Ok, before we get to the whimsical stuff, a few introductory basics.
 

BIBLE	=	BOOK OF BOOKS

The Bible has been called the Book of Books partly because it is the book that surpasses all other books in authority, having God as its ultimate author, but also because it is made up of many individual books.
 

About 40 men from all walks of life were moved by God over a period of some 1,500 years to put into writing the 66 books that make up our modern Bible.

Time line
/ 4000 BC										/ 3000 BC										/ 2000 BC										/ 1000 BC										/ 0										/ 1000 AD										/ 2000 AD
.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
																										Bible is written

 

The Old Testament
Gen	Exo	Lev	Num	Deu	Jos	Jdg	Rut	1Sa	2Sa	1Ki	2Ki	1Ch	2Ch	Ezr	Neh	Est	Job	Psa	Pro	Ecc	Sos
Isa	Jer	Lam	Eze	Dan	Hos	Joe	Amo	Oba	Jon	Mic	Nah	Hab	Zep	Hag	Zec	Mal	Mat	Mar	Luk	Joh	Act
Rom	1Co	2Co	Gal	Eph	Php	Col	1Th	2Th	1Ti	2Ti	Tit	Phl	Heb	Jam	1Pe	2Pe	1Jn	2Jn	3Jn	Jud	Rev

 

The first 39 books of the Bible called the Old Testament were written primarily in the Hebrew language known for its picturesque beauty of expression. Its alphabet is different from ours and it reads from right to left.
 

were written in the Greek language known for its precision of expression. It, too, has an alphabet different from ours. Scholars have since grouped the books by style of writing and put them all under one cover calling it the Bible.
 

We'll be looking at all 66 books in their historical setting. Most of the Bible's events occurred in the Middle East.

The World	Eastern Europe
		M i d d l e E a s t
	North Africa

The events recorded in the Bible span all of history from the Creation of the Universe sometime prior to 4000 BC to the future destruction of the Universe.

Time line
	/ 4000 BC										/ 3000 BC										/ 2000 BC										/ 1000 BC										/ 0										/ 1000 AD										/ 2000 AD
.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
----- Bible's History -----

  Note: Remember that the events of the Bible took place in real time and space, not in some other dimension. If you had been alive at the time you could have touched the trees in the Garden of Eden, the ark that Noah built or the cross where Jesus died and gotten a nasty sliver from any one of them. This stuff really happened!

The book of Genesis, written by Moses, is a book of beginnings.

Day 1	Day 2
Image by Warren Kramer at www.gospelcom.net/gf/gallery	Image by Warren Kramer at www.gospelcom.net/gf/gallery
Day 3	Day 4
Image by Warren Kramer at www.gospelcom.net/gf/gallery	Image by Warren Kramer at www.gospelcom.net/gf/gallery
Day 5	Day 6
Image by Warren Kramer at www.gospelcom.net/gf/gallery	Orignal image by Warren Kramer at www.gospelcom.net/gf/gallery
	(Just kidding about the obelisk)

While scientific data supports the Bible's brief account of Creation, much has been made of speculative interpretations of the data which tend to support only the scientist's preconceived notions. When all is said and done, Genesis contains the only eye-witness account of the beginning of the Universe. Sorry Carl Sagan, there really is a God and you aren't Him!

Billion and billions of faulty presuppositions		GOD

Adam and Eve's firstborn, Cain committed the first murder, killing his younger brother, Abel.
 

Before

After

What would a 900 year old man look like?
"When 900 years old you reach, look as good you will not, Hmmm?"

UV Rays Before	UV Rays After

After the flood, God promised never again to destroy all life... by flood.

When mankind gathered in one place to build the Tower of Babel, God confused their language causing them to spread out across the land as He had originally commanded.
 

	HOUSE FOR SALE Tower of Babel, 5000 bdrm, quiet neighborhood (now), pets ok, parking, spiral stair, handyman's dream, a real fixer-upper, stunning view Call Nimrod 555-4434

Several generations later, Abram was chosen by God to be the father of a nation to bear God's name in the world. His friends must have teased poor childless Abram about his name which meant 'exalted father'.
 

Later, God tested Abraham by telling him to sacrifice what he treasured most in all the world: his only son.
   

Don't think too harshly of God for putting Abraham through this test; He'll be put through this same test himself before long.

But enough foreshadowing.

Abraham proved faithful though God stopped him at the last minute from actually sacrificing his son. God promised Abraham and his descendants the rich land of Canaan, though informing him that for 400 years the nation would be slaves in a foreign country.

Abraham moved his family to Canaan.
 

Job Why Me?

The book of Job fits in here chronologically, telling in poetic form the historical account of Job and his struggle with the question of why the righteous suffer.

Meanwhile back in Genesis, Abraham's line continued through Isaac, his son to Jacob who was later to be called Israel.
 

Reuben	Simeon	Levi	Judah	Dan	Naphtali
Gad	Asher	Issachar	Zebulun	Joseph	Benjamin

The best-loved of the 12, Joseph, had dreams about his family bowing down to him and assumed they would be pleased to hear of it.

They weren't.

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers out of jealousy but God carefully orchestrated events such that Joseph eventually became governor of the land of Egypt and brought his father and brothers with their families, about 70 people altogether, to live there to escape a severe famine in the land. And yes, they eventually did end up voluntarily bowing down to Joseph.

The book of Exodus, written by Moses, gets its name from the famous exodus or departure the Israelites made from Egypt.
 

It begins with the nation of Israel doing well in the land of Egypt until a new king or Pharaoh came to power who enslaved them. After nearly 400 years as slaves, God raised up Moses to lead the Israelites to freedom into the land He had promised Abraham's descendants would possess.

First, though, God displayed His power through Moses with 10 awesome plagues on Egypt and on the house of Pharaoh to convince him to let the Israelites, now numbering over 600,000, go.

The 1st 9 Plagues on Egypt
1: Water turned to Blood	2: Frogs everywhere	3: Gnats everywhere
.
4: Flies everywhere	5: Livestock plague	6: Boils (Ouch!)
		You really didn't want to see boils, did you?
7: Hail (Ouch! Ouch!)	8: Locusts everywhere	9: Profound darkness
.		.

The final plague required each household in Israel to sacrifice a perfect, unblemished lamb, a Passover Lamb, and to mark their doorframes with its blood as a signal for God to 'pass over' their household and not strike down their firstborn.
 

Baked Manna..........35    Manna Burger......65

Fried Manna..........30    Manna w/Quail....150

Toasted Manna........30    Manna fries.......35

Roasted Manna........60    Manna grits.......25

Manna-cotti.........110    Manna Tea (seasonal)

Manna-Bagels.........85    Ba-Manna Cream Pie..

Ba-Manna Bread.......45    .................150

And now with tonight's Top Ten List from Endicott, NY.
God's Top Ten Commandments to enter and remain in the promised land of Canaan:
   

 
• 10. You shall not covet...
• 9. You shall not give false testimony...
• 8. You shall not steal.
• 7. You shall not commit adultery.

(I guess we all know who won't be spending much time in Canaan...)
• 6. You shall not murder.
• 5. Honor your father and your mother...
• 4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
• 3. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God...
• 2. You shall not make for yourself an idol...

And the number one Commandment of God to enter and remain in the promised land of Canaan:

• 1. You shall have no other gods before me.

The book of Leviticus, written by Moses while the nation was encamped at Mount Sinai, gives more explicit commands and instructions.
 

Tribe		First numbering	Second numbering
Reuben		46,500	43,730
Simeon		59,300	22,200
Gad		45,650	40,500
Judah		74,600	76,500
Issachar		54,400	64,300
Zebulun		57,400	60,500
Ephraim		40,500	32,500
Manasseh		32,200	52,700
Benjamin		35,400	45,600
Dan		62,700	64,400
Asher		41,500	53,400
Naphtali		53,400	45,400
Totals =		603,550	601,730

The book of Numbers, written by Moses, gets its name from the fact that the people were numbered twice during this time period. It is an account of the march from Mt. Sinai, after receiving further instructions and warnings, to Kadesh Barnea near the border of Canaan, led by Moses.

Moses sent 12 spies out to explore the land they were to possess.
   

When 10 of the 12 returned with warnings that there were giants in the land, the people doubted God's ability to give them victory and refused to go in.
 

In Deuteronomy, Moses recounted to the new generation of Israelites the history of their wanderings.
 

Got Milk?

	How Not to be Seen

	Israelites groan under attack
In anger God hands them over to their enem- ies	MONOPOLY- THEISM	God raises up a ruler to save them
	Israel worships other gods

The book of Ruth is a recounting of how Ruth, though a foreigner, became the great-grandmother of King David. This all happened during the time of the Judges and is a very touching love story.

The book of First Samuel recounts the lives of Samuel, the last of the judges; Saul, Israel's first King who fell from power because of disobedience; and David, Israel's most famous King. During his reign and his son's after him, the nation of Israel reached the height of its glory.
 

9 f e e t t a l l	DAVID & GOLIATH (not shown actual size - unless you've got a 12' monitor)

David, though successful in battle and in almost every other way, had an affair with a beautiful married woman, Bathsheba and had her husband killed; a sin for which he paid dearly. The book of Psalms is a collection of one hundred and fifty songs from throughout Israel's history many telling about the coming Savior.
 

Let's see, 50 yards with no wind... that would be an F-sharp

"I'm sorry. I'm afraid I can't let you do that...Dave."

The book of Second Samuel ends with David as an old man while First Chronicles extends its historical account to the death of David. The book of First Kings picks up where Second Samuel left off, recounting King David's last days, and Second Chronicles continues where First Chronicles left off.

David's son, Solomon became king and asked God for wisdom to rule Israel wisely which God granted as well as promising him riches, honor and longevity.
 

The Tin Man, Dorothy and Scarecrow discover Solomon had gotten there before them

	Song of Songs by Solomon & the Psalm Psingers Parental Warning: PG-13

And later in life he wrote Ecclesiastes, a treatise on the futility of life lived apart from God.

During Solomon's reign the temple was built in Jerusalem, much of it overlaid with pure gold. He accumulated seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines who led him astray in his later years to follow and worship other gods.
 

The rest of the book gives brief biographies of the kings that ruled over Israel and Judah, some of whom were good but most of whom were bad.
 

Report Card
Name	Nation	Grade
David	Both	A
Solomon	Both	A
Rehoboam	Judah	C-
Jereboam	Israel	D
Abijah	Judah	C-
Asa	Judah	A-
Jehoshaphat	Judah	A-
Nadab	Israel	D
Baasha	Israel	F
Zimri	Israel	D
Omri	Israel	F
Ahab	Israel	F
Ahaziah	Israel	F

There are also glimpses of God's moral and political spokesmen, the prophets. God moved one of them, Elijah, to defeat the prophets of the false god Baal.
 

Spiritual Health Monitor
Israel	Judah

The prophets who wrote during this period of Israel's history were the following:

Obadiah, the shortest of the prophets. Actually, it's the book that is short.

The prophet Joel compared the destructive force of a locust invasion to the coming judgement of God.

"Heh heh heh heh, Cool!"

They repented and God had compassion on them and Jonah pouted about it.

The prophet Amos was a shepherd when God called him to prophesy.

I, Israel, take thee God, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor and obey 'til death do us part.

The prophet Hosea had an unfaithful wife that was used to illustrate Israel's unfaithfulness to God.

The prophet Isaiah gave a lot of detail about the coming Savior, prophesying about his unique birth, sinless life, sin-bearing death and even his resurrection from the dead.

The prophet Micah wrote that the Savior would come out of Bethlehem.

Although there were some bright spots in Israel's history during this period, the overall spiritual life of the nation declined until God had them swept away into exile by the Assyrian army in the year 722 B.C.

Spiritual Health Monitor
Israel

The prophets Zephaniah and Joel wrote during this time and the prophet Jeremiah warned Judah to learn a lesson from Israel's exile and repent.

Spiritual Health Monitor
Israel	Judah

Spiritual Health Monitor
	70 Year Exile
Judah		Judah

The prophet Daniel and 3 other young men were taken captive during the first wave of Babylon's deportment of Judah which encompassed only Judah's royal family and nobility. They were selected to serve the Babylonian king. God gave Daniel the ability not only to understand the dreams of the Babylonian King but to know what the dream was in the first place. He protected Daniel and his 3 compatriots from plots against their lives by jealous officials over whom they had been promoted for their exceptional abilities and service.

There were several changes in world leadership during Daniel's lifetime but each time, Daniel and his friends rose to the top.

JERUSALEM ENQUIRER BABYLON TAKES OVER King Nebuchadnezzar picks Daniel as Top Advisor Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, she said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, she said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, she said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, she said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said.

JERUSALEM ENQUIRER MEDES TAKE OVER King Darius picks Daniel as Top Advisor Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, she said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, she said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, she said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, she said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said. Blah blah, blah, blah, blahty blah, blah, he said.

God was taking good care of Judah during this time by keeping Daniel and his friends in such high positions of influence and authority. As for the dreams that Daniel interpreted and his own visions, much of the future history of the world powers were revealed through them. Some of this history is still future today.

The prophet Ezekiel had some awesome visions regarding the glory of God and the future of the Jewish nation and no, he didn't inhale.

Like Israel before her, the nation of Judah experienced some bright times, most notably under young King Josiah, but like her sister nation before her, she declined morally until God had her swept away into exile by the Babylonian army in the year 586 B.C.

Spiritual Health Monitor
Judah

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Persian King Cyrus gave the proclamation that the temple was to be rebuilt in Jerusalem.

Hear ye! Hear ye!
The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you--may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. And the people of any place where survivors may now be living are to provide him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.
- King Cyrus

After the 70 year exile, God spoke through the prophet Haggai telling the remnant of Judah who had returned to continue work rebuilding the temple of God. The prophet Zechariah likewise encouraged the people to continue the work. He received visions relating to the coming Savior and prophesied of a second coming of this Savior when Israel will look on the one they pierced and weep.

Zerubbabel led one group of exiles back but rebuilding was delayed by politics until later when Ezra led another group to restart the work. Then the temple was rebuilt.

The book of Nehemiah recounts the return to Jerusalem of Nehemiah and his work in rebuilding the protective walls around the city.  

The book of Esther is the account of how an Israelite woman became a Queen of Persia through a beauty contest and used her position to save her people from massacre.

God spoke one last time during this era through the prophet Malachi.

Judah's affection for God had grown cold and Malachi called for them to renew their love. He also prophesied about one who would prepare the way before the Savior would come.

The next 400 years were the quiet before the storm when God would come to earth as a man.
 

When the New Testament history began, Rome was in power over Judah and had appointed Herod king of the Jews. Judah was allowed to continue practicing her religion so long as she didn't make waves.
 

Enter Jesus Christ [Stage Right]

We have 4 (Count'em!) accounts of the life and times of Jesus Christ, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John often referred to as the Gospels. Each records the life of Jesus from a slightly different vantage point.
 

GOSPELS
Matthew wrote for a Jewish audience drawing heavily from the Old Testament to show that Jesus fulfilled all of the prophesies about the coming Savior.	Mark gave a very concise and action-packed version of Jesus' life to appeal to a Roman audience.  Memo Re: Communicating with Roman audience The power words are: Immediately Straightaway Instantly Use them whenever possible.	Dr. Luke, MD. included a lot of historical details to indicate when the events of Jesus' life took place.	John's account of Jesus' life has a markedly different vantage point from the other 3 in that he was more intimately acquainted with Jesus. Also, since he wrote his account long after the others, John purposely avoided repeating what had already been written.

Jesus's ministry began when he was about 30.
 

Mankind had sinned starting with Adam & Eve right down to every last one of us and just like God warned Adam & Eve, the punishment for this form of rebellion was death, eventual physical death and eternal separation from God. But God loved the world so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for our sins. All God requires of us is to personally accept His free gift of salvation - eternal life with Him by accepting Christ as our savior, our substitute.

"Today's catch? 205 trout, 153 bass and 87 perch. Nothin' but net!"

Paul at first persecuted the church, doing all he could to crush it. But Jesus appeared to him and recruited him to preach the good news to Jews and Gentiles alike and to their kings as well. Paul and the other apostles traveled throughout Eastern Europe and parts of Asia starting churches.
 

Federal (Epistle) Express When it absolutely, positively has Has HAS to change the world overnight.

 

The rest of the New Testament books are letters written by these early Christian leaders to churches and to individual Christians.

They generally are letters bringing to light many of Jesus' teachings, encouraging believers to keep the faith and to hold to the truths of the Bible.

James, the half-brother of Jesus wrote the book of James to Jewish Christians everywhere, stressing practical Christian living.

Paul and Barnabas took their first Missionary journey preaching the gospel and starting churches wherever they went.

Then Paul wrote the letter to the churches he had started in the province of Galatia.
 

|	Jerusalem Christian Church - Founded 33AD - Church Council Meeting Tonight Guest Speaker: Brother Paul Brother Barnabas and more Topic: Gentile Christians - Cool!	|

The church leaders convened a council to discuss the delightfully surprising situation of Gentile Christians. A few years later, Paul took Silas with him on a second Missionary journey revisiting the previously started churches and starting new ones on the way.

Paul wrote 2 letters to the church at Thessalonica. And a few years later still, Paul journeyed back to visit the churches one last time to strengthen all the disciples.

After this, Paul wrote First & Second Corinthians, correcting errors in this church he had started and answering their questions.
 

Letter to the Romans Re: Salvation by faith in Jesus Christ Dear Pope :)  Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

Paul wrote the book of Romans to the church at Rome. In it Paul gave a systematic explanation of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ's work on the cross.

After returning to Jerusalem, Paul was taken prisoner during which time he had opportunity to preach to governors and kings called in to hear his case.

Paul wrote the books of Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Philippians, First Timothy, Titus and finally Second Timothy.

The apostle Peter wrote 2 letters during this time as well.
 

Author identity protected (No! It wasn't Salmon Rushdie!)
Author of Hebrews

The book of Hebrews was also written about this time but the author is unknown, though most assume Paul wrote it.

Jude, another of Jesus' half-brothers, wrote the book of Jude and then the Apostle John, probably the last living apostle, wrote 3 short letters and then the book of Revelation telling of things which will shortly come to pass. In many ways it carries on Daniel's prophecies of the yet-to-occur future. The book, and with it, the Bible end with a glimpse into eternity future.

There you have it: a whirlwind tour of the Bible - the most important book in the world.