The Bible has a
central theme, which is a complete story of redemption. It begins the story at
the creation of the world and ends when the New Jerusalem at the end of the
Book of Revelation. There are, however, many stages in between. I thought I
would briefly summarize those stages. By knowing them, it will show how the
Bible unfolds thematically. It reveals the progression of God' plan
for his people.
According to Willem
Van Gemmeran, there are twelve stages of redemptive history. The Bible moves
from creation in harmony stage (1) where Yahweh is King and Adam and Eve
function as his sinless vice regents. Then sin enters the world beginning in
chapter 3 and from there to chapter 11, stage (2) begins the rebellion against
God’s kingship. In Genesis 12 until Genesis 50 Moses records stage (3) of God’s
plan as he outlines the promise given to Abraham to be the father of many
nations and the plan of salvation that is accessed by faith alone. As the plan
progresses, God develops a nation called Israel who are chosen to be his
people.
The Patriarchs of
this people are found in stage 3, but stage (4) in Genesis through Joshua, the
Bible records God’s plan to develop a holy nation by giving them the Mosaic law
and his presence with the purpose of developing a holy nation. During the
period of the Judges until to midpoint of the book of Samuel, the Bible moves
to stage (5), revealing how Israel rebelled against God and his theocracy and
lived like the other nations. God, in his infinite grace though, extends to
Israel his mercy, and in stage (6) makes them a royal nation by enacting of a
covenant he made with David to produce a glorious theocratic community which
enjoyed God’s presence in the temple. Then in stage (7) sin takes place and the
Davidic dynasty ends and God judges Israel by divided the Kingdom into two
parts, namely Israel and Judah. This stage takes place beginning in I Kings 12
until 2 Kings 25, and is also reflected in 2 Chron. 10-36. God doesn’t leave
the nation divided forever, as he sends the prophets to preach a massage of
reform and renewal of the covenant, resulting in stage (8) of his plan. This
stage carries over until the New Testament begins with Jesus coming and the
beginning of His Kingdom, which is stage (9)
In stage (10) the
apostolic era begins and this begins to lay the groundwork for stage (11) which
is the church age. During this age God moves it focus from developing a nation
to developing a bride called the church. This is the age we currently find
ourselves. God is seeking to build a holy and royal people that is comprised of
all the nations of the world. The periods culminate in stage (12), which is the
New Jerusalem. The salvation process culminates in the glorification of God’s
saints and God developing a new heaven and a new earth (Gen. 3:1-Rev. 22:21).[1]
[1] Willem
Van Gemeren. The Progress of Redemption: The Story of Salvation from
Creation to the New Jerusalem. Grand Rapids: Baker Books (1988) 32
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