Why was the Bible revealed after the Torah?

Answer 1

God's plan is on a time schedule and is prophesied to undergo a number of stages of development, revealed to man in His seven annual Holy Day feasts - Lev.23. So, was the Bible's development orchestrated in stages, so that understanding of God's Truth would be revealed gradually to the end time generations of men, who had so long ago forgotten the God, of whom the first men were more aware.

The Old Testament reveals that even God's prophets didn't always understand what they were writing:

"...I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days... and I was astonished at the vision, but NONE UNDERSTOOD IT." (Dan.8:27)

"...I heard, but I UNDERSTOOD NOT..." (Dan.12:8).

Daniel was inspired to write many prophesies that apply to our generation in these last days. In his inquiry for understanding of them, he was told: "...Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end... none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." (Dan.12:9-10)

The Torah, the Prophets and the Psalms [the Old Testament] were hard letters of the law, muddled and misunderstood prophecies, songs of praise and cries of desperation... until Jesus Christ came calling His disciples to "seal the law" [Isa.8:16] and complete the witness and testimony of God's Word to the world... and to open their understanding of who He is and what He is about to do.

In these last days [as Daniel was told]... the Bible, through the New Testament, is illuminated with the Spiritual knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ's clear explanation of His return to earth with God's Kingdom.

Even now, the Bible isn't intended to be understood by everyone... but only by "the WISE"... as God told Daniel. That is, those whom God has been calling for the past 5000-some-odd years.

The "wicked" have never understood the Bible.

"The Wise" are those who fear and obeyGod's Word: "...the FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of WISDOM: and the KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY [revealed to the "fearful wise" through the Bible] is UNDERSTANDING" (Prov.9:10)

God has given the called-out-ones of each generation the amount of understanding they needed for their times and stages of development. None of them knew all of God's Truth, as Paul testifies:

"...for we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears... Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully..." (I Cor.13:9-12 NIV).

The Torah laid down God's laws for men to observe and keep... for his well-being and for his own good. Laws of love and respect for his Creator and for his fellowman, that, if obeyed... things might go well for him.

"Keep His decrees and Commandments, which I am giving you today, SO THAT IT MAY GO WELL WITH YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN AFTER YOU AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG IN THE LAND THE LORD YOUR GOD GIVES YOU FOR ALL TIME." (Deut.4:40)

But, man's selfish nature is to rebel against authority. So, the lessons in sin began to be experienced and learned by men... the prophecies were written: some fulfilled, most yet to be... and when the timing was right, man's Creator was born in the flesh and allowed Himself to be murdered by His creation, so that they might have their past transgressions against God's laws [the Torah] blotted out by their future trust and faith in His Holy Blood, shed for them... that they might one day be born into His Family.

"...almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." (Heb.9:22)

Being born takes time. God reveals it to us through the birth process which He created. It reveals to us the "spiritual birth process" of man's spirit into a Child of God.

It takes time to build righteous character.

It takes time for a plan to develop and come to fruition.

"...when the FULNESS OF TIME was come, God sent forth His Son... to redeem them that were under the law, that we might RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS. And because ye are Sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but A SON; and if a Son, then AN HEIR OF GOD through Christ." (Gal.4:4-7)

The Torah came first. God Commanded Adam and informed him of His laws... and he rebelled... and sinned... and chose another god before Him. Adam lusted after what was not his. He stole it... and lied about it, later. He refused to take responsibility for his sins... he repented not... and even blamed God for it all: "...the woman whom THOU GAVEST TO BE WITH ME, she gave me of the tree..." (Gen.3:12).

The Torah came first. Man needed to understand what was expected of him. He was and always shall be expected to KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD. It's for his overall well-being and good.

And when man sinned [transgressed God's laws - I John 3:4]... the prophecies came, and Holy Spirit-inspired prayers of the Psalms to help man pray for mercy and forgiveness:

"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness..." (Ps.51:1).

And the Bible began to be revealed.

And the final Testament was added for the sake of "the wise" who would come at the time of the end of God's plan... so that they might know what has been happening in the world since the beginning when man first sinned. So that we might know today why it happened... and where it's all leading. So that we might prepare ourselves for Jesus' return to earth with the Kingdom of God... and with salvation and Eternal Life.

"...neither pray I for these alone [not just His disciples], but for them also [the end time 'wise']which shall believe on Me through their Word [the slowly revealed and developing Bible]..." (John 17:20).

God's future Family has been learning the hard lessons of life in the flesh, so that they might choose obedience to God's laws... be changed into Spirit... and live eternally following the New Beginning at the conclusion of His plan.

"...Behold, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW..." (Rev.21:5).

Righteous character development takes time. It's a personal choice each Child of God has to make for himself... whether or not he will OBEY THE VOICE of his Father... and LIVE.

The Torah came first. The laws were laid down by the Father from the beginning.

"...the Lord God COMMANDED THE MAN..." (Gen.2:16).

And when the man transgressed the law and sinned - the Bible, which is: ["...profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be {become} perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." II Tim.3:16-17]... was revealed after.