The importance of Bible reading is far greater than any other information, because it is directly connected with eternity.  All other reading material is connected to the brief span of time on earth.  God’s promise to Joshua is as real to us today as it was to the Israelites then.  We must read and understand God’s Word (Joshua 1:8).

            The Bible is a collection of sixty-six documents inspired by God as His written revelation to us, so we would know how to live according to His plan.  (1 Corinthians 2:7-8) “The wisdom we speak of is the secret wisdom of God, which was hidden in former times, though he made it for our benefit before the world began.  But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would never have crucified our glorious Lord.”

            The Holy Spirit inspired the authors to write what God wanted us to know (2 Timothy 3:16), “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.”

            These sixty-six documents are placed into two testaments, the Old (39) and the New (27).  Prophets, priests, kings and the leaders from the nation of Israel wrote the Old Testament books in Hebrew.  The apostles and their associates wrote the New Testament in Greek.

            The Old Testament begins with the creation of the universe and closes four hundred years before the first Advent of Christ.  The flow of history through the OT is: the creation of the universe; the Fall of man; the worldwide Flood; Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob (Israel)—as the fathers of the chosen nation; the exile in Egypt for 430 years; the Exodus and wilderness journey of forty years; the conquest of Canaan—(7 years); a time of judges—(350 years); the united kingdom under kings Saul, David, and Solomon—(110 years); the divided kingdom of Judah and Israel—(350 years); the exile in Babylon—(70 years); and Israel’s return to rebuild the temple—(140 years).

            This history of God’s people is explained in the OT and divided into five categories: The Law—5 books (Genesis to Deuteronomy); History—12 books (Joshua to Esther); Wisdom—5 books (Job to Song of Solomon); Major Prophets—5 books (Isaiah to Daniel) and Minor Prophets—12 books (Hosea to Malachi).

            After the completion of the OT, there were four hundred years when God did not speak, but John the Baptist broke the silence when he announced the coming Messiah who would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29).

            While the OT books major on the history of Israel (and the promise of a Savior), the NT books major on the person of Christ (and the promise of salvation).  The four Gospels tell the story of Jesus (His birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension).  Each of the writers records (from their own perspective) the most important event in all of history.  

            The Book of Acts records the impact of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (from His ascension, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, the beginning of the church, and the early teaching of the apostles.  The twenty-one letters [epistles] were written to churches and individuals to further explain the importance of the work and words and walk of the Lord Jesus.

            The NT closes with the Book of Revelation and culminates with Christ’s return to establish His kingdom on earth (bringing judgment on the ungodly and reward for the faithful).  Following the millennial reign of Christ, there will be a last judgment and leading to the eternal state.  All true believers of all ages enter God’s kingdom prepared for them, and all the ungodly are consigned to hell prepared for Satan and his agents.

            To understand what God is saying in His Book, we must consider the big picture (from  Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21) and to keep the Book’s main theme in mind (which is) that God has called all of creation to be part of His kingdom so that they can praise Him forever.

            For this to be possible God would have to redeem them from sin.  He thus reveals a plan of redemption (from eternity past to its completion in eternity future).  Covenants and promises are all secondary to the one continuous plan of redemption through the one perfect sacrifice that would be made for everyone.

            There is one God and one Book that tells of God’s grace (through faith in Christ) that would save sinners from a horrible fate.  The Bible is the story of God redeeming His creation for His honor and glory.  “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!" (Revelation 19:5).

            All through Scripture we learn of the character of God, the judgment for sin, the blessing for faithfulness, and the Savior’s sacrifice for sin.  (Titus 2:11-13) “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.  And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.  We should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God, while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.”

            The Book’s primary purpose is to reveal that the sovereign God of the universe chose to create life on earth and to make Himself known to His creation.  He also establishes His standard of perfect holiness.  From Adam and Eve (Cain and Abel) and to everyone before and after the Law, God’s standard of righteousness was established and sustained to the very last word of the New Testament.

            God reveals Himself in the OT by creation, through angels, by signs and miracles, through visions, with words of the prophets, and by written Scripture.  God reveals Himself more fully in the NT by His incarnation through His Son who is, ”the visible image of the invisible God,” (Colossians 1:15).

            God’s Word repeatedly deals with our sin (which would lead to divine judgment).  Account after account in Scripture demonstrates the deadly effects of violating God’s standard of righteousness.

            There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible, but only four of them do not involve a fallen world (the first two and the last two--before the Fall and after the new heaven and earth).  God revealed the lethal results of sin early on with Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Moses and Israel, the kings, priests, some prophets, and the Gentile nations.  The serious result of sin is revealed more clearly in the NT.

            The teaching of Jesus (and the preaching of His apostles) begin and end with a call to repentance.  King Herod, the Jewish religious leaders, the nation of Israel, Pilate, the Romans, and the rest of the unbelievers all rejected the Lord Jesus, spurned the truth of God, and (by so doing) condemn themselves to eternal suffering in the flames of hell (a fate that is far worse than anything anyone could imagine).

            This rebellion, wickedness and sin is more flagrant in the NT because it involves the rejection of the Messiah (who was sent to save them from hell).  The only One who could help them was mocked, beaten, lashed, and nailed to a cross.

            As the church began the Apostle Peter says to the people (Acts 2:22-24) "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.  This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.  But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

            He goes on to explain (36-37), “So let it be clearly known by everyone in Israel that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord and Messiah!”  Peter’s words convicted them deeply, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

            God is merciful, God is love, so God forgives (if we will repent).  Everyone has the following choice: (38-39) “Peter replied, “Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles.”

            There is one God, one book, one faith and one living hope.  (Hebrews 1:3) “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” What a God, what a blessed hope and all through one faith (in the Lord Jesus Christ)!