I now want to look briefly at the history of God’s people during both the Old Testament and New Testament periods of time. I will mention the books of the Bible, lands, characters, institutions of each Testament and approximate dates of each. This will be just a prelude of God’s Wonderful Plan which we will discuss in more detail later in this book.
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
Genesis reveals the creation, the establishment of the first home, Adam and Eve’s fellowship with God, and their temptation and fall into sin. Through Noah, the Flood, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God develops Israel, the Jewish nation. About 1500 BC, Moses leads the Israelites out of their Egyptian bondage and toward the promised land of Canaan. During their journey, God gave the First (Old) Testament to Israel at Mount Sinai. Later at the border of the promised land, the Jews lack of faith to conquer the land caused God to send them into the wilderness for 40 years.
Joshua, Judges 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings and Chronicles
After Moses death, Joshua was appointed leader of Israel. He led the Israelites through the conflict of this period. After Joshua’s death, about 1405 BC, God raised up judges to govern the people under his theocratic government. In 1105 BC Israel asked for a human-king, and under Samuel’s direction Saul was anointed King. 1 & 2 Kings and Chronicles show the history of the Kings of united Israel to 975 BC.
1 & 2 Kings, Chronicles, The Prophets, Mathew, Mark, Luke and John
Internal strife among the Israelites at the death of Solomon created a division in the Kingdom. The ten northern tribes became known as Israel, while the two southern most tribes constituted Judah. The prophets did their work during these troublesome years. For their disobedience Israel was lost to the Assyrian conquest, while Judah suffered through a 70 year exile in Babylon. In 535 BC, the Jews returned to their land to rebuild the Temple and walls of Jerusalem. The remnant of a once great nation waited 500 years for the prophesied appearance of John and the Messiah-Christ. John prepared the people for Christ’s coming and to receive the Second (New) Testament by which Christ would build his Church - Kingdom. The four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell of the life and work of John and Christ in the closing years of the Old Testament period. The death of Christ-the Jewish Messiah signaled the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament period.
The New Testament Period
The New Testament period begins with the book of Acts and continues through Revelation in our Bibles. These books show the work of the Apostles and their preaching of the gospel which established the Church - Kingdom in every place where men heard and obeyed the gospel. The New Testament was completely revealed by 100 AD. Secular history reveals the apostasy (falling away) during the post apostolic period and the later rise of Catholicism and Protestant denominationalism, showing the cause of today’s religious confusion and conditions. †
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
Genesis reveals the creation, the establishment of the first home, Adam and Eve’s fellowship with God, and their temptation and fall into sin. Through Noah, the Flood, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God develops Israel, the Jewish nation. About 1500 BC, Moses leads the Israelites out of their Egyptian bondage and toward the promised land of Canaan. During their journey, God gave the First (Old) Testament to Israel at Mount Sinai. Later at the border of the promised land, the Jews lack of faith to conquer the land caused God to send them into the wilderness for 40 years.
Joshua, Judges 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings and Chronicles
After Moses death, Joshua was appointed leader of Israel. He led the Israelites through the conflict of this period. After Joshua’s death, about 1405 BC, God raised up judges to govern the people under his theocratic government. In 1105 BC Israel asked for a human-king, and under Samuel’s direction Saul was anointed King. 1 & 2 Kings and Chronicles show the history of the Kings of united Israel to 975 BC.
1 & 2 Kings, Chronicles, The Prophets, Mathew, Mark, Luke and John
Internal strife among the Israelites at the death of Solomon created a division in the Kingdom. The ten northern tribes became known as Israel, while the two southern most tribes constituted Judah. The prophets did their work during these troublesome years. For their disobedience Israel was lost to the Assyrian conquest, while Judah suffered through a 70 year exile in Babylon. In 535 BC, the Jews returned to their land to rebuild the Temple and walls of Jerusalem. The remnant of a once great nation waited 500 years for the prophesied appearance of John and the Messiah-Christ. John prepared the people for Christ’s coming and to receive the Second (New) Testament by which Christ would build his Church - Kingdom. The four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell of the life and work of John and Christ in the closing years of the Old Testament period. The death of Christ-the Jewish Messiah signaled the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament period.
The New Testament Period
The New Testament period begins with the book of Acts and continues through Revelation in our Bibles. These books show the work of the Apostles and their preaching of the gospel which established the Church - Kingdom in every place where men heard and obeyed the gospel. The New Testament was completely revealed by 100 AD. Secular history reveals the apostasy (falling away) during the post apostolic period and the later rise of Catholicism and Protestant denominationalism, showing the cause of today’s religious confusion and conditions. †