The New Testament begins with the life story of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus’s life and death provide for the redemption of all mankind. It was prophesied throughout the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament.
The holy calling to follow in Jesus’s footsteps and to receive a heavenly resurrection is the focus of the New Testament. The Apostle Paul wrote, “…share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling,” 2 Timothy 1:8-9 (NKJV). The whole New Testament is full of instructions and stories for the development of the body of Christ. Thus, the New Testament is critical to our lives today.
But does that mean the Old Testament is unimportant to Christians? Definitely not. The principles behind the Ten Commandments should always be practiced.
Additionally, the accounts in the Old Testament were recorded specifically for the church’s instruction. “Now all these things happened to them (Israel and Old Testament people) as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11 (NKJV).
The Old Testament also contains prophecies that pertain to our present day. For example consider Daniel 2:44, “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Take this prophecy together with Psalm 2:1-3, 5, 9 (NKJV), 1 “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.’ … 5 Then He (God) shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: … 9 ‘You (Christ) shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.’”
These Old Testament scriptures teach us that Christ is demolishing this present, evil world (Galatians 1:4). Consequently, we should not become involved with the governments and with politics to try to keep this unrighteous system together. If we were to spend our energies in politics, we would be opposing God’s will!
Finally, the Old Testament gives us wonderful previews of Christ’s earthly kingdom. “‘It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,’ says the LORD.” Isaiah 65:24-25 (NKJV) We are ambassadors for this kingdom and should act accordingly.
