Salvation History: CCLF 2024 PDF

Salvation history is “the story of human beings and their world seen as a drama of redemption running from creation to the Parousia and finding its center in Christ” God revealed His saving plan to the Chosen people. This plan was definitely fulfilled with the coming of Christ in the fullnes...

Salvation history is “the story of human beings and their world seen as a drama of redemption running from creation to the Parousia and finding its center in Christ” God revealed His saving plan to the Chosen people. This plan was definitely fulfilled with the coming of Christ in the fullness of time. In Christ, all of God’s promises and plans were fulfilled. In the beginning, men’s relationship with God was harmonious. But men sinned and continued to sin. This resulted to their estrangement from God, from one another and from their own selves. To save men from this destructive estrangement, God initiated a long-range plan of salvation by promising a Savior for mankind. Abraham, a native of Ur, was called by God in order to create a people. Abraham moved to Haran and there God spoke to him for the first time, he was called to become the Father not only for Israel but the whole People of God. With his wife Sarah, he was blessed with a son named Isaac.  Abraham Hagar Sarah Ishmael Isaac Isaac - The promises that God had given to Abraham were renewed and repeated to him and to Jacob, his son from his wife, Rebecca.  Isaac and Rebecca Twins Esau -- became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country. Jacob -- Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. Jacob’s Marriage Jacob - He became the Father of the Twelve Patriarchs of Israel which was made up of his 12 sons from his four wives. Leah: Reuben, Issachar, Simeon, Zebulun, Levi, Judah Zilpah: (maidservant of Leah) Gad, Asher Bilhah: (maidservant of Rachel) Dan, Napthali Rachel: Benjamin, Joseph  Jacob = Israel Israel – means “The one who wrestled with God” Israel – meaning “The one who wrestled with God”. 22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[a] because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel,[b] saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” Joseph the Dreamer Movie  Joseph - He was sold by his brothers to the Ishmaelites as a slave and was brought to Egypt where he eventually became a governor after he wisely interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream. Pharaoh was so impressed with the answers, he made Joseph ruler over the storing of the food. The King gave Joseph one of his rings, a fine robe, and gold chain around his neck. He gave Joseph an Egyptian name Zaphenath-Paneah and a bride. Joseph had made progress, and God’s plan became more clear to him.  “God send me before you to preserve life”  He had many talents  He was a good leader  His brothers were very unkind to him, but later he forgave them.  He brought his family back together.  When there was famine, Joseph brought his family to the northeastern part of Egypt. As the members of his family grew in number, they became evermore feared by the Egyptians and were forced to do hard labor. This started their oppression and slavery which continued and even became worse for many years. It was then that they felt the need of the Savior. God, seeing their need, sent them a liberator in the person of Moses.   Abraham’s Family Tree Hagar Abraham Sarah Ishmael Isaac Rebecca Esau Zilpah Leah Jacob Rachel Bilhah The 12 Tribes of Israel Issach Levi Joseph Benja Dan Asher Gad Reuben Simeon Judah Zebulun Naphtali -ar min Moses, a prophet and leader, was chosen and sent by God to free the Israelites from the slavery of the Egyptians. This event revealed to them that their God, Yahweh, was an unlimited lover. His love freed them from the shackles of slavery and gave them a new lease on life. From Egypt to Promised Land Traditional Great Sea Route of (Mediterranean) Jericho the Exodus Canaan Nile Delta 12 Spies Sinai Peninsula Quail/Manna Egypt Mt. Sinai Mt. Sinai © Red Sea EBibleTeacher.com  At Mount Sinai, God renewed the covenant between Himself and his people. He promised to protect them; his people, for their part, promised to obey HIS will by living a life that would show all mankind that they were different and that they would consciously witness to the worship of the One True God. This agreement was manifested in the people’s obedience to God’s 10 Commandments. For forty years, God’s chosen people continued their journey, through the wilderness, to the Promised Land. Within those years, God gradually revealed Himself to His people and His plans for them. In due time, the chosen people were able to know their God and believed in his power over them. They struggled to serve Him in faithful obedience, but there were moments when they were unfaithful to Him and lost his continuous love and care. Thus, they were allowed to wander in the desert for long years until they finally entered the Promised Land. Joshua anointed by Moses Joshua led the Israelites into the land of the Canaanites. Through his leadership, they gradually captured Canaanite villages and towns and absorbed those who were already living there (cf. Book of Judges and 1 Samuel). Joshua divided the land among the Twelve Tribes of Israel and established a Jewish nation, in fulfillment of the second ancient promise made by God to Abraham.  12 Tribes of Israel Twelve Tribes of Israel Manasseh Asher River Naphtali Zebulun Manasseh Issachar Gad Jordan Gad Ephraim Ephraim Dan Dan Benjamin Jericho Mt.Nebo Jerusalem Benjamin Reuben Simeon Judah INDEX © Other Nations Hittite Canaanites Empire Hittites Philistines River Phoenicians Canaan Jordan Moabites Ammon Ammonites Jerusalem Edomites Moab Midianites Edom Midian © INDEX “It seems everything after the death of Joshua is downhill” Judges were chosen by God to protect his own people in times of danger. 1. Shamgar 3:31, Levi 2. Tola 10:1-2, , Napthali 3. Jair 10:3-5, Gad 4. Ibzan 12:8-10, Isachar 5. Elon 12:11-12, Zebulun 6. Abdon 12:13-15. Ephraim The other judges are viewed in greater detail in the Book of Judges: (major judges) 1. Othniel 3:7-11 a nephew of Caleb, delivered Israel from the Mesopotamians. Judah, Reuben 2. Ehud 3:12-30 was left-handed and killed Eglon, king of Moab. Naphtahli 3. Jephthah 11:1--12:7 was a harlot's son who defeated the Amorites. Asher 4. Gideon 6:11-8:35 led 300 Israelites to defeat the entire army of the Midianites. Dan and Manasseh 5. Samson 13:1--16:31 delivered Israel from the Philistines. Known for his great strength. Benjamin 6. Deborah 4:1--5:31 urged Barak to attack the mighty army of the Canaanites. Judah As a judge The term, "Judge," refers to those God given, Holy Spirit raised leaders that were all divinely anointed for the benefit of the nation of Israel The word translated as "Judge" could also legitimately be translated as Deliverer, Leader, or even Saviour. Samuel was judge in Israel during the transition between those dark and rough days that the book of Judges portrays so starkly, and the introduction of the first king that Israel had pleaded for, begging Samuel to, "negotiate with the Almighty," Samuel was the very first prophet to address the entire Nation of Israel in the land of Israel. Samuel, the prophet, was one of the most important judges. During his time, the Ark of the Covenant was captured by their enemies, the Philistines. The Israelites likewise lost their faith in the abiding providence of God. They believed that the loss of the Ark and their failure happened because they had no human king like their neighboring countries. So, they demanded a king from Samuel who saw their demand as a rejection of God’s kingship. But the Lord commanded Samuel to “hearken to their voice and make them a king” (1 Sam 8:19-22). King Saul was the first king chosen by God for his chosen nation. He led them in their conquest of the Canaanite and other neighboring strongholds. Although he was unfaithful as a king, Saul succeeded to make the Jewish nation a kingdom.  But God chose David, the The people had youngest. Singer,musician, chosen Saul. poet, and shepherd.  It was during his reign that the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to God’s chosen people. As a warrior, David conquered neighboring lands and increased the landholdings of Israel. He captured the important city of Jerusalem, built his palace there and gained the admiring respect of neighboring nations. He was the symbol of Jewish military might and glory. King David, the representation of the future Messianic-king, was the most famous of all kings because he was chosen by God to found a kingdom which would, one day, become both eternal and universal. Through his lineage, the Messiah will come. Thus he was considered as the ruler of the “Golden Age” of Jewish might and power. Thus he was considered as the ruler of the “Golden Age” of Jewish might and power. But a man of dark-side, David murdered URIAH, the husband of BATHSHEEBA and committed adultery. King David repented and God forgave him but took his first born son. Moving swiftly, Bathsheba and Nathan joined together to bring Adonijah’s manipulations to the attention of King David. When David learned that Adonijah sought to take the throne, he quickly appointed Solomon as co-regent. They ruled together until David died. Although only twenty years of age, Solomon, like David and Saul before him, was anointed to his kingship by a rightful priest and by the prophet. King Solomon, David’s son, who succeeded him, was the builder of the magnificent temple of Jerusalem where the Ark of Covenant was placed. Through his writings (Psalms and Proverbs) which are full of wisdom and knowledge, the faith of God’s chosen people was nourished.  As a renowned trader, Solomon made Israel wealthy but he also taxed his people heavily because he had so much expenditure. He took many wives who eventually led him to idolatry.  As a result, Israel’s power started to weaken; this led to the split of the Kingdom in 922 BC. To punish them, God permitted his enemies to cut into their land and great discontentment started within. After Solomon’s death the kingdom broke into two: Northern Kingdom: (Israel) Samaria was its capital. Israel comprised ten out of the twelve tribes. Jeroboam was its first king who set up a system of false worship with substitute sacrifice and an unauthorized priesthood to keep his people from going to Jerusalem for worship. He and the subsequent kings were also marked by gross sins.  Southern Kingdom: (Judah) Jerusalem was its capital; It included two of the twelve tribes. Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, was its king who did not alleviate the conditions of the people but worsened it. God sent prophets to Judah to warn the people against the same sins, but they ignored the warnings. They instead openly broke God’s law and committed all kinds of idolatry, immorality and injustice.  Prophets of the Northern Kingdom: God raised up prophets to warn them. Elijah, Elisha and Amos warned the people against the great social injustice going on; Hosea preached against the rampant idolatry and portrayed God as a betrayed husband rescuing Israel from her adulterous involvement in idolatry. The people, however, continued to sin. Finally, the Assyrians under King Sargon II ( 722 B.C.) were allowed by God to capture and deport the people as a way of punishing them. Prophets of the Southern Kingdom: Micah, (His name means “who is like Yahweh?”) a prophet and contemporary of Isaiah, denounced the exploiters, those who always used the same means to despoil the people; he also denounced the civil and religious authorities. He strongly emphasized that what God required was “to do justice, to love mercy and to walk, humbly with your God” (Mi 6:8). Zephaniah, who spoke more against superstition than against other sins, offered a description of the day of Yahweh that influenced the popular image of “Judgment Day”; this description jibed with the popular belief that the Lord would liberate His people. Isaiah, (Yahweh is Salvation), prophesied against the luxurious life of the rich while the poor became poorer. He predicted the impending exile after seeing how the chosen people of God disobeyed His laws by their pride, self-indulgence and callous injustice towards the poor. Jeremiah was at first reluctant and frightened to announce to Jerusalem, his own city, that its Isaiah, (Yahweh is Salvation), prophesied against the luxurious life of the rich while the poor became poorer. He predicted the impending exile after seeing how the chosen people of God disobeyed His laws by their pride, self-indulgence and callous injustice towards the poor. people were wicked, hypocritical and doomed. He finally denounced the people’s “lip service” to God and their empty liturgies that imaged a people whose hearts were far from God and who hypocritically pretended to worship Him. Nahum and Habakkuk prophesied around 600 BC that the Assyrians who cruelly treated Judah were about to be overthrown by the Babylonians.  In exile the Israelites learned many things. Without a nation, a king and a place of worship —all these externals were snatched away, the Jews turned back to the Word of God. They realized the truth of the prophets warning. The attachment they had to the temple went to the Word. Much of their oral traditions, they put into writing at this time more than in any stage in their history. And God raised up the prophet Ezekiel who, among other things, consoled them in their captivity. (Reading: Ez 35:24-28)  The Fall Of Israel Assyrian Empire Assyrian Empire Judah 824 BC Egypt 640 BC © EBibleTeacher.com  Babylonian Empire Median Empire Mediterranean (Medes) Judah Egypt Babylonian Empire © EBibleTeacher.com The Babylonians headed by Nebuchadnezzar, captured Jerusalem in 587 BC and the people were deported to Babylon. This period was known as the Babylonian Captivity which marked a low point in the Jewish national history.  Prophets during Exile: The name Ezekiel means "God is During this period, God strong" or "God strengthens". chose the prophet Ezekiel, who, among other prophets, consoled the people in their captivity by helping them understand the meaning of the NEW COVENANT. Daniel was a noble Jewish youth of Jerusalem taken into captivity This legendary Daniel is known for by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, serving the king and his successors with loyalty his righteousness and wisdom and and ability until the time of a follower of the god El (hence his the Persian conqueror Cyrus, all the while name), who made the god’s will remaining true to the God of Israel. known through dreams and visions.  Likewise, the prophet Isaiah (Second Isaiah) helped them maintain a vision of their eventual release.  Through him, Yahweh assured His people: “Fear not, for I am with you; from the east I will bring back your descendants, from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north: Give them up! And to the south: Hold not back!” (Is 43:3-5).  This period of exile and captivity was not an end in itself. When its purposes were achieved God would bring His people home to make a fresh start. It was part of God's care for His people as all sound punishments are meant to be. VII. POST – EXILIC STAGE (539-63 BC) – Ezra, Nehemiah, Zechariah. Haggai, Malachi Persian Empire Mediterranean Persian Judah Empire Egypt © EBibleTeacher.com The Persians, under Cyrus the Great, Captured Babylon in 538 B.C.. This benevolent king of Persia allowed the deportees (Israelites) to return to their homeland and to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem with all its furnishings. Some returned to Judah while others went to Israel. Since those who returned to Israel were nearly all those whose parents and grandparents came from Judah, the group became known as the Jews. Upon their return, the chosen people were faced with the barrenness of their land and confronted by the oppositions from their neighbors. God sent prophets to console and encourage them in their distress. Zerubbabel was their new leader; Haggai and Zechariah were their God- sent prophets. The temple was rebuilt in Jerusalem (c. 520-516 B.C). Nehemiah, the governor of Jerusalem in 444 BC, led the group of exiles back home to Jerusalem and supervised the rebuilding of the city and its walls. Ezra (c. 397 B.C), a priest and scribe, skilled in the Law of Moses, restored and renewed the ancient religion by explaining to God’s people the Law and how to strictly observe it. Malachi intervened to correct the evil customs within the community and spoke openly against mixed marriages and divorce.  For the next 200 years, there was relative peace in Palestine under the Persian rule. The Jews remained strong in their conviction that a Messiah-King would soon reestablish their political glory. They held on firmly to the words of the prophet Jeremiah that Yahweh would establish a new covenant. Through Jeremiah, God spoke to His chosen people: “This is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days. I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer 31:33). In 333 B.C, Alexander the Great conquered Palestine and undertook the process of hellenization or the imposition of the Greek culture and taught upon the conquered people, the Jews.  Alexander The Great The Empire of Alexander Mediterranean Judah Egypt India © EBibleTeacher.com  His sudden death at the age of 33 resulted to the eventual division of his kingdom (the Greek empire) among his four generals. The dynasties headed by Ptolemy and Seleucus are of great importance/interest to our present study of our Salvation History. The PTOLEMIES, who ruled in Egypt, exiled a large number of Jews to Egypt. These rulers spread the Greek civilization in a non-violent way. The freedom of religion continued to be enjoyed by the Jews and Judaism deepened in many places outside Palestine. The term “diaspora” was applied to the dispersed Jews among the Gentiles (outside Jerusalem). Babylon remained the center of Judaism because many opted to remain there. The Alexandrian Jews, at that time, felt the need for a Greek Bible. Thus, the SEPTUAGINT (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible (the Masoretic), appeared and became the Bible of the Jews of the Diaspora. According to legends, the Septuagint was independently translated by 70 scribes, all of whom arrived at exactly the same translation.  Despite all the political oppressions which the Jews experienced, they had always enjoyed religious freedom. The first real sustained attack on their religion came from Antiochus.  This attack resulted to a revolt led by the Maccabean family headed by Mattathias, a priest in the city of Modein. Antiochus IV Epiphanes (c. 215 BC – November/December 164 BC) was a Greek Hellenistic king who ruled the Seleucid Empire from 175 BC until his death in 164 BC. He was a son of King Antiochus III the Great. Originally named Mithradates (alternative form Mithridates), he assumed the name Antiochus after he ascended the throne. Notable events during Antiochus's reign include his near-conquest of Ptolemaic Egypt, his persecution of the Jews of Judea and Samaria, and the rebellion of the Jewish Maccabees. Judas, Mattathias’ son, succeeded his father and earned for himself the second name of “hammer’, thus Judas Maccabeus. After three years, he restored the religious freedom and the daily sacrifice; likewise, he purified the temple. After his death his brother, Jonathan, took over his leadership over the people. Jonathan achieved political independence and assumed the office of high priest. He was treacherously arrested and killed. Simon, his brother succeeded him. Simon obtained a rescript in 142 B.C. and that year became Year I of the new independent state. Like his brother, he was treacherously murdered. His son John Hyrcanus I succeeded him. From John Hyrcanus I onwards, the Maccabean princes were known as the Hasmoneans, after Hashmon, an ancestor of the family. It was during his reign that group from the Hasidim (the members of a Jewish sect founded near the time of Judas Maccabeus in 200 BC) began to oppose him. This group formed the Pharisees. Those who compromised their religious principles and collaborated with Hyrcanus I politically became the so-called Sadducees. Pompey besieged and took Jerusalem in 63 B.C.; in this way, he put an end to the last period of Jewish Independence under the Hasmonean dynasty in Israel. Pompey the Great, was a general and statesman of the Roman Republic. He played a significant role in the transformation of Rome from republic to empire. Early in his career, he was a partisan and protégé of the Roman general and dictator Sulla; later, he became the political ally, and finally the enemy, of Julius Caesar. Pompey besieged and took Jerusalem in 63 B.C.; in this way, he put an end to the last period of Jewish Independence under the Hasmonean dynasty in Israel. By 49 B.C., Pompey and Caesar had a civil war. When Caesar won, Hyrcanus II switched loyalty from Pompey. Caesar rewarded him with the nominal title of etnarch (ruler of a racial group with a province) and the confirmation of his high priesthood. By 44 B.C., Caesar was assassinated. One of his assassins (Cassius) fled to Syria. Antipater and his son Herod came to the assassin’s help but Antipater was poisoned by Hyrcanus’ cupbearer. Herod succeeded his father Antipater in 43 B.C.  Britain Rome Roman Empire Judah © EBibleTeacher.com Meanwhile, Mark Antony, Octavian and Lepidus – the Triumvirate – defeated Caesar’s assassins, Brutus and Cassius. These three divided the Roman empire among them. But not long after that, Octavian took Lepidus’ army and territory. So, the empire was divided into two: Octavian had the West and Antony the East. Herod and his brother Phasael supported Antony since Palestine belonged to the East. Antigonus, the last Hasmonean prince imprisoned in Rome, had escaped. He attacked Hyrcanus, Phasael and Herod. Herod was able to escape to Rome where he was proclaimed “King of the Jews” by Octavian and Antony and was given the task of winning his kingdom. For three years, Herod waged war with Antigonus during which he married Mariamme, the granddaughter of Hyrcanus. Antigonus’ capture and death in 37 B.C. ended the Harmonean dynasty. Herod the Great started his dynasty with the end of the Hasmonean dynasty. In 31 B.C., Antony and Octavian has a civil war. Antony was defeated; he committed suicide together with Cleopatra of Egypt. Immediately, Herod paid homage to Octavian who confirmed his position as king of the Jews. It was during the reign of Octavian who called himself AUGUSTUS CAESAR and the reign of HEROD the GREAT that the KING OF KINGS, the PROMISED MESSIAH, Jesus the Christ of Nazareth, was born. (cf. Lk 2:1-7). Jesus is the fulfillment of Gods promise to His chosen people.. Returning once more to the history of Israel, one obvious trait of God which emerged in Israel's history is His faithfulness. He was faithful: -- to His promises to Abraham: descendants, land. -- to His promise to help and care: manna; leaders like Moses, Joshua, David; miraculous victories; prophets to warn, console and encourage. -- to His promise to send His Son Jesus. And also one aspect about human nature which emerged clearly in the same history is man's failure to reform in spite of good intentions. This points to the reality of sin which twists human nature: sin makes men ignore God and their conscience; it makes them choose evil even when they know it will destroy them. This is the reason why Jesus Christ came to deal with sin, before it destroys mankind. Jesus did it through his death. Through his death Jesus changes people from within, that is, from their hearts, freeing them from the warping power of sin that otherwise dominates them.  Overview of Salvation History  I. Patriarchal stage (1700-1300 BC) – Gen 12-50 ◦ Abraham ◦ Isaac ◦ Jacob ◦ Joseph  II. Exodus (1300-1220 BC) – Ex 1-22 / Num 10-25  Moses  III. Tribal Stage (1220-1020 BC) – Joshua 1-22 / Jgs1-16 / 1Sm 1-7 ◦ Joshua ◦ 12 Judges ◦ Samuel  IV. Kingdom Period (1020-922 BC) – 1Sm 8-31 / 2Sm 1-20 / 1 Kgs 1-11 ◦ Saul ◦ David ◦ Solomon  V. Divided Kingdom( 922-587 BC) – 1Kgs 12-22 ◦ Northern Kingdom (Israel) Jeroboam – Elijah, Elisha, Amos, Hosea ◦ Southern Kingdom (Judah) Rehoboam – Isaiah, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Micah ◦  VI. Exile (587-539) – Daniel, Ezekiel  VII. Post-Exilic stage (539-63 BC) – Ezra, Nehemiah, Zechariah. Haggai, Malachi ◦ The Reorganization and Restoration - Persian Era (539-333) - Cyrus the Great, Ezra, Nehemia ◦ Greek rule in Palestine - Greek Era (333-175) – Alexander the Great ◦ Armed Resistance under the Maccabees - Maccabean Revolt (175-63) - Mattathias, Judas ◦ Roman Era (63 B.C.--175 A.D.) – Pompey, Octavian, Herod the Great ◦  VIII. The Birth of the Messiah – JESUS CHRIST (Mt. 2:1-11)