God’s
Two Timelines for the Salvation of Mankind
For
some Christians and others, there is difficulty in understanding the sequence of events that ties the Bible’s
narrative into a cohesive unfolding of God’s Plan for the salvation of man. From
beginning to end, one key factor in understanding the Scripture is recognizing how
much “time” has passed between significant Biblical events. Another key factor is the realization that the
Bible presents a single “Timetable” but “two Timelines” for the
salvation of mankind. That complete
timetable begins as a single concept, then separates into two tracks / Timelines,
which later reunite. We’ll discuss these
two factors of “time” and the “timelines” separately, but with some necessary overlap.
In
previous posts to this blog I noted a key Bible study tool that I hope you also
use. That tool is the guidance of the early Bible translator Myles Coverdale
who, in 1535, advised:
“It
shall greatly help ye understand the Scriptures if thou mark not only what is
spoken or written, but of whom, and to whom, with what words, at what
time, where, to what intent, with what circumstances, considering
what goeth before and what followeth after.” (Emphasis added) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myles_Coverdale )
With
regard to the first key factor noted above, in our English translations
of the Bible there are several words that alert us to the passage of time
and / or the correct chronological sequence of events. However, most often they do not tell us precisely
how much time has passed or will pass between those events. Some of those more
obvious words are: “after / afterwards, following, later, then, when, and until.”
This has added significance when we read the words of the Prophets, or when the
LORD God / Jesus says: “I WILL…”, or “I SHALL…”
For your further consideration I would add the seemingly unlikely word “And”,
as a “time word”.
In
your study have you noticed that from the beginning of our Bible, the word “And”
is used in several important places to
both connect related events and to denote the passage of time. For
example, in Chapter One of the Book of Genesis, many people have struggled with
the concept of how God could accomplish the Creation in only “Six Days”. Later in the Scripture the Apostle Peter
offered a possible explanation in that: “one day is with the Lord as
a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8). Peter’s reference was likely to help expand
our thinking beyond our regular perspectives of time as we know it. But note the word “as” is used twice, rather than using the more precise word
“is” in those places. I believe that is intentional. From man’s
perspective, the Creation in “Six Days” could never happen, but in the words of
Jesus: “With God nothing is impossible”. (Luke 1: 37; Matthew 19: 26) We believe Him by Faith!
Also,
God keeps things secret (as “mysteries”) until He is ready to reveal them.
(Deuteronomy 29: 29) (https://www.openbible.info/topics/mystery ) He doesn’t want man to know
precisely when He will complete His timetable for man’s salvation. (Acts 1:
6-7) Even so, through the Scripture He has
given us knowledge of events in man’s history that allow us to know where we
are now in that history, and where we are heading. What He revealed (2,000+ years ago) and has already
proven true should be sufficient that we trust Him and have faith in what He
has said.
In
another example related to time, Genesis Chapter Five of the Bible gives
the list and lifespans of the “generations” that followed the first man Adam until
“Noah’s Flood”. In that context the word “And” is used to both connect
those generations and to emphasize the passage of time. Look for other examples
as we study.
Let’s
move to the second key factor noted above (evidence of “Two Timelines”). Although God is eternal and exists outside of
the limits of time as we now know it, the Scripture shows that He has more than
one “timeline” for His dealings with man. (Psalm 90: 1-2; https://www.gotquestions.org/eternal-God.html ) My personal Bible study and understanding was
significantly enhanced after one of my teachers (recently deceased Les Feldick)
introduced me to that concept of “Two Biblical Timelines”. That concept shows how God began with a
single “timeline” for the history of all mankind; then it was divided into “two
timelines” to reflect the change in His approach to redeem man; then later the
two parts were reconnected to make up that single broad timeline of the Bible
that we see today. (See: https://www.lesfeldick.org/lestimel.html ) Collectively they represent His complete
timetable, as accomplished through our Lord Jesus.
By
understanding this separation in the original single timeline, we get a
different perspective on why God turned to the Nation of Israel (Jews /
Hebrews) as His “Chosen Nation”, separating them from the rest of humanity
(Gentiles). We also better understand why
Jews and Gentiles have now been reunited
as the total of humanity eligible to choose salvation under the current single
timeline. Seeing these two “Timelines”,
and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit also led me to a new appreciation
for the numerous other references to time throughout the Bible.
The
Bible explains how God began the human race with one man Adam in Genesis
Chapter One. Given dominion over the Earth and freedom of choice, Adam
seemingly had everything. But his disobedience
/ sin against God (in Chapter Three), caused him (and future mankind) to be
separated from God. Fortunately for us, the LORD God immediately initiated His Plan
to redeem His beloved creation man (including us today) back to Himself.
(Genesis 3:15)
Having
disobeyed the LORD God by eating of the “forbidden Tree”, Adam had gained the knowledge
of good and evil. With that knowledge also had come a “conscience” for
future generations of man, but that conscience was heavily weighted towards a
knowledge of evil, through an inherited “sin-nature”. (John 8: 3-9; https://www.gotquestions.org/sin-nature.html ) That sin-nature came
from following the guidance of the Enemy Serpent / Satan who caused the sin. The
history of that need for man’s restoration to God was the starting point for
the “Timeline(s) ” of this discussion.
You
might recall from previous Bible studies that through the next many generations
and hundreds of years after Adam’s sin, mankind fell into a pattern of
continued disobedience, spiraling downward into utter evil and violence.
(Genesis Chapters Five and Six) Over the many years after “Noah’s Flood”, man’s
conscience and choices continued to be dominated
by his inherited sin-nature. Until that point, God’s plan for man’s restoration
addressed all mankind as a single entity. There was a single Timeline (through Genesis Chapter 11).
It
was at this point that the LORD moved to divide His Timeline. He did this by calling
out Abram (later renamed Abraham) to be the progenitor / father of a new race
of humanity, the Nation of Israel. (Genesis 12: 1-3) It would be through the people of Israel that
the LORD would create a “kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (sic) (Exodus
19: 1-8) As the “Chosen Nation”, Israel
was to learn and serve as a model for God’s Laws for morality, worship and how
to live with others. (Exodus 20 through Leviticus) The pathway for Israel and mankind to overcome
their sins / disobedience against God was for them / us to understand the
nature of sin, and what was required to regain “righteousness” in the eyes of
God. Only Jesus could meet that highest standard of Righteousness. (Romans 3:
9-31; Galatians Chapter Three)
One
part of the newly divided timeline shows that approximately 1500 years passed
between Moses’ receiving the Law for
Israel until the Lord’s First Advent. During that time Israel met with varying
degrees of success, but mostly failure in trying to keep God’s Laws. Their
inherent sin-nature was as strong as it was for the Gentiles for whom they were
to serve as models. Note also that the
other part of the divided timeline relates to the rest of humanity (the
Gentiles) who had no relationship with the LORD God. (Ephesians 2: 2-3, 11-12)
As
the story of Jesus and the Bible unfolds, those who read it and study it are bound
to notice the passage of time. But even so, it doesn’t seem like the
passage of literally thousands of years. That is in part because of the many
references to non-specific dates and times. Again, God’s sense of “time” does
not have to match the time reflected in the calendar developed by man.
Getting
back to our title, here are some examples of the language of the Scripture that
we link to our “Timelines”:
·
Perhaps the most specific (and probably least appreciated) example
of a portion of that “timeline” was revealed to the Old Testament Prophet
Daniel by God through the Archangel Gabriel.
Although specifically directed to Israel, understanding these “70 Weeks (490 years) of Prophecy” is an
important step for all Bible students. (Daniel 9: 20-27; https://www.gotquestions.org/seventy-weeks.html See also Daniel Chapters 11 and 12. The
Scripture speaks directly to the number of months that lie in man’s future which
will mark the end of this world Age, with critical signs of those events that
will take place before the Second Coming
of the Lord Jesus.
·
Galatians 4: 4-5 - “But when the fulness of time was come,
God sent forth His Son…” The Scripture
gives this clear picture of a highlight in God’s timetable for the redemption
of mankind. The actual date of our Lord Jesus’ birth has been a source of
debate (December 25th??), but we do have an approximate year
on which we base our current Julian/Gregorian calendar. This year has been
designated “2025 A.D.”, reflecting the years since Jesus’ birth. [The Hebrew /
Jewish Calendar will note in September that the year will become “5786 A.M.”
(meaning “in the year of the world”) …celebrating
the day God created Adam and Eve. Israel still does not recognize Jesus as
their “Messiah”. (https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4644/jewish/Rosh-Hashanah-2025.htm ; https://www.chabad.org/calendar/converter_cdo/aid/6225/jewish/Jewish-Hebrew-Date-Converter.htm )]
·
Luke 21: 24 – “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until
the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (https://www.gotquestions.org/times-of-the-Gentiles.html
) These words were spoken by Jesus to His Disciples who wanted to know more about
the future of Israel’s temple and the end of the Age. (See also Matthew Chapter
24). Jesus did not give a specific timeframe for this occurrence but,…
·
Matthew 16: 1-3 – While being tempted by Pharisees and Sadducees
to show them a sign from heaven that He was Israel’s Messiah, Jesus responded
in part: “O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not
discern the signs of the times?” He was alerting them that they wouldn’t
receive knowledge of a specific date for God’s implementation of His Plans. They
should be able to learn from obvious observations of the world around them. And, in a final example…
·
Ephesians 1: 10 – “In the dispensation of the fulness of
times, He (God) might gather together in one all things in Christ, both
which are in heaven, and which are on the Earth, even in Him.” This speaks about what will take place at the
end of the timeline.
These
and other “general concepts of events” have places in the God’s timetable for
man’s salvation, in either of the two divided timelines, or
in the re-united single timeline. As we study the Bible we must continue
to observe the occurrence of significant events and place them in the context
of these timelines. Again, we know God wants us to believe what He has said “by
faith”, not having the answers to all our questions before we “believe”. (Hebrews 11: 6) This should encourage Christians and
interested others to continue reading His message through to the end…the last
Chapter of the Book of Revelation.
Dr.
W. A. (Bill) Robinson
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