The End Times Bible Report Quarterly
Summer 2023: Issue Number 105
A Glorious
Divine Architect
“Write down the vision and make
it plain upon tables, that
everyone may read it fluently.”
— Habakkuk 2:2 —
Every architect has a blueprint from which to accurately construct his creation. So too, God has a blueprint for His creative plan which is outlined in detail in the Bible. And, just as an architect asks that no one judge his project by its unfinished work, so too, we should not judge God’s creation before its completion. Rather, it should be viewed by the blueprint which illustrates His plan in its grand completion.
Time an Important
Element in God’s Plan
The Prophet Habakkuk was told to write down the vision of God’s plan so that all might understand it. But throughout the centuries, all have not clearly understood the vision. The prophet Daniel was given a glimpse of this glorious vision and then told to conceal it, for God said: “... shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: [then] many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Here is the key to understanding — the vision was meant to be understood at a later time — in the time of the end. Daniel 12:4
There is very little doubt in the minds of Bible students that we are now living in this period known as the time of the end. Over the past two centuries, amazing intellectual discoveries and incredible achievements in travel have taken place, marking the very time in which the vision was due to be understood. Gradual enlightenment on many prophetic subjects through the use of a multitude of Bible translations, concordances and archaeological findings has brought the diligent Bible student to an appreciation of deeper spiritual truths. Indeed, the time is at hand for the fulfillment of every vision. Ezekiel 12:23; Isaiah 11:9
The Great Architect of the Universe
Under His careful supervision, Jehovah, the Glorious Divine Architect, has permitted both evil and good in order to accomplish His grand purposes. When God’s progressive plan is complete and the rough scaffolding removed, it will reveal that the world’s dark night of weeping under the influence of evil has been permitted for mankind’s instruction. (Psalm 30:5) From their experiences they will have learned the hard lesson of the exceeding sinfulness of sin and thus be prepared to wholeheartedly embrace the Divine Laws of God’s Kingdom. God’s finished creative work will universally declare the infinite power, wisdom, love and justice of His merciful character.
Man’s finite mind cannot comprehend the wisdom of his God, who plans with unerring precision for eternity without the possibility of failure. The more we grasp the vision of God’s merciful Kingdom, the more we see the power and skill which can harness every opposing element and make all work together to accomplish His will. God’s eyes never sleep, His ear is always open, and He is always aware of and active in all the interests of His creative works. And in this time when the vision is due to be understood, it is the privilege of all who seek, to look into the deep things of God’s Word. 1 Corinthians 2:10
God’s Prophetic Blueprint
To better understand the Bible, God’s Prophetic Blueprint is illustrated on the next page. It depicts man’s experiences for a period of 7000 years from paradise lost to paradise restored. This Chart of the Ages helps to illustrate the progressive nature of God’s plan for bringing all of His creation into full harmony with Him.
Since God tells us that He has a definite, fixed purpose, and that all His purposes shall be accomplished, we as Christians should inquire diligently what those plans are, that we may be found in harmony with them. “The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.” (Isaiah 14:24) Therefore, however mysterious God’s workmanship may appear, those who believe the testimony of His Word must acknowledge that His original plan is unaltered and has been progressing systematically to completion.
The mass of mankind, groping in darkness, must wait for the actual development of God’s plan before they can realize the glorious character and purpose of His work. But it is the privilege of God’s faithful to appreciate the otherwise mysterious dealings of the past and the present, as we search His Word. There we learn that the plan of God, with reference to man, spans three great periods of time, beginning with man’s creation and reaching into eternity. The Apostles Peter and Paul designate these periods as “THREE WORLDS” — three dispensations or periods of time.
Three Dispensations Called “WORLDS”
The Scriptures reveal three great time frames in God’s plan, the ultimate goal of which is to bless all the families of the earth.
— The FIRST WORLD —
The FIRST Dispensational time frame was from the creation and fall of Adam to Noah’s Flood. The Apostle Peter called this THE WORLD THAT WAS before the Flood. (2 Peter 3:6) During this time, angels were permitted to help manage the affairs of the fallen human race with the purpose of trying to reform them from sin-sickness. While many of these angels remained Holy and obedient, some were corrupted by power and selfishness, and as a result, all of humankind, except Noah and his family, had become so thoroughly corrupted by the influence of the fallen angels that God caused a great Flood to rid the world of their pervasive evil. Hebrews 2:5; Genesis 6:1-8
— The SECOND WORLD —
The SECOND Dispensation spans from the Flood to the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. The Apostle Paul called this time THE PRESENT EVIL WORLD when man is permitted to try governing himself; but because of inherited weakness from father Adam, and submitting to the influence of Satan, “darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people.” (Galatians 1:4; Isaiah 60:2) Jesus called Satan the “prince of this world,” as Satan now rules and works in the hearts of the children of disobedience. (John 16:11; Ephesians 2:2; 6:12) Yes, humanity has struggled in vain to rule righteously during the long period from the Flood to our present time. This attempted reign of man under Satan’s powerful mastery will come to an end in the greatest time of trouble the world has ever known. (Daniel 12:1; 2 Peter 3:7) Thus will be proven the futility of both men and angels’ efforts to lift humanity up out of sin-sickness to a position of peace and happiness.
— The THIRD WORLD —
The THIRD Dispensation is to be a “world without end” — the Kingdom of God under the administration of God’s appointed ruler, Christ. The Apostle Paul calls this time THE WORLD TO COME, and Peter describes the conditions “wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (Hebrews 2:5; 2 Peter 3:13) This next dispensation is to be so dissimilar as to be the very reverse of the present one in almost every particular. This is because Satan, the fallen angels and fallen man will no longer be permitted to rule. Only truth and righteousness will prevail and prosper under the authority of Christ and his Church. (Revelation 22:17) The blotting out of evil will be gradual, requiring all of the first thousand years. Evil will not rule nor will the wicked prosper, but “the righteous shall flourish,” and “the evil doer shall be cut off.” (Psalm 72:7; Isaiah 1:19; Psalm 37:9) Today we still live in this present evil world under Satan’s temporary rule, but, our Lord, the righteous King of kings, promised he would be a benevolent ruler of the WORLD TO COME. John 16:33; Philippians 2:7-11
AGE of the FIRST WORLD
As illustrated on the Chart of the Ages, note that two of these great WORLDS are subdivided, but the FIRST WORLD was not subdivided. God’s method of dealing with mankind in that era did not vary during the entire time from Adam’s fall to Noah’s Flood. God had given mankind His Divine Law, written in his very nature, but after Adam disobeyed, God left him and his offspring measurably to their own course. This course was downward, “evil, and that continually,” demonstrating the effects of sin. Thus the wisdom of God in commanding absolute obedience will be understood in due time. Genesis 6:5
Three AGES Within
the SECOND WORLD
The SECOND WORLD — this present evil world — includes Three AGES, each a step in the Plan of God for the overthrow of evil. The First AGE we call the AGE of the PATRIARCHS, because during the period after the Great Flood, God’s dealings and favors were with a few faithful individuals only — Patriarchs. These favored Fathers of Faith were Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. At the death of Jacob, the AGE of the PATRIARCHS ended and the Second AGE began.
Just before Jacob died, God gave this faithful Patriarch a new name — Israel. His twelve sons became known as “the twelve tribes of Israel,” and were together recognized of God as “a holy nation” separated from other nations for a particular purpose. Israel, therefore enjoyed certain special favors. This feature of the Divine Plan began at the death of Jacob and ended at the death of Christ, and is designated the JEWISH AGE — the era of the Law and the Prophets.
During the JEWISH AGE God specially blessed Israel, providing them His favor through a special Covenant with them. Israel was given the Tabernacle, representing Jehovah’s presence with them. To Israel God also sent the Prophets, and finally, at the end of this AGE, He sent his Son. Jesus performed miracles and taught in their midst as a Jew under the Law. Jesus sent his disciples out, saying, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles... but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 10:5,6; 15:24) This National favor ended when they rejected Jesus as their Messiah. Five days before his crucifixion, he declared, “Your house is left unto you desolate.” Matthew 23:38
There at Jesus’ death, the Third AGE of the SECOND WORLD began — the CHRISTIAN or GOSPEL AGE. During this AGE the good tidings of hope are being heralded — not to the Jew only, but to all nations — Jesus Christ, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man. 1 Timothy 2:3-6; Hebrews 2:9
As in the AGE of the PATRIARCHS and in the JEWISH AGE, the GOSPEL AGE is the time when God extends special favor to a special group of His faithful — those who accept Christ Jesus as their Redeemer and who follow him in the way of sacrifice. (2 Timothy 2:11, 12; Romans 12:1) The good news has gone throughout the earth for nearly two thousand years, and thus it can now be said that it has been preached in every nation. It has not converted nations — it was not designed to do so in this AGE — but it has selected a “little flock” to whom it is the Father’s good pleasure to give the Kingdom in the AGE to follow. (Luke 12:32) When Jesus’ faithful followers have all been Harvested out of this “present evil world,” the SECOND WORLD will come to an end.
Two AGES Within the THIRD WORLD
As the CHRISTIAN AGE is ending, the dawn of God’s Kingdom under the unimpeded reign of Messiah progresses into the MESSIANIC AGE. At the beginning of the THIRD WORLD, in preparation for the establishment of Messiah’s reign of righteousness, Satan’s power is to be torn down and overthrown. But this prince of darkness and those who support his evil schemes will not give up their hold on humanity without a struggle. This is the time in which we now live, and we can plainly see a world in turmoil — the final struggle between good and evil. But, Christ will prevail, and Satan will be bound during the MESSIANIC reign.
“Times of restitution of all things” shall extend from the beginning of the Harvest of the GOSPEL AGE until all that was lost by sin in the Garden of Eden is restored. (Acts 3:19-21) Evil will not be allowed during the Messianic reign, and by its conclusion, the whole creation will be a praise to Jehovah! “... and there shall be no more death... neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4; Isaiah 35:1-10
Following the close of the MESSIANIC AGE, another era will begin — the AGES TO COME, which will be without an end! “...we according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13) The AGES TO COME are generally described as eternally glorious, for God promised: “I will make the place of my feet glorious.” Isaiah 60:13
The Fulfillment of All God Has Spoken
God’s Divine Plan of the Ages is progressively unfolding from AGE to AGE. During this time, humanity has been receiving the necessary discipline and experience to enable them to understand God’s wisdom — in due time. Every element of His Blueprint is being carefully managed under His watchful eye, supervised by His Divinely appointed Foreman, Jesus Christ: “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.” (Ephesians 1:10, 11; 3:2) Satan’s evil hold upon the world is nearing its final collapse, as Christ is even now dismantling this present evil world. Faith can firmly trust that a better day is coming and will be right on time!
Every past issue of the
End Times Bible Report Quarterly
is available to read free on our web site:
