The Old and New Testaments, the Word of God, reveal the "administration of the mystery (Eph 3: 9) which had bee n hidden for ages in God. This administration is the blueprint of the redemptive history which had been planned before the ages for the salvation of mankind. The history of redemption is the history of God's administration after the fall to save His chosen people in Jesus Christ ( Eph 1:4-5). At the center of the "administration " is our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the mystery of God and the hope of glory ( Col 1:27 ; 2:2). This mystery had been hidden from the past ages and generations, but now it has been manifested to His saints (Col 1:26), and in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3).
This is why the Bible looks to Jesus Christ, testifies of Jesus Christ, and is fulfilled only through Jesus Christ. John 5:39 states, "It is these that things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures" (Luke 24:44).
The genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matt 1:1-17) is the most concise synopsis of Jesus Christ, who is the central figure in all 66 books of the Bible, and is thus the focal point of the redemptive administration. Therefore, without understanding the genealogy of Jesus Christ one cannot know God's grand history of redemption that begins in the book of Genesis and is fulfilled in the book of Revelation.
The third and fourth books in the History of Redemption series examine Jesus Christ's genealogy. The third book mainly discusses the first period of Jesus Christ's genealogy which encompasses the history from Abraham to David. This book, the fourth book, mainly discusses the history that pertains to the second period of Jesus Christ's genealogy. In particular, the third book revealed that most of the 430-year period of slavery in Egypt that spans from Ram to Amminadab was omitted and that approximately 300 years of the period of Judges that spans from salmon to Boaz was omitted as well. Much encouragement poured fourth on the above findings that this was a novel insight unprecedented in the history of Christianity. All of this is due to the grace given to this unworthy servant who is lesser than the scum of this earth; therefore I give all the glory to the living God in heartfelt thanksgiving.
When I began my ministry, my knowledge of the Word of God was so shallow that I went into a cave in Mount Jiri. During the three years and six months I was there I did nothing but pray and read the Bible. As I delved into reading only the bible, I gained so much understanding through the powerful illumination of the Holy Spirit. I would record in writing every time I was enlightened. There were times I lacked paper and so I would write on the arrowroot leaves and skewer them onto bush clover stems. Later, when I obtained manuscript paper I would organize my writings and cop them onto the paper. Through such repetition, by the time I came down the mountain I had a stack of manuscripts that were as tall as my height. Even now when I look at those manuscripts, my eyes well up with tears with gratitude for the great grace of God. each and every letter tat was written on the large arrowroot leaves was transferred onto manuscript paper; and when those began to deteriorate the writing would be transferred again to notebooks. Through such countless repetitions the History of Redemption series is at las published. Truly I can only give tanks.
This book is not a theological analysis, and exegetical commentary, or an expository outline. With the heart of the shepherd who cherishes a single soul more than the whole world (Matt 16:26; 18:14), I have put together the living and active word of God which I have preached from the pulpit of Pyungkang Cheil Church while daily praying on my knees. Through the help of God, if something was deemed profitable for the congregation members, I would not hesitate to share the word day and night without rest (Acts 20:20, 27,31) I poured all my heart and strength into fully revealing through the Old and New Testaments and the redemptive history and Jesus Christ, who is the administration of the mystery hidden therin. In order to proclaim solely the Word of the living God, I embraced this manuscript and underwent spiritual battles through many sleepless nights. I examined each and every verse in great detail as if I were counting every downy hair on a body. On a larger scale, I also put forth all my strength in viewing those verses from a redemptive historical perspective so the context would not be lost.
My earnest desire is that through the History of Redemption series all my brethren would understand God's adminstration of the mystery, so that they could mature to the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13-15); Heb 5:12-14; 6:1-2) and stand firm in the faith (Rome 1:11; 4:20; 1 Cor 1:6,8; 2 Cor 1:21; 1 Pet 5:10). That is because this is the consistent theme of the Bible and the calling for this generation. Apostle Paul proclaimed , "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor 15:57-58). Second Samuel 23: 5 states " . . . For He has . . . ordered in all things, and secured ," and Romans 16:25-27 states, "Now to Him who is able to establish you . . . to the only wise God." I earnestly hope that this book would aid in further establishing the faith of the saints not only in the churches of Korea but all churches throughout the world.
By all means, it is not my desire that this book would become my personal work. I sincerely pray and hope that every person reads and understands this book would become its author.
Above all, I give my most sincere thanks to God's benevolent helping hand which has allowed the History of Redemption series to be published through the dedication , ceaseless prayers, and hard work of the congregation of Pyungknag Cheil Church. Additionally, I pour out my heart of gratitude to my fellow workers who have dedicated themselves without fame or recognition, to soften up my old-fashioned expressions to fit contemporary literary styles, as well as to schematize the complicated and vast material I had organized into charts fro an easier understanding.
I earnestly hope that in the remainder of our lives we would always exalt Christ alone in our bodies ( Phil 1: 20) and that this book would be used greatly in fully revealing the administration of the mystery which had been hidden for ages in God (Eph 3:9).
Rev. Abraham Park
October 3, 2009
Servant of Jesus christ,
On the sojourner's path to heaven