The Fivefold Plan of God: A Guide

I. Overview of “The Fivefold Plan of God”

This handbook outlines God’s redemptive plan for humanity, presented in five sequential stages: The Creation, The Fall & Subsequent Judgments, The Promise, The Redemption, and The Restoration. It integrates Old and New Testament teachings, personal testimonies, and theological insights to explain the journey of God’s Kingdom from its initial creation, through its fallen state, to its ultimate restoration. The author, Pastor John S. Kodiyil, emphasizes the centrality of Jesus Christ in this plan and offers a unique perspective on various biblical events and prophecies, often engaging with scholarly discussions on hermeneutics and eschatology.

II. Key Themes and Concepts

A. The Fivefold Plan of God

1. The Creation (1 of 5): God’s initial establishment of the universe, the creation of mankind in His image with a mandate to rule the earth, and the early divine order. This section introduces the concept of God’s universal and mediatorial kingdoms, and the original harmony of creation.
2. The Fall & The Subsequent Judgments (2 of 5): The disobedience of Adam and Eve, leading to the loss of righteousness, separation from God, a cursed environment, and spiritual/physical death. This also covers major divine judgments like the Flood (due to the corruption by “sons of God” and Nephilim) and the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah, as well as the Tower of Babel event symbolizing rebellion and linguistic confusion.
3. The Promise (3 of 5): God’s covenants (e.g., Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic) that guarantee a coming deliverer and the eventual restoration of His Kingdom. This section highlights God’s faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness and the anticipation of a New Covenant.
4. The Redemption (4 of 5): The sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross, His resurrection, and the provision of salvation and eternal life. It explains how Jesus’ work reconciles humanity to God, offering a new way to approach Him and establishing the Church. The concept of “grafting” Gentiles into God’s plan is also detailed here.
5. The Restoration (5 of 5): The ultimate fulfillment of God’s Kingdom plan, including the return of Jesus Christ, the establishment of His millennial reign on earth, the judgment of the wicked, the glorification of believers, and the final eternal state of a new heaven and new earth. This section also discusses prophetic timelines and the ongoing spiritual warfare.

B. The Kingdom of God

• Definition: “The rule of God over His creation.” It includes three essential elements: a Ruler (with authority and power), a Realm (subjects to be ruled), and Rulership (the exercise of ruling).
• Universal vs. Mediatorial Kingdom: God’s universal Kingdom is always in operation over all creation. The mediatorial Kingdom involves God’s rule over the earth through mankind, a task initially given to Adam and ultimately fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
• Kingdom’s Spiritual Journey: Traced from a created Kingdom, to a fallen Kingdom, to a restored Kingdom, centered and anchored in Jesus the Messiah.
• Nature of the Kingdom: Emphasizes a holistic restoration, including both spiritual and physical/material aspects, rejecting over-spiritualized interpretations. It involves people, animals, and all creatures, with elements of food, music, celebration, and a thriving relationship with God.
• Contingency in God’s Plan: While God’s ultimate plan is sovereign, the timing and specific manifestations of His blessings and judgments upon nations and individuals can be contingent upon their repentance and belief.

C. Key Theological Concepts

• Spirit, Soul, and Body: The soul comes into being when the spirit contacts the body. The soul is tied to the spirit, and its normal state is in conjunction with both body and spirit. Being “born again” involves the spirit responding to God’s Word, the soul agreeing, and the body being obedient.
• The Fall of Mankind: Five key effects: loss of righteousness, separation from God, cursed environment, spiritual and physical death, and the need for spiritual clothing (being clothed with Christ).
• Sons of God and Nephilim: “Sons of God” are identified as fallen angels who married “daughters of men,” producing the hybrid “Nephilim,” leading to the corruption of genetics and widespread wickedness that necessitated the Flood.
• The Flood and Sodom & Gomorrah: Examples of God’s judgments against widespread sin and corruption, highlighting both physical destruction and deeper spiritual issues (e.g., social injustice, pride, idleness in Sodom).
• The Tower of Babel: An act of human rebellion aimed at self-glorification and inter-dimensional travel, which God countered by confusing languages and scattering humanity.
• Covenant Theology: God operates through covenants (Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New Covenant) to guarantee His Kingdom purposes will be fulfilled. The New Covenant surpasses the Old, bringing life, righteousness, and a new way to approach God through Christ.
• Jesus the Mediator: Jesus is the “one Mediator between God and men,” essential for reconciling humanity to God due to sin. He represents believers before God’s throne of grace, having paid the penalty for sin.
• The Church: Formed after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection to spread the gospel. It is an assembly of “Sons of God” receiving direction, building each other up in faith, and establishing the Kingdom.
• The Rapture: The gathering of believers to Christ at His coming, distinct from the Day of the Lord’s wrath.
• Judgments: Five distinct judgments: sins of believers judged in Christ, believers judging themselves/disciplined by God, judgment seat of Christ for believers’ works, judgment of all nations at Christ’s second coming, and the Great White Throne judgment for the wicked dead.
• Foreknowledge, Predestination, Calling, Justification, Glorification: A sequence in God’s plan for individuals, emphasizing personal choice and responsibility in fulfilling God’s predestined purpose.
• New Creationist Perspective: Affirms the importance of the material realm and literal fulfillment of physical promises in God’s purposes, rejecting over-spiritualized interpretations of the Kingdom.

III. Major Figures and Their Contributions

• God (Elohim, Yehowah/Jehovah/Yahweh): The eternal King, Creator, Ruler, and orchestrator of the Fivefold Plan.
• Jesus Christ (Messiah, Son of David, Last Adam): The central figure of God’s plan, the Mediator, Redeemer, King, and ultimate fulfiller of all prophecies and covenants.
• Adam and Eve: The first image-bearers, given the mandate to rule, but fell into sin.
• Satan (Lucifer, Serpent, Dragon): The fallen angelic being who rebelled against God, tempted Eve, and established an “anti-kingdom program” in opposition to God’s plan.
• Noah: Preserved through the Flood, serving as a “Second Adam” through whom God’s kingdom plan would continue.
• Nimrod: The leader behind the Tower of Babel, founder of the Babylonian empire, and symbol of rebellion against God.
• Abraham, Isaac, Jacob: Patriarchs of Israel, central to God’s covenant promises regarding land, seed, and universal blessing.
• Moses: Mediator of the Old Covenant, through whom Israel became a “kingdom of priests.”
• David: King in God’s lineage, through whom the Davidic Covenant promises an eternal kingdom and a coming Messiah.
• Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Amos, Micah, Zechariah, Malachi): Convey God’s messages, foretell Israel’s failures, predict future restoration, and detail the coming Kingdom and Messiah.
• Apostles (Peter, Paul, James): Proclaimed the gospel of the Kingdom, received authority from Jesus, and explained the inclusion of Gentiles and the future restoration of Israel.

IV. Notable Scriptural References

• Genesis 1:1-31: Biblical creation account, God declaring creation “very good.”
• Genesis 1:26-28: Man created in God’s image, given dominion mandate.
• Genesis 3:15: The first promise of a coming deliverer (Seed of the woman).
• Genesis 6:1-7: Sons of God, Nephilim, and the reason for the Flood.
• Genesis 11:1-9: Tower of Babel, confusion of languages.
• Matthew 6:9-13 (Lord’s Prayer): Emphasizes “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
• Matthew 19:28: Jesus’ promise to apostles of ruling over twelve tribes in the regeneration.
• Romans 5:12: Sin and death entered the world through one man (Adam).
• Romans 8:19-21: Creation groaning, longing for redemption/restoration.
• 1 Corinthians 15:24-28: Jesus handing over the Kingdom to the Father after abolishing all opposition.
• Colossians 1:13: Transferred from darkness to the Kingdom of His Son.
• 1 Timothy 2:5-6: One God and one Mediator, Christ Jesus.
• Hebrews 9:27-28: Mortals appointed to die once, then judgment; Christ offered once.
• Revelation 5:9-10: Jesus worthy to take the scroll because of His sacrifice; saints will reign on earth.
• Revelation 21:1-5: Vision of a new heaven and a new earth, no more sea, God making all things new.

V. Debates and Interpretive Stances

• Hermeneutics: Emphasizes grammatical-historical-literary interpretation for all scripture, including prophetic passages and symbols, to understand the authorial intent. Rejects views that reinterpret or “spiritualize” Old Testament prophecies out of their original context.
• New Creationism vs. Over-Spiritualized Views: Advocates for a “new creationist” model, affirming the importance of the material realm and literal fulfillment of physical promises (land, national Israel) in God’s Kingdom, in contrast to views that downplay or deny these aspects.
• Continuity of OT Expectations in NT: Argues for strong continuity between Old Testament expectations and New Testament fulfillment, emphasizing that NT fulfillment does not typically transcend or change the literal meaning of earlier revelations, but builds upon them.
• Premillennialism: Strongly affirms this view, including a future, literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth after His second coming, distinguishing it from amillennialism (spiritual reign now) and postmillennialism (Christ’s reign achieved through the church before His return).
• “Already/Not Yet” Kingdom: Acknowledges that some aspects of the Kingdom are “already” present (e.g., personal salvation, Holy Spirit), but stresses that the full establishment and societal/political transformation of the Davidic/Messianic Kingdom is “not yet” and awaits Jesus’ second coming.
• Israel and the Church: Maintains a distinction between national Israel and the Church, rejecting “replacement theology.” Argues that God’s plans still include a future salvation and restoration for national Israel, even as Gentiles are grafted into His plan.

Quiz: The Fivefold Plan of God

Instructions: Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.

1. What is the primary definition of the “Kingdom of God” as presented in the source material, and what three essential elements does it comprise?
2. Explain how the “new creationist approach” to understanding the Kingdom of God differs from “over-spiritualized views,” particularly regarding physical promises.
3. Describe the role of the “sons of God” in the events leading up to Noah’s Flood, and what specific corruption they introduced.
4. According to the text, what was the primary motivation behind the building of the Tower of Babel, and how did God respond to this endeavor?
5. Summarize the five significant changes that resulted from the Fall of Mankind, as listed in the study material.
6. How does the source material characterize the relationship between the Old Testament’s prophetic expectations and the New Testament’s fulfillment, particularly concerning the Kingdom?
7. Explain the concept of “grafting” as applied to Gentiles in God’s plan, according to Romans 11, and what this implies for their relationship with Israel.
8. Identify the five distinct judgments revealed in the Bible, and state the commonality they all share.
9. Describe the significance of Jesus being referred to as the “Last Adam” in relation to the original mandate given to the first Adam.
10. What is the “millennial kingdom” according to the text, and how does it relate to the “eternal kingdom of the Father” in terms of timing and transition?

Answer Key

1. The Kingdom of God is defined as “the rule of God over His creation.” It includes three essential elements: a Ruler with rightful authority and power, a Realm of subjects to be ruled, and the active Rulership, which is the exercise of authority.
2. The new creationist approach affirms the importance of the material realm and believes physical promises in the Bible will be fulfilled literally, just as spiritual promises are. Over-spiritualized views, often linked to Platonism, tend to downplay physical matters and reinterpret these promises spiritually, denying their literal, tangible fulfillment.
3. The “sons of God” are identified as fallen angels who abandoned their proper domain to marry human women (“daughters of men”). This union produced the “Nephilim,” a hybrid offspring that corrupted humanity’s genetics and brought widespread wickedness, necessitating God’s judgment through the Flood.
4. The primary motivation for the Tower of Babel was human pride and a desire for self-glorification, as they sought to “make a name for ourselves” and prevent being scattered. God responded by confusing their language and scattering them, preventing them from uniting against Him and forcing them to fulfill His original command to fill the earth.
5. The five significant changes resulting from the Fall of Mankind are: loss of righteousness, separation from God, a cursed environment (the ground working against man), spiritual and physical death, and the need for new “clothing” (symbolizing the need to be clothed with Christ).
6. The source material emphasizes a strong continuity, stating that the NT builds upon and relies on the contextual meanings of OT kingdom passages. It argues that NT fulfillment does not typically reinterpret or transcend the literal meaning of older revelations, but rather affirms them and reveals their complete realization through Jesus’ two comings.
7. “Grafting” refers to Gentile believers being joined into God’s special “olive tree” (representing the collective people of God), sharing in the promises and blessings given to Abraham. This occurred because Israel (the natural branches) was temporarily cut off due to unbelief, allowing Gentiles to partake in God’s salvation.
8. The five distinct judgments are: the sins of believers already judged in Christ on the cross, believers judging themselves or being disciplined by the Lord, the judgment seat of Christ for believers’ works, the judgment of all nations at Christ’s second coming, and the Great White Throne judgment for the wicked dead. All these judgments share the commonality that Jesus Christ is the Judge.
9. Jesus being the “Last Adam” means He successfully fulfills the original “kingdom mandate” given to the first Adam to rule and subdue the earth, a task Adam failed. Jesus, through His reign, will reverse the curse and fully restore God’s creation, achieving what Adam could not.
10. The millennial kingdom is a future, literal thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ on earth, beginning after His second coming, during which Satan is bound and saints reign with Christ. This millennial reign then merges into the “eternal kingdom of the Father,” representing a transition to the permanent and final state where God is “all in all,” with no more sin or death.

Essay Questions (No answers provided in this guide)

1. Discuss the “new creationist approach” to biblical interpretation presented in the source material. How does it advocate for the literal fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and what are the implications of this approach for understanding the physical and national aspects of God’s Kingdom?
2. Analyze the progression of God’s covenants (Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New Covenant) as “instruments through which the kingdom program unfolds.” Explain how each covenant contributes to the overarching plan for the establishment and ultimate fulfillment of God’s Kingdom.
3. Examine the role of Satan and his “anti-kingdom program” throughout biblical history, from the Fall of Mankind to the final judgment in Revelation. How does God consistently counteract Satan’s attempts to thwart His plan, and how is Jesus Christ central to Satan’s ultimate defeat?
4. Compare and contrast the millennial kingdom and the eternal kingdom, as described in Revelation 20-22 and other prophetic passages. What are their key similarities and differences, and how do both phases contribute to the holistic restoration of all things in God’s Fivefold Plan?
5. The text emphasizes that God’s plans involve both individuals and nations, often highlighting a “contingency element” in God’s dealings. Discuss how this dual focus on individuals and nations, along with the concept of contingency, is demonstrated through events like Israel’s history and the offerings of the Kingdom.

Brief Glossary of Key Terms

• Amillennialism: The belief that the millennium (Christ’s thousand-year reign) is spiritual and is currently taking place between Jesus’ first and second comings through the Church.
• Annihilation (vs. Renewal): The debate concerning whether the current earth will be completely destroyed and replaced by an entirely new creation, or if it will be renovated and renewed. The text favors renewal.
• Anti-kingdom Program: Satan’s ongoing efforts to oppose and subvert God’s Kingdom plans, aiming for the enslavement and destruction of mankind.
• Basileia: The Greek word often translated as “kingdom,” “royalty,” “royal power,” or “reign.”
• Cherubim: Angelic beings described with four faces (man, lion, ox, eagle) and four wings, associated with drawing near to God.
• Christ (Chrīstós): A Greek title meaning “anointed one,” equivalent to the Hebrew “Messiah.” It refers to Jesus not as a last name, but as His designated role.
• Church (Ekklesia): The assembly of believers in Jesus, formed after His resurrection, tasked with spreading the gospel and establishing the Kingdom of God.
• Contingency (in God’s Plan): The idea that the timing and specific manifestations of God’s blessings and judgments can be influenced by the responses (e.g., repentance, belief) of nations and individuals, even within God’s sovereign plan.
• Covenants: Binding agreements initiated by God, such as the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenants, through which His Kingdom program unfolds.
• Day of the Lord: A prophetic period of time, beginning with God’s wrath and judgment upon the ungodly, followed by a glorious era of illumination and enlightenment after Jesus’ return.
• Elohim: A Hebrew word translated as “God,” also used to refer to a court-like assembly of divine beings or angels, over whom the true God is supreme.
• Engiken (Engidzo): Greek terms meaning “at hand,” “to come near,” or “draw close,” indicating imminence or impending events.
• Eternal Kingdom of the Father: The final, permanent phase of God’s Kingdom after the millennial reign, characterized by God the Father and Son directly ruling, with no sin, death, or curse.
• Fivefold Plan of God: The overarching divine narrative outlined in the handbook, consisting of Creation, The Fall & Subsequent Judgments, The Promise, The Redemption, and The Restoration.
• Grafting: A metaphor (from Romans 11) describing how Gentile believers are incorporated into God’s plan, becoming partakers of the promises and blessings originally given to Abraham and Israel.
• Grammatical-Historical-Literary Interpretation: A hermeneutical approach emphasizing understanding the biblical text in its original grammatical, historical, and literary context to discern the author’s intended meaning.
• Kingdom of God/Heaven: God’s active rule and reign over His creation, encompassing both universal sovereignty and mediatorial governance through man. Used interchangeably by Matthew.
• Last Adam: A title for Jesus Christ, signifying His role in successfully fulfilling the dominion mandate that the first Adam failed, restoring creation and humanity.
• Lucifer (Heylel Ben Shachar): The name given to Satan before his fall, meaning “son of the morning” or “morning star,” representing his original high position.
• Malkuth: The Hebrew word often translated as “kingdom,” “royalty,” “royal power,” or “reign.”
• Mediatorial Kingdom: God’s rule over the earth specifically through human agents, beginning with Adam and ultimately culminating in Jesus Christ.
• Mediator: One who acts as an intermediary to resolve a dispute between two parties. Jesus Christ is the sole Mediator between God and humanity.
• Messiah (Mashiach): A Hebrew title meaning “anointed one,” referring to the promised future deliverer and redeemer, Jesus Christ.
• Millennial Kingdom: A future, literal thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ on earth, following His second coming and preceding the eternal state, characterized by His direct rule and the binding of Satan.
• Nephilim: Hybrid offspring resulting from the “sons of God” (fallen angels) marrying human women, leading to the corruption of early humanity.
• New Creationist Approach: A theological perspective affirming the literal and tangible nature of God’s future Kingdom and the importance of both spiritual and material restoration.
• Parousia: A Greek term meaning “arrival and a continuing presence,” often used for the “second coming” or “second advent” of the Lord, encompassing His arrival, judgment, and reign.
• Platonism: A philosophical tradition that often elevates spiritual matters over physical, which the text argues has sometimes “clouded Christians” in understanding God’s Kingdom.
• Postmillennialism: The belief that Christ’s second coming will occur after a golden age on earth, during which the Church, through the preaching of the gospel, will establish God’s Kingdom.
• Premillennialism: The belief that Jesus Christ will return to earth before (pre-) His literal thousand-year (millennial) reign on earth. The text strongly affirms this view.
• Rapture: The event where believers, both living and resurrected, are “caught up together… in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” at His coming, distinct from the Day of the Lord’s wrath.
• Redemption: The act of being bought back or delivered from sin and its consequences, primarily achieved through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death.
• Restoration of all things: The comprehensive renewal of creation, humanity, and God’s original order, which began with Jesus’ first coming and culminates in His millennial and eternal kingdoms.
• Seraphim: Angelic beings described as “fiery ones” with six wings, depicted in Isaiah 6.
• Sons of God: In the context of Genesis 6, refers to fallen angels who procreated with human women. Also used for believers in a spiritual sense.
• Spiritual Vision Model: An interpretive approach that over-spiritualizes the Kingdom, often downplaying the importance of physical, national, and literal land promises.
• Tetragrammaton (YHWH): The four-letter Hebrew name for God, typically pronounced as Yahweh or Jehovah.
• Triangle Gospel: A simple illustration used by the author to depict past, present, and future events in God’s plan.
• Universal Kingdom: God’s sovereign rule and authority over all aspects of creation at all times.
• Watcher Angels: Angels mentioned in Daniel who observe and carry out divine decrees. Some “Watcher Angels” abandoned their domain and are considered the “sons of God” in Genesis 6.
• Yehowah/Jehovah/Yahweh: The ineffable name of God, revealed in the Old Covenant, emphasizing His eternal and self-existent nature.