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March 2024The Bible is absolutely the only available infallible source of information concerning the chronology of the human race. The Bible dates the chronology from the very first human being, and traces that line from B.C. to A.D. No other book does that. These are definite and precise dates, not guesses. The Biblical chronology can be reckoned with accuracy because the Scriptures give full and clear information as to the count of years, and insomuch, as there are NO other sources of information available whatsoever. There is, and can be, no conflict of authorities. We must accept it, or go without, for there is no other.
Bible chronology is intimately associated with one definite subject, the line of descent, which the promised Redeemer was to come. (Daniel 9:25). The dating, in Scripture, generation by generation, leads directly to the Messiah. The creation of years of and from Adam are a chronology of recorded fact, not conjectures. There are several chronologies, in the Bible, but only one particular line that manifest the live that delineates the central theme of the entire Scriptures. Everything clusters around it. Persons mainly associated with that line, and this line leads directly to Jesus Christ, and stops there.
The chronology does not begin with the creation of the world, but with the creation of man, Anno Hominis equals Year of Man. The chapter of man begins with “Generations.” The Book of the Generations of Adam.” Time was marked by the particular Son in whom the genealogical line would continue.
When we trace the genealogy, or the ancestral line back from the birth of Jesus Christ, we acknowledge a descent of four thousand years to the man called Adam whom the Lord God formed of the dust of the ground. (Genesis 2:7). Or, we can trace the genealogy of Adam, year by succeeding year, as it is documented in Scripture, and it arrives at the same exact number of years to Jesus Christ. Then, when we add thirty years from His birth, we arrive at the time He was baptized. (Luke 3:21-23), and another three and a half years to His crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and coming of the Holy Spirit. We now have, as the year of those, the greatest of all events in the history of the heavens and the earth. Here ends the recorded chronology of the Bible.
Jesus Christ, the Messiah, came as prophesied, in the fullness of the infallible record of time. The time line from Adam to Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit did not progress any further, in sacred Scriptures, because it was no longer necessary or important. The importance and fulfillment was completed in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
The significant fact of the Divine Superintendence in writing of Holy Scriptures is the one line of generation after genealogical line is clearly dated generation by generation up and to Jesus Christ the Divine Redeemer. As the revelation reveals, one has to come to the conclusion, “The Author of the Bible is God.” “The Lord gave the Word: great was the company of those that published it.” (Psalm 68:11). “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16). And, “Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning; that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope.” (Romans 15:4).
Only God could look into the future, and precisely date this chronological time line to the birth of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. God not only revealed what would take place, He recorded when it would occur. To predict an event of such magnitude four thousand years hence, and perfectly connect the genealogy line to Jesus Christ, and the events which were to occur in and to His Life is an incredible, infallible divine feat. This alone should impress everyone to believe that God is the Author of the Bible. This is convincing proof that God sees the end from the beginning, and that He orchestrated this chronological line leading to: “God so loved the world that He sent His Son at this specific time.”
Jesus Christ came to earth to “take away sin.” (1 John 3:5); “Destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8); and to “Reveal the Father.” (John 14:9). He fulfilled what He came to manifest, and now His Kingdom has no continued Biblical chronology because it is without end. “Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.” (Ephesians 3:21).
Genealogy by genealog,y God would draw men on to observe how He was numbering and counting out the years toward that great time of promise and expectation, and to observe also how faithful He has been through all changes and circumstances in life yet to carry on His great promise of redemption.
There is continuity in the Bible, and in the Life of Christ from the time He was in heaven with the Father until He returns to the right hand of the Father. The story continues with the birth of Jesus, and there is progress, a steady advance onward to the consummation of the cross, the burial, the resurrection, and ascension; but all is consistent, all is harmonious. The Life of Jesus Christ is distinguished from all others by a fixed, pre-established, unvarying design. Who, but God, could lay out the chronology so precise for over four thousand years from Adam to the coming of the Holy Spirity in A.D. 29? God, in His providence, preordained this exact time line from Adam from whom sin entered the human race to: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son in the fullness of time as our Redeemer.”
Now that the great event of redemption is accomplished, and there is salvation full and free for all men, there is no longer an occasion for the counting of years to a great coming event. Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, has entered into His glory, having by Himself, purged our sins; and what Christians now have to sustain them is not a promise of deliverance, at a specific time, but grace during all trials, with the command to be watching for His yet coming again, since they know not the TIME, nor the HOUR their Lord may come. (Matthew 24:42). “Christ also, having been once offered to bear sins of many, shall appear a second TIME, to them that wait for Him.” (Hebrews 9:28), (Romans 6:10). Now that Eternal Redemption has been accomplished there is no need for counting the years, and giving measures and links of time.
The prophecy in the book of Daniel, chapter 9:24-27, is the most important of prophecies in the only incredible, infallible record of time. In part: “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make AN END OF SINS, and TO MAKE RECONCILIATION FOR INIQUITY, and TO BRING EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS, and TO SEAL UP THE VISION and PROPHECY, and TO ANOINT THE MOST HOLY.” The angel Gabriel shows Daniel that there are seventy weeks determined relative to a redemption from sin by the Messiah, and by His sacrifice the total abolition of the Jewish lamb sacrifices. The seven events in verse 24 seal up, or complete the chronology from Adam, and puts an end to the necessity of any further revelations, by completing the canon of Scripture relative to time, and fulfilling the prophecies which relate to the Messiah Jesus Christ, His sacrifice, and the glory that should follow. To anoint the Most Holy, to be Prophet, Priest, and King.
Within this incredible, infallible record of time the first proclamation of Christ took place: “From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, ‘repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.’” (Matthew 4:17); (Mark 1:14, 15).
It was the time of all times, the time of Emmanuel, wherein the incarnate Son of God came to preach, to heal, to bless, to die for the sins of mankind, to rise again, to enter upon His high priestly ministry in heaven, the time wherein the Holy Spirit came down to abide with men, and the kingdom of Heaven began with the preaching of the Gospel of God.
There is one, and only one, continuous line of dated events in the Bible; it extends from the creation of Adam to the resurrection of Christ; and as we follow that line through the Bible, and successive eras, it brings us into contact with all the leading personages, the leading events, and the leading doctrines of Holy Scripture. This, then, is clearly the only incredible, infallible record of time. This record of time reveals what all humanity must do: Repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ. Send questions or comments to:
The Upper Room Ministry
John E. Burt
6854 N. Zett Road
