Rodney Harrier, author of Chronological Bible Studies.; Uniquely Discovering God and His Plans for You

About

Author’s Bio; BeliefsCredits

Hi! I’m Rodney Harrier, the author and administrator of this site. I am a born-again, baptized committed Christian, husband, father, and grandfather of four children (so far). In 1987, I earned a B.S. in Bible from Clarks Summit University in Clarks Summit, PA. Since then I have been an active Bible teacher and have led in a variety of church settings. My mission is to help typical people understand the Bible and apply it to their lives.

footprints in the sand, my journey

My Spiritual Journey

Although the Lord saved me at the young age of 8, thanks to the love and concern of my Sunday School teacher for her students, I really didn’t get that serious about living for him until high school. Then I was baptized and committed my life to Christ. Kinda scary, really–not the baptism so much but the events leading up to it. I was disillusioned by discovering that I had no talent in my chosen profession (an architect). When I shared this with friends at church, I was told by church members that I had to let go and let God. I needed to let God in the driver’s seat to steer my life and take me where he wanted me to go. Finally, I relented, and the Lord filled my soul with his Spirit so much that I could hardly stand it!

Crisis of Belief

Like many, I had a crisis of belief in my freshman year of college. A pre-law student pitted my beliefs against another student with different beliefs. Could I prove my beliefs? I couldn’t, and it shook me to the core. Just what did I believe and why? I read my Bible often and attended church every week and many times more. I discovered my beliefs were what our minister told us. Was Christianity even real? Was religion just a way of controlling people? No, I saw Jesus live in the lives of other people, and he lived in my life, too.

But it distressed me–I couldn’t defend my faith from the Bible. In anguish, I fell down on my knees, sobbing. Then, I looked up, lifted my hand and cried out, “LORD, this I believe: You are the Son of God, and you died and rose again to save me!” (John 3:16) The Holy Spirit flooded my soul, giving me joy and peace.

Searching for Answers

young man facing sunset

As I got up from my knees, I said, “Now, Lord, let’s begin again.” From that moment onward, I studied the Bible voraciously. If someone told me this is what God says, I listened, and if the Bible confirmed it, I adopted it, but if not, I put it on the back burner, so to speak. I was cautious and suspicious of everything a preacher or Bible teacher said.

The next year, I transferred to a Bible college. After graduating, I could easily defend my faith. However, there were some things in God’s Word I couldn’t understand, particularly how the prophets and kings fit together. I didn’t understand the messages of the prophets until I started reading the Bible chronologically.

eye-opening memeThat was an eye-opening experience. Now I understood why the prophets wrote what they wrote and to whom. Now, I saw the heart of God that still amazes me today. I understood what the prophets were getting so excited about and the seemingly inexhaustible patience of God before he finally took action. And after all that, he talked about restoration…are you kidding me? Wow!

I got so excited about what I learned, I wanted to teach others the Bible chronologically and relate it to their lives, too.

A Spiritually Rewarding Opportunity

In 2008, I searched for a Bible study to accompany the Chronological Bible. I wanted it for my use and for those of my students. I searched in bookstores and the internet but could not find one (I still haven’t found one). Then, the Lord spoke to my heart to write the Bible studies myself. This was a daunting task, bigger than I could ever have imagined; the thought of writing 365 Bible studies was overwhelming! God reminded me he had given me the ability to do this, however, so I had no excuse. Every day has been a faith journey as I rely on his help rightly dividing the Word of Truth and being faithful to God and the messages found in his book, the Holy Bible. 

What I do

My ministry: I publish and maintain this website. From January 2022 through December 2022 we had nearly 28,000 unique visitors. I am always improving these Bible studies. Many are available in audio format. A blog is also available with over 40 topics related to the Christian faith.

What topics would you like me to address in blog posts? email me

My regular job: Owner-operator of The Master’s Touch cleaning service. We have been in operation since 1990. You can join my facebook group for cleaning tips.

 

Chronological Bible Studies

What I believe

About the Bible

The Bible is our only authoritative source for faith and practice. It consists of sixty-six books which were recognized by the early church fathers as having been inspired of God (God-breathed). Prophets, Apostles, Church Leaders, Hymn writers and other men of God were moved by the Spirit of God to speak and later to write just what he intended for them to write (2 Peter 1:21). That means that the Bible is infallible, inerrant, and all the words of God in the original writings were equally inspired. The Bible does not just contain the Word of God; it is the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NIV) says,

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The standard order of the Bible books is not inspired. The books were arranged by genre by Jerome, a Latin scholar in the fourth century AD. Studying the Bible chronologically can give us insight into why things were written and what they might mean for us today.

About the True God

The Apostle Paul writes,

“For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live” (1Corinthians 8:5-6, NIV).

As the Apostle says, there are many who claim to be god, but there is only one God (Isaiah 45:5). God is perfect in holiness, righteousness, justice and mercy, and everything is all sufficient in him.

God is one, and yet the Scriptures teach he exists in three eternal persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—all who work in perfect and glorious concert with one another to accomplish the Father’s will. God is magnificent, far above and beyond all might, comprehension, and wisdom than all his creation, and yet he is sovereignly and personally involved in our lives and that of the whole universe. God the Father planned for the creation of every living thing, the Son formed all creatures by the power of just his words, and the Spirit infused creation with the breath of life (Genesis 1:1-2:7; John 1:1-18). Because of our wickedness, wrongdoings or failure to do right (called sin), the Apostle Paul teaches us that the Father planned for our redemption (salvation and forgiveness of sin), the Son provided our redemption (he purchased it through the sinless sacrifice of himself), and the Holy Spirit gives us new life and seals our salvation until the day we realize our ultimate redemption in heaven (Ephesians 1:3-15; Colossians 1:13-20). God is worthy of all praise and glory, and is eternally the same in character and nature. He described himself to Moses in this way:

The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation (Exodus 34:6-7, NIV).

silhouette of Jesus

About Jesus Christ

Jesus is equal to God the Father and God the Spirit but is willingly submissive to the Father’s will. Jesus Christ existed eternally with God as part of the triune God-head in glory. By the grace and mercy of God, the Father sent his Son into the world to redeem us from our sins and provide us an opportunity for salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life. Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous way and took human form—he was God in the flesh. He was born of a young virgin woman named Mary, and therefore did not inherit Adam’s sin nature passed on through procreation (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14). Jesus led a perfect life of character and service, did many miracles as a prophet and teacher, and ultimately died as a perfect sacrifice for all sinners in a death by crucifixion on a rough- hewn Roman cross (Philippians 2:6-8; John 1:14). Three days later, Jesus physically arose from the dead and appeared to his disciples and others over a period of forty days (Acts 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8). He then ascended back to his Father’s presence in heaven to prepare places for all believers (John 14:1-3). Someday soon believers expect him to return for them and to rule and reign on the earth with Christ the king ( Revelation 5:9-10). Until that day, Jesus Christ is once again in the presence of his Father, interceding for all believers (Hebrews 7:25) as our high priest.

About the Holy Spirit

I believe that the Holy Spirit is not a force, but a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son and of the same nature. He was active in the creation of the universe and everything in it. The Father planned it, the Son formed it, and the Spirit gave it life. In the order of their preference or economy, the Son submits to the Father’s will in everything, and the Spirit does the will of the Son. In the Spirit’s relation to the unbelieving world, he restrains the evil one [meaning the devil or Satan] until God’s purpose is fulfilled. The Holy Spirit also convicts people of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, and he bears witness to the truth of the gospel in preaching and testimony. He is the agent of spiritual birth, for no one can come to the Father except the Spirit draws him. The Holy Spirit is a witness to the believer’s salvation. He helps the Christ follower to grow more and more like the Lord until he sees him face to face. He seals those who are spiritually born again, providing eternal security until the end when the believer receives his rewards. The Spirit of God is a comfort and encouragement, always with the Christian, residing in him, and ready to help. He empowers believers to do all of God’s will. He guides and teaches him truth in keeping with God’s Word. Prayers are directed to the Father, are prayed in the Son’s name, and are accomplished in the power of the Holy Spirit. No word or prophecy or sign supposedly from the Holy Spirit is in conflict with God’s Word and His ways. No new prophetic revelatory words are given because the Scriptures are complete, and to claim otherwise puts the believer or false believer in danger of judgment for adding, altering, or taking away his words.  All gifts of the Spirit are to be exercised in love and consideration of each other as the Apostle Paul instructs the churches in 1 Corinthians 12-14. Other Scripture passages about the work of the Holy Spirit: John 14:16, 17; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 9:14; John 14:26; Luke 1:35; Genesis 1:1-3; John 16:8-11; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5,6; Ephesians 1:13,14; Mark 1:8; John 1:33; Acts 11:16; Luke 24:49; Romans 8:14, 15, 26, 27; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30; 13:8-10; 14:1-40; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:2-4

About the Devil, or Satan

I believe in the reality and personality of Satan, the Devil, that old serpent from the garden of Eden. He was created by God as the chief cherubim angel guarding God’s glory, but through pride and rebellion he became the enemy of his Creator. As a result he was thrown out of heaven together with his angels (demons) and is the ruler of all the powers of darkness. He is answerable to God, but he causes all kinds of havoc to ruin God’s plans and even indwells unbelievers to accomplish his purpose. He actively tempts the followers of Christ and opposes Christian work done in God’s name and for his glory. He is a spiritual adversary to which we must resist and arm ourselves and pray against his attacks. He hates all believers, Jews and Gentiles, seeking to hinder, destroy, devour or ruin them and their efforts for God.  At the end of the days of the earth, before God restores it, Satan is destined to the judgment of an eternal punishment in the lake of fire. Mathew 4:1-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:10

God created the heavens and the earth in 6 days

About Creation

I believe the Biblical account of the creation of the physical universe, angels, and man; that this account is neither allegory nor myth, but a literal, historical account of the direct, immediate creative acts of God without any evolutionary process; that man was created by a direct work of God and not from previously existing forms of life; and that all men are descended from the historical Adam and Eve, first parents of the entire human race. Genesis 1:2; Colossians 1:16, 17; John 1:3

About the Fall of Man

Man was created in a state of complete innocence, without any acquaintance with evil or sin ( Genesis 1:31; 2:25). In the Garden of Eden man fell from this happy state of existence and fellowship with his holy creator; by disobedience he made a wrong choice and became a sinner. As a devastating consequence, man broke his fellowship with God and was destined to die, both physically and spiritually (Genesis 3). Spiritual death, however, is not the same thing as physical death, i.e., souls do not cease to exist. The Bible teaches that in the end of time “… the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars– their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (Revelation 21:8, NIV). All generations after Adam and Eve inherit their sin natures and are destined for the same demise. They are totally depraved, have no intrinsic goodness, and can do nothing to redeem themselves or have any merit before God (Romans 3:10-18, 23). That is the bad news. The good news is that Jesus died, paying our sin debt in our place, to give us the opportunity for spiritual life (Romans 5:8; 6:23; 3:24).

seeking God for salvation

About Salvation

The Holy Scriptures teach that the salvation of souls from sin and the second death to eternal life is not something that is inherited or earned but is totally by the grace of God through faith. In Old Testament (meaning the Old Covenant) faith was demonstrated by willing obedience to all of God’s directives. In the church age and thereafter faith is belief in Christ’s perfect (blameless and sinless) death, burial and resurrection as payment for our sins. Although Christ’s death is sufficient for all, the Bible teaches that in God’s incomprehensible mercy and grace he chooses some sinners to believe and receive eternal life. It is imperative, therefore, that we be grateful and seize the opportunity when God draws us toward a relationship with him. Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10; Hebrews 11; 2 Corinthians 6:2; 15:2-4; John 6:44

About Eternal Security

All believers are eternally secure in their relationship to God upon their salvation. They are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of their redemption in heaven (John 5:24; John 10:28-29; Ephesians 1:13-14). We at times may be unfaithful (1 John 1:6-10), but the LORD is always faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9).

About Justification, Sanctification and Glorification

All believers are positionally justified (declared righteous), sanctified (set apart as holy unto God), and glorified upon their salvation (Romans 5:1; 8:30; and 1 Corinthians 6:11). From that moment, the Holy Spirit indwells the believer seeking to make him more and more like Christ. The proof of the believer’s justification, sanctification, and glorification is shown as he sets himself apart from sin and devotes himself to give more and more glory to God through seeking to please him in all that he does. A genuine believer will seek to obey God and be baptized to identify himself as a follower of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; Colossians 3:1-24; 2 Thessalonians 1:12; James 2:24). Someday, when Christ comes back, the bodies of believers will be changed into glorious bodies, and they will be able to live in the presence of God in glory forever (1 Corinthians 15:35-53; Colossians 3:4).

About the Church

The church is comprised of all genuine believers from the time of Pentecost (fifty days after the first fruits of the Jewish harvest celebration, the day when Jesus arose from the dead, Acts 2) to the catching up (rapture) of the church into heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). All believers should be baptized and try to associate themselves with Bible believing churches for equipping, service, and mutual edification (Romans 12:5-16; 1 Corinthians 12-13; Ephesians 4:8-32). All believers should also separate themselves unto God, apart from all ungodly practices (1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18), and periodically observe communion as instructed by our Lord (Luke 22:13-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).The mission of the church is the evangelization of the world, and the building up and the equipping of the believers for the work of ministry (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 4:12). In the Bible, the identified officers of the church are pastors (elders, bishops or overseers) and deacons, and due respect should be accorded to their leadership (Acts 14:23; 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 3; 1 Peter 5:1-4; 1 Corinthians 9:14; Hebrews 13:7). The church is not New Testament Israel. God will fulfill all his promises to Israel at the completion of the church age (Romans 9-11).

About Civil Government

I believe the civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society. God wants us to pray for our government leaders, and honor and obey them, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the coming King of kings. Romans 13:1-7; Acts 5:29; Acts 4:19, 20.I

wondering about the future

About Future Events

While there are some confusing Scriptures regarding the exact timing of future events described in the Bible, it is generally believed by most evangelicals (including myself) that the Bible teaches the church age believers will be caught up (raptured) to Christ before the time of the seven year Tribulation Period described in Joel 2:29-3:21; Zephaniah; Daniel 12 and Revelation 6-19. This will be a time of plagues, wars, and great calamities of nature upon the earth and its people. Meanwhile, in heaven God will host the Wedding Supper of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, with his bride the church (Revelation 19:7-9). 

After the great time of grief and hardship and death upon the earth is concluded, Jesus Christ will come back to the earth, wage war on Satan and his armies, and then bind him with chains and throw him in an abyss for a thousand years. Then Christ will rule and reign in his kingdom to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies written about him. At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be loosed from his prison (apparently to give him one last chance). Instead of repenting, he will gather an army of unbelievers from the earth, and they will attack Jerusalem, the throne of Jesus. There God will destroy his armies with a fire from heaven (Revelation 19:11-20:1-9). All unbelievers will then be judged at the Great White Throne somewhere in outer space, and then be cast into the Lake of Fire for eternal judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to reveal what was done in Jesus’ name and for his glory. All other useless works will be burned up, and he will suffer loss, except for his salvation. The righteous will then receive their eternal glorious inheritance (Revelation 21:1-4; 22:1-5).

Credits.

Editors

Nathan Sabin, Pastor and Teacher, earned his Master of Divinity from Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, Mi. He edited the theology and word usage of the Bible studies.

Nikki Walker, former high school English teacher. She edited the Bible studies for grammar, spelling, and word usage.

Secretary: Tom Langston put together Scripture support pages for the Bible studies and created all the links for the Old Testament studies.

Web Designer: Grace Lee. She designed the site and created all the initial links to make the website operational.

Photographs and graphics provided by:

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