42-APPENDIX

APPENDIX Introduction to the Right Reading of the Chart The large, bright, many-colored circle which forms the chief part of the Chart is the actual setting forth of the plan of redemption. The blue starry background signifies only that this plan reaches beyond the earth and man out into the super-earthly cosmos, the universe.

A. The General Chief Divisions of the Chart

World creation, world redemption, world consummation—this is the threefold yet harmonious content of the Divine revelation. Everything comes from God (world creation); everything is wrought by God (world preservation, world redemption); everything tends back toward God (ideal appointment for world-consummation). Thus God is beginning and end, original and goal of the whole universal process. Therefore the Alpha and Omega, the A and O, at the summit of the whole circle of the Chart. Alpha is the first and Omega the last letter of the Greek alphabet. The triangle which is shown as the background of the A and O, in delicate, subdued color, points to the inexplicable mystery of the tri-unity in the Divine Being. But inasmuch as everything comes from God, and, according to His ideal appointment, is for Him, and tends back toward Him, the whole revelation and course of history is like a mighty circular movement. This is the reason why we have not chosen to represent matters on our Chart as a horizontal level, but in the form of a circle, so that the whole is to be read as the dial of a universal clock, just as we, by the use of watches and clocks, are accustomed to read the sequence of time (hours and minutes) not in a horizontal line but in a circle. That the lake of fire, on the right, is outside of this great circular movement indicates that we find no warrant in the Scripture for the doctrine of the final salvation of all. Thus the form of a circular movement typifies the ideal intention of the whole development, but it finds its actual practical realization only where the creature accepts in living faith God’s saving work in Christ, the crucified and risen One.

It is in Christ that God carries out all His counsels. Therefore the Son is the central sun in the whole course of events. He is Mediator of world creation, world preservation, world redemption, and world consummation: and because in prospect of the Fall God had from eternity foreseen Him as the Lamb of God, therefore the Cross attaches to this sun, and the covenant faith Savior-of God, the symbol of which according to Scripture is the rainbow, guarantees the completion of this Divine plan of salvation. Therefore in our drawing Christ, the central sun, the Cross, and the rainbow are found together. This plan of God extends beyond the earthly creation. Although it has the earth and man as its crystallization point, yet is it not limited to them. It is not bound to the earth and restricted to man. Sun, moon, and stars, indeed the invisible world of angels and "heavenly things," are in some way united with the history of salvation, though the manner and measure of this is for the present undiscoverable by us (Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 9:23; Isaiah 30:26). This universal connection of the plan of redemption is indicated in our Chart by the actual circle of revealed history being set in a background of stars, with the four Cherubim who symbolize the highest creaturely living powers (ox, lion, eagle, Man 1:1), forms which are allotted to the four quarters of the heavens, as are the chief constellations of stars. Of the history of the earth Holy Scripture gives that only which is taking place in the period between the creation of man and world perfecting. This only can be discerned, that the origin of evil must have come at some point in the earliest world development, and that it had certain catastrophic effects prior to the history of man. Therefore our Chart shows in detail, and in plainly drawn form, only the revealed middle section of the history of the earth (from the origin of evil to its overthrow), while the prehistoric and the post-mundane eternity is only lightly indicated by luminous but ever-retreating rings of light, that is, as unfoldings which, in the course of primeval aeons, gradually appeared out of the eternity of God, and in the course of future aeons will again merge into the eternity of God. They shine forth from the ocean of light of the Divine infinity, and in the ocean of light of the Divine infinity they again mingle. Everything else is hidden in the mysteries of pre-mundane and post-mundane eternity. This is the meaning of the two extended fields of light on both sides of the upper half of the whole circle of the Chart, which unite the pinnacle of the whole (A and O) and the middle section. This last is given in details which illustrate the revealed course of history. The field of light with its rings on the left refers to the original condition of the earth before the inrush of sin, the field of light with its rings on the right refers to the perfected condition of the (new) earth after sin has been overcome. In this coming glory the heavenly Jerusalem will be on the new earth as the capital of a transfigured universe. In the picture-language of the book of Revelation this is represented by the space symbol of a cube, the most perfect form of space (equal on all sides, and thus the symbol of harmony and perfection, transparent as crystal, Revelation 21:11). In this mighty movement from God to God the Cross of Christ is the centre of all history. Not indeed as to time, but spiritually and really, and therefore as to the history of salvation, it is the centre of all world events. The Cross is the one, incomparable, central event in universal history, surpassing all else in significance. Therefore in the Chart it stands not only as the middle point of the long extended section which represents the course of history, but in size and height

it surpasses in the drawing all other representations of events in the whole plan of redemption. Its being black in color points to the darkness of death that Christ suffered for us, and by which, descending into the black "death line," He brought to nought him who has the power of death, the Devil (Hebrews 2:14).

"INRI" JesusNaarenusRexJudaeorum—Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews. This inscription over the cross in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, is—though wholly unintended by man—a testimony by God of the universal value of Golgotha. He Who came out of Israel is at the same time the Savior of the world (John 4:42). Therefore should He be proclaimed in all languages of the earth. As such we preach Christ die crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23). Therefore all salvation is in the message of the Cross alone (Acts 4:12).

B. The Different Colored Sections and Separate Lines of the Chart The Green Areas The green areas represent the chief sections in the history of the nations. As long as the human race as a whole was still in the circle of light of the direct revelation of God the corresponding fields are undivided and of one color. It was thus in the original revelation from the creation of man to the call of Abraham. It will be thus after the rapture of the church in the time of the End, and especially after the readmission of the nations at the beginning of the Millennial kingdom. In the interval between Abraham and the completion of the church God takes His separate way with Israel and the people of His New Testament covenant, whilst the nations, as regards revela­tion, are passed by and excluded. The Chart indicates this in that for these periods the areas are divided:the lower green half points to the nations, as being set aside, the upper blue half shows God’s separate way with the Old Testament people of His choice and with the New Testament church. In the second green section the two names, Cainites and Sethites, are shown in the form of two diverging lines which indicate the two chief lines of ancient mankind after Adam, of which the one lived in un­belief (Cain, Genesis 4:17-24), and the other for a time in faith (Genesis 5:1-32), until later these also were conquered by unbelief, and both (with the exception of the family of Noah) perished in the Flood. The summit of Cainite rebellion was Lamech (Genesis 4:19-24), the pinnacle of Sethite piety was Enoch (Genesis 5:22-24).

After the Flood there was a fresh distribution of the human race according to three chief families, those of Shem, Ham and Japheth (Genesis 10:1-32). But when mankind in combined strength would erect in the tower of Babel a token of godless self-glorifying, God destroyed their oneness and prepared for the setting aside of the nations and the call of Abraham. In the green areas beneath, which represent the history of the nations for the last centuries before the first coming of Christ, stand the symbols of the world-kingdoms of the prophecies of Daniel, in such form that at the same time the monarchical image of Nebuchadnezzar is jointly displayed. This is shown by each of the wild beasts standing on a metal base, the kinds of metal corresponding to the metals of Nebuchadnezzar’s image. That is: the Babylonian lion stands on gold, the golden head (606-536 B.C.); the Medo-Persian bear stands on silver, the silver breast and arms (536-333); The Greek-Macedonian panther stands on copper, the copper belly and loins, (333:from the battle of the Issus to the second century B.C.); the last and fearful monster is on iron, the iron legs and feet, the supreme power of Rome, especially from second century B.C.; 202, battle of Zama, with victory over Carthage;

133, Pergamum inherited: determination of dominance in the East;

31, Augustus becomes sole ruler, with the beginning of the empire. The Latin number LXX (70) above the wild-beast symbol of the third kingdom intimates that during the existence of the Hellenistic kingdom of the Ptolemies, which arose out of the empire of Alex­ander the Great, there was made, between 250 and 150 B.C., the Greek translation of the Old Testament which became later the Bible of early Christianity, being used by Paul and the first Christians. On grounds not yet clearly known it bears the name "Septuagint" (Lat. 70). The iron line passes from the symbol of the fourth world empire right through the green section of the present age (found beneath the seven golden lampstands) and merges into the time of the Anti-christian world system. This indicates that the fourth world empire, in the meaning of the prophecies, lasts to the end of the present dis­pensation. The Antichristian system itself is shown at the end of the iron line by the two symbolic beasts of Revelation 13:1-18 and the "tower" of the "Babel" of the last days (Revelation 19:1-21). After its destruction, the two beasts of Revelation 13:1-18 will be cast into the lake of fire, that is, the Anti­christ and the false prophet. This is expressed in the Chart by the two black lines which pass from these two beast symbols into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20). With the re-acceptance of the nations and their reception into the visible kingdom of God the restriction of the Divine revelation, which set in with Abraham, has an end and the universalism of salvation begins again. Therefore in the Chart there is no longer a twofold partition of the green sections into two parallel divisions, differently colored (green and blue), but, as for the period of universalism of the original revelation, so now again for the period of the universalism of the End revelation, simply a single-colored, undivided whole. The royal crown in the centre of this section signifies that this re-acceptance of the nations is the time of the kingly rule of Messiah’s kingdom, that is, the time of the visible rule of the God-King reigning in glory.

Terrible is then the revolt of the nations in the "little season" after the Millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:7-10). GogandMagog,, according to the Scripture, will take the lead in this last revolt of mankind. The outcome will be flaming destruction and world judgment. But out of this final catastrophe, and after the final judgment before the great white throne, God will cause a new earth to arise, and on this new earth there will be renewed nations walking in the light of the heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1; Revelation 21:24; Revelation 22:2). The red line The history of Israel is shown by the red band passing through the whole revelation from the time of Abraham. None of the peoples was available for God so that it could be called by Him. And so by a free decision (Romans 9:1-33) He began His new and special way with one man (Abraham). Therefore the red line begins as it were with a point, which only in the following period broadens into a continuous band. The division of the kingdom after the death of Solomon (tenth century b.c.) is indicated by the red band being from that time divided by a central black line. Where the red band sinks from its normal level the periods are indicated in which the descendants of Abraham are not in their land but in Gentile lands. This occurs three times in Israel’s history. In consequence the red line sinks three times below the green area of the nations:

First, shortly after the time of the Patriarchs, the sojourn in Egypt (about 1700-1500 B.C.).

Then in a double collapse, captivity (exile) in Mesopotamia:

Carrying away of the ten northern tribes of Israel to Assyria, 722 B.C.

Carrying away of the two southern tribes of Judah to Babylon, 586 B.C.

Finally, since the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70, dispersion among the nations everywhere. By this (since 722) the ten tribes of the northern kingdom simply disappear among the nations (" the lost ten tribes "). Their red line is, so to say, gradually lost in the green background, first to emerge again in the End time immediately before the setting up of Messiah’s king­dom, then to unite with the red line of the two tribes, rising again at the same time, both to merge ultimately together in the visible king­dom of God.

After the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (5 86) the line of the two tribes sinks likewise into the green area of the nations, but it is not lost there in the general green surface but soon rises again. This indicates their return under Zerubbabel and Joshua at the close of the seventy years, as well as under Ezra (457) and Nehemiah (445)

Then this red line of the restored people remains at its normal level, that is, Israel remains in the land until the day of Messiah and the beginning of His church. But then, on account of its rejection of the Messiah, the people was placed under judgment. In a.d. 70 Jeru­salem was destroyed, and after the defeat of the false Messiah, Bar Kochba, the Jewish State was dissolved and the people dispersed (135). Now the line of the southern, two-tribed people also sinks completely into the green area of the nations, and, like the red line of the ten tribes, appears again only at the close of the present age. But the goal is that they both shall flow together into the kingdom of Messiah, in which Jesus of Nazareth, the God-King and Messiah, shall be crowned with the gold and silver crown of kingship and priesthood. The four dates at the end of the green sections, where the red gradually reappears amidst the green, point to four chief events in which we see milestones and chief stages in the history of Israel at the opening of the End time.

1791. Removal by the French National Assembly of all special laws against the Jews.

1897. Founding of Zionism.

1917. The Balfour Declaration. Palestine declared to be the national home of the Jewish people.

1948. Founding of the State of Israel.

Thus the triple descent of the red line indicates Israel’s path of judgment and grief in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the nations in general, But even as in the course of history all the chief races of the world have worked together in Israel’s judgment and distress—the Hamites in Egypt, the Shemites in Assyria and Babylon, the Japhetites in the Roman and general exile—so at last will God’s mercy triumph over sin and judgment and all will at last, together with Israel, be blessed in the coming kingdom of glory (Isaiah 2:2-4; Isaiah 19:24-25). The White Line In the Divine worship of the Old Testament white is the chief color of the priesthood. For it is the color of the light, of purity and holiness, and therefore the symbolic color of the invisible, spiritual, Divine world. And the priesthood was designed simply to represent and restore intercourse with God as the Holy One and with His world of light. For the carrying out of this duty, and answering to the require­ments and possibilities of any given historical situation, God from time to time appointed ever new forms of temple and priesthood. These various temples in their historical sequence are introduced into the white line on the Chart. Our chief concern is with seven exhibitions of the Temple idea, omitting the temple of Rev.11:1-2.

• the church entire (Ephesians 2:21),

• the local church (1 Corinthians 3:16-17),

• the individual Christian (1 Corinthians 6:19).

The Golden Line The golden line exhibits the history of the glorified Christ. The Son of God came down from the heavenly glory (see on the Chart the birth star of Messiah), went to the Cross, there gave up His life, descen­ded in the black line of death. But as the Ho y One He could not remain in death. It is as if out of the black death line a golden line of glory suddenly arises (see Chart). It goes first to the earth, continues there only a quite short time (between resurrection and ascension), and then in exaltation mounts to the very heavenly places (Ephesians 1:20). There it remains throughout the whole period of the church dispensa­tion But then Christ will descend to take His church to Himself. The golden line likewise descends, and unites with the blue Jine of the people of God who, in the rapture, have ascended to the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Now they are both for ever together, the golden line of Christ and the blue line of the church. Together with His church Christ now reveals Himself fully by the setting up of His kingdom (Colossians 3:4)* Together with His church He will live in the eternal glory. So the golden line, united with the blue, immediately before the setting up of the visible kingdom, comes down from the air to the earth. Then this double line turns again upward and remains above the green section that represents the Millennium, and merges finally into the new universe. There Christ will reign with His church for ever. The Blue Line The blue line which arises in the blue section of the seven golden lampstands indicates the future history of the church. In the present period the people of God, seen according to His purpose, are like seven golden lampstands, precious in His eyes shining with clear testimony before the world, filled with the oil, the Spirit of God, as the living, Divine energy of their light (Revelation 1:20). The goal for the church is its being glorified. We shall be caught away in the clouds to the Lord in the air, and so shall we be ever with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:17). The blue line which ascends out of the blue area of the golden lampstands will, speaking figuratively, unite in the air with the golden line of the history of the glorified Christ descending from heaven, and thenceforth both lines will remain permanently together. Then the blue line, together with the golden line, will descend to the earth at the descent of the glorified Christ to establish His visible kingdom of glory on the earth. Thus both lines remain united in heaven during the period of the Messianic kingdom. And after the events at the end of the world both lines will go in common into the glory of the new earth. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be on the new transfigured earth (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 22:5). The Black Serpentine Line The Holy Scripture speaks with much reserve regarding the origin of evil and the transcendental background of the developments on earth. But it intimates that Satan came originally from the hand of God, a pure, unblemished creation (Ezekiel 28:14-15), but that, at some point in the prehistoric ages, he fell away from God and thus passed under the Divine wrath. The lightning flash on the drawing speaks of this original downfall of Satan and the consequent judgment of God. Since the fall of man at the tree of knowledge demonic powers pressed into human history in three chief connections:as demonizing world history, as the power of death, as the rule of wicked spirits in the region of the air (Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12). Therefore in the Chart the black serpent-line starts at the tree of knowledge, as the scene of the overthrow of man, and issues in three directions:

Thenceforth through all pre-Christian times the serpent line con­tinues as the demonic influence acting upon man from the air. The decisive battle took place at the Cross (Genesis 3:15). Thenceforth in principle Satan is a conquered foe (Colossians 2:15; John 12:31-33). This is shown on the Chart in that the numbers (2, 3, 4, 5), which show the chief historic periods before the victory of the Cross, stand beneath the serpent-line, whereas the numbers (6 and 7) which give the New Testa­ment sections of revelation are above the serpent-line. In the End time Satan, being defeated by the archangel Michael, will be cast out of the heavenly places to the earth (Revelation 12:7-9). In the time immediately succeeding he will work in especial manner upon the earth and will incite the God-defying world-system of Anti- christianity (Revelation 13:1-18). But then, after the defeat of this by the appearing of the Lord in glory, Satan will be bound, and during the Millennial kingdom will be held in fetters in the Abyss (Revelation 20:1-3). For only a "little season" after the Millennium he will be again set free; but he will be completely vanquished and his end will be to be cast into the lake of fire for ever (Revelation 20:7-10).

Thus shortly before the time of Antichrist the serpent-line turns abruptly out of the heavenly places and is forced downward. Then for a while, that is, during the time of Antichrist, it winds about on earth, and then, after the collapse of Antichristendom, it is forced quite beneath. Then the line, as expressed on the Drawing, runs under the green section of the Millennium, thereafter turns again upward on to the earth, causes the revolt under Gog and Magog, and at last in the final battle is cast into the lake of fire for ever. "The Devil, who deceived them [Gog and Magog] was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone . . . and Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:10; Revelation 20:14).

C The Chief Details of the Chart, Arranged According to the Chapters

We conclude with a concise summary of the most important details of the Chart arranged in the order in which they are found in the chapters of the book, so that text and Chart may be mutually explana­tory.

1.HeavenandearthinGod’splan The eternal God—the A and the O. The trinitarian triangle.

Christ the centre of salvation. The rainbow. The starry world as the background of revelation. The four cherubic symbols, ox, lion, eagle, man. The earth before the entrance of sin and after its conquest.

2. Seven Chief Methods in God’s Revelation to Mankind Three dark regions of the demonic.

Seven periods in the whole great circle. The first and the last sections of the circle undivided and of one color (green). Double-color and parallel course of two divisions of the middle section (green and blue); the last from Abraham to the rapture.

3. The Mystery of the People of Israel The red line.

4. The History of the Temple of God The white line. The gold and silver crown of the Priest King. The cube of the Most Holy Place (Jerusalem).

5. The Testimony to Christ of the Old Testament.

6. The nations before God The green area. The symbols of the wild beasts. The early Babylonian and final Babylonian tower.

7. The History of Christ The birth star of the Messiah. The Cross (INRI) and its rays of light. The golden line.

8. The present complete salvation in Christ.

9. The Church of the Living God The seven golden lampstands. The blue line.

10. The days of God.

11. The Judgment Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne The two thrones.

12. The Triumph of the Kingdom of God.

13.Satan, the Adversary of GodThe flaming lightning flash. The black serpent-line. The death line. The lake of fire.

14. God’s universal plan of the Kingdom and the Church.