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Q: From your experience, which books of The Bible do you recommend starting with?
A: From my experience, here are the three books I recommend starting with, and my reasons why.
Genesis: The first half (25 chapters) depict Jesus, as pre-incarnate Man, as The Creator and The Lord God, to Whom Father God, Who is Spirit, has delegated and authorized to have FULL control over all things in Heaven and Earth. It clearly lays out The Lord's concern, strategic plans and initial tactics to redeem mankind from the gross sin that satan triggered by deceiving Eve in Eden. This plan signals that the war lucifer and 1/3 of the angels launched in an attempted coup d'etat in Heaven long ago, would continue in a very different form on Earth. The highlight of this continuing war is signaled in Genesis 3:15, a veiled prediction of the birth of Jesus, Himself, as a baby human Who, as an adult human, would defeat satan's kingdom on Earth. This was a prediction of satan's second defeat, the first being kicked out of Heaven and losing his lofty role.
To achieve this grand, multi-generational, multi-millennial scheme, Jesus needed to select and uniquely prepare a people and family line through which He would be born. Moreover, in the specific generation into which He would be born, the remnants of this family line would have to REJECT Him to the point of violently murdering Him. Father God had pre-determined this was the only way to redeem mankind from our state of eternal sinfulness and damnation. Spiritually, only the sacrificial shedding of the blood of a sinless human being could pay the price for our sins. Since there would never, ever be sinless humans born from the seed of sinful Adam, an immaculate conception was required.
Thus, in a miraculous way, Jesus became a baby human through 'the seed of a woman'. Physically, only us dudes have reproductive seed! So this pronouncement in Genesis 3:15 signaled a pending miracle would occur. Devils clearly understood this veiled threat and promise, and they immediately began to look out for Him!
Each key step of the strategic plan required people of faith who would believe The Lord's revealed word to them. Thus, the rest of The Bible singles out and marvelously highlights the stories of such faith-filled folks from across the ages of preparations of this people/family line.
John: Once The Lord's strategic plan reached it apex, the entire plan was ready to be uncloaked for the rest of the world to perceive, understand and have the opportunity to either believe or reject it. Sadly, most folks reject it, and will pay an awful, eternal price. Thus, Heaven commissioned the writing of 4 gospel books (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) to achieve this objective. John is the most succinct gospel book that elucidates Heaven's strategic plan from across the ages.
Why 4 books? There is a pivotal Old Testament principle that, every important/key aspect of life should be confirmed 'in (at least) the mouths of 2 or 3 witnesses'. The Lord, Himself, meticulously applies this principle throughout The Bible! Look for it and you'll see it. I have learned that, when a key spiritual or life point is iterated more than 3 times, it's as if Heaven is placing several exclamation marks (!!!) behind this point, to ensure the spiritually wise will not miss it.
A very clear example of the application of this principle is how many times the Bible cites Jesus' account of the hellish experience awaiting all demons, and all folks who refuse His born again salvation experience - 7 whopping times!!!!!!! That signals (a) all demons will eventually become humans,* and (b) the critical importance of these words: There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Only real, physical bodies weep and have teeth.
Hebrews: This book presents a quick perspective of:
(1) what was happening in Heaven as its strategic plan was unfolding,
(2) what happened shortly after its apex occurred - the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and
(3) the critical implications all of this should have for true Christian believers.
I say 'true believers' because other books reveal there would surely be plenty of FAKE Christians over the ages, mushrooming during the final days of this current age - folks who would feign Christian spirituality, but would not really be 'born into' The Kingdom of God -- CINOs (Christians In Name Only).
Hope this is both insightful and helpful.
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Thanks for your thoughtful note. Your detailed explanation of the Bible struck me as being complicated and way above the heads of ordinary people to interpret, understand, and practice. It remind me of the phrase that Catholic priests say near the end of their prayers to prepare the church to receive the holly communion -- "And this is the mystery of faith."
ReplyDeleteI still find the Bible, the Life of Jesus, and all the things that people say, believe, and do in the name of religion to be a mystery. I know there is much wisdom in the Bible and I look forward to reading it again in the hopes of picking up just a little more of its wisdom.
Thanks for your comment. A multi-millennial mystery indeed, that’s what The Bible really is. But here’s the key point: The Lord’s deep, strategic mystery is NoT hidden ‘from us’, but is hidden ‘for us’ who are spiritually re-born by His Spirit, as citizens in His Kingdom. Thus, the rebirth experience, which is by faith, is the gateway to perceiving and comprehending His great mystery. For all others, His mystery is totally hidden. Paul clearly explains this:
ReplyDeleteHowever, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:6-16)