional Information:

The Old Testament sacrifices were not good enough!

Hebrews 10:1  For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

 

 

 

 

DEEPWATER

Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

John 3:13  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Led Captivity Captive

Ephesians 4:8  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Prophetic reference directed and fulfilled

Psalms 68:18  Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

 

 

 

When making a study of the life of Christ it would be remiss to not identify the prophecies foretold about a Saviour and how Christ fulfilled them. Many scholars identify over 350 prophecies fulfilled in Christ… but is that accurate? To answer this we must learn to recognize the difference between a true prophecy, a perceived prophecy and a picture.

• True prophecy is where God, a prophet or a man of God uses directly identifies accurately a future event. This includes new testament identification of old testament events as a prophecy specifically revealed.
• A perceived prophecy is looking back at past events and recognizing similarities between events and placing the perception of prophecy.
• A picture is where events are identified or shown as an example or to give clarity of a current event.

Luke 24:25  Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Example of a true prophecy

Isaiah 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Validation as a true prophecy

• Is it God directed
• It is not in context of an historical event – it is made by a prophet – it is specific
• IT IS CLEARLY IDENTIFIED AS A PROPHECY

Examine the following verse in context… it does not fit within the historical account being given.

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

The whole chapter of Isaiah 53 does not fit the historical accounts in 52 and 54, was made through a prophet and is specific to a future event.

Jeremiah 23:5  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

It was the wording that many missed in the New Testament as they were looking for a King to save them from bondage.. not sin. Looking back we can easily see the difference… but Israel knew nothing of faith … only of the Law!

Jeremiah 31:31  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

2^ND Coming of Christ

Jude 1:14  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

14 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

As these examples show they, and many others are, these prophecies are either God directed, the passage was not in context of an historical event, was made by a God called prophet plus the prophecy is specific and IS CLEARLY IDENTIFIED AS A PROPHECY.

Examples of perceived prophecy

Remember that perceived prophecy is where someone, looking across the finished work of God, perceives similarities between new testament events and old testament historical accounts and perceives them as prophetic. It’s important to know that oftimes a historical account is just that… a historical event. A careful bible student must “refrain” from reading into a passage a prophetical reference.

Here are a few examples of perceived prophecy that are commonly taught:

The crucifixion is of Christ after the fall of man in sin

Genesis 3:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

While this holds great similitudes to the crucifixion and the cutting off of the head of the beast in Revelation, if we place this verse to the scrutiny of prophecy… it appears more historical than prophetical.

Christ’s ascension foretold

Genesis 5:24  And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

While this is a great picture of the resurrection of Christ or the Church (I’ve heard them both ways) it also does not maintain the basic rules for a prophetical reference (see above)

The last supper foretold

Genesis 14:18  And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Jesus as the lamb of God –

Genesis 22:8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.     

Jesus being in hell

Daniel 3:25  He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

While all of these are perhaps great pictures of new testament events; they do not meet the prophetical criteria. Therefore they are in context a historical reference or picture.

Example of a Picture

A picture is where events are identified or shown as an example or to give clarity of a current event. Jesus himself makes many, many references to old testament events as an example or a picture so that the hearers get a better understanding.

Matthew 12:40  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Romans 5:14  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

1 Peter 1:19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Enoch was a picture of the Rapture or ascension of Christ

Genesis 5:24  And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

We See other pictures of Christ in:

• Passover Lamb – Exodus 12:3
• Brazen Serpent – Numbers 28
• Great Judge – 1 Sam 2:10
• Jesus Raised from the dead – Hebrews 11:19
• And more…

Picture of the rapture and blindness after

Genesis 19:4  But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.

11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

Picture of salvation and the end times in Noah’s ark

Matthew 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

More sure word

It is good to recognize the fact  that we have the finished work of God, a more sure word of prophecy… meaning that what we have in the King James Bible is better that one speaking a prophetical announcement!

2 Peter 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

 

The Old Testament Law is there to establish that all have sinned and come short… Even more than that they (the law) gives order to chaos. Remember that when Israel was set apart they were, by definition, the same as everyone else.. heathen. It was the establishment of this law and order that set them apart from every other society during that time.

The Old Testament law is divided into three main areas: Civil, Ceremonial and Moral.

Remember God’s plan was to always bring man back to the one on one fellowship seen in the Garden.

1. Civil = Laws that help people deal with other people.

• Cattle of neighbor (Deut. 22:1-4)
• Bad kids (Deut. 21:18-21)
• Debt (Lev. 23:34-43; Deut. 31:10)
• Divorce (Deut. 22:19)
• What to wear (Deut. 22:5)
• Inheritance (Num. 18:26; 26:53-56; 36:8-12)
• Justice practices (Lev. 24:17-23)
• Landmarks (Deuteronomy 19:14)
• Property redemption (Lev. 25)
• Murder and killing (Deut. 21:1-4)
• Retain just scales in commerce (Lev. 19:35f)
• Robbery, extortion, false witness, and restitution (Lev. 6:1-7)
• Sabbath breaking punishment (Num. 15:32-36)
• Theft (Deut. 5:19; Lev. 19:11)
• Warfare (Deut. 20:1-20)

Today we see something like this in our civil law and court system. Just as then, these laws are in effect when the government can enforce them. When the authority of the Jewish Government ended… so did the enforcement of these laws. They then, by default, became moral laws.

2. Ceremonial – These laws dealt with the details of worship. Many of these laws become as non-effect with the removal of the law to grace and the replacement of the priestly mediator being a man to Jesus.

• Sterilization of the house of leper (Lev. 14:33-57; Num. 5:2)
• Festivals (Lev. 23:1-25; Nu. 29:39)
• Laws on animals for food (Lev. 11:1-47)
• Law of Atonement (Lev. 16:1-28;17:1-16)
• Offerings (Num. 29:39)
• Priest, consecration of (Ex. 29:1-46)
• Priestly duties (Lev. 7:1-37)
• Regulations for Priests (Lev. 21,22)
• Various sacrificial offerings for sin (Lev. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

These are no longer in effect after the finished work of Christ (Matt. 3:15).

3. Moral – These laws have no time limit and are seen all the way from the Garden of Eden to the Great White throne Judgment. They are a “condition of the heart”.

“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy,” (Lev. 19:2).

• Idolatry (Lev. 26:1-13)
• Love God (Deut. 6:4)
• Love your neighbor as yourself (Lev. 19:18)
• Oppress your neighbor (Lev. 19:13)
• Stealing or lying (Lev. 19:11)
• Sexual sins: adultery, incest, bestiality, homosexuality, etc. (Lev. 18:20; 20:9-21; Num. 5:12-15)

The 10 Commandments

By definition the 10 commandments are moral. In fact the particular nature of the 10 could even be seen as 10 categories; where any trespass can categorized under each of these. The 10 commandments are also see as the law that is written in their heart.

Romans 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

In fact in the new testament the Civil and Ceremonial laws may have been set aside due to the new covenant; but the moral laws are still in effect and written in our heart… sometimes called “the conscious”. This is in part of the new coventant that Christ brings:

Jeremiah 31:31  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

 

Leviticus 26:9  For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.

10 And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new.

11 And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.

12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

VERY IMPORTANT… take this slow

Moses

For the relevance of this chart I will not take the time to go over the life of Moses. If anyone would like to read over that the account starts in Exodus chapter 2

Faith vs. the Law

It is important to note that faith was not a failed dispensation under Abraham but rather stage of progression. Faith gives a man a goal but not the tools to attain it. The Law provides the tools but does not establish the goal. When you combine the tools it gives God’s people (Israel) what they need to fulfil and attain God’s promise (note: the Abramic Covenant is still in effect)

The Law

The deliverance of Gods commandments were part of Gods plan to further establish a people to himself. It was also meant to reveal to God’s people what sin was. By placing a legal based system God could help establish order from chaos… and apart from that of the heathen. This stark contrast would not only identify Israel as Gods chosen… but would make them hated by the world as well.  In addition the law being established would help further God’s plan for a need of a Saviour. Note these verses:

The purpose of the Law

Romans 3:19  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Making a pathway for Christ

Romans 5:13  (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

God’s first delivery was directly to the people

Exodus 19:9  And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.

Read verse 16 through end of chapter

Exodus 20:18  And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

Exodus 21-24 are the statues that God spoke in addition to the 10 commandments..

But the people would not hear them…

Exodus 24:4  And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Exodus 24:7  And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.

Exodus 24:12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

The Law delivered and contained

Exodus 25-32 Moses went to the top of the mount to receive further instructions

Exodus 31:18  And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

Exodus 32:15  And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.

16 And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

Tablets were broken by Moses

Exodus 32:19  And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

God made second set… but this time had them placed in the ark… so Moses wouldn’t break them again…

Deuteronomy 10:1  At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.

2 And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark.

3 And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand.

4 And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.

5 And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me.

Deuteronomy 31:9  And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.

The unique relationship of God and Moses

Deuteronomy 4:36  Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.

Exodus 33:9  And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.

10 And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.

11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

The book vs. the tablets

2 Chronicles 34:14  And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses.

Deuteronomy 4:13  And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.

14 And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.

Joshua 22:5  But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

The difference outlined by God

2 Kings 21:8  Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.

Deuteronomy 31:24  And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,

25 That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,

26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

Law of Moses

It is interesting to note that the “law of Moses” is listed independently of God’s commandments 21 times in the scriptures. When studying these independently you begin to see the Moses law not only included God’s Commandments, statutes and judgements but also contained laws made by Moses himself; especially in the area of judgements. This means that God trusted Moses enough to give Moses the authority make laws as needed to keep the order of the people. In doing so GOD HIMSELF blessed these laws as if they came directly from Him.

Mark 10:2  And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

This is the directive outlines in Pastoral Authority. When a scriptural Pastor has been placed in a Church the Pastor has the authority to create statutes that will help keep the order of the people.

Differences in Tables of stone, the law and commandments

Exodus 24:12  And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

The completeness of the ten commandments

Deuteronomy 5:22  These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

To understand the importance of Abraham to our chart and doctrine we need to look at 2 key words: “unto himself”

Old Testament

• Deuteronomy 29:13 That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

New Testament

• Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

We find that through the mist of all that was wrong in the world through sin God desired to have a people “unto Himself” Abraham was the man that God would use to establish a covenant with to bring his plan to fruition.

God’s plan – the land and the seed

Genesis 17:1  And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

God promise was important – God’s promise was unconditional – God’s doesn’t break His promises.

Galatians 3:6  Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Galatians Chapter 3 gives us great insight into God’s plan through the ages. God made a covenant Abraham, not as the forerunner of the law… but the forerunner of faith. God desired to call a people unto Himself, so he sought a man that would walk by faith and not by sight. This was to become a faithful people through the seed of Abraham. In addition to the promised land God would use Abraham’s seed to establish the line of Christ would come through.

IF GOD’S PROMISE was made through the course of the Law then the promise would have become void when the law was no longer in effect. In essence the promise would have been conditional based on the obedience of the people. If the people broke their end of the agreement, God would have been justified to remove the promise.

BUT because the promise was made by faith prior to, and with no consideration of, the law… it was unconditional and God keeps his promise.

Romans 4:11  And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

REMEMBER ABRAHAM IS NOT THE SYMBOL OF THE LAW BUT RATHER THE FAITH THAT GOD PREFERRED AND SEEN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVER!

The Sign

Old Testament

Genesis 17:11  And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

New Testament

Colossians 2:10  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Abraham, as it relates to our chart, teaches that God made a promise to a specific man for a specific purpose for a specific time to fulfil His plan to bring about mankind back into fellowship. He was promised a land and a seed. This promise is still in effect and has NOT YET BEEN FULFILLED!  

Genesis 10:8  And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.

9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.

10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

Genesis Chapter 10 gives a family tree of Noah and how the population developed.

Note the verse:

Genesis 10:32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.

All ancestry can be traced back to one of these 3 sons:

• Shem – Known now as Shemites or Semites (Asian, Jewish)
• Ham – Hamites (African)
• Japheth – Jephethites (European).

Between the flood and the tower of Babel was approximately 340 years. During this time the population grew quickly but moved about not making a home. Using conservative estimates on a average growth rate of 3.5% that would put the population at near one million.

THEN

Genesis 11:1  And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.

8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.

9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

The importance of this event is this is where God divided the nations and the languages. It is interesting how modern scientists attempt to identify that mankind developed language on their own, while it is true that many dialects have been developed… the basic root of language was not only established in the Garden, but here at Babel they left with 3 different languages that they didn’t need to learn!

Note: What came first, the chicken or the egg? The Bible and Christian perspective is that we believe the Genesis account of creation and the tracking of time from creation to now be approximately 7 to 10 thousand years of recorded history.  We believe that:

• God created the Light on Day 1.
• God created the firmament in Day 2.
• God created the land, grass, trees, seeds and fruit on day 3.
• God created the moon and the stars on day 4.
• God created fish and birds on day 5.
• God Created the animals, snakes and bugs on day 6.

These 6 literal days the plants were created in their fully grown form, animals were created fully grown with their gender and man was created fully grown with knowledge and understanding of language. 

Quite frankly to answer the question of what came first the chicken or the egg?

Bible says: the chicken

Science says: that a spontaneous goo of protein that existed in a primordial soup made its way toward a rock, oozed its way to the rock and began to create oxygen, then spontaneously a tail began to form then eyes, legs lungs and reproductive organs. Then it developed a spine then became a bird, no a fish.. maybe a monkey.. then the monkey started talking, before you know it became a man started driving and ended up giving itself a PHD and teaching in your nearest liberal college.

Now which one requires more faith to believe?

As we see the further effects of sin we need to start to view the chart and our textual evidence in the light of God beginning to use events with the mindset of bringing mankind back to the way it was in the garden. We come to a point where sin had risen to a point that is was on the hearts of man continually:

Genesis 6:5  And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

In the light of how this event in the scriptures finds its way to our chart we need only to look at the comparison that the bible makes between the days of Noah and the last days:

Luke 17:26  And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Let’s compare what the scriptures further:

Genesis 6:8  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Genesis 6:9  These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

Compare to the last days:

2 Timothy 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

So simply looking at the news, in our schools, through our politics and even in our churches we see how it was in the days of Noah because we see it today first hand. But just as God made a way to escape for Noah and those who would believe, God made a way for us today through Jesus Christ. The account of Noah is a great picture of Salvation. Let’s look at a few:

Noah was a preacher

2 Peter 2:5  And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Jesus was a Preacher

Matthew 4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

There was only one door to get into the ark

Genesis 6:16  A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.

There is only one way into heaven

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

NOTE: Why did God choose to use Gopher wood? Noah would need wood and his kids would go-fer it.

1 John 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Sin Entered the World

To get started in our study we are not focusing on the fact that God created Heaven and Earth, we’ll not focus on the fact that God created everything in its adult form in six/ 24 hour literal days, we’ll not focus on the fact that the light that was created was created before the sun and the moon, we’ll not focus on the fact that God made a man fashioned after himself, we’ll not focus on the fact that God created all the animals and gave them to Adam to name, we’ll not focus on the fact that God saw that it was not good for Adam to be alone so he made Eve… We WILL focus on the fact that SIN messed all that up.

Genesis 3:1  Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Note when sin is introduced the FIRST thing that happens is God’s word get changed!

Let’s reflect what God had said:

Genesis 2:16  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

One of the things that satan has attacked over the centuries is when sin is interjected mankind wants to change the word of God to suit their purposes.

Revelation 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Back to Genesis

Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

It is true that there are some things in life that God doesn’t want you to know. There are times when satan will want you to learn some things that are true… that God in his wisdom doesn’t want you to know yet. Parents can relate that there are truths that we don’t want our children to know about: drugs, sex, alcohol or death. So satan told the truth but, his truth laid the seed of covetous and pulled a thread of sin and unraveled the foundations that God had established.  

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

1 John 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Let’s see how this all unraveled

Lust of the flesh: “saw that the tree was good for food”

Lust of the eyes: “it was pleasant to the eyes”

Pride of life: “desired to make one wise”

Sin rarely is done alone. We always want to bring others into our sin to justify ourselves: “gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

The Result

7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

As a Chaplain I have seen the results of sin… first hand. House to house and door to door I have held the hand of those who realized the results of their sin, for sin is no respecter of persons. Held to my chest the sobbing face streaming tears from the tragic death of a loved one, for sin is no respecter of persons. Laid on the hospital floor to comfort a mother distraught from the death of a child when she was told she rolled over in her sleep and smothered her own child, for sin is no respecter of persons. I have seen the root of sin consume a young 12 year old girl when she tasted sin at the hands of an 18 year old, chasing after sexual relationships like a drug addict having sex 6-8 times a week, for sin is no respecter of persons.

The results of sin has corrupted all that is in the world, God, desiring that people would choose not to sin… set in motion events to eventually bring the world back to Him; like it was in the garden at the cool of the day. These events are those that we see on the chart and in the scriptures.

Additional

We see the Trinity at creation

Genesis 1:26  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Notice us and our… You can not have plural without more than one person! We see here, in the beginning, all the parts of the Trinity assembled together.

All the world were vegetarians

Genesis 1:29  And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

After the flood it changed

Genesis 9:3  Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.