1. EMMAUS BIBLE SCHOOL UK A JOURNEY
ONLINE COURSES THROUGH TIME
WITH GOD
Lesson 1
I INTRODUCTION
The greatest knowledge a person can have is a WHO IS GOD?
knowledge of God. Human thought at its best GOD is an eternal Being, “the high and lofty One who
centres on God: who He is, what He has done, is inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy” (Isaiah 57.15). He is
doing and will yet do. The Bible brings this timeless in His existence, limitless in His power, changeless
knowledge to us. God desires to communicate in His character, boundless in His wisdom, faultless in His
with us for our enlightenment and blessing. He
actions and ceaseless in His love. In His divine purpose
has not, therefore, presented us with a book of
puzzles for us to solve as best we can. The Bible God has designed the ages of time – a short but highly
has been written to clarify and inform, not to significant interlude in the ages of eternity.
mystify and mislead. God clearly intends us to
understand what has been written, for He wishes
to make Himself and His purposes known to us.
God is engaged in an eternal work with important
events taking place during the ages of time.
Divine purposes move ever onwards. They can
never be defeated, deferred or deflected. The
eternal God is steering the course of the ages
with unerring precision, in spite of the way things
often seem. The Bible presents to us the
unfolding of these purposes, with God working
progressively through time towards His desired
end.
This course has these great truths in mind. It will
take you on a journey which covers the whole of
time, from its beginning in Genesis to its Our journey through these ages of time is divided into
conclusion in Revelation. But most importantly of
sixteen stages which mark important periods of time or
all you will be travelling with God, for this is a
points in time throughout the Bible.
journey through His book, the Bible, from the
past, up to the present and on into the future.
These 16 stages are –
We invite you to take this journey and trust you
will find it informative and challenging. 1. CREATION 2. CORRUPTION
3. CONDEMNATION 4. CONFUSION
5. COVENANT 6. CRUELTY
7. COMMANDMENTS 8. CONQUESTS
Stages 1 – 4 GENESIS 1 - 11 9. CROWNINGS 10. CAPTIVITY
11. CONSTRUCTION 12. CONFLICT
2100 years 13. CHRIST 14. CHURCH
15. CLIMAX 16. COMPLETION
Stages 5 – 8 GENESIS - JUDGES 1100 years
The first twelve stages cover the Old Testament and the
last four cover the New Testament. This chart shows the
1000 years SAMUEL - MALACHI Stages 9 - 12
books of the Bible covered by these stages and the
approximate time factors involved.
Stages 13 – 16 MATTHEW -
The first half of Old Testament history (about 20 centuries)
3000+ years REVELATION is covered in only eleven chapters of the Bible, but the
second half takes up 918 chapters.
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2. 1. THE BIBLE IS HISTORICALLY ACCURATE – The Past
Numerous artefacts have been discovered which have confirmed the historical accuracy of
the Bible many times. Werner Keller, in his book "The Bible As History ", writes –
“In view of the overwhelming mass of
authentic and well-attested evidence
now available, as I thought of the
sceptical criticism which from the 18th
century onwards would fain have
demolished the Bible altogether, there
kept hammering on my brain this one
. Sennacheribs sentence :
Prism
Moabite Stone
‘The Bible is right after all‘ “.
Cyrus Cylinder
2. THE BIBLE IS SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE – The Present
The Bible has the best and
most believable explanation
for the existence of the
universe, the earth and life
itself, especially the existence
and behaviour of man.
A biblical world-view provides
answers to many of the
The Omega Nebula The Whirlpool Galaxy
questions being asked today.
However, many believe that evolutionary theory has dealt a death blow to the reliability of the
Bible, but there is a growing number of highly educated scientists who have serious doubts
about evolution and who believe the biblical account of Creation.
For example, in this book fifty scientists explain their reasons for this
choice. All the contributors have an earned doctorate from a State
recognised university and include professors and researchers,
geologists, zoologists, biologists, botanists, physicists, chemists,
mathematicians, medical researchers and engineers.
The editor writes, "Having reviewed the discussions posed by these scientists, in the light of my own education and
experience, I am convinced that a literal understanding of the Genesis account of creation is the most reasonable
explanation out of all the current theories of how we came to be here.”
In this book, the author, who does not necessarily hold to any Biblical beliefs, expresses his
serious misgivings not only concerning the theory of evolution but also at the authoritarian
way in which many of its adherents present it.
He examines numerous claims made by evolutionists and shows conclusively that at best
this theory is a belief system that is not based on scientific facts.
Scientific investigation increasingly shows that biblical creation is a viable
alternative to evolutionary theory. There is an increasing amount of literature
available which supports special creation rather than evolutionary theory.
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3. 3. THE BIBLE IS PROPHETICALLY ACCURATE – The Future
There are more than 300 Old Testament prophecies about Christ the Messiah,
many of which have already been fulfilled, and some await fulfilment.
Here are just three examples -
PROPHECY “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; Behold, the virgin shall conceive,
and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7.14.
FULFILMENT “all this was done, that it might be fulfilled … a virgin shall be with child” Matthew 1.23
PROPHECY “behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and
riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” Zechariah 9.9
FULFILMENT “All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, …” Matthew 21.4
PROPHECY “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” Psalm 22.18
FULFILMENT “they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by the prophet” Matthew 27.15
The Bible speaks boldly of its own origin. The most
important statements as to the authority of the Bible are
internal - they are found in the words that are written.
‘‘ all scripture is
all scripture ‘ men spoke from
breathed out
is breathed God as they were
outby God ‘ ‘
by God carried along by The written words of Scripture were breathed out by God
2 Timothy 3:16
3.16
the Holy Spirit ‘ which means, therefore, that the Bible is of divine origin. The
2 Peter 1:20
men God used to record His word were “carried along” by the
Holy Spirit, as a sailing ship is borne along by the wind. This
does not mean that there was a mechanical transmission of
‘ ‘the word of
the word of Scripture which suppressed the writers’ own characters, but
God is living
God is living
and active ‘ rather that the minds of the human authors were in willing and
and active’
Hebrews 4:12
Hebrews 4:12 active co-operation with God. So the Bible is both accurate
and authoritative.
A sound framework of biblical chronology is essential to a AH = Anno Hominis
A BIBLE TIMELINE
ETERNITY
‘ in the year of man ‘
study of the Old Testament. An orderly sequence of events,
CREATION CORRUPTION CONDEMNATION
traceable throughout the Old Testament, provides a backbone 0 >100 AH – 1536 AH 1536 AH - 1656 AH
to Bible history. The timing of these events and their
relationship to other events, biblical or secular, aids the CRUELTY COVENANT CONFUSION
understanding of the flow and continuity of history. 2288 AH – 2508 AH 2078AH – 2288 AH 1756+ AH
This chart provides a chronology, or timeline, from the details
COMMANDMENTS CONQUESTS CROWNINGS
given in Scripture, to help us on our journey so that we not 1492 BC – 1452 BC 1452 BC – 1010 BC 1010 BC – 605 BC
only know what God has done but also when He has done it.
The numerous time factors mentioned throughout Scripture CONFLICT CONSTRUCTION CAPTIVITY
are part of the inspired text and, therefore, when interpreted 435 BC – 4 BC 536 BC – 435 BC 605 BC – 536 BC
ETERNITY
correctly, are accurate and reliable.
CHRIST CHURCH CLIMAX COMPLETION
4 BC – 30AD 30 AD – 2000+AD 2000+ AD 3000+ AD
WHERE DID IT ALL TAKE PLACE ?
The events of the Bible centre around the eastern end of the
CREATION CORRUPTION CONDEMNATION
Mediterranean Sea. Ten of the stages in our study took place in
COMPLETION CLIMAX CHURCH specific areas, mainly in the land of Israel, but the first three and
the last three stages are not confined to any geographical
CHRIST CONFUSION
location, being worldwide in their effect.
Mediterranean
Sea CONFLICT CONSTRUCTION
The land of Canaan (also called Palestine or Israel) is at the
CROWNINGS
CAPTIVITY centre of biblical events and at the centre of the promises of
CONQUESTS God. This small stretch of land is of great importance in both
history and prophecy.
COMMANDMENTS CRUELTY COVENANT
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4. On our journey we will encounter natural and
THE BASIS FOR BELIEF supernatural events and it is very important for us to
understand the differences.
EVIL NATURAL GOOD Evolutionary theory is based on naturalism and the
REALM
false assumption that everything in the universe can be
Natural laws can be
discovered and events explained through discoverable, natural laws without
SATAN explained scientifically. GOD any reference to God. Spiritual and moral issues are
and his Atheistic evolution is and His not considered to have any place in scientific
angels based on Naturalism angels explanations.
therefore the existence
of the supernatural is
The Bible speaks of many events that cannot be
not accepted.
attributed to natural causes. God has performed many
miracles, starting with creation itself, frequently working
SUPERNATURAL REALM both inside and outside of the natural realm. The Bible
Cannot be accessed by the methods or instruments of science.
The creation of the universe was an act of divine power. clearly shows that Satan also has the power to cause
supernatural events to occur (eg Exodus 7.11, 22; 8.7).
The conclusion that nothing ever happens supernaturally, Evolution is based on naturalism .
whether for good or for evil, is an act of irrational faith, not
The natural world, Such a belief
a verifiable fact. Such self-imposed restrictions to our accessible to science, system does not
thinking seriously inhibit our access to and understanding is all that there is. require God.
of the whole panorama of truth as revealed in Scripture.
The recognition of the supernatural opens our minds to a
The Bible But this is a narrow, This is fully
far greater understanding of the universe and its Creator.
teaches that
The Bible restricted belief. supported by
This is fully
the natural
teaches that the amazing
supported by
FURTHER READING and STUDY world had a complexities of
Emmaus Courses - the natural the amazing
supernatural
world had a complexities of-
living and non
Ready to Give an Answer by David Reid origin. living things.
Thy Word is Truth by William MacDonald supernatural living and non-
www.christiananswers.net origin. living things.
The recognition of the supernatural opens our minds to a far
QUESTIONS
You are invited to answer the following questions based on this Lesson.
Answers should be sent to colin@emmaus.name
(Students who complete the course will be awarded an Emmaus Bible School Certificate of Achievement)
1. Describe some of the characteristics or qualities of God.
2. What historical, scientific and prophetical evidence points to the accuracy of scripture?
3. What does the Bible say about itself?
4. Why is a timeline of biblical events very useful?
5. How does an acceptance or rejection of the supernatural affect our beliefs?
Further details of Emmaus Courses are available at www.emmausbibleschooluk.co.uk
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