Topical Bible: Salvation: Searched Into and Exhibited by the Prophets

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The concept of salvation is a central theme throughout the Bible, intricately woven into the fabric of both the Old and New Testaments. The prophets of the Old Testament played a pivotal role in searching into and exhibiting the mysteries of salvation, often pointing forward to the coming of the Messiah and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Prophetic Inquiry and Revelation

The prophets were divinely inspired individuals who served as God's messengers, conveying His will and purposes to the people of Israel. They diligently sought to understand the nature and timing of the salvation that God had promised. The Apostle Peter, in his first epistle, highlights this prophetic inquiry: "Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow" (1 Peter 1:10-11).

This passage underscores the earnestness with which the prophets sought to comprehend the salvation that was to be revealed. They were aware that their prophecies were not merely for their own time but were intended for future generations, culminating in the life and work of Jesus Christ.

Messianic Prophecies

The prophets provided numerous prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, who would be the agent of salvation. Isaiah, often referred to as the "Messianic Prophet," spoke extensively about the coming Savior. In Isaiah 53, he vividly describes the suffering servant who would bear the sins of many: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).

Similarly, the prophet Micah foretold the birthplace of the Messiah, stating, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me one to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times" (Micah 5:2). These prophecies, among others, were fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, affirming the prophets' role in exhibiting the path to salvation.

The Role of the Spirit of Christ

The Spirit of Christ was active in the prophets, guiding them in their search and proclamation of salvation. This divine inspiration enabled them to speak of the sufferings and subsequent glories of the Messiah, even though they did not fully grasp the complete picture. The Spirit's work in the prophets is a testament to the unity and continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout history.

The Fulfillment in Christ

The New Testament writers frequently reference the Old Testament prophecies to demonstrate their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Matthew, for instance, repeatedly cites prophetic fulfillments, emphasizing that Jesus is the promised Messiah who brings salvation to all who believe. The life, death, and resurrection of Christ are seen as the culmination of the prophetic vision, bringing to fruition the salvation that the prophets diligently sought to understand.

Implications for Believers

For believers, the prophetic search into salvation serves as a foundation for faith and hope. The fulfillment of these prophecies in Christ assures believers of the reliability and sovereignty of God's plan. It also underscores the importance of studying the Scriptures to gain a deeper understanding of God's purposes and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

In summary, the prophets of the Old Testament played a crucial role in searching into and exhibiting the salvation that would be fully revealed in Jesus Christ. Their prophecies, inspired by the Spirit of Christ, pointed forward to the Messiah's coming and the redemption He would bring, providing a rich tapestry of hope and expectation for all who would come to believe.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 1:10
Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come to you:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Prophetic Theme. Rev. Gervase Smith.
... terms, that the ancient seers searched diligently into ... endure his sufferings and
enter into his glory ... Saviour's sufferings, in their relation to our salvation. ...
/.../the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the prophetic theme rev gervase.htm

The Transfiguration.
... of making the salvation of the Jews the salvation of the ... of this responsibility that
He had searched the Scriptures ... Christ should suffer and so enter into glory ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dods/how to become like christ/the transfiguration.htm

John Chapter ii. 11-Jan
... that the water may be turned into wine, Christ ... nevertheless, the Scriptures, perhaps,
on being searched, do show ... times, has for its object the salvation of all ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate ix john chapter ii.htm

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
... they should, in every instance, offer salvation to their ... Berea; who coming thither,
went into a synagogue of ... all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xix paul and silas.htm

V. ...
... Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who have ... the
Gospel, through the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; into which also ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter i v .htm

Rom. xi. 7
... the mark that fixes its sense to salvation, to prevent any ... impossible to be comprehended,
but even to be searched. ... For this man will go cheerfully into a prison ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xix rom xi 7.htm

The Gospels in General
... It denotes the good tidings of salvation in Christ for a ... the Gospel with four Faces."
And he searched to find ... entered as a very important element into the life ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospels in general.htm

On Being Filled with the Spirit
... them take a satisfaction in hearing others searched and rebuked ... make would be to
pray for his salvation; he began ... die without the Spirit, you will fall into hell ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture vii on being filled.htm

False Profession.
... The sin of such will overpoise the salvation of their ... tumbleth the wife, the child,
the estate, into a grave ... While his heart is searched, he wrangles; while the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xx false profession.htm

English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... appoint ceremonies and the worship of God; and into the judicial ... the grace that should
come to us, have searched and inquired of his salvation' (1 Pet ...
/.../english version of the second.htm