2 Eden to Eternity Introduction p. 2

The premise of the study: 

In one of our conversations that my brother and I had concerning the scriptures, I asserted to him that in order to make sense of world history you needed to ask yourself how the movements of nations would have an effect on the nation of Israel. 

Since he was a believer in replacement theology, i.e. the idea that the church has replaced Israel, he didn't buy my assertion.

This study recognizes that both Biblical history and the history of nations are interwoven to progressively reveal Christ to and through His creation. For any who are attuned to this, history teaches mankind the truth of His word, the wisdom of His Word and the power of His Word. 

The existence and influence of the tiny nation of Israel over several millennia is a testament to the fact that it somehow fits into God's sovereign will. This study attempts to explore that reality.

In order to rightly understand the Bible we need to understand its dominant themes. The revelation of Jesus Christ from Creation to Coronation is the dominant theme that this study concerns itself with. My prayer is that it would bring clarity and equip us to explain God’s Kingdom program to our children, grandchildren and whatever other spheres of influence the Lord puts us in.

The purpose of this study:

1. To help us to see what God is accomplishing from Eden to Eternity; 
2. To help us to feel more confident in communicating that purpose; 
3. To motivate us to live out that purpose. 

The Power of this study:

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." - 

Romans 1:16-17 KJV

“Where there is no hope in the future there is no power in the present”

God reveals Himself personally to us from faith to faith. Christian experience from the moment of salvation to the day of our death should include progressive depth of scriptural study. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the righteousness of God, (His goodness), is progressively revealed to us and through us as justified believers in Christ.

This class is intended to be a stimulus to bible study, not a substitute. It should cause you to question more answers than have me answer more questions. (Not to raise doubt but to foster depth and clarity)

The program of this study…

This study is taken from a dispensational perspective. In the Greek New Testament the word "oikonomia" is translated 'dispensation' four times. It is also translated as 'stewardship' three times and 'edifying' one time.

The word "oikonomia" the is the word that we get our English word economy from. Just as an economy describes how goods and services are dispensed, the word dispensation defines the method that God uses to dispense truth about Himself. God Himself does not change but as the first verse of Hebrews tells us, God uses diverse means at different times to speak to us.

 

e.g. the dispensation of government was given to Noah; The dispensation of the law to Moses; The dispensation of grace is found in Christ and given to His apostles to proclaim. This is specifically referred to in the ministry of the Apostle Paul:

"If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:" - Ephesians 3:2 KJV

This does not mean that grace did not exist before Christ’s first appearance on earth, nor does it mean that it will cease to exist after Christ’s second appearance on earth. It just means that, at this time, God is revealing His grace in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is different than the the dispensation of glory that will be revealed when Christ reigns supreme on the earth. (1 Peter 4:13; 5:1; Romans 8:18)

As we continue in this study, we have to have settled, the matter of our eternal security. This is the result of having faith in God that what He promises, He will do.

Lord willing, we will look at this in the next post. I am excited to have you join me in the college of the Holy Spirit for this study!

A Philosophy of learning:

Dr. Howard Hendricks pointed out that maximum learning is the result of maximum involvement. Educational philosophy recognizes that listening to a lecture we have the potential of remembering only 10 percent of what we hear…that is only potential.

If we apply visual aids to hearing, that potential increases to 50%. However if we add doing to hearing and seeing, then the potential increases to 90%!

So, as a study aid, we need to be able to process and practice what we learn. There are three questions that I have found helpful to ask myself and put into practice whenever God speaks to me through personal study or preaching. As part of study,  recording a journal, either in writing or verbally is a very helpful way of learning the patterns and principles of Holy Scripture (the Bible). 

May I suggest that you ask and write down the following?:

1. My Walk: What is my biggest takeaway from this message? Or…What points do I find most encouraging, illuminating or corrective in my thinking?
2. My Witness: What points would I find most useful in speaking to an unbeliever?
3. My Worship: Write or record a prayer based on what I learn.