“Write down the vision and make it plain upon tables, that everyone may read it fluently.” —Habakkuk 2:2

Every architect has a blueprint from which to accurately construct his finished creation. So too, God has a blueprint for His creative plan which is outlined in detail in the Bible. And, just as an architect asks that no one judge his project by its unfinished work, likewise, we should not judge God’s creation in its unfinished state. Rather, it should be viewed by the blueprint which illustrates His plan in its grand completion.

Time an Important Element in God’s Plan

God told Habakkuk to write down the vision of His plan so that all might understand it. But throughout the centuries since this admonition, all have not understood the vision. The prophet Daniel was given a glimpse of this glorious vision and then told to conceal it, for God said: “... shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Dan. 12:4) Here is the key to understanding—the vision was meant to be understood later, in the “time of the end.”

There is very little doubt in the minds of Bible students that we are now living in this period known as “the time of the end.” Over the past century, amazing intellectual discoveries and incredible feats of travel have taken place. This is the very time in which the vision was due to be understood.  Indeed, since the mid 1800s, gradual enlightenment on many prophetic subjects through the use of a multitude of Bible translations, concordances, lexicons and archeological findings has brought the diligent Bible student to an appreciation of deeper spiritual truths. Truly, the time is “at hand and the effect of every vision.” Ezk. 12:23

The Great Architect of the Universe

Under His careful supervision, the Divine Architect has permitted evil and good to work together for the accomplishment of His grand purpose. When God’s progressive plan is complete and the rough scaffolding removed, it will reveal that the world’s dark night of weeping under the influence of evil has been permitted for mankind’s instruction. From their experiences they will have learned the hard lesson of the exceeding sinfulness of sin and thus be prepared to wholeheartedly embrace the divine laws of God’s kingdom. God’s finished creative work will universally declare the infinite power, wisdom, love and justice of His glorious character.

Man’s finite mind cannot comprehend the wisdom of his God, who plans with unerring precision for eternity without the possibility of failure. The more one comprehends the vision of God’s glorious kingdom, he sees the power and skill which can harness every opposing element making all work together to accomplish His grand designs. God has worked with tireless vigilance—His eyes never sleep, His ear is ever open, and He is ever cognizant of all the necessities, and active in all the interests of His broad domains. And in this time when the vision is due to be understood, it is our privilege to look into the “deep things of God.” 1Cor. 2:10

To this end, a time-line diagraming God’s prophetic blueprint is given on the next two pages (see the pdf file of this article on our web site). It depicts man’s experiences for a period of 7000 years from paradise lost to paradise restored. This Chart of the Ages will aid the student of the Bible in understanding the progressive nature of God’s plan for bringing all of His creation into full harmony with Him.