Subject: Christians before Jesus came |
Bible Note: Hi Chesed, 1 Pet 1:10-12 "As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which angels long to look." Remember that even the prophets who wrote the prophecies didn't alway know the full application of the prophecies given by them. I believe I understand what you are saying, and correct me if I am wrong, that the actual words written, in such as Zechariah and Micah and Hosea, referred to others besides Messiah, and it was only later that NT writers gave an additional fulfillment to these scriptures. I take exception to referring to the "original intent" as other than speaking of Jesus. Matt 2 and Hos 11 I think illustrate this very well. It is only by reading Matt. that we understand God's true intent when He spoke through Hosea. John 5:39 "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;" Heb 10:7 "THEN I SAID, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.'" As has often been said, in the Old Testament the New is concealled. In the New, the Old is revealled. The theology of the Messiah that I am interested in is that which is revealled by the Holy Spirit. (Yes, I am "Sola Scripura" - a term I had never heard before,but fits me like a glove!) The theology of the Messiah at the time of Jesus was adequately skewwed that they crucified Him! I believe God gave us His word that we may know Him, and that the way we know Him is through Jesus, therefore, it is all about Jesus! Love in Christ, Mark |