1 Peter 1:11 states concerning the Old Testament Prophets - "Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow."
The testimony of scripture concerning the pre-existence of Jesus Christ before is virgin birth in Bethlehem is abundant. To appreciate the richness and value of the Old Testament, one must understand it in light of Christ's coming to earth as God who became man, and understand His appearances in types and shadows in the Old Testament.
By the time we come to the New Testament, we discover that 109 Old Testament scriptures predicted events surrounding his 1st coming and hundreds more speak about events that will have to do with His future second coming. Some examples below from the Old Testament gives evidence of Christ's Pre-existence and appearance throughout the Old Testament:
1. Melechizedek, the Kingly Priest of Salem in Genesis 14, is stated to be Christ appearing to Abraham in Hebrews 5,6,7.
2. The Rock that gushed forth water for Moses and the people of God in the wilderness is stated to be somehow an appearance of Christ in 1 Cornthians 10
3. The Tabernacle, with its types, ceremonies and symbolism pictures Christ
4. The Passover celebration is a pictureof Christ, the sacrifice for sin (Exodus 12-15 and 1 Corinthians 5:7
5. Joshua and the people of God conquering the seven Canaanite nations in the book of Joshua is a picture of Christ leading Christians to take possession of their Christian walk (Joshua and Hebrews 3 & 4)
These are but just a few examples of what Bible teachers call "Christophanies" or "appearances of Christ in the Old Testament". Jesus stated to His disciples in Luke 24 that the Old Testament scriptures speak about Him. Let us turn to them and listen, since they too are scripture and point us to our crucified, risen and exalted Lord.
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