March 5th - Age Four - From the Ark to Babel - Genesis 8:15 to Genesis 11:9

After the waters of the flood subsided, Noah, his family, and the animals came off the boat to begin Age Four.  

"All flesh that had been moving on the earth had deceased, of the flyer, of the domestic beast, of the wild animal, of every swarming thing swarming on the earth, and every human."  (Genesis 7:21)

God promised Noah He would never again destroy the earth by a flood of water, even though the heart of humanity would continue to be evil. Rainbows are a reminder of that promise.

"Yahweh Elohim said in His heart: Not anymore will I maledict again the ground on account of humanity, for the bent of the human heart is evil from its youth. And not anymore will I smite again every living flesh, just as I have done. In the future, for all the days of the earth, seedtime and harvest, cold and warmth, summer and winter, day and night, they shall not cease." (Genesis 8:21-22)

"My rainbow have I set in the a cloud, and it will be for a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth." (Genesis 9:13)

The names of the three sons of Noah on the boat with him are Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

"...the sons of Noah who came forth from the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth...These three were Noah's sons, and from these the entire earth became inhabited." (Genesis 9:18-19)

God told Noah and his sons to fill the earth. They disobeyed and stayed in the area where the Ark came to rest (modern day Turkey). Eventually a man named Nimrod built the first cities and established the first government and religion of humanity in the city known as Babel. He began to build a great tower into heaven instead of spreading over the Earth. So God forced them to spread over the earth by confusing their language.

"And Yahweh said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So Yahweh dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth." (Genesis 11:6-9)

The distribution over the whole earth began in the days of a man named Peleg. 

"Eber had two sons. The first was named Peleg (which means “division”), for during his lifetime the people of the world were divided into different language groups..."(Genesis 10:25; 1 Chronicles 1:19)

"From one human He made every nation of humanity, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands." (Acts 17:26)

The judgment from God upon Babel and the spreading of humans over the earth according to their separate languages ended Age Four

March 4th - Ages Two and Three - From Adam to Noah - Genesis 1:2 to 7:24

The creation of Adam and Eve began Age Two. They only had one rule to obey in their garden paradise, they were not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

"Then Yahweh Elohim took the human and settled him in the garden of Eden to serve it and to keep it. And Yahweh Elohim instructed the human, saying:  From every tree of the garden you may eat, yea eat.  But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you must not eat from it; for on the day you eat from it, to die you shall be dying." (Genesis 2:15-16)

The serpent deceived Eve into disobeying that rule. 

"...the serpent said to the women: Not to die shall you be dying; for Elohim knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be unclosed, and you will become like Elohim, knowing good and evil...So she took of its fruit and ate.  She also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate."  (Genesis 3:4)

The judgment for that first sin was severe. It included banishment from the garden paradise, hard work to survive, and a decaying process of their bodies which would end in death. This judgment has passed through to all their descendants - and in the end, we all die. 

"Because you hearkened to your wife's voice and ate from the only tree that I instructed you, saying you must not eat from it, cursed is the ground on your account...By the sweat of your brow shall you eat your bread, until you return to the ground, for from it were you taken.  For soil you are, and to soil you shall return." (Genesis 3:17-19)

"Therefore, even as through one man sin entered into the world, and through sin death, and thus death passed through into all humanity..." (Romans 5:12)

Adam and Eve were mortal yet they had access to another tree in that garden called the tree of life.

"Then Yahweh Elohim said:  Behold, the human has become like one of Us in knowing good and evil.  Now lest they should stretch out their hand and take also of the tree of life and eat and live for the eon, Yahweh Elohim set him out of the garden of Eden to serve the ground from where he was taken." (Genesis 3:22-23)

After they were banished they had twins named Cain and Abel. 

"Now the human knew Eve his wife.  She became pregnant and gave birth to Cain, saying: I have acquired a man through Yahweh. Then she proceeded to give birth to his brother Abel." 

(Genesis 4:1-2)

When grown Cain brought an offering of his crops to Yahweh which was rejected. Abel brought an offering of his flock and it was accepted. Cain got mad and murdered Abel. Banishment from the garden paradise and the murder of Abel ended Age Two.  

Age three began when Eve gave birth to another son named Seth. He was born 130 years after the creation of Adam. Over the next 1526 years humanity became a multitude of men and women who populated the earth. As humanity grew in number they became very evil.

"Yahweh saw that the evil of humanity was multiplying on earth, and every form of the devisings of its heart was surely evil all the day...So Yahweh said:  I shall wipe out humanity that I have created off the surface of the ground, from human unto beast, unto the creeper and unto the flyer of the heavens." (Genesis 6:5-7)

God brought a great flood upon the earth and with the exception of Noah and his family, humanity and most other animal life, died in that flood. Noah is said to have found grace in the eyes of God.

"Yet Noah, he found grace in the eyes of Yahweh."  (Genesis 6:8)

God instructed Noah to build a large boat to save he and his family, and to preserve a male and female of land based animals and birds.

"Now behold, I Myself am about to bring a deluge of water on the earth to wreck all flesh under the heavens which has the spirit of life in it.  All that is in the earth, it shall decease. Yet I will set up My covenant with you..." (Genesis 6:17-18)

The judgment of the flood brought an end to Age Three.  The flood occurred 1656 years after the creation of Adam.

March 3rd - The Beginning of Age Two: The Restoration of the Earth - Genesis 1:2 - 2:9

Age two began with the Father and Son, Elohim (mighty ones), restoring the earth to its original perfection over a six day period of time. 

"And the spirit of Elohim was vibrating over the surface of the waters. And Elohim said: Let light come to be! And light came to be.  Elohim saw the light that it was good. Then Elohim separated the light from the darkness. And Elohim called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And evening came to be, and morning came to be: day one."  (Genesis 1:2-5)

"And Elohim saw all that He had made; and behold, it was very good. And the evening came to be, and morning came to be: the sixth day." (Genesis 1:31)

During the next five days Elohim adjusted the atmosphere around earth so that the sun, moon, stars and planets could be seen from earth. Elohim separated the seas from the land and caused all plant life to spring up from the earth which indicates the seed was already in the earth. He then created fish and birds and large animals that live in the ocean. On the sixth day he created Adam, a man and after him he made Eve for Adam as his mate. They were given dominion over the restored Earth.

"And Elohim said:  Let the earth bring forth the living soul, each according to its kind: domestic beast, creeper and land animal, each according to its kind.  And it came to be so...And Elohim said: Let Us make humanity in Our image and according to our likeness.  Let them hold sway over the fish of the sea and over the flyer of the heavens, over the domestic beast, over every land animal and over every creeper that is creeping on the earth. So Elohim created humanity in His image; in the image of Elohim He created: male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:24-27)

Humanity was originally given vegetables and fruit for their food. All the other animals were given other plants as their food. When Elohim looked at all that was made it was very good. Then the Father and Son, Elohim, stopped from their work and the next day, the seventh day, has come to be known as the Sabbath (meaning a day of stopping from work).

"On the sixth day Elohim finished the work; and ceased on the seventh day from all work.  And Elohim blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, for in that day Elohim stopped the work of creation." (Genesis 2:2-3) 

"For in six days Yahweh dealt with the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and stopped on the seventh day.  Therefore, Yahweh blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it." (Exodus 20:10-11)

Humanity started with one human, Adam, who became a living soul when Yahweh Elohim formed his body from the soil of the earth and breathed life into him. The formal name of Elohim is Yahweh which most English translations render LORD. In my view, the term "Yahweh Elohim" refers to both the Father and Son. When Yahweh is used without adding Elohim I think it generally is referring to the Son.

"Yahweh Elohim formed the human out of soil from the ground, and He blew into his nostrils the breath of life; and the human became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7)

"Yahweh Elohim planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He put the human whom He had formed...with the tree of life in the midst of the garden, and also the tree of the knowledge of good and evil...Then Yahweh Elohim took the human and settled him in the garden of Eden to serve it and to keep it." (Genesis 2:8-9)

Biblical chronology starts at sundown on the day Adam was created. One biblical day is the length of time from one sunset to another. A biblical year is the number of evenings and mornings it takes for the Earth to travel around the sun. It is my view that humanity, in its present mortal state, will be allowed to have dominion over the present Earth for six thousand biblical years - and it is obvious to me that we have failed miserably in that role.

March 2nd - The Beginning of the Ages - Genesis 1:1

"In a beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth. As for the earth, it came to be a chaos and vacant, and darkness was over the surface of the abyss." (Genesis 1:1)

"Elohim" means mighty ones. "Yahweh" is the formal name for the Elohim. In this beginning everything in our universe that was needed to accomplish the plan of Elohim (the mighty ones) came into existence - Science calls this event a singularity, or the "Big Bang". 

"For thus says Yahweh, Creator of the the heavens; He is Elohim, the Former of the earth and its Maker, He established it; He did not create it a chaos; He formed it to be indwelt. I am Yahweh, and there is no other." (Isaiah 45:15)

The original earth was created to be inhabited, yet the Bible says it became a vacant chaos. 

“As for the earth, it came to be a chaos and vacant, and darkness was over the surface of the abyss." (Genesis 1:2)

That is all we are told about that period of time, the first age. Apparently, heavenly beings (angels) were created either before or after the Big Bang and some were given dominion over the original earth and all other planets in the universe. My view is that these angles rebelled against Yahweh resulting in the planets of the universe becoming the vacant chaos. I think is rebellion is the "disruption of the world" spoken of in the book of Ephesians. 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who blesses us with every spiritual blessing among the heavens, in Christ, according as He chooses us in Him before the disruption of the world..." (Ephesians 1:3-4)

March 1st - God's Plan For Humanity

During March I try to summarize in writing my understanding of the plan of God for humanity - reminding myself that His plan is really good news!

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, is saying the Lord God, Who is and Who was and Who is coming, the Almighty...I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Origin and the Consummation." (Revelation 1:8; 22:13)

"..there is one God, the Father, out of Whom all is, and we for Him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom all is, and we through Him..." (1 Corinthians 8:6-7)

There is one Father God and there is one LORD,  Jesus Christ. Jesus, the Son of God, made the ages.

"On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son,whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature..."  (Hebrews 1:1-2)

The LORD made the ages as the stage from which He would reveal the Father to His creation. To do so, evil was needed as a contrast to good. Evil humbles humanity so they may be taught about righteousness.

"I applied by heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: It is an experience of evil God has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it." (Ecclesiastes 1:13)

"Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore, He shall direct sinners in the way; He shall cause the humble to tread in right judgment, and He shall teach the humble His way." (Psalm 25:8-9)

The Father sent the Son, our LORD Jesus, o ransom humanity from evil. 

"The Father has dispatched His Son, the Savior of the world." (1 John 4:14-15)

"In this is love, not that we love God, but that He loves us, and dispatches His Son, a propitiatory shelter for our sins." (1 John 4:10)

As a sinless Man, the LORD Jesus gave His life not only to ransom humanity from evil, but to reconcile us to His Father.

"There is one God, and one mediator of God and humanity, a Man, Christ Jesus, Who is giving Himself a correspondent ransom for all..." (1Timothy 2:5)

"...to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens." (Colossians 1:20)

This reconciliation will be finished at the end of the ages when God has become "All in all" of His creation.

"Now, whenever all may be subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also shall be subjected to Him who subjects all to Him, that God may be All in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:28)

Most of humanity has lived and died without hearing about God's plan and purpose for the ages. And, even those who hear usually deny the truth of the salvation and reconciliation of all. Nevertheless, God has planned it and the "LORD, Jesus Christ" made the ages so that the will of the Father and Son could come to pass.

"...to head up all in the Christ - both that in the heavens and that on the earth - in Him in Whom our lot was cast also, being designated beforehand according to the purpose of the One Who is operating all in accord with the counsel of His will." (Ephesians 1:11-12)

February 28th - Pursue the Goal.

"...be racing with endurance the contest lying before us, looking off to the Inaugurator and Perfecter of faith, Jesus, Who, for the joy lying before Him, endures a cross, despising the shame, besides is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

"...toward the goal am I pursuing for the prize of God's calling above in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

The Apostle Paul could say in the midst of his suffering...

"For I am reckoning that the sufferings of the current era do not deserve the glory about to be revealed for us.." (Romans 8:18)

Abundant life after death without any suffering and sorrow. That is our hope, and it is the promise of God in the Bible for all of us. But many do not grasp onto this hope in times of trouble because they have never heard about God's plan.

“Now the God of all grace, Who calls you into His eonian glory in Christ, while briefly suffering, He will be adjusting, establishing, firming, founding you. To Him be glory and might for the eons of the eons. Amen!" (I Peter 5:10-11).

The eons/ages were created as a stage for God to demonstrate His Love.  So, I am sure that the goal set before me and my family is to be delivered out of death and into the eternal Kingdom of God.

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor messengers, nor sovereignties, nor the present, nor what is impending, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord." (Romans 11:38-39) 

February 27th - Keep Climbing

"Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:32-33)

The Greek word for "tribulation" is “thlipsis” and carries the idea of using or feeling pressure. Life is designed by God so this tribulation/pressure we feel is part of God's plan for humanity.  Sometimes we put pressure on others and sometimes we are pressured. 

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven...” (Matthew 5:11-12)

When under pressure I imagine myself going up a hill against a cold high wind. The easy thing to do would be to turn around and let the wind push me swiftly back down into the valley.

Yet I keep moving forward up the hill…

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor messengers, nor sovereignties, nor the present, nor what is impending, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord." (Romans 11:38-39) 

"...be racing with endurance the contest lying before us, looking off to the Inaugurator and Perfecter of faith, Jesus, Who, for the joy lying before Him, endures a cross, despising the shame, besides is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

"...toward the goal am I pursuing for the prize of God's calling above in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

I am going to try and keep my nose into the wind as I climb out of the valley of the shadow of death toward the summit where I will finally and eternally be conformed to the image of His Son.

 "For those God knows, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:29)

Is there any not known by God from the beginning? I think not!