How Old Testament Saints Were Justified by Faith in Christ? | Jonathan Edwards

Deep Dive into In what sense did the saints under the Old Testament believe in Christ to justification? by Jonathan EdwardsAccording to Jonathan Edwards, Old Testament saints possessed a clear understanding of a distinct second person in the Godhead, the Son of God, who acted as the messenger and angel of the covenant. This divine person, recognized by titles such as the Name, Glory, and Strength of the Lord, personally guided Israel through the wilderness and resided in the temple's Holy of Holies. The Israelites understood Him to be their spiritual husband, prince, and Mediator, uniquely beloved by the Father and serving as the sole avenue for their prayers and acceptance before God.The saints recognized that their ritual temple sacrifices held no inherent power to forgive sins. Instead, they understood these rituals as symbolic representations of a future, complete atonement to be accomplished by the Messiah. The mercy seat functioned as an altar of propitiation where their offerings were accepted only through the mediation and worthiness of the divine person dwelling above it. Furthermore, the faithful anticipated that this divine Mediator would become incarnate to suffer, die, and serve as the ultimate sin offering, thereby finalizing the reconciliation that animal sacrifices merely foreshadowed.Ultimately, Old Testament believers obtained justification through faith in this coming Messiah. Edwards emphasizes that justification is a forensic act where believers are acquitted and treated as righteous based on Christ's merits, rather than their own adherence to the law or imperfect works. Trusting in the Mediator was the revealed condition for peace with God, demonstrating that the ancient saints relied on grace and faith in Christ's imputed righteousness just as believers do under the New Covenant.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReformedExplainerSpotify Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1t5dz4vEgvHqUknYQfwpRI?si=e-tDRFR2Qf6By1sAcMdkdwhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730