Bible Overview Part 2 - Taking Charge With Our Life By Formatting God

Prelude

The Bible Contents and I

The bible is the only book that holds the content in life and is about life. 1) It is the only book in the world written with the purpose to explain and bring about life in us. All other system of thoughts, ideology and wisdom in the world may seemingly provide food for thought, but they only cause us to go deeper into chaos and complications such that no conclusion can be reached. This itself is the very nature of death. 2) It has important contents to guide us on how to live. These contents are all vital so that if anyone misses any of it, he has to rely and go right down to the fallible nature and abilities of man. When this happens, it becomes harder and harder to live. 3) It states the absolute truth that brings us assurance because the word of the bible must be fulfilled as evidence that is naturally exemplified. This assurance starts from having confidence in our own blessed life, on what we are doing to follow the Lord, to everything that follows, including seeing God’s confirmation in our family, church, career and our roles in this age.

The Need to Format His Word in Our Life

If we do not format our lives, anything we have, whether happiness or accomplishments, is a pity. Why should we be concerned and be working towards things that are not going to last? However, if we format our lives, we will be able to live peaceful, abundant and powerful lives because the format brings about the answer of peace. How does this answer of peace come about from the formatting of God’s word?

1) Bring about love For the Word of God

There are no problems too big if we love the word of God. We should not be anxious about revival or getting our problems resolved because if we are, we are, in essence, away from being in God. Instead, let us test and approve by asking, “Am I loving His word?”

Jesus Christ sighs of the darkness of this age, and of man losing the love for God’s word. Against all questions, let us first consider that when we lose the word of God, all our living contents goes wrong. This is because everything is going to go wrong and out of control if we lose the word of God. Without the word of God, sins and the channels for Satan’s bondage will come in, increasingly in measure and causing God’s wrath or discipline on us. It does not even matter if we are slow in growing, as results will not be achieved when the time schedule is not reached. With the word of God, every single thing has an answer of His guidance in our lives. And if we love the word of God, we have witnessed in our hearts that He will take care of everything because He is the guarantor.

Therefore, this is how we should see problems with our spiritual eyes. First, let us not be deceived by thinking our life has improved when we get rich, have plentiful enjoyable holiday tours, or when we possess big cars. If this is the case, we should be very watchful then. This is also because the brothers and sisters in church may be misled by such “wealth”. Our perspective should be one where we all have nothing to boast except the love of the word of God. The church will inherit the same blessings when brothers and sisters look at us and regard spiritual wealth as priority. Moreover, if we love the word of God, we do not need to be afraid of any problems, slanders, and persecutions that we may face because these are definitely our blessings. God will be responsible for our family members if they go against us because of what He has already promised in His word. This is the peace that God has promised us.

2) Allow us to take charge of our spirit, soul, body, living, and relationships

If we know the word of God correctly, we will definitely be able to take charge of ourselves. Let us consider for a second. Do we at many times disregard matters that will affect our spiritual state of the heart, the control over our time, our health, and the people around us because of our idleness in confirming and thus having a format of God’s word in our hearts and minds? God’s word has already let us know what is of value and what is not, how to rely on Him and receive strength, and on living as a king with the loving heart of a priest and the words to speak like a prophet. If we have this format of God’s word in our hearts, would we just let go or let it pass and skip praying about matters that will affect our spirit, soul, body, living, and relationships? Let us also consider if God has really given us the ability to know His word accurately so that we can take charge of ourselves. If God is alive, the moment we see that our weakness has affected our living habits and relationships with people, let us not be discouraged. Let us stand up and open our eyes for the format of God’s word. Surely God’s purpose for allowing this is that He has called us not to be a typical man or woman, but to restore being the lord of our lives and relationships with spouses and children in being the first to experience failures, the one to lift up prayers, and the one to comfort, encourage and bless.

3) Enable us to influence others

When we continue to be stewards, being able to manage our lives for two to three years, we will be able to influence the people around us to be receptive of the gospel.

This write-up presents a very quick overview of the Old Testament and New Testament. Let us quickly grab hold of the entire bible at a glance in preparation to getting an overview of each and every book of the bible in the upcoming write-ups.

1. The Old Testament

The Old Testament tells of the very nature of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah. The contents speak of our identity, how Christ must be fulfilled in us as a Jesus of today, by taking over the role of Jesus as the Prophet, the Priest and the King in our present time. The 12 tribes that make up Israel are the people that God chosen, sanctified and made heirs of the place God has prepared for them. These people represent the people who have the promise and whom God calls to make a covenant with Him. The land of Canaan is the crown prepared by God for them. Canaan, where Jesus chose to descend to earth at His first and second coming, symbolizes our highest purpose of our every restoration of identity, prayers and crown in our life. We can examine the following scriptures: Priest <Romans 8:1-2>, King <1John 3:8>, Prophet <John 14:6> by understanding what the books of the law, the books of history, and the books of the prophets mean to us.

1) Book of the Law

The 5 books of Moses are not about the rights and wrongs that one has to follow strictly. They are covenant books telling us of God’s promises. They are the principle by which the nation of Israel is established through God’s definition of the belonging, purpose and method of living as the people of the covenant. In all the 5 books of the law, when blood sacrifice is done, the covenant is set up or renewed. This is the great emphasis of God, the establishment of our lives, Christ, the great priest. This means that if I am only one person in the world, God would still have died for me to restore me out from darkness into promises, and will take all measures to sanctify me and prepare me to inherit my crown. In these 5 books of the law, God’s very purpose for exalting Christ, the great priest is that I must confirm that I am being called, bestowed with grace, loved, blessed and have God’s bestowed promise. This is the correct way of reading the Book of the Law as what God intended for His beloved children. In fact, the 5 books of the law is actually a complete book by itself, similar to what the whole bible is all about: the establishment of my life.

(1) Genesis

Genesis can be viewed as the whole Bible in minified form. It is the eyes through which we understand all the books of bible. The 4 encounters and 4 figures is its content. Actually, God wants to tell us about one person, Abraham, the representative of all believers in the whole bible and the history of saints till now, through the book of Genesis. Jesus in the gospel books and the books of Epistles often use Abraham to exhort all believers as being Abraham themselves in standing before God, their family and Gentiles around them. With such an understanding, Genesis is therefore about the background and environment and the life of Abraham in which he is called. The book of Genesis becomes alive when we understand it in this way that the 4 backgrounds where we live in naturally brings the need for the principle of our life as a “patriarch”, the head of a family or a group. And this principle is that all of Abraham’s promises are in us, and Isaac and Jacob are our descendants.

(i) 4 encounters (Chapters 1-11)

The 4 non-coincidental backgrounds that similarly encountered by us are (1) the creation (principle), (2) the fall of man (problem and solution), (3) the flood (judgment and salvation), and (4) the Tower of Babel (world). We are created as the source of all blessings and this is the very principle of knowing who we are. However, because of the fall of man when we disbelieve Him, we became slaves to Satan, sin and ended up into the state of separation, away from God. Thus, he becomes flesh, the very reason of his expiry. However, God has already prepared a solution for man despite his fall, which was revealed as the seed of the woman. The consequence of being in the flesh is the judgment symbolized by the flood. However, God demonstrates His great love for us in this, that while we are amidst problems, God never leaves us but provides salvation through Noah’s ark. Yes, the Tower of Babel, representing the huge pull and attraction of the corrupted world, has a very strong impact in our lives, but God is still with us! He, being concerned of the blessed ones to come, chose Abraham and chose me. Jesus, which also means Emmanuel, (or God never leaves us), uses (1) all creation, (2) clothes of blood, (3) ark, and (4) Abraham to be with us in the book of Genesis! This is the environment where Abraham was called and was born again. Then Abraham was given promises as narrated by the rest of Genesis.

(ii) 4 figures (Chapters 12-50)

Though there are 4 figures, these 4 actually speak of 1 person, that is, Abraham, or Jesus Christ, or Me. These 4 persons are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. Abraham was born again and God gave promises to him saying, “I will definitely bless you”. Isaac is always in blessings. Whether he has fallen or even when his wife is taken away, these are blessings. Blessings follow the lives of all believers. Jacob has all his life being sanctified. If we believers do not go into intimacy with God or are not simple in living with our loving God, there will be discipline, a discipline of love. Anyone who is born again must go through sanctification. But the moment we turn to God, God shows us His blessings again. Joseph overcame and conquered the world. Those who are always being sanctified always experience God being with him. Actually the life of Isaac, Jacob and Joseph are all in Abraham. Abraham also receives (1) the blessings of Genesis 12:1-3 every time, even when he falls, (2) sanctification all the way in his life from the time he left his hometown till he stood at Mount Moriah, (3) conquered over men so that he can come before King Abimelech and is asked for peace from Pharaoh. The promise that Abraham received is the same as what God gives to us today, and this is the four gospelization as spoken in Genesis 12:1-3.

(2) Exodus

Exodus, the covenant and fulfillment of Genesis, is the story of one person (Abraham) becoming a race (Israel) that conquered the world. In fact, Exodus is the Systematic Theological Book in the Old Testament.

(i) The Israel in Egypt (Chapter 1-4)

The original problem is Satan’s bondage, the world and the flesh. If we quiet down and consider, the temptations, world’s culture and the desires of flesh that we receive are really very strong. How can we ever come out of this? Only when we undergo pain brought by this world till a certain point that we come to realize that we definitely need the one and only God. Israel in Egypt has to undergo such pain. Let us also be rest-assured of our timetable and that of our loved ones.

(ii) The Israel that came out of Egypt (Chapter 5-13)

The emphasis here is on the mystery of Passover, which is the cross of Christ. Therefore the first nine miracles did not really work out but they were accomplished to make Pharaoh’s heart even harder. This is what our church today needs to understand about the mystery of salvation, that there is no other Name by which we must be saved. And this is what the bible means by being born again.

(iii) The Israel that cross the Red Sea (Chapter 14-15)

The spiritual meaning of Israel crossing the Red Sea is the mystery of baptism. Baptism is about setting apart ourselves as holy. The Red Sea is therefore not a problem, but victory for Israel. If we are to battle the world with a heart that is afraid, how can we win? But we would already have won when we are at peace in spite of the world. Moses saw God’s work (not his work), and he realized his responsibility was to be still and watch, then just submit and follow. Let us quickly use our life of belonging to confirm this blessed truth. Let us not follow with fear, for that is not following the Lord.

(iv) The Israel in the wilderness (Chapter 16-18)

The Ark of Covenant, the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire are always being mentioned. They are there to lead Israel today and tomorrow. This is called walking with God. We will occasionally meet the Red Sea, but most of the time, we should be walking with God. Those who follow God will not have erratic behaviours like sudden zeal, or changing ideas about God’s will, etc. But the one who truly walks with God sees God’s providence in his fields, and according to His timetable.

(v) The Israel before Mount Sinai (Chapter 19-24)

Before Mount Sinai, Israel receives the commandments and law on various matters, but they are all summarized as “to love God and men”. If our hearts are not changed like this, there is no sanctification.

(vi) Build the Tent of Meeting (24:12 - 40:33)

Israel is called to restore worship or to restore prayers. The bible declares that where the Tent of Meeting is, God is, and the people of God should also be at. Exodus has 5 miracles, that is, the Passover, crossing the Red Sea, Tent of Meeting, the wilderness, and conquering the land of Canaan. The most important of these is the Tent of Meeting, which was written towards the end of Exodus, where the glory of the Lord fills. And where the Tent of Meeting is, Israel is there too. Let us consider where the centre of our very life and living should be, as God calls us to restore to our whole life.

(3) Leviticus

The content of Leviticus reveals the mystery of the Tent of Meeting, and this is about worship, the mystery of prayer. It tells us what we should grasp and see before, during and after prayers. The immature one prays looking for answers after prayers. But during true prayers, where God and the child see each other well, answers are received immediately by the sacrifice of the blood (17:11). The mystery of the blood means using our whole life to come before God. This is what we should grab hold of in the midst of our prayers. In summary, the content of Leviticus talks of 5 important mysteries in prayer, i.e. the five sacrifices, the high priest, the most holy place, to meet God morning and night, and the three festivals. The one who prays like this will be able to walk with God. Leviticus purposes to reveal the state of prayer and this is about the heart having vision, having power, freedom, authority, etc. As a quick glance, Leviticus can be viewed as a book on teaching (i) how to communicate with God (1-17) and (ii) how to walk with God (18-27).

(4) Numbers

The book of Numbers tells us the conclusion of what will happen so that we can live and walk in the wilderness. It is about the saints’ living on earth and how to walk with God. God leads Israel by the Ark of Covenant - the Word of God, and the pillar of cloud, pillar of fire - the Holy Spirit (9:15-23). Manna, water, even meat will come to those who live by God. In other words, Numbers tells the people of God how to enjoy. Numbers may be viewed in 3 portions as written below:

(i) The living principle of Israel (Chapter 1-10)

In the 2^nd year, 2^nd month, 1^st day (Passover happened on the 1^st year, 1^st month, 14^th day, and Israel came out from Egypt in the 1^st year, 1^st month, 15^th month), Israel started to prepare to move out. From the 1^st to 20^th Day at Mount Sinai, the Lord gave the living principle to His chosen ones. This principle in short, is the principle of living a God-centred life. Those who must walk with God must walk with the church being the focal point in their lives. The child should not choose to walk with God only when feeling well spiritually, emotionally or physically, but the living principle of living by the church protects, heals and makes the child mature.

(ii) The Sanctification of Israel (Chapter 11-25)

Israel sins and God sanctifies Israel. This caused them to walk 38 years, 3 months, 10 days (from the 2^nd year, 2^nd month, 20^th day to after 30 days of mourning after Aaron’s death on 40^th year, fifth month, 1^st day) in the wilderness without any inheritance. Through 40 years in the wilderness after getting out of Egypt , false believers are removed. This is the sanctification of Israel. Are all in the church saved? But there are real and false believers! To those false believers, the word of God does not really matter in and to their lives. The word has no “effect” in giving them conviction of death and resurrection, though there may be conviction of morals. Similarly to us, God is zealous to remove every part of our lives that has no “effect” to the sanctification of God’s word.

(iii) The inheritance of Israel (Chapter 26-36)

For about 5 months, Israel fought wars to conquer the plain of Moab, the east side of Jordan River. However, this inheritance is only for the new generation.

(5) Deuteronomy

The definition of Deuteronomy is “the second law”, or to repeat the law again to get a fixed perspective. The conclusion is on loving God and men. Moses repeats 5 areas to Israel in the following. 1) Israel is set apart and therefore, must know that: they are born again, how they are changed after being born again and how grace guides them from then on. 2) Israel must know what the covenant is after being set apart and are given promises. 3) And it is the most important to have the previous 2 points inscribed upon their hearts. In Numbers, there is no fixed perspective. Therefore the spies failed to correctly see their problems as blessings. If there were a fixed perspective, no hints for doubts would be there to affect the spies and Israel. Believers must have a fixed perspective. 4) Having a fixed perspective, we can then have the correct execution. This is real accomplishment. If we use our heart to worship the Lord, we would definitely see that God has indeed blessed us and we would have seen Him and thus, everything. Therefore, let us love God truly by all our hearts, soul and mind! This is how we are to live our lives. 5) Finally, God emphasizes again on imparting the covenant after settling His inheritance for Israel. Deuteronomy can be divided thus as, (i) The History that passed (1:1 - 4:43), (ii) The decrees (4:44 - 26:19) and (iii) Prophecy (27:1 - 34:12).

2) Books of History (12 books)

The books of history narrate the rise and fall of Israel, where everything for Christ, the great King is the conclusion. Wisdom can be obtained from these books about the reason for my rise and fall in the events that must come to pass in my life. In our 70-80 years on earth, we have the same blood group as those of the king’s descendants. This is the connection we must discern for we must conquer the 7 fields in our daily lives.

(1) Absolute victory and conquest: Joshua

When we make a covenant with God by His promise that “I am definitely with you, therefore be strong and courageous”, victory and conquest is assured. This will bring about evidence. The evidence received through prayers by conquering fears and doubts in the hearts expand to see God-driven works: the crossing of River Jordan, the fall of Jericho and Ai, and the conquest of 7 races along with 37 kings. The division of land for inheritance tells us who received the most. Caleb received the hill country of Hebron because he grabbed hold of the inheritance in the past most faithfully. The one who prays first gets the most inheritance. Therefore do not delay in seeing the great works of God in our lives today. Finally, Joshua gives exhortation. In fact, the book of Joshua is the Old Testament Book of Acts, the way to absolute victory and conquest.

(2) The faith and authority of the Judges and Kings

The rise and fall of Israel is recorded in the Judges and the Kings. David and Hezekiah are the only ones having the power and faith. In simple terms, if they have the Books of the Law, they rise. If they lose the books of the Law, they fall and become slaves to other nations. Israel, a small country, is surrounded by powerful nations, i.e. Egypt at the south, Philistine (the Palestinians living with them), Assyria at the north. Israel also went through empire ages of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. When Israel rose in revival, the North queen of Ninevah came to seek wisdom, Babylon and Assyria came to exchange treasures, and the countries beside her fell. When Israel fell, the nations around her rose and exiled Israel or made it their colony. The same case applies to us. God placed us in the world so that when we rise, we are able to influence people around us. But when we fall, we fear the world, have no peace, and we will be mocked by the world.

(3) The coming of the King

The books of history also record the lives of Rahab, Ruth and David as they are in the genealogy of the Messiah, the most important reason of the bible.

3) Books of Prophets (17 books)

These books prophesy the conclusion and future of Israel. We must confirm that our future, conclusion and inheritance are, similarly, in Christ, the great Prophet.

1) To Israel

Israel is the glory, inheritance, holiness and the love of God. This prophecy is definite because salvation that fulfills the righteousness and love of God will definitely bring sanctification, i.e. healing. And if there is discipline in the form of slavery, there is restoration to bring glory and abundance into inheritance also. This is how God treats Israel in bestowing blessings, both by giving rewards, and by giving discipline. If we are mature, being disciplined will actually make us feel better. This is because we know that the God whom we belong to has answered us by responding and we will immediately stop sinning. God’s promise to Israel is that if they believe and follow, they will surely rise up. However, if Israel forgets God’s promise, discipline will override their previous prosperity in order to let them remember. Thus, they become slaves. In the end, they will still be led to restore righteousness. Discipline is definitely a blessing to Israel. Written for us, the Prophet Books tells us that although our life is eternal, we will be disciplined in our lifetime and we must submit and yield to obtain our crown.

2) To Gentiles

Gentiles represent the world and we need to know our relationship with them. Because the Gentiles are already under judgment, they are only to be used to manifest the glory of God. All things that happen to them are curses. Even wealth is a curse to them. But God’s plan for their existence is for the purpose of Israel. Sometimes the wealth of Gentiles turns around and becomes ours. Smart political leaders exist for Israel. If they cause darkness, it is for Israel’s discipline too. Gentiles are just objects that do not deserve our admiration.

4) Books of Songs (5 books):

The songs of Israel are written for the purpose to praise Christ, the great Prophet, Priest and King. We will find our testimonies here.

(1) Salvation, Guidance, Victory: Job, Psalms

God’s Salvation, Guidance, and the Victory of His people are praised and testified. No matter what sufferings befall Job, the sufferings can surely be endured and they are definitely for a good cause. Job finally proclaimed, “Before sufferings, I heard about God, but after sufferings, I see God!” The Psalmists in Psalms also have similar encounters that renew them.

(2) The love of the Most Holy Place: Song of Songs

Other believers will not understand the intimate love between the blessed one and the Abba Father. In the Most Holy Place, endless new songs of “My Beloved is mine, and I am His” are written each and every day.

(3) The wisdom of Israel: Ecclesiastes, Proverbs

If we know all the wisdom given the historical view, worldview, life philosophy, and values here, we will know all the people in the world.

2. The New Testament New Testament (Christ, Church, Kingdom)

1) The 4 Gospels

(1) Jesus is the Christ

The Christ is what the Old Testament continually mentions. Two examples are the Abraham’s seed and the Son of David. The 4 gospels testify that He is the coming Messiah. In the Old Testament, the Prophet, King and Priest were anointed. Jesus Christ is the one anointed as these 3 roles. The Word became flesh as the Great Prophet, He died and resurrect as the Great Priest, and He Reigns on the throne as the Great King.

(2) People

Jesus Christ came to find His sheep. His sheep have the 8 beatitudes <Matthew 5:1-11> and they recognize Jesus’ voice <John 10:17>. The gospels are written especially to tell these disciples and men of Gospel what is being born again, what His perfect will is and how to be sanctified for getting healed, and how to get the crown of life by serving.

(3) The mystery of the Kingdom

Emmanuel is about God with us today right now. It means that there is satisfaction now, and expectation takes place right now. In our serving, we must get this correct: as there is no fruit in serving with a heavy heart, there is no need to take emotions too hard from our sheep. Moreover, we must know that the new heaven and earth is for our enjoyment now, not in future. And with the hope of doing new things eternally, we bring gifts of sanctification. This is our Crown.

(4) Commissioned

In the last of all four gospels, Matthew 28:18-20 commands to make disciples of all nations, Mark 16:15-20 exhorts to heal all nations, Luke 24:44-48 opens the eyes to preach repentance and regeneration to the Gentiles, and John 21:15-20 confirms to raise descendants. Loving God’s sheep means giving them “food of life” and when we think of sheep in their weaknesses, we see that their needs are more than ours. This is the central message of the commission, about us, and not about quantity or even quality of the sheep.

2) Acts

Acts in the New Testament is similar to the book of Joshua in the Old Testament. Its purpose is to explain the goal, method and timetable of our life and living.

(1) Principle and Method

Acts must be seen in the light of the following promise that has been fulfilled (1:1-11): Jesus is the Christ <v1, 2>, He died and rose <3>, the mystery of the Holy Spirit, 40 days exposition about how kingdom descends <v4-8>, our commission and the reason for living <v8>, and He is coming again <v11>. The content of Acts is where the believers hold on to the promises and conquer their fields, from Jerusalem until Rome. With the promise, prayer (1:13-14) is natural. The filling of the Holy Spirit (2:1-4) happened then and also in Antioch, Ephesus, and Rome. And though there are persecutions, it only brings doors of evangelism. This is our testimony (2:5-36) as witnesses. Finally, the church must be built and the principle of church living (2:37-47) must be established for the believers. This “breaking of bread” is the principle and method for living in the family and workplace. We must know that there is a principle for victory and conquest. We cannot just simply base Singapore as “Antioch”, the base for sending missionaries, and go all out to missions without knowing the principle and method of living or missions.

(2) Regional Evangelism, World Evangelism

Acts show us that regional and world evangelism is through disciples and through the family of disciples and the churches of Christ. In our Christian living today, we experience difficulties and challenges to our faith. This is for the purpose that regional and world evangelism can happen through training such disciples for the great revival in the midst of persecution. From Jerusalem until Samaria, and all Judea (2:41-47) and Antioch until Little Asia, Macedonia, Corinth (11:19-30), disciples are nurtured and sent through persecutions. At Ephesus, there are daily discussions in the lecture Hall of Tyrannus, strengthening the disciples that were made in the past at different regions (19:8-20). Finally Rome became the headquarters of the movement of Europe Evangelism.

3) Epistles (22 books)

The Epistles is about the body of Christ and the mystery of the Church.

(i) The Foundation of the Church: Romans, Galatians, Hebrews

The Gospel, which is Righteousness through faith, and not religion, is the foundation of the church. The book of Romans speaks of new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code <Ro 7:6> in laying this foundation. The book of Galatians is the sister book of Romans in firming up the foundation, so that if we preach another gospel, let the person/angel be cursed. The book of Hebrews is written with more depth. At the book’s beginning, it is explained that Jesus is higher than the angels or any priest, even Aaron. The gospel has accomplished all that was mentioned in the Old Testament.

(ii) The Personality of the Church: Colossians, Ephesians

Colossians writes that Christ is the Head of the church, with Jesus as the firstborn of all creation and from the dead. The Body of the Church comes through God’s selection, Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection and the seal of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians writes this of my identity in the calling, the exceedingly great authority that I have, and the riches of glory of my inheritance. This is what the church today can enjoy, be it the individual, the church, between couples, between parents and children, in the office, across the region, or the whole world.

(iii) The Shepherding of the Church: 1 & 2 Corinthians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus

The church definitely has a lot of problems. The church has to be slowly sanctified, and slowly, disciples will then be raised. Shepherding sometimes come with tears. The shepherd also needs to be courageous and pure in teaching in the face of false teachings. And how do we raise up a young pastor? Read these books when you have problems in shepherding.

(iv) The Testimony of the Church: Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, Philemon, James, 1 Peter, 1 John

“Whatever happens to me advances the gospel”. Hence, “I have already learnt how to be always at peace, give thanks, and receive the content to pray for.” This is the beautiful testimony of the church in these epistles.

(v) The Setting Apart of the Church: 2 John, 3 John, Jude, 2 Peter, 2 Thessalonians

A lot of antichrists are coming up. We will see how the world/antichrist will attack the church and deceive the sheep in our age. Actually, humanism and the world’s principles is anti-Christ. Therefore, these books write to exhort on setting apart the church for its purity in the gospel.

(vi) The Conclusion of the Church: Revelation

There is a crown for all those who continue to persevere till the end.

Conclusion

This is a very quick overview of the Old and New Testament, or the whole bible. It may be hard to grasp everything at the first glance. Similarly, the process of healing and sanctification in our lives is not immediate. But in the remaining 4 months of the second portion of this year, we are going to move in this direction of our year of “Rise and Shine”. Let us prepare ourselves for what God is going to move us on to: being equipped by God’s word formatted in our hearts and minds for the clearest prayers.

Taken from Discipleship Training, May 26, 2006 (Bible Overview 2)