God’s Eternal Plan A character study of Solomon by Gary Holderby Sept 2012
THE PLAN (Ephesians 1:3-14) Chose us “in Him” before the foundation of the world We should be “holy and blameless” before Him in love Blessed us with every “spiritual” blessing in Jesus Made us “accepted” in the Beloved (Christ) In accordance with good pleasure of His will; to the “praise & glory” of His grace We have “redemption” thru the blood of His son, which is “forgiveness” of sin His “grace” is made to abound toward us in abundance All Things Point to Christ!
THE PLAN –cont’d (Ephesians 1:3-14) In the “fullness of times” He will gather all things together in Christ In Christ, we have obtained an “inheritance reserved for us in heaven” God works all things “according to the counsel of His will” We’ve been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (guarantee of our inheritance) “until the redemption” of the purchased possession to His praise All Things Point to Christ!
PLAN Eternity w/God Jesus Death Creation Promises to Abraham Jesus Birth Church Est’d Judgment Key Events in God’s Plan Creation (Gen 1:1) Promises to Abraham (Gen 12-17) Christ’s birth & perfect life on earth (Gal 4:4; John 1:14; Heb 4:15) Death, Burial, and Resurrection (Mt 27; Mk 15; Lk 23; Jn 19) Church established with Christ as head (Acts 2; Lk 24:49; Eph 1:22) Judgment & Final Victory over death (1 Cor 15:35ff; 1 Thess 4; 2 Thess 1) Eternity with God (I Jn 2:25, 5:13, 20; Heb 9:15; Rom 2:17; Tit 1:2)
PLAN Fulfillment ALL things point to, look forward to, lead to, and/or support the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan…..redemption back to Him through His son, Jesus Christ! John 5:39 “in the scriptures you have eternal life…” John 17:3 “and this is eternal life, that they may know you (God)….” 2 Tim 2:10 “that they may obtain the salvation which is in Jesus Christ..’” Heb 9:15 “He is the mediator of the new covenant…that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” Gal 3:24 “the old law was our tutor, to bring us to Christ…” Heb 11 great examples of obedient faith of Noah, Abraham, Moses, 1 Pet 3:18 “Christ suffered once for sins….that He might bring us to God…” Gal 3:29 “heirs according to the promise (to Abraham)…”
Story of Solomon’s life (2 Samuel, 1 Kings) 2 nd son of David & Bathsheba (2 Sam 12:24) Adonijah tries to claim David’s throne (1 Kings 1:5) David declares Solomon king in accordance with God’s will (1 Kings 1:30) Solomon allowed to build temple (1 Kings 6-8) Solomon is very close to God and granted all wisdom (1 Kings 3:12, 4:29) Allowed to reign in all peace and prosperity (1 Kings 9) Allows outside/worldly influences to separate him from God (I Kings 11) Can’t find fulfillment outside of God (Ecclesiastes) Reigns 40 yrs, dies, kingdom divided (1 Kings 11-13)
Similarities to Christ Reigned in great wisdom, honor Solomon (1 Kings 3:12, 4:29) Christ (James 3:17, Rev 5:12) Reigned in great wealth, glory Solomon (1 Kings 4) Christ (1 Tim 1:17, Rev 5:12, Eph 3:8, Phil 4:19) Renown among all nations Solomon (1 Kings 3:28, 4:34) Christ (Rev 7:9, 15:4) Great King chosen by God Solomon (1 Chrn 28:5, 2 Sam 7:14) Christ (Isa 53, Eph 1, John 18:36) Kingdom was desired by another Solomon (1 Kings 1 - Adonijah) Christ (Mt 4 – Satan) Called son by God Solomon (2 Sam7:14)Christ (John 1:14, 3:16) 1 st King under new covenant (Davidic, New Testament) Solomon (2 Sam 7:14)Christ
Solomon’s Role in God’s Plan Solomon built/reigned in (first) physical temple (1 Ki 9) - Christ reigned in (final) spiritual (John 2:19, Rev 11:15) Solomon was (first) physical king of promise (2 Sam 7:13) - Christ was (final) spiritual king of promise (John 18:36) Solomon sat on throne in power and glory over physical Israel (1 Ki 3-4) - Christ sat on throne in power/glory over spiritual Israel (Rev 7:9,15:4) Solomon was called son by God (2 Sam 7:14) - Christ was firstborn and only begotten son of God (Matt 3:17, 1 John 4:9) Solomon’s reign brought peace, unity, prosperity for physical Israel (1 Kings 9-10) - - Christ’s reign brings peace, unity to spiritual Israel (Phil 4:7, Col 1:20, Rv 5:12) Solomon fulfilled promise of blessings for physical Israel (Gen 12) - Christ fulfilled promise of spiritual blessings for all nations (Eph 1:1, Gal 3:29) Solomon sinned greatly and was not beaten, whipped as promised (2 Sam 7:14) - Christ had no sin, yet beaten, whipped for sins of all (Is 53, Mt, Mk, Lk, Jn)
(2Peter 3:9 ) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2Peter 2:12) But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, (Luke 13:5) "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Fulfillment of God’s Plan Gal 3:26-27 – are you an heir? I John 1:7 – are you cleansed?