Old Testament salvation and afterlife

[Pockey]

For those that lived during the Old Testament times, what was their understanding of salvation and afterlife? For example, the Israelites that were wandering the desert for 40 years, they knew their sentence was to die there. Yet they still had the sacrifices at the Tent of Meeting to atone for their sins. Did they know that Christ was going to come down to this world and die for their sins? Did they know they would be resurrected and live in heaven?

[cricket]

Dunno. Wasn't there to ask them. I'm pretty sure they each had their own beliefs though--just as people of the New Testament times do.

[Naomi]

Sid,

Good question!

I am not sure I can find a reference, perhaps someone else can, but it seems that I read someplace that they were looking for the Massiah long before the birth of Jesus.

How far back?????

Only a supposition, however, I believe that on some level the Israelites knew that there was a plan of salvation.

We have so many scholars on board that I am sure someone has an answer which will help clarify things.

If not, it may be one more thing that we won't know for certain until we reach Heaven.

Naomi

[David Koot]

For example, the Israelites that were wandering the desert for 40 years, they knew their sentence was to die there. Yet they still had the sacrifices at the Tent of Meeting to atone for their sins. Did they know that Christ was going to come down to this world and die for their sins? Did they know they would be resurrected and live in heaven?

Those who died in the wilderness, did so because of their continuing rebellion against God. Not merely at Kadesh Barnea, but throughout the 40 years. They did not change. As for the sacrifices at the Tent of Meeting . . . For a willful sin, the penitent sinner himself had to bring a sacrifice. The daily covered the unknowing violations of God's law, committed by the people.

Those who died in the act of rebellion against God, even after being given opportunities to repent, died lost. The daily sacrifice did not atone for their unrepentant rebellion.

But, yes, I understand that the people did have an understanding of the plan of salvation, One purpose of the sacrificial system was to teach them about the plan of salvation, and the Lamb of God, "which taketh away the sin of the world."

Dave

[whbae]

The book of Isaiah talks about Jesus as the savior.

Won

[Nicodema]

Not really -- I think that is interpolated after the fact. It speaks of Immanuel, and talks about the "suffering servant" of the Most High -- and since Christian times these verses have been applied to Jesus of course -- but there's no telling what the Hebrews of Isaiah's day believed them to refer to. In fact even in the New Testament it states that Christ had to explain the scriptures to them, even to the leaders, because they simply did not comprehend.

[Norman Byers, N.D.]

Hi Sid, I hope everything is well with you. Here are some verses that reveal that salvation and after life was known to the people of God.

Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Job 13:16 He also shall be my salvation: for a hypocrite shall not come before him.

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

Job 19:27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Mat 22:23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, (This tells me that there were some who believed in the resurection)

Mal 4:3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.

Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

The children of Israel knew that God lived for ever. Deu 33:27 "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them." They knew about an afterlife. They had examples of Enoch who went to heaven, Moses also and later on Elija. So they were aware of it but they seemed to not believe it and started worshiping other gods. Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Hope it helps even though it's a little late,

Norman

[Pockey]

Awesome. Thanks Norman for the texts and explanations. That definitely clarifies things.

[Parade Orange]

I find such Hope in the fact that they didnt know everything but they knew God Himself.

They had prophets and much of the sculpture of their lives as in times past - to Trust HIM no matter what like their forfathers!