Bible Study A Couple More Biblical Questions

[HeIsRisen2018]

I just started from the beginning and reading Genesis tonight and I just got two questions about the OT. First of all, apart from Jesus Himself, why did it always seem like God was changing names and telling women what their baby's names would be? I mean, it isn't the fact that I am trying to go against God when I say this but, shouldn't that be a personal choice? And second of all, everybody (well most everybody) on this forum believes Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the grave three days later so we might one day join Him in Heaven. However, what happened to those who perished long before Jesus was even born?

 

[th1b.taylor]

From the Creeds of old we learn that the Early Church understood that though His Body entombed, Jesus went into the Tomb, descended into Hell, actually true if they considered the grave to be Hell but in fact Jesus descended into Paradise, preached himself and His Gospel to them unto Salvation. The scriptural evidence for this is found in Matthew 27:50-53. Can you just imagine, Jesus is dead and planted in the Borrowed Tomb and the darkness that covered the entire world had probably evaporated and suddenly there is a paraded, not scheduled, and yo ta your aging father on the shoulder, remarking, "Look dad, there's your brother, Uncle Harry that died five years ago dressed in a White Robe."

The debatable portion of what I tell you here is why did Jesus resurrect those Saints. From my first Read through of the scriptures I have been convinced that Jesus released them and led them to Heaven when they left the city.

 

[nmwings]

I just started from the beginning and reading Genesis tonight and I just got two questions about the OT. First of all, apart from Jesus Himself, why did it always seem like God was changing names and telling women what their baby's names would be? I mean, it isn't the fact that I am trying to go against God when I say this but, shouldn't that be a personal choice? And second of all, everybody (well most everybody) on this forum believes Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the grave three days later so we might one day join Him in Heaven. However, what happened to those who perished long before Jesus was even born?

Bible names can carry either an element of prophecy about that person, or can act as a "bible code" that teaches God's plan. For instance: Abram's name means "high father," but when God went into covenant with him He changed Abram's name to Abraham- "father of many nations." His name is now a future prophecy. Isaac means "laughter" because Sarah laughed when she heard she would give birth in her old age. Jacob means "hand on the heel" because his hand was on Esau's heel during birth. Jacob's name was later changed to Israel after he wrestled with Jesus... and prevailed. Thus Israel means," to struggle with man and God." His name is also a future prophecy. On her deathbed, Rachel named her son Ben-oni meaning "son of my sorrow." But Jacob renamed him Ben-jamin which means "son of my right hand." This is a specific prophecy about the son of God-Jesus- sitting at the Father's right hand after His time of sorrow (the agony of His death.) As for your current name, don't get too attached to it, because you might be one of those believers in Rev 2 and 3 who will have their names changed by God Himself.

The OT saints were saved just like the NT saints are saved. The formula was taught to our father Abraham and has always been the same..... Faith in God's promises is counted as Righteousness. Righteousness has kissed Justice. Justice demands payment (sacrifice), and with Sacrifice they/we receive Salvation. Man teaches that salvation didn't come until Jesus walked the Earth as a man. But God teaches that Jesus has always been the savior..... and He was with the OT people in many forms: a Ladder, a Rock, a Pillar of fire and cloud, a Staff, an Angel..... the list goes on.
Truth be told, salvation has not happened to anyone.... YET. Every believer down thru the ages from Adam to present day has only been sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise until THE day of judgment (see Eph 4) at which time Jesus will testify of us to the Father.