I would like to begin this evening with a quote from Lewis Sperry Chafer
"We understand from the written Word of God that there is one supreme purpose which actuates (motivates) God in all He has done, or will do, from the beginning of creation to the farthest reaches of eternity, whether it is in Heaven or on earth.
For this one purpose angels were created; so also the material universe and man, and though hidden behind an unfathomable mystery, we know that even sin was permitted and redemption was provided with a view to the realization of this supreme purpose.
This supreme purpose is the Glory of God.
Since the Bible is God's message to man, its supreme purpose is His supreme purpose; which is that He may be glorified."
- Lewis Sperry Chafer
The Bible is a supernatural book.
When we take the time to examine the evidence, we will discover that the Bible is the Word of God!
There is no other book in the world that can compare to the Bible in terms of accuracy and credibility.
And tonight I want to present you with some, just a smidge, of that evidence in hopes that it will help and motivate us to be able to defend the hope that lies with us, that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Evidence from science indicates that the whole earth was originally covered by water.
Genesis 1:9 tells us that:
As the mountain ranges were raised, and the ocean beds were deepened, dry land appeared in the form of islands and continents surrounded by seas and oceans. (Genesis 1:9)
The Bible made this clear thousands of years before science did.
Then in Genesis 1:11:
The Bible states that as soon as the dry land appeared, plants, grasses, shrubs, and trees also began to appear. (Genesis 1:11)
These plants, grasses, shrubs, and trees still reproduce themselves faithfully to this day.
Thousands of years before telescopes were invented, and before the study of astronomy, in Genesis 1:14-16:
The Bible states the purpose of the sun, the moon, and the stars.
The Bible states that the sea would be filled with fish, and the air would be filled with birds that were called into being in Genesis 1:20.
The seas today are still full of fish that God created, and the air is still filled with the birds that He created.
And I am giving you chapter and verse here, so that you can go and check this out for yourselves…
On the same note, in verses 24-25 of Genesis 1:
The Bible states that the land would be inhabited by the different species of animals which God created such as, reptiles, mammals, domestic animals, etc,.. (Genesis 1:24-25).
Furthermore Genesis 1:27-28
The Bible states that God created humans, male and female, and that they would multiply to the point where they would populate the whole earth and exercise dominion over all the other living creatures upon it. (Genesis 1:27-28)
Humans are still here today, male and female, just as God created them.
They, we, have multiplied to the point where they populate the whole earth and exercise dominion over all the other living creatures upon it.
The Bible tells us this was revealed to Moses back in the 15th century B.C.
There are so many facts of nature found in the Bible.
We could go on and on with this information but it is all covered in our book – Do you Believe that the Bible is the Word of God? Written by: Pastor Robert R. McLaughlin.
The Bible states that the sea would be filled with fish, and the air would be filled with birds that were called into being in Genesis 1:20.
The Bible states that the land would be inhabited by the different species of animals which God created such as, reptiles, mammals, domestic animals, etc,.. (Genesis 1:24-25).
The Bible states that God created humans, male and female, and that they would multiply to the point where they would populate the whole earth and exercise dominion over all the other living creatures upon it. (Genesis 1:27-28)
The Bible tells us this was revealed to Moses back in the 15th century B.C.
Do you Believe that the Bible is the Word of God? Written by: Pastor Robert R. McLaughlin.
DLG ~ Samantha Medeiros
We are going to start looking at why there are certain prophecies and also signs of the times that are given to the Church-age believer.
The word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit,
and of the joints and the marrow, and is a critic of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
all scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
so that the man or woman of God may become mature, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
ROM 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
"Study to show yourselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Turn in the word of truth this evening to 1CO 12
We begin this evening with four reasons concerning the subject of prophecy.
TIT 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;
- WHY we have prophecy.
- WHERE the prophecies are that God predicted in the Old Testament.
- HOW He predicted them and fulfilled them.
- The ROLE of prophecy and the illustrations God gives us to see the accuracy and preciseness of His prophecies.
First of all, the first question: 1. WHY God predicted them.
1CO 1:22 For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom;
JOH 4:48 "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe."
- Note WHERE the prophecies are that God predicted in the Old Testament.
- Note HOW He predicted them and HOW they were fulfilled.
- Note the ROLE of prophecy and the illustrations God gives us to see the accuracy and preciseness of His prophecies.
The prophecy was given on March 14 of the year 445 B.C. and we are told that in 173,880 days from the day the prophecy was given that TLJC would fulfill it, perfectly and precisely...and He did.
Again first of all, the first question: WHY God predicted them.
And that was easily answered for us with passages such as 1CO 1:22 which says For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom;
We are headed toward some biblical prophecies which are phenomenal and have been totally precisely and accurately fulfilled.
All of which are amazing to me.
But do you know what is even more amazing to me, and always will be?
It is not so much that the prophecy has already been fulfilled, but even more than that;
It is the fact that There are believers who I know of right now, who do not realize why it is that Peter, Paul and John, and even other men of God, have taught us why it is so important to learn about prophecy.
And even though these principles are true, I can honestly say that I am saddened by the fact that some believers whom I love, are missing the whole point of prophecy.
Now, when it comes to divine prophecy I need to remind you of a few passages the apostle Paul taught us about such as ROM 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Or in passages like 1Co 10:6 Now these things happened as examples for us, that we should not crave evil things, as they also craved.
I am truly saddened by the fact that there are some believers who do not realize why we study the doctrines concerning prophecy. There are always people out there who just want to prove you wrong… Im not talking about beleivers among us, we have the crème of the crop here at gbible, gbc… so this isn’t a message to condemn anyone this is just to really learn and dissect what we believe so that we can defend our Lord Jesus Christ and His word.
And the best way to do that is to learn together and that is what we do here in this ministry.
As the apostle Paul said to the Corinthian church; 1CO 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
Being "with you in spirit" is a biblical principle that began in the early church.
For example, many of the books that were written to the churches were written to believers who were in a non face-to-face situation.
Even though the Roman Catholic church likes to claim as the first pope in Rome, we are told by church history that Peter was never in Rome.
Also the apostle John was never in Ephesus though he taught the church at Ephesus.
Then we have what is known as the prison Epistles such as Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon where Paul taught all of them from Rome where he was in prison.
These churches were taught by letters from Paul and he wrote more than one.
You see, even in the early church, there were individuals who pastored certain churches in a non face-to-face location. Isn’t that so awesome!
This is so we can apply and fulfill passages like 1CO 12:13- 27.
Please turn with me there if not already
1CO 12:13 which says For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
1CO 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.
1CO 12:15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.
1CO 12:16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.
1CO 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?
1CO 12:18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
1CO 12:19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
1CO 12:20 But now there are many members, but one body.
1CO 12:21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
1CO 12:22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;
1CO 12:23 and those members of the body, which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our unseemly members come to have more abundant seemliness,
1CO 12:24 whereas our seemly members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked,
1CO 12:25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.
1CO 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
1CO 12:27 Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.
Even as Jason mentioned on Sunday, how important the body of Christ is as it relates to the Lord's supper as 1Co 10:15-17. – I have this one on the board for us:
1Co 10:15 I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say.
1CO 10:16 Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?
1CO 10:17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.
EPH 4:1 says I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
EPH 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love,
EPH 4:3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
EPH 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
As the apostle Paul said in Rom 15:1-4, Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.
ROM 15:2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.
ROM 15:3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, " The reproaches of those who reproached Thee fell upon Me."
ROM 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
He said in GAL 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
Then in GAL 6:9-10, Paul wrote, Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
The sad thing is that some believers are simply so self-centered that they do not live in what the apostle Paul said in PHI 2:3-5; Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself;
PHI 2:4-5; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.PHI 2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
Now, it's one thing not to want to participate in a ministry that is dedicated for the unity of the brethren, if you have a legitimate reason, but it is another when you mock and ridicule those who do.
By the way, GAL 4:16 Have I therefore become your enemy by telling you the truth?
Listen, I don't have anything to prove by speaking here and working alongside my dad, I just enjoy doing it and the only reason I even mention it tonight, and it will be the last time – trust me, is because it fits right into our subject of prophecy, which is the fact that God didn't have to prove Himself, He just did it because of love.
For as the Word of God says; JOH 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
I feel sorry for those who miss out on what David said in PSA 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
Or how about what Solomon said in ECC 4:9-12; Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.
ECC 4:11-12, Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
Now, I would like to tell those of you who are ambassadors of Christ, why TLJC uses prophecy which is the fact that many times it has to do with those of us who care about others.
Many times, we learn these things for others so that 2Ti 2:15, we can study to show ourselves approved unto God.
Look how the apostle Paul said the same thing we have been noting in 2Co 1.
2CO 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;
2CO 1:4 who comforts us in all our affliction [WHY] so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the VERY SAME comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2CO 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
2CO 1:6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;
Believe it or not, but this is one of the main reasons why God uses prophecy which is to reveal His validity, or His truth.
And so now that we answered why our Lord predicted and fulfilled prophecy; let's look at the next three principles with regard to prophecy:
Next, let us note 2. WHERE the prophecies are that God predicted in the Old Testament.
Now, we begin with the fact that we have noted many times in passages in the N.T., such as Eph 3:1-6; Col 1:25-27; Rom 16:25-26, which all make it crystal clear that the church was a mystery and was not known in the O.T.
For example, take EPH 3:3-4, Paul says that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
EPH 3:5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
Then we read in COL 1:25-27, Of this church [CA] I was made a minister according to the dispensation from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,
COL 1:26-27, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Or in ROM 16:25-26, Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,
ROM 16:26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith;
The Church, therefore, could not have been in view in the O.T. Prophecy concerning the Tribulational period which is about to come upon the whole earth.
And as we have been noting - there can be no question that this period will see the wrath of God poured out upon the whole earth.
REV 3:10 calls it "that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth."
Isaiah says that time will be a time of the Lord's indignation,
Please turn to Isaiah 34, verse 1 with me
Notice what Isaiah says in ISA 34:1 Draw near, O nations, to hear; and listen, O peoples! Let the earth and all it contains hear, and the world and all that springs from it.
ISA 34:2 For the Lord's indignation is against all the nations, And {His} wrath against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to slaughter.
ISA 34:3 So their slain will be thrown out, And their corpses will give off their stench, And the mountains will be drenched with their blood.
ISA 34:4 And all the host of heaven will wear away, And the sky will be rolled up like a scroll; All their hosts will also wither away As a leaf withers from the vine, Or as {one} withers from the fig tree.
Please go backward to Isaiah 24
Isaiah also described this even more back in ISA 24:1 where he states; Behold, the Lord lays the earth waste, devastates it, distorts its surface, and scatters its inhabitants.
ISA 24:2 And the people will be like the priest, the servant like his master, the maid like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the creditor like the debtor.
ISA 24:3 The earth will be completely laid waste and completely despoiled, for the Lord has spoken this word.
ISA 24:4 The earth mourns {and} withers, the world fades {and} withers, the exalted of the people of the earth fade away.
ISA 24:5 The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant.
ISA 24:6 Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty. Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left.
And therefore, look at verse 16, of ISA 24
ISA 24:16 From the ends of the earth we hear songs, "Glory to the Righteous One," But I say, "Woe to me! Woe to me! Alas for me! The treacherous deal treacherously, And the treacherous deal very treacherously."
ISA 24:17 Terror and pit and snare Confront you, O inhabitant of the earth.
ISA 24:18 Then it will be that he who flees the report of disaster will fall into the pit, And he who climbs out of the pit will be caught in the snare; For the windows above are opened, and the foundations of the earth shake.
ISA 24:19 The earth is broken asunder, The earth is split through, The earth is shaken violently.
ISA 24:20 The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard, And it totters like a shack, For its transgression is heavy upon it, And it will fall, never to rise again.
ISA 24:21 So it will happen in that day, That the Lord will punish the host of heaven, on high, And the kings of the earth, on earth.
ISA 24:22 And they will be gathered together {Like} prisoners in the dungeon, And will be confined in prison; And after many days they will be punished.
ISA 24:23 Then the moon will be abashed and the sun ashamed, For the Lord of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, And {His} glory will be before His elders.
This is the future of planet earth.
However, it is not our future.
Many other passages make that crystal clear as well!
For example, JER 30:7 says 'Alas! for that day is great, There is none like it; And it is the time of Jacob's distress, But he will be saved from it."
Now, what does the phrase, "the time of Jacob's distress" mean?
Jacob represents Israel, remember that Jacob's name was changed to Israel in GEN 32:28.
In Fact in Gen 32:24 notice when and why Jacob's named was changed to Israel.
Gen 32:24 Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
Now, if we had time to compare scripture you would see that The individual described as "a man" was literally TLJC in a Theophany form.
GEN 32:25 And when he saw that He had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob's thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him.
GEN 32:26 Then he said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking." But he said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."
GEN 32:27 So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob."
GEN 32:28 And he said, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven or wrestled with God and with men and have prevailed."
And how do we know that this was God or TLJC, we know that because The Bible says that the Lord Jesus Christ was the only visible member of the Trinity, according to Joh 1:18, 6:46; 1Ti 6:16?
Because in GEN 32:29, we read GEN 32:29Then Jacob asked him and said, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And he blessed him there.
GEN 32:30 So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved."
So, there are two reasons why this was Jacob wrestling with TLJC.
- Because the man or the individual had the authority to bless Jacob, verse 29.
So, Jacob represents Israel and as the prophet Jeremiah said Jer 30:7 'Alas! for that day is great, There is none like it; And it is the time of Jacob's distress, But he [Jacob or Israel, that is true Israel] will be saved from it."
So this is time of Israel's distress not the church of Jesus Christ.
And Jer 30:7 says this period is particularly called the time of Jacob's trouble and Jacob refers to Israel.
The most vividly portrayed prophesy in the Bible is that of the birth, life, and death of the Messiah.
Time and again, these prophesies of the Old Testament were fulfilled, yet the Jewish people didn’t recognize, or didn't accept them when they occurred.
Consider the odds of the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilling the prophecy of the Cross in the Jewish Bible, and yet the Jewish people did not believe in Him.
Just to clarify the evidence that they, the Jews, had before them, we will be taking a look at.
We will challenge our own selves - with an in-depth look at some of the Old Testament prophesies over the course of the next few weeks.
This is all in preparation for when pastor gets back behind the pulpit to continue with our most current rapture series.
In the “roll of the book,” that is, the Old Testament Scriptures, it is written.
All the Old Testament prophecies, which were hundreds or even thousands of years old at the time of Christ, were verified in the accounts of the apostles, and even secular historians, such as Josephus.
Therefore, There is so much undeniable proof written in the “roll of the book” to validate that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.
As well as the supreme inerrancy of the Bible as the Word of God.
And I just want to leave you with one passage of prophecy within the “roll of the Book”
PSA 40:6 Sacrifice and meal offering Thou hast not desired; My ears Thou hast opened; Burnt offering and sin offering Thou hast not required.
PSA 40:7 Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me;
PSA 40:8 I delight to do Thy will, O my God; Thy Law is within my heart. "
PSA 40:7 Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me;
This statement implies that David is available to the Lord for the performance of His will.
The Psalms often refer to God's written Word as the source of wisdom and truth (Psalm 12:6; 40:8).
The reference here to scrolls and book is the same: a mention of the written Scriptures.
David was ready to do God's will, and he perceived that God's will was presented in these writings.
That comment also points us prophetically to Jesus, who fulfilled every Scripture that identified Him as God's obedient servant.
His life from conception to crucifixion and resurrection was prophesied in the Old Testament.
He Jesus was the prophesied Messiah, who was obedient to God's will in all things, including His sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).
In John 8:29 Jesus asserted,
John 8:29 "And He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."
The book of Hebrews cites this verse, PSA 40:7, as part of an explanation of Jesus' role as Savior (Hebrews 10:5–7).
PSA 40:8 I delight to do Thy will, O my God; Thy Law is within my heart. "
This too is connected to the verses cited in Hebrews 10:5–7, which applied this passage to Jesus the Messiah.
As do many New Testament citations, this uses the Septuagint translation, in Greek.
Phrasings between that and the Old Testament Hebrew are often different.
The Hebrews reference shows that God's ultimate intent for our salvation involved a physical body, fulfilled in that of Jesus Christ (Psalm 40:6).
This Psalm emphasizes the fact that the Lord delivers those who wait on Him and commit themselves to His will.
Hebrews 10:5–9 quotes the Greek version of Psalm 40:6–8 and applies the passage to Jesus the Messiah.
Lets take a look at HEB 10:5-9
HEB 10:5 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, “Sacrifice and offering Thou hast not desired, But a body Thou hast prepared for Me;
HEB 10:6 In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast taken no pleasure.
HEB 10:7 "Then I said, 'Behold, I have come (In the roll of the book it is written of Me) To do Thy will, O God.'"
HEB 10:8 After saying above, "Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast not desired, nor hast Thou taken pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the Law),
HEB 10:9 then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Thy will." He takes away the first in order to establish the second.
HEB 10:5 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, “Sacrifice and offering Thou hast not desired, But a body Thou hast prepared for Me;
A recurring theme in the book of Hebrews is the use of Old Testament quotations.
The writer is making it very clear that The message of the New Testament is not a rejection of the Old, or a claim that Judaism was wrong.
Instead, The point of the old covenant was to foreshadow the new covenant.
The physical objects and rituals were meant to explain mankind's need for a single, perfect sacrifice.
The repeated rituals, the use of human priests, and even the construction of the temple were all meant to demonstrate or to foreshadow this truth (Hebrews 9:8–10).
To support this idea, the writer has shown how God, in His word, has promised this new covenant, which is fulfilled completely in Jesus Christ.
The point of this new covenant is not a repetitive, temporary sacrifice.
Like the priest would do annually in the OT.
It is not about delaying judgment or dealing with ceremony.
Instead, The new covenant is meant to be a permanent, personal cleansing from sin (Hebrews 8:7–13). No more sacrificing…
In verses 5, 6, and 7 of Hebrews 10, the author quotes from Psalm 40:6–8, once again appealing to the Old Testament to prove this was, in fact, God's plan all along.
Prophecy!
Again, this quotation is interesting because the writer of Hebrews quotes from the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures.
For this reason, Hebrews 10:5 and Psalm 40:6 are often phrased differently, in English, in the same translation.
The ESV, for instance, translates Psalm 40:6 as "you have given me an open ear." The KJV makes a similar choice.
NASB PSA 40:6 Sacrifice and meal offering Thou hast not desired; My ears Thou hast opened; Burnt offering and sin offering Thou hast not required.
The literal Hebrew phrasing in Psalm 40:6 refers to God "digging ears" for the Psalmist.
This seems to be A Hebrew idiom which implies God forming ears which allowed a person to receptively hear His Word.
This also implies the idea, which we know is true, that God is the One who has fashioned the body of the speaker.
The Septuagint translator, as quoted by the writer of Hebrews, seems to have emphasized the latter aspect of the idiom.
The point referenced from the Old Testament, then, is that God has "digged ears," or "dug ears," or "given open ears," or "created the body" of the person speaking.
The Lord has "dug out," or "opened," or "created" the ears of David so he can hear from God.
HEB 10:6 In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast taken no pleasure.
The real resolution for sin came in the form of Jesus Christ, who offered a single, once for all payment for sin.
This particular Old Testament quotation supports the idea that God's plan for our redemption was never meant to lie in burnt offerings or animal sacrifices.
Instead, God's intent revolved around the creation of a body—a veiled reference to the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
Just as God made the ears (and body) of the Psalmist in order for him to do the will of God, so did God intend to fulfill His plan through the body of the Messiah, not through offerings.
HEB 10:7 "Then I said, 'Behold, I have come (In the roll of the book it is written of Me) To do Thy will, O God.'"
This, according to the writer, is part of God's intention; We were meant to look for a single, once-for-all sacrifice, and this is what Christ provided (Hosea 6:6).
As in earlier passages, the writer of Hebrews provides Old Testament quotations to prove his point.
Again - This emphasizes the claim that these are not new ideas—this is exactly what God has always promised.
God is setting aside offerings, and instead performing His will through a human body.
This, according to the book of Hebrews, is part of why we know God intended animal sacrifices as a temporary measure—a shadow or symbol—and planned, ultimately, to use the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to solve our problem of sin.
And then we have verse 9 of HEB 10:
HEB 10:9 then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Thy will." He takes away the first in order to establish the second.
This verse is meant to draw a direct contrast between two things.
In this case, they are the ideas mentioned in Psalm 40:6–8.
The point, so says the writer of Hebrews, is that God specifically intends to "set aside" sacrifice, instead highlighting the earthly performance of His will.
That meshes with the other Old Testament quotations, the prophecies, which have been given to prove that God has always intended for a new covenant to come.
The old covenant's sacrifices, then, were only meant to be symbolic of the "real" resolution for our sin, which came through the incarnation and death of Jesus Christ.
Well all of this has led us to cover some of the most amazing astonishing prophecy found in the Word of God and we will begin Sunday morning with a study of 29 Prophecies and Fulfillments.
Where will look at our 3rd principle:
- HOW He predicted them and fulfilled them.