A Biblical Vision, Part I: Mastering the Old Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 7: Gent i l e I nc l us i on i n Ol d Tes tament Mes s i an i c Prophecy 133

V. Principles and Implications for Old Testament Study

Rev. 11.15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Jer. 16.19 O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth and say: “Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit. [20] Can man make for himself gods? Such are not gods!” [21] “Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the Lord.” Ps. 22.27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. Ps. 86.9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you,

How can the hope of the nation’s salvation transform our reading of the Old Testament?

A. Principles in our study of the Old Testament

1. The approach of Jesus’ explanation of Old Testament Messianic predictions concerning himself and the apostles’ commentary on what Jesus meant is elaborated throughout the Scripture.

2. The Old Testament witness to Christ and his Kingdom includes Gentile salvation and blessing.

3. The fullness of this meaning has now been made clear since the time of the apostles, that Gentiles are fellow heirs of the promise of Abraham by faith in the shed blood of Christ.

4. Old Testament Messianic prediction universalizes the promise of God , broadening the hope of Messiah from particular history of Israel to include all nations and peoples who will call on the name of the Lord.

B. Critical implications

1. The Old Testament cannot be viewed merely as the “Hebrew Scriptures” with no relevance or significance for Gentiles ; the Abrahamic promise, at its core, is a promise for the salvation of the nations.

O Lord, and shall glorify your name. Ps. 117.1-2 Praise the Lord, all

nations! Extol him, all peoples! [2] For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!

2. The stories, promises, and prophecies of the Old Testament Scriptures can be claimed as our own by faith in Jesus of Nazareth. We are the children of Abraham by faith in