WHY WE SHOULD STUDY THE OLD TESTAMENT?

When the Messiah said "Search the Scriptures," the New Testament had not been written. So if we neglect to study the prophets we would be neglecting this command of the lord Jesus. The apostles tell us to "be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets," and they declare that in taking heed to the word of prophecy we "do well" It is a "light" which we dare not hide under a bushel. 2 Peter 1:19; 3:2.

In studying the O.T. we can take warning as to what happened to Israel, regarding the things that "happened unto them as examples; and were written for our admonition, upon which the end of the age has come." 1 Corinthians 10:11.

Why Israel was made “a curse, and astonishment, a hissing and a reproach among all the nations?” “Because they have not hearkened to my words, says Yehovah, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but you would not hear, says Yehovah.” - Jeremiah 29:17-19. Behold what a value Jesus has attached to the prophets and to the convincing power of their testimony “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.” - Luke 16:31. And again, “All things must be fulfilled which are written in the Law of Moses, in the prophets and in the Psalms concerning me.” - Luke 24:44.

These great themes ought to command the attention of everyone who truly loves the lord Jesus, for they speak of “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of the Messiah which was in them did signify when it testified beforehand the sufferings of the Messiah, and the glory that should follow,” - 1 Peter 1:11.

The glories include His resurrection, His ascension His intercession above, His future return “with power and great glory” to take His seat on “the throne of His glory” - Matthew 24:30: 25:31, to “reign in mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and fill the whole earth with his glory. Why do some object to the study of unfulfilled prophecy?

Note: By believing and heeding what was as yet an unfulfilled prophecy, Noah “prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which action he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” - Hebrews 11:7

Is it not perfectly clear to reason that if under any pretext whatever, he had neglected or ignored that prophecy he would have perished along with the rest? As did also the sons-in-law of Lot for neglecting unfulfilled prophecy. - Genesis 19:14. No doubt they regarded Lot as "an alarmist". Planting too was going on, and perhaps the suburban farmers were expecting large crops and great gains, for it was a fertile valley. Luke 17:28-29.

A true worshipper should, like Paul, believe not only the fulfilled things but "all things which are written in the law and in the prophets." - Acts 24:14

What are all those precious promises of the gospel message, which hold out to us the hope of the second coming of the Messiah, the resurrection, and all the joys of an endless life that are mentioned in as yet unfulfilled prophecies? To ignore all such prophecies, would blow out the light of the believer's animating hope, and leave us in the deadly darkness of utter despair.

We are commanded to hear the Messiah "For Moses truly said unto the fathers, a prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you." - Acts 3:22, One of His longest recorded discourses is a series of prophecies, which, to be clearly understood, must be compared with other prophecies. - Matthew 24 and 25. The last book of the Bible is a prophecy, that was sent to the early churches with a blessing twice pronounced on those who read, hear, and keep "those things which are written therein." - Revelation 1:3; 22:7

And was this blessing pronounced on the study of it because it had become a fulfilled prophecy? No, but because it was unfulfilled. The reason is given in these words, "For the time is at hand." - Revelation 1:3. This promise of a blessing ought to be a sufficient inducement to the study of that prophecy, and a study of that will open the door to the study of Daniel, Zechariah, Ezekiel, all of them that backs up and corroborate what is written the book of Revelation!

The Messiah’s prophetical office was foretold in Isaiah 61:1-2; - “The Spirit of Yehovah Elohim - GOD is upon me; because Yehovah has anointed me to preach good tidings unto 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; to proclaim the acceptable year of Yehvoah, and the day of vengeance of our God;” His priestly office in Daniel 9:26; “After threescore and two weeks shall Messiah  be cut off, but not for himself;” which means that He “died for our sins.” His Kingly office in Psalms 2:2,6,8: “The rulers take counsel together against Yehovah and against His Anointed one – the Messiah Jesus (Acts 4:26) The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against Yehovah, and against his anointed one – the Messiah. Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. ... Ask of me and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.” Here the territory and the royal city of the king are specified with the utmost clearness.

What has been given here should inspire all believers to study the Old Testament and realize how much it is a story that gives us an amazing understanding as to who our God and Father Yehovah is as an all-powerful creator god, and what His son Jesus has done and will do according to the will of his God and Father Yehovah in the future!