Progressive revelation refers to the concept that God has revealed His truth to humanity over time, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. When it comes to salvation, progressive revelation teaches that God unfolded His plan of redemption progressively across the Old and New Testaments.
In the Old Testament, God began revealing aspects of His plan for salvation. After the Fall, God promised that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). This pointed ahead to Christ’s victory over sin and death. God then established a covenant with Abraham, promising that through his offspring all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3; 22:18). The prophets spoke of a coming Messiah who would deal with sin and bring salvation (Isaiah 53). The sacrificial system also foreshadowed the atoning work of Christ (Hebrews 10:1-4).
So the Old Testament contains glimpses and hints about God’s plan for redemption. But the full revelation was not yet complete. As Hebrews 1:1-2 states, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”
In the New Testament, the plan of salvation is unveiled completely through Jesus Christ. He is the promised Messiah who fulfills all that was written about Him in the Old Testament (Luke 24:27; John 5:39). Jesus accomplished the work of redemption through His sinless life, atoning death on the cross, and resurrection from the dead (Romans 3:21-26; 4:25).
After His resurrection, Jesus commissioned His followers to proclaim the message of salvation to all nations (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The apostles then went out preaching the gospel across the Roman Empire. In their sermons and letters, they explained that salvation is found through repenting of sin and placing one’s faith in Christ (Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9-10).
So the New Testament contains the full revelation about God’s plan of salvation in Jesus. As the book of Hebrews explains, the Old Testament practices and sacrifices could not provide complete forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 10:1-4). But Christ’s sacrifice dealt with sin once for all (Hebrews 10:10-18). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus made purification for sins and sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 1:3).
In summary, progressive revelation means that God unfolded His plan of salvation over time across the Bible. The Old Testament contains glimpses and promises, while the New Testament offers the complete revelation about redemption through Jesus Christ. God spoke partially through the prophets, but has spoken fully through His Son Jesus to bring salvation to all who repent and believe.
Key Aspects of Salvation Progressively Revealed
Looking more closely, we can see how key aspects of salvation are progressively unveiled across the Bible:
Humanity’s Need for Salvation
After Adam and Eve sinned, the Old Testament shows how all people have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Genesis 6:5; Psalm 14:2-3; 53:2-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20). The prophets lament Israel’s sin, rebellion and need for forgiveness (Isaiah 1:4-6; 64:6). The sacrificial system also demonstrated that atonement was required for sins (Leviticus 4:35; 16:30). Overall, the Old Testament makes clear humanity’s universal need for redemption.
The New Testament also emphasizes people’s sinfulness and need for salvation (Romans 3:9-12, 23). But it provides the full basis through Jesus Christ, who embodied humanity yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
A Savior Would Come
As mentioned earlier, the identity of the Savior emerges progressively in the Old Testament. God promises that the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), the seed of Abraham (Genesis 22:18), the Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15) and the suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) would come to deal with sin. The New Testament affirms that Jesus fulfills all these roles and promises (Luke 1:68-75; Acts 3:22-24; 1 Peter 1:10-12).
The Savior Would Be God in Human Form
Hints about the deity and humanity of the Messiah unfold across the Old Testament. He is depicted as the everlasting Divine King who would come from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Isaiah 9:6 reveals He would be called “Mighty God.” Yet he is also shown as a Man of sorrows acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). The New Testament proclaims the full mystery that Jesus was both fully God and fully man (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 2:9). Only the God-man could be the perfect sacrifice to redeem humanity.
The Work of Salvation Through Sacrifice
When God made a covenant with Abraham, He confirmed it by having Abraham cut sacrificial animals in two (Genesis 15:9-21). This pointed ahead to Christ’s sacrificial death, often alluded to in the Prophets (Zechariah 13:7; Isaiah 53:5-6). The Passover and sacrificial system provided shadows of substitutionary atonement (Hebrews 10:1-4). Yet full understanding only came through the crucifixion of Christ to take away sins (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Salvation by Grace Through Faith
Even in the Old Testament, salvation came by God’s grace through faith in His promises. For example, Abraham was declared righteous because “He believed the Lord” (Genesis 15:6). Yet his faith was still looking ahead to the fulfillment in Christ (Hebrews 11:13; Galatians 3:6-9). The New Testament fully unwraps how we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work (Ephesians 2:8-9).
So the key aspects of salvation are progressively disclosed across the Bible – humanity’s need, the coming Messiah and Savior, the God-man, salvation by substitution, and salvation by faith. God wisely unfolded His plan across time until its complete fulfillment in Christ.
Reasons for Progressive Revelation of Salvation
Why did God progressively reveal His plan of salvation across biblical history? Here are some key reasons:
To Develop Anticipation and Longing
By providing some information but not full understanding, God cultivated anticipation and longing for the coming Messiah across the Old Testament. Believers looked forward in hopeful expectation for God’s promises to be fulfilled (Luke 10:24; 1 Peter 1:10-12). This built desire for the Savior’s coming.
To Teach God’s Sovereignty Over History
The progressive unfolding displayed God’s complete control over history. God delivered promises at precisely the times He intended across hundreds of years according to His perfect timing (Galatians 4:4-5). This shows history is “His story.”
To Prevent Misunderstanding
If God revealed the full plan upfront, it may have been corrupted or misused before the right time. Gradual revelation ensured the proper timing and prevented confusion (John 16:12; 1 Corinthians 3:2).
To Make the Fulfillment More Meaningful
The growing understanding across the Old Testament gave greater impact when the reality finally arrived in Christ. After centuries of anticipation, the fulfillment brought astonishment, awe, and understanding.
To Display God’s Wisdom
The intricate unfolding across centuries gloriously displayed God’s wisdom in bringing His purposes to pass (Ephesians 3:10-11). No human could have devised this plan across vast ages.
In summary, progressive revelation stirred longing, displayed God’s sovereignty, prevented misunderstanding, made Christ’s coming more meaningful, and revealed divine wisdom. Across the ages, God carefully disclosed His plan until the full light of salvation shone in Jesus Christ.
Stages of Revelation About Salvation
Examining more closely, we can see approximately four stages in the revelation about salvation:
1. Protoevangelium – First Gospel Promise (Genesis 3:15)
After Adam and Eve sinned, God pronounced curses but also gave the first redemptive promise about the offspring of the woman triumphing over the serpent. This launched the unfolding of God’s salvation plan.
2. Patriarchs – Covenant Promises to Abraham
God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants contained assurances that God would bless all nations through Abraham’s offspring (Genesis 12:3; 17:19; 22:18). The promises pointed to the coming salvation.
3. Prophets – Visions of the Coming Deliverer
The prophets foresaw God’s plan to send a Messianic King who would deal with sin and bring salvation (Isaiah 9:6-7; 53:4-6; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Daniel 9:24-27). Their visions filled out details of the Promised One and the redemptive mission.
4. Christ – Fulfillment in Jesus
Finally, Jesus arrived as the fulfillment of all the Old Testament anticipation and promises. He accomplished the work of salvation that God had progressively unfolded from the beginning (Luke 24:27, 44; Romans 10:4).
So God disclosed His plan across four main stages – first gospel hint, covenant with patriarchs, prophecies, and fulfillment in Christ. This pattern revealed His redemption plan over time.
Connections Between Progressive Revelation and Salvation
There are important connections between the concepts of progressive revelation and salvation:
Humanity Needed Progressive Revelation
Due to limited understanding, God progressively disclosed His salvation plan across time. Each revelation built on prior understanding as people were ready to receive it (John 16:12).
Revelation Culminates in Christ
The trajectories of revelation and redemption converge and climax in Christ. He is the full and final revelation of God’s salvation (Matthew 11:27; 2 Corinthians 3:14-18).
Revelation Builds Understanding of Salvation
As God revealed more, it increased understanding of His redemption plan. The unfolding of revelation provided the framework to grasp God’s saving work.
Revelation Stirs Anticipation of Salvation
As each part was disclosed across the Bible, it stirred messianic hope and longing for God’s promised salvation.
Salvation Depends on Accepting Revelation
People receive salvation by hearing and embracing God’s revealed truth about Christ (Romans 10:14-15). Salvation requires responding positively to revelation.
In summary, God wisely disclosed His plan of salvation progressively across history. Each stage built understanding until the climactic revelation and redemption came through Jesus Christ. Salvation is found by responding in faith to God’s ultimate revelation in His Son.
Benefits of Progressive Revelation for Spiritual Growth
The concept of progressive revelation also provides benefits for ongoing spiritual development after salvation:
Deepens Understanding Over Time
Believers grow by digging into the Old Testament background about salvation. Comparing Scripture with Scripture expands insight.
Appreciation of the Bible’s Continuity
Seeing how the Bible fits together as one story fosters a unified Biblical worldview centered on redemption.
Dependence on Illumination of the Holy Spirit
Since revelation unfolded over time, believers must rely on the Holy Spirit to illuminate each part (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Humbling Reminder of Limited Insight
We have limited knowledge and need humility. Understanding salvation history guards against wrongly thinking we have everything figured out.
In summary, appreciating progressive revelation aids spiritual maturity by deepening understanding over time, seeing Scriptural connections, needing the Spirit’s help, and nurturing intellectual humility. The unfolding nature of God’s truth shapes how we approach Biblical study today.
The Climax of Salvation Revelation in the New Testament
While the Old Testament contains promises, hints and clues about God’s salvation plan, the New Testament provides the full revelation and accomplishment:
Christ’s Coming
The Gospels narrate the long-anticipated arrival of Jesus Christ, the Savior, providing a historical account of God’s salvation erupting into the world (John 1:14).
Christ’s Finished Work
The Gospels recount Christ’s perfect life, atoning death for sins, and resurrection from the dead, accomplishing salvation (Romans 4:25).
Salvation Explained
Letters like Romans thoroughly explain the theology of salvation – condemnation in sin, justification by faith, dying and rising with Christ, freedom from sin’s dominion, eternal life, etc.
Salvation Offered Freely
The offer of salvation by God’s grace is proclaimed freely to all – both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 2:21; Romans 1:16).
Salvation Received Through Faith
The message preached in Acts calls people to believe in Christ alone for salvation (Acts 16:31). Salvation is not earned but received by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
So while the Old Testament anticipated God’s redemption, the New Testament fully accomplished and explained it. God’s progressive revelation reaches its climax in the salvation available in Jesus Christ.
Implications of Progressive Revelation for Interpretation
The theology of progressive revelation should guide how we interpret and apply the Bible today. Here are some key implications:
Reading in Light of Christ
Since Old Testament revelation was partial and preparatory, we should interpret it through the lens of the full revelation that has dawned in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:14-16).
Emphasis on New Testament Teaching
While all Scripture is useful (2 Timothy 3:16), New Testament teaching takes priority in forming theology and practice, since it contains the complete revelation.
Careful Application of Old Testament Laws
Old Testament laws and instructions applied specifically to Israel under the Mosaic Covenant. We should be careful about directly applying them under the New Covenant without clear New Testament support.
Focus on Salvation in Christ Alone
Since Jesus is God’s full and final revelation for salvation (Hebrews 1:1-3), we should emphasize that salvation only comes through faith in Christ rather than reverting to incomplete Old Testament forms.
In summary, the doctrine of progressive revelation gives guiding principles for interpreting Old Testament revelation in light of God’s full salvation revelation in the New Testament.
Conclusion
Progressive revelation means God disclosed His truth gradually across the Bible, culminating in the gift of His Son for salvation. The Old Testament contains shadows, types and prophecies about the coming Messiah and His redemptive work. The New Testament provides the full substance through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While people were saved by faith in the promises of God before Christ, Jesus’ finished work is now the sole basis for salvation. Studying how the Bible progressively revealed God’s salvation plan provides many benefits for understanding and spiritual growth. The full light of revelation has dawned in Jesus, so we interpret all Scripture in relation to God’s complete truth and salvation offered in His Son.
