In the Old Testament as in the New, the saints had to be justified by faith in the promise of the forgiveness of sins given for Christ’s sake. Since the beginning of the world, all the saints have had to believe that Christ would be the offering and satisfaction for sin, as Is. 53:10 teaches, “When He makes Himself an offering for sin.”—Ap XXIV:55
I believe it is important to realize that salvation by faith in the Old Testament is not due to the Mosaic Covenant, but the Covenant with Abraham. This Covenant is a one-sided one, just as the New Covenant. Abraham was asleep at the Covenant ceremony, so only God took on its obligations, just as in the New Covenant (the Gospel), God says, Jeremiah 31:33-34," But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord, 'I will put my law (Torah, not the Ten Commandments, GAM) within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more."
ReplyDeletePeace and Joy!
George A. Marquart