The Times of the Nations.
Q. What does `Times of the Nations,` mean?
`Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles (Nations) until the times of the Gentiles (Nations) are fulfilled.` (Luke 21: 24)
Israel is God`s chosen nation to rule the world with Jerusalem as the capital. However Israel turned from God & went into a period of exile & discipline. The Gentile Nations were then given power to rule over the world.
This rulership however, is only for a set time. There is
EARLY NATIONS
Q. Who were the most powerful nations?
Many nations developed around the Middle East.
Assyrians, Canaanites, Amorites, & many other ...ites, Philistines, Egyptians, etc. (Gen. 10)
The most powerful nations however, were Assyria in the north and Egypt, in the south. There is quite a lot written about them in the Bible as God had many dealings with them.
ASSYRIA in the North.
Asshur, a son of Shem, at first dwelt in the plains of Shinar. Later
The Great Image.
Q. What is the meaning of the Great Image?
One night king Nebuchadnezzar was given an amazing dream by God. He wanted his wise men to tell him the dream & the interpretation. This they could not do. Finally Daniel seeking God was able to tell the king the dream & the meaning.
`You, O king, were watching; & behold, a great image! This great image, whose splendour was excellent, stood before you; & its form was awesome.` (Dan. 2: 31)
The Great
The First World Ruler.
Q. Which Nation was the First World Ruler?
Egypt & Assyria, although powerful & mighty nations never became World Ruler. They continually fought against each other & with Israel, which was situated in between.
Finally there arose another great power, Babylon, which dominated the Middle East. They conquered Israel, who had turned from God & thus they were led into exile in Babylon.
`...Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem &
BEGINNINGS
Q. Who were the first people?
In the beginning God created man and woman, (Adam and Eve) and placed them in the garden of Eden. God told them to –
`...be fruitful and multiply: fill the earth & subdue it; have dominion over....` (Gen. 1: 28)
However it was only after the fall, that Adam and Eve began to have children. Cain was the first born, Abel was second. Later Cain killed Abel, and then wandered the ear
Q. What was the first Civilization like?
The first civilization started by Cain were not mere savages, but had many skills. They had attained to a considerable degree of civilisation.
Builders `And Cain....built a city.` (Gen. 4: 17)
Herdsmen `And Adah (wife of Cain`s grandson) bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock.` (Gen. 4: 20)
Musicians `His brother`s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and f
OVERVIEW
The world with all its international interplays can look so confusing, yet God`s word tells us that He is directing world governments, in His time frame, to His destination.
I would like to look at how the nations developed, how they ruled & then show God`s time frame for dealing with them. Many people may know the details presented, however I hope to high light a strong line concerning government. God gives that responsibility to man in early history & then shows us
World Rulers – How they Ruled.
Q. How did these World Rulers Govern?
Each of these World Rulers had an opportunity to rule the world with mercy & justice. But sadly they all chose control, domination & greed.
The king of Babylon started with supreme power, while each successive ruler had progressively less power. Finally the last world Ruler, the `feet,` will have internal division, making it quite volatile.
This weakening of power is shown by the metals in the image
Q. How did they rule?
The early nations chose kings to rule over them. The kings however did not govern God`s way of mercy and justice. They developed their own armies and led the people to war against other nations, killing, looting and taking people captive. (Gen. 14: 1 & 2, 11)
People chose to worship idols of creation, (sun, moon, stars, animals etc) and put their trust in them rather than to trust the Creator who made them.
`they....changed the glory of the incorru
GOD`S SPECIAL NATION
God said to Israel `You shall be a special treasure to me above all people.` (Ez. 19: 5)
Q. Why did God make another Nation?
God in His foresight knew that mankind would continually go their own way. So God had planned to establish His own special nation that would not only learn His ways, but would teach & rule over the other nations of the world.
God chose Abraham to be the father of this special nation. He promised him a son, even in
Q. What is God`s Plan for Israel?
Israel – Priests to God.
When God led the children of Israel out of Egypt he told Moses their leader more of His purpose for them as a nation. Calling Moses aside up a mountain, God unfolded His purposes for Israel.
`...you shall be to me a kingdom of priests & a holy nation.` (Ex. 19: 6)
God would show the people of Israel how to approach Him, how to offer the right sacrifices & then how to live together as a community.
I
Q. How did the Nations form?
After God judged mankind at Babel the people were scattered, North, South & East. They became different ethnic groups, nations speaking different languages according to Noah`s three sons.
Shem, Ham & Japheth.
`These were the sons of Shem (or Ham, or Japheth) according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands, according to their nations. ` (Gen. 10: 31. 5, 20)
ARABIA: Shem`s sons settled in Arabia and to
AFTER THE FLOOD.
Q. Where did Noah`s descendents go?
After the flood God told Noah and his sons –
`...be fruitful and multiply: bring forth abundantly in the earth and multiply in it.` (Gen. 9: 7)
Noah`s sons and their wives then has many children and they in turn had children also. They travelled from Mount Ararat in the east and came to a plain in the land of Shinar and dwelt there.
They should ha
This series in my blogs is on Timelines. I find that timelines are very helpful in presenting quite complex thoughts simply. These timelines are on different subjects, and I hope that you find them helpful also.
The first one is an overview of the whole Bible. It helps us to grasp God`s great purpose – Christ being revealed through God`s word.
