Friday, June 14, 2013

“The OT Promise Of Christ (12)”


 Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write

 

 

In our series we have seen clearly that Jesus (in His life, death and future coming to the earth) has (and will) completely, and exclusively, fulfilled the Old Testament promises of the coming Messiah.  But what does this mean for each and every one of us?  Of what relevance does this truth hold for us?  Let’s take a few moments to consider the importance of the knowledge we have gained throughout this study…

 

 

THE SCRIPTURES:

 

John 1:45

45) Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

 

John 5:39-47

39) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40) And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

41) I receive not honour from men.

42) But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

43) I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

44) How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that [cometh] from God only?

45) Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is [one] that accuseth you, [even] Moses, in whom ye trust.

46) For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

47) But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

 

 

THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THIS ENTIRE STUDY:

 

After looking at many of the various Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament, we can come to a much fuller understanding of Philip’s statement that is made in John 1:45…

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

What a wonderful declaration on the part of Philip, unmistakably revealing to His brother that Jesus was the true promised Messiah. 

 

The importance of that knowledge is described in John 5:39-47, which contains the teachings of our Lord concerning His true identity.…

 

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 

Jesus tells us of the importance of seeking to find out His true identity, which is the key to the receipt of eternal life. He specifically points to the “Scriptures” (Old Testament text) as the source of truth for us to come to an appropriate understanding of His person and work. (Acts 8:32-35)

 

And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life, I receive not honour from men.  But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

In this discourse, Jesus is speaking to those who have never come to a saving knowledge of Him.  (John 5:343, John 6:37-40, John 11:25-26)

He characterizes them as:

1.  not coming to Him

2.  not possessing (spiritual) life

3.  not honoring Him.

4. not having love of God

All of which are clear indications that they were in a sinful, unforgiven, and spiritually dead condition (John 3:19, John 12:37-41, Matt 23:37).  He knew the true condition of their hearts.  Although they may not recognize their own spiritual condition, He did.    

 

I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 

Because of their spiritual condition, they were bent towards rejecting the true Messiah and easily misled to follow a false prophet.  This is the condition of all lost mankind. It is only through the revelation of the Bible, in concert with the intervention of the Holy Spirit, that their spiritually blindness can be overcome (John 8:28-29, John 17:4-6, Heb 5:4-5, Matt 24:5,24) .     

   

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that [cometh] from God only? 

A mark of those who are false prophets from God is a desire to receive man’s honor and praise without desiring to glorify and please God in their lives. These perverted desires come from the reign of their sinful flesh over their thoughts and intents of their heart. (Matt 23:5, Phil 2:3, 1 Cor 4:5)

 

Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is [one] that accuseth you, [even] Moses, in whom ye trust. 

Christ will not have to accuse the lost before the Father, the word of God will be testimony enough to condemn them to eternal punishment.  They are held directly responsible for receiving His word and then following it.  If they do not take heed to the revelation about Jesus they will be held accountable by God the Father.  (Rom 3:19-20, Rom 7:9-14)

 

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.  But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

If someone believes the OT scripture then, based upon it’s revelation about Christ, they must believe Christ and His Words as well.  Why is this?  Because the OT undoubtedly reveals Christ as the Messiah sent from God with His message to do His works.  The Messiah of the OT is the God sent Prophet, Priest and King coming to save his people from their sins. (Gal 3:10, Gal 3:24, Luke 16:27-31)

 

For what purpose was this study? It was to, unquestioningly, reveal Jesus as the fulfillment of the OT promises of the Messiah and show each one of us our need of salvation.  That salvation is given through the grace of God as He intervenes in our life, gracing us with the ability to turn form our sins and place our faith in Him as our Lord and Savior.   

 

May the Lord bless our study of His Word.

 

If you have any questions about salvation you are welcome to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com.  I’ll be more than happy to answer any question you may have. 

 

Also, if you look at my blog page “How To Have A Relationship With God”.  On this page, you will find several blog entries explaining the way of salvation and important truths about salvation.

 

 
 
Please visit the “Settled In Heaven Ministries” homepage –
 
My Main Blog “Settled In Heaven” (updated twice weekly) – http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com
 
The following are other places you can find “Settled In Heaven” blog (updated once per month):
 
To see this lesson taught on video please go to my Video Blog at  http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven
 
If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com.    I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.
 
Take A Look At My Wife’s Artistic/Scriptural Devotion Blog http://alivewithchristart.blogspot.com
 
Follow my Squidoo Instructional Lens “Presenting God’s Grace” “The Solemn Obligation To Present the Doctrines of Grace to the Lost and Saved Alike” http://www.squidoo.com/presenting-gods-grace
 
May the Lord bless your study of His Word.  Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.” 

No comments:

Post a Comment