book contains one of the most logical explanations of man’s purpose in the Universe that I have ever read! It is beautiful. It thrilled me.
Ivan deals with the issues for which humankind has struggled to find answers for so long—Creation, Heaven, Time, future events and life after death (including NDEs), with accurate and sharp precision. And he provides us with sound, logical biblical answers.
—Rev. Dave Smethurst, International Evangelist of with a highly effective and loving ministry, and founder of a number of orphanages in Eastern Europe
“As a church Minister, I encounter death and the dying often, and experience a wide range of ideas, reactions, emotions, questions, and postulating about death. Ivan Rudolph’s proposition of ‘shadow theory’ and the ‘transfer principle’ in harmony with a careful study of the Bible, combine into a useful framework for all who will cope with or support those facing what eventually comes to us all—dying.
The Bible makes it clear we are made to transcend earthly time, to eventually greet our own eternity—this book provides a thoughtful discussion about the relationship between our short earthly sojourn and God’s eternal purposes, for every one of us. Science keeps faith honest, and faith is strengthened as serious scientific research digs deeper and deeper into our human understanding of the gift of life.”
—Mark Taylor, Minister at Stoke Row Chapel, Oxfordshire, England
IVAN RUDOLPH
“As an avowed protagonist of “Old-Earth Creation”, I was pleased to see that Ivan’s very interesting and, to me, quite original take on time fitted in perfectly with this—as easily as the instantaneous elimination of the bulldog bite as attested to by Doctor OB Bowker in 1975. This was a miracle, essentially very rapid creativity, chronicled by Ivan in this book.
To me the section on the supposed spontaneous creation of life as opposed to it having been brought about by God was most interesting. I have long struggled with the probability of the former occurring. Ivan mentions that his and my Professor in the Geology Department of the University College of Rhodesia, Professor Geoffrey Bond, felt the same way in the mid-1960s.
I feel sure that many will find themselves closer to God after reading this book.”
—Ian “Sandy” Sanderson, Maths HOD and Physics Teacher in the UK
“I have read Ivan Rudolph’s manuscript with great interest and the subjects he tackles capture my attention as they are the kind of things which I have meditated on for many years.
I am especially interested in his insights about Time. Also, having been with people as they passed on, I have witnessed some truly extraordinary events as they approached death, and I am comforted by his research on Near Death Experiences.
This, together with accounts given to me by people who have themselves been at or near death, convince me that his comments verify much of what I have seen and believe. I think the book will be of great interest and comfort to others.”
—Roland Pletts, international Christian author, Minister and speaker
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YOUR ORIGIN AND DESTINY
“This book is incredibly thought-provoking, whilst providing a thoroughly well researched analysis of such important fundamental concepts. The focus clarifies the concept of Time in the scriptures–and how translations have muddied the waters.
Using a “teacher’s” clear and easily understood style we learn the different stages of God’s work: Creation planned first in Heaven, and Creation then actioned on earth, as well as Creation which takes place over time and encompasses a Theory of Evolution. We learn a great deal about God’s creativity and love—past, present and future—and our role in his family.”
—Julie Tennett, Critic and Editor
“I love the book! It is so easy to read and is honest. I find your first-person rendition includes me as a reader. I find your honesty in examining various views engaging and non-threatening. This makes me as a reader feel safe. I have read reasonably widely on the topics you cover; however, nowhere have I met such honesty of discussion, which is disarming. Herein lies its strength.
Yours is the most lucid explanation of Creation that I have encountered yet. I have shared this with several Christians who enjoy searching out a matter.
It sheds light on a complex reality. I pray that many minds will be enlightened and lives changed for God’s glory. Thank you for writing it.
Your explanation of Time rings true with me.”
—Rev. Ian Feeney, founding Principal of Xavier School (today’s Citipointe Christian College in Brisbane Australia), former Official of the Queensland State Department, School Chaplain, and a Christian Counsellor
“Your Origin and Destiny” provides a well constructed pathway to understanding the deeper meaning of life. This book is a compelling testament to the reality of God, creation and the reason we are here.
Being the only survivor of a fatal airplane crash and experiencing life-after-death, I was fascinated by Ivan’s ability to address life and eternity in a way that adjusts the focus of the reader. After personally having a life-altering revelation of Heaven, it is rare to find someone who is able to effectively articulate the relation between this life and the next in a way that provides clarity and logic.
This book provides generous answers to the student searching for the meaning of life, as well as offers compelling argument to change the mind of the intellectual who believes God is a crutch for the weak. I recommend this book to anyone searching for meaning in life and to those who want to know more about the reality of a Divine Creator.
Capt. Dale Black, Founder of Dale Black Ministries
Author of Flight To Heaven and Visiting Heaven
PETER WADE REVIEW
“I am so thankful this book has been published, because it really does fulfill the author’s desire to “stimulate” (page 14) the thinking of Bible-believing Christians who desire to be “workers who need not be ashamed” because they have studied and prayed over the truths of God’s Word (II Timothy 2:15). I’m thankful the author was persuaded to include in chapter 1 details of his personal quest to understand any matter, even scientific, and laid down a safe path that every Christian can use.
The “Two-Stage Theory” is, in my experience, unique and makes sense spiritually and logically. It is the key to understanding the book.
The analysis and proof of a healing incident he observed throws a new light on miracles, even to long-time Pentecostals and Charismatics. Ivan Rudolf made a wise choice to use the prophecy concerning Tyre as an illustration of the integrity of God’s Word in long-term prophecy, and that section should be essential reading to understand why the Bible can be trusted. In the New Testament he uses the “new creation” verse of II Corinthians 5:17 to show our identity and destiny, a verse I constantly use in my personal teaching ministry.
It doesn’t really matter if you at this moment cannot believe in some of the illustrative material (such as NDEs and others), but they too will be catalysts to rethink your current understanding of the underlying principles.
All up, this book deserves wide distribution, and with your feedback I can’t wait to see an enlarged and updated second edition.”
– Peter Wade, international Bible teacher (www.peterwade.com), and president of Positive Word Ministries Incorporated, an Australian non-profit, non-denominational Bible teaching ministry.
“Your Origin and Destiny” by Dr Chet Weld, EdD. M.Ed., LPC, LLC, Licensed Professional Counsellor.
“Your Origin and Destiny” exceeded my expectations. Rudolph takes us on an inspiring journey into the heart of God and into how God’s creation of all things is purposeful and necessary for us to understand. What a joy to know that in our vast universe, we are the most prized of God’s creations and that He is thrilled with who we are (in spite of our sins and flaws), what we do in love, and with what He has planned for each of us!!
There is much to say about every page of Ivan Rudolph’s “Your Origin and Destiny.” Rudolph precisely, yet in simple terms easy to follow, exposits the meanings of important Hebrew and Greek biblical words and passages in order to explain man’s origin, identity and purpose. Where clear answers may never be understood by our finite human understanding, except for what God tells us through revelation, Rudolph freely admits that he can only stand in awe and keep seeking.
Believing Christians or sincere seekers of God will be fascinated to learn that Time, as we know it, followed and still intersects with God’s pre-existing Tiime. An understanding of the interaction of God and man from, foundationally, two different realities of Time influences our understanding of the Creation story of the Bible, of the debate between Creation and evolution scientists, of God’s identity and characteristics, and of questions we all ask ourselves: Where did I come from? Why am I here? What am I supposed to do? What lies ahead for me?
Rudolph proves from Scripture that God’s works of Creation are both past-tense events and continuations of His work, as is His Creation of all human beings — whom He foreknew in His time that preceded man’s time, as we understand time.
Rudolph also speaks to other interesting issues such as, “Is there a divine as well as practical purpose for a seven-day week, six to work and one to rest?” “Did the passing of unique creatures we find in the fossil record precede the creation of Adam and Eve?” “Why does God speak audibly to mankind less often than He did in Old Testament times (but about as much as He did in the days of the New Testament)?” And as you might expect, Rudolph weighs in with a scriptural explanation of whether Adam and Eve are metaphorical figures or real people.
Where the reader may disagree with any of Rudolph’s suppositions or conclusions, that’s all the better for you! The tension will be a springboard for the reader to dig deeper into God’s word and press harder into prayer for Holy Spirit revelations. Rudolph would be as happy for your ongoing inquiries as he is for his own!
I love Rudolph’s occasional references to miracles he has personal knowledge of, as well as to some near-death experiences (NDEs). He is one of the world’s foremost researchers of NDEs. (See his “Living Beyond: Making Sense of Near-Death Experiences.”) He clearly has a deep relationship with our loving Heavenly Father and longs for all people to know God better.
Reading this book will tell you much about YOUR origin and destiny.
