How to Study the Bible and Have it Make Sense

may be compared to a magnificentedifice that took seventeen centuries tobuild. Its architect and builder is God.Like this beautiful world, the work of theAuthor, it bears on it everywhere theimpress of a Divine hand.This majestic temple contains66 chambers of unequal size –66 books of the Old and New Testament.Each of the 31,173 verses is a stone,a beam, a panel of the building which isa Temple more glorious by far than thatof Solomon or of Zerubbabel.Would you have fellowship with theFather? You will be sure to find Himwithin the precincts of His holy house.– Selected

1 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSE

2 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSE

3 Table ♦ HOWof TOContentsSTUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEChapter 1: INTRODUCTION 1An Age-Old Conflict 1Men Need an Authority 1What is the Bible? 2CHAPTER ONEChapter 2: METHODS OF STUDY 3INTRODUCTION 5Five♦ AnSeparateAge-OldInterlockingConflictApproaches 35Exhaustive ♦ Men Need an Topical Authority Examination 45Study ♦ What of is Symbolic the Bible? Language 116Study by Time-Frame 13The Importance CHAPTER of Context TWO 16METHODS Study OF by STUDY Type and Antitype 209A ♦ Review Five Separate Interlocking Approaches 219Messengers 1. Exhaustive to the Topical Church Examination22102. Study of Symbolic Language 18Chapter 3. 3: Study THE by Time PURPOSES Frame AND REASON-22INGS 4. The Importance of ContextBEHIND 5. Study by CREATION Type and Antitype 232633Unresolved ♦ A Review Questions 2334God’s ♦ Messengers Plan to the Church 2435The Scriptural Summary 29CHAPTER THREEAppendix:THE PURPOSESOTHERAND REASONINGSLITERATUREBEHIND CREATION 37♦ Unresolved AVAILABLE Questions 3137♦ God’s Plan 38♦ The Scriptural Summary 4648BIBLE STUDY ESSENTIALS 48

4 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSE

♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEAn Age-Old ConflictThe Bible has for centuries been a sourceof confusion to men everywhere. Many peoplehave concluded that it cannot be a reliablesource of information because so many contradictorytheories claim to be based upon itscontents. The purpose of this booklet is toshow that the Bible, carefully studied, can bea consistent, reliable source of information.Men need an AuthorityIt is in the nature of man to want a goodauthority for his thought and his behavior. Inreligious thought, especially, it would seem5

6 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEdesirable to have sound evidence as a basis forconclusions. Yet, today man faces a challengein the field of religious thought: Isthere a religious authority? Or is every manto believe what he believes with no more evidencethan his own personal preference?Actually, there is an authority. In practice,few men recognize one.In this booklet an effort will be made todemonstrate that the Bible can answer reasonablyand consistently any question — providedthe student learn how to use it. Thisbooklet will endeavor to show that the Bibleis, indeed, the ultimate authority which menhave been seeking.What is the Bible?If the idea is accepted that a personal Goddoes exist, then the student must next decideif he has access to knowledge relating to God.The Bible claims within its covers to be thesole source of information about God andabout what He is doing.

INTRODUCTION♦7This booklet, therefore, is based on a veryimportant assumption. It is assumed from thebeginning that the Bible is what it claims to be— the Word of God. Even if every studentdoes not also make this assumption, it is suggestedthat he temporarily accept it as suchwhile examining the Bible. If its contents donot live up to its claim, he is not obligated toaccept it as anything more than another book.If its contents do reveal the answers beingsought, he has found what few have found:THE TRUTH.The initial hypothesis that the Bible is theWord of God is made because there is greatstrength in studying any matter from a positiverather than a negative point of view. Sucha position of study allows a person to see intricatebeauties which another person mightquickly dismiss as contradictions.It has been for some time the practice oftheological seminaries to study the Bible utilizingvarious kinds of criticism (text, form,etc.). This approach, however, has been negative.It has, in essence, begun the study of

8 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEScripture by saying, “What can we findwrong?” The method of study presented inthis booklet will be totally different from thatwhich is commonly being practiced, but itshould give a positive confirmation of thevalidity of this great Book, the Bible.

Five Separate Interlocking ApproachesBecause man’s mind is not capable ofretaining and cross-referencing all of the passagesin the Scriptures, study which examinesone book of the Bible at a time is somewhatfruitless. How can one be certain that conclusionsare correct on any question unless hehas examined ALL that the whole Bible saysrelative to that question? After all, if the Bibleis the Word of God, its testimony on a givensubject should be consistent and revealingfrom Genesis through Revelation.In order to know ALL that the Bible sayson a given subject, therefore, it becomes necessaryto study a single TOPIC at a time.9

10 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEThe study of many topics, one at a time, then,can be carefully molded into a larger, comprehensivepicture of what the Bible is about.The first of the five important methods ofstudy, therefore, must be the examination ofone topic at a time.METHOD ONEExhaustive Topical ExaminationExamination of every Scripture on asingle subject was once an impossibility.Now it is relatively easily accomplished.The necessary help is available in either oftwo large books:STRONG’S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE andYOUNG’S ANALYTICAL CONCORDANCEEach of these books lists every word in theKing James translation of the Bible, sometimescalled the Authorized Version. Alsolisted are the Hebrew and Greek words fromwhich they come (with definitions) and other

METHODS OF STUDY♦11ways in which these same words are translated.Libraries and good bookstores regularlyhave copies of Strong’s and Young’sConcordances.*As an example of the kinds of benefitsreaped from exhaustive topical comparison,note what happens when the traditionallycontroversial subject of hell is examined. Onthe following page is the listing of “hell” asfound in Strong’s Concordance.Note immediately that every occurrence ofhell in the Old Testament is a translation of asingle Hebrew word (sheol) as represented bynumber 7585 in the right-hand column. Notethe definition as reproduced from the lexiconof Strong’s Concordance shown on page 13.* Exhaustive Concordances are now available for anumber of translations and are frequently also availableon computer programs. Some newer versions havebeen abridged and are therefore missing some importantinformation. Be sure to obtain an “unabridged version”to make the most of your studies.

12 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEOLD TESTAMENTStrong’s Concordance list continues

METHODS OF STUDY♦ 13Following the colon and dash (:-), Strong’sConcordance lists the other ways that thissame Hebrew word (sheol) is translated inthe King James version. It is interesting tolearn that the translators occasionally renderedthis word “grave” and “pit.” Findingthis information, it is now important to lookup grave and pit to see the Scriptural usage ofthese words since they are still a definite partof our topical study on hell.

14 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEStrong’s Concordance lists the usages of graveand pit as follows: [look for number 7585]➤➤Strong’s Concordance list continues

METHODS OF STUDY♦15➤➤Strong’s Concordance list continues

16 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSELook in the right-hand column for number7585. (This, remember, means that theHebrew word sheol is the word being used.)This reveals the interesting fact that good menexpected to go to hell! Genesis 37:35 showsthat Jacob expected to go there and that hethought his favorite son was there! Job 14:13shows that Job actually prayed to go to hell toescape God’s wrath!Is the value of this kind of study becomingclear? Without pursuing the matter further, itshould be becoming clear that the teaching ofhell as a place of eternal torment is contraryto the Scriptures — when they are studiedexhaustively and impartially!If this matter is studied to its logical conclusion,it will be found that the word “oblivion”is the best synonym for the Hebrew wordsheol and its Greek (New Testament) counterpart,hades. Hell is not eternal torment; it isoblivion. It is not only for the wicked; it isalso for the good. It is not permanent; it is atemporary oblivion, or non-existence, ordeath-state. (For a detailed examination of

METHODS OF STUDY♦17every Scripture on Hell, see our publicationWhere are the Dead?) It is interesting to notethat such an old and large denomination asthe Church of England has recently acceptedthe validity of this definition of hell.Another ExampleArranged below are three columns ofScriptures which contain the word “earth.”These samplings are purposely listed in threecolumns to point out the seeming contradictions.One column contains Scriptures whichstate that the earth will be destroyed. The secondcolumn contains texts which show thatthe earth will not be destroyed. The last columnentries imply that there will be a newearth. Read these texts before proceeding:EARTH DESTROYEDMatthew 24:35Hebrews 1:10, 11Zephaniah 3:8EARTH REMAINSMatthew 6:10Ecclesiastes 1:4Matthew 5:5Isaiah 45:18Psalm 104:5NEW EARTH2 Peter 3:13Revelation 21:1

18 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEThis listing is still based on the idea thatan examination by TOPIC is of foremostimportance. From this chart, however, it isclear that topical study by itself is not alwaysadequate to eliminate contradiction. Note theimportance of two more methods of Scripturestudy: study of symbolic language and studyby time frame.METHOD TWOStudy of Symbolic LanguageIt is clear that a literal interpretationof the foregoing texts about the earthresults only in confusion and contradiction.When topical study by itself does not clear upinterpretation, it becomes necessary to discoverthe presence of symbolic meaning in thewords being used. How is this done?Perhaps the first test is to apply the obviouspossibilities to all of the texts involved. Inthis case (with the word earth), suppose:♦ All words “earth” suggesting good thingsmust be symbolic of heaven.

METHODS OF STUDY♦ 19♦ All words “earth” suggesting bad thingsmust be literal and really mean the earth.If this doesn’t work (and it doesn’t), trythe opposite:♦ All words “earth” suggesting good thingsmust be literal and really mean the earth.♦ All words “earth” suggesting bad thingsmust be symbolic and must mean somethingelse.This does work. Then, a diligent comparisonof prophetic texts containing the word“earth” used symbolically reveals that its symbolicmeaning is “the political-social order.”Once the correct symbolism is found, it alwaysworks. This is, indeed, a comforting reassuranceof the accuracy of interpretation.To show the richness of the informationfound by utilization of proper symbolisms, itwill be beneficial to examine 2 Peter 3 whichmakes multiple use of this word “earth.”In this chapter, Peter makes reference to:♦ the “world that then was” (vs. 6)♦ “the heavens and the earth which arenow” (vs. 7)

20 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSE♦ and “a new heavens and a new earthwherein dwelleth righteousness” (vs. 13)Peter here introduces words which we havenot yet considered, and the careful student willsubmit these words — world, heaven, fire —also to exhaustive topical investigation.Our conclusions, based on the topical andsymbolic study methods, clarify this chaptereasily:The “world (political-social order) that thenwas (before the flood) perished.” (But the literalearth itself remains.) Peter, as he continues,wishes to differentiate between rulers and theruled and, hence, divides the symbolic “world”into “heaven” (the ruling powers) and “earth”(the social order). Thus “the heavens and theearth (entire political-social arrangement)which are now (ever since the flood) are reservedunto fire (destruction — of the order, not the people:the earth still remains). Nevertheless, we,according to His promise, look for a new heavens(new government ruled by Christ) and a newearth (social arrangement) wherein dwellethrighteousness.” 2 Peter 3:6, 7, 13

METHODS OF STUDY♦21Now (with the proper symbols to eradicatecontradictions) the promises of theBible relative to the earth take on newmeaning:♦ The meek shall inherit the earth.(Matthew 5:5)♦ Thy will be done in earth.(Matthew 6:10)♦ On earth peace, good will toward men.(Luke 2:14)♦ The earth abideth forever.(Ecclesiastes 1:4)The Bible tells a comprehensive picturewithout contradiction. Though it seemed tosay both that the earth would be destroyedand that the earth would not be destroyed, acareful study shows that it was cleverlytelling a consistent story. It was using thekind of symbolism President WoodrowWilson used in World War I when he stated,“The world is on fire!” What he meant waseasily understood. The Bible symbolism isjust as obvious if it is not approached withpreconceptions.

22 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEMETHOD 3Study by Time FrameThis third chapter of Peter’s secondepistle gives an interesting clueabout efficient Bible study. We can diagramPeter’s reference to the three worlds thus:WORLD THATTHEN WASHEAVENS and EARTHTHAT NOW ARENEW HEAVENSand EARTH ofRIGHTEOUSNESS"World without end"(Ephesians 3:21)FLOODold socialorder destroyedSYMBOLICFIREpresent socialorder destroyedThis basic division of man’s history intothree parts helps in resolving difficulties in

METHODS OF STUDY♦23texts not clarified by topical or symbolicinvestigation (the first two study methods).As an example, note the words of Paul in 2Corinthians 12:1-4. He was caught up intothe “third heaven” — an arrangement whichhe characterizes as “paradise.” Paul was notseeing heaven in three layers, but was manifestlyseeing, as Peter saw, a third period inman’s history under the perfect government(heaven) of Christ (Isaiah 9:6). How beautifullythe Bible is its own interpreter!Further Time DivisionsAs the three “worlds” clarify some texts, amore detailed division of time helps the understandingof other Scriptures. For instance,divide the “heavens and earth that are now”(the second world) into three ages based onScriptural history. One period, from the floodto the death of Jacob, sees God dealing withthe Patriarchs — men like Noah, Shem,Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — whose descendantsbecame the Jewish nation. The next

24 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEScriptural division of time is the period duringwhich God deals exclusively with Israel(Amos 3:2). Following the rejection of Israel(Matthew 23:38) is the age of Christianity. Todiagram these three time divisions, see thechart opposite (page 25).Added to the time-frame chart is the 1,000-year period which apparently begins the “newheavens and new earth wherein dwellethrighteousness.” This 1,000-year age is basedon Revelation 20 and 2 Peter 3.This time-frame chart can become a cherishedpossession. It will clarify manyScriptures and seeming contradictions. Studyreveals that some Scriptures apply only duringcertain periods of time. Attempting to applythem at the wrong time results in the age-oldconfusion and contradiction which cannot bea part of a Bible which is truly God’s Word.Example of Age-Restricted VersesOne example of a text which is applicableonly during a specific period of time is

METHODS OF STUDY♦25SECOND WORLDTHIRD WORLD1000 YEARSCHRISTIANAGE AGEISRAELITISHSYMBOLICFIREFIRST WORLDAGE OF THEPATRIARCHSFLOOD

26 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEJohn 12:47. In it the Lord states that anyonenot believing him would not be subject to judgment— that his judgment would be for a laterage. This verse applies only to the ChristianAge. A comparison with Acts 3:20-23 readilyshows that conditions of judgment will changewhen the 1,000-year age of Christ’s secondadvent is in operation. At that time the rule is“every soul which will not hear that prophetshall be destroyed from among the people.”These two texts would be at odds with eachother without a time-frame reference for each.Thus, this chart dispels all contradiction andadds greatly to the understanding of theprogress of God’s plan for man.METHOD FOURThe Importance of ContextThe fourth rule for successful Biblestudy is the necessity for consideringcontext — large context and small context.1 Timothy 4:10 is an example for developingthis rule of study.

METHODS OF STUDY♦27In this text Paul tells us that God “is theSavior of all men, specially of those thatbelieve.” It is manifest from this Scripturethat there is more than one salvation.Therefore, all texts mentioning salvation cannotbe lumped together, but must, by context,be divided into groupings dependent uponwhich salvation is meant.A topical study of resurrection yields someadditional help in this matter.Note:♦ Revelation 20:6 speaks of a “first resurrection.”♦ Hebrews 11:35 speaks of a “better resurrection.”♦ Acts 24:15 speaks of a resurrection evenof the unjust.These are in obvious agreement with 1Timothy 4:10 when it states that there is morethan one salvation.To simplify the matter greatly, summarizesalvation into two major divisions based on 1Timothy 4:10:

28 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSE♦ the world of mankind — “savior of allmen”♦ the church — “specially of those thatbelieve.”The contexts of Scripture can be studiedmore carefully when the two salvations arerecognized. For instance, most of the epistlesof the New Testament are clearlyaddressed “to the saints . . .” (the church).Therefore, to apply the laws, promises,admonitions, warnings, etc., contained inthese epistles to everyone in the world isfolly. The world are those who “believenot” and are, therefore, not now underjudgment as learned from John 12:47. Thiseliminates many problems. This is anexample of large context.Small context is a simpler matter. Eventhough the epistles are written to thechurch, they contain references to thosenot in the church. A few verses before andafter any text under consideration shouldclearly indicate if an interpretation makescontextual sense.

METHODS OF STUDY♦29Finer Distinctions in ContextIn some cases a seemingly definitiveScripture is not really as complete as itmight seem. Note Matthew 7:13, 14 as anexample. This text on the surface impliesthat there are only two paths open to men:a broad road to destruction (affecting themajority), and a difficult road to life(affecting merely a few).This is in disharmony with other textsalready examined. God is not the Savior ofa few and loser of all others! Why, then,does this text not mention the fact thatthere will ultimately be an easy road — ahighway — when all men (even fools) willbe able to make it, as Isaiah describes in35:8-10?This problem is not uncommon. TheScriptures often make mention of only apart of God’s plan because a specific pointis being made.In Matthew 7:13, 14 the context shows thatthe Lord is speaking to those following him.

30 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEHe is pointing out to them that their choicethen (at the beginning of the Christianage), was either to follow him as believers(and thus be heirs of the special salvation),or to follow the path of the rest ofthe world as they had been doing. Thatchoice would merely result in theirdestruction, as it would have had theynever heard of Jesus. They were alreadydoomed to destruction as are all men sinceAdam. But Jesus was in no way saying thatthis was their last opportunity for choice!No, not at all. As shown in John 12:47, 48,if any man did not believe (during theChristian Age), he was not under judgment;his judgment was reserved for a laterdate — for the 1,000 years of Christ’sKingdom — for the highway that will leadto holiness at that time.These fine distinctions in contextdemonstrate the importance of applying allof the methods of study available — notrelying upon one or two. Each serves as across-check for the other.

METHODS OF STUDY♦31THIRD WORLD1000 YEARSSUPER HIGHWAY(Isaiah 35)SECOND WORLDFIRST WORLDCHRISTIANAGE OF THEPATRIARCHS AGE AGEISRAELITISHFLOODTospecialsalvationfor thefew whobelieve now.Matt. 7:13-14SYMBOLICFIREBROAD ROAD TO DESTRUCTION (Matt. 7:13-14)Spirit life for the ChurchMan perfected as Adam was -Leads men up from death toperfect life on earthNARROW WAYAdam Fell

32 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEA more complete visual aid is obtained ifwe add to the chart the “three roads’ fromthe Scriptures just examined. (See chart,page 31) This shows that large context“secret” of the Bible: There is more than onesalvation. Not all men travel the same road!All roads do not lead to the same place. Allroads are not open at the same time.The broad road of Matthew 7 has existedsince Adam plummeted to it when hedisobeyed. The narrow and difficult roadfor the true Christian, leading ultimately tolife as spiritual beings, has existed onlysince the cross. Thus the Christianreceives his lifting up out of the broad waybefore the rest of men. But in the 1,000-year Kingdom of Christ, the highway(Isaiah 35) will be opened and will bringup from destruction the rest of mankind sothat they, too, can learn righteousness.God “is the Savior of all men (on earth) —specially (in heaven) of those that believe.”Thus, in the end, His will shall “be done inearth as it is in heaven.”

METHODS OF STUDY♦33METHOD FIVEStudy by Type and AntitypeOne final method of Biblical investigationmust be mentioned at leastbriefly. In the Old Testament are manyevents which actually happened but whichhave significance above and beyond theiroriginal import. For example:Exodus describes the institution of thePassover which involved the slaying of alamb, the deliverance of the firstborn atnight, and the deliverance of the rest of thepeople in the morning. The miracle wouldhave been great in itself. But in 1Corinthians 5:7 Paul states, “Christ, ourPassover, is sacrificed for us,” indicating thatGod meant to make an informative picture ofthe Passover event. This conclusion is furthercorroborated by the Scriptural referencesto Jesus as “the Lamb of God.”A careful consideration of this Passover typeand its symbols indicates a remarkable correspondencywith what has been demonstrated in

34 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEthe application of the other four methods ofstudy. Jesus (the lamb) dies. His death savesthe firstborn (the church) during the night(the Christian Age). The rest of the world aresaved in the morning (the 1,000 years) fromthe enslavement under sin (represented byPharoah’s enslavement of Israel).This subject of typical/antitypical relationshipsopens whole new concepts inBible study!A REVIEWFive methods of Bible study have beenbriefly examined:1. Study by complete topical investigation.2. Study of symbolic versus literal statement.3. Study of time-frame placement of Scripture.4. Study considering large and small context.5. Study of typical-antitypical relationships.Any one of these methods is helpful. No oneof these methods is complete. All taken together

METHODS OF STUDY♦35will result in Biblical interpretation entirely freefrom self-imposed prejudice, preference, etc.The Bible will become reasonable, consistent,adequate, and inspiring: The Word of God.If the student will approach the Bible honestly,it will change his mind — and his heart.It is well worth such an honest approach.In the next chapter is a brief outline ofGod’s plan as revealed by the foregoing methodsof study. It is recommended as the mostsublime philosophy ever spoken among men.It is boldly suggested as uncontestable —provable point by point by the Scriptures andin contradiction to no text in the Bible.In short, it is too good not to be true.Messengers to the ChurchOne of the greatest aids to Bible study isthe help received from teachers which Godhas used from time to time. (Ephesians 4:11;1 Corinthians 12:28; Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18;3:1, 7, 14) Among these are such men asArius, Waldo, Wycliffe, Luther, and Russell.

36 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEEach brought to light at least one Scripturallydocumentedmajor truth.—Ephesians 4:8, 11, 12Excellent teachers are an asset, and thestudent who profits from the teachers’ experiencescan avoid much stumbling through theBible. This does not, of course, relieve eachindividual of the responsibility of proving allthings (1 Thessalonians 5:21) with carefuland complete study techniques such as areoutlined in this chapter of the booklet.Because good teachers are an asset, thenext chapter purposes to present an in-a-nutshellsummary of the best thoughts of theseteachers. This summary is in the form of anexplanation of what God started out to do,what He is now doing, and what will be theultimate result of His plan for man. This epitomeof the contents of the Bible is in harmonywith the results of careful study as previouslyoutlined. Detailed explanations of thisplan and its parts are available in the bookThe Divine Plan of the Ages offered at theback of this publication.

Unresolved QuestionsIn the second chapter of this booklet,samples of study subjects have been used toillustrate study techniques. These samplesmay have caused questions to arise in themind of the reader. Some of the conclusionshave been:♦ there is no eternal torment♦ the earth will not burn to a cinder, but beforever inhabited♦ the judgment day lasts 1,000 years♦ the unbelievers will have a “secondchance” — actually their first real chance37

38 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEThese conclusions are as startling asthey are wonderful. They reflect a God whohas a character well worth worshipping.Since these conclusions have been somewhatdisconnected and abstract in the secondchapter of this booklet, it is the purposeof this third chapter to create a unifiedword-picture of the implications of thesevarious conclusions.God’s PlanThe Bible begins with the words, “In thebeginning God created.” Many have askedWHY God created? — WHY he ever bothered?The answer to this question is fundamental toan understanding of the Scriptures.“God is love.” (1 John 4:16) This thoughtis the key to God’s purpose in creation. If loveis characterized by any one attribute, thatattribute is the desire and necessity of giving.God is love; God must give. But God was alonein the universe! There was no one to whomHe could give anything! Thus was born both

THE PURPOSES AND REASONINGS BEHIND CREATION♦39the concept and the need for creation. Godwould create so that He could give.God’s creation, according to Scripture,involves more than the earthly realm.Nevertheless, man is an important part ofthat creation and has a special place andpurpose in God’s design. This chapter willconcentrate primarily on God’s dealingswith men, as the Scriptures concentrate primarilyin this area.Decisions in Making ManThe decisions in creation were based muchon God’s attribute of love. When the creationof man was due, God’s initial decisioninvolved a problem something like this:“Will I make man like a machine — programmedso that he cannot make a mistake?Or will I make man with freedom ofwill and choice?”The answer to this initial question was readilydictated by God’s love. If man were a robot,a machine, he could not receive God’s love.

40 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEMachines don’t experience love. For man tobe the appreciative recipient of God’s love, hemust be free, not programmed.God knew the dangers of creating beingswith the freedom of exercising their ownwills, but there was no legitimate alternative.God would, indeed, create man with the freedomof choice.The Nature of FreedomFreedom is a strange word. Freedom cannotexist without limits. If one man’s freedominfringes upon the freedom of another man,freedom no longer exists. Freedom by its owninherent definition must contain limits. Butwho shall define the limits of freedom? Itseems manifest that God, who created man inthe first place, is best equipped to tell man hislimits.Thus it was. God created man in His ownimage — free to reason and choose. And Godinformed man that he was free with only onecertain limitation.

THE PURPOSES AND REASONINGS BEHIND CREATION♦41Why Die for Eating an Apple?Of all possible restrictions to freedom,why did God tell Adam that he could not eatthe fruit of a certain tree? (There is no evidencethat it was an apple.) It seems Godcould have chosen a better limitation to freedomthan that! Not so! This choice wasexcellent for one compelling reason: Godwanted man to learn the lesson of obedience.Obedience: The Key to a Peaceful UniverseHad God told Adam that he could not killEve, the inherent moral power of that commandwould have been obvious. Adam wouldnot have known, however, that obedience evenwhen he doesn’t understand is what God wants.Therefore God gave man a simple test of obedience— one in which, on the surface, mancould not clearly perceive evil.God knows that disobedience anywhere inHis creation will cause chaos in the universe.God reserves the right, therefore, to extinguish

42 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEthe life of any creature who disobeys. Thiswas the point which He wanted to make:Disobedience results ultimately in death; onlythis will preserve order in the universe.How We LearnGod knew that His creatures (since theywere not programmed machines) could learnin only three ways: by information, by observation,or by experience. Thus the lessonwhich all of God’s creatures had to learn (obedience)must be learned by one or all of thesethree methods. God is a good instructor; Heuses all three.God gave Adam instruction by information;He warned Adam of the consequences of disobedience.God, of course, was sufficiently farsightedto know that a free, inexperiencedbeing would not learn from information alone.Adam sinned; and subsequently he died. God’sjustice is as strict and unchanging as His loveis broad. He had to make His point: disobediencewill cause death (no exceptions)!

THE PURPOSES AND REASONINGS BEHIND CREATION♦43So man is now learning by experience.The angels and other orders of creation arelearning by observation. All creation is learning.The lesson is being forcibly impressedupon us all: disobedience will cause death —even disobedience in the simplest, seeminglyinnocent matter of eating a piece of fruit.Has Creation Failed?It was shown that God, out of love, desiredto create free beings upon whom He couldshower blessings. It was also shown that thenature of freedom requires the practice of obedienceto God’s directions, and that God permittedevil (disobedience) to enter His universeas being the only method by which freebeings can learn.But man is dead! God purposed to have aperfect earth populated with perfect men —men who would love Him because theyrespect Him. God’s word never returns untoHim void. His original purpose will, indeed,be accomplished. Once the earth’s population

44 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEhas reached the size God determines to be correct,the learning experience with evil will beterminated. Man will cease to die. Man willbe resurrected — his original sin paid for (notexcused) by the sacrifice of “the Lamb of Godwhich taketh away the sin of the world.”Meanwhile, A New CreationThrough the Scriptures God tells us thatHis creative effort would include the creationof a special group of beings — an intimate familyof His own. This family would be like Himin that they would be indestructible.The Scriptures clearly differentiatebetween mortal beings and immortal beings.At one time, only God was immortal.Immortality is that condition where death isan absolute impossibility. (John 5:26) It isthis quality which God wants to give to Hisspecial creation, His intimate family. Allother beings will be mortal — not dying, butsubject to extinction by God, should theyever disobey.

THE PURPOSES AND REASONINGS BEHIND CREATION♦45As God contemplated this immortal, intimatefamily of His own, He fully realized thatto create immortal free beings without somesafeguard would be to invite the possibility ofeternal disobedience in the universe — a possibilitywhich God could not accept.But God saw a great opportunity in theaffairs of the earth. He determined that Hecould deal with some people while they wereexposed to the terrible influences of evil andthus test their characters and obedience fully.If He could find people who would be fullyobedient under evil circumstances, He couldtrust them under all circumstances. Goddecided He would make His New Creation,His intimate family, from the human race.Thus in the Scriptures is an offer to men tofollow Christ and to seek immortality. God iscalling out of the earth the few people whowill be His New Creation. He calls them Hischurch. (This is from the Greek word ekklesiawhich means “a calling out.”)In this process God saw another advantage.Since His church, once glorified as spirit

46 ♦ HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE AND HAVE IT MAKE SENSEbeings, will have been human, they will bevery sympathetic toward the experiences ofmankind. The church will be well suited forthe purpose of helping mankind — raisingthem from the dead, instructing them up thehighway of holiness (Isaiah 35:8-10), and dealingwith every problem as the effects of evil arewashed away.It is for this purpose that God determinedthat His church would rule with Christ duringthe thousand years of the Kingdom(Revelation 20:6).How much greater now is the significanceof 1 Timothy 4:10? “God is the Savior of allmen, specially (with immortality) of those thatbelieve.” How much greater now is the significanceof Matthew 6:10? “Thy Kingdom come,Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”The Scriptural SummaryYes, God intended, and will have as theresult of creation, a perfect earth populatedwith perfect, ever-living men who will worship

THE PURPOSES AND REASONINGS BEHIND CREATION♦47Him because they love and understand Him.He will also have an intimate, personal,immortal family of spirit beings like Himself,taken from among men where they will havebeen fully tested for their immortal inheritance.What a Plan! What a God!The Apostle Paul summarizes this entirematter in just two verses of Scripture(Ephesians 1:9, 10). We quote from Dr.Weymouth’s Modern Speech translation:“. . . He made known to usthe secret of His will . . .God’s merciful purposefor the government of the worldwhen the times are ripe for it— the purpose which He hascherished in His own mindof restoring the whole creationto find its one Head in Christ;yes, things in heavenand things on earth,to find their one Head in Him.”