And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
-- 1 Peter 5:4

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
-- Habakkuk 2:14

Condensed Outlines of the Bible (Chain #4222a)

 

OLD TESTAMENT

PENTATEUCH-FIVE BOOKS

(1) Genesis. The book of origins. The origin of the universe, human race, etc. Largely a record of Israel's roots and early history.  See 4223.

(2) Exodus. The enslavement and deliverance of Israel and their history on the way to Canaan under the leadership of Moses.  See 4224.

(3) Leviticus. The book of laws concerning morality, cleanliness, food, etc. It teaches access to God through sacrifices.   See 4225.

(4) Numbers. The book of the wanderings of Israel. Their forty years of wandering in the wilderness.   See 4226.

(5) Deuteronomy.  A repetition of the laws given shortly before Israel entered Canaan. See 4227.

HISTORICAL BOOKS-TWELVE BOOKS

(1) Joshua.  A record of the conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua and of the division of the land among the twelve tribes.  See 4228.

(2) Judges.  The history of the six subjugations of Israel and the various deliverances of the land through the fifteen judges.  See 4229.

(3) Ruth.  The story of the life of Ruth, an ancestor of David and of Jesus Christ. See 4230.

(4-5) 1 & 2 Samuel.  The history of Samuel, with the beginning and early years of the monarchical period in Israel under the reigns of Saul and David.  See 4231, 4232.

(6-7) 1 & 2 Kings.  The early history of the kingdom of Israel and later of the divided kingdom. The heroic prophets Elijah and Elisha appear.  See 4233, 4234.

(8-9) 1 & 2 Chronicles.  Largely a record of the reigns of David, Solomon, and the kings of Judah up to the time of the captivity.  See 4235, 4236.

(10) Ezra.  A record of the return of the Jews from captivity and of the rebuilding of the temple.  See 4237.

(11) Nehemiah.  An account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and the re-establishing of the sacred ordinances.  See 4238.

(12) Esther.  The story of Queen Esther's deliverance of the Jews from the plot of Haman and of the establishment of the feast of Purim.  See 4239.

POETICAL-FIVE BOOKS

(1) Job.  A book about suffering. The book shows the malice of Satan, the patience of Job, the vanity of human philosophy, the wisdom of God, and the final deliverance of the sufferer.  See 4240.

(2) Psalms.  A collection of 150 spiritual songs, poems, and prayers. Used through the centuries by the church in its worship.  See 4241.

(3) Proverbs.  A collection of moral and religious maxims and discourses on such topics as wisdom, temperance, justice.  See 4242.

(4) Ecclesiastes.  Reflections on the vanity of life and on man's duties and obligations to God, etc.  See 4243.

(5) Song of Songs.  A religious poem symbolizing the mutual love of Christ and the church.  See 4244.

PROPHETICAL BOOKS-SEVENTEEN BOOKS; MAJOR PROPHETS-FIVE BOOKS

(1) Isaiah.  The great prophet of the redemption. A book rich in Messianic prophecies mingled with woes pronounced upon sinful nations.  See 4245.

(2) Jeremiah.  The weeping prophet. Lived from the time of Josiah to the captivity. Main theme: The backsliding, bondage, and restoration of the Jews.  See 4246.

(3) Lamentations.  A series of dirges by Jeremiah lamenting the afflictions of Israel.  See 4247.

(4) Ezekiel.  One of the mystery books, full of striking metaphors vividly portraying the sad condition of God's people and the pathway to future exaltation and glory.  See 4248.

(5) Daniel.  A book of personal biography and apocalyptic visions concerning events in both secular and sacred history.  See 4249.

MINOR PROPHETS-TWELVE BOOKS

(1) Hosea.  Contemporary with Isaiah and Micah. Main theme: The apostasy of Israel characterized as spiritual adultery. The book is filled with striking metaphors describing the sins of the people.  See 4250.

(2) Joel.  A prophet of Judah.  Main theme: National repentance and its blessings. "The day of the Lord," a time of divine judgments, may be transformed into a season of blessing.  See 4251.

(3) Amos.  The herdsman-prophet was a courageous reformer, denouncing selfishness and sin. The book contains a series of five visions.  See 4252.

(4) Obadiah.  Main theme: The doom of Edom and final deliverance of Israel.  See 4253.

(5) Jonah.  The story of the "reluctant missionary" who was taught by bitter experience the lesson of obedience and the depth of divine mercy.  See 4254.

(6) Micah.  This book gives a dark picture of the moral condition of Israel and Judah but foretells the establishment of a Messianic kingdom in which righteousness shall prevail.  See 4255.

(7) Nahum.  Main theme: The destruction of Nineveh. Judah is promised deliverance from Assyria.  See 4256.

(8) Habakkuk.  Written in the Babylonian period. Main theme: The mysteries of providence. How can a just God allow a wicked nation to oppress Israel?  See 4257.

(9) Zephaniah.  This book is somber in tone, filled with threatenings, but it ends in a vision of the future glory of Israel.  See 4258.

(10) Haggai.  A colleague of Zechariah. He reproves the people for slackness in building the second temple but promises a return of God's glory when the building would be completed.  See 4259.

(11) Zechariah.  Contemporary with Haggai. He helps to arouse the Jews to rebuild the temple. He has a series of eight visions and sees the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.  See 4260.

(12) Malachi.  Gives a graphic picture of the closing period of Old Testament history. He shows the necessity of reforms before the coming of the Messiah.  See 4261.

 

NEW TESTAMENT

GOSPELS-FOUR BOOKS

(1) Matthew.  Written by Matthew, one of the twelve apostles. Narrative especially adapted to the Jews, showing that Jesus is the kingly Messiah of Jewish prophecy.  See 4262.

(2) Mark.  Written by John Mark. A brief, picturesque record emphasizing the supernatural power of Christ over nature, disease, and demons. All this divine energy exercised for the good of humankind.  See 4263.

(3) Luke.  Written by "the beloved physician." The most complete biography of Jesus. It portrays him as the Son of Man, full of compassion for the sinful and the poor.  See 4264.

(4) John.  Written by "the beloved disciple." The narrative unveils Jesus as the Son of God and records His deeper teachings. Two ideas, "faith" and "eternal life," echo throughout the book.  See 4265.

HISTORICAL-ONE BOOK

The Acts of the Apostles.  Written by Luke. A sequel to the Gospel of Luke. Main theme: The origin and growth of the early church from the ascension of Christ to the imprisonment of Paul at Rome.  See 4266.

EPISTLES OF PAUL-FOURTEEN (including Hebrews)

(1) Romans.  Addressed to Christians in Rome. Part 1, Chapters 1-11. An exposition of the need for, and the nature of, the way of salvation. Part 2, Chapters 12-16. Largely exhortations relating to spiritual, social, and civic duties.  See 4267.

(2) 1 Corinthians.  Addressed to the church at Corinth. Main themes: The cleansing of the church from various evils; doctrinal instructions.  See 4268.

(3) 2 Corinthians.  Main themes: The characteristics of an apostolic ministry and the vindication of Paul's apostleship.  See 4269.

(4) Galatians.  Written to the church in Galatia. Main themes: A defense of Paul's apostolic authority and of the doctrine of justification by faith, with warnings against false teachers and reversion to Judaism.  See 4270.

(5) Ephesians.  Written to the church in Ephesus. An exposition of the glorious way of salvation. Special emphasis upon the fact that all barriers between Jews and Gentiles are broken down.  See 4271.

(6) Philippians.  A love letter to the church in Philippi. It reveals Paul's intense devotion to Christ, his joyful experience in prison, and his deep concern that the church should be steadfast in sound doctrine.  See 4272.

(7) Colossians.  Written to the church at Colossae. Main theme: The transcendent glory of Christ as the head of the church. This sublime truth calls for the abandonment of all worldly philosophy and sin.  See 4273.

(8) 1 Thessalonians.  Written to the church in Thessalonica. It is composed of apostolic commendations, reminiscences, counsel, and exhortations. Special emphasis upon the comforting hope of the future coming of Christ.  See 4274.

(9) 2 Thessalonians.  A sequel to the first epistle. Written to enlighten the church concerning the doctrine of Christ's second coming and to warn believers against unrest and social disorders.  See 4275.

(10) 1 Timothy.  Counsel to a young pastor concerning his conduct and ministerial work.  See 4276.

(11) 2 Timothy.  Paul's last letter, written shortly before his death, giving instructions and counsels to his beloved "son" in the gospel.  See 4277.

(12) Titus.  An apostolic letter giving advice and exhortations to a trusted friend who was a pastor in a difficult field. Special emphasis on the doctrine of good works.  See 4278.

(13) Philemon.  A private letter written to Philemon, encouraging him to receive and forgive Onesimus, his runaway slave.  See 4279.

(14) Hebrews.  Writer uncertain. Main theme: The transcendent glory of Christ and of the blessings of the new dispensation compared with those of the Old Testament. Key word is better.  See 4280.

GENERAL EPISTLES-SEVEN BOOKS

(1) James.  Probably written by the Lord's brother. Addressed to Jewish converts of the dispersion. Main theme: Practical religion manifesting itself in good works as contrasted with mere profession of faith.  See 4281.

(2) 1 Peter.  A letter of encouragement written by the apostle Peter to the saints scattered throughout Asia Minor. Main theme: The privileges of believers who are following the example of Christ to have victory during trials and to live holy lives in a hostile world.  See 4282.

(3) 2 Peter.  Largely a warning against false teachers and scoffers.  See 4283.

(4) 1 John.  A deep spiritual message written by the apostle John to different classes of believers in the church. It stresses the believer's privilege of spiritual knowledge and the duty of fellowship and brotherly love.  See 4284.

(5) 2 John.  A brief message from John on divine truth and worldly error. Addressed to "the chosen lady and her children." A warning against heresy and false teachers.  See 4285.

(6) 3 John.  An apostolic letter of commendation written to Gaius, containing character sketches of certain persons in the church.  See 4286.

(7) Jude.  Probably written by the brother of James. Main themes: Historical examples of apostasy and divine judgments upon sinners; warnings against immoral teachers.  See 4287.

PROPHETICAL-ONE BOOK

Revelation.  Written by the apostle John. Mainly a series of apocalyptic visions dealing with events in religious history. A great moral conflict is portrayed between the divine and satanic powers, ending in the victory of the Lamb. See 4288.