Saturday, April 22, 2017

Bible Hourglass



~ This Bible Outline Encompasses All Time ~

Introduction  ~  The hour glass representation begins at the broad base of Creation and moves in ever narrowing fashion to the human family; to the covenant people; to the preserved remnant; and to Jesus Christ, the One in whom the purpose of God is fulfilled.

Then out from the One the story moves in ever expanding fashion to the Apostles; to the Church; to Mankind; and finally to the broad base of the New Creation.  (If you are reading this on a syndicated website and the text below does not communicate the introversion clearly you may have to go to the actual “Abundant Life Now” web page for clarity.)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………
……..……………………An Hourglass of Biblical Time…………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………...…* * * * * * * * * *…………………..………………. 
The Christian……………...….*…………....……*………Original Creation
takes his stand…………….….*...… B.C. …...*..…...Adam and Eve ………...
with Christ at the..……………...*…….…...*……..Abraham—Israel ….…...  
crossroads of history. ...…….… *…….*……...The Remnant ………….…...
Jesus Christ is the focal point! .....**…...The One—Jesus Christ! ….….
He looks back from Christ…......*.......*……...The Apostles ………….……
to creation and forward………*……..…*….....The Church ……………..…
from Christ to the………..…...*...... A.D. ......*…....Mankind ………………....
New Creation. …………....…..*…………....……*……...The New Creation ..
…………………………..……….…* * * * * * * * * * ……..………………………….....    
…………………………………………………………………………………………….……

Comment  ~  The parallels between the events B.C. and the events A.D. are not accidental.  As God created in the beginning and His creation was good so He will create a new heaven and a new earth.  As there was a beginning, so there will be an end; it will not be a dead end, but a new beginning.  All evil will be put down and God will reign forever. 

As the story of Adam and Eve clearly shows the involvement of all men in the problem of evil, so the gospel is directed to all men, for their predicament is essentially the same in all generations (Romans 5:19). 

As God called into being a special people, Israel, as the instrument of His saving purpose, so He called into being the new Israel (the Christian Church) as the body of Christ. 

As there was a remnant within old Israel, so there was a remnant that received Jesus as the promised Messiah and Savior and became the nucleus of the expanding church. 

Jesus is the One who is the key to the whole story of salvation.  

Reference  ~  If you enjoyed this post you may also appreciate a previous ALN post entitled “Bible Introversion” published April 15, 2017.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:
(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.
(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.
(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 
(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Friday, April 21, 2017

Fear God, 66



~ Fear of God Leads to Praise to God ~

God does not want His children living in fear.  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).  However, God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him.  We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear God.”  

This Week’s Passage  ~  I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You.  You who fear the Lord, praise Him!  All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, and fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!  For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He hidden His face from Him; but when He cried to Him, He heard” (Psalm 22:22-24). 

Fearing God Results in Salvation  ~  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  A wise person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16).  This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life which reverences God and seeks to do His will. 

Fearing God Results in Fearlessness  ~  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).  The answer is: only God.  With the gift of salvation comes responsibility.

Fearing God Results in Witnessing  ~  “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:
(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.
(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.
(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 
(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Rejoice, 2of4



~ Where and When Should a Christian Rejoice Regardless of Circumstances ~

Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done marvelous things!” (Joel 2:21).  This four-part series looks at the Who, What, When, Where, and How of Biblical rejoicing.  

Where Should We Rejoice?

Throughout Your Daily Life  ~  “So he commanded the chariot to stand still.  And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.  Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:38-39). 

When Should We Rejoice?

All the Time  ~  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). 

important  ~  Any Christian who remains conscious of all that Christ has done for them at the Cross of Calvary and all they possess because they are a child of God will maintain an on-going attitude of gratitude regardless of their earthly situation. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:
(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.
(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.
(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 
(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .