We are the beneficiaries of the promise God made to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him. He is the only Old Testament Character Scripture says was introduced to the gospel in advance (GAL 3:8). If anyone was ever a religious fanatic, it was Abraham. If anyone ever had an excuse to disobey God, it was Abraham. He knew that when God speaks, you had better listen and obey.
It was hard enough to take his wife, servants, household belongings, and livestock through the wilderness, over the mountains and across the rivers to a land he had never seen. It was tough to be told by heaven's messengers, they would have a son in their old age and have to wait years and years while they grew older and older. But to kill this son on the altar, they had waited for so long, the very one that was to start the propagation of their descendants until they were as numerous as the stars . . . what kind of logic was that?
God's ways don't always make sense to mortals, but Abraham reasoned that the Creator could raise Isaac from the dead. No wonder he is called the father of the faithful!
This account serves as a preview of the cross. Abraham offered his only son of promise on the same mountain that God offered his only son. The ram caught in the thicket served as a substitute for Isaac, just as Christ is a substitute for us. God swore by himself that he would keep his promise because Abraham was willing to offer his son.
On that black day when the sun refused to shine, earthquakes shook the ground, the curtain in the temple was torn into, and people were raised from the dead to walk the streets . . . the lambs had been slaughtered, the same as always. They didn't realize that the real sacrifice was the one on the cross, between two thieves.
All the different sacrifices they offered for thousands of years were just substitutes for a substitute. They were substitutes until Christ was available to die to forgive their sins, He in turn was a substitute for us and them. Hebrews 9:15 states that for this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free, from the sins committed under the first covenant.
The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin, but God forgave them anyway, and charged their sins to Christ, looking forward to the cross. The people of the Old Testament knew nothing about the gospel, but since Jesus' blood redeemed them as it does us, they were a part of the gospel too. They just had a different law. Their gospel was to keep the law of Moses.
You have permission to publish this freely provided you don't charge for it, and you keep the resource box intact. It would be appreciated if you notify me when you do at lynn_b2@yahoo.com.
Lynn Bradley is the author of, "Climbing the Heavenly Stairs." Find out who this Jesus really is. Learn the role the Holy Spirit has in our salvation. Be aware that the church is a hospital for sinners. Learn how to fit in with your congregation. Find out how to restore your faith. Delve into the mystery of mountain moving faith. Read excerpts from the book by clicking on the following link. http://www.thelynnbradleybook.com
best cleaning company Highland Park ..The concept of integrity has arisen often in discussions of... Read More
Everyone is busy nowadays. It's hard to find time for... Read More
Irish myth has the power to transform your life into... Read More
God made humans in his image but these days very... Read More
The question isn't, "Is there life after death."Rather, the question... Read More
We know that David did much to stabilize the Kingdom... Read More
The deeper beauty of spring is its process. In winter's... Read More
There is light at the end of the tunnel, but... Read More
Most of us are familiar with the inner criticism and... Read More
Baptism and christening ceremonies are an important event that signifies... Read More
Because of the bright lights behind me, the golf balls... Read More
Has America known its finest hour? Are we losing our... Read More
ADDICTION: - There are numerous obsessions and addictions which prevent... Read More
In the last 2 weeks or so, I have been... Read More
Do you spend your time working towards that "one day... Read More
An etheric body, also known as the aura, surrounds every... Read More
I know eyebrows are probably raising about now, but let... Read More
Those living on the highest levels of life have learned... Read More
Behold, a certain young maiden did often times and at... Read More
Almost every spiritual and religious teaching exhorts its followers to... Read More
About a month ago I opened up my bible in... Read More
"I resolve to speak ill of no man?and proper occasions... Read More
Journal ExpressionsIf you haven't already done so, please start keeping... Read More
It is life, time for breathing deep, sighs and touching... Read More
Every workday, five days a week, I take the light... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..It was in the middle of the night and the... Read More
Do you want victory in your life? Do you have... Read More
Do you ever feel that what you read in some... Read More
What the Animals Tell Us"I am the Sun's son. I... Read More
I once read a story about a Catholic priest who... Read More
I was originally brought up Catholic, at the insistence of... Read More
Humanity is entering a very critical time in its path... Read More
Imagine the Bible is a sharp and deadly double-edged sword,... Read More
Karen was the name of the reception person, who sat... Read More
All of my life I had heard, read and sang... Read More
You know that the Bible tells us a lot about... Read More
(Channelled)Roy, what a marvellous job you are doing on your... Read More
Within every obstacle there is an equivalent or greater benefit.~Napoleon... Read More
As a Psychiatrist I spent most of my life training... Read More
There was a time in my life when I seriously... Read More
We, the human species, stand on the threshold of a... Read More
Lately In my email newsletters (available for FREE at http://www.ChristThroughMe.com... Read More
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the... Read More
Originating in what is now modern India; Tantra is at... Read More
Many of us are on an inward or outward path-to... Read More
You are a spiritual being. You recognize something in you... Read More
It has long been surmised that emotional trauma can lead... Read More
Do you have a dream, but are waiting for "just... Read More
In Corrogue I am finding it's a wonderful life.Let me... Read More
It will all be clear in a minute, but first... Read More
Spirituality |