Adams' Six Keys, on the real chart
At the end of the Key he published with his chart, Adams gathered his whole method into a "Recapitulation": six sentences. Here is each one in his words, with the place on the chart where you first see it. Use the arrows, or press → on your keyboard.
1
Dates ride the stream of time
“Dates are found along the ‘Stream of Time.’”Adams, Recapitulation of the Key to the chart
The big figure above a pillar counts centuries from Creation, the one below counts centuries before Christ; red lines are decades.
On the chart: Stretch 1, In the Beginning: Creation, Adam and the First Family. In the book, pp. 16–17.
2
Nations are broad bands
“Nations are represented by broad horizontal lines.”Adams, Recapitulation of the Key to the chart
Each band is a people; its name sits in large letters just above it.
On the chart: Stretch 5, The Flood and the Tower: One Line Becomes Three. In the book, pp. 38–39.
3
A new color is a new ruler
“Change of Rulers is shown by change of color in national lines.”Adams, Recapitulation of the Key to the chart
The name and the years of the reign are on the block; the date of the change is under it.
On the chart: Stretch 8, Joshua, the Judges and Ruth. In the book, pp. 60–61.
4
A stream that splits is a revolt
“Revolt is indicated by lines dividing toward the right.”Adams, Recapitulation of the Key to the chart
One band becomes two: a kingdom divides.
On the chart: Stretch 9, David, Solomon and the Kingdom That Split. In the book, pp. 66–67.
5
A stream that ends in another is a conquest
“Conquest is indicated by lines running together toward the right.”Adams, Recapitulation of the Key to the chart
A band runs into another and stops: that people has been conquered.
On the chart: Stretch 9, David, Solomon and the Kingdom That Split. In the book, pp. 66–67.
6
Same column, same moment
“Contemporaneous events are found by crossing the Chart on decade or century columns.”Adams, Recapitulation of the Key to the chart
Run your finger straight down a column: everything it crosses happened at the same time.
On the chart: Stretch 1, In the Beginning: Creation, Adam and the First Family. In the book, pp. 16–17.
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What does Scripture say?
Our step, not Adams': when you have read a stretch with the six Keys, open your Bible and ask what it says about what you have just seen. The chart sets the Bible's story beside the nations; Scripture tells you whose hand holds them.
“And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation.”Acts 17:26 · KJV
Now try them yourself: every stretch has a quiz, and the book walks you through all seventeen with the Keys pointed out on every spread.
Read the whole chart, stretch by stretch
This site lets you wander; the book walks you through. All seventeen stretches on full spreads at 75% of the real chart, numbered pins explained in order, Adams' Six Keys on every page and a study page for every stretch. Large format, full color.