elcome to this Bible Study web site and to the study of "The Eternal Purpose of God." The following information will assist you in finding your way around.
When Scriptures are quoted they are normally displayed in red. For example:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Pet. 1:4)
A complete exposition of the Song of Songs is presented verse by verse from Chapter 13 onwards. The Scriptures from the Song of Songs are displayed in blue so that a distinction can be be made between these Scriptures and others which are introduced to clarify and expand the exposition. An example of a verse from the Song is given below.
My lover spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me.
See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me." (Song 2:10-13)
When Scriptures are referenced without being fully quoted they are displayed as a "link." Links are generally underlined and may change colour as the mouse pointer passes over them. This will depend upon the local browser settings.
By pointing at the scripture reference link and clicking the mouse button, the specified scripture will be displayed. By clicking on the browser "Back" button the system will return to the place from which the scripture was referenced.
In this way referenced scriptures may, if so desired, be read without unduly interrupting the reading of the main text. On the other hand, if the scripture is known or it is preferred to leave it until later, the display of the scripture may be passed by for the time being.
As an example move the pointer over this link and click the mouse button, remembering to click on the "Back" command button to get back to this point. (2 Peter 1:4)
The first time a scripture is referenced in this way, the file has to be loaded from the web server to the terminal. After that the access should be quicker as the data already resides on the local computer. If the previous access was your first, try it again to see the difference, not forgetting the press the "Back" command button to return to this point. (Romans 1:18-32)
At some points in the narrative, reference is made to other publications or comments are made "on the side." These would appear as footnotes in a book.
Within these studies these references appear as raised sequential numbers which are "links" to the referenced information. By pointing at these numbers or links and clicking the mouse button, the reference will be displayed. Again, by clicking on the "Back" command button a return will be made to the point from which the reference was made. An example follows.
Some Jewish religious scholars have argued that this book depicts the relationship between Jehovah and Israel from it foundations through its tribulations and triumphs to its ultimate glory.1
Another example shows a "footnote" comment within the main text.
This statement is also made in Song 3:5 where it is discussed in detail. Suffice to say here, that although it is attributed to the beloved in the NIV, it would be out of character for her to use such direct and commanding language to the Christians around her, to whom she relates with respect and humility.2
The complete study may be downloaded in either Word or PDF format. The menu includes an item entitled "Download" which provides the required facility.
Note that, as the files are large, the process may take 4 minutes or more.
When the download is completed, a return may be made to the main study at the point of departure by clicking on the browser "Back" button.
To fit more of the text on to the display, some browsers also have "full screen" capability. This facility removes tool bars, command bars, status bars and the like so that the maximum amount of text can be displayed on the screen.
For example, in Internet Explorer and Netscape pressing the function key F11 changes the display to "full screen." Pressing F11 again restores the command and tool bars to their normal state. Please refer to your browser Help screens to find out how to take advantage of this capability.
At the top of each chapter there are links (links) to the Contents page and, where appropriate, to the next and previous chapters respectively.
Also, at the bottom of each page are pointers to the Contents page and, where appropriate, the next and previous chapters. In addition are links to every chapter. When the browser pointer is moved over a specified chapter number, the chapter title is displayed as a "tool tip."
At the bottom of this page is a link to the first Chapter, to the Contents page and to every chapter in the study. If you wish, you may try some of these out, coming back to this point by clicking on the "Back" button in the browser.
