Today's Passage - Galatians 3 15-16

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Galatians 3:15-16    Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ.     All the promises in the Old Testament point to Jesus Christ. There are 39 Old Testament books written by different authors throughout its history. Yet God's Spirit inspired each of the authors in writing these books to point to Jesus. When Adam sinned, God provides clothes from animal skins. The clothes from animal skins are to foreshadow the salvation of Jesus Christ.  God promised that Abraham's descendants will be numerous like the stars in the sky and the sands on the seashores. This is showing that through the Israelites, Jesus will come into the world. When Moses was on Mount Sinai, God issued the Law to him. The Israelites at the time only saw the letters of the Law, "Thou shall do this, thou shall not do this." In the New Testament era, we find that actually the Law is pointing to Jesus Christ. In Christ, all of the Law can be fulfilled.  Therefore, what we place as most important is not on the Law, but on being in Christ. By depending on Christ's power, our life can be complete.     In the times of Joshua, God promised the Israelites they will enter the Promise Land. The book of Hebrews tells us that the Israelites did not enjoy true Sabbath rest in the Promise Land, because the true Sabbath rest is pointing to Jesus. Even when the Israelites entered into the Promise Land, it is to foreshadow us receiving the benefits of the gospel in Christ. Coming to the times of Judges, we see Judges symbolizes the savior of the Israelites. Even though the Israelites fell into weaknesses again and again, yet God raised up saviors to rescue them, and all this is pointing to Jesus. Jesus is the only one God provided as the true Savior for those in difficult situations. In the midst of the enemy's attacks, only Jesus can rescue us. Coming to the times of David, we see David is God's promised king for Israel. In reality, David foreshadows the kingship of Jesus Christ, pointing to the eternal Christ as God's promised eternal king. Coming to the era of the Prophets, we see that God also through Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel foreshadow the coming of the Messiah. The Messiah is the anointed one and it also points to Jesus Christ.     Jesus Christ is the Messiah prophesied by the Old Testament. It is not just a person the New Testament invented out of thin air. He is the one God promised to mankind since creation. God wants to provide a Savior to save people from their sins. His name is Jesus, he is the Son of God and came into the world as a man. Whenever I think about this, I am truly filled with thanksgiving in my heart. How amazing is God's great salvation! Let us together give all the glory to God!                                                                     Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, I thank you! Since creation you have put your salvation plan clearly before us. In you I find the salvation of my life and receive the Sabbath rest. May you help me to enjoy all your grace in Christ. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!