Description
“It’s just ideal. I wouldn’t hesitate to give it to anyone who had questions about the Bible. Put it in your General Bible Section!”
J. Burnett, Berean Christian Bookstore,
San Jose, CA
“Presents well the overall picture of the Bible.”
Bookstore Journal, February ‘ 93
“An excellent starting point for understanding the Bible. I’m going to use it as a primary resource for anyone who questions the Bible ‘s validity.”
C. Smith, WAGP, Beaufort, SC
“Very easy to understand and I appreciate that.”
J. Stone, Salem, Oregon
“I had been studying Eastern religions and ‘New Age’ and had many questions about the Bible. This book answered them all! It finally makes sense to me.”
Reader, call-in from PA
Because this enlightening guide illustrates how Biblical events hold significance for your daily walk with God, you will be inspired to approach the Bible with a new perspective — that given to you by the Holy Spirit. You will be amazed when Scriptures, which may have seemed unimportant to you before, illuminate your faith. The Bible is a message to mankind from an awesome creator who clearly spells out the solutions to life’s problems. COUNTDOWN TO ETERNITY reveals this message in a manner which is easily understood, allowing you to experience your fullest spiritual life.
Co-authors Woody Young and Chuck Missler understand the complexity of the Bible and the frustration many suffer trying to digest it. Both authors have large spirit-led ministries, reaching out to believers and non-believers. Woody Young, a successful entrepreneur who owns several companies, is the founder of Joy Publishing, which won the 1991 Ben Franklin Award as “Small Press Publisher of the Year.” Joy Publishing produces the monthly publication, The Christian Communicator: A Source of News and Encouragement for Christian Writers and Speakers’ which is recognized around the world. The recipient of the Distinguished Toastmaster Award by Toastmasters International, Mr. Young is the author of more than twenty books.
Chuck Missler has served as CEO and on the Board of Directors of many Fortune 500 companies, primarily in the defense industry. He graduated with honors from the US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland and holds graduate degrees in business and engineering. Now in full-time ministry, he has over eight million Bible study tapes in circulation around the world and is co-author of two books.
Preface by Woody Young ………………………….. 13
Preface by Chuck Missler ………………………… 21
HELPFUL HINTS ABOUT THE BIBLE ……. 25
Special Meanings for Special Words ………. 25
The Integrated Message System …………….. 25
A Quaint Expression ………………………………… 26
Organization ………………………………………………. 27
Bible Compilers Organize Old Testament
into Logical Order ………………………………. ……..27
Law, History, Wisdom, Literature, Poetry, and Prophecy ……………………………………………………………………… 28
God’s Special Promise ………………………………… 28
The New Testament: Gospels, History, Letters, and Revelation …………………………. 29
The Time Domain ………………………………………… 30
Message Authentication ………………………………. 31
The Bible As “Word of God” ……………………….. 32
Helpful Reference Points ……………………………… 32
The Meaning of the Letters After Bible Verses …………………………………………………. 34
That Something Extra That Makes the Bible Special ………………………………………… ……….34
CHAPTER 1
THE CREATION: SETTING THE STAGE FOR RECURRING THEMES …………………………………….. 37
Preview of Creation ……………………………… 37
Relevant Terms ……………….. …………………..38
Something New for Everyone ……………….. 40
A Topic That Pops “The Question” …………………………………………………………………. 42
Searching for Truth ………………………………. 43
Searching the Bible Daily for Insight ………………………………………………………………… 43
If Black is the Absence of Color Then What is the Absence of Black? …………………. 44
Where to Search for Answers ………………………………………………………………………….. 44
The Excitement of Creation …………………………………………………………………………….. 45
The Very Beginning of All Things …………………….. 45
Billions! Is That Spelled With a “B”? ……………….. 46
The Bible is Not in Conflict With Science …………. 46
Other Theories ……………………………………………………. 47
Some Theories Have Holes in Them. This Has a Gap ……………………………… 50
Does Age Really Matter? …………………………………….. 51
It Takes Faith to Believe Man-Made Theories …….. 51
The Delusion of the Big Lie ………………………………… 52
God’s Direct Involvement …………………………………….. 52
A Most Dramatic Incident …………………………………… 53
The Stench Got So Bad It Bothered Heaven …………. 53
Unexplainable Happenings …………………………………… 55
God’s Amazing Power to Intervene ……………………… 55
There’s a Difference ……………………………………………. 56
Spiritually Receiving God’s Word ……………………….. 57
CHAPTER 2
SATAN IN HIS PROPER PERSPECTIVE …………………………………… 59
Preview of Satan’s Character and History ……………. 59
Relevant Terms …………………………………………………….. 60
Beyond Our Own Horizon …………………………………….. 61
The Unseen World: the Actual Reality ………………….. 62
We Need a Reveal Code ………………………………………….. 62
The Dark Side ………………………………………………………… 63
Metaphysics ……………………………………………………………. 63
The Biblical View …………………………………………………… 64
Will the Real Satan Step Forward? ………………………… 64
Satan’s Trick ………………………………………………………….. 65
Distinguishing Good From Evil ……………………………….. 66
Confusing the Situation …………………………………………… 66
Satan’s Beauty ………………………………………………………….. 67
Perfection, Wisdom, and Beauty, With Access to God’s Holy Mountain ……………………. 68
Satan in Relation to Other Angels, and Man and Jesus in Hierarchy ……………………. 68
Angels in Their Proper Perspective …………………………. 69
The Duties of Angels …………………………………………………. 69
Fallen Angels and What They Have to Look Forward To ……………………………………… 70
Satan and His Followers Cast Out of Heaven …………….. 71
Who Created Who? ……………………………………………………. 72
Pride Causes Satan’s Sin …………………………………………… 73
The Pseudo-Christ that Deceives in the Last Days …….. 75
Man is Made Slightly Lower Than Angels ………………….. 75
What it Takes to Live a Life of Joy, Happiness, and Contentment …………………………………….. 76
Making the Correct Judgement Call ………………………….. 77
The Void Only God Can Fill ………………………………………… 77
Giving Permission to be Hurt ……………………………………… 78
Revealing Those Certain Characteristics That are Satan’s Nature ……………………………………. 81
The Character of Satan is in Each Person …………………. 83
It All Starts in Childhood ……………………………………………. 83
Undistorted Love of God ………………………………………………. 83
CHAPTER 3
WHAT HAPPENED TO MAN BEFORE THE FLOOD? ……………….. 85
Preview of Life Before the Flood …………………………………. 85
Relevant Terms …………………………………………………………… 86
The Edenic Covenant …………………………………………………… 88
God Makes it Easy to Obey ………………………………………….. 89
The Cost of Disobedience ……………………………………………. 89
Motivation to Disobey God is Irrelevant ………………………. 90
The Adamic Covenant ……………………………………………. 91
Satan’s Curse ………………………………………………………………………………..91
Eve’s Curse …………………………………………………………… 92
Adam’s Curse ………………………………………………………………………………..92
The Cause of Shame and Fear ………………………………………………………………………………. 93
God’s Plan for Covering Sin ……………………………………………………………………………….. 94
God’s Plan for Salvation ………………………………………………………………………………… 95
The Toil Sin Causes …………………………………………………………………………………. 95
The First Birth of Children ……………………………………………………………………………………. 96
Acceptable and Unacceptable Offerings to God ……………………………………………………………………………………. 97
Pride and Repercussions ……………………………………………………………………………………. 98
“Am I My Brother’s Keeper?” …………………………………………………………………………………….. 99
Spiritual Life and Death ………………………………………………………………………………………… 99
God Does Not Shut the Door …………………………………………………………………………………. 100
Faith in God’s Word …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 101
Everyone is Still Welcome …………………………………………………………………………………….. 101
God Makes Provision for Human Sin …………………………………………………………………….. 102
A Righteous Line According to God ……………………………………………………………………….. 102
God Was Upset ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 107
Man Causes God to Grieve in His Heart …………………………………………………………………. 107
Imagine the Scene ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 108
How do You Tell Others? ……………………………………………………………………………………… 109
“His Death Shall Bring” ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 110
What it Takes to Be a Witness ………………………………………………………………………………. 110
Sinless Versus Righteous ………………………………………………………………………………………. 111
Once You’re In, You’re In ……………………………………………………………………………………… 111
Wicked Called to Judgement …………………………………………………………………………………. 112
Noah’s Flood Like a Baptism …………………………………………………………………………………. 112
A New Beginning ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 113
A New Spirit ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 113
How Much More Serious Can You Get? …………………………………………………………………. 114
Can You Hear Over the Noise? ………………………………………………………………………………. 114
CHAPTER 4
AFTER THE FLOOD–WHAT HAPPENS TO MANKIND?………. 117
Preview of Life After the Flood ……………………………………. 117
Relevant Terms…………… 118
Meanings of Names Shed Light ……………………………………… 119
Given a Second Chance ……………………………………… 120
Guilty as Charged ………………………………………. 121
The Noahic Covenant ……………………………………….. 122
The Provisions of the Covenant ………………………………………… 124
The Responsibility to Repopulate the Earth ……………………………….. 124
Can’t Get to Heaven That Way …………………………………………. 126
Confusing the Language ………………………………………….. 126
A New World Order …………………………………………… 128
The Subjection of the Animal Kingdom is Affirmed ……………………………………………. 128
Humans are Able to Eat Animal Flesh ……………………………………………. 129
Life Span Decreases After Flood ……………………………………………. 129
The Sacredness of Human Life is Enforced …………………………….. 130
Punishment for Taking Another’s Life …………………………………………….. 130
Whole New Meaning to Law and Order ……………………………………………… 131
The Covenant is Not Only Confirmed to Noah, But to All Mankind ………………………………………………. 131
The Law of Social Order Meant for All ……………………………………………….. 132
The Rainbow Covenant ……………………………………………….. 133
No Flood Ever Again, But How About Fire? ……………………………………… 135
Forfeiting the Prize ………………………………………………… 135
Specific Groups Singled Out …………………………………………………. 136
Dealing With the Unholy ………………………………………………….. 136
God Deals With Groups as a Whole …………………………………………………… 137
Who Does God Get Angry With When He Dissolves the Present World by Fire …………………………………………… 138
A View of the End Times …………………………………………………….138
CHAPTER 5
ABRAHAM’S FAITH AND WHAT FAITH MEANS TODAY ………………………… 141
Preview of Abraham and His Faith ……………………………………………………. 141
Relevant Terms ……………………………………………………. 142
Takes His Good Old Time …………………………………………………….. 143
Abraham Receives Advance Notice …………………………………………………….. 145
Great Comfort to the Righteous …………………………………………………….. 148
No Laughing Matter …………………………………………………….. 148
The Abrahamic Covenant ……………………………………………………… 150
Blessings for Abraham’s Descendants ……………………………………………………… 151
Be Careful of the Curse ……………………………………………………… 153
An Important Link to the Future ……………………………………………………… 153
The Universal Aspects of the Covenant ………………………………………………………. 154
Prophecy and Abraham’s Story ………………………………………………………. 155
The Meaning of Hope………………………………………………..155
Prophecy Gives Hope………………………………………………..156
Abraham is Called on to Demonstrate His Faith…………………………………………………156
The Name is Prophetic………………………………………….157
Abraham Truly Believes in God……………………………………………………158
Faith Gives Endurance………………………………………….158
Knowledge of the Heavens At One’s Command……………………………………………158
Realizing that Bible Prophecy Came First……………………………………………………159
One Can Choose to See the Future…………………………………………………160
The Prophetic Sacrifice that Takes Away The Sins of the World………………………………………………..160
Prophecy as God’s Way of Showing His Intentions………………………………………….161
Notice How Detailed Some Prophecies Are……………………………………………………161
Resurrection’s Parallels……………………………………………162
Word Pictures Foreshadowing the Future……………………………………………….163
The Special Significance of Receiving His Bride………………………………………………….163
Illustrations Give Understanding of Future Events…………………………………………………164
What Abraham’s Faith Means for Christians………………………………………….164
Spirituality Versus Morality……………………………………………..164
By Faith-the Only Way……………………………………………………165
CHAPTER 6
THE ANCIENT WEDDING CUSTOMS AND THEIR ANALOGY TO JESUS AS THE BRIDEGROOM,
AND BELIEVERS AS THE BRIDE…………………………..167
Preview of Ancient Wedding Customs and their Relevance to the Christian Walk……………………………………………..167
Relevant Terms……………………………………………168
Words that Create an Image in One’s Mind………………………………………………170
Understanding the Customs of the Time……………………………………………….170
Behold, the Days are Coming When………………………………………………171
Many Events Still to Happen…………………………………………….173
Are World Events Signaling What is to Come?…………………………………………….173
Thomas Verbalizes His Doubts……………………………………………..174
I Go to Prepare a Place for You…………………………………………………..175
Jewish Weddings First Century-Style…………………………………..175
The “Shiddukhin” or Engagement……………………………………..176
“Ketubah“- the Agreement………………………………………178
He Promised to Return……………………………………………..179
The Bridegroom is Coming…………………………………………….179
The “Huppah” or Wedding Ceremony…………………………………………180
The Festive Seven Day Celebration……………………………………….181
Jesus the Groom, Believers the Bride…………………………………………………182
Preparing for the End-Time Events………………………………………………..183
Everyone has the Opportunity to Respond……………………………………………..183
An Offer of Marriage……………………………………………185
The Importance of Baptism……………………………………………..185
The Bible as One’s Ketubah with Christ………………………………………………..186
Promised Return for His Bride………………………………………………….187
Preparing a Place for Us………………………………………………………..187
The Bridegroom is Coming……………………………………………….188
Lord, I Put My Faith in You……………………………………………………..188
Celebration or Tribulation………………………………………….189
A Picture that Should Melt Hearts with Appreciation……………………………………….189
EPILOGUE
YOUR ADVENTURE INTO THE SUPERNATURAL………193
Holographic Analogy……………………………………………..193
Our Source of Illumination……………………………………….194
Your Log Book for the Journey………………………………………………195
The Next Step……………………………………………………..196
The Ultimate Issue……………………………………………………197
Your Divine Appointment…………………………………………198
APPENDIX.……………………………….203
BONUS INFORMATION
How Can I Know If the Bible is True?…………………………………………………….40
NASA Scientists Have Discovered an Ever Expanding Universe…………………………………………………43
Time is Not Absolute!………………………………………………..47
If You Believe in Evolution You’d Better Hold the Peanut Butter!…………………………………………………..48
What is Meant by an Analogy or a Similitude and Why Search for Them in the Bible?……………………………………………………..54
Satan’s Other Names……………………………………………………..69
Fallen Angels Come in Two Different Types………………………………………………………70
Where Hatred Comes From……………………………………………………….79
A Hidden Message………………………………………………….103
“Noah’s Ark” Fact or Fiction……………………………………………………..108
Sudden Nature of the Flood…………………………………………………………112
Where does Human Sin Come From?………………………………………………………..116
Where Noah’s ark Landed……………………………………………………….125
Where Noah and His Family Started to Populate……………………………………………………..127
The Spiritual Meaning of Clothing……………………………………………………..133
Abraham’s Path…………………………………………………………….144
Abraham and Lot Divide the Land……………………………………………………………146
Roots of the Major Religions……………………………………………………149
What’s in a Name?…………………………………………………………151
What is the Holy Spirit’s Responsibility to the Bride of Jesus?…………………………………………………………177
Is There a Verse That Describes How the Bride of Christ is Going to Meet Him?……………………………………………………………180
