Old and New Testaments Equally Important

, seh,mgh

This Article: (4 Pages)

1) Jesus ( Yahshua) Relies on the Prophets

The Christian world relies largely on the writings of the New Testament. Jesus, in His ministry, stressed the importance of the writings of the Old Testament. Jesus accused the leaders of the Jews, who were the scribes and Pharisees, of failing to acknowledge and believe the writings of the prophets. In Luke 16: 31, Jesus rebuked them.

“If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Jesus established the importance that He placed on the writings of the prophets in the Old Testament as seen in His reference to Moses.

“If ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me.” (John 5: 46)

Further statements by Jesus recorded in Luke's gospel reinforce this principle.

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem and all things that are WRITTEN by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished.” (Luke 18; 31) “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken…and beginning at Moses and ALL the Prophets, He expounded unto them in ALL the scriptures the things concerning Himself.(Luke 24: 25-27)

The Messiah, then, was proof of the prophets. Jesus is stating emphatically that the prophets were right about His death and resurrection. When he referred to their leaders as 'fools', the word has the sense of not using one's intelligence. If they were familiar with the writing of the prophets of Israel and had analysed the events that they saw related to Jesus, they should have realised that Jesus was the promised Messiah. The works that he performed and the time period according to Daniel's prophecy all indicated that he was the Son of God.

It is very clearly demonstrated that Jesus taught and instructed His disciples from the writings of the prophets. It logically follows that we must take His words seriously and consider the example that He set for the disciples and by deduction this applies to us also. Would it be wise to only accept some of the writings of the Prophets and neglect the rest? oesn’t that word ALL in Luke 24: 25-27, referred to above, in the statement, “slow of heart to believe ALL that the prophets have spoken,” suggest that we need to examine closely what the prophets have written? Not just some of it, but all of it?

2) The Disciples Taught from the Prophets

In the book of Acts, the records of the work of Jesus’ Disciples’ preaching, clearly show their reliance on the writings of the Prophets, and they repeatedly refer to them. Peter in Acts 3: 18-25 gives us a clear example of this. In Acts 3: 21, he says that Jesus is the one referred to by the prophets.

He whom the heaven must receive until the times of 'restitution' of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”

The interesting phrase here is the “restitution of all things” and the comment that “all” the prophets spoke of these things. He goes on to say that all those who do not heed the prophets will be “destroyed.” Peter here refers to a restoration of certain things, which can be discovered in the writings of the Prophets. Another interesting instance of reliance on the prophets is when Philip in Acts 8: 32-35, taught the Eunuch from the prophecy of Isaiah.

The Prophets wrote of the Messiah and Israel

Paul makes many references to the Covenant or Promises that God made to Abraham and that were repeated to Isaac, Jacob and David, and then extended to the Gentiles, as seen in such places as Acts 13: 26 and Galatians 3 .

In Acts 15: 15-17, Peter again emphasized the importance of an understanding of the Prophets.

As it is written, after this I will return and build again the Tabernacle of David which is fallen down and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; that the residue of men might seek after the Lord and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called.

It is interesting to note that Peter speaks of the Temple of David, not Solomon’s temple. At that time in history, Jerusalem and the Temple had not been destroyed by the Roman armies. Desolation and destruction were prophesied, but these were to be followed by restoration. This is the concept again of “restitution” and of rebuilding. This is a constant theme in the prophetic writings.

In Acts 17: 2, Paul reasoned with them out of the scriptures in Thessalonica. Only the Old Testament writings were available at that point in time, as the New Testament had not as yet been written. The Bereans (Acts 17: 11) searched the scriptures, namely the prophets, thoroughly, on a daily basis and this is presented to us as an admirable example for the faithful to follow.

In Acts 28:23, we read that Paul expounded and testified of the Kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, “both out of the Law of Moses and out of the prophets from morning until evening.” Obviously Paul’s instruction was extensive and thorough and out of the prophets.

The Prophets wrote of the Destiny of Israel and the Nations

The Prophets not only wrote and prophesied of the Messiah’s death and resurrection, but also of the Kingdom of God, the destiny of Israel and the other nations. A lot of what the Prophets wrote about has never come to pass, but will come to pass. If Jesus gave his followers the advice to place importance on the Prophets, it seems to automatically follow that we should also take heed to their writings. It would be unwise to discard and ignore so much of what they have written. There are so many references made by the Apostles to the Prophets, that the warning is clear. We ignore the message of the Prophets to our peril.

In Isaiah 43: 9-12, the Lord says of Israel, “Ye are my witnesses.” The nation of Israel, despite their alienation from God, stand as a sign of the Truth and Promises of the Bible. Men are always looking for signs and miracles, as confirmation of the veracity of God’s existence and truth of the Bible, but there can be no greater miracle than the survival of Israel and its revival as a modern nation. It has survived despite relentless persecution and attempts to annihilate the Jewish race by such nations as the Romans, the Russians and their pogroms against the Jews and Hitler and the Holocaust of World War 2. Romans 11 deals extensively with Israel. Romans 11:1 begins with the question, “Hath God cast away his people?” The answer is “No!” Romans 11: 25 states that “blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” When will this occur? Luke provides the answer. In Luke 21: 24, Jesus prophesied what would happen to the nation of Israel.

Israel shall fall by the edge of the sword and shall be led away captive into all nations. Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Since 1967, Jerusalem has been in the control of the Jews, for the first time in almost 2000 years and this is significant for us today as it fulfills Jesus' prophecy and endorses the many references in the prophecies of the Old Testament.

The Prophets stated that Jews would be Scattered and Regathered

If we search the prophets, we find that they all write about a regathering of the Jews, in the last days, out of all nations into which they have been dispersed. This is a constant theme in the prophets. In the prophecy of Isaiah, the return of the Jews to the land of Israel is mentioned many times.

The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob unto the mighty God.(Isaiah 10: 21)

Isaiah 56: 7-8 builds on this by referring to the 'House of Prayer for all people' when “The Lord God who gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, yet will I gather others to him.” In Isaiah 61:4 it is recorded that Israel “shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.”

This world's present generation would have to stand in the privileged position of witnessing these amazing events fulfilling prophecy. Jeremiah also makes frequent references to the return of the Jews to their traditional homeland.

I will bring them again into their land.(Jeremiah 16: 15-16)

I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them” (Jeremiah 23:3)

He that scattered Israel will gather him.” (Jeremiah 31: 10)

Ezekiel also develops this prophetic theme in Ezekiel 28:25, where it is stated, “when I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered.”

In 2 Peter 1:19-20, Peter advises, “We have a more sure word of prophecy...no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” Peter warns in 2 Peter 2:1-2 about false teachers...who privily shall bring in damnable heresies.” It is to the Word of God that we must go, not to man's vain philosophising, thoughts and feelings. Jesus endorsed the Prophets. What better example can we have? Jesus and the Apostles taught out of the Prophets and they showed that some prophecies had been fulfilled, but that also many prophecies still had to be fulfilled. In Acts 13:27, we are warned that the Jews killed their Messiah, “because they knew Him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets.” What might we be guilty of if we heed not the words of the prophets?

3) The Voice of the Prophets - Common Themes

Ezekiel devotes a large proportion of his prophecy to a Temple. He writes of Israel scattered and regathered, a major war followed by peace and righteous rule. Ezekiel is not the only prophet who refers to a Temple, to a House of the Lord. The Temple that Ezekiel then describes in so much detail has not yet been built. So much of his prophecy was devoted to this Temple, that we must conclude that it is important in the Divine scheme.

Other prophets, although in not so much detail, refer to a house of the Lord, which is to be built in the future. They all clearly agree on its location.Isaiah states that “in the last days that the mountain of the Lord's House shall be established... all nations shall flow unto it.” There will be a time of peace and the Law of the Lord shall go out of Zion and Jerusalem. This chapter, in verse 21, states that the Lord will arise “to shake terribly the earth.” This is also developed in other prophecies. Haggai 2:6 records that “I will shake the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land.” Isaiah 24:15-23 describes judgements that will come on the inhabitants of the earth. “The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard and shall be removed like a cottage,” and then “Yahweh of Hosts shall reign in mount Zion and in Jerusalem and before his ancients gloriously.”

House of Prayer Detailed

In Isaiah 56:6-7, Israel and the sons of strangers (Jew and Gentile) “that join themselves to Yahweh, to serve him, and to love the name of Yahweh... even them will I bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my House of Prayer.” Again there is here an association of a House of Prayer and a mountain, an altar, sacrifices and burnt offerings. It shall be called “an House of Prayer for all people.” Isaiah refers to the gathering of the “outcasts of Israel” (Isa. 58:6) which would have to refer to modern Israel since 1948. “The Lord Yahweh which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.” In his ministry, the Messiah quoted from this section of the old testament.

Isaiah 60 describes a glorious time when the Lord “will glorify the house of my glory.” This house has walls, offerings and gates (etc). Verse 14 speaks of the “city of the Lord, the Zion” as a literal house and location. Isa 66 describes Jerusalem and a time of peace when “when all flesh come to worship before me.” People will come on horses, in chariots and on swift beasts to bring an “offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.” (verse 20) If this is not a literal house,why are there such vivid images of vessels in the house and the transportation of people created? There is no event in history that can be related to this prophecy.

Joel 3 states that when the “Lord your God (is) dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain, then shall Jerusalem be holy.” Amos 9:10-14 presents a time of trouble after which the Lord “will raise up the tabernacles of David... I will raise up its ruins and I will build it as in the days of old” and in verse 14, the time is clearly specified, “I will bring again the captivity of my people and they shall build the waste cities.” Since 1948 the Jews have once again established their homeland and brought the land of Israel from a wasteland to a productive land and established cities as prophesied.

Micah 4:1-3 states that “in the last days... shall the mountain of the house of the Lord be established.” Many nations shall “go up to the Mountain.” People will be taught of God, for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” God will judge the nations. Here, again, in this prophecy, the vision is given of the House of the Lord and its situation is Mt Zion near the city of Jerusalem. The topography of the land will be greatly changed. Zechariah 14:4 states that the mount of Olives shall “cleave in the midst thereof... half of the mountain shall remove toward the north and half of it toward the south” with the effects of an earthquake. “All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem” A massive earthquake will change the landscape and cause widespread devastation in Israel and elsewhere.

Haggai 2:6-9 presents the shaking of the earth. God says that “I will fill this house with my glory” and that “the glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former.” The former house built by King Solomon was destroyed and the prophet here states that another house of prayer will be built.

Zechariah 14:8-9, 16, 20 describes a time of turmoil and upheaval followed by peace. “The Lord shall be king over all the earth.” The people will go up to Jerusalem to worship and keep the “feast of tabernacles.” Verse 20 details the “Lord's house”, “pots” and “bowls”, which indicates a literal building. What reason could there be for such detailing of these things other than to impress upon us that there will be a house of prayer built in the future?

In Zechariah 6:12-13 we are told that the Branch (the Messiah) “shall build the Temple of the Lord.” He shall sit upon the throne and in verse 15, “they that are afar off shall come and build in the Temple of the Lord.” Here also is a reference to “strangers”, the Gentiles, being involved in the construction of this house. Zechariah 8:3,22 states that the Lord “will dwell in Zion” and Jerusalem will be “called a city of truth.” In verse 22 it is recorded that people from many nations will go up to Jerusalem to pray and worship.

4) Future Peace on Earth

Malachi 3:1-3 speaks of the Lord coming to his temple. The Messiah's first coming did not fulfil this prophecy completely as we read in verse 12 that “all nations shall call you blessed for ye shall be a delightsome land.” Since A.D, 70, Israel could not be regarded as a delightsome land. It has seen conflict and desolation. The temple was destroyed and that temple had not been built in accordance with the divine design and specifications, which have been extensively detailed in the book of Ezekiel, and which comprise a large proportion of that book of the Bible.The themes that occur in all the prophets include the regathering of Israel after being dispersed among many nations; a shaking of the earth as in an earthquake; Yahweh's House of Prayer for all nations in the mountain of the Lord, which is Zion; Jerusalem as a holy city; Yahweh's Law going forth from Jerusalem and people from all nations going to Jerusalem to worship Yahweh.

The Psalms make frequent references to a time of peace and a temple that would be established in Jerusalem. There was no temple built in Jerusalem during David's lifetime, but David longed for the time when the Lord would reign in Jerusalem. Just a few of the many references to this time of peace and righteous rule that are found in the Psalms are recorded below.

Psalm 2.”Yet have I set my king upon the holy hill of Zion.”

Psalm 15. “God's Tabernacle” and God's dwelling place are mentioned.

Psalm 24 refers to the “hill of the Lord” and parallels the gate in Ezekiel's prophecy.

Psalm 48:1, 8 looks forward to the time when God will dwell in His city forever.

Psalm 68: 18,29 states that kings will bring presents to “thy temple at Jerusalem.”

Psalm 72 beautifully depicts the time when all nations will worship God in Jerusalem.

Psalm 96:7-10 states “come into his courts” to worship and to bring offerings.”

Psalm 99:9. “Worship at his holy hill.”

Psalm 138:2-4. “I will worship towards thy holy temple” and “kings of the earth shall praise thee.”

There are many Psalms that place the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel, in Jerusalem, when both Jew and Gentile will bring offerings to the Temple.

The writings of the Prophets are generally dismissed as having been fulfilled and Israel cast off. Much has been 'spiritualised' in the concept of a 'spiritual house of faithful believers'. The faithful in the Bible are styled a 'spiritual' house, but this does not give any reason for the negation of the promises detailed in the Prophetic writings. At the beginning of this article, it was shown that Jesus and the Apostles endorsed the writings of the Prophets. They frequently quoted from the old testament. The constant reference by the prophets to the House of the Lord, the mountain, the city of the Lord, the offerings, the law, those who travel out of all nations to worship at Jerusalem, the pots, the bowls, the transportation of people from afar and many other aspects of a new world order are far too literal to be ignored and to do so could be to our peril.

Finally there is the repeated promise that:

“As truly as I live, all the Earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord (Yahweh).” Numbers 14:21; Hab 2:14; Psalm 72:19; Isaiah 11:9.

Jesus (Yeshua) endorsed Isaiah when he quoted the words of Isaiah 56:7 saying to the Jews, “My house 'shall' be called the house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves.” He envisaged a future Temple, a future time, when justice, peace and righteousness will prevail on this earth. This is clearly indicated by His use of the future tense, 'shall.'.

In Romans we are advised to give heed to the scriptures, which is a reference to the writings of the Old Testament. It is from the reading of these writings that our faith will increase. This advice comes from the Apostles, Paul and our Messiah. What better advice could there be than the words of Romans 10:17: