The Gospel in the Old Testament

The Gospel in the Old Testament

Preached by Elder Wang Yadong 12 July 2026 

           In the subconscious of many people, the Old Testament is like a black-and-white photo, filled with harsh thunder, intricate rituals, and righteous judgment; while the New Testament is colourful, brimming with Jesus’ love and grace. We are accustomed to splitting the Bible in half: one half talks about “the law,” and the other half talks about “the gospel.”  But Paul breaks this bias right at the beginning of Romans 1:2: “This gospel was promised beforehand by God through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures.”

           We need to realise an astonishing fact: when Jesus preached the gospel to His disciples on the road to Emmaus, He did not have the New Testament in His hands; He used the Old Testament. The Gospel is not God’s “Plan B” after humanity’s failure; it is the golden thread that runs through from the first chapter of Genesis to the end. Today, let us follow this golden thread to see how God weaves His ancient yet ever-new salvation in this broken world.

          1. The Dawn on the Ruins: Grace begins at the time of judgment (Ge 3:15)

          After Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, the first conversation in human history did not begin with human confession, but with divine searching: “Where are you?” The divine judgment that followed included the Gospel, known as the “protoevangelium” in Genesis 3:15, “He will crush your head,” foretold Satan’s complete defeat; “you will strike his heel” foreshadowed the Saviour’s suffering. Humanity was lost right at the starting line. We live in a state of “disconnection”: disconnected from God, alienated from others, and struggling with ourselves. You might live in an enviable high-rise, but your soul wanders in the wilderness; you might be successful in your career, yet at midnight, you’re consumed by an inexplicable emptiness and guilt.

          The first ray of light of the Gospel is: God did not turn away in judgment; He gave the first promise amidst the ruins. He promised that a Saviour would come, who would step into our brokenness, bear our wounds, so that we would no longer suffer.

          2. The blessing of all nations: Grace breaks down the walls of boundaries (Ge 22:18, Gal 3:8)

          In Genesis 22:18, God says to Abraham, “All nations on earth will be blessed through your offspring.” Paul points out in Galatians 3:8, “God, foreseeing that He would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.'” The “blessing” here is by no means worldly success, but the status of being justified by faith. God planned a “global immigration” four thousand years ago—bringing us Gentiles into the kingdom of His beloved Son.

          Singapore is a society that places great importance on “permits” and “identity.” PR, citizenship, and various permits define our sense of security. We spend our entire lives

striving to earn the right to enter a certain circle. The Gospel told Abraham, and it tells you today: The greatest blessing is not the great sum in your CPF savings but the permit to enter eternal life. This blessing transcends race, class and background. Whether you are an executive or a migrant worker, a graduate of a prestigious university or struggling to get a passing grade, in Christ, the “offspring,” God sees you as righteous. You no longer need to prove your worth to the world through your resume because God has already accepted you.

          3. The Triumphant Song of Reigning: the Gospel is the proclamation of God’s reign (Isa 52:7-10)

           Isaiah 52: 7 “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”

           Here, we see a messenger running on the hill. Why is he so excited? Because he brought a political proclamation: “Your God reigns!” At that time, Israel was in the darkness of exile. God reigning means:

 – Captives are set free, the slavery of sin is over;

 – The ruins are rebuilt, and the desolation of life is transformed into splendour.

           The common ambition of modern urban dwellers is control over their lives. We plan our lives meticulously, trying to control every variable: our children’s education, the trajectory of our health, the growth of our wealth. However, when the unexpected strikes, our anxiety surges like a tidal wave. The impact of the gospel lies in this: it does not give you a success manual but a declaration of sovereignty.

 – When you face the fear of being laid off, the gospel says: Christ is still on the throne.

 – When you face the torment of illness, the Gospel says: Death is not the final king.

           God as King means that your life is no longer a series of random accidents, but under the governance of that merciful King. Even in the deepest valleys, He is never out of control.

           Conclusion: All the prophecies are pointing to one name

           Putting these pieces together, we see a breathtaking image: In Genesis, He is the suffering yet victorious offspring; in Abraham’s promise, He is the source of blessing for all nations; in Isaiah’s vision, He is the Prince of Peace. All these promises ultimately converged at Golgotha on the cross in that dark afternoon two thousand years ago. Satan bruised His heel—He indeed died; but He crushed the serpent’s head—He resurrected! He is Jesus Christ.

           The gospel of ancient love is not a religious theory; it is a promise of coming home to God. Are you tired of bearing the burdens of life alone or drifting in a utilitarian world? Listen, the ancient gospel is calling out to you: the Saviour has come, blessings have reached many nations, God reigns! This gospel, which began in the beginning, was fulfilled in Christ and will keep you all the way to eternal life. Let this gospel that has been proclaimed from the Old Testament to the present become your greatest courage in facing tomorrow!