(You can listen by audio and pause the audio to follow page links for important details on these teachings; then resume the audio when you are ready. Please note that I use page links for important details and in lieu of footnotes and references.)
– INTRODUCTION –
IN SEARCH OF PERFECTION
“For we know in part and prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away with.” 1 Corinthians 13:9-10
I am presenting a very brief and a very simple overview of a biblical timeline, from the Creation to the New Heavens and the new earth, which complete God’s Plan as found in the Bible. It will be an abbreviated history of how God has created the world, dealt with the people He created, and why the world has gone the way it has gone and how it will conclude.
This is not designed to please everyone, and it will not fit every different denominational doctrine correct. Instead, this book is meant to
- Inform,
- Inspire, and to
- Ignite people to move toward the One Living God and to join Him in what He is doing!
I hope that my Christian friends, and others who read this, don’t find this objectionable solely because I have omitted certain events. However, it is my intention to inform and inspire, NOT to overwhelm the reader with volumes of information.
God’s plan is unfolding exactly as He purposed; from The Creation, through the Garden of Eden and the Fall of Man to the Great Flood, the Tower of Babel, the Exodus from Egypt, the possessing of The Promised Land, the Destruction of the First Temple and the Captivity in Babylon, the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Destruction of the Second Temple, our steady march through time has been exactly as Bible prophecy has foretold. We have entered an era leading to the destruction and, eventually, a rebirth of the heavens and the earth.
The Purpose of God’s Eternal Plan is Perfection. He is maturing and perfecting His people into His image, ultimately to live in Perfect harmony with Him and with one another, in a New and Perfect heaven and earth.
Each and every chapter, verse and word in the Bible, when viewed within this context of God’s Eternal Plan of Perfection, begins to make perfect sense.
The world has entered the final epoch of time, known by various names, such as, “The Last Days”, “The End of The Age” the “Latter Days” and “The Tribulation”, which was marked by the birth of Jesus. There are reportedly visible and observable signs and ancient writings to help you, if you believe in such things. However, most people either don’t recognize the signs or writings or don’t believe. Even among those who believe these prophecies are coming to pass and see the signs, few know what they are seeing, where they are leading or what to do in response.
The best description of the purpose, length and, outcome of this end time, also known as the Great Tribulation, (see Matthew 24:21, Revelation 2:22 and Revelation 7:14) or the Wrath of the Lamb, (see Revelation 6:16), is found in Daniel 12:1,
“Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Verse 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Verse 3. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Verse 4. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”
Verse 5. Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6. And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” Verse 7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. Verse 8. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time. Verse 10. Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. Verse 11. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Verse 12. Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! Verse 13. But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”
RECAP of Daniel 12:1-13 :
- And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people,
- everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.Verse 2. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.
- Verse 3. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven,
- and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.Verse 4. But as for you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal up the book until the end of time; many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.”Verse 5. Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. Verse 6. And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream,
- “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?”Verse 7. And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that
(a) it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. Verse 8. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” Verse 9. And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time.
- Verse 10. Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined,but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.
- Verse 11. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.Verse 12.
(a) Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! Verse 13. But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”
Not surprisingly, the main interest in this subject is in the sensationalism of the matter; and sadly, both fictional and religious writers are profiteering and capitalizing on the subject financially. All-the-while, assuming these things are true, they are grossly ignoring the urgency and the catastrophic ramifications which are being played out.
This subject is classified as “Eschatology”, which is the study of final events of history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity. The word comes from the Greek word, éschatos, meaning “last” and ‘logy’ meaning “the study of”. Most of the major religious denominations which teach this doctrine believe it will come on the world suddenly, with an increasing intensity and will last for just seven years. This view is from a myopic view of the Bible’s history time line, and the Bible seems to tell a much different version of these events.
A study of the ‘long view’ of the Bible on this subject, will show that the End of This Age was planned before creation. God, indeed “has a plan for your life” as He has had a plan for the entire world.
It has taken many millennium, and we may still have many years to go. But, I suppose when you are dealing with an Eternal God who has no beginning and no end, time is not a factor. God can take all the ‘time’ He wants to execute His plan.
WATCHING FOR THE CLUES
Please come with me and let’s explore God’s Plan for creation. First, let’s consider the ‘Beginning of All Things’. Then, as we travel together, we will uncover clues to this mystery, this riddle of the ‘End of the Age’, evaluate writings and assimilate this information to decide – How did we get here and where is all of this going?
We are in search of His Perfection, and it could change your life and the way you live it.
PREFACE
“Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the stream and the other on that bank of the stream. And someone said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish smashing the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. But as for me, I heard but did not understand; so, I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words will be kept secret and sealed up until the end time. Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.” Daniel 12:5-10
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
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