The Books of the Bible

The word testament means covenant, contract, or agreement. The Old Testament is the covenant God made with man before Christ was born. It is believed that Moses wrote the first five books of the Old Testament, which are also called the Pentateuch, which means five volumes. The New Testament is the covenant God made with man after Christ came - the covenant of grace. There is a break of 400 years between the Old and the New Testament.

Old Testament

The Old Testament is composed of 39 books: 5 law, 12 historical (47%), 5 poetic (22%), and 17 prophetic (31%).

Historical / Law Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy Historical Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther Poetic Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon Prophetic Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

New Testament

The New Testament is composed of the 4 Gospels (43%), the Book of Acts (12%), 21 Epistles/Letters (38%), and the Book of Revelation (7%). The New Testament tells the story of the birth, ministry, teaching, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

The Gospels

Synoptic Gospels The word gospel means good tidings. "Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the Synoptic Gospels because, unlike John, they give a synopsis of Christ's life."1 "The four men tell the same story each in his own way." " Each presents a different aspect of our Lord's life on earth."2 "Matthew presents Jesus as King, Mark depicts Jesus as Servant, Luke sets forth Jesus as the perfect Man and, John portrays Jesus as the Son of God."3

Gospel of John The Gospel of John was written to prove that Jesus was the Son of God. “The Synoptics narrate His miracles, parables, and addresses to the multitudes; John presents His deeper and more abstract discourses; His conversations and prayers. The three portray Christ in action; John portrays Him in mediation and communion.” 4

Book of Acts Acts Epistles / Letters Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrew, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude Book of Revelation Revelation The book of Revelation is also referred to as The Apocalypse. "Revelation is the only book of prophecy in the New Testament."5 Revelation means unveiling. "There are 300 symbols in this book, and each has a definite meaning." 6 It gives us an outline of the events that will take place when Christ returns. The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation while exiled to the isle of Patmos. References to Christ’s Second Coming are found throughout the New Testament.

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The Events of Christ’s Return

Matthew 24:3 As He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us,” when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

The Battle of Armageddon

The name Armageddon comes from the Hebrew word Har-Magedon that means, Mount Megiddo. It is a word that is found only in the book of Revelation. The Battle of Armageddon received its name from the location where the Apostle John prophesized it will be fought. The Biblical name for it is: “the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” 6th Bowl: Euphrates Dried Up Revelation 16:13-16 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.

Hebrews 9:28 Photograph Courtesy of Heartlight, Inc. © Copyrighted. Used by Permission. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Footnotes 1. What the Bible is All About by Henrietta C. Mears, page 345. Copyright © 1953 by Gospel Light,     Ventura, CA 93003. Used by permission. 2. What the Bible is All About by Henrietta C. Mears, page 345. Copyright © 1953 by Gospel Light,     Ventura, CA 93003. Used by permission. 3. What the Bible is All About by Henrietta C. Mears, page 349. Copyright © 1953 by Gospel Light,     Ventura, CA 93003. Used by permission. 4. What the Bible is All About by Henrietta C. Mears, page 345. Copyright © 1953 by Gospel Light,     Ventura, CA 93003. Used by permission. 5. What the Bible is All About by Henrietta C. Mears, page 649. Copyright © 1953 by Gospel Light,     Ventura, CA 93003. Used by permission. 6. What the Bible is All About by Henrietta C. Mears, page 649. Copyright © 1953 by Gospel Light,     Ventura, CA 93003. Used by permission.

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