Peter here introduces words which we have not yet considered, and the careful student will submit these words — world, heaven, fire — also to exhaustive topical investigation.

Our conclusions, based on the topical and symbolic study methods, clarify this chapter easily:

The “world (political-social order) that then was (before the flood) perished.” (But the literal earth itself remains.) Peter, as he continues, wishes to differentiate between rulers and the ruled and, hence, divides the symbolic “world” into “heaven” (the ruling powers) and “earth” (the social order). Thus “the heavens and the earth (entire political-social arrangement) which are now (ever since the flood) are reserved unto fire (destruction — of the order, not the people: the earth still remains). Nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for a new heavens (new government ruled by Christ) and a new earth (social arrangement) wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:6, 7, 13

Now (with the proper symbols to eradicate contradictions) the promises of the Bible relative to the earth take on new meaning:

• The meek shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
• Thy will be done in earth. (Matthew 6:10)
• On earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14)
• The earth abideth forever. (Ecclesiastes 1:4)

The Bible tells a comprehensive picture without contradiction. Though it seemed to say both that the earth would be destroyed and that the earth would not be destroyed, a careful study shows that it was cleverly telling a consistent story. It was using the kind of symbolism President Woodrow Wilson used in World War I when he stated, “The world is on fire!” What he meant was easily understood. The Bible symbolism is just as obvious if it is not approached with preconceptions.

Method Three

Study by Time Frame

The third chapter of Peter’s second epistle gives an interesting clue about efficient Bible study. We can diagram Peter’s reference to the three worlds thus:

This basic division of man’s history into three parts helps in resolving difficulties in texts not clarified by topical or symbolic investigation (the first two study methods).

As an example, note the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4. He was caught up into the “third heaven” — an arrangement which he characterizes as “paradise.” Paul was not seeing heaven in three layers, but was manifestly seeing, as Peter saw, a third period in man’s history under the perfect government (heaven) of Christ (Isaiah 9:6). How beautifully the Bible is its own interpreter!

Further Time Divisions

As the three “worlds” clarify some texts, a more detailed division of time helps the understanding of other Scriptures. For instance, divide the “heavens and earth that are now” (the second world) into three ages based on Scriptural history. One period, from the flood to the death of Jacob, sees God dealing with the Patriarchs — men like Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — whose descendants became the Jewish nation. The next Scriptural division of time is the period during which God deals exclusively with Israel (Amos 3:2). Following the rejection of Israel (Matthew 23:38) is the age of Christianity. To diagram these three time divisions, see the chart below.

Added to the time-frame chart is the 1,000-year period which apparently begins the “new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.” This 1,000-year age is based on Revelation 20 and 2 Peter 3.

This time-frame chart can become a cherished possession. It will clarify many Scriptures and seeming contradictions. Study reveals that some Scriptures apply only during certain periods of time. Attempting to apply them at the wrong time results in the age-old confusion and contradiction which cannot be a part of a Bible which is truly God’s Word.

Example of Age-Restricted Verses

One example of a text which is applicable only during a specific period of time is John 12:47. In it the Lord states that anyone not believing him would not be subject to judgment — that his judgment would be for a later age. This verse applies only to the Christian Age. A comparison with Acts 3:20-23 readily shows that conditions of judgment will change when the 1,000-year age of Christ’s second advent is in operation. At that time the rule is “every soul which will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people.” These two texts would be at odds with each other without a time-frame reference for each. Thus, this chart dispels all contradiction and adds greatly to the understanding of the progress of God’s plan for man.

Method Four

The Importance of Context

The fourth rule for successful Bible study is the necessity for considering context — large context and small context. 1 Timothy 4:10 is an example for developing this rule of study.

In this text Paul tells us that God “is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.” It is manifest from this Scripture that there is more than one salvation. Therefore, all texts mentioning salvation cannot be lumped together, but must, by context, be divided into groupings dependent upon which salvation is meant.

A topical study of resurrection yields some additional help in this matter.

Note:

• Revelation 20:6 speaks of a “first resurrection.”
• Hebrews 11:35 speaks of a “better resurrection.”
• Acts 24:15 speaks of a resurrection even of the unjust.

These are in obvious agreement with 1 Timothy 4:10 when it states that there is more than one salvation.

To simplify the matter greatly, summarize salvation into two major divisions based on 1 Timothy 4:10:

• the world of mankind — “savior of all men”
• the church — “specially of those that believe.”

The contexts of Scripture can be studied more carefully when the two salvations are recognized. For instance, most of the epistles of the New Testament are clearly addressed “to the saints . . .” (the church). Therefore, to apply the laws, promises, admonitions, warnings, etc., contained in these epistles to everyone in the world is folly. The world are those who “believe not” and are, therefore, not now under judgment as learned from John 12:47. This eliminates many problems. This is an example of large context.

Small context is a simpler matter. Even though the epistles are written to the church, they contain references to those not in the church. A few verses before and after any text under consideration should clearly indicate if an interpretation makes contextual sense.

Finer Distinctions in Context

In some cases a seemingly definitive Scripture is not really as complete as it might seem. Note Matthew 7:13, 14 as an example. This text on the surface implies that there are only two paths open to men: a broad road to destruction (affecting the majority), and a difficult road to life (affecting merely a few).

This is in disharmony with other texts already examined. God is not the Savior of a few and loser of all others! Why, then, does this text not mention the fact that there will ultimately be an easy road — a highway — when all men (even fools) will be able to make it, as Isaiah describes in 35:8-10?

This problem is not uncommon. The Scriptures often make mention of only a part of God’s plan because a specific point is being made.

In Matthew 7:13, 14 the context shows that the Lord is speaking to those following him. He is pointing out to them that their choice then (at the beginning of the Christian age), was either to follow him as believers (and thus be heirs of the special salvation), or to follow the path of the rest of the world as they had been doing. That choice would merely result in their destruction, as it would have had they never heard of Jesus. They were already doomed to destruction as are all men since Adam. But Jesus was in no way saying that this was their last opportunity for choice! No, not at all. As shown in John 12:47, 48, if any man did not believe (during the Christian Age), he was not under judgment; his judgment was reserved for a later date — for the 1,000 years of Christ’s Kingdom — for the highway that will lead to holiness at that time.

These fine distinctions in context demonstrate the importance of applying all of the methods of study available — not relying upon one or two. Each serves as a cross-check for the other.

A more complete visual aid is obtained if we add to the chart the “three roads’ from the Scriptures just examined.

This shows that large context “secret” of the Bible: There is more than one salvation. Not all men travel the same road! All roads do not lead to the same place. All roads are not open at the same time.

The broad road of Matthew 7 has existed since Adam plummeted to it when he disobeyed. The narrow and difficult road for the true Christian, leading ultimately to life as spiritual beings, has existed only since the cross. Thus the Christian receives his lifting up out of the broad way before the rest of men. But in the 1,000-year Kingdom of Christ, the highway (Isaiah 35) will be opened and will bring up from destruction the rest of mankind so that they, too, can learn righteousness. God “is the Savior of all men (on earth) — specially (in heaven) of those that believe.” Thus, in the end, His will shall “be done in earth as it is in heaven.”

Method Five

Study by Type and Antitype

One final method of Biblical investigation must be mentioned at least briefly. In the Old Testament are many events which actually happened but which have significance above and beyond their original import. For example:

Exodus describes the institution of the Passover which involved the slaying of a lamb, the deliverance of the firstborn at night, and the deliverance of the rest of the people in the morning. The miracle would have been great in itself. But in 1 Corinthians 5:7 Paul states, “Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us,” indicating that God meant to make an informative picture of the Passover event. This conclusion is further corroborated by the Scriptural references to Jesus as “the Lamb of God.”

A careful consideration of this Passover type and its symbols indicates a remarkable correspondency with what has been demonstrated in the application of the other four methods of study. Jesus (the lamb) dies. His death saves the firstborn (the church) during the night (the Christian Age). The rest of the world are saved in the morning (the 1,000 years) from the enslavement under sin (represented by Pharoah’s enslavement of Israel).

This subject of typical/antitypical relationships opens whole new concepts in Bible study!

A Review

Five methods of Bible study have been briefly examined:

1. Study by complete topical investigation.
2. Study of symbolic versus literal statement.
3. Study of time-frame placement of Scripture.
4. Study considering large and small context.
5. Study of typical-antitypical relationships.

Any one of these methods is helpful. No one of these methods is complete. All taken together will result in Biblical interpretation entirely free from self-imposed prejudice, preference, etc. The Bible will become reasonable, consistent, adequate, and inspiring: The Word of God.

If the student will approach the Bible honestly, it will change his mind — and his heart. It is well worth such an honest approach.

In short, it is too good not to be true.

Messengers to the Church

One of the greatest aids to Bible study is the help received from teachers which God has used from time to time. (Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14) Among these are such men as Arius, Waldo, Wycliffe, Luther, and Russell. Each brought to light at least one Scripturally-documented major truth.-Ephesians 4:8, 11, 12

Excellent teachers are an asset, and the student who profits from the teachers’ experiences can avoid much stumbling through the Bible. This does not, of course, relieve each individual of the responsibility of proving all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21) with careful and complete study techniques such as are outlined in this chapter of the booklet.

Because good teachers are an asset, the next chapter purposes to present an in-a-nutshell summary of the best thoughts of these teachers. This summary is in the form of an explanation of what God started out to do, what He is now doing, and what will be the ultimate result of His plan for man. This epitome of the contents of the Bible is in harmony with the results of careful study as previously outlined. Detailed explanations of this plan and its parts are available in the book The Divine Plan of the Ages, available from this web site.

Chapter 3

The Purposes and Reasonings Behind Creation

Unresolved Questions

In the second chapter of this booklet, samples of study subjects have been used to illustrate study techniques. These samples may have caused questions to arise in the mind of the reader. Some of the conclusions have been:

• there is no eternal torment
• the earth will not burn to a cinder, but be forever inhabited
• the judgment day lasts 1,000 years
• the unbelievers will have a “second chance” – actually their first real chance

These conclusions are as startling as they are wonderful. They reflect a God who has a character well worth worshipping. Since these conclusions have been somewhat disconnected and abstract in the second chapter of this booklet, it is the purpose of this third chapter to create a unified word-picture of the implications of these various conclusions.

God’s Plan

The Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God created.” Many have asked WHY God created? – WHY he ever bothered? The answer to this question is fundamental to an understanding of the Scriptures.

“God is love.” (1 John 4:16) This thought is the key to God’s purpose in creation. If love is characterized by any one attribute, that attribute is the desire and necessity of giving. God is love; God must give. But God was alone in the universe! There was no one to whom He could give anything! Thus was born both the concept and the need for creation. God would create so that He could give.

God’s creation, according to Scripture, involves more than the earthly realm. Nevertheless, man is an important part of that creation and has a special place and purpose in God’s design. This chapter will concentrate primarily on God’s dealings with men, as the Scriptures concentrate primarily in this area.

Decisions in Making Man

The decisions in creation were based much on God’s attribute of love. When the creation of man was due, God’s initial decision involved a problem something like this:

“Will I make man like a machine – programmed so that he cannot make a mistake? Or will I make man with freedom of will and choice?”

The answer to this initial question was readily dictated by God’s love. If man were a robot, a machine, he could not receive God’s love. Machines don’t experience love. For man to be the appreciative recipient of God’s love, he must be free, not programmed.

God knew the dangers of creating beings with the freedom of exercising their own wills, but there was no legitimate alternative. God would, indeed, create man with the freedom of choice.

The Nature of Freedom

Freedom is a strange word. Freedom cannot exist without limits. If one man’s freedom infringes upon the freedom of another man, freedom no longer exists. Freedom by its own inherent definition must contain limits. But who shall define the limits of freedom? It seems manifest that God, who created man in the first place, is best equipped to tell man his limits.

Thus it was. God created man in His own image – free to reason and choose. And God informed man that he was free with only one certain limitation.

Why Die for Eating an Apple?

Of all possible restrictions to freedom, why did God tell Adam that he could not eat the fruit of a certain tree? (There is no evidence that it was an apple.) It seems God could have chosen a better limitation to freedom than that! Not so! This choice was excellent for one compelling reason: God wanted man to learn the lesson of obedience.

Obedience: The Key to a Peaceful Universe

Had God told Adam that he could not kill Eve, the inherent moral power of that command would have been obvious. Adam would not have known, however, that obedience even when he doesn’t understand is what God wants. Therefore God gave man a simple test of obedience – one in which, on the surface, man could not clearly perceive evil.

God knows that disobedience anywhere in His creation will cause chaos in the universe. God reserves the right, therefore, to extinguish the life of any creature who disobeys. This was the point which He wanted to make: Disobedience results ultimately in death; only this will preserve order in the universe.

How We Learn

God knew that His creatures (since they were not programmed machines) could learn in only three ways: by information, by observation, or by experience. Thus the lesson which all of God’s creatures had to learn (obedience) must be learned by one or all of these three methods. God is a good instructor; He uses all three.

God gave Adam instruction by information; He warned Adam of the consequences of disobedience. God, of course, was sufficiently far-sighted to know that a free, inexperienced being would not learn from information alone. Adam sinned; and subsequently he died. God’s justice is as strict and unchanging as His love is broad. He had to make His point: disobedience will cause death (no exceptions)!

So man is now learning by experience. The angels and other orders of creation are learning by observation. All creation is learning. The lesson is being forcibly impressed upon us all: disobedience will cause death – even disobedience in the simplest, seemingly innocent matter of eating a piece of fruit.

Has Creation Failed?

It was shown that God, out of love, desired to create free beings upon whom He could shower blessings. It was also shown that the nature of freedom requires the practice of obedience to God’s directions, and that God permitted evil (disobedience) to enter His universe as being the only method by which free beings can learn.

But man is dead! God purposed to have a perfect earth populated with perfect men – men who would love Him because they respect Him. God’s word never returns unto Him void. His original purpose will, indeed, be accomplished. Once the earth’s population has reached the size God determines to be correct, the learning experience with evil will be terminated. Man will cease to die. Man will be resurrected – his original sin paid for (not excused) by the sacrifice of “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.”

Meanwhile, A New Creation

Through the Scriptures God tells us that His creative effort would include the creation of a special group of beings – an intimate family of His own. This family would be like Him in that they would be indestructible.

The Scriptures clearly differentiate between mortal beings and immortal beings. At one time, only God was immortal. Immortality is that condition where death is an absolute impossibility. (John 5:26) It is this quality which God wants to give to His special creation, His intimate family. All other beings will be mortal – not dying, but subject to extinction by God, should they ever disobey.

As God contemplated this immortal, intimate family of His own, He fully realized that to create immortal free beings without some safeguard would be to invite the possibility of eternal disobedience in the universe – a possibility which God could not accept.

But God saw a great opportunity in the affairs of the earth. He determined that He could deal with some people while they were exposed to the terrible influences of evil and thus test their characters and obedience fully. If He could find people who would be fully obedient under evil circumstances, He could trust them under all circumstances. God decided He would make His New Creation, His intimate family, from the human race.

Thus in the Scriptures is an offer to men to follow Christ and to seek immortality. God is calling out of the earth the few people who will be His New Creation. He calls them His church. (This is from the Greek word ekklesia which means “a calling out.”)

In this process God saw another advantage. Since His church, once glorified as spirit beings, will have been human, they will be very sympathetic toward the experiences of mankind. The church will be well suited for the purpose of helping mankind – raising them from the dead, instructing them up the highway of holiness (Isaiah 35:8-10), and dealing with every problem as the effects of evil are washed away.

It is for this purpose that God determined that His church would rule with Christ during the thousand years of the Kingdom (Revelation 20:6).

How much greater now is the significance of 1 Timothy 4:10? “God is the Savior of all men, specially (with immortality) of those that believe.” How much greater now is the significance of Matthew 6:10? “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”

The Scriptural Summary

Yes, God intended, and will have as the result of creation, a perfect earth populated with perfect, ever-living men who will worship Him because they love and understand Him. He will also have an intimate, personal, immortal family of spirit beings like Himself, taken from among men where they will have been fully tested for their immortal inheritance. What a Plan! What a God!

The Apostle Paul summarizes this entire matter in just two verses of Scripture (Ephesians 1:9, 10). We quote from Dr. Weymouth’s Modern Speech translation:

“. . . He made known to us
the secret of His will . . .
God’s merciful purpose
for the government of the world
when the times are ripe for it
– the purpose which He has
cherished in His own mind
of restoring the whole creation
to find its one Head in Christ;
yes, things in heaven and things on earth,
to find their one Head in Him.”

Amen!