The Historical Plan of God What God is Doing Through History Acts 17.24-31 Sunday, March 30-April 13, 2003 Tod Kennedy Spokane Bible Church 1
I. Introduction The Plan of God explains what God is doing, why He is doing it, and the way He is doing it, at three primary levels: Angelic Conflict with Satan Theocratic Kingdom Program (Directed toward the re-establishment of God s rightful rule over His creation) Dispensations (Progressive revelation of God s unfolding plan for man) Spokane Bible Church 2
The Historical Plan of God Angelic Conflict Theocratic Program Dispensational Overview Gentiles Israel Church Millennium
I. Introduction Understanding the plan of God gives the believer Stability Orientation to History Purpose in Life Appreciation and Love Response to God Spokane Bible Church 4
II. Basic Questions: Historical Plan of God There are ten basic questions regarding the historical plan of God. 1. What? Bring creation, especially man with free will, back under God s rule and blessing that were rejected at the fall. 2. Why? Demonstrate God s perfection, God s essence. 3. How? By reconciliation of the world and the demonstration of God s character. 4. Who? God, Angels, Man, Israel, Church, Christ. Spokane Bible Church 5
II. Basic Questions: Historical Plan of God Ten basic questions (Continued): 5. Events? Creation, Fall, Promise, Redemption, Resurrection, Mystery, Judgment, Rule, Restoration of Authority at the End of the Millennium. 6. Time? From the creation and/or restoration of the earth to the end of the Millennium and then into eternity future. 7. Central Scripture? Genesis 1.1-2; 3.6-7; 3.15; 12.1-3; John 1.1-14; Ephesians 1.1-14; 3.1-11; Colossians 1.15-20; Hebrews 1.1-4; 1 Corinthians 15.24-28; Revelation 22.20-21 Spokane Bible Church 6
II. Basic Questions: Historical Plan of God Ten basic questions (Continued): 8. The Plan of God for Mankind Centers in What? The seed promise (Genesis 3.15). 9. The Plan of God for Israel Centers in What? The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12.1-3). 10.The Plan of God for the Church Centers in What? The Father will make believers like His Son (Romans 8.29; Ephesians 1.5). Spokane Bible Church 7
III. Main Components: Historical Plan of God Angelic Conflict Theocratic Program Divine Institutions Divine Establishment Truth Volition Reconciliation A Way of Life Dispensations Spokane Bible Church 8
III. Main Components Angelic Conflict Spiritual Warfare: Satan and Demons vs. God s Elect Angels, Israel, and Believers Jude 9; Revelation 12.1-4; Ephesians 6.10-13; 1 Peter 5.8 During the Church Age every believer is a priest and in full-time service. Satan s time grows short, therefore Jews and Church Age believers are Satan s unique target. Spokane Bible Church 9
III. Main Components: Theocratic Program God is restoring His rightful authority and rule over creation on earth in time. He created and formed Israel as the priest nation through whom the Savior will come to present himself, to die, and return to Rule. Central focus is Israel under Jesus Christ. Genesis 1.26-31; 3.15; 12.1-3; Daniel 2.44-45; Isaiah 9.6-7; Acts 1.6-7; 1 Corinthians 15.24-28 Spokane Bible Church 10
III. Main Components: Divine Institutions Universal policies and practices for society that God set up for the preservation, protection, and blessing of the human race. +/- V Volition (Genesis 2.16-17; John 7.17) Marriage (Genesis 2.18-25; Colossians 3.18-19) Family (Genesis 4.1-2; Ephesians 6.4) Nationalism (Genesis 10.32-11.9; Acts 17.26-27) Spokane Bible Church 11
III. Main Components: Divine Establishment The organized and recognized authority, policy, purpose, and rules for temporal life of all mankind (establishment) that God authorized, planned, and put into operation. God established them for the benefit, blessing, and protection of civilization, hence divine establishment. They apply to all areas of society and to all people (Romans 13.1-10; Matthew 22.21) Spokane Bible Church 12
III. Main Components: Divine Establishment Apply within each dispensation and to all people to keep civilization free, strong, productive, enduring, and moral. 1. Authority 2. Sanctity of life 3. Liberty with privacy and responsibility 4. Morality and justice 5. Internal and external security 6. Free economy with ownership of private property, right to pass on wealth to heirs, and proper taxation 7. Helpfulness to neighbors Spokane Bible Church 13
III. Main Components: Dispensations God s distinguishable and chronological economies or administrations of human history during which He progressively reveals and accomplishes His plan. God has divided human history into basic administrations or economies called dispensations. God gives revelation, privilege, and responsibility for each administration, some of which is different from the previous economy or administration. more Spokane Bible Church 14
III. Main Components: Dispensations Time is divided by God into four basic administrations: 1. Age of the Gentiles (Genesis 1-11) 2. Age of Israel (Gen 12-Gospels and Revelation 4-19) 3. Church Age (Acts-Revelation 3) 4. Millennium Rule of Christ on Earth (Isaiah 11; Psalm 72; Daniel 2.4-45; Revelation 20) more Spokane Bible Church 15
Dispensations Tribulation Christ s Birth, Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension Church Taken to Heaven Christ Returns to Judge, Rule, Bless Gentiles Israel (Church) Millennium Eternity Past Eternity Future
III. Main Components: Truth Absolute truth, Bible Doctrine, is the knowledge that mankind needs to understand, participate in, and succeed in the historical plan of God. This truth was progressively revealed over time. It is called the Word of God, Scripture, the Bible (Titus 1.9; 2.1; 2 Timothy 3.16-17; Hebrews 4.12; 1 Peter 1.10-12). Spokane Bible Church 17
III. Main Components: Volition God created mankind with free will the right and ability to make choices. This free will is called volition. God may at times, like a parent, limit or overrule the free will, but He does not remove it. Both the Bible themes and statements indicate that God gave man volition (Genesis 2.16-17; Acts 17.30; Romans 9.30-33; Luke 6.27; Isaiah 1.16-20). +/- V Spokane Bible Church 18
III. Main Components: Reconciliation Reconciliation is the act of removing the sin barrier, the enmity between God and man, through the death of Jesus Christ for our sins on the cross. Man has the opportunity to have eternal life instead of eternal death. The issue is the redeemer, Jesus Christ, not sin (Genesis 3.15; Isaiah 53.5-6; Hebrews 10.12; Romans 5.10-11; 2 Corinthians 5.18-19; Ephesians 2.16; Colossians 1.20-22). Spokane Bible Church 19
The Barrier God Sin Penalty of Sin Physical Birth Spiritual Death Relative Righteousness Character of God Position in Adam Man
The Barrier Sin Isaiah 64.6b; Romans 3.23 Penalty of Sin Romans 5.12; 6.23 Physical Birth and Spiritual Death Genesis 2.17; Romans 5.12 Relative Righteousness Isaiah 64.6; Romans 9.30-33 Character of God Isaiah 46.9; Romans 8.8 Position in Adam 1 Corinthians 15.22 Work of Christ Redemption and Unlimited Atonement: Ephesians 1.7; 1 Timothy 4.10 Expiation Colossians 2.14 Regeneration John 3.1-18 Imputation and Justification 1Corinthians 1.30; Galatians 2.16 Propitiation 1 John 2.2 Position in Christ 2 Corinthians 5.17
III. Main Components: A Way of Life God designed a supernatural way of life for the believer Faith (Hebrews 4.1-2, 11; 2 Corinthians 5.8) The Word of God (Hebrews 4.12; 2 Timothy 3.16-17) Ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 14.17; 1 Corinthians 6.19) Everything for life and godliness (2 Peter 1.3-4) more Spokane Bible Church 22
III. Main Components: A Way of Life Ministry of the Holy Spirit: From creation of man until the coming of the Holy Spirit in the church age, believers were to believe the Word of God for day to day life (Hebrews 11). During that time the Holy Spirit gave power and ability, but did not indwell all believers (John 14.17; Psalm 51.11; Exodus 31.1-3). Beginning with the church the Holy Spirit s ministry became a heightened ministry. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and each has the opportunity to walk by the Spirit (John 7.37-39; 1 Corinthians 6.19; Galatians 5.16; 2 Corinthians 3.4-18) Spokane Bible Church 23
IV. Creation: The Beginning of the Historical Plan of God There are three basic theological views of creation. 1. Original Creation, or Initial Chaos View: Genesis 1.1 Introduction to creation. Genesis 1.2 State of Beginning Creation. Genesis 1.3ff God Forming the Earth for Habitation. Satan fell after day 7, but before the fall of man, or Satan fell before creation began, but his fall did not physically affect earth, or Satan fell before creation was completed, but his fall did not physically affect earth. more Spokane Bible Church 24
IV. Creation: The Beginning of the Historical Plan of God There are three basic theological views of creation (Continued). 2. Pre-Creation Chaos View, or Genesis 1.1 Restoration Genesis 1.1 Introduction to the narrative of restoration after the fall of Satan (Pre-Genesis angelic fall). Genesis 1.2 The statement of chaos when God began restoration. Genesis 1.3ff The details of restoration of earth for man s habitation. Spokane Bible Church 25
IV. Creation: The Beginning of the Historical Plan of God There are three basic theological views of creation (Continued). 3. Original Creation, Satan s Fall Chaos, and Restoration; or Genesis 1.2 Gap: Genesis 1.1 Original Creation was Good. Genesis 1.2 Chaos Due to the Fall of Satan. Genesis 1.3ff Restoration of earth for Man s Habitation (Genesis 1.2 Gap ). This view is text based and is not put forth in order to reconcile the Bible with the socalled geologic ages or the old earth theory (as some 19 th century students did). more Spokane Bible Church 26
IV. Creation: The Beginning of the Historical Plan of God The age of the earth (young or old) does not determine or demand any of the previous views. The theory of evolution is wrong: All of the previous views reject evolution. Spokane Bible Church 27
V. Application or So What? 1. Will I learn and understand what God is doing in history so that this understanding will give me more confidence in God and his plan and make me more effective in my service? 2. Am I able to orient to what God is doing in history in the past, the present, and future and to my place in his plan? 3. Am I better able to explain the Word of God, the plan of God, and what God is doing in history to others? Spokane Bible Church 28