Page 7 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

concerned with the theology of the text, not just the framework; the substance of the meaning, not just
the trivia of the medium. A reader could have absolute mastery of the storyline and be impacted not all
by the plotline. One could believe that the events took place, and the people were historical, but failing
to be impacted by the God of the Bible and his story would miss the point entirely. The compelling
reason to read the Bible is not to be found in the sweep of its narrative, but in reality, of the God who is
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revealed in its pages.

Progress of Redemption

From Genesis to Revelation, God in the Bible reveals a master plan to those who read the Bible. In
Genesis 3, mankind falls into sin and needed salvation. God planned to save mankind from sin even
before the fall of Adam in Genesis 3. God had a plan before He created the world. God is not only
sovereign over all, but He is omniscient; He knows everything, past, present, and future. He knew that if
He created Adam and gave him free will to obey or disobey, that Adam would choose to disobey and
that the entire race of man would inherit nature to rebel from Adam. Adam’s rebellion would pass to all
his children and their children, bringing pain and suffering into the creation. Romans 5: 12 puts it this
way:

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through

sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned!

In knowing this ahead of time, why would God then create the stars, planets, and specifically Earth and
populate it with plants, animals, and mankind? There must be a plan! God’s plan is described as the
mystery which is revealed progressively to mankind in the Bible. The Old Testament is the history of the
revealed plan to promise a coming Messiah who would offer salvation to all mankind.

Matthew 13:34-35 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them
without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in
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parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”

Romans 16:25-27 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching
of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has
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now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according
to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith

Romans 11:34 tells us that no person can know the mind of God. We cannot understand the concept of
eternity! We cannot imagine the mind of God who spoke all of what we see created with tremendous
complexity. So, the only way we can remotely begin to understand God’s mind is for Him to reveal His
plan to us.

Throughout the Old Testament, God over time unfolds His plan to redeem mankind from sin. God
Himself, as an expression of His eternal love, would come to earth and pay the penalty for the sins of
mankind. A Messiah would come and would be the central theme of the prophecies of the Old
Testament. The prophets in the Old Testament foretold of his place of birth, that he would be born of a
virgin and would come through the lineage of David. On the next page is listed 44 prophecies in the Old
Testament that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

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