THE PANORAMA OF GOD'S PURPOSES

A SYSTEMATIC INSIGHT INTO GOD'S PURPOSES IN TIME
AND ETERNITY AS REVEALED IN THE SCRIPTURES

One of the most fascinating and challenging facts today is the precise correlation between world events unfolding daily, and their accurate prediction in the Bible, centuries ago.

A careful look at Prophetic Scripture surely triggers a growing suspicion that in the midst of the dramatic events in these early years of the 21st century, which are shaking the world, God is moving the 'props' on the stage of His purposes, and mankind is on the verge of fearful and momentous days.

While we naturally look to interpret what is happening today, and what could occur in the future of our planet and it's nations, it is necessary to go back to the beginning, as God unveils Himself in His inspired Holy Word, the Bible, and from there trace His dealings with mankind through different ages, to the ultimate consummation of His purposes in the 'New Heaven and New Earth'.

There are many excellent books dealing with various aspects of this great subject, but the purpose of this course is to hopefully draw out the salient features of the Eternal blue print and present them in a form which is easily assimilated, interesting, and which can form a basis for further studies.

The tempo is designed to keep a flow of information, sometimes fast, other times digging a little deeper, so that at the end of the day we have a balanced picture. It is not possible in the notes to quote fully all Biblical texts. Key texts will be quoted, and others listed, enabling you to get into the Word of God and uncover the riches of His Word personally.

At various points certain assumptions will seem to be made - be patient, these will be returned to at a later part of the course and authenticated from the Word.
At the outset it should be clear that we hold to a Literal Interpretation of the Bible; that the Bible 'says what it means and means what it says'.

It may be necessary for you to approach the Bible in a fresh way, particularly if until now it has seemed from a prophetic point of view largely a mysterious book. For example, many have viewed the book of Revelation as incomprehensible, a vaguely symbolic picture of the ultimate triumph of good over evil, having scant relationship to the modern world.

FUNNY! It's called a REVELATION!! In other words - It Reveals!

Furthermore the book says of itself:

'Blessed is the one who reads the works of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear
it and take to heart what is in it, because the time is near' (Rev 1:3 N.I.V).
further, as if to drive it home -
'Behold I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the word of the prophecy in this book'
(Rev 22:7 N.I.V).

In fact the Bible interprets itself to the reader; the whole of Scripture is a pattern or 'Mosaic' of purposes, as
God has His wonderful way with His creation.

THE PANORAMA OF GOD'S PURPOSES IS INDEED LARGE

This course, 'The Panorama of God's Purposes', was first presented in 1994 as a series in the assembly hall of a school in Wokingham, England to an assortment of good and somewhat encouraging folks from a variety of church backgrounds.
In common with any Bible believing community of Christians, there was a fairly wide variety of views about ‘End Time’ issues – what the Bible has to say about it, how it seems to match up with world events, and the day to day issues portrayed on television and the media.
I was also only too aware that various popular preachers around the world were proclaiming to large audiences any or every viewpoint,, with great energy, conviction and orchestration.
I endeavoured to give a systematic insight into God's purposes both in time and eternity based, perhaps unfashionably to some, on what the Bible has to say about it - being impressed long ago by a comment by someone or other that 'the Bible has been known to throw some light on many a confusing Biblical commentary'.

Certain principles or Laws of Interpretation are briefly dealt with.
We will see something of the foundational facts and implications of creation and the course of early mankind in its response to God and Satan.
We then look at God's purposes in both time and eternity, for the Jews, the Gentiles, and the Church.

We will consider the structure of the heavens with its population, events on earth through the period of the Great Tribulation, the reign of Jesus over His earthly Kingdom, the fate of Satan and his associates, and finally glimpse something of the eternity to come.

Along the way we will endeavour to relate current events to the theme, 'anchoring' the course to what we have read in history, and see happening today on our television news.
To some this may be an eye opener, as world opinion (influenced by a biased and manipulative media), relating to the Middle East, and in particular to the Jews, Jerusalem and Israel, strongly opposes the Biblical statement of fact, namely the special place of the Jews and the land of Israel in God’s plan.

I hope that this course will give you a fresh stimulus to read God's Word, to trust Him in all circumstances, and to remain free from some of the muddled thinking about God's dealings with us.
It is hoped that independent research and instruction of the infallible Word of God will, where necessary, clear the mists of traditional interpretation.
Almost incalculable damage has been done by ‘spiritualising’ the meaning and correct application of the Bible.
By this I mean that one reads a statement somewhere in the Bible, but responds by saying ‘Ah yes, I know it says that, but what it really means is this – 'this' being whatever interpretation appears attractive, or fits with the teaching of a favourite pastor, or perhaps feels more comfortable to the reader or feels politically correct.
There has been a long history of such ‘adjustment’ of the plain truth of God’s Word, and we can be sure that the process will continue to flourish.
I will try to tackle some of these examples in the following notes, and sincerely hope and pray that it will help to clear away some of the fog of confusion.

Important Note: This material presented has been edited appropriately to reflect world events, as of this date of publishing.
 

‘Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth’ (2 Timothy 2:15) can enable you to be a strong and bright light for God as humanity stands in the lengthening shadows.

SO - Lets get into it, as we draw the curtains a little on:
THE PANORAMA OF GOD'S PURPOSES - COURSE INDEX

1. INTRODUCTION - Laws of Interpretation, some definitions, the Bible structure, various views,                    Amillennialism, Post Millennialism, Premillennialism, Historicist, and Futurist.
Dispensations in God’s dealings with mankind. (view)

2. TIME PURPOSES - THE JEWS
Abraham, the 12 tribes, Israel's mandate, covenants, history, dispersion,
Roman conquest, the Jewish Messiah, Calvary, the 'Gap' created. (view)

3. TIME PURPOSES - THE GENTILES  (view)
Brief history, Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel's visions, Relationship to Current Events,
Signs of the times, the Nations, Preparation for Antichrist.

4. TIME PURPOSES - THE CHURCH  (view)
The Body of Christ - The Mystery Revealed through Paul. Prophetic Peaks,
The Purpose of the Gospel, (which Gospel?) The Church’s Heavenly Destiny.
Rapture of the Church - The 'Gap' Closed.

5. RECENT HISTORY & CURRENT EVENTS (view)
Balfour Declaration, Zionism, Israel, Jerusalem, preparation of the Day of the Lord, Day of Vengeance,
The Middle East time bomb.
The New World Order.

6. STRUCTURE OF THE HEAVENS  (view)
Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Powers, Angelic Orders,
Heaven’s Construction - Corruption - Convulsion - Consummation.
Satan, Power Struggles, Spiritual Warfare.

7. THE GREAT TRIBULATION   (view)
Its course, chronology and Characters, Antichrist, Armageddon,
Second Coming of Christ in power and great glory.

8. THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM AND REIGN OF CHRIST  (view)
Throne of David, Jerusalem, Judgment and the Nations, Changes in Nature, Satan restrained,
the Church Reigning with Christ, its Role and Authority.

9. END GAME  (view)
Satan loosed, the Final World Rebellion, Lake of Fire, Great White Throne Judgement,
Elements Dissolved,
The New Heaven and New Earth, The New Jerusalem. The Ages to Come.