Bible Summary:
The Bible as Sacred History
As we studyThe Bible as Sacred History
Remember, this is the Bible from the Christian point of view only. But since that is the Bible (both Testaments) we are teaching in class, that is an important perspective (point of view) to understand.
Nonetheless, I think this animated GIF file is a nice summary, from the point of view of Christian theology (understanding God) of the entire Sacred History of Mankind, from Genesis to Revelation and after.
That animated GIF is not mine; but the one at right is mine. I tried to show how Sacred History, from the Christian point of view, begins with God's direct creation of Adam (Michelangelo's famous Sistine Chapel fresco) and ends with Jesus personally breathing the Holy Spirit into his disciples, to make a new Creation.
After Adam, Salvation History continues with Noah in a type of Baptism (the Flood) to redeem the sinful species, but only through Noah's family line.
After this it is focused on a single man of absolute faith, Abraham (as he shows by his willingness to sacrifice his only son, the sign of God's Promise).
Through Abraham comes Jacob, who founds a nation of priests in Israel, that is, a nation that struggles with God and what God wants (justice, etc.).
It is thereafter transferred to an entire people (the people of Abraham), through Moses, who establishes a code of Laws (the Torah) from God.
This Covenant is then promised, through David, regardless if the people follow the Torah (this is the "unconditional Davidic Covenant," which, at least implicitly, is not bound to the Mosaic Law; for the Promise is certain regardless).
Finally, through David, the Promise reaches fulfillment in the person of Jesus.
Note that Jesus fulfills all Sacred Covenants with God.
First, he replaces Adam, just as the Cross replaces the Tree and perfect obedience fulfills Adam's disobedience.
Jesus replaces Noah, since his water of Baptism brings life, not death to Mankind. Salvation through the water is open to all, not just to Noah, his wife and their three sons and wives.
Jesus replaces Abraham, since he (God's "only son") was sacrificed, where Isaac (Abraham's "only son") was not. Besides, Jesus himself says, "Before Abraham was, I am," thus not only replacing Abraham as heir to the Covenant, but sharing in God's glory.
Jesus replaces Jacob (Israel) since he is the New Israel, with his own Twelve Tribes, called the Twelve Apostles. Moreover, Jesus doesn't struggle with God for a blessing, as Jacob did; he receives God's blessing from birth (the Nativity).
Jesus also replaces Moses, since he gives a new law, and from his own "I Am," which, he suggests, is the same as God's. (Moses speaks for God; Jesus speaks as God.)
He replaces David, as Jesus himself says, quoting Psalm 110, since "David calls him 'Lord'" (Matt. 22:45), but Jesus is Lord: Jesus is "son of David" only as Man; but as God he is Lord of David.
Jesus even shares in God's power, since we know from John that, "In the beginning was the Word" (that is, Jesus himself).
Finally, Jesus creates Man anew, just as God created Adam. So for the first time since Adam, God (in the person of Jesus) breathes life directly into his New Creation (the Apostles), as John has it, perhaps with a wordplay on Jerusalem ("shalom," or Peace):
"Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' And with that, he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'" (JOHN 20:21-22).
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