What is the concept of progressive revelation as related to salvation?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Progressive revelation means that God gradually revealed His plan of salvation throughout history, unfolding truth over time rather than all at once. In the Old Testament, the gospel was present in seed form. From the promise of a future Redeemer (Genesis 3:15), to Abraham being justified by faith (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3), to the sacrifices of the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 17:11), each part revealed something essential about God’s holiness, justice, and mercy.

Later prophecies provided clearer glimpses of salvation to come. Isaiah foretold a suffering servant who would bear the sins of others (Isaiah 53), while Jeremiah promised a new covenant written on the heart (Jeremiah 31:31–34). Through progressive revelation, God built anticipation as men and women tried to understand where God was headed (1 Peter 1:10–12).

In the New Testament, the mystery of salvation is made fully known in Christ (Ephesians 3:4–6; Colossians 1:26–27). Jesus fulfilled the law and prophets (Matthew 5:17) and became the once-for-all sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:10–14). Though earlier generations had only partial understanding, salvation by grace through faith remained the same (Romans 3:21–26). What was promised has now been revealed in full.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Progressive revelation refers to the way God gradually revealed His redemptive plan over time. It began with promises and types (people, events, or institutions that illustrated greater realities to come). With regards to salvation, these promises were built layer by layer as time progressed until Christ came.
• This revelation started at the very beginning of the Bible with the earliest chapters of Scripture giving us the foundations of the gospel. After Adam and Eve sinned, God promised a righteous seed through one of Eve’s offspring who would crush the serpent (Genesis 3:15).
• That righteous seed would come through Abraham’s lineage through a promise made to Him. Abraham “believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). So, not only was a seed to come, but we learned that salvation through that seed would come through faith.
• God also showed the need for salvation by giving the law. With it, He exposed sin and showed the need for sacrifice. The blood rituals of Leviticus, especially on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16–17), emphasized that sin required death and that a substitute was needed in order to be saved.
• Over time, God added further promises and clarification. He promised David an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12–16) and declared through the prophets that one day a servant would come who would bear the sins of the people (Isaiah 53:4–6). The prophets also revealed a coming new covenant that would deal with sin at the heart level (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 36:25–27). Each stage added depth to the earlier promises, slowly revealing a coming salvation that would satisfy God’s justice, cleanse sin, and reconcile people to Himself.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament completed the progressive revelation begun in the Old. The book of Hebrews opens by declaring that while God spoke through the prophets in many times and ways, He has now spoken fully through His Son (Hebrews 1:1–2). That is, the mystery hinted at in the Old Testament was fully revealed in Jesus.
• Therefore, in Jesus, all of the Old Testament promises are either already fulfilled in Him or will be fulfilled at His return (Matthew 5:17).
• We learn in the New Testament that He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29), the final High Priest (Hebrews 7:26–27), and the mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 8:6). What had been foreshadowed in the Old Testament is fully embodied in Him.
• Paul explains that the mystery of salvation through Christ was hidden in former ages but has now been revealed through the apostles and prophets by the Spirit (Ephesians 3:4–6; Colossians 1:26–27). He often quotes the Old Testament to show that the gospel was always God’s plan, even if not fully understood at the time (Romans 1:1–4; Galatians 3:8).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Throughout history, though the understanding of salvation became clearer, the means of salvation never changed. Believers were always saved by faith. The difference is that, now, the object of that faith, Jesus, is fully known. In summary, progressive revelation reveals God’s plan over time, with the salvation hinted at in the Old Testament being fulfilled in the life and death of Jesus.

Understanding progressive revelation helps you read the Bible as one unified story. It allows you to see how each part of Scripture builds towards Christ, rather than treating the Old and New Testaments as disconnected or even competing stories! The laws, sacrifices, and promises in the Old Testament were not meaningless—they were preparing the way for Jesus.

This highlights just how generous God has been in making His plan known. Long before He sent Jesus, He was patiently revealing His purposes across generations, making sure His people had enough light—enough knowledge—to trust Him and be saved despite not knowing how salvation would finally be worked out.

Now, we live after the completion of God’s revelation. This means there is no doubt about how to be saved. Jesus has come, lived a perfect life that you cannot, and died, paying the penalty you deserve. By repenting of your sin and trusting in Him, you will be saved and spend an eternity with Him. This was what the Bible had been pointing towards all along!

Progressive revelation should lead you to have a great confidence in God and His scriptures. He is trustworthy and His Word is reliable. As you study the Bible, look for the ways it points to Jesus—and rejoice that what was once hidden has now been revealed to you.

UNDERSTAND

• Progressive revelation is God gradually revealing His salvation plan over time.
• The Old Testament contains promises and symbols pointing to future salvation.
• The New Testament reveals Jesus as the full and final fulfillment of salvation.

REFLECT

• How has understanding the gradual unfolding of God’s plan of salvation shaped the way you read both the Old and New Testaments?
• How does knowing that salvation was promised long before Christ’s coming deepen your trust in God’s faithfulness?
• How does seeing Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises affect your confidence in the completeness of the gospel today?

ENGAGE

• How does understanding progressive revelation help us understand some passages in context?
• How can recognizing God’s patient unfolding of salvation over time impact how we share the gospel with others?
• How does seeing the Bible as one unified story of salvation influence the way we live out our faith in everyday life?