Open The Book
Unwrap the complex and fascinating story of the world’s greatest book—THE BIBLE.
This God inspired message consists of sixty-six books written by many authors over a fifteen-hundred year period and yet it conveys one divine story. Some only look at this book as a collection of ancient poetry, history and letters which are then divided into what is called the Old and New Testaments. But it is so much more than that. The Bible, though large and diverse, has a running plot that weaves all the various books and stories together. Collectively they are designed to lead you to Jesus. The truth and power of this one story transcends all cultures and time. This narrative originated with God and it communicates accurately His message. He opens His story with “In the beginning” and closes with a glorious wedding in the everlasting kingdom. Death and chaos are vanquished, and He and His people live happily ever after. This is no fairy-tale, it is the epic account of God’s plan and purpose which shall surely come to pass.
GOD
Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Absolute, Eternal
Many people talk about God. But are they really talking about the God of the Bible? How can you know? The answer is God has made Himself known through His Word. More can be known of God than any other person. The Bible distinguishes the Most High God from all others by His Incommunicable Attributes.
The Plan
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done
On Earth As It Is In Heaven.
In the beginning God and Adam walked together in a garden on a mountain. It was a sacred place where heaven and earth were dynamically connected to each other. The whole earth was not like this garden kingdom. Adam and Eve were in this garden with the earthly creatures God created; the heavenly creatures were there also. Adam and Eve could see God as they walked and talked with Him. They recognized His voice. There was nothing separating them. The two realms were flowing together; this was called Eden. This modeled our Father’s eternal plan. One day Eden will be restored.
The Problem
Evil Enters God’s Good World
God is not the source of evil, even though He foreknew what man would do. Evil is the perversion of God’s goodness in giving His highest creations free-will. Free-will is part of being made in His image. Though God foreknows what we will do, it does not mean we have no choice. Nor does it mean our choices are always a part of His plan. However, our choices are important because they do have consequences. When we choose to call something good which God has called evil, this is rebellion. This is what happened in the opening chapters of Genesis. It is the first of several recorded rebellions, some heavenly, some earthly and others a combination of both. These rebellions are the reason we experience separation, suffering and death. It is why there is evil in God’s good earth. The Good News is this is not the end of the story. God is so good that He has made a way for us to return to Him; and if we do He will work all things together for our good.
The Solution
An Eternal Substitutionary Sacrifice: The Lamb of God
The rebellion that took place among God’s created beings resulted in the separation of the two created realms, the heavenly from earthly. It also opened the door to death in all its forms. But God had a solution that would redeem mankind and restore the union of heaven and earth. That solution required an eternal substitutionary sacrifice. Jesus Christ is the foreordained Lamb that would take away the sin of the world.
The Promise
The Restoration of All Things
“He is in heaven now and must remain there until the day of universal restoration comes—the restoration which in ancient times God announced through the holy prophets.” Acts 3:2
From the time when man left the garden he has always looked for a full restoration and return. The prophets saw it a far off, it is the glorious part of the Day of the Lord. The Apostles also spoke of that day and knew it would not take place until Jesus comes back. His return ushers in the Millennial Kingdom. It is under the Dominion of Jesus that the earth will mature in righteousness. This restoration of all things is in preparation for the coming of the Father.