The Old Testament Timeline
In Psalm Two Guarantees
Submission of The Nations

The Old Testament timeline moves toward a pre-ordained victorious purpose. That purpose is determined in the decree of God to give to His Son all the heathen nations for His inheritance (Ps 2:8).

The twelve short verses of Psalm 2 lay out the entire panorama of human history. They should end all speculation about the victory of anti-Christ at the end of history. Unfortunately, speculation abounds in spite of the unmistakable Old Testament timeline.

The Nations Will Submit

According to Psalm 2, the church of Christ and the kingdom of God will emerge victorious in the battle for cultural dominion. The kings of the earth are exhorted to bend the knee to the King of kings or “perish in the way”. Acts 4:25-28 applies this Psalm to the New Testament era.

The Bible foretells the day when the nations will come to the church for instruction in the law (Is 2:3,4). Finally, at the Second Coming, the redeemed will be united to Christ in “the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev 19:7-9).

Although the book of Judges reveals micro-cycles of sin, slavery, and salvation, history moves in a macro sense in a straight line (linear) to this victorious end. Thus, while we do not deny the historical force of cause and effect, there is also an important sense in which future outcomes determine present events. The future does not flow out of the past as much as the past flows into a foreordained future.

Modern "Prophecy"

We submit that popular fascination with the alleged emergence of a global anti-Christ in the last days is a reversal of the Biblical record regarding the purpose of history. There are many eschatological problems inherent in this view. They have been exposed by many contemporary authors (e.g., David Chilton’s Paradise Restored & Gary DeMar’s Last Days Madness).

Various “prophecy experts” have predicted the coming of the anti-Christ for hundreds of years, with a 100% failure rate. Sadly, the “failure” of Scripture to verify these speculative interpretations on the part of Christians has turned many away from the faith, causing them to dismiss Christianity as fantastic and inaccurate. They have failed to rely on the Old Testament timeline of historical certainty.

In fact, confusion about the coming of Christ was a key factor in the rise of “higher criticism” and theological “liberalism” early in the 20th Century. Under the influence of the popular view of eschatology, critics noted that Jesus and the New Testament writers believed that the Second Coming would occur within the lifetime of many then alive.

Because this did not happen, they dismissed the entire Bible as fanciful. They failed to realize that the “coming” referred to was the coming of Christ in judgment against Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

And yet Christians continue to buy “prophecy books” as if there was no tomorrow. This genre has recently lapsed into a best-selling fiction series. And fiction it is, with scant foundation in fact or faith. They simply ignore the Old Testament timeline spelled out in Psalm Two.

There is apparently a relationship between faith and gullibility because Christians from all appearances are abundantly blessed with both. We can only hope that the church at some point will outgrow this childishness and begin to warn Christians of the dangers.

For a Biblical analysis of this series, the student is referred to Gary DeMar’s “End Times Fiction”, which is advertised as “A compelling rebuttal of Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind series”. What we really need is a best-selling series that depicts Christians overcoming evil and gradually establishing strongholds of righteousness in every sphere of life.

Of course, a fictitious struggle against an evil world ruler has far more dramatic flair and is much more profitable for a publisher. Contemporary Christian publishing has little regard for the Old Testament timeline.

These tales invert the victorious progress of the gospel, making Satan in effect the determinative force in history. They dilute the power of the gospel, which the Bible describes as “the dynamite of God” (Rom 1:16).

They further detract from the authority of our Lord, which Matthew 28: 19,20 describes as comprehensive. To take the position that Christ gave us a Commission that He never intended us to fulfill is to impugn His power and His integrity.

Many Christians read the Great Commission as though Jesus had added this post-script: “Just between you and Me, we all know that the gospel will fail and anti-Christ will prevail, but let’s get out there and give it the old college try anyway.”

Biblical Philosophy of History

Our understanding of Bible prophecy and the Old Testament timeline leads in turn to a Biblical philosophy of history. If we understand prophetically where we are going, we are in a position to interpret the past and assign meaning to the present in light of both past and future. Thus, the Bible presents us with an optimistic view of history that is in complete accord with its prophetic optimism.

Following are some of the key features of the Biblical philosophy of history, laid out in a question/answer format:

What is the purpose of history? Ps 78:4 Show God’s wonderful works

Who is responsible for teaching of history? Ps 78:5 Fathers

What is the prerequisite for keeping the words of God? Ps 78:7 Remembering the works of God

What is the key to repentance? Ps 78:34,35 Remembrance

What is the natural response of the nations to the Kingdom of Christ? Ps 2:1,2 Conspiracy

What is God’s response to the conspiracies of men in history? Ps 2:4 Laughter

To whom has God given the nations of the earth? Ps 2:8 Christ

What does God expect of the kings of the earth? Ps 2:10,11 Submission

Who tempted Israel by confusing the history of the golden calf? I Kings 12:28 Jeroboam

What is the outcome of history? Is 2:2,3 Nations converted

How does man view the pagan kingdoms? Daniel 2 Great image or idol

How does God view the pagan kingdoms? Daniel 7 Ravenous beasts

Who is the head of gold in Daniel’s image? Daniel 7 Nebuchadnezzar

Who are the breasts of silver in Daniel’s image? Daniel 7 Medio-Persia

Who is the thighs of bronze in Daniel’s image? Daniel 7 Greece

Who are the legs of iron in Daniel’s image? Daniel 7 Rome

Who are the toes of iron and clay in Daniel’s image? Daniel 7 Roman emperors

What is the mountain that shattered Daniel’s image? Daniel 7 Jesus’ victory on the cross

What two pagan empires preceded Babylon? Daniel 7Egypt and Assyria

Thus, we find the Old Testament timeline, summarized in passages like Psalm 2 and Daniel 7 culiminates in total victory for the kingdom of God in history. I believe it is neglect of this Old Testament timeline that has created so much confusion about prophecy in the modern church.

Many still wonder, how does it all end? Almost everybody is intrigued by Bible prophecy because it appeals to our innate curiosity. We all like to peer into the future.

That’s where the agreement seems to end. We’ve got Pre-mills, Post-mills, and A-mills in various shapes and sizes. Some even claim to be Pan-mills, by which they mean it will all pan out in the end.

Here's a summary of the 4 primary views of Bible prophecy:

• Pre-millennial: Things will get worse until Christ returns to set up His kingdom
• Post-millennial: Christ set up His kingdom at first coming and things will get better as the gospel prevails
• A-millennial: Christ set up spiritual kingdom, but Christians are now “exiles” co-ruling with others in “common grace.”
• Historical: Seven churches of Revelation are 7 eras in church history

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