Messianic Foundations
Knowing how it all started, in this case, knowing the Jewish roots of the Christian faith, we can learn valuable lessons about our inheritance; teachings and blessings that help us interpret Scripture and determine God’s attitude on any given subject. There is a progressive continuity in the Bible, placed there for our benefit. Knowing and understanding what came first, and the steps in between, the spiritual illustrations serve to help us understand what came latter; not in a superfluous way, but with foundations steeped in antiquity.
In the broadest sense, God’s plan has always been about two kingdoms; one of life and light, the other about death and darkness. This is established “In the beginning.” What was the first miracle? “Let there be light!”
From the very beginning, exemplified in the first act of creation, light and darkness were separated, the two kingdoms were divided and the spiritual foundations were laid. Remarkable isn’t it? From the first moment of time, the biblical saga has been about two kingdoms!
Knowing the Jewish roots of the Christian faith, we can learn valuable lessons about our inheritance.
According to the Scriptures, the good news of Jesus was brought to the Gentile pagans for this specific reason, “… I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God” (Acts 26:17, 18 ).
Part of the richness that is imbedded in the Word is His revelation of these two kingdoms, and our relationship to a life of sanctification in the light, or our tumble into the temptations of flesh and darkness. Even the Torah—what is commonly referred to as the “Law”—is about light and darkness. In the Hebrew, torah is much more appropriately translated as instruction, or teaching. Through it, we learn what is of light and what is not. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life …” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
As stated earlier, hindsight is 20/20 only if you are willing to stop and examine with Spiritual eyes the rich history left to us. This series on Messianic Foundations, I pray, will be that stop, that respite in the Word which will open up new Spiritual vistas. Through the ensuing months, and should the Lord tarry, years, we will pursue the legacy that is ours to take hold of. Truly the prophet spoke, “In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you” (Zechariah 8:23).
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In the Next Issue:
Messianic Pictures in the Temple Sacrificial System
Category: Biblical Studies, Winter 1999
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