#70524 – The Seven Stages Of The Scriptures
Number 1: Before The Foundation
Job 38 – Ephesians 1– 2 Timothy 1:8-10
Job 38:4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, 5 Who set its measurements, since you know? Or who stretched the line on it? 6 “On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Eph 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
Eph 1:11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
2Tim 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
All this Planning, Purpose and His Final Intention took place in the heart, purpose and plan of God before the “first earth” was prepared. We are still predestined to fulfill that original purpose in this present age and by “fulfilling” that purpose we will receive our eternal inheritance! All this was established within the counsel of His will. We should be extremely clear that this took place BEFORE the foundation of the earth. This is the period that God was asking Job about when He suspended the earth upon NOTHING! This was BEFORE the Genesis 1:1 creation.
Number 2; Is the period of “time” when the earth was in existence and was under the dominion of angels! Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Isa 45:18 For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, But formed it to be inhabited), “I am the LORD, and there is none else.
The Angels were given dominion over the earth when it was first created and they shouted for joy over it. However, the devil and his angels destroyed the earth by their rebellion and perversions. All the people and animals that were on the earth- at the very first when the angels were in charge- were destroyed by the water. However, Isaiah 14 tells us that Satan and the ones with him were not permitted to die but remained on the destroyed earth that was in the water.
2Peter 3:4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
Isa 14:15 “Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit.
Isa 14:16 “Those who see you will gaze at you, They will ponder over you, saying, ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms, 17 Who made the world like a wilderness And overthrew its cities, Who did not allow his prisoners to go home?’ 18 “All the kings of the nations lie in glory, Each in his own tomb. 19 “But you have been cast out of your tomb Like a rejected branch, Clothed with the slain who are pierced with a sword, Who go down to the stones of the pit, Like a trampled corpse. 20 “You will not be united with them in burial, Because you have ruined your country, You have slain your people. May the offspring of evildoers not be mentioned forever. 21 “Prepare for his sons a place of slaughter Because of the iniquity of their fathers. They must not arise and take possession of the earth And fill the face of the world with cities.”
These sons of the evil one (at least in this age) are the tares that will be burned!
Mat 13:29 “But he *said, ‘No; lest while you are gathering up the tares, you may root up the wheat with them. 30 ‘Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
When we examine all of the Book of Job it seems reasonable to place this time of Job’s sojourn in the first creation referred to in Genesis 1:1. The earth at that time was under the dominion of Angels and Satan seemed to have dominion over the earth and things and persons on it. Satan traveled between realms and appeared before God to report on the well being of this earth and the persons and things living on it before it was destroyed. At that time there were animals and creatures in existence that are strange for this present earth and could have appeared thousands of years BEFORE this earth was restored in Genesis 1:2 onward. However, Job mentions “Adam” in chapter 31 but the word “adam” literally means “man” or “common people.” Archeologists are constantly digging up relics from thousands of years before the history of this earth - as we know it - existed. The scriptural account sets the time of this earth at about 6000 years.
We are relating this time of Job and Satan and the angels to the Genesis 1:1 beginning BEFORE it became formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep! It was NOT created formless and void but became formless and void when the earth was sunk into the water and all natural life perished. How many centuries or millennium passed between that time in Genesis 1:3 and when the earth was restored once again to dry ground is not known. It could have been desolate for a million years. The animals and birds and creatures on that earth appear to be different from those on this earth during this time period. The bones of birds and animals and flora from some era of earth’s history can be seen in museums and look nothing like seen on the earth today.
2Peter 3:5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
We are assigning this account to the former earth “through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.” The earth was NOT destroyed during the flood of Noah’s time but the people were destroyed. This “time period” could NOT be speaking about Noah and the flood because the “present heavens and present earth” are the same ones that existed in Noah’s time. Therefore, it should be applied to the destruction of the former earth when Satan and the angels rebelled against God.
Number 3 Gen 1:2 And the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.
Let us be very clear that the earth was NOT created formless and void but became that way when the angels sinned and caused the inhabitants of the earth at that time to be destroyed! At that time the earth was sunk into water out of which it was originally made. Genesis 1:2 then begins the time when the earth was in the process of being restored to dry ground.
Gen 1:6 Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 And God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so.
Gen 1:9 Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good.
Gen 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. This creation of man marks out the beginning of the third period seen in scriptures.
Period number 3 is the time of the dominion of Adam and extends until the time of Calvary. However, during this period man - Adam and Eve - were persuaded by the devil to sin and rise up in rebellion against the commandments and word of God. This was exactly how Satan and the angels destroyed the earth before this present earth was restored. Man, and the pursuing generations of mankind for all ages, fell into sin and death and death reigned over the human race and over ALL the natural things upon this earth. The whole of mankind was trapped in sin and death, they were alienated from God and without any covenant with God AND with no hope nor any way of escape.
Period Number 4 was the short time of 33 years when God provided Redemption ( the repurchase of mankind) that reached the water shed moment of the restoration of mankind at Calvary and Pentecost. God also made a New Covenant with redeemed man! Calvary was the watershed moment between the total history of man BEFORE Calvary and the whole history of redeemed mankind AFTER Calvary. This marks a whole new beginning once again but now with a new species of man upon the earth!
Period Number 5 begins with the Christian Era. This is the period of the New Creation and a completely new Adam. Christ Jesus is called the Last Adam. He begins the period of the first born of the new creation. This begins a New Species of men upon the earth who are NOT born of fallen man but who are born of God. Jesus Christ regained full dominion once again but now over both the earth and heaven. The Church Age is the period when we are to Reign in Life through Christ Jesus.
Rom 5:17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20 And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This time period # 5 is the ONLY time we have been given to fulfill the Eternal Purpose of God and to prepare a perfected / mature and equipped people to become the government of the World yet to come. When that number is complete and Zion is built up, the Lord will return in Glory to bring these many sons (who are being prepared today) to His same Glory. If we are just casual about this time period and refuse to be transformed we will suffer ETERNAL LOSS! Why?
Heb 2:2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. 5 For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. 6 But one has testified somewhere, saying, “WHAT IS MAN, THAT THOU REMEMBEREST HIM? OR THE SON OF MAN, THAT THOU ART CONCERNED ABOUT HIM? 7 “THOU HAST MADE HIM FOR A LITTLE WHILE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS; THOU HAST CROWNED HIM WITH GLORY AND HONOR, AND HAST APPOINTED HIM OVER THE WORKS OF THY HANDS; 8 THOU HAST PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. 9 But we do see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
Number 6 The Millennial Reign of Christ upon this earth. This time appears to still be a time of preparation and testing for the Government of the World Yet to come. How do we know that ? At the end of the one thousand years the devil will be released from his prison.
Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, 8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. 7 And when the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison,
Number 7 This is the period of the World yet to Come ; The Tabernacle of God is among men. The period of THIS current dispensation is the ONLY time we have been given to be prepared for our function as a kingdom of priests in the Tabernacle of God. If we just drift though THIS God given opportunity, there will be no other time given. Our eternity is determined in this time period!
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, 4 and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” 5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
The World yet to come IS the Tabernacle of God which is made up of three dwelling places. (1) The lowest; the New Earth (2) The intermediate level; the New Heaven and (3) The Throne of God {which is the highest level}; The New Jerusalem and Mount Zion.
In this present dispensation God is building up the New Jerusalem and when the number of those perfected for Zion is complete THEN God will judge Satan and all the fallen angels.
Isa 10:12 So it will be that when the Lord has completed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the pomp of his haughtiness.” 13 For he has said, “By the power of my hand and by my wisdom I did this, For I have understanding; And I removed the boundaries of the peoples, And plundered their treasures, And like a mighty man I brought down their inhabitants, 14 And my hand reached to the riches of the peoples like a nest, And as one gathers abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth; And there was not one that flapped its wing or opened its beak or chirped.”
Psalm 87:5 But of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; And the Most High Himself will establish her. 6 The LORD shall count when He registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah.
The Bride; the New Jerusalem: Rev 19:7 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” 8 And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
From BEFORE the original creation of this earth, God had, in His Heart and Mind, the final completing this Eternal Purpose. All that has taken place in ALL of earth history is focused upon the World Yet to Come, the Bride of Christ, the New Jerusalem and Mount Zion which he Loves.
Jer 3:16 “And it shall be in those days when you are multiplied and increased in the land,” declares the LORD, “they shall say no more, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ And it shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they miss it, nor shall it be made again. 17 “At that time they shall call Jerusalem ‘The Throne of the LORD,’ and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name of the LORD; nor shall they walk anymore after the stubbornness of their evil heart.
Now the Ark of the Covenant is called the “throne of God” but in the Tabernacle of God it is the New Jerusalem that will be called the Throne of God!
Rev 7:14 And I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 “For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne shall spread His tabernacle over them. 16 “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb in the center of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them to springs of the water of life; and God shall wipe every tear from their eyes.”
Those who come out of the Great Tribulation at the end of three and one half years will take up their dwelling place in the New Heaven. The New Jerusalem is the Throne of God - The Most Holy Place - but these are BEFORE the Throne but still in the Tent; (The Tabernacle over them) or these are in the Holy Place. There is A temple in this location and both day and night will be their experience. However, those in the New Jerusalem will be in God which IS their Temple and there can be NO NIGHT there because the illumination of the City is the Lamb of God.
Those standing on the sea of glass and those souls under the Brass Altar will be on the New Earth. They will walk in the Light {illumination} of the New Jerusalem.
Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 And the nations shall walk by its light, and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it. 25 And in the daytime (for there shall be no night there) its gates shall never be closed; 26 and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; 27 and nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Those who rule as kings on the New Earth will have access to the New Jerusalem because their citizenship is in the New Jerusalem but their function is as rulers on the New Earth. However, AS PRIESTS they will have their head covered. As kings they will function wholly under the King of all the kings and He will be their Head. However, He will also have His Head covered because God [ father, Word and Holy Spirit] will be His Head , that God may be all in all.
Gal 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
It is too common today to preach that this does NOT apply to the church because “We are saved” but Paul is definitely speaking to the believers. “Inheriting the Kingdom” is the goal of the present age and should be the number one concern of every leader who has accepted the responsibility for the perfecting of the saints. Why?
Dan 7:27 ‘Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.’
These Kings that will be given dominion over EVERYTHING “under” the whole heaven will be the Priests of God and THEY will see His face. They are called the “bondservants!
Rev 22:3 And there shall no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him; 4 and they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 And there shall no longer be any night; and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall illumine them; and they shall reign forever and ever. 6 And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must shortly take place.
Do Not receive these things in some casual manner as though they were not important!
Do NOT accept the lie that these “bondservants” are just “saved”- born again believers!