John,
@eternally-gratefull makes a great point in post no. 814.
I mean, we could sit here and argue a word all day long...
The fact is this...those of the O.T. were saved by following the laws of God.
Those of the N.T. are saved by following the laws of God.
But, in each case, there's another element necessary: Faith.
In the O.T. persons were judged by their own righteousness (not self-righteousness), they were required to keep many laws, both the 10 commandments and other laws,,,such as purification, dietary, etc.
So those that had faith in God and loved God and wanted to please Him, followed the laws as best they could. But the other elements had to be present too: faith, love, pleasing God.
If someone just followed the laws but had no faith or love for God, they were most probably not going to heaven... Wasn't Jesus mad at the Pharisees for this reason? They externally followed the law, but they did not love God, they were blind to His love.
Your right as to why Jesus died for us....to remove the sting of death,,,to release us from satan's grip,,,to free those that were awaiting in Abraham's Bossom.
BTW, Abraham's Bossom was not heaven, but they were in the presence of God awaiting to go to heaven...I should say the comfort of God.
Jesus death made this possible.
I just don't think it's right to say that those of the O.T. were saved by following the commandments and end it there.
Abraham was saved because he had FAITH in God when God told him to leave Ur.
He also OBEYED God...both elements are necessary.