Expert: Thurman C. Petty, Jr. - 12/28/2008

Question
I have a curious question.  Since Jesus died for our sins, then what happened to people who died before Jesus?  Also, is there an easy reference book that explains each scripture?  Something that I can come home and read to explain exactly what our pastor was talking about in church.  I don't always understand by listening and I definitely can't read and listen, but if I could go home and read something that explains what is going on, that would be helpful.  I want to get the most out of the bible as possible so I can live as a better christian in this troubled world.

Answer
Dear Ashley,

Thanks for your question about the people who lived before Jesus.

Jesus died for all people everywhere, everywhen, at all times and places, regardless of whether of not they know Him. He wants to save everyone, and He will, unless they willfully decide to reject Him. (This is done, usually, by living a self-serving life.)

2 Tim 1:8 . . . God,
2 Tim 1:9  who has saved us and called us to a holy life not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Everyone has had the opportunity to live a life in cooperation with God. If we/they accept that opportunity and live by faith in God as our strength and the one who can keep us from sinning, then God will save us. If we live a life that is selfish, without thought for God's laws, or those who live around us, then God cannot save us.

In Old Testament times, the Temple services pointed forward to the coming of Christ. The lamb that was slain morning and evening, symbolized the death of the coming Christ. In fact if you study these services as presented in Ex. and Lev., you’ll find that the whole plan of redemption is prefigured in them.

It was God’s original plan that the piety of the Israelites would become known throughout the world and all people would know the God of the Bible and His Christ who was slain for our sins. God’s people were not faithful, so this did not take place. But God still worked on the hearts of everyone throughout time past, so that everyone has had opportunity to choose for or against Him.

So, every person who ever lived has been, is, or will be saved by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross of Calvary.

Now, about the reference book. You could possibly find such a book at your local Christian book store. But I recommend the 12 vol. edition of the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary as an above average work that will give you comments on every text in the Bible, a Bible dictionary, maps, tables of weights and measures, chapters about customs of the times, international events, chronology, and hundreds more items of information. It represents almost 12,000 pages of easy to find information.

Before you faint at the physical size of such a library, let me tell you that the entire set can be had on DVD for $149.00, to use on you computer. You can transfer the files from the disk to your hard drive, and have them readily available and all that material only a few finger clicks away. You can purchase it at www.adventistbookcenter.com, or at 800-765-6955. I have used a variety of commentaries through the years, but have come back to this one every time. I used to have the complete set which I used for over 40 years, but I gave them away after I got the disk. Let me know if you have other questions.

Thurman C. Petty, Jr.
Thurman@PettyPress.com
Check out my web site www.PettyPress.com where I've posted 20 books, 40 Bible study guides covering many of the major topics of the Bible, and much more.