 |  |
No.6.
Paradise Lost and Restored.
pp. 27 - 30
If `before the overthrow of the world' and `before the age times' refers to the same
datum line, and if the `overthrow' be Gen. 1: 2, then Gen 1: 2 must have taken place
before the ages began, and consequently we have an indication that the ages are
coincident with the present temporary creation which, together with its `firmament', will
pass away when the purpose of the ages shall be accomplished. The opening and closing
members of the purpose of the ages may be set out as follows:
A | The Beginning. Before Age times. |
a | Christ. Firstborn of all creation. Image of invisible God.
b | Satan. Cherub (Ezek. 28: 12-19).
c | The overthrow (Gen. 1: 2).
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
A | The End. Age finish. |
a | Christ. Head. Every knee shall bow.
b | Church. In the heavenlies. Satan destroyed.
c | Reconciliation achieved.
The space indicated by the (* * * * *) is spanned by the ages. The first of the series of
fullnesses that fill this gap is, as we have seen, the six-day creation of Gen. 1: 3 - 2: 14.
The opening generation is NOT that of Adam, as recorded in Gen. 5: 1, but of "the
heavens and the earth" which occupies Gen. 2: 4 - 4: 6. This is followed by twelve
generations, which open with "The book of the generations of Adam" (Gen. 5: 1), and
closes with "the book of the generation of Jesus Christ". The relationship of these
generations may be set out as follows:
A | "The generations of the heavens and of the earth" (Gen. 2: 4 - 4: 26).
A | a | The BOOK of the generations (plural) of Adam. (Gen. 5: 1 - 6: 8).
b | The generations of Noah. (Gen. 6: 9 - 9: 29).
c | The generations of the sons of Noah. (Gen. 10: 1 - 11: 9).
d | The generations of Shem. The line of the seed (Gen. 11: 10-26).
e | The generations of Terah (in Mesopotamia and Canaan).
(Gen. 11: 27 - 25: 11).
f | The generations of Ishmael, son of bond-woman. (Gen. 25: 12-18).
f | The generations of Isaac, son of free woman. (Gen. 25: 19 - 35: 29).
e | The generations of Esau (in Canaan and Mount Seir). (Gen. 36: 1-43).
d | The generations of Jacob the line of the seed (Gen. 37: 1 - 50: 26).
c | The generations of Aaron and Moses. (Numb. 3: 1-4).
b | The generations of Pharez. (Ruth 4: 18-22).
a | The BOOK of the generations (singular) of Jesus Christ. (Matt. 1: 1-17).