Topical Bible: The Gospel: Foretold

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The concept of the Gospel, or "good news," is deeply rooted in the prophetic writings of the Old Testament, which foretold the coming of a Messiah who would bring salvation to humanity. This anticipation of the Gospel is woven throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, revealing God's redemptive plan for His people.

Messianic Prophecies

The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies that point to the coming of the Messiah, who would fulfill God's promise of salvation. One of the earliest prophecies is found in Genesis 3:15, where God declares to the serpent, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel." This verse is often seen as the first hint of the Gospel, foretelling the ultimate victory of Christ over Satan.

Isaiah, one of the major prophets, provides some of the most explicit Messianic prophecies. Isaiah 7:14 speaks of a virgin birth: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." This prophecy is understood to point to the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Isaiah 53 vividly describes the suffering servant, a figure 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).

The Davidic Covenant

The promise of a coming Savior is also tied to the Davidic Covenant, in which God promises King David that his throne will be established forever. In 2 Samuel 7:12-13, God tells David, "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." This covenant is seen as a foreshadowing of the eternal reign of Jesus Christ, a descendant of David.

The New Covenant

Jeremiah 31:31-34 introduces the concept of a New Covenant, which is foundational to the Gospel message. God promises, "The days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah." This New Covenant would be characterized by a personal relationship with God, where His law would be written on the hearts of His people, and their sins would be forgiven. This prophecy is fulfilled in the New Testament through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who inaugurates this New Covenant.

The Role of John the Baptist

The prophetic anticipation of the Gospel also includes the role of John the Baptist, who is foretold in the book of Malachi. Malachi 3:1 states, "Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me." John the Baptist is recognized as this messenger, preparing the way for Jesus by calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River.

Conclusion

The Gospel, as foretold in the Old Testament, is a testament to God's sovereign plan and His faithfulness to His promises. Through the prophetic writings, the anticipation of a Savior who would bring redemption and establish an eternal kingdom is clearly articulated, setting the stage for the arrival of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of these ancient prophecies.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 41:27
The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that brings good tidings.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that said to Zion, Your God reigns!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 1:15
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel.
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Library

The Success of the Apostles, and their Sufferings in the Cause of ...
... is shown to be the Son of God, Who created the world Chapter XXII."The Success of
the Apostles, and Their Sufferings in the Cause of the Gospel, Foretold. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxii the success of the.htm

The Call of the Gentiles under the Influence of the Gospel ...
... Wherein Christ is shown to be the Son of God, Who created the world Chapter
XXI."The Call of the Gentiles Under the Influence of the Gospel Foretold. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxi the call of the.htm

One and the Same God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, is He whom ...
... Heresies: Book III Chapter IX."One and the same God, the Creator of heaven and earth,
is He whom the prophets foretold, and who was declared by the Gospel. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter ix one and the same.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xiii. 6, Where we are Told of the ...
... On the words of the Gospel, Luke 13:6, where we are told of the fig-tree ... was promised,
and so it came to pass: He had not risen again, it was foretold, and so ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lx on the words.htm

The Birth of John Foretold. Chs. 1:5-25
... 1:5 TO 2:52 A. The Birth of John Foretold. Chs. ... Luke is the gospel of gladness, of
praise, and of prayer, of tender, human interest, and of heavenly grace. ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the birth of john.htm

Letter ccviii. (AD 423. )
... disconcerted by them. For the Lord Himself in His gospel foretold them, saying,
"Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter ccviii a d 423.htm

The Four-Fold Gospel
The Four-Fold Gospel. <. The Four-Fold Gospel JW McGarvey. Table of Contents.
Title Page. ... LXXI. Return to Galilee. The Passion Foretold. LXXII. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 2, "Now when John Heard in ...
... Art thou not he of whom it was foretold, "Behold, I send my messenger before ... hear,
the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the poor have the Gospel preached to ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xvi on the words.htm

The Completion of Our Saviour's Prophecies Confirmed Pagans in ...
... book against Celsus, "When we see every day those events exactly accomplished which
our Saviour foretold at so great a distance; that his Gospel is preached in ...
/.../sect viii the completion of.htm

The Five Books Against Marcion
... What These are. Chapter XXI.--The Call of the Gentiles Under the Influence
of the Gospel Foretold. Chapter XXII.--The Success of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/the five books against marcion/