Here is a bit of background about the advent of Christ which may be a help to some saints.
- 1 Watchman
[One might say that Christ was manifested in the Old Testament by the ordinances, offerings and sacrifices, the priesthood, the tabernacle, the prophets, etc.; but most of the meaning was unknown ---not fully comprehended by the OT saints, certainly not by the whole company of Israelites. It was typology and a provisionary covering of sin for God's earthly people, a record of truth of God's great plan for mankind, a picture by God for all, and that saints today can see, and appreciate the full redemption and purposes of God. In olden times it was mercy and a dealing with sins (called atonement) for His chosen people until the anointed deliverer of God should come (Messiah --the Christ of God) and reconcile the elect. The faithful ones in the OT "...all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" --Hebrews 11:13.]
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him" (1 Jn. 4:9);
"And we know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin" (1 Jn. 3:5);
"And without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Tim.3:16);
"Judas saith unto Him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man love Me, he will keep My words, and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him" (John 14:22-23).
Beside the first coming of the Christ and manifestation to the world ---His birth, ministry, and sacrifice, etc., He arose from the grave and manifested Himself to certain faithful ones for a time before ascending to heaven. Between His death and resurrection, He descended into "...the lower parts of the earth" and "...led captivity captive..." (see Eph.4: 8-10). That is, He took the OT saints up to heaven.
We see something of the purpose of that scene in Luke 16:19-31, where "a great gulf fixed" separated those saints of old in "Abraham's bosom" from the lost souls in hades. With the sacrifice of Christ Jesus He could manifest Himself to them and then receive the waiting OT saints up to paradise.
All the lost souls "which are in prison (and presently), heretofore disobedient when the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah while the ark was preparing..." (1 Pet.3: 18-21 - JND transl.), saw the Hope of the world whom they had scorned. He was manifested to all who had not before appreciated nor comprehended the Savior God, when they rejected the love of God and His claims upon them in their lifetime.
Now in this day since the advent of Christ to the world, we have the full and true record, and He is manifested by the gospel and the Holy Spirit, so they are without excuse (see Romans 1:19-25). As the Word is faithfully preached today all may hear of the love of God, His mercy, and eternal hope and blessings. The record is also here that all may see the mind of God. Every soul is responsible to His Creator, regardless of how much further light he has. Truly, "...great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh...", as He said.
If Christ has been manifested to the soul of one, that one is responsible to receive Him, and know the salvation of God. If one continues to challenge God and reject the Son, He will never know the Father, and he will seal his eternal condemnation. - R. DeWitt, 4/09
- 1 Watchman
MANIFESTATIONS OF THE CHRIST
[One might say that Christ was manifested in the Old Testament by the ordinances, offerings and sacrifices, the priesthood, the tabernacle, the prophets, etc.; but most of the meaning was unknown ---not fully comprehended by the OT saints, certainly not by the whole company of Israelites. It was typology and a provisionary covering of sin for God's earthly people, a record of truth of God's great plan for mankind, a picture by God for all, and that saints today can see, and appreciate the full redemption and purposes of God. In olden times it was mercy and a dealing with sins (called atonement) for His chosen people until the anointed deliverer of God should come (Messiah --the Christ of God) and reconcile the elect. The faithful ones in the OT "...all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" --Hebrews 11:13.]
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him" (1 Jn. 4:9);
"And we know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin" (1 Jn. 3:5);
"And without controversy great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Tim.3:16);
"Judas saith unto Him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, if a man love Me, he will keep My words, and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him" (John 14:22-23).
Beside the first coming of the Christ and manifestation to the world ---His birth, ministry, and sacrifice, etc., He arose from the grave and manifested Himself to certain faithful ones for a time before ascending to heaven. Between His death and resurrection, He descended into "...the lower parts of the earth" and "...led captivity captive..." (see Eph.4: 8-10). That is, He took the OT saints up to heaven.
We see something of the purpose of that scene in Luke 16:19-31, where "a great gulf fixed" separated those saints of old in "Abraham's bosom" from the lost souls in hades. With the sacrifice of Christ Jesus He could manifest Himself to them and then receive the waiting OT saints up to paradise.
All the lost souls "which are in prison (and presently), heretofore disobedient when the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah while the ark was preparing..." (1 Pet.3: 18-21 - JND transl.), saw the Hope of the world whom they had scorned. He was manifested to all who had not before appreciated nor comprehended the Savior God, when they rejected the love of God and His claims upon them in their lifetime.
Now in this day since the advent of Christ to the world, we have the full and true record, and He is manifested by the gospel and the Holy Spirit, so they are without excuse (see Romans 1:19-25). As the Word is faithfully preached today all may hear of the love of God, His mercy, and eternal hope and blessings. The record is also here that all may see the mind of God. Every soul is responsible to His Creator, regardless of how much further light he has. Truly, "...great is the mystery of Godliness: God was manifest in the flesh...", as He said.
If Christ has been manifested to the soul of one, that one is responsible to receive Him, and know the salvation of God. If one continues to challenge God and reject the Son, He will never know the Father, and he will seal his eternal condemnation. - R. DeWitt, 4/09
