How the Old and New Testaments Reveal God's Glory in Christ

Overview

The Old and the New Testaments shed a true light on each other. Eider of them is a revelation of the glory of God in Christ.

In the Old Testament He was:

Manifested to the patriarchs.
Symbolized in the sacrificial service.
Revealed by the prophets.

In the New Testament Christ is seen and understood in His:

True representation of the Father.
Life, atoning death, resurrection and Priestly ministry.
Manifestation by the Holy Spirit in the believers lives.

Jesus said of the Old Testament Scriptures: They are those which testify of Me (John 5:39). And it is no lesser truth for the New Testament.

So, the whole Bible tells of Christ. It begins with the first record of creation. (John 1:3).

Moreover, it continues with His closing promise to come for His people. He will live with them for eternity on the earth made new. (John 14:3; Revelation 21 – the entire chapter).

Disciples and apostles accepted Jesus upon the testimony of prophets over a period of centuries. And it was Christ that spoke to His people through the prophets. (Revelation 19:10; 1 Peter 1:10, 11).

So, they accepted Him as the Messiah, fulfilling many Old Testament prophecies. (Isaiah chapters 7, 53, 61; Micah chapter 5).

The Christian world has complete evidence through both the Old and the New Testament. In the one, pointing to a Saviour to come. And in the other, fulfilling the prophecies’ condition.

Thus types met the great Antitype. (Exodus, chapter 12; John 1:29; Revelation 13:8).

So, Christ has spoken to people in both testaments. He is speaking to us still by His Spirit and His providence.

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Table of contents

Two testaments of the two dispensations
- The evidence about the world’s Redeemer
- Type met Antitype
Working out the divine will in human salvation
- The law which Christ died to vindicate
- The standard of righteousness
Communicating truth (light) through His Spirit
- He will glorify Me
Covenant of love and faithfulness
- Establishing His covenant with the patriarchs
- The new covenant of the gospel
Conclusion

Two testaments of the two dispensations

Under the Old Testament dispensation, every important work was closely connected with the sanctuary. The typical sacrifices and offerings represented Christ.

He became as foretold the perfect offering for sinful humankind. So, Christ typified in the former dispensation is Christ revealed in the gospel dispensation.

Furthermore, the sacrificial offerings were established to impress upon people the truth that sin causes death.

Every time the life of a sacrificial offering was taken, they were reminded of something important. If there had been no sin, there would have been no death.

For example

For the wages of sin is death; But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23.
I had not known sin, but by the law. For I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Romans 7:7.
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law. For sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4.

Through the ages of idolatry and apostasy, the promise of the Messiah kept the hope. It was until the time came for Christ to make His first advent.

The Redeemer was seen in the sacrificial offering on every altar. From contrite hearts the prayer arose that God would accept their offerings as showing faith in the coming Saviour.

He has come and shed His blood as a sacrifice for the broken world. He does His final work now, as our High Priest in the sanctuary in heaven.

So, now it is the same, as it was in ancient times. The transgressor of God’s law can find pardon only through the merits of that blood. It is by exercising repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We rejoice today that our Saviour has come. So, the sacrifices of the former dispensation have given place to His perfect offering for sin. Once and for all. Hebrews 10:5-10.

Thus through divine enlightenment we know and understand God’s dealings with His people anciently.

Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary. Who is as great a God as our God. Psalm 77:13.

The evidence about the world’s Redeemer

The history of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as the Son of God cannot be fully demonstrated. The Old Testament evidence is essential for this demonstration.

It must be thoroughly understood to appreciate the plan of redemption. Thus the truth of the prophetic past brings out clearly the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament.

The miracles of Jesus are a proof of His divinity. But, the strongest proof that He is the world’s Redeemer is found in the prophecies of the Old Testament. This is when they are compared with the history of the New.

Jesus said to the religious leaders at His time:

Search the Scriptures. For in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me. John 5:39.

At that time there was no other Scripture than that of the Old Testament. Based on it, Jesus gave to some of His disciples proof of His:

Life and mission.
Suffering, death, and resurrection.

The Bible tells of this extensively in the New Testament book of Luke, chapter 24.

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:27.
And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures? Luke 24:32.

Thus Jesus settled the question of His identity. Moreover, that all that had occurred to Him was foretold by the inspired writers.

He didn’t do any miracle to evidence that He was the risen Redeemer of the world. But, He gave a clear explanation of the Old-Testament Scriptures.

Furthermore, in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, He underlined the importance of the prophecies:

If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead. Luke 16:31.

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Type met Antitype

It had happened with the death of God’s Son at Calvary’s cross.

As Jesus hung upon the cross and cried, It is finished, the veil of the temple was rented in twain from top to bottom. Matthew 27:51.

There were witnesses in the temple at the moment when He gave up the ghost. They beheld the veil, which was of a strong, heavy material to torn apart.

The place once filled with the presence of God was open to them to see it. So, the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary was no longer sacred.

Moreover, the priest was not able to slay the evening sacrifice. Type has met antitype in the death of God’s Son. The great sacrifice has been made.

Those have signified that the earthly sanctuary services were forever finished. God would no longer meet with priests in temples to accept their sacrifices.

Jesus had made an offering of Himself, once for all. (Hebrews 10:10). Additionally, if saved at all, we must believe in Him as the only offering for sin, as the Saviour of the world.

He took our nature of flesh and blood, that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Hebrews 2:14.

Thus a new and living way had been opened to the fallen humanity through the offering of the Son of God. (John 14:6; Hebrews 10:20).

The shed blood of Jesus was to be offered by Himself as our High Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary. He ever lives to make intercession for us. (Hebrews 4:14; Romans 8:34).

So, the ceremonial laws and instructions of the Mosaic dispensation were no longer binding. That which they shadowed forth had come to pass.

And those who were living under the gospel dispensation had been freed from their observance.

Working out the divine will in human salvation

The entire Bible demonstrates God’s love to humanity. Additionally, His desire to have everyone back with Him for eternity.

The Word of God is an everlasting truth as God Himself. God’s truth is the same in all ages. It is differently developed to meet the needs of people in various periods.

The embodiment of the eternal Word is God’s Divine Son – Jesus Christ. He enjoined His followers to teach the words He spoke in the Old Testament as well as in the New.

They are both sacred, for they both contain the words of Christ. All communication from heaven to earth since Adam’s fall has come through Him.

Jesus had imparted a knowledge of God to patriarchs, prophets, and apostles. The revelations of the Old Testament were sure unfoldings of the gospel.

Through the holy people of old, Christ labored for the salvation of fallen humanity. He came to the world with the same message of redemption from sin.

Jesus is God’s appointed way of human salvation. So, He is:

The promised deliverer in the first book of the Bible. God said unto the serpent, I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed. It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:14, 15.
The Lamb of God, who took the sin of the world, portrayed in the gospel. John 1:29.
King of King and Lord of Lords in the last Bible book, who will come again to take His people. Revelation 19:16.

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The law which Christ died to vindicate

The law spoken from Sinai is a transcript of God’s character. It is the expression of His will.

Moreover, it is by the Law of God that the sinners are convicted. They see their own sinfulness in contrast with the perfect righteousness which it enjoins. This leads them to humility and repentance.

They become reconciled to God through the blood of Christ. They continue to walk with God, gaining a clearer sense of His holy character. Thus they understand the spiritual nature of His requirements.

Through His infinite sacrifice, Christ has magnified and exalted the moral Law as the prophet Isaiah predicted. (Isaiah 42:21).

He has paid the debt of sinners’ transgression. Additionally, by His own example He has taught people how to keep the Law of God.

For example:

I have manifested thy name (character) unto men which thou gavest me out of the world. John 17:6.

I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. John 15:10.

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus has revealed the principles of God’s government. God is love and so, His Law is love. (1 John 4:8; Romans 13:10).

Moreover, He explicitly has declared the perpetuity of the moral Law. For instance:

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:17, 18.

Furthermore, in consideration of the claims of the Law, He stated:

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19.

Obedience to the Law of God was the only condition. Ancient Israel was to receive the fulfillment of His promises based on this obedience.

And not once Christ has stated that His coming destroyed the Law.

The standard of righteousness

We can understand the relation of Christ to the moral Law through the principle of righteousness.

No one can meet the demands of the Law of God in human strength alone. But, in Jesus, a remedy has been provided.

He is righteousness, sanctification, and redemption to those who believe in Him, and who follow in His steps. (1 Corinthians 1:30).

So, our righteousness is found in obedience to God’s Law through the merits of His Son (God’s righteousness).

He took upon Himself our nature, combining humanity with divinity. Jesus has manifested in His life the righteous character of God.

He set before us a perfect example of holy obedience to God’s Law. And through the apostle Paul we are encouraged:

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5.

Furthermore, through His infinite sacrifice the moral image of God may be restored to people. It is through willing obedience to all commandments of God.

Thus in the process of sanctification, Christ impart His righteousness to His followers. And they become partakers of the divine nature, as described by the apostle Peter. (2 Peter 1:4).

So, the gospel of the New Testament is not the Old Testament standard lowered, saving sinners in their sins.

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Communicating truth (light) through His Spirit

God gave the first promise of redemption as spoken in Eden. Since then, everyone through whom His Spirit has worked has presented this theme with new and unfolding truths.

They have undergone development and expansion in every age. They carry a message of God to the people of that generation. Alternatively, they have a future application.

For instance:

So I prophesied as I was commanded. Ezekiel 37:7.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man. But holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:21.

So, the old truths are all essential. The new truth is not independent of the old. All scriptures are inspired, reflecting God’s wisdom and are given out of His love.

God’s Word is His revelation to humanity. It is His will expressed by His inspired messengers throughout the ages.

For example:

For of a truth the Lord hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears. Jeremiah 26:15.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16.

The unifying theme of Scriptures is Jesus Christ – the Divine Son of God. He is the living Word who became flesh. As fully human, He lived according to His Word.

Jesus said, It is the spirit that quickeneth. The flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63.

During the ages, the Holy Spirit communicated light to individuals. It was before as it is now apart from the revelations to be embodied in the sacred Scriptures.

So, in harmony with the Word of God, His Spirit continues its work throughout the entire period of the gospel dispensation.

The Holy Spirit is Christ’s representative, working to enlighten, warn, and comfort the children of God.

He will glorify Me

The preaching and teaching of God’s Word is one of the means that God has ordained for diffusing the light of truth.

The Bible has a deeper meaning, which His Spirit only can reveal to you. When you study the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit speaks to your mind and impresses truth upon your heart.

For example:

Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6.
However when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth. And He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you. John 16:13, 14.

So, the Holy Spirit is the only effective teacher of divine truth. Only when the Spirit sets the truth home in the heart, the conscience is quickened and life is transformed.

It is by the Spirit of truth, working through the Word of God, that Christ’s followers abide in Him. Thus they reflect His light through their character and conduct.

Furthermore, the Spirit of God can make one a true channel of light. Before one book of the New Testament had been written, the Holy Spirit came upon the praying disciples.

Then the testimony of their opponents was:

Ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine. Acts 5:28.

So, it will be at the end of time. Those who are obedient to the promptings of God’s Spirit will proclaim His warning to the world. They follow the teachings of His Word.

They are those who had taken heed to the sure word of prophecy, the light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arose. 2 Peter 1:19.

The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him. And He will show them His covenant. Psalm 25:14.

So, it is of vital importance to pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Covenant of love and faithfulness

God the Father and His Son covenanted to redeem humankind if they were overcome by Satan’s deceptions. As members of the Godhead, they had done it even before the foundations of the earth were laid.

So, before this world was made, God and His beloved Son united in a pledge. Jesus would redeem the human species.

They were and are one in purpose and goals about humanity. Out of their love and goodness (their character), they devised and implemented the plan of human redemption. (John 3:16, 17; Romans 3:8; Galatians 2:20).

The inspired Scriptures show that all had been set in place beforehand. (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 3:9; 2 Timothy 1:9).

So, Revelation 13:8 describes Jesus as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Moreover, He became the Lamb of God who took the sin of our broken world. John 1:29.

The Father and the Son had fulfilled the terms of the everlasting covenant. They were faithful to themselves, humanity and the rest of the entire Universe.

Jesus Christ was not alone in His great sacrifice. The Father suffered with the Son the cruelty of sin, Satan and his instruments.

Thus the infinite Love (God) has paid the ultimate price to redeem His creation.

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Establishing His covenant with the patriarchs

God has made known to faithful patriarchs His plan to give a second chance to humanity. He shared His desire to free the world from sin with people from different ages. This message was conveyed in various forms.

Nevertheless, God clearly stated His part of the covenant and also for those who would accept it.

The first promise of Deliverer was given to Adam after the fall of our first parents. Thus in Eden, God promised that the seed of the woman would bruise the serpent’s head. (Genesis 3:16).

This covenant offered to all God’s pardon and grace on future obedience through faith in Christ. It also promised them eternal life on condition of fidelity to God’s immutable Law written in their hearts.

Furthermore, on Mount Moriah we see the son of promise (Isaac) as an unresistant victim, bound to the altar. (Genesis 22:9).

This was the symbol of the offering of the Son of God.

There, the covenant of blessing, the glorious Messianic promise, had been confirmed to Abraham. (Genesis 22:16-18). It was his obedience to God that unlocked the blessings.

So, the Lord chose Abraham, of whom He stated:

Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws. Genesis 26:5.

Thus the covenant made with Adam and renewed to Abraham was ratified by the death of Christ.

But, Abraham’s descendants adopted heathen practices, falling to apostasies. This was the cause of their sojourn and bondage in Egypt.

Another covenant was formed between God and His people at Sinai, after their exodus from Egypt. The Scripture calls it the old and was then ratified by the blood of a sacrifice.

So, the Abrahamic covenant is called new. Jesus’ blood which sealed it, was shed after the blood of the old covenant.

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The new covenant of the gospel

Christ had fulfilled His earthly mission. He completed the work of redemption. Upon the cross He cried out, It is finished. John 19:30. Thus His claim for His followers can be fulfilled:

Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am. John 17:24.

The covenant was established upon better promises. Hebrews 8:6. Upon the promise of:

Forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31; 1 John 1:9; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14).
The grace of God to renew the heart. (Ezekiel 36:26; Jeremiah 31:33, 34; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23; 2 Corinthians 12:9).
Bringing one into harmony with the principles of His Law. (love to Him and others). (Romans 13:10; Galatians 5:14; John 14:15).

So, it is all by the merits of the world’s Redeemer. Jesus is our atoning sacrifice, mediator of the new covenant and our High Priest in the Heavenly sanctuary. (1 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 12:24; Hebrews 4:14).

It is important to understand the relation between faith and the law under the new covenant. The apostle Paul states:

Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1, 2.
God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:3, 4.

The Son of God is He who:

Proclaimed the moral Law from Sinai, and delivered to Moses the instructions of the ceremonial law.
Spoke the Sermon on the Mount, expounding on the law of love.

So, the teacher is the same in both dispensations. He has set the principles of love to God and others as the foundation of the law and the prophets. And they are a reiteration of what He had spoken through Moses to the Hebrew people.

For all proceed from Him with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17.

Conclusion

The world’s redeemer Jesus Christ, the outshining of the Father’s glory, is the embodiment of the Old and New Testaments.

Christ stated that the truths of the Old Testament are as valuable as those of the New. So, one is not complete without the other. He was humanity’s redeemer in the beginning of the world as He is today.

The Old Testament, the sure word of prophecy, is the only key to unlock the New Testament Scriptures. Moreover to show that Jesus Christ revealed in the gospel is the Son of God, the long-expected Deliverer.

God has sent His Spirit into the world to bring all things to our remembrance. Moreover, He has preserved His written word through the ages.

So, read the Old and New Testaments with a contrite heart. Read them prayerfully and faithfully, pleading that the Holy Spirit will give you understanding.