#progressiverevelation

I’m sure you've heard people say, “As history goes, Old Testament believers looked forward to the cross where as today, we have the advantage of looking backwards.”

The cross of Jesus Christ is the most important single event that has ever taken place on the earth in human history.  And yes, we have an advantage while looking back, but we also have to remember not to insert the knowledge and understanding that we have today back into Old Testament time and teaching where it does not belong. If God said that he kept something secret until due time, then we’d better believe it was kept secret until he revealed it!  

Job, which is said to be the oldest book in the Bible, wondered, “How should man be just with God?” (Job 9:2). He wished he had a book that he could read and understand what God was doing! (Job 31:35-26).  He had no idea of the mercy that would be poured out for him at the cross of Christ. It was kept secret from him.

Abraham never knew that his salvation would rest in the finished work of the cross of Christ.  His hope was in a promise that God would make him a great nation.  He believed in what God had revealed to him at that time.  Not knowing more than that wasn’t an issue for Abraham.

Moses was given a handwritten tablet of the law (twice!) so that Israel could be in covenant with God.  The law was not an option!  If they didn’t obeyed it, or make the sacrificial provision for their error when they disobeyed, they died!  

David believed God had forgiven him for his trespasses, but couldn't quite figure out how that would happen.  He pleaded for God’s mercy in Psalm 51:1 because at that time, he didn’t know the mercy and grace that would come later from the sacrifice of Jesus’ cross to cover his sins.

The prophets, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Malachi, foretold of the coming Messiah, but Peter explains that when the prophets wrote of the suffering servant, none of them understood who it was, and what God would accomplish in that glorious sacrifice.  (1 Peter 1:10-11).  

Zechariah prophesied that the Christ had come to save Israel from her enemies, to perform the mercy promised to their fathers, and to remember his covenant with them, but never once mentions the sacrifice of our Saviour poured out at the cross (Luke 1:67-74).

When Jesus told Peter that he had come to die, Peter wasn’t having it! (Matt 16:22)  Worse yet, he demanded that it be prevented!  There were many times that Jesus spoke of his future death, but none of the disciples understood at the time.  (Mark 8:31-32, 9:31-32; Luke 9:44-45,18:31-34, John 2:21-22). Jesus kept the full purpose of his death a secret.

The mystery was given to one person, born out of due time, and that person was Paul. 1 Cor 15:8  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.