
From Eternity Past. Focusing on the time from creation until the last days of King David, this condensed version of Patriarchs and Prophets delves into the origins of the great controversy between God and Satan, chronicles the battle as it transferred to Earth, and illustrates how God's faithful people have fought the good fight of faith through the ages. As the first of a five-part series, From Eternity Past describes the historical foundation for what we see in our world today and gives principles on how to take a stand for truth even in our day. And in it all, we see that "God is Love."
- From Eternity Past
- Why You Should Read This Book
- Chapter 1—Why Was Sin Permitted?
- The Battle in Lucifer's Heart
- Satan Cast Out of Heaven
- Why God Did Not Destroy Satan
- Chapter 2—Creation: God's Answer to Evolution
- The First Marriage
- The Blessing of the Sabbath
- The Beautiful Garden of Eden
- Chapter 3—The Predicament of Our First Parents
- The Subtlety of Satan's Appeal
- The Sad Change That Sin Produced
- A Plan for Man's Recovery
- Is God Too Severe?
- Chapter 4—The Plan of Redemption Is Unveiled
- God Promises a Saviour
- The Terrible Fruits of Sin
- The Wider Purpose of Redemption
- Chapter 5—The First Murderer and His Victim
- The Great Difference Between Cain and Abel
- The Punishment of Cain
- Chapter 6—Seth: When Men Turned to God
- Length of Adam's Life
- Enoch—The First Man Never to Die
- Enoch Is Translated to Heaven
- Chapter 7—When the World Was Destroyed by Water
- Human Life Regarded With Indifference
- A Boat to Preserve Life
- An Angel Shuts the Door
- Conditions Before the Flood
- Similar Conditions Today
- When Probation Closes
- Chapter 8—After the Flood, a New Beginning
- The Rainbow—Sign of God's Kindness
- Chapter 9—The Beginning of the Literal Week
- True Science and the Bible Agree
- Chapter 10—When Languages Were Changed
- God's Purpose in Changing Their Language
- Today's Tower of Babel
- Chapter 11—Abraham, the Father of All Believers
- Into the Unknown
- Why God Permitted Abraham to Suffer Famine
- Abraham's Sad Mistake
- Chapter 12—Abraham, a Good Neighbor in Canaan
- Lot Rescued by Abraham
- Abraham Is Afraid
- Abraham Entertains Angels Unawares
- Who Prays for “Sodom” Today?
- The Influence of Daily Living
- Chapter 13—The Offering of Isaac: Test of Faith
- Polygamy Brings Sorrow
- An Example for All Generations
- Abraham Commanded to Offer Isaac
- Three Sad Days
- Trained to Obey
- The Promise to Abraham Repeated
- Lesson Book of the Universe
- Chapter 14—The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah
- Lot Entertains Angels Unawares
- Lot Loses Everything Except His Life
- Sodom Destroyed
- Another Sodom
- Chapter 15—Isaac's Marriage: The Happiest in the Bible
- Rebekah Believes God Has Spoken
- Before One Marries
- Chapter 16—Jacob and Esau
- Esau Sells His Treasure
- Consequences of Deception
- Esau Could Not Repent
- Chapter 17—Jacob's Flight and Exile
- Why the Tithe Is Sacred
- Jacob's Love for Rachel
- We Have a Faithful Shepherd
- Chapter 18—Jacob's Terrible Night of Wrestling
- An Angel Wrestles With Jacob
- Jacob's Name Becomes “Israel”
- The Future “Time of Jacob's Trouble”
- The Final Struggle
- Chapter 19—Jacob Comes Home
- Jacob Relates His Earlier Bethel Experience
- Joseph Is Sold as a Slave
- Chapter 20—The Amazing Story of Joseph
- The Almost Overmastering Temptation
- Joseph in Prison
- The Interpretation of Pharaoh's Dream
- From Prisoner to Prime Minister
- Chapter 21—Joseph and His Brothers
- Wicked Men Had Learned Repentance
- Joseph's Dreams Again Fulfilled
- Final Test of Their Repentance
- Judah's Plea
- Reconciliation!
- Jacob's Sunset Years
- Jacob Adopts Joseph's Sons
- Jacob Foretells the Future of His Sons
- Seeing Christ in Joseph
- Chapter 22—Moses, the Leader of God's People
- Moses Born in the Worst of Times
- Twelve Short Years
- How Young Moses Was Tested
- Doing God's Work the Wrong Way
- The Time for Freedom Comes!
- Moses Is Reluctant
- Chapter 23—The Ten Plagues of Egypt
- Pharaoh Could Yet Save Egypt
- Satan's Counterfeits
- The Plagues Strike Egypt
- Pharaoh Hardens His Heart
- How Stubbornness Develops
- Pharaoh at Last Relents
- Pharaoh Again Hardens His Heart
- Chapter 24—The First Passover
- The Passover Points to Christ
- How Faith Must Be Shown
- Chapter 25—The Israelites Leave Egypt
- The Pillar of Cloud
- The End of Pharaoh's Army
- The Redeemed Will Sing
- Chapter 26—Israel Meets With Difficulties
- How the Sabbath Was Honored
- Sabbath Before Sinai
- Water From a Rock
- War With Amalek
- Jethro's Wise Advice
- Chapter 27—God Gives His Law on Mount Sinai
- Conceptions of God Affect Human Behavior
- God's Law Is a Law of Love
- How the “Old Covenant” Was Made
- God Exalts a Race of Slaves
- Chapter 28—Israel Worships a Golden Calf
- Instead of Leading, Aaron Follows
- Israel Broke Their Solemn Promise
- Moses Punishes the Wrongdoers
- How Aaron Encouraged Rebellion
- Why Israel's Idolatry Must Be Punished
- Moses’ Christlike Love for Israel
- Help From God, a Necessity
- Moses Sees God's Glory
- Chapter 29—Satan's Hatred of God's Law
- Why God Chose Israel
- The True Sign of Loyalty to God—The Sabbath
- God Will Win the Battle
- Chapter 30—The Sanctuary: God's Dwelling Place in Israel
- Two Apartments Symbolize Two Phases of Ministry
- A Dim Reflection of Heavenly Glory
- The Sanctuary Ministry a Foreshadow of Heavenly Things
- The Daily Service
- Truths Taught by Day of Atonement
- The True Heavenly Sanctuary
- Chapter 31—The Sin of Nadab and Abihu
- Partial Obedience Not Acceptable
- Chapter 32—The Grace of Christ and the New Covenant
- Two Laws: Moral and Ceremonial
- Christ the Mediator of the New Covenant
- Why God Worked With Israel
- The New Covenant and Justification by Faith
- Chapter 33—The Terrible Murmurings of God's People
- The People Demand a Meat Diet
- Their Demands Become Rebellious
- Sin of Jealousy
- Chapter 34—Twelve Spies Survey Canaan
- Revolt and Open Mutiny
- An Example of False Repentance
- How Rebellion Made Their Situation Worse
- Chapter 35—Korah Leads a Rebellion
- Korah's Method: Praise the People
- Unfair Attack on Moses
- The Great Test: Whom Would God Acknowledge?
- Moses’ Love for Erring Israel
- Chapter 36—Forty Years of Wandering in the Wilderness
- Should Sabbath Breakers Be Stoned?
- Chapter 37—Moses Fails on the Border of Canaan
- Moses Distrusted God
- Why the Sin of Moses and Aaron Must Be Punished
- Chapter 38—Why the Long Journey Around Edom
- Aaron Dies in Moses’ Arms
- Lessons From the Death of Aaron
- What Happens in Unbelief
- God's Protecting Hand Removed
- The Brazen Serpent a Type of the Saviour
- Chapter 39—The Conquest of Bashan
- How God Revealed His Love to Wicked Nations
- Moses Trusted God
- Israel's Fatal Mistake
- Chapter 40—Balaam Tries to Curse Israel
- How One Sin Opened the Door to Satan's Control
- A Donkey “Sees” More Than a Prophet
- Balaam Prevented From Cursing Israel
- Balaam Sees God's Favor on Israel
- Balak Tries Again
- Balaam Loses All He Tried to Gain
- Chapter 41—How Balaam Led Israel Into Sin
- Phinehas Made an Atonement for Israel
- Strong Men Conquered by Women
- Dangers of Ungodly Associates
- How to Overcome Temptation
- Chapter 42—God Teaches His Law to a New Generation
- Blessings Conditional
- Chapter 43—The Death of Moses
- Moses’ Last Blessing
- Moses Has Preview of Israel's History
- Moses Sees the Crucifixion and the Earth Made New
- Chapter 44—Crossing the Jordan
- People of Jericho Already Terrified
- Chapter 45—The Miraculous Fall of Jericho
- God's Simple Method of Conquering Jericho
- Why Israel Was Defeated at Ai
- One Family's Sin Brings Defeat to All Israel
- Achan Refuses to Repent
- The Difference Between Genuine and Forced Confessions
- Chapter 46—The Blessings and the Curses
- Why We Must Diligently Study God's Word
- Chapter 47—A Canaanite Tribe Deceives Israel
- How the Gibeonites Made Themselves to Be Slaves
- Joshua's Long Day
- Chapter 48—Home at Last
- Caleb Asks for the Most Difficult Place
- Shiloh Becomes a Warning
- Cities of Refuge
- Civil War Avoided
- How to Avoid Useless Strife
- Chapter 49—The Last Words of Joshua
- The Importance of Right Choice
- Chapter 50—The Blessing of Tithes and Offerings
- The Secret of Prosperity
- Chapter 51—God's Care for the Economically Disadvantaged
- The Mercy of God to Poor People
- Preventing Extremes of Wealth or Poverty
- God's Plan Would Solve Socio-economic Problems Today
- Chapter 52—Annual Feasts of Rejoicing
- Meaning of the Festivals
- Chapter 53—The Judges, Deliverers of Israel
- The Sad Story of Continual Backsliding
- How the Lord Called Gideon
- How Could Gideon Be Sure?
- Only Three Hundred Left
- God's Simple Battle Plan
- Gideon Demonstrates Humility
- More Backsliding and More Misery!
- Chapter 54—Samson, the Strongest Yet Weakest Man
- Importance of Prenatal Training
- Why the Distinction Between Clean and Unclean Foods
- Samson's Strength Depends on Faithfulness to God
- Samson's Wrong Marriage
- A Weak Woman Subdues a Strong Man
- Samson's Final Repentance and Tragic Victory
- Chapter 55—God Calls the Child Samuel
- Hannah Gives Samuel to God
- Integrity in Little Things
- Chapter 56—Eli and His Wicked Sons
- Eli's Unfaithfulness Leads to Ruin
- Effective Agents of Satan
- Chapter 57—Punishment: The Ark Taken
- Eli Loses His Last Chance
- Tragic News Kills Eli
- Heathen Gods Cannot Stand Before the Ark of God
- The Ark Sent to Beth-shemesh
- The People of Israel Do Worse Than the Philistines
- Samuel Becomes a Judge
- Chapter 58—The Schools of the Prophets
- Uplifting Music Taught
- Religion Conducive to Health and Happiness
- Chapter 59—Saul, the First King of Israel
- The Lord Warns Israel of Their Mistake
- The People Reject God as King
- King Revealed to Samuel
- Saul Publicly Acclaimed King
- Chapter 60—Saul Makes a Terrible Mistake
- Discouraged by Circumstance
- Saul's Presumption
- The Reason for Saul's Sad Failure
- Jonathan, the King's Son, Is Honored
- Again Saul Is Foolish
- Jonathan's Life Is Saved
- Chapter 61—Saul Rejected as King
- King Saul Gets Another Chance
- Saul Proves His Rebellion
- God Did All Possible to Help Saul
- Obedience the Fruit of Faith
- Chapter 62—David Anointed as King
- The Shepherd Boy Is Called to the Feast
- Chapter 63—David Kills Goliath
- David's Special Educator
- David Brought Before the King
- Goliath Despises the Youthful David
- Chapter 64—David Flees
- The Demon of Jealousy Enters Saul's Heart
- David Leads Victorious Army
- God Restrains Evil
- David Hides From Saul
- David's Faith Fails
- King Saul Orders a Terrible Massacre
- Chapter 65—The Largeheartedness of David
- The People Are Sorry They Asked for a King
- Nabal, the Hard-Hearted Farmer
- Nabal's Wise Wife Saves the Household
- Remorse and Fear Take Nabal's Life
- Again King Saul Confesses He Is Wrong
- Another of David's Mistakes
- Chapter 66—Saul Takes His Own Life
- The Sad End of the “Anointed of the Lord”
- Chapter 67—Ancient and Modern Spiritualism
- Identity of Spiritualism Revealed
- Chapter 68—David's Heavy Trial
- David Sent Back to Ziklag
- David's Great Temptation to Discouragement
- God Is Ever at Work to Counteract Evil
- David Grieved for Saul
- Chapter 69—David at Last Crowned King
- David Punishes the Murderers of His Enemy
- Chapter 70—The Prosperous Reign of David
- Ark Returned to Jerusalem
- God Requires Precise Obedience
- The Ark Brings Blessings to Those Who Love the Lord
- Nation Freed From Idolatry
- Hostile Nations Plot Against David
- Chapter 71—David's Sin of Adultery and His Repentance
- David Temporarily Becomes Agent of Satan
- How God Intervened
- David Punished for His Sin
- More Than Pardon
- Chapter 72—The Rebellion of Absalom, David's Son
- The Sad Results of David's Sin
- Rebellion Grows Underground
- David Finally Aroused
- Some Are Loyal to David in the Crisis
- When All Looks Dark, David Prays
- David Knows This Trouble Is the Consequence of His Sin
- God Does Not Give Absalom Wisdom
- Hushai Suggests Alternate Plan
- The Battle That Defeated the Rebellion
- God's Judgment on the Rebellion
- Chapter 73—A Man After God's Own Heart
- David Falls Again to the Sin of Pride
- David Chooses Punishment From the Lord
- David Unselfishly Gathers Money and Material for the Temple
- David's Example Is No Excuse for Sin Today
- Appendix