What is the Bible About?
This is an overview of what the bible is about. An overview can help you see where you are at in time and in God's plan.
1. The Bible contains 66 books: 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. It was written over a 1500 year span by great men of God that were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). The Bible is also an accurate history book. There is other historical documentation that proves the accuracy of the Bible.
1. The Bible contains 66 books: 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. It was written over a 1500 year span by great men of God that were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). The Bible is also an accurate history book. There is other historical documentation that proves the accuracy of the Bible.
*The bible was written progressively through history. It was written dispensational.
*The bible is divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament. However, not everything contained in the Old testament is part of the Old testament and not everything in the New Testament is the New Testament. |
2. The bible is about God, His plan, and His relationship to man. It tells of Him, His great love for us, and about our purpose.
A. Forest: Who God Is:Love; Our Purpose(Isaiah43:7); Free Will; Spiritual War(2 Timothy 2:3,4)
B. The purpose of us glorifying God is to return love to love- it is about love. God is love and He wants to give and show love to all of the world. He had a plan before the foundation of the world to die for us- to show us love. C. Faith is throughout the bible. Man should believe God- what He says. God speaks through the bible. D. God shows physical and the spiritual divisions throughout the bible. See: Physical vs. Spiritual at video studies |
3. God progressively (dispensational) shows us His plan for the world.
A. In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1 This is a division of heaven (spiritual) and the earth (physical). He starts natural, earthy, physical and then progresses to spiritual, heavenly.
B. God is showing His will that He might gather together in ONE all things in Christ. Ephesians 1:9,10 |
4. ADAM Physical 1 Corinthians 15:45-50
God created the physical earth and all the inhabitants including man and woman.
God created the physical earth and all the inhabitants including man and woman.
A. God gave Adam dominion over the earth and animals.
B. Because God gives man choice, free will, he chooses to sin. Genesis 3 C. Consequences of sin changed the earth to a hard place. Genesis 3:17-19 D. The relationship of man to God changed due to sin. Romans 5:17-19 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. |
5. ABRAHAM to MOSES
A. Until Abram, God was dealing with the whole world- individually. He selected Abraham (Abram) to start a people to bear His name and be a light to the world- a physical proof of Him. Abraham, Isaac, and then Jacob were given the promise from God of land, a great nation, and all the families of the earth to be blessed by them. In Isaac shall the seed be called. Genesis 26:3,4; Romans 9:3-10; Galatians 3:29
God changes Jacob's name to Israel and his 12 sons begin the nation of Israel. B. MOSES Israel is a representation of earthy, physical. After their release from bondage and because of their transgressions, the law was given through Moses. The law was comprised of 3 parts: moral, civil, and ceremonial. The law taught the people how to deal with one another, live as a nation, how to worship, and approach God. These laws set Israel apart from other nations. Through their physical practices, it showed the world that there was a one true creator God. Exodus 24:3,4,7,12 The law was required for obedience, to be physically in right standing with God. Spiritually, it has always been faith that has determined right standing with God. C. God deals with all people, then the Jew, then all people, then the Jew. When grace entered, God then deals with all people again. |
6. CHRIST
A. Salvation is extended to Israel
Jesus is the Christ- the messiah that Israel was waiting for. He came to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, to fulfill prophecy, and to be the mediator of the new testament. He was the Son of God and died as payment for the sins of Israel. |
*Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
* Luke 4:18,19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. *Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (speaking of Israel) |
B. Salvation is extended to gentiles Galatians 3:13,14; 1 Timothy 2:3-6
C. 1 Corinthians 15:45-50 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. |
7. PAUL and THE BODY OF CHRIST
A. Grace alone (salvation and daily life) which is spiritual, is all that is needed (no work or law). Both Jews and gentiles were extended this grace. It was revealed to Paul that we are all part of Christ's body.
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*Ephesians 3:1-7 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery ... Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
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B. The body of Christ
We are heavenly. We are seated in heavenly places- spiritually. * Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12,13 *The body of Christ is spiritual: Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 1:12,13 |
8. RAPTURE
The rapture is a catching away of the church. The believers which are mostly comprised of gentiles in the body of Christ are taken up into the clouds to be with Jesus. This event removes the (church) gentiles who were grafted in for the provocation (Romans 11:11). The rapture must happen before tribulation because it is about God dealing with Israel.
The rapture is a catching away of the church. The believers which are mostly comprised of gentiles in the body of Christ are taken up into the clouds to be with Jesus. This event removes the (church) gentiles who were grafted in for the provocation (Romans 11:11). The rapture must happen before tribulation because it is about God dealing with Israel.
*1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
*Romans 11:25,26 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob |
9. TRIBULATION
God deals with all people, then the Jew, then all people, then the Jew. Gentiles were grafted in to provoke Israel to jealousy. After the fullness of the gentiles has come in, then God will deal with the nation of Israel. Troublous times will come upon all the earth. Israel will be the focus. Two thirds of Jews will die in the seven years of tribulation. Then at the end, one third will be saved.
God deals with all people, then the Jew, then all people, then the Jew. Gentiles were grafted in to provoke Israel to jealousy. After the fullness of the gentiles has come in, then God will deal with the nation of Israel. Troublous times will come upon all the earth. Israel will be the focus. Two thirds of Jews will die in the seven years of tribulation. Then at the end, one third will be saved.
*Romans 11:11 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.
*Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. *Zechariah 13:8,9 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. *Romans 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved |
10. MILLENNIAL REIGN
A. The millennial reign is a thousand year period in which Christ will reign as king. Israel's promised kingdom is established at Christ's return. All Israel will finally be saved and living in their promised land. There will still be free will during the millennial reign but Israel will no longer sin.
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*Acts 15:15,16 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
*Jeremiah 31:31-34 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: 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: 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. 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. *Ezekiel 36:25-28 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. |
B. The earth will be like it was in the beginning- garden of Eden. Israel will flourish. They will finally be a light to the world as they were supposed to.
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*Isaiah 65:17-25 ....The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
*Zecariah 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. |
11. DISPENSATION OF FULLNESS OF TIMES
God gathers heaven and earth together in Christ.
*Ephesians 1:9,10 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: *Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. *Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. |