God took the initiative in resolving the issue of sin. He made provision for redeeming mankind, but not the angels who had sinned. His provision is first expressed in covenants and promises that He made which point us to the only basis there is for the forgiveness of sin. A scarlet thread of truth, woven through scripture, begins at Genesis chapter 3, verse 21, when God shed the blood of animals to provide skins to clothe Adam and Eve. It continues in the blood of animal sacrifices for sin in the Old Covenant, and is finished in the blood of Christ that was shed for the forgiveness of our sins.

GOD’S PROMISES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

God’s first promise was that the seed of the woman (Christ) would bruise (or crush) the serpents head (Gen. 3:15). This pointed to Christ’s future victory over Satan on the cross.

God’s primary, and most important promise, was in the covenant that He made with Abraham (Gen. 12:2-3; 13:15-16; 15:1, 4-6; 17:1-21; 18:17-18; 22:16-18). His promise began with the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, and promised that through Isaac’s descendants, would come, in time, a seed through whom all nations would be blessed. This promised blessing would not be only to natural descendants of Abraham, but to all people who would believe on this promised seed (Rm. 9:6-26; Heb. 11:8-18). The root of all God’s promises in the Old and New Testaments is His covenant with Abraham. For this reason, Abraham is the father of all who believe (Gal. 3:6-9).

God expanded on His covenant with Abraham by making additional covenants with his descendant, Israel. The following are elements of these covenants, all of which are types and shadows of spiritual fulfillment in the promised seed, Christ:

• The Exodus (Ex. 7-14)
• The Law (Ex. 19:18-25; 20:1-26). The Law pointed to a righteousness that could only be attained by faith in Christ (Gal. 3:1-29).
• The Tabernacle (Ex. 25-27, 35-40). This was an earthly sanctuary that was a type of God’s house in the Spirit (Heb. 3:1-6; Eph. 2:13-22).
• The feasts, or convocations (Lev. 23). The three major feasts, Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles pointed forward to specific harvests to come through the sacrifice of Christ.
• Animal sacrifices (Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:19-23). These all pointed to the future sacrifice of Christ for our sins. The issue is blood!

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement. (Lev. 17:11)

There is no forgiveness apart from the blood of Christ, and there is no righteousness apart from faith in Him.

Israel was a pattern of what would be later fulfilled in the church (Heb. 8:4-5; 9:1-28; 10:1-22; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9). The failures of Israel are warnings for us today (1 Cor. 10:1-12). Some Old Testament prophecies were specific promises destined to be later fulfilled in the New Testament (Is. 53, Is. 61, Joel 2, Dan. 7).

QUESTIONS:
(1) What is the significance of Gen. 3:14-15?
(2) What is the significance of God’s promises to Abraham? (Is. 51:1-3; Gal. 3:6-9, 14).
(3) What was the seal of Abraham’s covenant? (Rom. 4:7-12)
(4) Why is God’s promise to Abraham certain? (Heb. 6:13-19)
(5) When will the Feast of Tabernacles be fulfilled?
(6) What are the promises in Isaiah 53?

REFERENCES: Ex. 12:1-7; Lev. 8, 14, 16, 17; Rom. 4:1-5, 13; Heb. 11:8-18; BUILD ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN (F.O.L. Tract); GRAFTING IN THE NATURAL BRANCHES (F.O.L. Book).

PERSONAL NOTES:

GOD’S PROMISES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Promises of Old and New Testaments are both based on God’s promises to Abraham (Rm. 4:13-16; Gal. 3:13-19).
• The covenants and ordinances of the Old Testament were shadows of a future fulfillment in Christ.

....all these (Old Testament saints) died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance.... (Heb. 11:13)

• As in the Old Testament, there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood, and no righteousness apart from faith (Heb. 9:22; Rm. 1:17).
• The New Testament is based on faith in the shed blood of Christ, which gives a better covenant and better promises. (Heb. 8:6-13; 2 Pet. 1:2-4).

For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him (Christ) they are yes.... (2 Cor. 1:20).

• Jesus was the promised Lamb of God (Jn. 1:36; 1 Pet. 1:18-21).
• His blood was the blood of God (Lk. 1:34-35; Jn. 6:53-56; 19:34; Heb. 9:11-2).
• The crown of all promises is to receive the eternal life of God (1 Jn. 1:4; 5:21-25; 17:2-3; 1 Jn. 1:1-2; 5:12-13).
• This comes from the Holy Spirit of life who indwells us (Gal. 3:14; Rm. 8:1-4, 31-29; Col. 1:26-28).

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Cor. 7:1).

THE CROSS OF CHRIST

• From God’s viewpoint: His love expressed (Jn. 3:16; 2 Cor. 5:21)
• How the world sees the cross (1 Cor. 1:18; Phil. 3:18-19)
• How we are to see the cross (Gal. 6:14; Rm. 6:5-11; Gal. 3:13-14)
• God’s purpose in the cross (Eph. 2:13-16; Phil. 2:5-11)
• Satan was totally defeated by the death and resurrection of the Son of Man (Col. 2:13-15)
• This was the greatest event in the history of mankind
• Benefits of the cross were prophesied in the Old Testament, and they cover body, soul and spirit (Is.53:4-11)
• 4 Common errors:

—To minimize the awfulness of sin
—To underestimate the love and power of God to change us
—To overemphasize our sins, problems and circumstances
—To try and produce righteousness by our works

QUESTIONS:
(1) What is the significance of Eph. 1:13-14?
(2) What is the significance of Rom. 5:10? Mk. 15:37-39?
(3) How can we follow our Lord’s example? (Lk. 9:23-25)
(4) What is the significance of Heb. 8:13?

REFERENCES: Jn. 1:1-18; 3:1-21; Jn. 19.

PERSONAL NOTES:

THE WORD OF GOD

. . . take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph. 6:17).

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15).

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

• God’s word is living and active (Heb. 4:12; 1 Cor. 1:18).
• It is eternal (Mt. 24:35; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Ps. 119:89).
• It establishes faith (Rm. 10:17; Heb. 11:1-40).
• All things were created by God’s words (Col. 1:16; Heb. 11:3; 2 Pet. 3:1-7).
• All things hold together by His word (Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17).
• It will always accomplish the purpose of God (Is. 55:8-11).
• The word of God has existed from all eternity (Jn. 1:1-3).
• God honors His word as He does His name (Ps. 138:2).
• It provides spiritual sustenance (Mt. 4:4; Jn. 6:63).
• It provides guidance to walk in righteousness. (Ps. 119:8, 11, 103-105).
• It sanctifies those who obey it (Jn. 17:17; Eph. 5:25-27).
• For these many reasons, it is important to hide the word of God in our hearts by memorizing it (Ps.119:11; Jer. 15:16).
• The Holy Spirit reveals the word (Jn. 16:13-15; 1 Jn. 2:27; 1 Cor. 2:9-13; Eph. 1:17-21; Job 32:7-9).
  

  Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God (Col. 3:16).

• The word of God is a mirror in which one can behold the glory of the Lord. It also reflects those areas of our lives that must be changed for us to become like Jesus (Ja. 1:22-25; 2 Cor. 3:18).

  ....If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.... (Jn. 8:31-31).

  ....If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make Our abode with him. (Jn. 14:23).

QUESTIONS:
(1) Is there any time that we should water down the word of God? (Col. 2:6-9; 2 Cor. 4:2).
(2) How will God judge us? (Jn. 12:46-50)

REFERENCES: OUR NEGLECTED WEAPON (F.O.L. tract); 1 Pet. 2:2; 1 Jn. 1:1-3; Lk. 24:25-32; Acts 17:10-11.

PERSONAL NOTES:

THE NATURE OF GOD

• The oneness of God (Deut. 6:4; Mk. 12:29; Eph. 4:4-6; Jn. 17:21-23)
• God is spirit (Jn. 4:24; Jn. 14:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:45)
• God is eternal; omnipresent; omnipotent; omniscient; holy; just; and He is a God of love (1 Jn. 4:7-21).
• The Fatherhood of God (Jn. 3:16-18; Eph. 1:3-8; Gal. 4:6)
• The will of God (Jn. 6:38,40; Mt. 6:9-13)
• The power of God (Acts 2:38)
• The authority of God (Mt. 28:18)
• The name of Jesus (Col. 3:17; Is. 9:6; Phil. 2:8-11; Jn. 14:13-14; Jn. 17:11).
• How can we understand God? (Jn. 1:14,18; Jn. 14:9; Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 1:3; Col. 2:2-3, 9).
• The eternal nature of God is more than the fact that He has no beginning or end. He created time, and therefore is not subject to the constaint of time as we are. He has total foreknowledge of all things, having been present at all events in history before they occured in our lifetimes (Is. 46:9-10; Eph. 2:10; Heb. 4:3; 2 Tim. 1:9; Eccl. 3:10-11, 15). God has the same knowledge of our future lives as He did for Jeremiah and David (Jer. 1:5; Ps. 139:2-4, 13-16).
• The nature of God is revealed in Jesus (Jn. 1:14, 18; Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:15-19; 2:2-3,9).
• The church is to become a deepening incarnation of God (Col. 1:26-29; 2 Cor. 3:17-18; Eph. 4:13).
  

  The mystery which has been hidden from the past generations; but now has been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom that we may present every man complete in Christ (Col. 1:26-28).

• God’s character is expressed by His glory. He declared to Moses that His glory is made up of the following seven virtues: compassion; gracious; slow to anger (long-suffering); abounding in lovingkindness; abounding in truth; He forgives sin., iniquity and transgression; and yet He will punish the guilty. These seven qualities of character together make up the love of God (Ex. 33:18-19; 34:6-7).

QUESTIONS:
(1) Is there a contradiction between Mt. 28:19 and Acts 2:38?
(2) What is the significance of Rev. 1:8?
(3) Can you find examples of the seven virtues of God’s glory in the life and ministry of Jesus?
(4) Considering the seven virtues of God’s glory, do you see why Jn. 17:22 is true?

REFERENCES: THE LORD, OUR GOD (F.O.L. Tract); OUR ETERNAL CREATOR, LORD OF THE AGES (F.O.L. Tract).

PERSONAL NOTES:

CONTENTS
STUDY OBJECTIVES
THE CREATION OF MAN
THE ORIGIN AND ISSUE OF SIN
THE PROVISION OF GOD
THE PROCESS OF SALVATION
THE PURPOSE OF GOD
THE END OF THIS  AGE