Devotional #19     

Harmony between the Old and New Testaments – One like the Son of Man

On one occasion, while trying to witness to a skeptical person, she challenged me to find harmony between the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. When I sought the Lord to complete this task, my mind was blown by what I discovered.

At the time I was doing a Bible reading program in which I was reading different portions of the Bible simultaneously. I was specifically reading in the Old Testament book of Daniel and the New Testament book of Revelation. Both books prophesy about the end of time, and they also speak of the Messiah.

Daniel wrote, “I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool (see also Revelation 1:14). His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire; A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.” Later, Daniel wrote, “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! (see Revelation 1:7) He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.” Revelation 11:15 confirms this as John saw the following in his vision, “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

            Then, I read Revelation 4:2, 3 “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.”

            When I read that, I thought of the stones on the breastplate of the priests in the Old Testament, as God led me to determine which stones stood for each of the twelve sons of Israel (Jacob). You can find the names of Jacob’s sons in their birth orders in Genesis Chapter 49 and Exodus 28:15-21 lists the corresponding stones in order. I discovered that Reuben, the first son’s stone was sardius (sardine), Benjamin, the last son’s stone was jasper and Judah’s stone was emerald. Jesus said in Revelation 1:17, “I am the First and the Last!...” Again, the scripture reads of the One who sits on the throne, “…He that sat was to look upon like a jasper (the LAST) and a sardine stone (the FIRST): and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.” Jesus’ lineage traces back to Judah and Judah’s stone was emerald. So, we see why there was an emerald rainbow round about His throne! In Genesis 49:10, Jacob prophesied that Christ would come through Judah’s lineage saying, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.”   

             

See It for Yourself: Daniel 7:9, 10, 13, 14, Revelation 1:7, 14, 17, 4:2-3, 11:15,  Genesis 49, Exodus 28:15-21, Philippians 2:9-11

Prayer Focus:

Dear Lord,

   Your Holy Spirit authored both the Old and New Testaments. There is no confusion with You. Thank You for clearly and harmoniously revealing Your will and ways within Your Holy Word.

In Jesus’ name, 

Amen.

Working It Out:                  

There is great harmony between the Old and New Testaments, indeed. We should learn that no one could obey God’s Old Testament law perfectly, so God promised a Savior. Jesus Christ of Nazareth has fulfilled many of the prophecies of this promised One, having brought salvation through His grace. Once He has fulfilled all the other prophecies, he shall reign forever and ever. Why wait to bow to Christ with dread at the end, bow to Him and His will joyfully now by choice!  (see Philippians 2:9-11)