FROM

SHADOW TO
REALITY
FROM SHADOW
TO REALITY
A STUDY IN THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THE OLD AND THE NEW
TESTAMENT
FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
A STUDY IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE
OLD AND THE NEW TESTAMENT
John M. Oakes, Ph.D.
Unless otherwise indicted! ll Scri"t#re
re$erences re $ro% the Hol& Bi'le! New Interntionl
(ersion! co"&ri)ht *+,-! *+,.! *+./ '& the
Interntionl Bi'le Societ&0 Used '& "er%ission o$
1onder2n Bi'le P#'lishers0 Scri"t#re re$erences
%r3ed NAS re $ro% the New A%ericn Stndrd
Bi'le! co"&ri)ht The Loc3%n Fo#ndtion *+,,0 Used
'& "er%ission0
Dediction
To
4n
Ben5%in
Eli6'eth nd
7thr&n

Introd#ction 8
Ac3nowled)%ents
It is useless to attempt to
reason a man out of what
he was never reasoned
into.
Jonathan Swift
I wo#ld li3e to thn3 n#%'er o$ $riends 0 Blh!
'lh! 'lh0
9ontents
Ac3nowled)%ents000000000000000000000000000000000000008
Introd#ction000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000.
*0 Historicl Foreshdows 0000000000000000*8
:0 Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<8.
-0 The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl& T'erncle 0000000000000000000000000+=
/0 Priethood in the Old nd the New
Test%ent 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000**.
80 The Lw o$ Moses Pre;)#res the Lw
o$ 9hrist <<<<<<0 *-8
>0 The 4ewish Scri;ces Tech #s A'o#t
Scri;ce in the New Test%ent <0
<<<<<<*>=
,0 The He'rew Festi2ls Pre;)#re
S"eci;c As"ects o$ the 9hristin Li$e
*.+
.0 Pro"hecies o$ the Messih00000000000:-*
Introd#ction ,
+0 Pro"hecies o$ the 7in)do% o$ ?od
:,8
*=0 Fi)#res in the Old Test%ent re #sed '&
?od s %odels o$ New Test%ent techin)s0
**0 N#%'ers in the Old Test%ent nd in the
New Test%ent0
*:0 Old Test%ent E2ents re Pr'les o$ New
Test%ent Techin)s0
The law is only a shadow
of the good things that are
comingnot the realities
themselves.(change this
one)
Hebrews !"
Introd#ction
H2e &o# e2er hd so%eone tell &o# tht it is
di@c#lt to co%e to dee" #nderstndin) o$ the New
Test%ent techin)s witho#t )ood #nderstndin) o$
the Old Test%entA Perh"s &o# h2e noticed this
&o#rsel$0 The %ore one reds the Bi'le! the %ore this
conce"t rin)s tr#e0 On the other hnd! h2e &o# e2er
noticed tht the o2erll %ess)e o$ the Old Test%ent
onl& %3es sense in the li)ht o$ the New Test%entA
So%eti%es! s "erson B#ite $%ilir with the New
Test%ent! I ;nd %&sel$ wonderin) wht the 4ews
tho#)ht 'o#t so%e o$ the thin)s the& $o#nd written in
the Old Test%ent0 When D2id cried o#t CThe& h2e
"ierced %& hnds nd %& $eet!D EPsl%s ::F*>G wht
%#st the reder o$ the Old Test%ent! or $or tht
%tter wht %#st D2id hi%sel$ h2e tho#)ht tht the
"ierced hnds nd $eet were 'o#tA The reder o$ the
New Test%ent 3nows instntneo#sl& tht D2id is
tl3in) 'o#tF the s"eci;cs o$ the cr#ci;Hion o$ 4es#s
9hrist0
So %n& o$ the techin)s nd e2en the e2ents
one ;nds in the Old Test%ent onl& %3e sense when
the& ;nd the%sel2es wor3ed o#t in the ")es o$ the
New Test%ent0 It is l%ost s i$ the chrcters in the
Introd#ction +
Old Test%ent re ctin) o#t "l&! the %enin) o$
which the& re co%"letel& #nwre0 It is onl& the
#dience o$ the "l&! those who wtch in li)ht o$ solid
3nowled)e o$ the New Test%ent! who #nderstnd the
%enin) o$ the words nd e2ents in this "l&0
There is "rdoH here0 One cn onl& rell&
#nderstnd the Old Test%ent in li)ht o$ the New0 At
the s%e ti%e! the e2ents nd techin)s o$ the New
Test%ent re onl& )i2en $#ll %enin) to one wellI
2ersed in the Old Test%ent e2ents! techin)s nd
"ro"hecies which $oreshdow the New0 I$ I need the
Old Test%ent to #nderstnd the New nd I need the
New Test%ent to #nderstnd the Old! where % I to
'e)inA Perh"s this 'oo3 cn in so%e %es#re hel"
sol2e the dile%%0
I$ the Old Test%ent is "l&! in which the ctors
do not rell& #nderstnd the %enin) o$ the ction nd
words! then wht does tht i%"l& 'o#t the writerEsG o$
the "l&A E2en the writers o$ the Old Test%ent "l&
were not $#ll& wre o$ wht the "l& ws 'o#t0 When
Moses led Isrel thro#)h the Red Se! he hd no ide
tht he ws ctin) o#t 2isi'le s&%'ol o$ sl2tion
$ro% sin thro#)h wter '"tis%0 Those who s"lttered
the 'lood o$ l%' o2er their lintels on tht $tl ni)ht
in E)&"t hd no ide tht the& were "er$or%in)
"h&sicl s&%'ol o$ the redee%in) scri;ce o$ 4es#s! the
l%' o$ ?od! on the cross0 Onl& the #lti%te #thor!
?od hi%sel$! ws co%"letel& wre o$ the "lot! $ro%
'e)innin) to end0 In this 'oo3 &o# will 'e "ro2ided
with h#ndreds o$ e2ents! "eo"le! nd "ro"hecies $ro%
the Old Test%ent which clerl& $oreshdow New
Test%ent e2ents nd techin)s0 An o'2io#s B#estion
is how did the writers o$ the Old Test%ent 3now to "#t
ll these $oreshdows o$ e2ents into their writin)s when
the e2ents the& ntici"ted were not to occ#r $or
h#ndreds o$ &ersA Tht is )ood B#estion0 Peter
see%s to h2e this B#estion in %ind in : Peter *F*+I:*J
And we h2e the word o$ the "ro"hets
%de %ore certin! nd &o# will do well to "&
*= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
ttention to it! s to li)ht shinin) in dr3
"lce!
#ntil the d& dwns nd the %ornin) str rises in
&o#r herts0 A'o2e ll! &o# %#st #nderstnd
tht no "ro"hec& o$ Scri"t#re c%e 'o#t '& the
"ro"hetKs own inter"rettion0 For "ro"hec&
ne2er
hd its ori)in in the will o$ %n! '#t %en s"o3e
$ro% ?od s the& were crried lon) '& the Hol&
S"irit0
Peter is tellin) his reders tht we! i0e0 those o$
#s who li2e in the New Test%ent )e! h2e the words
o$ the Old Test%ent %de e2en %ore s#re '& h2in)
seen their techin)s nd "ro"hecies $#l;lled thro#)h
the e2ents in the li$e o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 How else is one to
eH"lin the Old Test%ent witho#t cce"tin) tht it ws
?od who c#sed the words to 'e writtenA Accordin) to
Peter! h2in) seen the "ro"hecies nd techin)s o$ the
Scri"t#re wor3ed o#t 'e$ore the 2er& e&es o$ the
"ostles nd other e&ewitnesses o$ the e2ents! it hs
'eco%e e2en %ore o'2io#s tht the Old Test%ent
scri"t#re re $ro% ?od! not %en0
The "#r"ose o$ this 'oo3! then! is to show the
historicl! doctrinl nd "ro"hetic reltionshi" 'etween
the Old nd the New Test%ent0 The the%e is tht in
its essence! $ro% ?enesis to Mlchi! the Old Test%ent
is $oreshdowin) o$ the New Test%ent0 Let #s "#t
this in si%"le ter%s0 The the%e o$ the entire Bi'le is
?odKs desire nd "ln $or h2in) reltionshi" with #s0
In the Old Test%ent ?od "re"res "eo"le thro#)h
who% to send the Messih0 In the New Test%ent! tht
desire nd "ln re $#l;lled in the 'irth! li$e! deth nd
res#rrection o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 To "#t it e2en %ore si%"l&!
the the%e o$ the Old Test%ent is THE MESSIAH IS
9OMIN?! BRIN?IN? SAL(ATION0 The the%e o$ the New
Test%ent is THE MESSIAH IS HERE! BRIN?IN?
SAL(ATION0
IsnKt this wht 4es#s so 'oldl& declred to the
reli)io#s leders nd techers o$ his d& in 4ohn
Introd#ction **
8F-+!/>A
Yo# dili)entl& st#d& the Scri"t#res 'ec#se
&o# thin3 tht '& the% &o# "ossess eternl li$e0
These re the Scri"t#res tht testi$& 'o#t %e!
&et
&o# re$#se to co%e to %e to h2e li$e<0I$ &o#
'elie2ed
Moses! &o# wo#ld 'elie2e %e! $or he wrote 'o#t
%e0
In this sit#tion! Cthe Scri"t#resD 4es#sK herers
h2e 'een st#d&in) dili)entl& re! o$ co#rse! the Old
Test%ent0 In this stte%ent! 4es#s ws not 5#st
'lowin) oL hot ir0 This is "lin stte%ent o$ wht is
tr#e0 The He'rew Bi'le! $ro% 'e)innin) to end! ws
written 'o#t 4es#s0 In the Old Test%ent! the
Isrelites hd "riest! "ro"het nd 3in)0 In 4es#s
we h2e ll three0 In the Old Test%ent! there were
scri;ces to eH"ress co%%it%ent to the Lord nd
there were scri;ces to 'rin) 'o#t $ellowshi" with
?od0 There were scri;ces to 'rin) "ece nd
scri;ces to 'rin) 'o#t $or)i2eness o$ sin0 We h2e ll
these thin)s in 4es#s 9hrist0 How co#ld Moses h2e
3nown when he held #" the 'ron6e sn3e in the
wilderness tht he ws holdin) #" "h&sicl "ro"hec&
o$ 4es#s 9hristA Were D2id! 4ose"h nd others wre
tht the 2er& e2ents o$ their li2es were $oreshdowin)
the li$e nd the techin) o$ the MessihA And s"e3in)
o$ ctin) o#t "l&! wht 'o#t the Le2ites nd the
"riests s the& ser2ed in the T'erncle nd lter in the
Te%"leA The& hd no ide tht ?od hd cre$#ll& set
#" e2er& sin)le detil o$ constr#ction nd cere%on& so
tht the& wo#ld 'e 'oth s&%'ols nd $oreshdows o$
the he2enl& relit& we h2e in 4es#s 9hrist0 E2en the
2er& historicl e2ents o$ the Old Test%ent $oreshdow
s"irit#l eB#i2lents in the new0 B#t let #s not )i2e
w& too %#ch0 This is the o#tline o$ the 'oo30
SOME DEFINITIONS
*: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
Be$ore l#nchin) into descri'in) so%e o$ the
%&rid o$ w&s tht the Old Test%ent ntici"tes the
New Test%ent! it will 'e hel"$#l to de;ne $ew
technicl ter%s which will 'e #sed thro#)ho#t the
'oo30 One o$ the ter%s to descri'e how the Old
Test%ent leds ineHor'l& to the New is foreshadow0
Foreshdow cn 'e #sed s no#n or s 2er'0
We'sterKs dictionr& de;nes the 2er' $oreshdow s
Cto t&"i$& 'e$orehndJ $oretellJ "re;)#re0 The no#n!
ccordin) to We'ster Eor t lest ccordin) to his
s#ccessorsG is Cn indiction o$ wht is to co%e0D A
$oreshdow! then! is n o'5ect! n e2ent! "erson or
sit#tion which stnds $or nd re"resents so%ethin) o$
)reter si)ni;cnce which is to co%e in the $#t#re0 We
will see )ret n#%'er o$ o'5ects! e2ents nd "eo"le
in the Old Test%ent which ?od #sed to $oreshdow
si)ni;cnt techin)s nd e2ents in the New0 Mn&
ti%es "h&sicl o'5ect or sit#tion is #sed '& ?od to
"reI;)#re s"irit#l tr#th0 I$ one cn de%onstrte tht
these $oreshdows in the Old Test%ent re le)iti%te
eH%"les! not 5#st coincidence! nd i$ one cn ss#%e
tht those who cted o#t or wrote down these e2ents
hd no ide wht the& were $oreshdowin)! then one is
le$t with cler indiction tht the Old Test%ent
scri"t#res re ins"ired '& ?od0 This is eHctl& wht
Peter cli%ed0
As 2er'! the words $oreshdow nd "re;)#re
cn 'e #sed l%ost interchn)e'l&0 To prefgure
%ens to re"resent s&%'olicll& n o'5ect! conce"t or
ide in the $#t#re0 The distinction 'etween
$oreshdow nd "re;)#re is tht! in )enerl! in
"re;)#re! the thin) ntici"ted '& the "re;)#re hs n
l%ost eHct corres"ondence! wheres $oreshdow
re"resents conce"t lr)er or 'roder thn the
ori)inl0 For eH%"le! we will see tht Moses is
"re;)#re o$ the li$e o$ 4es#s 9hrist! while the %nn in
the wilderness is $oreshdow o$ 4es#sK %inistr&0
Also si%ilr to the conce"t o$ $oreshdow is the
"ir o$ ter%s type and antitype0 A t&"e! ccordin) to
Introd#ction *-
We'ster! is CA "erson or thin) re)rded s the s&%'ol
o$ so%eone or so%ethin) tht is &et to ""er0D
We'ster de;nes ntit&"e s CTht which corres"onds to
or is $oreshdowed in the t&"e0D Interestin)l&! the
s"eci;c eH%"le We'ster #ses $or t&"e nd ntit&"e
is 4er#sle% is the t&"e o$ he2en0 We will see %n&
"irs o$ t&"e nd ntit&"e in the Old Test%ent nd the
New Test%ent0
Another ter% which is relted to $oreshdow is
symbol0 The word s&%'ol hs 'roder %enin) thn
$oreshdow0 One o$ We'sterKs de;nitions $or the word
s&%'ol is Cn e%'le% or si)n re"resentin) so%ethin)
else0D A s&%'ol! then! li3e t&"e or $oreshdow!
stnds $or so%ethin) else! #s#ll& lr)er thn itsel$0
The 'sic diLerence 'etween s&%'ol nd
$oreshdow is tht s&%'ol re"resents so%ethin)
which is "resentl& rel! while $oreshdow re"resents
so%ethin) which lies in the $#t#re0 A s&%'ol is
re"resenttion while $oreshdow is n ntici"tion0
We will see %n& Old Test%ent "ersons nd o'5ects
which ?od #ses s s&%'ols o$ thin)s tht were lred&
rel t the ti%e! '#t whose $#ll %enin) re onl& %de
$#ll& 3nown in the New0 As n eH%"le o$ this
distinction! one co#ld %ention the stor& o$ Moses
"#ttin) the 'ron6e sn3e #" on "ole EN#%'ers :*F/I
+G! llowin) ?odKs "eo"le to 'e s2ed $ro% deth e2en
i$ 'itten '& "oisono#s sn3es0 Technicll&! in this cse!
Moses ws holdin) #" s&%'ol! not $oreshdow o$
4es#s 9hrist0 The 'ron6e sn3e ws #sed '& ?od s
s&%'ol o$ 4es#s 9hrist E4ohn -F*/G! who ws "resent
relit& e2en in the ti%e o$ Moses0
Another ter% which is relted to s&%'ol nd
$oreshdow is prophecy0 We will loo3 t whole
rn)e o$ Old Test%ent "ro"hecies which ntici"ted
'oth )enerl nd 2er& s"eci;c e2ents which re
recorded in the New Test%ent0 It 'ers notin) tht
the %odern! Western #s)e o$ the word "ro"hec& is
2er& diLerent $ro% the nor%l sense it is )i2en in the
Bi'le0 To the 4ews! "ro"het ws not so %#ch one who
"redicted the $#t#re E $oreItellerG s he or she ws n
*/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
instr#%ent to re2el ?odKs will $or his "eo"le E $orthI
tellerG0 The "ro"hets o$ Isrel were the ones who s"o3e
$or ?od0 The& were ?odKs %essen)ers0 In )enerl
their %ission ws twoI$oldF to )i2e wrnin)s o$
5#d)%ent on Isrel nd her ene%ies nd to enco#r)e
?odKs "eo"le to re"ent o$ their hrdIhertedness nd
sin0 In the Old Test%ent! then! "ro"hec& in its %ost
)enerl sense ws stte%ent o$ CTh#s s&s the Lord0D
H2in) sid this! howe2er! it is cler tht one o$
the thin)s the "ro"hets did ws to %3e s"eci;c
"redictions o$ $#t#re e2ents which wo#ld Lect ?odKs
"eo"le0 The& "redicted s"eci;c h""enin)s 'oth in the
E$or the%G ner $#t#re nd in the distnt $#t#re0 Their
"redictions $or the ner $#t#re were "ro2ided '& ?od s
test o$ the 2lidit& o$ their cli% to the o@ce o$
"ro"het! so the 4ews co#ld decide $or the%sel2es
whether their %ess)e ws $ro% ?od0
*

Yo# %& s& to &o#rsel2es! CHow cn we
3now when %ess)e hs not 'een s"o3en '&
the
LORDAD I$ wht "ro"het "rocli%s in the n%e
o$
the LORD does not t3e "lce or co%e tr#e! tht
is
%ess)e the LORD hs not s"o3en0 Tht "ro"het
hs
s"o3en "res#%"t#o#sl&0 Do not 'e $rid o$ hi%0
EDe#terono%& *.F:*!::G
The %ess)e o$ the "ro"hets to Isrel ws o$
)ret i%"ortnce to the 4ews0 Howe2er! o#r concern is
with the Old Test%ent "ro"hetsK %6in)l& s"eci;c
"ro"hecies o$ e2ents which re recorded in the New
*
One cn ss#%e tht %n& or %ost o$ the shorterIter%
"redictions which the "ro"hets %de s "roo$ o$ their o@ce re not
$o#nd in the Old Test%ent scri"t#re0 A $ew eH%"les o$ those
which did ;nd their w& into the Old Test%ent re $o#nd in %&
'oo3 on "olo)eticsJ 4ohn O3es! #easons for $elief" % Handboo& of
'hristian (vidence E?9I Boo3s! Hi)hlnds Rnch! 9olordo! :==*G
""0 *:,I*-.0
Introd#ction *8
Test%ent0 In the conteHt o$ this 'oo3! then! the word
"ro"hec& will 'e #sed in its %ore nrrow sense0 A
"ro"hec& will 'e s"eci;c written or s"o3en "rediction
o$ e2ents which clerl& lie in the $#t#re $or the "erson
%3in) the "rediction0
The the%e o$ this 'oo3 is tht the Old
Test%ent! its techin)s! e2ents! "eo"le! stte%ents!
cere%onies nd cele'rtions! $ro% the %ost %in#te
detil to the 'rodest the%es! re $oreshdow!
s&%'ol! "ro"hec& o$ the )reter relit& which is
re2eled in the New Test%ent nd in its chie$
chrcter! 4es#s 9hrist0 Is this ll coincidence nd l#c3A
Or is it ?odKs w& o$ de%onstrtin) tht the entire
Bi'le is his re2eled will $or o#r li2esA As one loo3s t
the "ro"hetic reltionshi" 'etween the Old nd the
New Test%ents! s it shows so dr%ticll& tht the
the e2ents o$ 4es#sK li$e were "rt o$ ?odKs eternl
"ln! one cn see tht he tr#l& is Cthe L%' tht ws
slin $ro% the cretion o$ the world0D ERe2eltion *-F.G

)or everything which was
written in the past was
written to teach us* so that
through endurance and
the encouragement of the
Scriptures we might have
hope.
#omans +",
*
Historicl Pre;)#res
The Isrelites hd 'een )r#%'lin) )in0 CWh&
do we $ollow this $ellow MosesAD CWho does he thin3
he isAD CWh& h2e &o# 'ro#)ht #s #" o#t o$ E)&"t to
die here in the desertA There is no 'redM There is no
wterM And we detest this %iser'le $oodMD EN#%'ers
:*F8G0 S#ddenl&! )ret n#%'er o$ 2eno%o#s sn3es
""ered %on) the "eo"le who were doin) the
co%"linin)0 Not s#r"risin)l&! the "eo"le now
re)retted their lc3 o$ $ith nd decided tht
re"entnce ws the "th to $ollow! '#t wht ws to 'e
done 'o#t the sn3esA U"on ?odKs instr#ction! Moses
%de re"lic o$ sn3e nd held it #" on "ole0
E2er&one who ws 'itten '& the sn3e nd loo3ed to
the sn3e held #" on the "ole ws %irc#lo#sl&
heled0
This is )ret stor& in nd o$ itsel$0 There ws
%#ch $or the 4ews to lern $ro% the sit#tion0 Mn&
lessons cn 'e )lened $ro% it 'o#t h#%n "rocli2it&
towrd re'ellion nd o#r %6in) tendenc& to $or)et
the )ret )i$ts o$ ?od0 One cn lso see here
dr%tic lesson 'o#t ?odKs willin)ness to $or)i2e
those who t#rn to hi% $or hel"0
Tht is well nd )ood! '#t in the New Test%ent!
wht h""ened in the desert ro#nd */-= B9E
'eco%es n historicl "re;)#re o$ the s2in) "ower o$
4es#s 9hrist0 As 4es#s hi%sel$ sid! C4#st s Moses
li$ted #" the sn3e in the desert! so the Son o$ Mn
%#st 'e li$ted #"! tht e2er&one who 'elie2es in hi%
%& h2e eternl li$e0D E4ohn -F*/G0 When ?od s3ed
hi% to %3e stt#e o$ sn3e nd hold it #" 'e$ore
the "eo"le! Moses %#st h2e 'een te%"ted to
B#estion ?od0 CYo# sid idoltr& is wron)0 Yo# told %e
to destro& the )olden cl$0 How cn &o# s3 %e to
%3e n i%)e o$ sn3e $or the "eo"le to loo3 t itA
WonKt the& 'e te%"ted to %3e this n idolAD
When Moses held #" the sn3e! he 3new tht he
ws o'e&in) the co%%nd o$ ?od so tht his "eo"le
%i)ht 'e s2ed0 Wht he did not 3now ws tht He
ws ctin) o#t "h&sicl s&%'ol o$ the Messih
hi%sel$0 The sn3e in this stor& is clerl& s&%'olic o$
*. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
sin0 When "eo"le re 'itten '& the 2eno%o#s sn3e
3nown s sin! it is lw&s $tl0 CFor the w)es o$ sin is
deth! '#t the )i$t o$ ?od is eternl li$e in 9hrist 4es#s
o#r Lord0D ERo%ns >F:-G0 CThere is no diLerence! $or
ll h2e sinned nd $ll short o$ the )lor& o$ ?od! nd
re 5#sti;ed $reel& '& his )rce thro#)h the rede%"tion
tht c%e '& 9hrist 4es#s0D ERo%ns -F:-!:/G0
I$ one contin#es to red in Ro%ns -! one
disco2ers tht the onl& ntidote $or the 2eno% o$ sin is
to loo3 #"on the Messih! 4es#s 9hrist0 He is the one
who ws held #" on tht "ole in the wilderness0 In this
one ct o$ Moses in the wilderness we h2e 'oth
s&%'ol o$ 9hrist nd $oreshdow o$ his s2in) )rce0
B#t wh&! one %i)ht s3! ws sn3e held #"A
How cn sn3e! s&%'ol o$ sin! stnd $or 4es#s
9hrist! the son o$ ?odA C?od %de hi% who hd no
sin to 'e sin $or #s! so tht in hi% we %i)ht 'eco%e
the ri)hteo#sness o$ ?od0D E: 9orinthins 8F:*G0 4es#s
'ec%e sin $or #s0 He too3 on ll o#r sin! nd in so
doin)! 'ec%e o#r ri)hteo#sness0 He 'ec%e the
nti2eno% $or the 2eno% o$ sin0 Wht 'e#ti$#l
"ict#re o$ the )rce o$ ?od nd o$ the s2in) "ower o$
the 'lood o$ 4es#sM
B#t here is the "oint0 When 4es#s "ointed to
wht Moses hd done there in the desert o2er
$o#rteen cent#ries 'e$ore his %inistr& on the erth! he
ws doin) %ore thn si%"l& s&in) tht the sn3e
co#ld ser2e s s&%'ol o$ wht cn h""en when
"eo"le loo3 t hi%0 Wht 4es#s ws tellin) #s is tht
?od told Moses to hold #" the sn3e 'ec#se he
$ore3new tht %n& cent#ries lter it wo#ld stnd $or
the s2in) "ower o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 It is not tht 4es#s
ws scnnin) histor& to ;nd interestin) e2ents which
co#ld ser2e s eH%"les o$ his techin)s0 ?od c#sed
Moses to hold #" the sn3e! 3nowin) tht %ore thn
%illenni#% lter! it wo#ld 'eco%e s&%'ol o$ the
s2in) "ower o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 The "oint is tht ?od
c#sed the e2ent to h""en on "#r"ose so tht it co#ld
ser2e #s who red the New Test%ent so tht we co#ld
see in it "ict#re o$ the Messih0 In his so2erei)n
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
*+
"ower! ?od entered h#%n histor& to "ro2ide s&%'ol
nd %ess)e to #s 'o#t his "ln to send Messih to
s2e #s $ro% o#r sins0
Let %e )i2e n eH%"le to show how #niB#e
nd %6in) wht ?od did here tr#l& is0 It is
co%%on h#%n "rctice to #se n historicl e2ent
$ro% the "st s s&%'ol o$ )reter ide0 For
eH%"le! A%ericns #se the heroic cts o$ the
Min#te%en t LeHin)ton nd 9oncord s s&%'ol o$
herois% nd 'r2er& nd the A%ericn s"irit o$
inde"endence $ro% t&rrn&0 The cts o$ these "triots
ser2e s )ret s&%'ol o$ the A%ericn s"irit0 Let #s
chn)e this scenrio0 Let #s i%)ine so%eone
wntin) to h2e rell& net s&%'ol o$ the A%ericn
S"irit0 I%)ine this "erson s&in) to hi%sel$! CI 3now
wht I will do! I will )et in %& ti%e %chine! )o 'c3 to
the &er *,,/! tl3 to '#nch o$ those re'els nd hel"
the% to $or% "ln so the& cn ser2e s s&%'ol o$
the ;)ht $or li'ert&<0D One cn see ri)ht w& tht
this scenrio will not wor30 One cnnot )o 'c3 in
histor& to crete n idel sit#tion which one cn lter
#se s s&%'ol o$ conce"t0
Tr#e! '#t in essence this is wht ?od did! 'oth in
histor& nd in his ins"ired word0 ?od! 3nowin) tht the
Son wo#ld co%e s s2in) Messih! s3ed Moses to
hold #" the sn3e nd then %irc#lo#sl& heled the
"eo"le $ro% the eLect o$ the sn3e 2eno%0 ?od 3new
tht the e2ent wo#ld 'e recorded0 In $ct! ?od c#sed
it to 'e recorded in the Old Test%ent0 9o#ld there 'e
n& )reter e2idence tht the Bi'le is the ins"ired
word o$ ?odA 9o#ld there 'e n& )reter e2idence
tht ?od hd "ln ll lon) $or "eo"le to co%e to
hi%A
I$ the stor& o$ Moses holdin) #" the sn3e in the
wilderness ws the onl& eH%"le! one co#ld r)#e tht
this is ll 5#st $ort#ito#s coincidence0 In the "re2io#s
"r)r"h! rther lr)e cli% ws %de0 In $ct two
cli%s were %de! nd these s#""ort the centrl
the%e o$ this 'oo30 First! in the sn3e in the
wilderness! we see ?odKs hnd directin) the ct#l
:= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
e2ents in the histor& o$ his "eo"le! Isrel0 We cn see
?od c#sin) his "eo"le to ct o#t "l& which ser2es
s s&%'ol to #s o$ his s2in) )rce in 4es#s 9hrist0
Second! it is cli%ed here tht not onl& did ?od c#se
the e2ents in B#estion to h""en! he lso c#sed these
s%e e2ents to 'e recorded in the Old Test%ent0 In
other words! the "re;)#res nd $oreshdows in Old
Test%ent histor& "ro2ide "roo$ "ositi2e tht the Bi'le
is the ins"ired word o$ ?od0
To the s3e"tic End I ho"e we re ll s3e"tics! t
lest to so%e eHtentG the one eH%"le B#oted 'o2e
wo#ld not ser2e s s#@cient "roo$ o$ this cli%0 It is
the s#% o$ the e2idence which %3es the cse0 In this
ch"ter we will loo3 t )ret n#%'er o$ eH%"les o$
how ?od hs entered histor& to crete s&%'ol! t&"e
or $oreshdow which he wo#ld lter c#se to ser2e s
lesson to #s Con who% the $#l;ll%ent o$ the )es hs
co%e0D E* 9orinthins *=F**G0 The Old Test%ent itsel$
nd the e2ents recorded in it ser2e s $oreshdow o$
wht we h2e in 9hrist0
Be$ore t#rnin) to so%e o$ these eH%"les! let #s
consider the Bi'le! nd es"ecill& the Old Test%ent s
histor&0 A%on)st the worldKs reli)ions! 4#dis% nd
9hristinit& re #niB#e in tht their techin)s nd
theolo)& re i%%ersed in histor&0 The Bi'le is record
o$ stor&N stor& o$ ?od cretin) "eo"le to who%
nd thro#)h who% to send the Messih0 The stor&
t3es "lce o2er tho#snds o$ &ers0 Witho#t the stor&
o$ ?od wor3in) in histor&! the New Test%ent does not
%3e sense0 I$ the histor& recorded in the Old
Test%ent is not tr#e! then the h#ndreds o$ ntit&"es
in the New Test%ent lose %#ch or ll o$ their "ower to
tech0

None o$ the other world reli)ionsIInot

Hind#is%! B#ddhis%! Isl%! 9on$#cinis%! or BKhiN
*
The e2idence $or the historicl reli'ilit& o$ the Bi'le is! in
)enerl! o#tside the rn)e o$ this 'oo30 For %teril which dels
with this B#estion! see 4ohn O3es! #easons )or $elief" % Handboo&
of 'hristian (vidences E?9I Boo3s! www0)retco%%ission0co%!
Hi)hlnds Rnch! 9olordo! :==*G ""0 *.+I:-: nd Rndll Price!
The Stones 'ry -ut EHr2est Ho#se P#'lishers! E#)ene! Ore)on!
*++,G
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
:*
;nd their techin)s wor3ed o#t in histor&0
Historins o$ten will scn ll o$ h#%n histor& to
;nd eH%"les o$ relted e2ents nd the%es which
see% to tell stor& 'o#t the h#%n condition0 In
order to do so! the historin %#st ind#cti2el& disco2er
so%e sort o$ "ttern o$ h#%n 'eh2ior in the
"tchwor3 o$ recorded histor&0 The st#dent o$ the
Bi'le hs %#ch esier 5o'0 The Bi'le hs the%e
nd series o$ closel& relted e2ents! not 'ec#se the
historin is serchin) $or "ttern! '#t 'ec#se ?odKs
llI"ower$#l hnd ws rechin) into histor& to crete
stor& which cn tech #s 'o#t hi%0 CThese thin)s
h""ened to the% s eH%"les nd were written down
s wrnin)s $or #s! on who% the $#l;ll%ent o$ the )es
hs co%e0D E* 9orinthins *=F**G ?od c#sed these
thin)s to h""en! sw tht the& were recorded in his
word! nd ins"ired the New Test%ent writers to #se
the% s eH%"les to tech #s0 O#ite "lnM
ADAM AND EVE
Let #s strt t the 'e)innin)0 9onsider Ad%
nd E2e0 Ad%ittedl&! this is so%ewht ris3& "lce to
strt0 The Bi'le is '& $r the %ost cc#rte 'oo3 o$
ncient histor&! witho#t ri2l0
.
H2in) sid this! the
;rst ele2en 'oo3s o$ ?enesis re essentill& "reI
histor&0 The historicll&Prcheolo)icll& con;r%'le
%teril in the Old Test%ent 'e)ins with the li$e o$
A'rh% in ?enesis ch"ter twel2e0 OneKs $ith in the
reli'ilit& o$ the stor& o$ Ad% nd E2e is 'sed on the
2er& stron) e2idence $or the reli'ilit& o$ the Old
Test%ent in )enerl0
H2in) sid this! the Old Test%ent 'e)ins with
)ret eH%"le o$ t&"e in Ad% nd E2e0 It is
ss#%ed here tht the reder is $%ilir with this
stor&! '#t i$ not! "lese red ?enesis ch"ter three0
When Ad% nd E2e C$ellD in ?enesis three! in 2er&
rel sense the& were stndin) $or ll o$ #s0 Ad% nd
:
A)in! see do6ens o$ eH%"les s#""ortin) this cli% in
%& 'oo3 #easons for $elief" % Handboo& of 'hristian (vidences.
:: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
E2e re the t&"e0 Yo# nd I re the ntit&"e0 The stor&
o$ Ad% nd E2e is the stor& o$ e2er& one o$ #s0 Ad%
nd E2e were creted to 3now nd h2e n inti%te
reltionshi" with ?od0 ?od )2e the% $reedo%! '#t he
lso )2e the% choices which hd conseB#ences0
Un$ort#ntel&! E2e nd Ad% '#sed tht choice! s
did ll o$ #s0 The res#lt o$ tht choice ws dethNnot
i%%edite "h&sicl deth s the ;rst co#"le hd
"erh"s 'een ntici"tin) Ethe ser"ent creted lot o$
con$#sion hereG! '#t deth nd se"rtion $ro% ?od
were the #lti%te res#lt o$ their choice to tr#st their
own wisdo% o2er the lo2in) d%onish%ent o$ ?od0
9n n&one relte to this scenrioA Is this not! in
sin)le! si%"le nd 'e#ti$#l stor&! the h#%n
conditionA Tho#snds! %illions o$ 'oo3s! "oe%s!
son)s! "l&s nd the li3e h2e 'een "rod#ced '&
"eo"le to eH"ress the h#%n condition! &et ?od o#tdid
the% ll ri)ht in the 'e)innin) o$ the Bi'le #sin) the
si%"lest o$ stories0
The )ret thin) 'o#t this stor& is tht it rell&
h""ened! nd &et it ser2es s n eHct re"resenttion
o$ e2er& "ersonKs reltionshi" with ?od0 ?od is
techin) #s in this stor& nd is l&in) the )ro#ndwor3
$or the New Test%ent %ess)e o$ o#r need $or 4es#s
9hrist ri)ht t the 'e)innin)0 CThere$ore! 5#st s sin
entered the world thro#)h one %n! nd deth thro#)h
sin! nd in this w& deth c%e to ll %en! 'ec#se ll
sinned0D ERo%ns 8F*:G0
The t&"e nd ntit&"e $o#nd in E2e nd
es"ecill& in Ad% )oes $#rther0 When ?od cretes
historicl "ict#rePs&%'olP"re;)#rePt&"e! he is 'le to
do it in l&ers nd on %n& le2els0
Ne2ertheless! deth rei)ned $ro% the
ti%e o$ Ad% to the ti%e o$ Moses! e2en
o2er those who did not sin '& 're3in)
co%%nd! s did Ad%! who was a pattern
of the one to come0
B#t the )i$t is not li3e the tres"ss0
For i$ the %n& died '& the tres"ss o$ the
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
:-
one %n! how %#ch %ore did ?odKs )rce
nd the )i$t tht c%e '& the )rce o$ the
one %n! 4es#s 9hrist! o2erQow to the %n&M
A)in! the )i$t o$ ?od is not li3e the res#lt o$
the one %nKs sinF The 5#d)%ent $ollowed
one sin nd 'ro#)ht conde%ntion! '#t the
)i$t $ollowed %n& tres"sses! nd 'ro#)ht
5#sti;ction0 For i$! '& the tres"ss o$ the
one %n! deth rei)ned thro#)h tht one
%n! how %#ch %ore will those who recei2e
?odKs '#ndnt "ro2ision o$ )rce nd o$
the )i$t o$ ri)hteo#sness rei)n in li$e thro#)h
the one %n! 4es#s 9hrist0
9onseB#entl&! 5#st s the res#lt o$ one
tres"ss ws conde%ntion $or ll %en! so
lso the res#lt o$ one ct o$ ri)hteo#sness
ws 5#sti;ction tht 'rin)s li$e to ll %en0
For 5#st s thro#)h the diso'edience o$ the
one %n the %n& were %de sinners! so
lso thro#)h the o'edience o$ the one %n
the %n& will 'e %de ri)hteo#s0 ERo%ns
8F*:I*+G
?od #ses Ad% s t&"e o$ 4es#s! '#t in 2er&
s"ecil w&0 The& re the s%e nd &et the& re
o""osites0 Notice the e%"hsi6ed words! CAd% who
was a pattern of the one to come.D The one to co%e!
in this cse! is 4es#s 9hrist0 This is one o$ the dee"est
"ss)es o$ scri"t#re0 Entire 'oo3s co#ld 'e written
on this "ss)eF in $ct the& h2eM Let #s 3ee" it
si%"le0 4#st s the sin o$ Ad% set "ttern nd
"rod#ced terri'le res#lt $or ll who wo#ld $ollow hi%!
so the "er$ect li$e nd the scri;ce o$ 4es#s set
"ttern nd "rod#ced wonder$#l res#lt $or ll those
who wo#ld t#rn $ro% the sin o$ Ad% to the
ri)hteo#sness o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 This is dee" st#L! '#t
?od c#sed n e2ent to h""en in the distnt "st
which wo#ld lter ser2e s t&"e o$ his s2in) )rce in
4es#s 9hrist0 In 2er& rel sense! the li$e o$ Ad%
ser2es s li2in) "ro"hec& o$ the ntit&"eJ 4es#s
:/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
9hrist0
There is still %ore "ro"hec& in the stor& o$ Ad%
nd E2e0 The s#'5ect o$ %essinic "ro"hec& will 'e
reser2ed $or lter ch"ter in the 'oo3 '#t it is hrd
not to %ention wht is l%ost certinl& the ;rst
%essinic "ro"hec& in the Old Test%ent0 This is
$o#nd in ?enesis -F*/!*80 In this "ss)e! ?od s"e3s
to the ser"nt! or Stn! tellin) hi% tht 'ec#se he
decei2ed E2e! CI will "#t en%it& 'etween &o# nd the
wo%n! nd 'etween &o#r oLs"rin) nd hersJ he will
cr#sh &o#r hed nd &o# will stri3e his heel0D This is
"ro"hec& concernin) 4es#s! the oLs"rin) o$ the
wo%n! the CheD in this "ss)e0 Stn will do so%e
d%)e to the wor3 o$ ?od in 4es#s 9hrist! he will
stri3e the oLs"rin)Ks heel! '#t the Messih will
e2ent#ll& cr#sh the wor3 o$ Stn thro#)h his willin)
scri;ce on the cross nd thro#)h his res#rrection $ro%
the ded0 The the%e o$ this 'oo3 is re2eled to #s
)in0 Fro% the 2er& 'e)innin) o$ %n3indKs $ll! ?od
hd "ln to del with the "ro'le% o$ sin0 Yes! the
conseB#ences o$ E2e nd Ad%Ks sins were terri'le!
'#t ?od hd "ln $ro% the 'e)innin) to send
s2io#r to cr#sh the hed o$ the one thro#)h who% the
te%"ttion c%e! nd thro#)h who% te%"ttion
co%es to #s0
NOAH AND THE !OOD
NohKs Qood Ewhich ws rell& ?odKs QoodG is
one o$ the %ost si)ni;cnt o$ the e2ents recorded in
the Old Test%ent0 This stor& is dri""in) with t&"es
which ;nd their $#l;ll%ent in the New Test%ent0 In
$ct! tht is PeterKs "oint in : Peter :F/I+J
For i$ ?od< did not s"re the ncient
world when he 'ro#)ht the Qood on its
#n)odl& "eo"le! '#t "rotected Noh!
"recher o$ ri)hteo#sness! nd se2en
others!< i$ tht is so! then the Lord 3nows
how to resc#e )odl& %en $ro% trils nd to
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
:8
hold the #nri)hteo#s $or the d& o$
5#d)%ent! while contin#in) their
"#nish%ent0
O$ co#rse! the stor& o$ Noh nd his $%il& stnds on
its own! "ro2idin) )ret lessons to the 4ews who red it0
Howe2er! in ddition! when ?od 'ro#)ht on the Qood in
the d& o$ Noh! he ws cretin) t&"e whose ntit&"e
is 4#d)%ent D&0 In $ct! Peter #ses the t&"e Ethe QoodG
to eH"lin wht the ntit&"e E4#d)%ent D&G will 'e li3e
in : Peter -F-I,
First o$ ll! &o# %#st #nderstnd tht
in the lst d&s scoLers will co%e! sco@n)
nd $ollowin) their own e2il desires0 The&
will s& CWhere is this Rco%in)K he
"ro%isedA E2er since o#r $thers died!
e2er&thin) )oes on s it hs since the
'e)innin) o$ cretion0D B#t the&
deli'ertel& $or)et tht lon) )o '& ?odKs
word the he2ens eHisted nd the erth
ws $or%ed o#t o$ wter nd '& wter0 B&
these wters lso the world o$ tht ti%e
ws del#)ed nd destro&ed0 B& the s%e
word the "resent he2ens nd erth re
reser2ed $or ;re! 'ein) 3e"t $or the d& o$
5#d)e%ent nd destr#ction o$ #n)odl&
%en0
E2er& s"irit#l techin) in the New Test%ent hs
so%e sort o$ "h&sicl $oreshdow in the Old0 4#d)%ent
D& is no eHce"tion0
There is %ore detil to the $oreshdow which is
NohKs Qood0 There is sil2er linin) in the clo#d o$ the
Qood o$ Noh0 The s%e sil2er linin) is $o#nd in the
New Test%ent techin) 'o#t 4#d)%ent D&0 In this
horri'le Qood which clered the erth o$ sin$#l %en!
$ew were s2ed thro#)h the wter0 As with the t&"e! so
with the ntit&"e0 Onl& $ew! n%el& Noh nd his
i%%edite $%il&! were s2ed $ro% the Qood thro#)h
:> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
their $ith nd o'edience to wht ?od co%%nded0
Si%ilrl&! with the second 5#d)%ent! onl& $ew will 'e
s2ed! this ti%e thro#)h the wter o$ '"tis%0 The
wter o$ the Qood is s&%'ol o$ the clensin) which
?od crries o#t $or #s in '"tis%0
?od wited "tientl& in the d&s o$
Noh while the r3 ws 'ein) '#ilt0 In it!
onl& $ew were "eo"le! ei)ht in ll! were
s2ed thro#)h wter! nd this wter
s&%'oli6es '"tis% tht now s2es &o#
lsoNnot the re%o2l o$ dirt $ro% the 'od&
'#t the "led)e o$ )ood conscience towrd
?od0 It s2es &o# '& the res#rrection o$
4es#s 9hrist! who hs )one into he2en nd
is t ?odKs ri)ht hnd0 E* Peter -F:=I::G
As 4es#s ws rised $ro% the ded! so Noh nd his
$%il& were rised 'o2e the wters nd s2ed thro#)h
their $ith nd o'edience to ?od0 In the stor& o$ Noh
we h2e the horrors o$ 4#d)%ent D& nd the )lor& o$
sl2tion in the wters o$ '"tis%0 This 'rin)s to %ind
the stte%ent in Ro%ns *8F/! CFor e2er&thin) tht
ws written in the "st ws written to tech #s! so tht
thro#)h the end#rnce nd enco#r)e%ent o$ the
Scri"t#res we %i)ht h2e ho"e0D There is wrnin) nd
there is ho"e in the stor& o$ the Qood0
A"#AHAM$ %&HMAE! AND %&AA'
An entire 'oo3 co#ld 'e written 5#st on the
s#'5ect o$ the li$e o$ A'rh% s $oreshdow nd s
t&"e o$ the $#nd%entl techin)s in the New
Test%ent0 Thro#)h his $ith! A'rh% 'ec%e the
$ther o$ %n& ntions E?enesis *,F8G0 He lso
'ec%e the $ther o$ ll those who thro#)h $ith!
recei2e the "ro%ise o$ eternl li$e in 4es#s 9hrist0 ?od
#sed A'rh% s "erh"s the %ost i%"ortnt t&"e in
the Old Test%ent0 A'rh% is t&"e o$ ll those who
wo#ld 'e s2ed '& $ith #nder the New 9o2ennt0
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
:,
A'rh%Ks ntit&"e is n&one who is s2ed '& the
'lood o$ 4es#s0
We h2e 'een s&in) tht A'rh%Ks
$ith ws credited to hi% s ri)hteo#sness0
Under wht circ#%stnces ws it creditedA
Ws it $ter he ws circ#%cised or 'e$oreA
It ws not $ter '#t 'e$oreM And he
recei2ed the si)n o$ circ#%cision! sel o$
the ri)hteo#sness tht he hd '& $ith
while he ws still #ncirc#%cised0 So then!
he is the $ther Eie0 t&"eG o$ ll who 'elie2e
'#t h2e not 'een circ#%cised! in order
tht ri)hteo#sness %i)ht 'e credited to
the%0 And he is lso the $ther Et&"eG o$ ll
those who not onl& re circ#%cised '#t
who lso wl3 in the $ootste"s o$ the $ith
tht o#r $ther A'rh% hd 'e$ore he ws
circ#%cised0 ERo%ns /F+I*:G
A'rh% is the t&"e o$ those who re s2ed! not '&
'ein) 'orn 4ew nd re there$ore circ#%cised
"h&sicll&! '#t '& $ith nd '& 'ein) 'orn )in into
9hrist0 A'rh% ws li2in)! wl3in)! 'rethin)
eH%"le nd "roo$ tht we re 5#sti;ed '& $ith0 In
order to dri2e his "oint ho%e! P#l re%inds his reders
tht A'rh% is the t&"e! not onl& o$ the ?entiles! '#t
lso o$ the 4ews who wo#ld cce"t 4es#s 9hrist s
s2iorF Cthose who not onl& re circ#%cised '#t who
lso wl3 in the $ootste"s o$ the $ith tht o#r $ther
A'rh% hdD0
P#l 'rin)s his "oint ho%e in Ro%ns /F*>!*,0
He is the $ther E$ore$#nner! '#t lso t&"eG
o$ #s ll0 As it is writtenF CI h2e %de &o#
$ther o$ %n& ntions0D He is o#r $ther in the
si)ht o$ ?od! in who% he 'elie2edNthe ?od who
)i2es li$e to the ded nd clls thin)s tht re
not s tho#)h the& were0
:. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
When ?od sw the $ith o$ A'rh%! in his %ind he
lso sw #s0 When ?od sw A'rh%! willin) to le2e
his li$e o$ leis#re to wnder in the wilderness! 'elie2in)
the "ro%ise o$ son! e2en tho#)h his 'od& ws s
)ood s ded! nd willin) to )i2e #" his "ro%ised son!
in his hert ?od sw ll o$ those who wo#ld in the
$#t#re li2e o#t wht A'rh% $oreshdowedF the li$e o$
$ith in ?od0 When ?od credited A'rh%Ks $ith s
ri)hteo#sness! he ws! '& 2icrio#s $oreshdow!
doin) the s%e $or #s0
There is %#ch %ore $oreshdow to 'e $o#nd in
the li$e o$ A'rh%0 9onsider the 'irth o$ his children0
Srh hd 'een "ro%ised child des"ite her
'rrenness nd d2nced )e0 Un$ort#ntel&! she
w2ered in her $ith nd sent H)r to l& with
A'rh%0 C?o slee" with %& %idser2ntJ "erh"s I
cn '#ild $%il& thro#)h herD E?enesis *>F:G0 This
#n$ith$#l #nion led to the 'irth o$ Ish%el0 Ish%el is
t&"e o$ the ntion Isrel nd o$ the Old 9o2ennt0
Des"ite her #n$ith$#lness! ?od 'lessed Srh with the
"ro%ised child! Isc0 This scene is n %6in)
$oreshdow o$ ?odKs )rce towrd #s0 Isc ser2es s
t&"e o$ the 9h#rch! o$ the "ro%ise o$ do"tion into
?odKs s"irit#l $%il&0 As with Ish%el! the ntion o$
Isrel! the 4ews! re the "eo"le o$ ?od thro#)h nt#rl
'irth0 As with Isc! the disci"les o$ 4es#s 9hrist re
the "eo"le o$ ?od thro#)h %irc#lo#s 'irthN'oth the
%irc#lo#s 'irth o$ 4es#s nd the %irc#lo#s re'irth in
'"tis% E%ore on tht lterG0
It wo#ld 'e $ir to s& tht the 4ewish "eo"le
wo#ld not esil& 'e willin) to see the%sel2es s the
ntit&"e o$ Ish%el0 This is es"ecill& tr#e 'ec#se the
descendnts o$ Ish%el 'ec%e their trditionl
ene%iesJ the Ar' "eo"le0 The Ar's h2e 'een the
2owed ene%ies o$ Isrel e2en to this d&0 Yet ?od! in
his wisdo% nd $ore3nowled)e %de Ish%el! the child
'& nt#rl descent t&"e o$ Isrel0 O$ co#rse! the
news $or the 4ews is not ll 'd 'ec#se the "ro%ise o$
sl2tionIIo$ s"irit#l circ#%cision nd do"tion into
s"irit#l $%il& line o$ IscNis 2il'le to the 4ews s
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
:+
well i$ the& will co%e to the Messih! 4es#s 9hrist0
P#l "ro2ides %ore detils 'o#t the nt#re o$
the $oreshdow ?od creted in Ish%el nd IscJ
Tell %e! &o# who wnt to 'e #nder
the lw! re &o# not wre o$ wht the lw
s&sA For it is written tht A'rh% hd
two sons! one '& the sl2e wo%n nd the
other '& the $ree wo%n0 His son '& the
sl2e wo%n ws 'orn in the ordinr& w&J
'#t his son '& the $ree wo%n ws 'orn s
the res#lt o$ "ro%ise0
These thin)s %& 'e t3en
;)#rti2el& Es s&%'ols or $oreshdowsG!
$or the wo%en re"resent the two
co2ennts0 One co2ennt is $ro% Mo#nt
Sini in Ar'i nd corres"onds to the
"resent cit& o$ 4er#sle%! 'ec#se she is in
sl2er& with her children0 B#t the
4er#sle% tht is 'o2e is $ree! nd she is
o#r %other<0Now &o#! 'rothers! li3e Isc
re children Et&"esG o$ "ro%ise0 At tht
ti%e the son 'orn in the ordinr& w&
"ersec#ted the son 'orn '& the "ower o$
the S"irit0 It is the s%e now0 B#t wht
does the Scri"t#re s&A C?et rid o$ the
sl2e wo%n nd her son! $or the sl2e
wo%nKs son will ne2er shre in the
inheritnce with the $ree wo%nKs son0D
There$ore! 'rothers! we re not children
Entit&"esG o$ the sl2e wo%n '#t o$ the
$ree wo%n0 E?ltins /F:*I-*G
A$ter H)r 'ec%e "re)nnt! Srh ws e%'ittered
nd 5elo#s0 She dro2e H)r oL into the wilderness0
An n)el ""ered to H)r nd told her to ret#rn to
s#'%it to Srh! s&in) o$ Ish%el! CHe will 'e li3e
wild don3e& o$ %nJ his hnd will 'e )inst
e2er&one nd e2er&oneKs hnd )inst hi%! nd he will
li2e in hostilit& towrd ll his 'rothers0D E?enesis
-= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
*>F*:G0 9o#ld n& %ore cc#rte "ro"hec& 'o#t the
ntion Isrel h2e 'een s"o3enA It is dee"l& ironic tht
Ish%el 'ec%e the "h&sicl $ther o$ the Ar'
"eo"les! &et ?od %de hi% the t&"e o$ the ntion o$
Isrel0
Thirteen &ers lter! the child o$ "ro%ise! Isc!
ws 'orn0 Shortl& $ter! in ;t o$ 5elo#s&! Srh sid
to A'rh%! C)et rid o$ tht sl2e wo%n nd her son!
$or tht sl2e wo%nKs son will ne2er shre in the
inheritnce with %& son Isc0D E?enesis :*F*=G0 Little
did Srh 3now when she cted on her 5elo#s&! tht
she wo#ld 'e ctin) o#t $oreshdow o$ wht wo#ld
occ#r o2er ei)hteen cent#ries lter0 Fort& &ers $ter
the 'irth o$ the ch#rch o$ 9hrist on the D& o$
Pentecost! 4er#sle% ws destro&ed nd the Old
9o2ennt scri;cil s&ste% ended $ore2er in AD ,=0
?od hd re5ected his $or%er child! "h&sicl Isrel nd
re"lced it with s"irit#l IsrelNthe New Test%ent
ch#rch0
Is there n& chnce tht this is ll 5#st set o$
chnce e2entsA 9o#ld the writers o$ the New
Test%ent h2e si%"l& scnned the 2rio#s stories in
the Old Test%ent #ntil the& $o#nd ones ""ro"rite to
%3in) their theolo)icl "ointsA A)in! i$ there were
onl& one or two eH%"les o$ this sort o$ thin)! this
%i)ht 'e reson'le concl#sion! '#t the wei)ht o$
e2idence is %o#ntin)! nd we h2e 2er& lon) w& to
)oM
In * 9orinthins *=F** P#l s&s tht CThese
thin)s h""ened to the% s eH%"les nd were
written down s wrnin)s $or #s<D P#l is cli%in)
tht ?od c#sed the e2ents in the li$e o$ A'rh%!
Isc nd others to h""en in s"eci;c w& in order to
tech #s how to li2e0 We wo#ld do well to loo3 t the
li$e o$ A'rh% nd i%itte his $ith so tht we %i)ht
'eco%e children o$ A'rh%0
B#t there is still %#ch %ore in the li$e o$
A'rh% which ser2es s $oreshdow o$ thin)s to
co%e0 9onsider the cll o$ ?od to A'rh% to scri;ce
his son0 Wht wonder$#l "ict#re o$ wht ?od hs
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
-*
done $or #s in 'ein) willin) to scri;ce his sonM When
?od sid CA'rh%MD! one s#rel& wo#ld not h2e
'l%ed hi% i$ he hd re"lied C?o w& nd le2e %e
loneMD ?odKs cll to A'rh% o$ten in2ol2ed scri;ce0
Insted! A'rh% sid CHere I %0D Then ?od sid!
CT3e &o#r son! &o# onl& son Isc<D E?enesis ::F:/G0
Is this $oreshdowA I$ not! then I do not 3now wht
is0 Did the 4ews #nderstnd the tr#e nt#reNthe dee"
s&%'olis% 'o#t o#r reltionshi" with hi%N'#ried in
this %6in) stor&A Pro''l& not0
We hd need0 CThe w)es o$ sin is dethD
ERo%ns >F:-G0 C<nd witho#t the sheddin) o$ 'lood
there is no $or)i2eness0D EHe'rews +F::G0 The need
ws scri;ceN'lood scri;ce0 In this hertIwrenchin)
stor&! wht ws A'rh%Ks res"onse to the cll to
scri;ce his son! his onl& sonA CErl& the neHt %ornin)
A'rh% )ot #" nd sddled his don3e&0D In the $ce
o$ this %6in) $oreshdow! cn n&one reson'l&
cli% tht the li$e o$ 4es#s ws 5#st n ccident! or
"erh"s tht ?od ws %3in) thin)s #" s he went
lon)A ?od hd the s%e "ln $ro% the 'e)innin) nd
he ineHor'l& crried it o#t0
A'rh% ws willin) to )i2e #" his son! his onl&
son0 In this stor& we h2e t&"e nd n ntit&"e0
A'rh% the $ther o$ Isc is the t&"e0 The ntit&"e
is ?od! the $ther o$ #s ll0 When A'rh% tr2eled
those three lon) d&s to the Mo#nt Mrih he ws
#nwittin)l& de%onstrtin) ?odKs willin)ness to
scri;ce tht which is nerest nd derest to hi% $or
o#r s3e0
In this dr%tic scene! Isc ser2es s t&"e s
well0 ?od llowed the son o$ A'rh% to stnd s
$oreshdow o$ the Son o$ ?od0 One s"ect o$ this
%6in) stor& which is o$ten %issed is seen in IscKs
'eh2ior0 How did Isc $eel 'o#t ll thisA We do not
3now when he c#)ht on to wht ws h""enin)! '#t
t so%e "oint! he sid! CFtherAD< CThe ;re nd wood
re here! '#t where is the l%' $or the '#rnt oLerin)AD
E?enesis ::F,G 4es#s ws led li3e l%' to the
sl#)hter! s ws Isc0 In 'oth cses! the "ers"ecti2e
-: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
2icti% wl3ed on his own "ower to the scri;cil ltr0
Is it %ere coincidence tht ?od clled A'rh%
to tr2el ll the w& to Mo#nt MorihA Wh& Mo#nt
MorihA This is the s%e hill on which the Te%"le ws
lter '#ilt0 The "lce where A'rh% oLered #" his
so5n is the %o#ntin ner which 4es#s ws conde%ned!
onl& 2er& s%ll distnce $ro% the "lce where 4es#s
ws scri;ced $or o#r sin0 ?od s3ed A'rh% to ct
o#t "l& on the s%e st)e which he "lnned to #se
ei)hteen h#ndred &ers lter to reenct wht A'rh%
did in oLerin) #" his son0 A'rh% did not 3now this0
He si%"l& o'e&ed ?od0 The writer o$ ?enesis ws lso
#nwre o$ the %6in) $#t#re s&%'olis% he ws
recordin) when these words were ;rst written down0
Did A'rh% wnt to scri;ce his sonA Did ?od wnt
to scri;ce his SonA CNot s I will! '#t s &o# will0D
EMtthew :>F-+G0 4es#s ws rel#ctnt '#t willin)
scri;ce! s ws Isc0
We h2e lred& seen tht $ro% ?odKs
"ers"ecti2e! sin reB#ires 'lood scri;ce0 When
A'rh% rised the 3ni$e! IscKs li$e ws $or$eit0 At
the lst %o%ent! ?od %irc#lo#sl& s#""lied l%' so
tht Isc wo#ld not need to 'e 3illed0 Witho#t 4es#s!
we re destined $or deth d#e to o#r sins0 Fort#ntel&
$or #s! Ct 5#st the ri)ht ti%e! when we were still
"owerless! 9hrist died $or the #n)odl&0D ERo%ns 8F>G0
?od #ses historicl e2ents to ill#strte his reltionshi"
with #s0
&ODOM AND (OMO##AH
When ?od 5#d)ed the cities o$ Sodo% nd
?o%orrh! the s&%'olis% ws not s#'tle0 E2en $or
those with 2irt#ll& no eH"os#re to the Bi'le the n%es
Sodo% nd ?o%orrh h2e stron) i%"lictions0 The
word sodo%& deri2es $ro% this stor&0 ?od is serio#s
'o#t sinM We sho#ld re%e%'er tht wht ?od did to
these cities! he did Cs eH%"les! to 3ee" #s $ro%
settin) o#r herts on e2il thin)s s the& did0D E*
9orinthins *=F>G0
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
--
The cities o$ Soddo% nd ?o%orrh stnd s
t&"es o$ the horror o$ sin0 The sit#tion in these cities
ws so 'd tht it ws 2irt#ll& i%"ossi'le! e2en $or
"erson with )ood hert! to re%in #ncorr#"ted0
Be$ore the& hd )one to 'ed! ll the %en
$ro% e2er& "rt o$ the cit& o$ Sodo%N'oth
&o#n) nd oldNs#rro#nded the ho#se0
The& clled o#t to Lot! CWhere re the %en
who c%e to &o# toni)htA Brin) the% o#t
to #s so tht we cn h2e seH with the%0D
E?enesis *+F/!8G
Is the "oint o$ this stor& how horri'le the s"eci;c sin
the& wnted to en))e in is! or is the "oint the
"er2si2eness o$ sin nd how we cn 'e corr#"ted i$ we
llow o#rsel2es to 'eco%e i%%ersed in "eo"le who
h2e )i2en the%sel2es #" to sinA
I$ the cit& o$ Sodo% is s&%'olic o$ sin! then wht
h""ened to the cit& is $oreshdow s well0 CHe
conde%ned the cities o$ Sodo% nd ?o%orrh '&
'#rnin) the% to shes! nd %de the% n eH%"le o$
wht is )oin) to h""en to the #n)odl&0D E: Peter :F>G0
The %ess)e o$ Sodo% nd ?o%orrh is tht
#nre"ented sin will not )o #n"#nished0 No less
techer thn 4es#s 9hrist hi%sel$ "reched this
%ess)e0 CIt ws the s%e in the d&s o$ Lot0 Peo"le
were etin) nd drin3in)! '#&in) nd sellin)! "lntin)
nd '#ildin)0 B#t the d& Lot le$t Sodo%! ;re nd
s#l$#r rined down $ro% he2en nd destro&ed the%
ll0D EL#3e *,F:.!:+G Nor%ll&! ?od will llow the sin o$
indi2id#ls to )o #n"#nished in order to )i2e the% n
o""ort#nit& to co%e to their senses! '#t in the cse o$
Sodo% nd ?o%orrh! ?od decided to set $or #s
)r"hic eH%"le o$ wht is in store $or the wic3ed who
'#se the "tience o$ ?od0
The stor& o$ Sodo% nd ?o%orrh is not ll
doo% nd )loo%0 E2en in the 2er& dr3est ho#r! when
sin ""ers to 'e in totl control! the lo2e nd the
)rce o$ ?od is wor3in)0 A%on)st the horror tht ws
-/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
Sodo%! there ws one ri)hteo#s %n0 Ne2er %ind the
$ct tht Lot hd no '#siness 'ein) there0 He sho#ld
h2e %o2ed o#t o$ there lon) ti%e 'e$ore0 In this
stor&! Lot is t&"e0 Lot stnds $or those who wo#ld
re%in ri)hteo#s in wic3ed nd de"r2ed world which
t3es e2er& o""ort#nit& to dr) #s down0 Lot ws not
"er$ect! '#t Lot still cl#n) to his reltionshi" with ?od0
As with Lot! so with those o$ #s who re willin) to
re%in #nstined '& the world0 Lot is the tttered '#t
s#r2i2in) re%nnt0 Lot is the one who %3es it to
he2en! '#t in the words o$ P#l! Conl& s one esc"in)
$ro% Q%es0D E* 9orinthins -F*8G0 Lot is the disci"le
o$ 4es#s who 5#st 'rel& hn)s in there0 4#st 'rel&
hn)in) in there is not )ret! '#t it 'ets )i2in) #" '&
%ileM A'rh% is )reter thn Lot! '#t Lot %3es it to
he2enM Tht co#nts $or so%ethin)0 It is tellin) tht
?od cll Lot! "erson who 5#st 'rel& %de it!
ri)hteo#s %n E: Peter :F,G0
LotKs wi$e is t&"e s well0 As is t&"icl! ?od
cn %3e e2en the s%llest detil o$ histor& stnd $or
)ret tr#th nd tech #s 'o#t reltionshi" with hi%0
CB#t LotKs wi$e loo3ed 'c3 nd she 'ec%e "illr o$
slt0D E?enesis *+F:>G0 LotKs wi$e is $oreshdow o$
those who wo#ld le2e their li$e o$ sin! 'eco%e
disci"le o$ 4es#s! '#t lter loo3 'c30 Wht is ?od
tr&in) to tech #s 'o#t t#rnin) 'c3 to o#r old li$e o$
sin $ter decidin) to $ollow hi%A 4es#s "#t it si%"l&!
CRe%e%'er LotKs wi$eMD EL#3e *,F-:G0
This stor& rell& h""ened0
/
In $ct! I hesitte to
#se the word stor& 'ec#se in co%%on En)lish #s)e
the word stor& o$ten i%"lies so%ethin) %de #"0 In
the stor& o$ Sodo% nd ?o%orrh we h2e sin nd
?odKs 5#d)%ent on sin0 We lso h2e the )rce o$ ?od0
The s%e Q%es which destro& %n& cn "#ri$& the
one who 'rel& esc"es the%0 We see the o""ort#nit&
to Qee $ro% li$e o$ sin0 Howe2er! contined in tht
-
For rcheolo)icl e2idence which s#""orts the historicl
cc#rc& o$ the 'i'licl stor& o$ Sodo% nd ?o%orrh! see 4ohn M0
O3es! #easons for $elief E?9I 'oo3s! Hi)hlnds Rnch! 9olordo!
:==*G! ""0 :=-I:=80
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
-8
o""ort#nit& is lso wrnin)0 Le2in) &o#r li$e o$ sin is
not eno#)h0 CNo one who "#ts his hnds to the "low
nd loo3s 'c3 is not ;t $or ser2ice in 3in)do% o$ ?od0D
EL#3e +F>:G0 A)in! n e2ent in the Old Test%ent
$oreshdows techin) in the New0
)A'O" AND E&A*
?od )2e nother o'5ect lesson 'o#t his
reltionshi" with #s in the li2es o$ the twins 4co' nd
Es#0 In $ct! e2en 'e$ore the& were 'orn! these two
were techin) #s 'o#t the so2erei)nt& o$ ?od0 In
Isrelite c#sto%! the ;rst 'orn son recei2ed do#'le
"ortion o$ the inheritnce $ro% his $ther0 In this cse!
the $ther ws Isc! who stood in the direct line which
e2ent#ll& led to the 'irth o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 The 'irth o$
Ess# nd 4co' re"resents %5or $or3 in the rod $or
?odKs "ln to 'less h#%nit& thro#)h the seed o$
A'rh%0 In $oreshdow o$ thin)s to co%e! s Es#
c%e $orth $ro% his %other Re'e3h ;rst! 4co'
)r''ed his hel0 4co' ws not 'o#t to concede
n&thin) to his older 'rotherM Fro% tht %o%ent
$orwrd! 4co' s"ent his li$e tr&in) to )r' $ro% Ess#
wht ri)htl& 'elon)ed to the ;rst 'orn0
?od #sed Es# s t&"e o$ Isrel nd the Old
9o2ennt! while 4co' is t&"e whose ntit&"e is the
New 9o2ennt ch#rch0 Isrel c%e ;rst! nd ws! '&
ri)hts! the ;rstI'orn child o$ ?od0 Yet ?od! in his
so2erei)n will! chose to t3e the ri)ht o$ the ;rst 'orn
son nd )i2e it to the ?entilesNto those who 'eco%e
sons o$ ?od thro#)h the 'lood o$ 9hrist0 H#ndreds o$
&ers 'e$ore ?od est'lished the ;rst 9o2ennt t
Mo#nt Sini! he $oreshdowed tht lter co2ennt
wo#ld s#"ercede it0
?od de%onstrted nd "ro"hesied this $ct in
the li$e o$ 4co' nd Es#0 The stor& o$ Es# sellin) his
'irthri)ht $or 'owl o$ lentil stew is "ro2er'il0 When
Es# c%e ho%e $%ished $ro% h#n)in) tri"! 4co'
tric3ed hi% into trdin) his ri)ht s ;rst 'orn son0 In
stte%ent which wo#ld echo thro#)h h#%n histor&!
-> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
Es# sid! CWht )ood is the 'irthri)ht to %eAD
B#t 4co' sid! CSwer to %e ;rst0D
So he swore n oth to hi%! sellin) his
'irthri)ht to 4co'0
Then 4co' )2e Es# so%e 'red
nd so%e lentil stew0 He te nd he drn3!
nd then )ot #" nd le$t0
So Es# des"ised his 'irthri)ht0
E?enesis :8F-:I-/G
The 4ews #nder the Old 9o2ennt who red this stor&
identi;ed the%sel2es with 4co'0 All lon)! ?od hd
diLerent intention0
P#l eH"lins wht ?od hd in %ind in Ro%ns
+F*=I*-F
Not onl& tht! '#t Re'eccKs children
hd one nd the s%e $ther! o#r $ther
Isc0 Yet! 'e$ore the twins were 'orn or
hd done n&thin) )ood or 'dNin order
tht ?odKs "#r"ose in election %i)ht stndF
not '& wor3s '#t '& hi% who cllsNshe
ws told! CThe older will ser2e the
&o#n)er0D 4#st s it is writtenF C4co' h2e
I lo2ed! '#t Ess# h2e I hted0D
P#l is B#otin) ?enesis *.F*=! */ nd ?enesis :8F:-
nd ""l&in) the stor& to ?entile 9hristins nd 4ews
who do not cce"t $ith in 4es#s 9hrist0 The ""liction
o$ the stor& o$ 4co' nd Es# to New Test%ent
theolo)& is wor3ed o#t in detil in Ro%ns0 ?od chose
Isrel! '#t he re"lced the Old 9o2enntNthe lw o$
Moses with the New 9o2enntNthe lw o$ 9hrist0 It
ws ?odKs intention ll lon) to %3e the $or%er the
ser2nt o$ the ltter0
This is eHctl& wht h""ened with 4co' nd
Es#0 In $ct! we s& 4co' nd Es#! not Es# nd
4co'! e2en tho#)h Es# ws 'orn ;rst0 Es# lost %ore
thn the ri)ht o$ the ;rstI'orn to 4co'Ks tric3er&0
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
-,
?enesis twent&Ise2en records the deceit$#l %ens '&
which 4co'! t the enco#r)e%ent o$ his %other!
"retended to 'e his hir& older twin! 'rin)in) in his
$therKs $2orite dish s he l& ner deth0 4co' too3
d2nt)e o$ IscKs 'lindness! $oolin) hi% into )i2in)
hi% his ;nl 'lessin)0 As Isc sid!
C<I 'lessed hi%Nnd indeed he will 'e
'lessedMD
When Es# herd his $therKs words!
he '#rst o#t with lo#d nd 'itter cr& nd
sid to his $ther! CBless %eN%e too! %&
$therMD
Es# 'e))ed $or t lest so%e sort o$ 'lessin)! '#t
Isc nswered Es#! CI h2e %de hi%
lord o2er &o# nd h2e %de ll his
relti2es his ser2nts! nd I h2e s#stined
hi% with )rin nd new wine0 So wht cn
I "ossi'l& do $or &o#! %& sonAD E?enesis
:,F--!-/!->G
E2en tod&! ?odKs 'lessin) is $o#nd #nder the children
o$ 4co'Nthose do"ted into the $%il& o$ ?od thro#)h
the 'lood o$ 9hrist0
It is not s#r"risin) tht Es# ws 5elo#s o$ his
'rother0 In scene which is $oreshdow o$ how the
erl& ch#rch ws treted '& the 4ewish co%%#nit&!
Re'e3h told her $2orite son! 4co'! CYo#r 'rother
Es# is consolin) hi%sel$ with the tho#)ht o$ 3illin)
&o#0 Now then! %& son! do wht I s&F Flee t once to
%& 'rother L'n in Hrn0D E?enesis :,F/:!/-G0
It is not 5#st coincidence tht the second son
recei2ed the 'lessin)0 ?od inter2enes in histor& nd
?od inter2enes in $%ilies in order to 'rin) 'o#t his
%ster "ln to 'less ll %n3ind thro#)h A'rh% nd
his descendnt! 4es#s 9hrist0 A)in we cn see Old
Test%ent e2ents $oreshdowin) $#nd%entl tr#th
$o#nd in the New Test%ent0 There re n#%'er o$
-. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
lessons to 'e lerned $ro% the stor& o$ 4co' nd Es#
Ere%e%'er! P#l sid these thin)s occ#rred s
eH%"les to #sG0 It is instr#cti2e to notice tht 4co'
ws $r $ro% "er$ect0 ?od did not choose 4co'
'ec#se he ws so %#ch %ore ri)hteo#s thn Es#0 It
is the s%e with n&one who is s2ed #nder the New
9o2ennt0 It is not tht n& o$ #s re 'etter thn
those who re lost0 It is onl& the )rce o$ ?od which
)i2es #s ccess into the 'lessin) o$ 4co'N'#ndnt
li$e in 9hrist0 There is no c#se $or 'ostin) here0
Re%e%'er s well tht Es# hd the 'lessin) o$
?od t one ti%e0 In He'rews *:F*> ?od wrns #s not
to 'eco%e Cli3e Es#! who $or sin)le %el sold his
inheritnce ri)hts s the oldest son0 A$terwrd! s &o#
3now! when he wnted to inherit this 'lessin)! he ws
re5ected0 He co#ld 'rin) 'o#t not chn)e o$ %ind!
tho#)h he so#)ht the 'lessin) with ters0D Mn& h2e
lost si)ht o$ the 'lessin)s the& h2e in ?odKs $%il&
nd sold their sl2tion $or thin)s s insi)ni;cnt s
sin)le %elF 'etter 5o'! one ni)ht stnd! 'etter
re"#ttion nd the li3e0 It is "ossi'le to lose oneKs
sl2tion0 Let #s t3e wrnin) $ro% Es#0
There is )ret del o$ s&%'olis% contined in
the rest o$ the ?enesis cco#nt0 One co#ld %ention
the s&%'olis% contined in the incident o$ 4co'
wrestlin) with the n)el E?enesis -:F::I-:G0 ?od hd
New Test%ent techin) in %ind when he ren%ed
4co' s Isrel0 The li$e o$ 4ose"h! the $2orite son o$
4co' stnds s n %6in) "re;)#re o$ 9hrist! '#t we
will le2e tht $or lter ch"ter0 It is ti%e to consider
the eHod#s o$ ?odKs "eo"le $ro% E)&"t0
THE E+OD*&
% &la,ery in Egypt-
When 4co'Ks $%il& Qed to E)&"t to esc"e the
$%ine! little did the& 3now the& were 'e)innin)
s) which wo#ld crete n %6in)l& 2i2id i%)e o$
ll the st)es '& which ?od "#rs#es reltionshi" with
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
-+
ech o$ #s0 Re%e%'er tht the the%e o$ the entire
Bi'le is ?odKs desire nd "ln to h2e reltionshi"
with ech o$ the "eo"le he hs creted0 The entire
histor& o$ Isrel is the ctin) o#t o$ n intricte "l&
showin) ?odKs "ln to h2e #s in reltionshi" with
hi% $or eternit&0
When 4co'! his ele2en sons! their wi2es!
children nd ser2nts Qed to E)&"t! it see%ed to 'e
)ood thin) t ;rst0 In $ct! i$ the sons o$ 4co' hd not
)one down to E)&"t! ?odKs "ln to 'rin) the Messih
thro#)h A'rh%Ks descendnts wo#ld not h2e 'een
reli6ed0 At ;rst! the Isrelites Qo#rished in E)&"t0 In
$ct! the& 'ec%e "erh"s the sin)le lr)est nonI
E)&"tin se)%ent o$ the "o"#ltion in E)&"t0
Ulti%tel&! o#t o$ )reed nd o#t o$ $er tht the
Isrelites %i)ht re'el nd set #" their own
inde"endent "ower in the Nile delt! the Phrohs
'e)n "olic& o$ s#'5ectin) Isrel to sl2er&0 Isrel
ended #" in 'ond)e0
?od #ses the 'ond)e o$ Isrel in E)&"t s
t&"e0 Thro#)ho#t the New Test%ent! 'ond)e in
Isrel is #sed s s&%'ol o$ n indi2id#lKs 'ond)e to
sin0 Isrel in E)&"t is s&%'olic o$ n& indi2id#l in
'ond)e to sin 'e$ore the& re $reed $ro% sin thro#)h
the 'lood o$ 9hrist0 As 4es#s sid! CI tell &o# the tr#th!
e2er&one who sins is sl2e to sin0D E4ohn .F-/G0
So the& "#t sl2e %sters o2er the%
to o""ress the% with $orced l'or! nd
the& '#ilt Pitho% nd R%eses s store
cities $or Phroh0 B#t the %ore the& were
o""ressed! the %ore the& %#lti"lied nd
s"redJ so the E)&"tins c%e to dred the
Isrelites nd wor3ed the% r#thlessl&0
The& %de their li2es 'itter with hrd l'or
in 'ric3 nd %ortr nd with ll 3inds o$
wor3 in the ;eldsJ in ll their hrd l'or the
E)&"tins #sed the% r#thlessl&0 EEHod#s
*F**G
/= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
Tr#l&! sin is hrd ts3 %ster0 In ensl2es #s nd
%3es #s do thin)s which we ne2er wo#ld h2e done i$
not ensl2ed to it0
I$ there is one thin) ?od htes! it is when the
"eo"le he creted to 3now hi% re in 'ond)e to sin0
When we re in sin! we re not in $ellowshi" with ?od0
When ?od sw his "eo"le cr&in) o#t #nder the %iser&
o$ sl2er& in E)&"t! he sent the% s2ior0 It is onl&
nt#rl to discern "rllel E t&"e nd ntit&"eG
'etween! on the one hnd! o#r sl2er& to sin nd ?od
sendin) s2ior! 4es#s 9hrist! nd on the other hnd!
IsrelKs sl2er& in E)&"t nd ?od sendin) Moses to $ree
the% $ro% c"ti2it&0 ?od hd to do so%ethin) 'o#t
the sl2er& EsinG "ro'le%0 ?od chose Moses s
Cs2iorD o$ Isrel0
?od set "rt Moses $ro% 'irth0 Bec#se Moses
is "re;)#re o$ the Messih! we will disc#ss this
s"ect lter in detil0 Loo3! howe2er! t wht ?od sid
to MosesF
The Lord sid! CI h2e indeed seen
the %iser& o$ %& "eo"le in E)&"t0 I h2e
herd the% cr&in) o#t 'ec#se o$ their
sl2e dri2ers! nd I % concerned 'o#t
their s#Lerin)0 So I h2e co%e down to
resc#e the% $ro% the hnd o$ the
E)&"tins nd to 'rin) the% #" o#t o$ tht
lnd into )ood nd s"cio#s lnd! lnd
Qowin) with %il3 nd hone&Nthe ho%e o$
the 9nnites! Hittites! A%orites!
Peri66ites! Hi2ites nd 4e'#sites0 And now
the cr& o$ the Isrelites hs reched %e!
nd I h2e seen the w& the E)&"tins re
o""ressin) the%0 So now! )o0 I %
sendin) &o# to Phroh to 'rin) %& "eo"le
the Isrelites o#t o$ E)&"t0D EEHod#s -F,I
*=G
?od co#ld not stnd seein) his "eo"le s#Lerin) in
'ond)e! s he cnnot cce"t #s 'ein) ensl2ed to sin0
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
/*
?od hd to do so%ethin)! so he sent s2io#r0
A )ret del will 'e sid in lter ch"ter 'o#t
the Psso2er nd its weso%e s&%'olis%0 Botto% line!
thro#)h the %inistr& o$ Moses nd thro#)h the %i)ht&
"ower o$ ?od! Isrel esc"ed c"ti2it&0 B#t how did
the& esc"e E)&"t nd the cl#tches o$ PhrohA How
will we esc"e the li$e o$ sinA Thn3s to ten "l)#es!
PhrohKs hert ws so$tened s#@cientl& $or hi% to let
?odKs "eo"le )o0 B#t Stn does not )i2e #" tht
esil&! nd neither did Phroh0 When Phroh
reli6ed tht he ws losin) his 2st "ool o$ $ree sl2e
l'or! he decided to cll o#t his r%& nd "#rs#e Isrel
into the desert to 'rin) the% 'c30 Sin %& not 'e
s%rt! '#t it is st#''orn0
See%in)l& witho#t "ln! Moses led the "eo"le
ri)ht #" )inst the wters o$ the Red Se0
,
He %#st
h2e wondered wh& ?od led hi% into deth tr"0
C?od! where hs "#ttin) %& tr#st in &o# led %eAD
Act#ll&! wht ?od led hi% into ws wonder$#l
$oreshdow o$ how we esc"e $ro% li$e o$ sin0 In one
o$ the )retest %ircles in the Bi'le! when Moses
rised his hnds o2er the wter! the Red Se "rted0
Isrel ws 'le to esc"e sl2er& in E)&"t '& "ssin)
ri)ht thro#)h the %idst o$ this )ret 'od& o$ wter0 The
wters o$ the Red Se re the t&"e! nd the wters o$
'"tis% re the ntit&"e0 Is it n& coincidence tht
?od hd his "eo"le esc"e sl2er& in E)&"t thro#)h
wterA When it ""ered tht Moses ws lost! ?od ws
ledin) hi% ri)ht where he wnted hi%0 When the&
esc"ed thro#)h the se! the E)&"tin r%&! the
enls2ers o$ Isrel were B#ite literll& wshed w&! s
re o#r sins when we re CwshedD in '"tis%0 This is
no ccidentM
For I do not wnt &o# to 'e i)nornt
o$ the $ct! 'rothers! tht o#r $ore$thers
/
Literll& the Se o$ Reeds0 There is so%e contro2ers&
o2er whether this ws the Red Se! the Bitter L3es north o$ the
Red Se! or e2en the ?#l$ o$ AB#'0 The s&%'olis% 'ehind this
crossin) is not eLected in n& cse0
/: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
were ll #nder the clo#d nd tht the& ll
"ssed thro#)h the se0 The& were ll
'"ti6ed into Moses in the clo#d nd in the
se0 The& ll te the s%e s"irit#l $ood
nd drn3 the s%e s"irit#l drin3J $or the&
drn3 $ro% the s"irit#l roc3 tht
cco%"nied the%! nd tht roc3 ws
9hrist0 E* 9orinthins *=F*I/G
Bein) '"ti6ed into Moses %#st h2e 'een %indI
'lowin) eH"erience $or the 4ews0 Bein) '"ti6ed into
9hrist E?ltins -F:,G is li$eIchn)in) eH"erience s
well0
+
There is "ttern here0 When ?odKs "eo"le re
s2ed! there is rec#rrin) tendenc& $or it to in2ol2e
wter0 We see this in NohKs Qood nd in IsrelKs
esc"e $ro% E)&"t0 This will not 'e the lst ti%e0
A$ter esc"in) thro#)h the Red Se! the ntion o$
Isrel! #nder the ledershi" o$ their Cs2iorD Moses
tr2eled to Mo#nt Sini! where the& recei2ed the Lw0
This is when the Old 9o2ennt ws )i2en0 Isrel hd
esc"ed $ro% sl2er&! '#t then needed to est'lish
reltionshi" with their ?od0 This is $oreshdow o$
New Test%ent h""enin) s well0 When one is
'"ti6ed into 9hrist! the& enter new reltionshi" with
?od thro#)h 9hrist0 M#ch will 'e sid in nother
ch"ter 'o#t the Lw o$ Moses nd the w&s in which
it "ro2ides $oreshdow o$ wht we h2e in 9hrist0
%% .andering in the .ilderness-
8
There is co%%on 'elie$ in so%e 9hristin
deno%intions tht '"tis% in wter is onl& s&%'ol o$ the
$or)i2eness tht hs lred& occ#rred when one Ccce"tsD 9hrist0
This doctrine 2ioltes n#%'er o$ cler techin)s in the Bi'le! '#t
it lso 2ioltes the whole t&"ePntit&"e s ?od set it #"0 The
s&%'olP$oreshdow is the '"tis% o$ Isrel into Moses in the Red
Se0 The New Test%ent $#l;ll%ent o$ tht s&%'ol is the rel
clensin) which occ#rs in the wters o$ '"tis% $or those who
h2e decided to t#rn to 9hrist0 When Isrel "ssed thro#)h the
wters! the& esc"ed E)&"t t tht "oint0 It ws not so%e sort o$
s&%'ol o$ wht hd lred& h""enedM B"tis% is not s&%'ol0 It
is clensin)0
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
/-
A$ter Sini! Isrel wndered in the desert $or $ort&
&ers0 Wht were the& doin) ll this ti%eA There re
n#%'er o$ "ossi'le nswers to this B#estion! '#t one
thin) we cn 'e s#re o$F when Isrel wndered in the
desert! the& were ctin) o#t $oreshdow $or #s0 The
wnderin) in the wilderness is $oreshdow o$ the li$e
o$ disci"le o$ 9hrist0 When one is '"ti6ed into
9hrist! one does not i%%editel& le2e the erth nd
)o to he2en0 When Isrel le$t E)&"t! the& were still
not "re"red to enter the Pro%ised Lnd0 In $ct!
sl2er& in E)&"t! wnderin) in the wilderness nd
enterin) the Pro%ised Lnd re ll t&"es o$ s"ects o$
the reltionshi" with ?od one hs #nder the New
9o2ennt! s ill#strted in the chrt 'elow0
OLD
TESTAMENT
TYPE
NEW TESTAMENT
ANTITYPE
SLA(ERY IN
E?YPT
LOST! SLA(E TO
SIN
WANDERIN? IN
THE
WILDERNESS
SA(ED! BUT
LI(IN? THE LIFE
OF A DIS9IPLE
ENTERIN? THE
PROMISED
LAND
ENTERIN?
HEA(EN
Wht ws the "#r"ose o$ wnderin) in the
wildernessA At the end o$ the $ort& &ers! ri)ht 'e$ore
enterin) the Pro%ised Lnd! ?od "ro2ided n nswer
to this 2er& )ood B#estionM
Be cre$#l to $ollow e2er& co%%nd I
// FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
% )i2in) &o# tod&! so tht &o# %& li2e
nd increse nd %& enter nd "ossess
the lnd tht the Lord "ro%ised on oth to
&o#r $ore$thers0 Re%e%'er how the LORD
&o#r ?od led &o# ll the w& in the desert
these $ort& &ers! to h#%'le &o# nd to
test &o# in order to 3now wht ws in &o#r
hert! whether or not &o# wo#ld 3ee" his
co%%nds0 He h#%'led &o#! c#sin) &o#
to h#n)er nd then $eedin) &o# with
%nn! which neither &o# nor &o#r $thers
hd 3nown! to tech &o# tht %n does not
li2e on 'red lone '#t on e2er& word tht
co%es $or% the %o#th o$ the LORD0 Yo#r
clothes did not wer o#t nd &o#r $eet did
not swell d#rin) these $ort& &ers0 7now
then in &o#r hert tht s %n disci"lines
his son! so the LORD &o#r ?od disci"lines
&o#0
Wht )ret "ict#re $or #s o$ the li$e o$ $ollower o$
4es#sM The li$e o$ 9hristin is %de #" o$ series o$
o""ort#nities to lern to rel& on ?od0 The Isrelites
were not red& to enter the Pro%ised Lnd 'ec#se
the& hd &et not lerned to tr#st ?od0 Hd the "eole o$
?od %rched $ro% E)&"t stri)ht into 9nn! the&
wo#ld h2e 'een te%"ted C'e&ond wht the& co#ld
'er0D E* 9orinthins *=F*-G to tr#st in their own "ower
to s2e the%sel2es0 Insted! ?od sent the% o#t into
the desert $or $ort& &ers0 The desert wilderness so#th
o$ Plestine co#ld ne2er s#""ort the "h&sicl needs o$
two %illion "eo"le0 Isrel ws $orced to rel& on ?od $or
'oth $ood nd wter0
The %ess)e to those #nder the New 9o2ennt
is cler0 I$ we $eel we h2e Crri2edD $ter 'ein) s2ed
'& the 'lood o$ 4es#s! we re $oolin) o#rsel2es0 We
%#st constntl& 'e trined to rel& on ?od $or o#r
s"irit#l $ood nd wter or we will ne2er enter o#r
s"irit#l Pro%ised LndF he2en0
One cn i%)ine tht t ;rst! the "eo"le o$ Isrel
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
/8
were ;red #" to 'e led '& the "illr o$ ;re in the desert0
The& were %6ed nd enco#r)ed to recei2e their
$ood o#t o$ the s3& in the $or% o$ %nn nd their
wter o#t o$ roc30 Lter on! howe2er! ll these
'lessin)s see%ed 5#st li3e nor%l e2er&Id& thin)s nd
the "eo"le lon)ed to ret#rn to E)&"t0 CI$ onl& we hd
%et to etM We re%e%'er the ;sh we te in E)&"t t
no costNlso the c#c#%'ers! %elons! lee3s! onions nd
)rlic0 B#t now we h2e lost o#r ""etiteJ we ne2er see
n&thin) '#t this %nnMD EEHod#s **F/I>G0 Did the&
$or)et tht the& were sl2es in E)&"tA The $ood ws
$ree0 Tht is tr#e0 It ws $ree 'ec#se the& were
sl2es nd hd no %one&M Did the& $or)et tht the&
wor3ed twel2e or $o#rteen ho#r d&s! se2en d&s
wee3A Did the& $or)et tht Phroh hd decreed tht
ll the %le Isrelite children wo#ld 'e sl#)hteredA
Yes the& did0 Followers o$ 4es#s wo#ld do well to
re%e%'er tht Isrel in the desert is the t&"e! '#t we
9hristins re the ntit&"e0 It is rell& ins"irin) to see
so%e o$ the t&"es nd ntit&"es in the Old nd New
Test%ents! '#t when the ntit&"e is &o#rsel$! tht is
)ood reson to "& ttention0 As with the%! so with #s
i$ we do not t3e the wrnin) oLered '& this %6in)
stor&0 We %#st rel& on ?od! not sel$ to %3e it to
he2en! nd we %#st contin#e to ""recite the dil&
'lessin)s we h2e $ro% 'ein) in reltionshi" with
?od0
This is the %ess)e o$ He'rews -F*/I/F:
Eindeed! it is the %ess)e o$ the entire 'oo3 o$
He'rewsGF
We h2e co%e to shre in 9hrist i$ we hold
;r%l& till the end the con;dence we hd t
;rst0 As hs 5#st 'een sidF
CTod&! i$ &o# her his 2oice!
do not hrden &o#r herts
s &o# did in the re'ellion0D
Who were the& who herd nd
/> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
re'elledA Were the& not ll those Moses
led o#t o$ E)&"tA And with who% ws he
n)r& $or $ort& &ersA Ws it not with
those who sinned! whose 'odies $ell in the
desertA And to who% did ?od swer tht
the& wo#ld ne2er enter his rest i$ not to
those who diso'e&edA So we see tht the&
were not 'le to enter! 'ec#se o$ their
#n'elie$0 There$ore! since the "ro%ise o$
enterin) his rest still stnds! let #s 'e
cre$#l tht none o$ &o# 'e $o#nd to h2e
$llen short o$ it0 For we lso h2e hd the
)os"el "reched to #s! 5#st s the& didJ '#t
the %ess)e the& hered ws o$ no 2l#e
to the%! 'ec#se those who herd did not
co%'ine it with $ith0
Re%e%'er! those Cwhose 'odies $ell in the desertD re
those who 'eco%e disci"les! recei2e the Hol& S"irit!
'#t lter t#rn 'c30 The& ne2er enter the Pro%ised
Lnd0 The& ne2er enter he2en0 It co#ld h""en to
n&one who does not "& ttention to the %ess)eM
One o$ the %ost co%%on techin)s in the
9hristin world is tht once "erson is s2ed '& the
'lood o$ 4es#s! it is i%"ossi'le $or tht "erson to lose
their sl2tion0 This doctrine is so%eti%es clled Conce
s2ed! lw&s s2ed0D O#ite "rt $ro% the $ct tht
this techin) is re$#ted '& do6ens o$ "ss)es
thro#)ho#t the New Test%ent! the t&"e set #" '& ?od
%3es it cr&stl cler tht once so%eone enters the
$reedo% i%"lied in reltionshi" with ?od thro#)h
le2in) sl2er& to sin EE)&"tG! it is entirel& "ossi'le to
lose tht sl2tionNto ;)#rti2el& ret#rn to E)&"t0
Le2in) E)&"t does not necessril& i%"l& enterin) the
Pro%ised Lnd0 Si%ilrl&! le2in) the li$e o$ sin does
not %en tht "erson cnnot ret#rn to it! there'&
losin) their o""ort#nit& to enter the Pro%ised Lnd!
he2en.
0
Wht does $ollower o$ 4es#s need to s#stin
>
For eH%"le! He'rews >F/I*:! He'rews *=F:>I-*! -8I-+
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
/,
hi% or her in their wl3 with ?odA Let #s loo3 t the
t&"eNwnderin) in the wildernessNto ;nd the nswer0
Isrel needed $ood nd wter0 ?od "ro2ided $ood in the
$or% o$ %nn0 B& now! the reder will not 'e
s#r"rised tht the %nn ws $oreshdow s well0
The c#rio#s $ollowers o$ 4es#s s3ed hi%F
C<Wht %irc#lo#s si)n then will
&o# )i2e tht we %& see it nd 'elie2e
&o#A Wht will &o# doA O#r $ore$thers
te the %nn in the desertJ s it is
writtenF RHe )2e the% 'red $ro% he2en
to et0K
4es#s sid to the%! CI tell &o# the
tr#th! it is not Moses who hs )i2en &o# the
'red $ro% he2en! '#t it is %& Fther who
)i2es &o# the tr#e 'red $ro% he2en0 For
the 'red o$ ?od is he who co%es down
$ro% he2en nd )i2es li$e to the world0D
CSir!D the& sid! C$ro% now on )i2e
#s this 'red0D
Then 4es#s declred! CI % the 'red
o$ li$e0 He who co%es to %e will ne2er )o
h#n)r&! nd he who 'elie2es in %e will
ne2er 'e thirst&0D E4ohn >F-:I-8G0
Mnn is the t&"e! nd 4es#s is the ntit&"e0 For the
9hristin! 4es#s is s"irit#l $ood0 In $ct! s with Isrel
in the wilderness $or who% %nn ws ll the& hd to
et! 4es#s is o#r onl& s"irit#l $ood0 This conce"t is
es& to #nderstnd '#t 2er& hrd to "#t into "rctice0
9hristins! li3e the Isrelites re sorel& te%"ted e2er&
d& to $or)et where their s"irit#l $ood co%es $ro%0
4es#s ws 'sol#tel& ri)ht in re%indin) the 4ews
tht Moses did not )i2e the% 'red0 It $ell o#t o$ the
s3& while Moses ws slee"M Howe2er! ?od did #se
Moses s his )ent to cll $orth wter $or the "eo"le o#t
o$ roc30
<'#t there ws no wter to drin30
/. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
So the& B#rreled with Moses nd sid!
C?i2e #s wter to drin30D
Then Moses cried o#t to the Lord!
CWht % I to do with these "eo"leA The&
re l%ost red& to stone %e0D
The Lord nswered Moses! CWl3 on
hed o$ the "eo"le0 T3e with &o# so%e
o$ the elders o$ Isrel nd t3e in &o#r hnd
the stL with which &o# str#c3 the Nile!
nd )o0 I will stnd there 'e$ore &o# '& the
roc3 t Hore'0 Stri3e the roc3! nd wter
will co%e o#t o$ it $or the "eo"le to drin30D
EEHod#s *,F:!/!8G0
The wters t Meri'h re the t&"e! '#t wht is the
ntit&"e in this cseA It is the Hol& S"irit which ?od
"o#rs o#t on ll those who 'elie2e0 As 4es#s sid!
CI$ %n is thirst&! let hi% co%e to
%e nd drin30 Whoe2er 'elie2es in %e! s
the Scri"t#re hs sid! stre%s o$ li2in)
wter will Qow $ro% within hi%0D B& this he
%ent the S"irit! who% those who 'elie2ed
in hi% were lter to recei2e0 U" to tht
ti%e the S"irit hd not 'een )i2en! since
4es#s hd not &et 'een )lori;ed0 E4ohn
,F-,I-+G
While wnderin) in the wilderness! the He'rew "eo"le
hd ll their "h&sicl needs "ro2ided directl& '& ?od0
For those who h2e 'een clled o#t o$ their old li$e '&
4es#s to wl3 in the CwildernessD with hi%! ll their
s"irit#l needs re %et '& ?od in 4es#s 9hrist nd in
the Hol& S"irit! o#r s"irit#l $ood nd drin30 The
chllen)e! o$ co#rse! is to not lose si)ht o$ this $ct nd
to ct on it on dil& 'sis0 Un$ort#ntel&! the
Isrelites did not do this nd %n& o$ the% $ell in the
wilderness0 M& it not 'e so with #sM
%%% Entering the /romised !and-
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
/+
A$ter the& hd wndered in the desert $or $ort&
&ers! ?od hd ;nll& rised #" "eo"le who were
%ore or less $ith$#l nd tr#stin) in hi%0 At lst! the&
were red& to enter the Pro%ised LndM This ws the
$#l;ll%ent o$ the "ro%ise to A'rh%! %de o2er $o#r
h#ndred &ers 'e$ore0
The Lord sid to A'r% $ter Lot hd
"rted $ro% hi%! CLi$t #" &o#r e&es $ro%
where &o# re nd loo3 north nd so#th!
est nd west0 All the lnd tht &o# see I
will )i2e to &o# nd &o#r oLs"rin) $ore2er0D
E?enesis */!*8G
Enterin) the Pro%ised Lnd re"resented 2ictor& to
?odKs "eo"le0 This ws the #lti%te0 The Pro%ised
LndN9nnIIws "rett& )ood0 In $ct it ws
weso%e0
For the Lord &o#r ?od is 'rin)in) &o#
into )ood lndN lnd with stre%s nd
"ools o$ wter! with s"rin)s Qowin) in the
2lle&s nd hillsJ lnd with whet nd
'rle&! 2ines nd ;) trees! "o%e)rntes!
oli2e oil nd hone&J lnd where 'reed
will not 'e scrce nd &o# will lc3 nothin)J
lnd where the roc3s re iron nd &o#
cn di) co""er o#t o$ thehills0
EDe#terono%& .F>I+G
The t&"e ws "rett& )ood! '#t the ntit&"e is
$r 'etter0 ?od "ro%ised Isrel tht he wo#ld "ro2ide
$or the% ll the& needed in the Pro%ised Lnd0
Howe2er! 9nn ws onl& $oreshdow o$ so%ethin)
$r )reter0 The "h&sicl Pro%ised Lnd o$ Isrel is
$oreshdow o$ the s"irit#l "ro%ised lndF He2en0
?odKs )ol $or Isrel ws to dwell in the lndNto
eH"erience 'lessed nd $#l;lled li$e in $ellowshi" with
hi%0 Tht is wht the Pro%ised Lnd ws ll 'o#t0
8= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
And tht is wht he2en is ll 'o#t0 As 4es#s sidF
CDo not let &o#r herts 'e tro#'led0
Tr#st in ?odJ tr#st lso in %e0 In %&
$therKs ho#se re %n& roo%sJ i$ it were
not so! I wo#ld h2e told &o#0 I % )oin)
there to "re"re "lce $or &o#0 And i$ I )o
nd "re"re "lce $or &o#! I will co%e
'c3 nd t3e &o# to 'e with %e tht &o#
lso %& 'e where I %0D E4ohn */F*I-G
The Pro%ised Lnd ws "lce to eH"erience the
'lessin)s o$ ?od0 It ws "lce to rest! sec#re in
?odKs r%s0 Tht is wht he2en will 'e $or those who
enter the #lti%te Pro%ised Lnd0 Howe2er! ?od
wnts to re%ind #s one %ore ti%e! tht we %#st %3e
e2er& eLort to enter tht rest0
It still re%ins tht so%e will enter
tht rest! nd those who $or%erl& hd the
)os"el "reched to the% did not )o in!
'ec#se o$ their diso'edience0 There$ore
?od )in set certin d&! cllin) it
Tod&! when lon) ti%e lter he s"o3e
thro#)h D2id! s ws sid 'e$oreF
CTod& i$ &o# her his 2oice!
do not hrder &o# herts0D
For i$ 4osh# hd )i2en the% rest! ?od
wo#d not h2e s"o3en lter 'o#t nother
d&0 There re%ins! then S''thIrest $or
the "eo"le o$ ?odJ $or n&one who enters
?odKs rest lso rests $ro% his own wor3!
5#st s ?od did $ro% his0 Let #s! there$ore!
%3e e2er& eLort to enter tht rest! so tht
no one will $ll '& $ollowin) their eH%"le
o$ diso'edience0 EHe'rews /F>I**G
The "eo"le o$ ?od clerl& co#ld not enter 9nn on
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
8*
their own "ower! s we cnnot )et to he2en '& o#r
own stren)th0 Ne2ertheless! ?od wnts #s to %3e
e2er& eLort on o#r own "rt to hold $st to hi% so tht
we will not $ll in the desert0 O#r eLort is ne2er
eno#)h to enter he2en! '#t it is lw&s reB#ired0
?od #sed Moses to led the "eo"le ri)ht #" to
the 2er)e o$ 9nn0 Howe2er! ?od ws not done
techin) his "eo"le 'o#t rel&in) on hi%0 The "eo"le
o$ ?od were ri)ht on the 'order o$ the Pro%ised Lnd!
'#t there ws the %tter o$ little ri2er<0 The 4ordn
ws t Qood st)e0 ?od wnted to "ro2ide one %ore
re%inder tht the& co#ld onl& enter 9nn '& his
%irc#lo#s "ower0 Nt#rll& the s%e ""lies to the
ntit&"e0 No one will enter he2en on their own "ower0
Wor3 is reB#ired! '#t h#%n eLort is not s#@cient to
'e s2ed0 It is not s tho#)h the 4ews co#ld h2e t3en
r#nnin) strt nd clered the 4ordn t Qood st)e0
The st)e ws set $or nother %ircle End nother
$oreshdowG0
So when the "eo"le 'ro3e c%" to
cross the 4ordn! the "riests crr&in) the
r3 o$ the co2ennt went hed o$ the%0
Now the 4ordn is t Qood st)e ll d#rin)
hr2est0 Yet s soon s the "riests who
crried the r3 reched the 4ordn nd
their $eet to#ched the wterKs ed)e! the
wter $ro% #"stre% sto""ed Qowin)0 It
"iled #" in he" )ret distnce w&!
t town clled Ad% in the 2icinit& o$
1rethn! while the wter Qowin) down to
the Se o$ Ar'h ws co%"letel& c#t oL0
So the "eo"le crossed o2er o""osite
4ericho0 E4osh# -F*/I*>G0
4#st s ?odKs "eo"le hd reB#ired Cs2iorD!
Moses! to le2e sl2er& in E)&"t! the& reB#ired s2ior
to enter the Pro%ised Lnd0 This new "re;)#re o$ the
Messih ws 4osh#0 We will see %ore on 4osh# s
t&"e o$ 9hrist in nother ch"ter0 Is it n& coincidence
8: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
tht ?odKs "eo"le entered the Pro%ised Lnd thro#)h
wterA
The t&"e is the Pro%ised Lnd0 The ntit&"e is
he2en0 We cn lern $ro% the t&"e tht he2en is
"lce where we cn li2e in $ellowshi" with ?od0 It is
?odKs )ol to %3e #s into his "eo"le so tht we cn
dwell with hi%0 Fro% the $oreshdow we see tht
he2en is "lce where we will 'e 'lessed 'e&ond o#r
wildest dre%s0 9nn re"resents he2en nd
he2en is "lce where we will 'e 'le to rest with o#r
?od $ro% o#r l'ors0
%N 'ANAAN0 A M%+ED &1M"O!-
Once ?odKs "eo"le entered the Pro%ised Lnd!
the t&"e chn)ed0 There$ore the ntit&"e chn)ed s
well0 U" #ntil the ti%e ?odKs "eo"le entered 9nn!
?od ws #sin) it s s&%'ol o$ o#r S''thIrest with
hi% in he2en0 Once the "eo"le ct#ll& entered the
lnd #nder 4osh#! the t&"e E'ein) in PlestineG no
lon)er ;t the ntit&"e E'ein) in he2enG0 Altho#)h
9nn ws tr#l& "lce Qowin) with %il3 nd hone&!
it ws no c3e wl3 $or Isrel to conB#er nd occ#"&
the lnd0 Fro% the 'e)innin) o$ the 'oo3 o$ 4osh# on
Nthro#)ho#t the rest o$ the historicl 'oo3s o$ the
Bi'leNli2in) in the Pro%ised Lnd 'eco%es t&"e! not
o$ he2en! '#t o$ the ch#rchF the 7in)do% o$ ?od0
1
We
will see B#ite 'it %ore on this in $#t#re ch"ter0
IsrelKs 'ttles with its nei)h'ors will 'eco%e s&%'ol
o$ o#r 'ttle with sins0 IsrelKs 3in)s will 'eco%e
s&%'ol o$ the 3in) in he2enF 4es#s 9hrist0
Bec#se the s&%'olis% ttched to 9nn
chn)es! de"endin) on where it $lls historicll& in the
,
It is co%%on to ss#%e tht the 9h#rch o$ 4es#s 9hrist on
the erth is the 7in)do% o$ ?od0 In $ct the 7in)do% o$ ?od is
$r )reter conce"t! which t3es in %#ch %ore thn the ch#rch0
The 3in)do% is ?od rei)nin) in n indi2id#lKs hert0 The 3in)do%
o$ ?od is he2en0 The 7in)do% o$ ?od is the ch#rch0 To "#t it in
$or% which is "erh"s 'it too si%"leF the ch#rch is "rt o$ the
7in)do% o$ ?od! '#t the 7in)do% is so%ethin) $r )reter0 This
will 'e disc#ssed in %ore detil in ch"ter nine0
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
8-
Bi'le! it is es& to 'eco%e con$#sed0 In order to hel"
3ee" thin)s stri)ht it is hel"$#l to thin3 o$ the
Pro%ised Lnd s s&%'ol o$ he2en in the Pentte#ch
Ethe ;rst ;2e 'oo3s o$ the Old Test%entG! '#t to thin3
o$ Isrel in 9nn s s&%'ol o$ the 3in)do% o$ ?od
nd o#r "ersonl reltionshi" with ?od $ro% the 'oo3
o$ 4osh# on thro#)h the rest o$ the Bi'le0
With this in %ind! it 'eco%es esier to %3e
sense o$ the s&%'olis% o$ the crossin) o$ the 4ordn
Ri2er0 As Isrel ws '"ti6ed into Moses when the&
"ssed thro#)h the wters o$ the Red Se! so the& were
'"ti6ed into 4osh# when the& "ssed thro#)h the
wters o$ the 4ordn0 It is tr#e tht this is ne2er
ct#ll& s"eci;cll& stted in the New Test%ent! '#t
the s&%'oli% is $irl& o'2io#s0
I$ one is not co%"letel& con2inced o$ this cli%!
wht ?od co%%nded Isrel to do i%%editel& #"on
"ssin) thro#)h the 4ordn will %3e it %ore cler0
At tht ti%e the Lord sid to 4osh#!
CM3e Qint 3ni2es nd circ#%cise the
Isrelites )in0D So 4osh# %de Qint
3ni2es nd circ#%cised the Isrelites t
?i'eth Hrloth0D E4osh# 8F:!-G
Altho#)h ?od hd co%%nded e2er& Isrelite
%le to 'e circ#%cised on the ei)hth d&! $or the $ort&
&ers o$ wnderin) in the wilderness! the 4ews hd not
circ#%cised their %le children0 Wh& is thtA ?od %&
h2e hd n#%'er o$ resons! '#t it 5#st so h""ens
tht in doin) so! ?od %de the e2ents t ?i2eth
Hrloth to 'e t&"e o$ one o$ the i%"ortnt conce"ts
in the New Test%ent0
9irc#%cision is t&"e whose ntit&"e is '"tis%0
For the %le He'rew child! circ#%cision is wht %de
the% "rt o$ Isrel0 Under the Old 9o2ennt! the 4ews
were 'orn into reltionshi" with ?od0 For the %le
Isrelite! this reltionshi" ws cons#%%ted on the
ei)hth d& when the child ws circ#%cised0 Under the
New 9o2ennt! one is 'orn )in into the 3in)do% o$
8/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
?od in '"tis%0
In hi% &o# were lso circ#%cised! in
the "#ttin) oL o$ the sin$#l nt#re! not with
circ#%cision done '& the hnds o$ %en
'#t with the circ#%cision done '& 9hrist!
h2in) 'een '#ried with hi% in '"tis%
nd rised with hi% thro#)h &o#r $ith in
the "ower o$ ?od! who rised hi% $ro% the
ded0 E9olossins :F**!*:G
P#l %3es it 2er& cler tht circ#%cision is the
t&"e! while '"tis% is the ntit&"e0 B"tis% is s"irit#l
circ#%cision0 9irc#%cision Enor%ll&G occ#rs soon $ter
'irth! while '"tis% is re'irth0 As 4es#s sid! CI tell
&o# the tr#th! #nless %n is 'orn o$ wter nd the
S"irit! he cnnot enter the 3in)do% o$ ?od0D E4ohn -F8G0
This s&%'olis% sends chill #" the s"ineM Isrel hd
to 'e circ#%cised in order to enter the t&"e! which is
9nn! t&"e o$ the 3in)do% o$ ?od0 Those who
co%e to ?od thro#)h 9hrist %#st enter the s"irit#l
3in)do% o$ ?od thro#)h the s"irit#l circ#%cision!
which is '"tis%0
In order to enter 9nn! ?odKs "eo"le hd to
"ss thro#)h wter and the& hd to 'e circ#%cised0
9o#ld ?od h2e creted %ore cler s&%'olis% thn
he didA Wht %3es the e2ent nd its s&%'olis% %ost
%6in) is tht when Isrel cted o#t this "l& $or #s!
the& hd no ide o$ the si)ni;)nce o$ wht the& were
doin)0 When the writers o$ the Old Test%ent recorded
this histor&! the& too hd no ide how ?od wo#ld t#rn
ll this into dr%tic re"resenttion o$ how we enter
reltionshi" with hi% #nder the New 9o2ennt0
There is %ore "re;)#re to 'e $o#nd in the
entrnce o$ the twel2e tri'es into the Pro%ised Lnd0
We h2e lred& seen tht Cs soon s the "riests who
crried the r3 reched the 4ordn nd their $eet
to#ched the wterKs ed)e! the wter $ro% #"stre%
sto""ed Qowin)0D E4osh# -F*8G0 It too3 )ret $ith $or
the Le2ites crr&in) the r3 to %rch ri)ht into the ri2er
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
88
t Qood st)e0 The %o%ent the r3 reched the ri2er
the wter sto""ed0 This ws not so%e sort o$ nt#rl
"heno%enon which ?od so%ehow #sed to sto" the
Qow o$ the ri2er0 This ws s#"ernt#rl e2ent0 We
will see in the ch"ter on the T'erncle tht the r3 is
t&"e o$ the "resence o$ ?od0 ?od ws showin) Isrel
nd #s tht it is onl& his "ower which cn "rt the
wters! llowin) #s $reedo% to enter his "resence0 It is
the s%e with the ntit&"e to the wters o$ the 4ordn0
CH2in) 'een '#ried with hi% in '"tis% nd rised
with hi% through your faith in the power of 2od0D In
'oth the t&"e nd in the ntit&"e! ?od is tellin) #s tht
onl& thro#)h his "ower nd o#r $ith cn we "ss
thro#)h the wters into reltionshi" with hi%0
3
9onsider one %ore "re;)#re in the entr& o$
?odKs chosen "eo"le into the Lnd0 Who ws it tht led
the% into "h&sicl IsrelNinto the "resence o$ ?odA It
ws 4osh#0 As we will see in ch"ter two! 4osh# is
t&"e o$ 9hrist0 The He'rew n%e 4osh# is the Ar%ic
n%e 4esh#! trnsliterted into ?ree3 s 4es#s0 I
s#""ose one co#ld r)#e it is coincidence! '#t )i2en ll
the other "rllels 'etween the Old Test%ent nd the
New! one cn detect ?odKs wor3! e2en down to the
n%es in2ol2ed0 The n%e o$ he who led ?odKs "eo"le
into co2ennt reltionshi" with ?od in the Pro%ised
Lnd in the Old Test%ent is the s%e s he who leds
?odKs "eo"le into the New 9o2ennt reltionshi" with
?od0
In the stor& o$ the entr& o$ Isrel #nder 4osh#
into the Pro%ised Lnd the Bi'le hs )i2en
$oreshdows o$ the "lce o$ '"tis%! o$ the "ower o$
?od nd the wor3 o$ 4es#s in 'rin)in) "eo"le into
reltionshi" with hi%0
'A/T%V%T1 AND &A!VAT%ON O (OD2& /EO/!E
.
Those who tech tht New Test%ent '"tis% is 5#st
s&%'ol o$ so%ethin) which hs lred& h""ened sho#ld t3e
note0 ?od see%s to 'e B#ite consistent in insistin) tht his "ower
is t wor3 in the wter0
8> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
There is )ret del o$ t&"e nd ntit&"e $o#nd
thro#)ho#t the "eriods o$ the 4#d)es nd o$ the Two
7in)do%s0 These will 'e co2ered in other ch"ters0
The lst %5or historicl "re;)#re which we will
consider is the c"ti2it& o$ Isrel in Ass&ri nd B'&lon
s well s the %6in) w& ?od $reed his "eo"le $ro%
c"ti2it& %on)st the )entiles0
The 4ews sho#ld not h2e 'een s#r"rised tht i$
the& were to t#rn their 'c3 on ?od! he wo#ld cst
the% )in into c"ti2it& nd sl2er& si%ilr to wht
the& hd eH"erienced in E)&"t0 ?od "ro"hesied this to
the% in 2er& cler nd )r"hic ter%s0 In his "rtin)
words to the "eo"le! Moses sid to Isrel tht i$ the&
were #n$ith$#l to their ?od nd did not o'e& ll his
co%%nds nd decreesJ
The Lord will dri2e &o# nd the 3in)
&o# set o2er &o# to ntion #n3nown to
&o# or &o#r $thers0 There &o# will worshi"
other )ods! )ods o$ wood nd stone0 Yo#
will 'eco%e thin) o$ horror nd n o'5ect
o$ scorn nd ridic#le to ll ntions where
the Lord will dri2e &o#<0
Bec#se o$ the s#Lerin) tht &o#r
ene%& will inQict on &o# d#rin) the sie)e!
&o# will et the $r#it o$ the wo%'! the Qesh
o$ the sons nd d#)hters the LORD &o#r
?od hs )i2en &o#0
The LORD will sctter &o# %on) the
ntions! $ro% one end o$ the erth to the
other<0 A%on) those ntions &o# will ;nd
no re"ose! no restin) "lce $or the sole o$
&o#r $oot0 There the LORD will )i2e &o# n
nHio#s %ind! e&es wer& with lon)in)!
nd des"irin) hert0
EDe#terono%& :.F->!-,!8-!>/!>8G
Un$ort#ntel&! des"ite MosesK wrnin) in
De#terono%& nd des"ite ?odKs re"eted eLorts to
wrn his "eo"le! the& contin#ed to re'el )inst hi%0
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
8,
The& t#rned side $ro% the co%%nds in the Lw o$
Moses! t#rnin) to the idols o$ their ")n nei)h'ors0
Re"etedl&! ?od tried to s2e the% $ro% 'ein) ClostD
'& sendin) 3in)s nd 5#d)es to Cs2eD the%0 Besides
this! he sent "rechers o$ ri)hteo#snessF "ro"hets
s#ch s Eli5h! Isih! 4ere%ih nd %n& others0
Un$ort#ntel&! des"ite ?odKs re"eted lo2in) cll $or his
"eo"le to ret#rn to hi%! the )ret %5orit& o$ Isrel
'ec%e hrdened to their sin0
Soon $ter the deth o$ Solo%on! 7in) D2idKs
son! the 3in)do% ws di2ided '& the re'ellion o$
4ere'o%0 The Northern 7in)do%! or S%ri! ws
eHtre%el& idoltro#s $ro% the 'e)innin)0 The&
worshi""ed t the Asherh "oles0 The& set #" shrines
to Bl0 The& i)nored the "ledin)s o$ Eli5h nd
Elishh! so ?od $#l;lled his words to the%0 S%ri!
the c"itl o$ the Northern 7in)do%! ws destro&ed '&
the Ass&rin r%ies #nder Senncheri' In ,:: B9E0 O$
those not 3illed in the conQict! the %5orit& were
de"orted s sl2es nd scttered thro#)ho#t the
Ass&rin E%"ire0 Isrel ws 'c3 in sl2er&0
The So#thern 7in)do%! 4#dh! ws %ore $ith$#l!
t lest o#twrdl&0 The te%"le ws in 4er#sle%! the
c"itl o$ 4#dh0 With ti%e! howe2er! e2en 4#dh
'ec%e corr#"t! t#rnin) to idoltr& nd e2er& $or% o$
"ride$#l re'ellion )inst ?od0 Tr#e to his word in
De#terono%& nd %n& other wrnin)s! ?od sent
Ne'#chdne66r! 3in) o$ B'&lon to de2o#r nd
destro& 4#dh0 A$ter re"eted ttc3s nd
de"orttions! 4er#sle% ws ;nll& c"t#red! '#rned
nd its wll destro&ed in 8.> B9E0 A)in! tho#snds
were de"orted into sl2er& on B'&lon nd other cities
o$ the e%"ire0 At the s%e ti%e! %ost si)ni;cntl&!
the te%"le ws destro&ed nd scri;ce $or sin in
4er#sle% t the te%"le c%e to n end0 ?od ws no
lon)er dwellin) with his "eo"le0
Wht horri'le $oreshdow to conte%"lteM
Wht is ?odKs %ess)e in this t#rn o$ e2entsA To the
4ews! o$ co#rse! the %ess)e is tht ?od htes sin nd
re'ellion0 In this cse! the t&"e is the ret#rn to sl2er&
8. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
o$ Isrel0 The ntit&"e is n&one who t3es on 4es#s
9hrist s Lord! enterin) reltionshi" with ?od0 The
%ess)e is tht once we co%e into reltionshi" with
?od thro#)h 4es#s 9hrist! i$ we t#rn 'c3 to o#r old
w&s! ?od will ret#rn #s to the s%e sl2er& we c%e
$ro%0 In $ct! i$ the t&"e is cc#rte! the second
sl2er& is worse thn the ;rst0 ?od #sed the li2es o$
tens o$ tho#snds o$ 4ews t the ti%e o$ Senncheri'
nd Ne'#chdne66r to tech #s lesson0 M& tht
lesson not )o #nlernedM The words o$ Peter descri'e
the ntit&"eF
I$ the& h2e esc"ed the corr#"tion
o$ the world '& 3nowin) o#r Lord nd
S2ior 4es#s 9hrist nd re )in entn)led
in it nd o2erco%e! the& re worse oL t
the end thn the& were t the 'e)innin)0 It
wo#ld h2e 'een 'etter $or the% not to
h2e 3nown the w& o$ ri)hteo#sness! thn
to h2e 3nown it nd then to t#rn their
'c3s on the scred co%%nd%ent tht
ws "ssed on to the%0 O$ the% the
"ro2er's re tr#eF CA do) ret#rns to its
2o%it!D nd! CA sow tht is wshed )oes
'c3 to her wllowin) in the %#d0D E: Peter
:F:=I::G
Re%e%'er the words o$ P#l! CNow these thin)s
occ#rred s eH%"les! to 3ee" #s $ro% settin) o#r
herts on e2il thin)s s the& did0D E* 9orinthins *=F>G0
A%idst the eHtre%el& so'er %ess)e! let #s 'e s#re to
)et the lesson o$ the t&"e nd the ntit&"e clerl&0 It is
not s i$ Isrel sinned once nd 'oo%M OL to c"ti2it&0
It is not s i$ we need to li2e in dil& %ortl $er o$
losin) o#r sl2tion0 The New Test%ent ss#res #s!
nd the $oreshdowin) in the Old Test%ent
de%onstrtes to #s tht s lon) s we re%in $ith$#l!
?od will not "#t #s w& $ro% his "resence $or %inor
oLense0 In $ct e2en %5or oLense will not send #s
'c3 onto c"ti2it& to sin0 ?od ""eled to Isrel ti%e
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
8+
nd ti%e )in0 He sent %essen)ers into their li2es!
he )2e the% second chnces! he listened to their
dethI'ed re"entnces! nd still he withheld his
5#d)%ent0 He will do the s%e with those #nder the
New 9o2ennt0 Howe2er! ?odKs )rce is not witho#t
li%it when we t#rn o#r 'c3 on hi%0 The destr#ction o$
S%ri nd 4er#sle% re str3 re%inders o$ tht $ct0
The destr#ction nd de"orttion o$ Isrel nd
4#dh re not #niB#e eH%"les in histor&0 Mn&
ncient "eo"les eH"erienced s#ch thin)0 The
restortion o$ Isrel to the Pro%ised Lnd is nother
thin) entirel&0 A)in! ?od hd "ro"hesied to his
"eo"le l%ost tho#snd &ers 'e$ore these e2entsF
When ll these 'lessin)s nd c#rses
I h2e set 'e$ore &o# co%e #"on &o# nd
&o# t3e the% to hert where2er the LORD
&o# ?od dis"erses &o# %on) the ntions!
nd when &o# nd &o#r children ret#rn to
the LORD &o# ?od nd o'e& hi% with ll
&o#r hert nd with ll &o# so#l ccordin)
to e2er&thin) I co%%nd &o# tod&! then
the LORD &o#r ?od will restore &o#r
$ort#nes nd h2e co%"ssion on &o# nd
)ther &o# )in $ro% ll the ntions
where he scttered &o#0 E2en i$ &o# h2e
'een 'nished to the %ost distnt lnd
#nder the he2ens! $ro% there the LORD
&o#r ?od wil )ther &o# nd 'rin) &o#
'c30 He will 'rin) &o# to the lnd tht
'elon)ed to &o#r $thers! nd &o# will t3e
"ossession o$ it0 EDe#terono%& -=F*I8G0
When ?od "ro"oses! he lso dis"oses0 A$ter se2ent&
&ers o$ c"ti2it&! s "ro"hesied '& 4ere%ih E4ere%ih
:8F.I*:G! ?od #sed 9&r#s the Persin to destro& the
B'&lonin E%"ire0 When 9&r#s hd ;nished oL
B'&lon! he )2e "er%ission $or the c"ti2es o$ Isrel
to ret#rn to 4er#sle% to re'#ild the te%"le nd to
reest'lish worshi" there0 E6r ch"ters one nd two
>= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
record the decree o$ 9&r#s nd the list o$ eHiles who
ret#rned to re"o"#lte 4er#sle% nd reest'lish the
"riestl& scri;ce0 There is 2irt#ll& no "rllel in
histor& o$ conB#erin) "ower llowin) $or%erl&
dis"ossessed "eo"le to tr2el )ret distnces to restore
their ntionl identit& nd reli)ion0
Wht does the historicl restortion o$ Isrel to
the Pro%ised Lnd tell #sA We cn lern $ro% this tht
the Old Test%ent is ins"ired '& ?od nd tht ?od
r#les the ntions0 ?od co#ld c#se Moses to "ro"hec&
the restortion o$ Isrel when the& re"ented l%ost one
tho#snd &ers 'e$ore it h""ened nd he co#ld rise
#" 9&r#s nd "#t it on his hert to send the Isrelites
'c3 to their ho%elnd0
There is nother lesson here s well0 In this
cse! Isrel nd its reltionshi" with ?od is the t&"e!
while indi2id#l 9hristins in their reltionshi" with ?od
re the ntit&"e0 The c"ti2it& o$ Isrel #nder Ass&ri
nd B'&lon tells #s tht it is "ossi'le to h2e ?od
withdrw his 'lessin)! '#t the %irc#lo#s ret#rn o$ the
4ews scttered cross the B'&lonin E%"ire shows
tht ?od will do n&thin) to )et #s 'c30 I$ we le2e
?od! he will let #s )o0 We cn lose o#r close $ellowshi"
with ?od0 Howe2er! we cn co%e 'c30 This re%inds
one o$ the "r'le o$ the lost shee"0
Wht do &o# thin3A I$ %n owns
h#ndred shee"! nd one o$ the% wnders
w&! will he not le2e the ninet&Inine on
the hills nd )o to loo3 $or the one tht
wndered oLA And i$ he ;nds it! I tell &o#
the tr#th! he is h""ier 'o#t tht one
shee" thn 'o#t the ninet&Inine tht did
not wnder oL0 In the s%e w& &o#r
Fther in he2en is not willin) tht n& o$
these little ones sho#ld 'e lost0 EMtthew
*.F*:!*-G
I$ ?od wo#ld )o thro#)h ll the tro#'le to set #"
"ro"hetic s&%'ol o$ his willin)ness to t3e #s 'c3Ni$
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
>*
?od wo#ld t3e re"entnt Isrel 'c3 $ter the& hd
t#rned $ro% hi% to )ross idoltr& nd e2er& other 3ind
o$ sin! then s#rel& we sho#ld not )i2e #" on n&one
who hs le$t ?od0
'ON'!*&%ON
Mn& theolo)ins nd critics o$ the Bi'le o2er
the &ers h2e cli%ed tht the essentil %ess)e nd
theolo)& o$ the Old Test%ent nd the New Test%ent
re rdicll& diLerent $ro% one nother0 For eH%"le!
so%e h2e chr)ed tht the Old Test%ent descri'es
?od s n)r& nd 5#d)%entl! wheres the New
Test%ent en2isions ?od who is lo2in) nd $#ll o$
)rce0 So%e wo#ld )o so $r s to cli% tht these
two 2iews o$ ?od re so o""osed tht the two
Test%ents cnnot 'e theolo)icll& 5#sti;ed with one
nother0 Does this cli% hold #" to cre$#l scr#tin&A
There %& 'e so%e tr#th in the cli% tht one
;nds "ro)ressi2e re2eltion o$ ?od to his "eo"le in
the Bi'le0 In the erlier 'oo3s o$ the Old Test%ent!
the nt#re o$ sl2tion '& )rce nd the conce"ts o$
he2en nd hell re t#)ht "rinci"ll& '& $oreshdow
rther thn '& direct stte%ent0 ?rd#ll&! s one
%o2es thro#)h the Old Test%ent! the techin) 'o#t
the res#rrection nd 4#d)e%ent D& 'eco%es %ore
clerl& stted! es"ecill& in the 'oo3 o$ Dniel0 Finll&!
?od co%"letes his re2eltion to %n3ind 'o#t his
nt#re! 'o#t the ;nl res#rrection! he2en nd hell in
the New Test%ent0
In %& 'e tr#e tht ?odKs re2eltion is
"ro)ressi2e! '#t the cli% tht the "ict#re o$ ?od nd
his reltionshi" with %n is diLerent in the Old nd the
New Test%ent si%"l& does not )ree with the $cts0
When one loo3s t the s&%'olis% o$ the e2ents which
?od c#sed to h""en to Ad% nd E2e! to Noh!
A'rh%! Isc! 4co'! 4ose"h! Moses! 4osh# nd to
the "eo"le o$ Isrel! cler "ict#re e%er)es0 Fro% the
2er& 'e)innin)! ?od hs hd "ln0 Fro% loo3in) t
the t&"es nd $oreshdows in the Old Test%ent! one
>: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
;nds cr&stl cler %ess)e0 ?od hs lw&s
wnted n inti%te reltionshi" with #s0 He hs
lw&s hd "ln to del with the "ro'le% o$ the sin
which destro&s this reltionshi"0 The h#%n cost o$
h2in) reltionshi" 'etween ?od nd %n hs
lw&s 'een decision to le2e li$e o$ sl2er& to sin
nd to clin) to ?od in $ith! tr#stin) in hi% to 'less o#r
li2es0 The cost hs lw&s incl#ded scri;ce on the
"rt o$ ?od0 In the neHt ch"ter! we will see this "ln
#n$old in the $or% o$ Messih! sent '& ?od to his
"eo"le Isrel0

Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
>-
)or as Jonah was three
days and three nights in
the belly of a huge 4sh* so
the Son of 5an will be
three days and three
nights in the heart of the
earth.

5atthew .",!
:
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
When 4onh s"ent three d&s nd ni)hts
%irc#lo#sl& "reser2ed within h#)e ;shJ tht
certinl& ws one o$ the %ost %6in) %ircles
recorded in the Old Test%ent0 4onh ws "ro"het o$
?od whose li$e t#)ht Isrel %n& lessons 'o#t the
nt#re o$ ?od0 Fro% 4onh the 4ews lerned tht when
?od co%%nds one o$ his "ro"hets to s"e3 he is 2er&
serio#s nd will not t3e no $or n nswer0 The& lso
lerned tht ?od will )o to )ret len)ths to see tht his
%ess)e is "reched0 ?od %irc#lo#sl& "ro2ided
%ssi2e stor% nd 2er& #n#s#l ;sh 'oth to )i2e
4onh stron) %ess)e nd to "reser2e his li$e0 One
o$ the )ret lessons o$ the 'oo3 o$ 4onh is tht ?od
lo2es the ?entiles s well s the 4ews0 S#rel& this ws
hrd lesson to swllow! not 5#st $or 4onh! '#t lso
$or the 4ewish "eo"le s whole0
The 'oo3 o$ 4onh hd %#ch to oLer to its
ori)inl #dienceF the ntion o$ Isrel0 Howe2er! with
the entrnce o$ 4es#s 9hrist onto the world st)e!
%#ch o$ the hidden %ess)e in 4onh c%e into the
li)ht0 4onh ws li2in) "re;)#re o$ the MessihN
>/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
4es#s 9hrist0
4es#s %de it cler tht he sw 4onh s
"re;)#re o$ his own li$e nd %inistr&0 When 4es#s ws
"ress#red '& the Phrisees into "er$or%in) "#'lic
%ircle he nsweredF
CA wic3ed nd d#ltero#s )enertion
s3s $or %irc#lo#s si)nM B#t none will
'e )i2en it eHce"t the si)n o$ the "ro"het
4onh0 For s 4onh ws three d&s nd
three ni)hts in the 'ell& o$ h#)e ;sh! so
the Son o$ Mn will 'e three d&s nd three
ni)hts in the hert o$ the erth0D EMtthew
*:F-+!/=G
4onh s"ent three d&s nd ni)hts interred in
h#)e ;sh! $ter which he ws s"it o#t onto dr& )ro#nd0
4es#s s"ent three d&s nd ni)hts interred the hert o$
the erth0 4onh ws "reser2ed $or three d&s nd
%irc#lo#sl& deli2ered $ro% his "res#%ed )r2e0 4es#s
ws lso deli2ered $ro% deth on the third d& nd
%irc#lo#sl& $reed when the n)el %o2ed the stone0
9oincidenceA No! ?od0 4onh ws "ro"hetN
s"o3es%n $or ?od0 Besides tht! his li$e ws li2in)
"ro"hec&Nli2in) o#t "re;)#re o$ the li$e nd! in this
cse! the deth o$ the Messih0
The three d&s nd ni)hts in the 'ell& o$ the
h#)e ;sh is not the onl& s"ect o$ 4onhKs li$e nd
%inistr& which $oreshdowed tht o$ 4es#s 9hrist0
9onsider his 'irth0 4onh ws 'orn in ?lileeJ in ?thI
He"her in the tri'l territor& o$ 1e'#l#n0 This town is
2er& close to N6reth! where 4es#s ws rised0 One o$
the criticis%s o$ 4es#s d#rin) his %inistr& ws tht the
Messih co#ld not "ossi'l& co%e $ro% ?lilee0 The
4ews o$ 4#de were 2er& "re5#diced )inst their hill'ill&
'rothers #" there in ?lilee0 CHow cn the 9hrist co%e
$ro% ?lileeA Does not the Scri"t#re s& tht the 9hrist
will co%e $ro% D2idKs $%il& nd $ro% Bethlehe%! the
town where D2id li2edAD E4ohn ,F/*!/:G0 In critici6in)
Nicode%#s! the& t#nted hi%J CAre &o# $ro% ?lilee!
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
>8
tooA Loo3 into it nd &o# will ;nd tht "ro"het does
not co%e o#t o$ ?lilee0D E4ohn ,F8:G The& $or)ot 'o#t
4onh0 In $ct! ?od hd "ro"hesied thro#)h Isih o2er
se2en cent#ries 'e$oreJ
In the "st he h#%'led the lnd o$
1e'#l#n nd the lnd o$ N"htli! '#t in
the $#t#re he will honor ?lilee o$ the
?entiles! '& the w& o$ the se! lon) the
4ordn<0 He will rei)n on D2idKs throne
nd o2er his 3in)do%! est'lishin) nd
#"holdin) it with 5#stice nd ri)hteo#sness
$ro% tht ti%e nd on $ore2er0 EIsih
+F*!,G
Both 4es#s nd 4onh re re%inders to the 4ews tht
?od will 'e %o2in) his $oc#s w& $ro% 4er#sle%0
Another detil in the li$e o$ 4onh which stnds s
"re;)#re o$ the li$e o$ 9hrist hs to do with how he
ended #" in the 'ell& o$ tht h#)e ;sh $or three d&s in
the ;rst "lce0 While on the shi" Qeein) to Trshish!
)ret stor% 'lew #" which thretened to destro& the
trns"ort shi" on which 4onh hd hitched ride! with
ll its occ#"nts0 In scene which "re;)#red the
)#rds cstin) lots o2er 4es#sK clothin)! the silors on
the shi" cst lots to see which o$ their n#%'er ws
res"onsi'le $or the dn)er the& were in0 The lot $ell to
4onh0 Bec#se o$ this! nd t 4onhKs s#))estion! the&
threw hi% o2er'ord0 4onh ws conde%ned '&
?entiles nd Ein their %indsG 3illed to s2e the s%e
?entiles who hd conde%ned hi%0 Does n&one see
"rllel to 4es#s hereA CThen the& too3 4onh nd
threw hi% o2er'ord! nd the r)in) se )rew cl%0D
4onh! li3e 4es#s! cl%ed ?odKs n)er when he ws
scri;ced in order to s2e the ?entiles c#)ht #" in the
'ot with hi%0 A)in! is this coincidence! or is ?od
cretin) %irc#lo#s "re;)#re o$ the Messih! 4es#s
9hristA Let the reder decide0
Still nother $oreshdow o$ 4es#s $o#nd in 4onh
is tht he! #nli3e the other "ro"hets o$ Isrel! oLered
>> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
re"entnce nd reltionshi" with ?od to the ?entiles0
Is it coincidence tht the "ro"het who ws "re;)#re
o$ the 9hrist is lso the one who 'ro3e the t'oos o$
4#dis% to 'rin) re"entnce to Nine2ehA Ws it 4onhKs
ideA De;nitel& notM When ?od s3ed 4onh to )o est
to Nine2eh to "rech re"entnce End "res#%'l&
sl2tionG 4onh Qed to TrshishJ the western%ost cit&
in the 3nown worldM 4onh ws rel#ctnt
re2ol#tionr&0 4es#s ws not so rel#ctnt0
CFor s 4onh ws si)n to the
Nine2ites! so lso will the Son o$ Mn 'e to
this )enertion<0 The %en o$ Nine2eh will
stnd #" t the 5#d)e%ent with this
)enertion nd conde%n it! $or the&
re"ented t the "rechin) o$ 4onh! nd
now one )reter thn 4onh is here0D EL#3e
**F-=!-:G0
A)in! in this stte%ent! 4es#s c3nowled)es
tht he is the $#l;ll%ent o$ the "re;)#re est'lished in
4onh0 In 4onh! ?od ws tellin) the 4ews tht his
Messih wo#ld %inister re"entnce nd $or)i2eness to
the ?entiles0 ?od hd to "re"re the herts nd %inds
o$ the 4ews $or this re2ol#tionr& techin)0 In cse
n&one is still holdin) o#t $or coincidence here! tht
"erson sho#ld 'er in %ind tht the "eo"le who
recorded this stor& o$ ?od rechin) o#t to the ?entiles
were t their core eHtre%el& "re5#diced )inst the
?entiles0 The 4ews were 2er& resistnt to %inisterin) to
the ?entiles! ri)ht #" thro#)h the ;rst )enertion o$ the
New Test%ent ch#rch0 In order to )et the "ostle
Peter to oLer sl2tion to the ?entiles! ?od hd to
theolo)icll& hit hi% on the side o$ the hed Esee Acts
*=G0 Des"ite this in)rined "re5#dice! ?od %irc#lo#sl&
)ot the stor& o$ 4onh "rechin) to the Nine2ites into
the Old Test%ent0
4onh is the ;rst o$ se2erl eH%"les o$
%essinic "re;)#res we will 'e loo3in) t0 Two stri3in)
cli%s 'o#t the Old Test%ent h2e lred& 'een
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
>,
%de0 First is tht the the%e o$ the entire Old
Test%ent is CThe Messih is co%in)0D The second is
tht the Old Test%ent is ;lled with $oreshdowin)s
nd "re;)#res o$ New Test%ent techin)s0 I$ 'oth o$
these re tr#e! then it stnds to reson tht the Old
Test%ent sho#ld 'e riddled with "re;)#res o$ the
co%in) Messih0 I$ one scns the Old Test%ent
loo3in) $or chrcters whose li$e ?od sh"ed into
s&%'olic "re;)#res o$ the li$e nd wor3 o$ 4es#s 9hrist!
one will certinl& not 'e dis""ointed0
In "re"rin) "re;)#res o$ the li$e nd Ministr& o$
4es#s 9hrist! ?od le$t o#t 2er& $ew detils0 As we will
see! ?od hs )i2en #s s&%'olic $oreshdows in Old
Test%ent ;)#res o$ so%e o$ the s%llest detils o$
the li$e o$ the Messih who! in ?odKs e&es! ws Cslin
$ro% the cretion o$ the world0D ERe2eltion *-F.G
In cretin) theocrc& Ereli)io#s )o2ern%entG
$or his "eo"le! ?od )2e the% three o@ces to "ro2ide
s"irit#l nd "oliticl ledershi"0 Isrel hd "ro"hets!
"riests nd 3in)s0 The "ro"hets were s"o3es%en $or
?od! "ro2idin) wrnin)s nd enco#r)e%ents to 3ee"
Isrel on the ri)ht "th0 The "riests "ro2ided so%e
s"irit#l techin)! '#t their "ri%r& role ws to %3e
intersession $or the sins o$ the "eo"le o$ ?od0 The&
were to "er$or% the rit#l scri;ces which 3e"t the
ntion Isrel in co%%#nion with their ?od0 The 3in)s
o$ Isrel were to set s"irit#l eH%"le to the "eo"le0
Howe2er! their "ri%r& role ws to led the
)o2ern%ent nd to "rotect the "eo"le o$ ?od $ro%
their ene%ies0
All three roles re $oreshdowin) o$ wht we
h2e in the Messih0 ?od co%'ined the three rolesF
"ro"het! "riest nd 3in)! in the one %nJ 4es#s 9hrist0
4es#s is $or #s "ro"het! "riest nd 3in)0 So%e o$ those
who re $oreshdows o$ 4es#s on the Old Test%ent
were! li3e 4onh! "ro"hets0 Others! s we will see!
were "riests0 Still others were 3in)s Eor 5#d)es or
)o2ernors! de"endin) on the "oliticl settin)G0 The
%6in) thin) is tht ?od ws 'le to co%'ine ll
three "ro"hetic s"ects o$ %inistr& to his "eo"le in one
>. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
#niB#e indi2id#lF 4es#s 9hrist o$ N6reth0
ADAM
Ad% is #niB#e s "re;)#re o$ the Messih0
Rther thn 'ein) co"& o$ 9hrist! he is! in sense!
the %irror i%)e o$ the Messih0 As ?er%n
theolo)in Leonrd ?o""elt "#t it!

CAd% nd 9hrist
re relted to one nother s "hoto)r"hic ne)ti2e
to its "ositi2e "rint or s %old to the "lstic sh"ed
'& it0D Wht Ad% did! 4es#s #ndid0 Yet! e2en in tht!
the two re "rllel0
Ad% ws the ;rst 'orn o$ "h&sicl h#%nit&!
where 4es#s is the ;rst'orn $ro% the ded E9olossins
*F*.G0 In other words! 4es#s is the ;rst to 'e rised
$ro% the ded $or eternl li$e0 Both were the "rod#ct
o$ %irc#lo#s cretion0 Where Ad% ws the ;rst
h#%n to sin Ewell! technicll& he ws the secondG!
nd there$ore 'ro#)ht deth to ll %en! 4es#s ws the
;rst h#%n to not sin! nd there$ore 'ro#)ht relese
$ro% deth0 In 'oth cses! the ct o$ sin)le "erson
hd n eLect on ll h#%nit&0 As P#l "#t it!
C9onseB#entl&! 5#st s the res#lt o$
one tres"ss ws conde%ntion $or ll
%en! so lso the res#lt o$ one ct o$
ri)hteo#sness ws 5#sti;ction tht 'rin)s
li$e $or ll %en0 For 5#st s thro#)h the
diso'edience o$ the one %n EAd%G the
%n& were %de sinners! so lso thro#)h
the o'edience o$ the one %n E4es#s
9hristG the %n& will 'e %de ri)hteo#s0
ERo%ns 8F*.!*+G0
In $ct! P#l sttes the %tter with Ad% B#ite si%"l&0
He clls Ad% Cthe "ttern E"re;)#reG o$ the one to
co%e0D ERo%ns 8F*/G0
Ro%ns ch"ters ;2e thro#)h se2en re "rett&
*
Leonrd ?o""elt! Typos! EEerd%nKs P#'lishin) 9o%"n&!
?rnd R"ids! Michi)n! *+.:G " *:+0
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
>+
dee" redin)! '#t the essence o$ the %ess)e is tht
wht ws c#sed '& the sin o$ Ad% co#ld not 'e
#ndone '& the Lw o$ Moses! so second Ad%N4es#s
9hristNhd to co%e to #ndo the destr#cti2e wor3 o$
Ad%0
The t&"olo)icl reltionshi" reltionshi"
'etween Ad% nd 4es#s is lso disc#ssed '& P#l in *
9orinthins *8F:=I:-J
B#t 9hrist hs indeed 'een rised
$ro% the ded! the ;rst$r#its o$ those who
h2e $llen slee"0 For since deth c%e
thro#)h %n! the res#rrection o$ the
ded co%es lso thro#)h %n0 For s in
Ad% ll die! so in 9hrist ll will 'e %de
li2e0 B#t ech in his own t#rnF 9hrist! the
;rst$r#itsJ then! when he co%es! those who
'elon) to hi%0
In this "ss)e P#l i%"lies tht loo3in) $or t&"es in
the Old Test%ent to eH"lin nd "redict the wor3in)s
o$ the New 9o2ennt is the nor%ti2e %ode o$ 'i'licl
eHe)esis0 In other words! P#l is s&in) tht! )i2en
tht deth c%e to h#%niti& thro#)h one %n in the
Old Test%ent! we co#ld h2e ntici"ted tht
res#rrection wo#ld h2e co%e thro#)h the li$e o$ one
%n #nder the New 9o2ennt0
ME!'H%3EDE4
9ertinl& Melchi6ede3 is one o$ the %ost
intri)#in) nd %&sterio#s ;)#res in the entire Bi'le0
He is lso "re;)#re o$ the Messih0 We re
introd#ced to Melchi6ede3 in ?enesis $o#rteen when he
%eets #" with A'rh%F
Then Melchi6ede3 3in) o$ Sle%
E4er#sle%G 'ro#)ht o#t 'red nd wine0
He ws "riest o$ ?od Most Hi)h! nd he
'lessed A'rh%! s&in)!
,= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
CBlessed 'e A'r% '& ?od Most
Hi)h!
9retor o$ he2en nd erth0
And 'lessed 'e ?od Most Hi)h!
who deli2ered &o#r ene%ies into
&o#r hnd0D
Then A'rh% )2e hi% tenth o$
e2er&thin)0 E?enesis */F*.I:=G0
As lred& %entioned! 4es#s co%'ines in one
"erson "ro"het! "riest nd 3in)0 Melchi6ede3 ws 'oth
"riest nd 3in)0 Melchi6ede3 ws the te%"orl 3in) o$
"h&sicl 4er#sle%! while 4es#s is the s"irit#l 3in) o$
the s"irit#l 4er#sle%0 When B#eried on the s#'5ect!
4es#s sid to Ponti#s Pilte! CM& 3in)do% is not o$ this
worldD nd CYo# re ri)ht in s&in) I % 3in)0D E4ohn
*.F->!-,G0
As )ret s A'rh% ws! we h2e in this
%&sterio#s chrcter Melchi6ede3 one )reter thn
A'rh%0 To B#ote the rele2nt "ss)es in He'rewsF
This Melchi6ede3 ws 3in) o$ Sle%
nd "riest o$ ?od Most Hi)h0 He %et
A'rh% ret#rnin) $ro% the de$et o$ the
3in)s nd 'lessed hi%<0 First! his n%e
%ens C3in) o$ ri)hteo#snessJD then lso
C3in) o$ Sle%D %ens C3in) o$ "ece0D
Witho#t $ther or %other! witho#t
)enelo)&! witho#t 'e)innin) o$ d&s o$
end o$ li$e! li3e the Son o$ ?od! he re%ins
"riest $ore2er0
4#st thin3 how )ret he wsJ e2en
the "trirch A'rh% )2e hi% tenth o$
the "l#nderM Now the lw reB#ires the
descendents o$ Le2i who 'eco%e "riests to
collect tenth $ro% the "eo"leNtht is
their 'rothersNe2en tho#)h their 'rothers
re descended $ro% A'rh%0 This %n!
howe2er! did not trce his descent $ro%
Le2i! &et he collected tenth $ro%
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
,*
A'rh% nd 'lessed hi% who hd the
"ro%ises0 And witho#t do#'t the lesser
"erson is 'lessed '& the )reter0 In the
one cse! the tenth is collected '& %en
who dieJ '#t in the other cse! '& hi% who
is declred to 'e li2in)0 One %i)ht e2en
s& tht Le2i! who collects the tenth! "id
the tenth thro#)h A'rh%! 'ec#se when
Melchi6ede3 %et A'rh%! Le2i ws still in
the 'od& o$ his ncestor0 EHe'rews ,F*I*=G
Melchi6ede3! ;)#rti2el&! ws li3e 4es#s0 He ws
3in) o$ ri)hteo#sness nd he ws 3in) o$ "ece EIsih
+F>G0 He ws the 3in) o$ Sle%0 Sle% is the He'rew
shalom! which literll& %ens "ece0 Melchi6ede3 ws
the "rince o$ "ece0 Melchi6ede3! li3e 4es#s End #nli3e
the "riests descended $ro% Le2iG! is "riest $ore2er0
A""rentl&! li3e Enoch E?enesis 8F:/G! Melchi6ede3 did
not die0 Accordin) to the He'rew writer! when
A'rh% 'owed to Melchi6ede3 nd "id hi% tri'#te
$ro% the wr 'oot&! he ws ;)#rti2el& "&in) tri'#te
to the s"irit#l Melchi6ede3! 4es#s 9hrist0
There re %n& %ore "rllels 'etween 4es#s
nd Melchi6ede30 The Le2ites were "riests '& 'irth0 B&
contrst! 4es#s! li3e Melchi6ede3! ws "riest '& direct
""oint%ent o$ ?od0 The He'rew writer contin#esF
I$ "er$ection co#ld h2e 'een )ined
thro#)h the Le2iticl "riesthood<! wh& ws
there still need $or nother "riest to co%eN
one in the order o$ E"re;)#red '&G
Melchi6ede3! not in the order o$ AronA For
when there is chn)e o$ "riesthood! there
%#st lso 'e chn)e o$ lw<0 And wht
we h2e sid is e2en %ore cler i$ nother
"riest li3e Melchi6ede3 ""ers! one who
hs 'eco%e "riest not on the 'sis o$
re)#ltion s to his ncestr& '#t on the
'sis o$ the "ower o$ n indestr#cti'le li$e0
For it is declredF
,: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
CYo# re "riest $ore2er in the order
o$ Melchi6ede30D
And
CThe Lord hs sworn nd will not
chn)e his %indF
Yo# re "riest $ore2er0D
Bec#se o$ this oth! 4es#s hs 'eco%e the
)#rntee o$ 'etter co2ennt0 EHe'rews
,F**I::G0
The writer o$ He'rews B#otes Psl%s **=F/!
"ro2in) tht he is not 5#st con2enientl& %3in) #" the
connection 'etween Melchi6ede3 nd the Messih0
D2id hd %entioned the s%e connection o2er one
tho#snd &ers 'e$ore0
?od ws "ro"hes&in) to #s! thro#)h
Melchi6ede3! tht the Messih! the #lti%te "riest o$
?od! wo#ld not 'e "riest '& descentNtht he wo#ld
not 'e Le2ite0 As #s#l! the $oreshdow in the Old
Test%ent is 2er& "recise in its re"resenttion o$ the
New Test%ent relit& i$ "re;)#res0 In Melchi6ede3!
?od ws tellin) #s 'e$ore the Aronic "riesthood ws
e2en est'lished! tht )reter "riesthood wo#ld lter
re"lce it! in the order o$ Melchi6ede30 ?od 3new nd
"ro"hesied to #s 'e$ore the ;rst co2ennt ws e2en
est'lished tht he wo#ld h2e to oLer second
co2ennt0 This is "rett& dee" st#L! '#t tht is wht
?od did in Melchi6ede30
B& the w&! did &o# notice 'c3 in ?enesis
*/F*.! B#oted 'o2e! wht Melchi6ede3 'ro#)ht s n
oLerin) to 'less A'rh%A He 'ro#)ht 'red nd
wine0 This! too! is "re;)#re o$ the scri;cil oLerin)
o$ 4es#sK 'od& nd 'lood0 I$ the writer o$ ?enesis hd
onl& 3nown how cc#rte "ict#re o$ the Messih he
ws cretin)0
Fro% Melchi6ede3 we lern tht the Messih
wo#ld 'e "riest nd 3in)! tht he wo#ld 'e 3in) o$
4er#sle%! tht he wo#ld 'rin) in "riesthood! not '&
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
,-
nt#rl descent! '#t '& di2ine choice! tht the Messih
wo#ld oLer 'od& nd 'lood! tht he wo#ld 'rin) in
New 9o2ennt0 Wht )ret "ict#re o$ 4es#s we h2e
in Melchi6ede30
)O&E/H
As lred& ll#ded to! we co#ld %ention 'oth
A'rh% nd his son Isc s t&"es o$ the Messih0
Insted we will s3i" to 4ose"h0 4ose"h is one o$ the
clerest %essinic "re;)#res! ctin) o#t the li$e o$
4es#s0
4ose"h ws the ele2enth child o$ 4co'! the son
o$ Isc0 ?od hd chn)ed 4co'Ks n%e to Isrel0
Isrel literll& 'ec%e the $ther o$ the ntion Isrel0
4co' 'ec%e the $ther the ntion o$ Isrel! nd
4ose"h ws his $2orite son E?enesis -,F-G0 Si%ilrl&!
?od is the Fther o$ s"irit#l Isrel! nd 4es#s is his one
nd onl& son0 4ose"h tended shee" E?enesis -,F*G!
while 4es#s is the )ood she"herd E4ohn *=F*/G0 4ose"h
ws 'etr&ed nd sold into sl2er& in E)&"t '& his
'rothers $or twent& "ieces o$ sil2er0 4es#s ws
'etr&ed nd sold '& one o$ his "ostles $or thirt&
"ieces o$ sil2er0
4ose"h ws 'ro#)ht to E)&"t '& ?od to "rotect
hi% $ro% the 5elo#s& o$ his 'rothers0 CI % &o#r
'rother 4ose"h! the one &o# sold into E)&"tM And now!
do not 'e distressed nd do not 'e n)r& with
&o#rsel2es $or sellin) %e here! 'ec#se it ws to s2e
li2es tht ?od sent %e hed o$ &o#0D E?enesis
/8F/!8G0 Si%ilrl&! 4es#s ws t3en into E)&"t to
"rotect hi% $ro% the 5elo#s& o$ Herod! who wo#ld
h2e 3illed hi% EMtthew :F*/!*8G0
Mn& other detils in the li$e o$ 4es#s re
$oreshdowed in the li$e o$ 4ose"h0 ?od "ro"hesied
thro#)h his dre%s tht 4ose"h wo#ld r#le s 3in) o2er
his 'rothers0 CDo &o# intend to r#le o2er #sA Will &o#
ct#ll& r#le #sAD E?enesis -,F.G0 In $ct! tht is
eHctl& wht h""ened0 When ?od rised #" 4ose"h!
,/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
his 'rothers did indeed 'ow 'e$ore hi%! cllin) hi%
lord E?enesis //F*>G0 Si%ilrl&! 4es#s! tho#)h 'orn into
h#%'le $%il&! ws rised #" '& ?od to 'eco%e
Messih nd 3in) o$ the tr#e sons o$ A'rh%0 CA'o2e
his hed the& "lced the written chr)e )inst hi%F
THIS IS 4ESUS! THE 7IN? OF THE 4EWS0D EMtthew
:,F-,G0
4ose"hKs 'rothers concei2ed "ln to 3ill hi%
o#t o$ 5elo#s& E?enesis -,F*,I*+G0 Si%ilrl&! 4es#s
'rother Isrelites concei2ed "ln to 3ill hi%0 ?od
t#rned 4ose"hKs 'rotherKs "lot to 3ill hi% into n
o""ort#nit& to s2e Isrel nd his $%il&! nd there$ore
to s2e the entire ntion Isrel0 Des"ite h2in) 'een
sold into sl2er& $or no $#lt o$ his own! ?od
%irc#lo#sl& rised 4ose"h #" $ro% "rison to 'eco%e
the second in co%%nd o$ ll E)&"t0 Fro% this eHlted
"osition! 4ose"h ws 'le to s2e his $%il& $ro%
terri'le $%ine which str#c3 the lnd0 CFor two &ers
now there hs 'een $%ine in the lnd! nd $or the
neHt ;2e &ers there will not 'e "lowin) nd re"in)0
B#t ?od sent %e hed o$ &o# to "reser2e $or &o#
re%nnt on erth nd to s2e &o#r li2es '& )ret
deli2ernce0D E?enesis /8F>!,G0 WowM These "ro"hetic
words certinl& do rin) down the )es0 Si%ilrl&! ?od
#sed the s#ccess$#l tte%"t '& the 4ewish leders to
h2e 4es#s eHec#ted Cto "reser2e $or &o# re%nnt on
erth nd to s2e &o#r li2es '& )ret deli2ernce0D
Notice e2en %ore detil here0 4ose"h ws sent
into sl2er& in E)&"t! "re;)#re o$ 'ein) Cin sinD in
the New Test%ent! $or no $#lt o$ his own so tht he
co#ld s2e Isrel0 Si%ilrl&! P#l sid o$ 4es#s! C?od
%de hi% who hd no sin to 'e sin $or #s so tht in
hi% we %i)ht 'eco%e the ri)hteo#sness o$ ?od0D E:
9orinthins 8F:*G0
When 4ose"h re2eled hi%sel$ to his 'rothers!
$ro% their "ers"ecti2e the& were recei2in) hi% 'c3
$ro% the ded0 In $ct! Isrel hd lred& %o#rned his
ded son E?enesis -,F-/G0 This is "re;)#re o$ the
res#rrection o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 E2en tho#)h the& hd
concei2ed "lot to 3ill hi% nd hd sold hi% into
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
,8
sl2er&! 4ose"h reco)ni6ed tht ?od hd #sed their
5elo#s& to s2e Isrel nd $or)2e his 'rothers0 CThen
he threw his r%s ro#nd his 'rother Ben5%in nd
we"t nd Ben5%in e%'rced hi%! wee"in)0 And he
3issed ll his 'rothers nd we"t o2er the%0D E?enesis
/8F*/!*8G0 As with 4ose"h! so with 4es#s0 CFther!
$or)i2e the% $or the& do not 3now wht the& re
doin)0D EL#3e :-F-/G0
To s#%%ri6e! 4ose"h! li3e 4es#s! le$t his "osition
t the ri)ht hnd o$ his $ther to the lowest "osition s
sl2e! '#t ws rised '& ?od to the ri)ht hnd o$ the
3in)0 4ose"h ws s2ior o$ "h&sicl Isrel! while 4es#s
ws s2ior o$ s"irit#l Isrel0 The writerEsG o$ ?enesis
hd no ide the& were recordin) n %6in) "re;)#re
o$ the li$e o$ 4es#s in the stor& o$ 4ose"h0
MO&E&
One o$ the clerest "rllels 'etween the li$e o$
4es#s 9hrist nd ;)#re in the Old Test%ent is $o#nd
in Moses0 O$ ll the "rtrirchs! Moses is held in
hi)hest re)rd '& the 4ews0 It is hrd $or this #thor to
i%)ine how 4ews who red the stor& o$ MosesK
%inistr& to Isrel cn $il to )rs" tht his entire li$e
ws $oreshdow o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 In $ct! ?od told
Moses tht CI will rise #" $or the% EIsrelG "ro"het
li3e &o# En ntit&"e o$ &o#G $ro% %on) their
'rothersJ I will "#t %& words in his %o#th! nd he will
tell the% e2er&thin) I co%%nd hi%0 I$ n&one does
not listen to %& words! tht the "ro"het s"e3s in %&
n%e! I %&sel$ will cll hi% to cco#nt0D EDe#terono%&
*.F*,I*+G0 ?od ws tellin) the "ro"het Moses tht his
li$e ws $oreshdow o$ the )ret Pro"het he wo#ld
send to Isrel0
To de%onstrte tht Moses is "re;)#re o$
4es#s 9hrist! let #s )o 'c3 to the 'e)innin) o$ his li$e0
CThen Phroh )2e this order to ll his "eo"leF RE2er&
'o& tht is 'orn &o# %#st throw into the ri2er! '#t let
e2er& )irl li2e0K D EEHod#s *F::G0 It is hrd to %iss the
"rllel here to the 'irth o$ 4es#s0 When Herod lerned
,> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
$ro% the M)i tht 3in) ws 'orn in Bethlehe%! Che
)2e orders to 3ill ll the 'o&s in Bethlehe% nd its
2icinit& who were two &ers old nd #nder! in
ccordnce with the ti%e he hd lerned $ro% the
M)i0 EMtthew -F*>G0 It is stri3in) to note tht in the
cse o$ 'oth Herod nd Phroh! ?od cn e2en #se
those who re hrdIherted ene%ies o$ his to $#l;ll his
"ln to 'less the world0 In 'oth cses! 3in)Ks
5elo#s& $or his own "ower nerl& c#sed the s2io#r
o$ Isrel to 'e 3illed s n in$nt0
Perh"s one co#ld r)#e the "rllel 'etween
the 'irths o$ the s2er o$ Isrel EMosesG nd the s2ior
o$ Isrel E4es#sG is 5#st coincidence! '#t this wo#ld 'e
B#ite coincidenceM B& the ti%e we loo3 t the other
"rllels 'etween these two %en! coincidence will no
lon)er 'e reson'le eH"lntion0 Both in the cse
o$ ''& Moses nd o$ ''& 4es#s ?od "rotected the%
$ro% those who so#)ht their li$e0
It is 2er& interestin) how ?od s2ed 4es#s $ro%
his "ersec#torsF
When the& Ethe M)iG hd )one! n
n)el o$ the Lord ""ered to 4ose"h in
dre%0 C?et #"!D he sid! Ct3e the child
nd his %other nd esc"e to E)&"t0 St&
there #ntil I tell &o#! $or Herod is )oin) to
serch $or the child to 3ill hi%0D
So he )ot #"! too3 the child nd his
%other d#rin) the ni)ht nd le$t $or E)&"t!
where he st&ed #ntil the deth o$ Herod0
And so ws $#l;lled wht the Lord hd sid
thro#)h the "ro"hetF CO#t o$ E)&"t I clled
%& son0D EMtthew :F*-I*8G
In this cse! Mtthew is B#otin) the "ro"het
Hose EHose **F*G0 In this 2er& interestin) "ro"hec&
o$ Hose! he is 'oth loo3in) 'c3 to wht ?od hd done
to s2e the ntion o$ Isrel $ro% sl2er&! nd loo3in)
$orwrd to wht ?od wo#ld do to s2e s"irit#l Isrel
$ro% sl2er& to sin0 ?od clled his son o#t o$ E)&"t!
'oth when Moses led Isrel
.
thro#)h the Red Se nd
when 4es#s c%e o#t o$ E)&"t $ter the deth o$ Herod0
A)in we see tht ?od %de Moses "re;)#re o$ the
Messih0
The writer o$ He'rews certinl& sw "rllel
'etween 4es#s nd Moses0 4#st s Moses ws the %ost
$ith$#l in ll o$ ?odKs ho#se on erth EIsrelG! 4es#s ws
$ith$#l to the one who ""ointed hi% o2er ?odKs
s"irit#l ho#se EHe'rews -F:G0 As with other
t&"ePntit&"e reltionshi"s! the ntit&"e is )reter thn
the t&"eJ C4es#s hs 'een $o#nd worth& o$ )reter
honor thn Moses! 5#st s the '#ilder o$ ho#se hs
)reter honor thn the ho#se itsel$0D EHe'rews -F-G0
The writer o$ He'rews s"eci;cll& s&s tht MosesK
$ith s ser2nt o$ ?od ws "ro"hec& o$ the $#t#re
%inistr& o$ 4es#sJ Ctesti$&in) to wht wo#ld 'e sid in
the $#t#re0D EHe'rews -F8G0
The "rllels 'etween Moses nd 4es#s re
le)ion0 As we h2e lred& seen! 'oth were "ro"hets0
Both were rised '& ?od $ro% "o2ert& to led ntionF
one "h&sicl ntion nd the other s"irit#l
3in)do%0 B& the %irc#lo#s desi)n o$ ?od! when
MosesK %other hid hi% in the reeds '& the Nile to s2e
hi% $ro% 'ein) 3illed '& PhrohKs )ents! Moses ws
$o#nd '& the d#)hter o$ the Phroh nd rised '& her
$%il&0 Moses ws rised s the do"ted son o$ the
%ost "ower$#l r#ler in the world t tht ti%e0 Wht did
Moses do with his eHlted "ositionA He )2e it #" in
order to identi$& hi%sel$ with his lowl&! ensl2ed
"eo"le0
As with the t&"e! so with the ntit&"e0
Yo#r ttit#de sho#ld 'e the s%e s
tht o$ 9hrist 4es#sF Who! 'ein) in 2er&
nt#re ?od! did not consider eB#lit& with
?od so%ethin) to 'e )rs"ed Eie cl#n) on
toG! '#t %de hi%sel$ nothin)! t3in) the
:
This is wht the Lord s&sF Isrel is %& ;rst'orn son! nd I
told &o#! CLet %& son )o! so he %& worshi" %e0D EEHod#s
/F::!:-G0 Here ?od clls the ntion o$ Isrel his son0
2er& nt#re o$ ser2nt! 'ein) %de in
h#%n li3eness0 And 'ein) $o#nd in
""ernce s %n! he h#%'led hi%sel$
nd 'ec%e o'edient to dethNe2en
deth on crossM EPhili""ins :F8I.G
Both Moses nd 4es#s willin)l& ste""ed down $ro% n
eHlted "ositionNone s son o$ the 3in) o$ He2en! the
other s son o$ the %ost "ower$#l 3in) on erthNto
ser2e %on)st n ensl2ed "eo"le in order to s2e
the% $ro% their sl2er&0 Moses c%e to s2e $ro%
"h&sicl sl2er&! 4es#s c%e to s2e $ro% s"ir#t#l
sl2er&0 A)in nd )in we see this "ttern0 A
"h&sicl eH%"le in the Old Test%ent is #sed '& ?od
to "re;)#re s"irit#l relit& in the New Test%ent0
?od the Fther "re"red 4es#s $or his %inistr& to
Isrel! '& sendin) hi% $or $ort& d&s into the
wilderness0 D#rin) this ti%e he ws tested 'oth
"h&sicll& nd s"irit#ll& EL#3e /F*I*:G0 As ?od
"re"red Moses $or his %inistr& to Isrel! he ws sent
into the desert $or $ort& &ers o$ testin) EActs ,F-=G0
T&"es nd ntit&"es re )ood thin)! '#t Moses
needed lot %ore ti%e to 'e "re"red $or his %inistr&
thn 4es#s0 This eH"lins the $ort& &ers $or Moses
$ther thn the $ort& d&s o$ "re"rtion $or his
ntit&"e! 4es#s0
Bec#se Moses ws insec#re nd slow o$ s"eech!
?od ""ointed Aron to "re"re the w&0 CWht 'o#t
&o#r 'rother Aron! the Le2iteA< Yo# shll s"e3 to
hi% nd "#t words in his %o#th0D EEHod#s /F*/!*8G0
?od %de Aron to 'e MosesK "ro"het Es"o3es"ersonGF
C&o#r 'rother Aron will 'e &o#r "ro"het0D EEHod#s ,F*G0
4es#s hd his co#sin 4ohn the B"tist s s"o3es"erson
nd "ro"het to "re"re the w&0 CThere c%e %n
who ws sent $ro% ?odJ his h%e ws 4ohn0 He c%e
s witness to testi$& concernin) tht li)ht0D E4ohn
*F>!,G0 Or s Isih "ro"hesied concernin) 4ohn the
B"tist!
CI will send %& %essen)er hed o$ &o#!
who will "re"re &o#r w&DN
C 2oice o$ one cllin) in the desert!
RPre"re the w& $or the Lord!
%3e stri)ht "ths $or hi%0KD EIsih /=F-G
Moses hd his Aron! 4es#s hd his 4ohn the
B"tist0
Moses "ro2ed his co%%ission $ro% ?od '&
"er$or%in) %ircles in $ront o$ the 4ews EEHod#s /F:+I
-*G0 4es#s "ro2ed his ri)ht to s"e3 $or ?od '&
"er$or%in) %ircles E4ohn *=F-,!-.! Acts :F::G0
Isrel ws '"ti6ed into Moses when the& "ssed
thro#)h the Red Se! le2in) sl2er& in E)&"t E*
9orinthins *=F:G0 Followers o$ 4es#s re '"ti6ed into
9hrist in order 'e $reed $ro% their sin EActs :F:.!
Ro%ns >F-I,G0 Moses )2e the% 'red E%nnG in the
wilderness s "h&sicl $ood Eltho#)h s 4es#s "ointed
o#t in 4ohn >F-: tht it rell& ws the Fther! not Moses
who )2e the %nnG0 4es#s $#l;lled the "ro"hec&
contined in this $oreshdow! '& "rod#cin) 'oth
"h&sicl nd s"irit#l 'red0 4es#s %irc#lo#sl&
"rod#ced s#@cient 'red to $eed ;2e tho#snd %en
"l#s those who were with the% E4ohn >F*I*-G0 H2in)
"rod#ced "h&sicl 'red! 4es#s showed his #thorit& to
%3e the cli% to 'e the 'red o$ li$e! s"irit#l $ood $or
?odKs "eo"leF CI % the 'red o$ li$e0 He who co%es to
%e will ne2er )o h#n)r&0D E4ohn >F-8G0
The ntion o$ Isrel which Moses led thro#)h
the desert n#%'ered 'o#t two %illion so#ls0 ?odKs
"eo"le needed 'oth 'red nd wter in the wilderness0
So the& B#rreled with Moses nd
sid! C?i2e #s wter to drin3<0D The Lord
nswered Moses! CWl3 on hed o$ the
"eo"le0 T3e with &o# so%e o$ the elders
o$ Isrel nd t3e in &o#r hnd the stL
with which &o# str#c3 the Nile! nd )o0 I
will stnd there 'e$ore &o# '& the roc3 t
Hore'0 Stri3e the roc3! nd wter will
co%e o#t o$ it $or the "eo"le to drin30D
EEHod#s *,F:!8!>G0
?od #sed Moses to )i2e wter to the "eo"le o$ ?od0
4es#s li2ed in n re which hd "lent& o$ wter! so he
did not %irc#lo#sl& "rod#ce "h&sicl wter! '#t in
nswer to the wo%n t the well who thirsted
s"irit#ll&! he sid!
CE2er&one who drin3s this wter will
'e thirst& )in! '#t whoe2er drin3s the
wter I )i2e hi% will ne2er thirst0 Indeed!
the wter I )i2e hi% will 'eco%e in hi%
s"rin) o$ wter wellin) #" to eternl li$e0D
E4ohn /F*-!*/G
Nt#rll&! the wo%n s3ed 4es#s to )i2e her this
wter0 In 4ohn ,F-,!-. we re s#""lied with the
dditionl in$or%tion tht the )i$t o$ the S"irit is this
wter which 4es#s will )i2e to ll those who 'elie2es in
hi%0 9ontin#in) the OldPNew Test%ent "ttern! the
%essinic t&"e )2e Isrel "h&sicl wter! while the
Messih )i2es his $ollowers s"irit#l wter to drin30
/arallels "etween Moses and
)esus
MOSES 4ESUS
Phroh tried to 3ill
hi%
Herod tried to 3ill
hi%
9lled '& ?od to
le2e E)&"t
9rried o#t o$ E)&"t
Fort& &ers in the
wilderness to "re"re
$or his %inistr&
Fort& d&s in the
wilderness to
"re"re $or his
%inistr&
Le$t his "osition with Le$t the ri)ht hnd o$
the 3in) o$ E)&"t to
dwell with the 4ews
the Fther to li$e with
the 4ews
Led Isrel o#t o$
sl2er& in E)&"t
Leds S"irit#l Isrel
o#t o$ sin
Aron "re"red the
w&
4ohn the B"tist
"re"red the w&
B"ti6ed Isrel in the
Red Se in order to
$ree the%
9o%%nds '"tis%
in wter $or $reedo%
$ro% sin
?2e %nn in the
wilderness Esort o$G
?i2es s"irit#l 'red
to ll who h#n)er
?2e wter to the
"eo"le in the desert
?i2es s"irit#l wterF
the Hol& S"irit
S"o3e to ?od on Mt0
Sini
S"o3e to ?od on Mt0
Her%on
9onsider one %ore "rllel 'etween Moses nd
4es#s0 Moses tr2eled #" Mo#nt Sini where ?od s"o3e
directl& to hi%0 In one cse! Moses 'ro#)ht Aron with
hi% when he tl3ed with ?od EEHod#s *+G0 Another
ti%e Moses s"o3e to ?od $ce to $ce on the %o#ntin0
When he ret#rned his $ce rdited 'rillint li)ht
EEHod#s -/F:+I-8G0 His $ce shone so 'ri)htl& tht the&
"#t 2eil o2er hi% so "eo"le co#ld loo3 t hi%0
Si%ilrl&! 4es#s tr2eled with Peter! 4%es nd 4ohn C#"
hi)h %o#ntin '& the%sel2es0 There he E4es#sG ws
trns;)#red 'e$ore the%0 His $ce shone li3e the s#n!
nd his clothes 'ec%e s white s the li)ht0 4#st then
there ""ered 'e$ore the% Moses nd Eli5h! tl3in)
with 4es#s0D EMtthew *,F*I-G0 The %o#ntin the&
cli%ed to tl3 with ?od ws "ro''l& Mo#nt Her%on in
the ?oln Hei)hts0 Moses )ot to see the $#l;ll%ent o$
the "ro"hec& ?od hd cted o#t thro#)h hi% o2er
$o#rteen cent#ries erlier0
Moses is cler $oreshdow o$ the Messih!
4es#s 9hrist0 Those who wrote down the detils o$ his
li$e hd no ide the "ro"hec& the& were recordin)0 In
Moses! ?od told #s tht his s2ior wo#ld cll "eo"le o#t
o$ sin! wo#ld 'rin) '"tis% $or $or)i2eness o$ sin! wo#ld
"ro2ide s"irit#l $ood nd drin3 nd %n& other thin)s0
)O&H*A
Bec#se o$ his re'ellio#s sin in the desert!
/
Moses ws not 'le to led ?odKs "eo"le into the
Pro%ised Lnd0 He ws not 'le to co%"lete the
%essinic $oreshdow tht ?od hd intended0
Ne2ertheless! ?od hd to "ro2ide t&"e o$ the 9hrist
to 'rin) his "eo"le into the Pro%ised Lnd0 He chose
MosesK second in co%%nd! 4osh#0
Fro% his n%e lone! we h2e hint tht 4osh#
is $oreshdow o$ 4es#s0 The& hd the s%e n%eM
4esh# is the Ar%ic n%e '& which 4es#s ws clled
'& his conte%"orries0 4es#s is the ?ree3 eB#i2lent
#sed in the New Test%ent0 The Ar%ic n%e 4esh#
is trnslitertion o$ the He'rew 4osh#0 The 4ewish
n%e 4osh# %ens 4eho2h s2es0 9o#ld there 'e
n& %ore ""ro"rite n%e $or $oreshdow o$ the
S2ior o$ %n3indA
There re $ew "rllels 'etween Moses nd
4osh# s "re;)#res o$ the Messih0 As Moses led
?odKs "eo"le o#t o$ sl2er& in E)&"t! 4osh# led Isrel
into the Pro%ised Lnd0 4es#s 9hrist leds #s into
he2en0 CIn %& FtherKs ho#se re %n& roo%sJ i$ it
were not so! I wo#ld h2e told &o#0 I will co%e 'c3
nd t3e &o# to 'e with %e tht &o# lso %& 'e
where I %0D E4ohn */F*I-G0 He'rews /F.I** descri'es
the "rllel wor3 o$ 4osh# nd 4es#sF
For i$ 4osh#
,
hd )i2en the% rest!
-
Descri'ed in N#%'ers :=F.I*:0 ?od co%%nded Moses
to s"e3 to the roc30 Insted! Moses str#c3 the roc3 t Meri'h
twice0 ?rcio#sl&! ?od "ro2ided wter! '#t Moses hd not o'e&ed
?odKs co%%nd0
/
It is interestin) to note tht the 7in) 4%es (ersion #ses
4es#s insted o$ 4osh# in He'rews /F.0 This %ist3e ws c#sed
'oth 'ec#se the n%es re essentill& identicl nd 'ec#se the
wor3 o$ 4osh# nd 4es#s in s2in) ?odKs "eo"le is lso so closel&
"rllel0
?od wo#ld not h2e s"o3en lter 'o#t
nother d&0 There re%ins! then!
S''thIrest $or the "eo"le o$ ?odJ $or
n&one who enters ?odKs rest lso rests
$ro% his own wor3! 5#st s ?od did $ro%
his0 Let #s! there$ore! %3e e2er& eLort to
enter tht rest! so tht no one will $ll '&
$ollowin) their eH%"le o$ diso'edience0
The "oint o$ the He'rew writer is tht! 5#st s 4osh#
co#ld not let Isrel rest #ntil the& entered the Pro%ised
Lnd! so we who re in 9hrist! cnnot rest $ro% o#r
wor3 $or ?od #ntil we re s$el& in the s"irit#l
eB#i2lent o$ the Pro%ised LndJ he2en0
As Moses '"ti6ed Isrel in the Red Se in order
to led the% o#t o$ sl2er& in E)&"t! so 4osh#
'"ti6ed Isrel in the 4ordn Ri2er in order to enter rest
in the Pro%ised Lnd0 Si%ilrl&! those who $ollow
4es#s re '"ti6ed into hi% in wter to 'e $reed o$ sin0
In order to show the% to 'e ?odKs "eo"le!
4osh# hd ll the %les o$ Isrel circ#%cised
i%%editel& $ter crossin) the 4ordn 'e$ore the& were
to 'e llowed to conB#er their lnd0 The& co#ld not
enter their rest #ncirc#%cised0 Si%ilrl&! 4es#s
co%%nded s"irit#l circ#%cision! which is '"tis%!
Cin the "#ttin) oL o$ the sin$#l nt#re! not with
circ#%cision done '& the hnds o$ %en '#t with the
circ#%cision done '& 9hrist! h2in) 'een '#ried with
hi% in '"tis% nd rised with hi% thro#)h &o#r $ith
in the "ower o$ ?od! who rised hi% $ro% the ded0D
E9olossins :F**!*:G0 In '"tis%! the ''& 9hristin
enters new li$e0 CWe were there$ore '#ried with hi%
thro#)h '"tis% into deth in order tht! 5#st s 9hrist
ws rised $ro% the ded thro#)h the )lor& o$ the
Fther! we too %& li$e new li$e0D ERo%ns >F/G0 A$ter
Isrel ws circ#%cised #nder 4osh#Ks orders! the& too
entered new li$e with ?od in Plestine0
As "re;)#re o$ 4es#s o$ N6reth! 4osh#
re%inds #s tht the Messih is to 'e s2ior o$ ?odKs
"eo"le nd tht he will oLer #s rest $ro% o#r tr2elin)
in the wilderness0
&AM&ON
One #n%ist3e'le the%e thro#)ho#t 'oth the
Old nd the New Test%ent is ?odKs "ln to 'rin)
sl2tion to his "eo"le0 It see%s tht the "eo"le o$
?od were lw&s )ettin) the%sel2es into tro#'le nd
needin) Cs2io#r0D This ws es"ecill& tr#e d#rin)
the "eriod in the histor& o$ Isrel 3nown s the ti%e o$
the 4#d)es0 It hs lred& 'een stted tht the
reltionshi" 'etween the ntion o$ Isrel nd ?od
d#rin) the ti%e the& were in the Pro%ised Lnd is
t&"e o$ o#r reltionshi" indi2id#ll& with ?od0 I$ tht is
so! then the 4#d)es re"resents lr)el& ne)ti2e
s"ect o$ o#r 'eh2ior0 D#rin) the 4#d)es "eriod! Isrel
ws lr)el& #n$ith$#l to ?od0 ?od hd wor3ed
%6in) %ircles $or Isrel #nder the ledershi" o$ the
%essinic "re;)#res Moses nd 4osh#0 Des"ite this!
soon $ter 4osh# le$t the scene! the "eo"le o$ Isrel
sto""ed )i2in) ?od credit $or their tre%endo#s
'lessin)s0
A$ter tht whole )enertion hd 'een
)thered to their $thers! nother
)enertion )rew #"! who 3new neither the
LORD nor wht he hd done $or Isrel0 Then
the Isrelites did e2il in the e&es o$ the
LORD nd ser2ed the Bls0 The& $orsoo3
the LORD! the ?od o$ their $thers! who hd
'ro#)ht the% o#t o$ E)&"t0 E4#d)es :F*=I
*:G
There is cler wrnin) to #s here0 Re%e%'er
the words o$ * 9orinthins *=F**!*:J CThese thin)s
h""ened to the% s eH%"les nd were written down
s wrnin)s $or #s! on who% the $#l;ll%ent o$ the )es
hs co%e0 So i$ &o# thin3 &o# re stndin) ;r%! 'e
cre$#l tht &o# donKt $llMD Fro% the histor& o$ the
ntion o$ Isrel d#rin) the ti%e o$ the 4#d)es we cn
lern tht i$ n&one $or)ets tht the& re s2ed onl& '&
the )rce o$ ?od! the& will lose their thn3$#lness! will
$or)et where the 'lessin)s the& h2e recei2ed co%e
$ro%! nd will #lti%tel& 'e c#)ht #" once )in in sin
N"erh"s ewndin) #" worse oL thn e2er 'e$ore0
The "ttern in 4#d)es is tht when Isrel $or)ot
to thn3 their ?od nd ret#rned to idols! ?od llowed
the% to 'e ensl2ed once )in '& the "eo"les ro#nd
the%0
In his n)er )inst Isrel the LORD
hnded the% o2er to riders who
"l#ndered the%0 He sold the% to their
ene%ies ll ro#nd who% the& were no
lon)er 'le to resist0 Whene2er Isrel went
o#t to ;)ht! the hnd o$ the LORD ws
)inst the% to de$et the%! 5#st s he
hd sworn to the%0
+
The& were in )ret
distress0 E4#d)es :F*/!*8G
The sit#tion $or Isrel r"idl& 'ec%e des"rte0 The
t&"e is Isrel! the ntit&"e is #s0 When so%eone who
hs %de co%%it%ent to ?od t#rns their 'c3 on
tht co%%it%ent! ?od will llow tht "erson to 'e
ensl2ed to sin once )in0 Isrel 'ec%e ensl2ed to
their ene%ies once )in0 We cn 'eco%e ensl2ed to
the s%e sin we re"ented o$ when we ;rst entered o#r
reltionshi" with ?od0
B#t tht is not the "oint o$ this ch"ter0 The
"oint is tht when ?odKs "eo"le )ot the%sel2es in s#ch
tro#'le! nd when in their %iser& the& cried o#t to their
Fther in he2en! ?od lw&s sent s2io#rN
"re;)#re o$ the Messih to s2e the% o#t o$ their
sl2er&Psin0
Then the LORD rised #" 5#d)es! who
s2ed the% o#t o$ the hnds o$ these
riders0< Whene2er the LORD rised #"
5#d)e E "re;)#re o$ the MessihG $or the%!
8
De#terono%& :.F*8I-8G
he ws with the 5#d)e nd s2ed the% o#t
o$ the hnds o$ their ene%ies s lon) s
the 5#d)e li2edJ $or the LORD hd
co%"ssion on the% s the& )roned
#nder those who o""ressed nd Sicted
the%0 E4#d)es :F*.G0
?od is "ined in his hert 2er& %#ch when he sees #s
ensl2ed to sin! s ws Isrel0 His res"onse is to send
s2io#r0 The s&%'olis% o$ the 4#d)es is $irl&
o'2io#s0
9onsider ?ideon0 CA)in! the Isrelites did e2il in
the e&es o$ the LORD! nd $or se2en &ers he )2e the%
into the hnds o$ the Midinites0 ?od sent ?ideon to
s2e his "eo"le0 CThe Lord is with &o# %i)ht& wrrior0D
C?o in the stren)th &o# h2e nd s2e Isrel o#t o$
MidinKs hnd0 A% I not sendin) &o#AD E4#d)es
>F*:!*/G0 Then there ws 4e"hthh who s2ed Isrel
$ro% sl2er& to the A%%onites E4#d)es ch"ters ** nd
*:G0 And &es! De'orh! too! is t&"e o$ the Messih0
No %le leder co#ld 'e $o#nd to s2e Isrel $ro% the
hnds o$ 4'in! 3in) o$ 9nn0 ?od wnted to s2e
his "eo"le! so he chose De'orh s t&"e o$ 9hrist0
S%son is the %ost $%o#s o$ the %essinic
t&"es in 4#d)es0 Se2erl "rllels 'etween S%son nd
4es#s cn 'e noted0 Most $%o#sl&! S%son s2ed
Isrel $ro% the Philistine ene%& who hd ensl2ed
the%0 S%son ws N6irite! which %ent tht he
ws es"ecill& de2oted to ?od $ro% 'irth0 No r6or
ws #sed on his hed nd he ne2er te o$ drn3 n&
$r#it o$ the 2ine0 S%son ws N6irite0 4es#s ws
N6rene0 Both words co%e $ro% the He'rew na6ar
which %ens dedicted or de2oted0 A N6rene! 4es#s
ws de2oted to scri;ce $or o#r sins $ro% his erliest
)e0 Si%ilrl& S%son ws de2oted to ?od s
N6irite $ro% 'irth0 In $ct! in his ;nl ct! S%son
willin)l& oLered his li$e to s2e Isrel $ro% their
Philistine ene%ies0
S%son sid! CLet %e die with the
PhilistinesMD Then he "#shed with ll his
%i)ht! nd down c%e the te%"le on the
r#lers nd ll the "eo"le in it0 Th#s he
3illed %n& %ore when he died thn while
he li2ed0 E4#d)es *>F-=G0
O$ co#rse! S%son hd no ide o$ the %essinic
s&%'olis% when he willin)l& oLered #" his li$e to s2e
his "eo"le $ro% their h#%ilitin) sl2er& to the
Philistines0
&AM*E!
There were "rllels 'etween S%#el nd 4es#s
ri)ht $ro% the ti%e he ws 'orn0 Hnnh hd 'een
'rren $or %n& &ers0 She cried o#t to ?od t the
te%"le! 2owin) to de2ote her son to ?od0 CO LORD
Al%i)ht&! i$ &o# will onl& loo3 #"on &o#r ser2ntKs
%iser& nd re%e%'er %e! nd not $or)et &o#r ser2nt
'#t )i2e her son! then I will )i2e hi% to the LORD $or
ll the d&s o$ his li$e! nd no r6or will e2er 'e #sed
on his hed0D E* S%#el *F**G0 Mirc#lo#sl&! ?od
)rnted her wish0 Both S%son nd 4es#s were 'orn
$ro% %others '& the %irc#lo#s wor3 o$ ?od0 Li3e
S%son End s&%'olicll&! li3e 4es#sG S%#el ws
N6irite! de2oted to ?od0
It hs lred& 'een stted tht in 4es#s! ?od
co%'ined the 'i'licl roles o$ "riest! "ro"het nd 3in)0
S%#el ws "ro"hetF CAnd ll Isrel $ro% Dn to
Beershe' reco)ni6ed tht S%#el ws ttested s
"ro"het o$ the LORDD E* S%#el -F:=G0 He ws lso
"riestF CThe 'o& S%#el %inistered 'e$ore the LORD
#nder Eli0D E* S%#el -F*G0 S%son lso ser2ed s
5#d)e nd )o2ernor! the closest eB#i2lent to 3in)
Isrel hd t tht ti%eF CAnd S%#el ws leder
E4#d)eG o$ Isrel t Mi6"h0D E* S% ,F>G0 As "ro"het!
S%#el! li3e 4es#s! s"o3e the words o$ ?od to Isrel0
As n nnointed "riest! S%#el! li3e 4es#s! %de
intercession $or the "eo"le o$ ?od! eHce"t in n erthl&
t'erncle! not the he2enl& one 4es#s ser2ed in0 As
.. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
4#d)e! S%#el led Isrel nd s2ed the% $ro% the
ntions which ensl2ed the%0
DAV%D
I$ it were "ossi'le to )o 'c3 in ti%e to! let #s
s&! so%e ti%e in the cent#r& 'e$ore 4es#s ws 'orn
nd s3 the co%%on 4ew or e2en one o$ their techers
who does ?od #se s $oreshdowin) o$ the Messih!
%ost i$ not ll wo#ld h2e nswered tht 7in) D2id
wo#ld 'e ?odKs %odel $or the Anointed One0 To the
4ew! D2id re"resented the "ersoni;ction o$ the
Messih s nointed 7in) o$ Isrel0 The He'rew word
$or nointed one is masah! $ro% which we )et the
?ree3 word Messih! or nointed one0 When the 4ews
sw 4es#s wor3in) st#"endo#s %ircles! the& s3ed
wht wo#ld 'e onl& nt#rl to 4ew! C9o#ld this 'e the
son o$ D2idAD EMtthew *:F:-G0 In other words! the&
were s3in) i$ 4es#s co#ld 'e the MessihNthe
"ro%ised Son o$ D2id0
In order to ill#strte the cli% tht the 4ews
wo#ld consider D2id s the %odelPt&"e o$ the
Messih! consider E6e3iel -,F:/!:8J
M& ser2nt D2id will 'e 3in) o2er
the%! nd the& will ll h2e one she"herd0
The& will $ollow %& lws nd 'e cre$#l to
3ee" %& decrees0 The& will li2e in the lnd
I )2e to %& ser2nt 4co'! the lnd where
&o#r $thers li2ed0 The& nd their
childrenKs children will li2e there $ore2er!
nd D2id %& ser2nt will 'e their "rince
$ore2er0
The "ro"het E6e3iel ws not tl3in) 'o#t the 7in)
D2id who hd r#led o2er $o#r h#ndred &ers 'e$ore he
wrote down this "ro"hec&0 He ws tl3in) 'o#t the
Son o$ D2idF 4es#s 9hrist! who will 'e "rince o2er
s"irit#l Isrel $ore2er in he2enl& 3in)do%0
E6e3iel descri'ed the ntit&"e to D2id! the
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
.+
Messih! s she"herd0 O$ co#rse! D2id ws
she"herd0 He lid down his li$e $or his shee"0 CWhen
lion or 'er c%e nd crried oL shee" $ro% the
Qoc3! I went $ter it str#c3 it down nd resc#ed the
shee" $ro% its %o#th0D E* S%#el *,F-/G0 4es#s sid CI
% the )ood she"herd0 The )ood she"herd l&s down
his li$e $or his shee"0 E4ohn *=F*/G0 Both D2id nd
4es#s lid down their li$e $or their shee"0
D2id ws 'orn in Bethlehe%0 4es#s ws 'orn in
Bethlehe%0 This sho#ld not 'e )ret s#r"rise! s the
Messih is clled the Son o$ D2id in the Old
Test%ent0 Descendnts o$ D2id tended to 'e 'orn in
the ncestrl ho%e o$ 4esse! which ws Bethlehe%0
D2id ws the son o$ 4esse0 4es#s! the Messih is the
root o$ 4esse EIsih **F*=G0
Li3e 4es#s! D2id ws set "rt nd nointed '&
?od $ro% 2er& &o#n) )eJ Cthe LORD hs so#)ht o#t
%n $ter his own hert nd ""ointed hi% leder o$
his "eo"le0D E* S%#el *-F*/G0 As &o#th! D2id ws
nointed s 3in) o$ Isrel '& S%#el0 He ws literll&
the nointed one! or Messih o$ Isrel0 CSo S%#el
too3 the horn o$ oil nd nointed hi% in the "resence
o$ his 'rothers! nd $ro% tht d& on the S"irit o$ the
LORD c%e #"on D2id in "ower0D E* S%#el *>F*-G0
The S"irit descended on D2id when he ws nointed0
Si%ilrl&! the S"irit descended on 4es#s when he ws
'"ti6ed in the 4ordn '& 4ohn the B"tist0 CThen 4ohn
)2e this testi%on&F CI sw the S"irit co%e down $ro%
he2en s do2e nd re%in on hi%0DD E4ohn *F-:G0
O$ co#rse! n& %essinic $oreshdow hd 'etter
s2e Isrel0 D2id did this %ore thn once0 The %ost
well 3nown is when s %ere &o#th! he sl&ed
?olith! deli2erin) Isrel $ro% the r%ies o$ the
Philistines0
CThis d& the LORD will hnd &o#
E?olithG o2er to %e! nd IKll stri3e &o#
down nd c#t oL &o#r hed0 Tod& I will
)i2e the crcsses o$ the Philistine r%& to
the 'irds o$ the ir nd the 'ests o$ the
+= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
erth! nd the whole world will 3now tht
there is ?od in Isrel0 All those )thered
here will 3now tht it is not '& sword or
s"er tht the LORD s2esJ $or the 'ttle is
the LORDKS! nd he will )i2e ll o$ &o# into
o#r hnds0D E* S%#el *,F/>!/,G0
One %ore ti%e! ?od sends his Messih! his s2ior! to
Isrel0 Are &o# 'e)innin) to detect "ttern in the Old
Test%ent &etA ?od is 2er& interested in s2in) #s
$ro% o#r sinsM
This ws not the onl& ti%e D2id Cs2edD Isrel0
Another eH%"le is recorded in : S%#el :/0 D#e to
D2idKs own "ride nd lc3 o$ $ith! he hd clled
cens#s o$ Isrel0 This si)n o$ not tr#stin) ?od 'ro#)ht
down on 4er#sle% n 2en)in) n)el nd "l)#e
'ro3e o#t in 4er#sle%0 When the n)el ws 'o#t to
destro& 4er#sle%! D2id inter2ened! oLerin) #"
scri;ce t the threshin) Qoor o$ Ar#nh0 This
scri;ce ws oLered on the site where the te%"le ws
e2ent#ll& '#ilt0 It ws the s%e %o#ntin on which
A'rh% oLered Isc s scri;ce0 When oLered to
'e re$#nded $or his scri;ce! D2id re"lied! CI will not
scri;ce to the LORD %& ?od '#rnt oLerin)s tht cost
%e nothin)0D E: S%#el :/F:/G0 D2id oLered #"
scri;ce which s2ed Isrel $ro% destr#ction0 So did
his ntit&"e0
D2id ws 3in) o$ "h&sicl Isrel! 4es#s is 3in) o$
s"irit#l Isrel0 D2id conB#ered nd entered
4er#sle% s 3in)0 4es#s entered 4er#sle% s 3in)!
ridin) on don3e&0 Ridin) into cit& on don3e& ws
co%%on cere%on& $or new 3in) enterin) cit& in
the Ner Est0 D2id went o#t nd conB#ered ll o$
IsrelKs ene%ies $ro% 4er#sle%0 4es#sK erthl&
3in)do% 'e)n in 4er#sle%0 As 4es#s told his
"ostles! Cre"entnce nd $or)i2eness o$ sins will 'e
"reched in his n%e to ll ntions! 'e)innin) t
4er#sle%0D EL#3e :/F/,G! nd C&o# will 'e %&
witnesses in 4er#sle%! nd in ll 4#de nd S%ri!
nd to the ends o$ the erth0D EActs *F.G0
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
+*
D2id 'ro#)ht the r3 o$ the co2ennt to
4er#sle%0 The Lord ?odKs "resence dwelt in the r3!
so in sense! D2id literll& 'ro#)ht ?od into
4er#sle%0 When 4es#s entered 4er#sle%! he ws
reenctin) this s&%'olic ct0 In 4es#s! ?od ws co%in)
to 4er#sle%0
D2id ws clerl& 'lessed '& ?od0
Un$ort#ntle&! not e2er&one t the ti%e ""recited
this $ct0 O#t o$ 5elo#s&! S#l "ersec#ted D2id to the
"oint tht he tried to 3ill hi%0 Mn& o$ D2idKs
descri"tions o$ his "ersec#tion so#nds so %#ch li3e
wht 4es#s went thro#)h tht it is hrd to decide! t
ti%es! i$ D2id ws writin) 'o#t hi%sel$ or i$ he ws
"ro"hes&in) the $#t#re s#Lerin)s o$ his ntit&"e! 4es#s
9hrist0 In $ct there is do#'le %enin) in %n& o$
these descri"tions o$ D2idKs tr2ils0
Wh& do the ntions r)e
nd the "eo"les "lot in 2inA
The 3in)s o$ the erth t3e their stnd
nd the r#lers )ther to)ether )inst the Lord
nd )inst his Anointed One0 EPsl%s :F*!:G
Is the Psl%ist tl3in) 'o#t D2idKs "ersec#tions or
'o#t the s#Lerin) o$ his ntit&"e! 4es#s! Son o$ D2idA
Psl%s twent&Itwo strts o#t with D2id
descri'in) his s#Lerin)s nd "ersec#tions! "res#%'l&
t the hnds o$ S#l! '#t his descri"tion %or"hs into
descri"tion o$ the s#Lerin)s o$ 4es#s0
M& ?od! %& ?od! wh& h2e &o# $ors3en %eA
Wh& re &o# so $r $ro% s2in) %e!
so $r $ro% the words o$ %& )ronin)A
O %& ?od! I cr& o#t '& d&! '#t &o# do not
nswer!
'& ni)ht! nd % not silent<0
All who see %e %oc3 %eJ
the& h#rl ins#lts! sh3in) their hedsF
CHe tr#sts in the LORDJ
let hi% deli2er hi%!
+: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
since he deli)hts in hi%<0D
Do)s h2e s#rro#nded %eJ
'nd o$ e2il %en hs encircled %e!
the& h2e "ierced %& hnds nd %& $eet0 EPsl%s
::F*!:!,!.!*>G
We cn see the si%ilrit& 'etween D2id nd the
Messih in their s#Lerin) nd "ersec#tion0 7in) S#l
tried to 3ill 7in) D2id0 7in) Herod tried to 3ill 7in)
4es#s0
We lern so%ethin) 'o#t the Messih $ro%
ech o$ those who "re;)#red hi%0 Fro% D2id we
lern tht the Messih is "ower$#l 3in)! r#lin) $ro%
s"irit#l 4er#sle%0 CI sw the Hol& 9it&! the new
4er#sle%! co%in) down o#t o$ he2en $ro% ?od0D
ERe2eltion :*F:G0 H2in) D2id rei)nin) s 3in) in
the old 4er#sle% 'ro#)ht )ret 5o& nd 'lessin) to
Isrel0 Dwellin) with 4es#s in the New 4er#sle% will
'e n e2en )reter 'lessin)0
&O!OMON$ DAN%E!$ '1#*&$ E3#A$ )O&H*A
THE /#%E&T
The list o$ those who ?od #sed s "re;)#res o$
9hrist co#ld )o on! see%in)l& inde;nitel&0 Solo%on
ws the son o$ D2id! s the Messih is the son o$
D2id0 When one reds ?odKs "ro"hec& to D2id
concernin) his son! it is hrd to 3now i$ he is tl3in)
'o#t Solo%on or 4es#s 9hristF
I will rise #" &o#r oLs"rin) to
s#cceed &o#! who will co%e $ro% &o#r own
'od&! nd I will est'lish his 3indo%0 He is
the one who will '#ild ho#se $or %&
N%e! nd I will est'lish the throne o$ his
3in)do% $ore2er0 I will 'e his $ther! nd
he will 'e %& son0 < Yo#r ho#se nd &o#r
3in)do% will end#re $ore2er 'e$ore %eJ
&o#r throne will 'e est'lished $ore2er0 E:
S%#el ,F*:I*/!*>G
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
+-
?od est'lished D2idKs son Solo%on o2er his
3in)do%0 ?od lso est'lished 3in)do% which will
end#re $ore2er in his son 4es#s 9hrist0
Solo%on '#ilt the te%"le in which ?od dwelt
%on) %en0 CI h2e '#ilt %)ni;cent te%"le $or
&o#! "lce $or &o# to dwell<D CB#t will ?od rell&
dwell on erth with %enA The he2ens! e2en the
hi)hest he2ens! cnnot contin &o#0 How %#ch less
this te%"le I h2e '#iltMD E: 9hronicles >F:!*.G0 When
4es#s wl3ed the erth! ?od dwelt %on) the "eo"le o$
?od0 Solo%on '#ilt the te%"le so tht ?od co#ld dwell
%on) his "eo"le0
E2en %ore thn D2id! Solo%on de$eted ll
the ene%ies o$ Isrel0 His 3in)do% eHtended $ro% the
'order o$ E)&"t ll the w& to the E#"hrtes Ri2er!
enco%"ssin) ll o$ the Pro%ised Lnd0 Solo%on
s2ed the "eo"le o$ ?od $ro% their ene%ies! 'rin)in)
"ece to the Isrel $or the ;rst ti%e in their histor&0
4es#s s2es his "eo"le nd he is the Prince o$ Pece
EIsih +F>G0
When the O#een o$ She' c%e to oLer
)i$tsPtri'#te to Solo%on E: 9hronicles +F*I*:G! she too
ws ctin) o#t "l& with $#t#re si)ni;cnce0 This ws
$oreshdow o$ the %)i $ro% the Est who 'ro#)ht
)i$ts to 7in) 4es#s0 The honor the O#een o$ She'h
"id to Solo%on ws lso s&%'olic o$ the ?entiles in
)enerl co%in) to 4es#s in the s"irit#l 4er#sle% which
is his ch#rch0 It is interestin) to note tht Solo%on
)2e in ret#rn to the O#een e2en %ore thn she hd
'ro#)ht hi%0 Tr#l&! no %tter wht tri'#te we 'rin) to
4es#s! we cnnot o#t)i2e ?od0 In Mr3 *=F:+I-*! 4es#s
tells #s tht no %tter wht tri'#te we 'rin) to hi%! we
will recei2e one h#ndred $old in 3ind $ro% hi%0
?od lso #sed Dniel s "re;)#re o$ the
Messih0 Dniel ws t3en s 2er& &o#n) child $ro%
Isrel0 So ws 4es#s0 4es#s ws t3en to E)&"t! Dniel
ws t3en to B'&lon0 Dniel ws ri)hteo#s %n
who "r&ed $or Isrel0 He ws 'le to "rocli%
sl2tion $or the "eo"le o$ ?od nd their relese $ro%
+/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
c"ti2it& EDniel +F*I-G0 Dniel ws "ro"het! s ws
4es#s0 Interestin) 'o#t the %inistr& o$ Dniel is tht
he ser2ed s "ro"het to the ?entiles! ser2in) #nder
Ne'#chdne66r nd 9&r#s0 DnielKs %inistr& ws
hint tht the Messih! 4es#sK %inistr& lso wo#ld 'e)in
with Isrel '#t s"red to the ?entiles0 Dniel 'e)n s
c"t#red sl2e in B'&lon! '#t ws rised to 'e
oLered the second "osition in the 3in)do% o$ B'&lon0
4es#s ws 'orn lowl& "esnt in 'rn! '#t ws
rised to the ri)ht hnd o$ ?od0
Perh"s %ost sto#ndin) o$ ll! ?od e2en #sed
?entile 3in) s "re;)#re o$ 9hristM When 4#dh went
into c"ti2it&! ?od "ro"hesied thro#)h 4ere%ih tht
the c"ti2it& wo#ld lst $or se2ent& &ersF
This whole co#ntr& E4#dhG will
'eco%e desolte wstelnd! nd these
ntions will ser2e the 3in) o$ B'&lon
se2ent& &ers0
B#t when the se2ent& &ers re
$#l;lled! I will "#nish the 3in) o$ B'&lon
nd his ntion! the lnd o$ the B'&lonins!
$or their )#ilt declres the Lord0 E4ere%ih
:8F**!*:G
B& now! it will not 'e s#r"risin) tht ?od sent
"re;)#re o$ the Messih to s2e Isrel $ro% their
c"ti2it& in B'&lon0 Wht is stri3in) is tht he #sed
9&r#s! the 3in) o$ PersiPMedi0 9&r#s conB#ered
B'&lon in >-. B9E! $#l;llin) the "ro"hec& o$ 4ere%ih
tht ?od wo#ld "#nish B'&lon0 A$ter conB#erin) this
)ret cit&! 9&r#s instit#ted "olic& which ws
#n"recedented0 He llowed c"ti2e "eo"les to ret#rn
to their ho%elnd to reest'lish residence nd 'e)in
worshi""in) their )ods0 S"eci;cll&! he decreed tht
Isrel co#ld ret#rn to 4er#sle% nd re'#ild the te%"le0
In 2er& rel sense! Isrel ws s2ed '& 9&r#s!
'ec#se thn3s to hi%! the& were 'le to reinstit#te
the scri;ces which 'ro#)ht $or)i2eness to the 4ews0
Interestin)l&! ?od %de it cler tht he sw
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
+8
9&r#s s s2ior o$ Isrel in "ro"hec& o$ Isih0
<who s&s o$ 9&r#s!KHe is %& she"herd
nd will cco%"lish ll tht I "leseJ
he will s& o$ 4er#sle%! CLet it 'e re'#ilt!D
nd o$ the te%"le! CLet its $o#ndtion 'e
lid0DK
This is wht the LORD s&s to his nointed!
to 9&r#s! whose ri)ht hnd I t3e hold o$
to s#'d#e ntions 'e$ore hi%
nd to stri" 3in)s o$ their r%or!<
I will rise #" 9&r#s in %& ri)hteo#snessF
I will %3e ll his w&s stri)ht0
He will re'#ild %& cit&
And set %& eHiles $ree!
'#t not $or "rice or rewrd!
s&s the LORD Al%i)ht&0 EIsih //F:.!
/8F*!*-G
I$ one were to s#'stit#te 9hrist or Messih $or 9&r#s in
this "ss)e it wo#ld ;t the conteHt re%r3'l& well0
9&r#s! ")n 3in) o$ ")n ntion! ws ?odKs
nointed one to s2e Isrel! re'#ild 4er#sle% nd l&
the $o#ndtion o$ the te%"le0 ?od clls hi% his
she"herd0 Re%e%'er tht the He'rew word trnslted
s nointed is masah or Messih0 Thro#)h Isih!
writin) two h#ndred &ers 'e$ore the e2ent! ?od told
Isrel tht he wo#ld send Messih! 9&r#s! to s2e his
"eo"le0
Let #s loo3 t ;nl "re;)#re o$ the Messih0 In
the 'oo3 o$ 1echrih! ?od %de the hi)h "riest
4osh# to 'e 2isi'le! "h&sicl "ro"hec& o$ the co%in)
Messih0 This is not the s%e 4osh# who! l%ost
tho#snd &ers erlier! s2ed Isrel nd led the% into
the Pro%ised Lnd0 This is the hi)h "riest 4osh# who
ser2ed Isrel in the lte 8==Ks B9E $ter their
restortion to the Pro%ised Lnd0 This 4osh# ws the
hi)h "riest who o2ersw the re'#ildin) o$ the Te%"le0
Bein) hi)h "riest s is 4es#s! h2in) the n%e 4osh#
+> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
E4esh#! 4es#sG! re'#ildin) the te%"le! the ho#se o$
?od in Isrel! wo#ld B#li$& 4osh# s $oreshdow o$
the Messih0 Listen to how ?od! thro#)h 1echrih
descri'es 4osh#F
Then he showed %e 4osh# the hi)h
"riest stndin) 'e$ore the n)el o$ the
LORD nd Stn stndin) t his ri)ht side to
cc#se hi%0 The LORD sid to Stn! CThe
Lord re'#3e &o#! StnM The LORD! who
hs chosen 4er#sle%! re'#3e &o#MD
CListen! O hi)h "riest 4osh# nd
&o#r ssocites seted 'e$ore &o#! who are
men symbolic of things to comeF I %
)oin) to 'rin) %& ser2nt! the Brnch0
See! the stone I h2e set in $ront o$ 4osh#M
There re se2en e&es on tht one stone!
nd I will en)r2e n inscri"tion on it!D s&s
the LORD Al%i)ht&! CAnd I will re%o2e the
sin o$ this lnd in sin)le d&0D E1echrih
-F*!:!.!+G0
In the 2ision! 4osh# is te%"ted '& Stn s ws 4es#s
in his $ort& d& wilderness eH"erience0 ?od #ses
4osh# s 2is#l re"resenttion o$ the co%in)
Messih! the Brnch! to re%o2e the sin o$ the lnd in
sin)le d&0
The list o$ %essinic "re;)#res co#ld 'e
eH"nded to incl#de A'rh%! Isc! 4co'! He6e3ih!
E6r! Nehe%ih nd Esther! '#t the "oint is cler0 This
ch"ter 'e)n with the thesis tht )i2en the the%e o$
the OT! the Messih is co%in)! nd )i2en tht the Old
Test%ent is $#ll o$ "re;)#res which ;nd their
$#l;ll%ent in the New! there o#)ht to 'e lot o$
"re;)#res o$ the Messih in the Old Test%ent0 When
one loo3s! one is not dis""ointed0 An& sin)le isolted
"rllel 'etween Melchi6ede3! 4osh# or D2id nd the
li$e nd %inistr& o$ 4es#s co#ld 'e dis%issed s
coincidence0 Howe2er! )i2en the see%in)l& #nli%ited
n#%'er o$ %6in) "rllels 'etween these "eo"le
Pre;)#res o$ the Messih
+,
nd their $#l;ll%ent in 4es#s! one is le$t with onl& one
concei2'le eH"lntion0 The Bi'le is the word o$ ?od
nd ?od hs %ess)e $or #s0 The s#Lerin) Messih!
the s2ior o$ the world! "ro"het! "riest nd 3in)! is
co%in)0
It was necessary* then* for the
copies of the heavenly things to
be puri4ed with these sacri4ces*
but the heavenly things
themselves with better
sacri4ces than these. )or 'hrist
did not enter a man7made
sanctuary that was only a copy
of the true one8 he entered
heaven itself* now to apper for
us in 2od9s presence
Hebrews :"./
-
+. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl& T'erncle
The 'illowin) s%o3e o$ '#rnin) incense! the
'lood o$ )ot s"lttered on the $#rnit#re nd the
c#rtins! the %&ster& o$ it ll000 Wht lies 'ehind the
c#rtinA The dil& s#""l& o$ show'red! the inner
co#rt! the o#ter co#rt! the co#rt o$ the )entiles! the
Hol& o$ Holies<0 The )old! the 'l#e! "#r"le nd scrlet
cloth! "o%e)rntes! l%"stnds! "riests )oin)
thro#)h rit#l %otions which re h#ndreds o$ &ers
old000 To the %odern! Western %ind! the reli)io#s
cere%on& "er$or%ed in the t'erncle in the
wilderness! nd lter in the te%"le in 4er#sle% see%s
to h2e %ore in co%%on with ")n reli)ion thn
with the str3 si%"licit& o$ 9hristin worshi"0 Wht
ws this ll 'o#tA
It wo#ld 'e hrd to o2ere%"hsi6e the
i%"ortnce to the 4ews nd to 4#dis% o$ the
cere%on&! the s&%'olis% nd the scri;ces in2ol2ed in
worshi" t the te%"le in 4er#sle%0 The te%"le ws
the "lce where ?od dwelt %on) his "eo"le0 The
te%"le ws the "lce where $or)i2eness $or sins ws
o'tined0 The te%"le ws the hert o$ wht %de
4ew 4ew0 The "il)ri%)e to the te%"le t 4er#sle%
on Yo% 7i""#r or one o$ the other $esti2ls ws the
hi)hli)ht o$ the reli)io#s &erJ indeed it ws the
hi)hli)ht o$ the entire reli)io#s li$e o$ the 4ew0 When
4ews wnted to ress#re the%sel2es tht the& were
tr#l& the "eo"le o$ ?od! the& wo#ld s& the %ntr
CThis is the te%"le o$ the LORD! the te%"le o$ the LORD!
the te%"le o$ the LORD0D E4ere%ih ,F/G0 To their
sh%e! %n& 4ews c%e to rel& on the %ere "resence
o$ the te%"le in 4er#sle% to de;ne their )retness
rther thn %intinin) ri)hteo#s li$e 'e$ore their
?od0 As lon) s the te%"le stood in 4er#sle%! the
4ews 3new tht ?od hd not 'ndoned the%0
It is lso hrd to o2eresti%te the de2sttion
$or the 4ews when the te%"le ws destro&ed $or
se2ent& &ers 'e)innin) in 8.> B9 #nder the
B'&lonin 7in) Ne'#chdne66r nd )in in AD ,=
'& the Ro%n )enerl Tit#s0 For "erson o"ertin)
#nder the Old 9o2ennt! t3in) te%"le scri;ce nd
worshi" o#t o$ 4#dis% wo#ld 'e nlo)o#s to t3in)
the )os"el o#t o$ 9hristinit&0 A'sent $or)i2eness o$
sin! sl2tion nd "r&er li$e! the 9hristin reli)ion
wo#ld still %intin shell o$ )ood %orl techin)!
with d2ice 'o#t how to li2e )ood li$e! nd so%e
nice cere%on&! '#t it wo#ld h2e 'een )#tted o$ its
core %enin) to s& the lest0 Wht is 9hristinit&
witho#t sl2tion in the 'lood o$ 4es#s 9hristA 4#dis%
s it is "rcticed tod& is in n nlo)o#s "osition0
Witho#t the te%"le! there is no %ore "resence o$ ?od
with his "eo"le! no %ore $or)i2eness o$ sins! no %ore
#ni$&in) reli)io#s cere%on& s #thori6ed in the Old
Test%ent0
As the He'rew writer sid! "ro''l& so%e ti%e
in the AD >=Ks! CB& cllin) this co2ennt Rnew!K he hs
%de the ;rst one o'soleteJ nd wht is o'solete nd
)in) will soon dis""er0D EHe'rews .F*-G0 When
4es#s 9hrist c%e! not to 'olish the Lw or the
Pro"hets! '#t to $#l;ll the% E"r"hrsin) Mtthew
8F*,G! the cere%onies "er$or%ed t the te%"le t#rned
$ro% $oreshdow o$ the %6in) thin)s we h2e in
9hrist to shdow o$ $or%er thin)s0 The "ro"hec& o$
He'rews .F*- ws $#l;lled shortl& $ter it ws written0
In AD ,=! when the te%"le ws destro&ed! te%"le
worshi" nd scri;ce c%e to "er%nent end0 Wht
ws old nd o'solete tr#l& dis""ered $ore2er0
The worshi" nd scri;ce which ws "er$or%ed
t the t'erncle nd lter the te%"le o$ Solo%on nd
its reconstr#ction #nder 1er#'''el ws the hert o$
4#dis%0 E2er& "rt o$ 'oth the dil& cere%on& nd
the nn#l Yo% 7i""#r ED& o$ Atone%entG scri;ce
held )ret si)ni;cnce to the 4ews0 As )ret
si)ni;cnce s these cere%onies crried $or the 4ews!
their de"th o$ %enin) to those o$ #s #nder the New
9o2ennt is still )reter0 E2er& s"ect o$ the "h&sicl
worshi" t the te%"le ws $oreshdow o$ )reter
s"irit#l relit& which ;nds its $#l;ll%ent in 4es#s
9hrist0 For $o#rteen cent#ries! the le2iticl "riests
crried o#t 'oth dil& cere%on& nd &erl& scri;ce in
the te%"le nd t'erncle! o'li2io#s to the $ct tht
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle *=*
the whole ti%e the& were ctin) o#t $oreshdow "l&
o$ the )reter relit& $o#nd in 4es#s 9hrist nd the New
9o2ennt which ws seled '& his 'loodF
It ws necessr&! then! $or the
copies o$ the he2enl& thin)s to 'e "#ri;ed
with these scri;ces! '#t the he2enl&
thin)s the%sel2es with 'etter scri;ces
thn these0 For 9hrist did not enter %nI
%de snct#r& tht ws onl& copy o$
the tr#e oneJ he entered he2en itsel$! now
to ""er $or #s in ?odKs "resence0
EHe'rews +F:-!:/G0
There we h2e it! clerl& s"elled o#t0 The
t'erncle nd te%"le were co"& o$ relit& which is
$o#nd in the s"irit#l t'erncle which is in he2en0
Ech ite% in the "h&sicl t'erncle set #" '& h#%n
hnds! #nder 2er& s"eci;c instr#ctions '& ?od! will
"ro2e to 'e wonder$#l s&%'ol o$ %5or s"ect o$
o#r reltionshi" with ?od0 The Old 9o2ennt
t'erncle will $oreshdow o#r reltionshi" with ?od
#nder the New 9o2ennt0 It lso re%ins s
$oreshdow o$ wht we will h2e in the New 4er#sle%
Nin the t'erncle o$ he2en where we will stnd $ce
to $ce with ?od0 Tht is s#'5ect o$ this ch"ter0 Wht
re these )ret relities s&%'oli6ed in the erthl&
t'erncleA
THE TA"E#NA'!E AND THE TEM/!E
First! let #s consider in so%e detil the ct#l
l&o#t! 'oth o$ the "ort'le t'erncle which ws
crried '& the Le2ites d#rin) the wnderin)s o$ the
4ews in the desert! nd o$ the %ore "ltil te%"le in
4er#sle%0
?od )2e the instr#ctions $or '#ildin) the
t'erncle thro#)h Moses! s recorded in EHod#s
ch"ters twent&I;2e thro#)h twent&Ise2en nd ch"ter
thirt&0
*=: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
H2e the% %3e snct#r& $or %e!
nd I will dwell %on) the%0 M3e this
t'erncle nd ll its $#rnishin)s eHctl&
li3e the "ttern I will show &o#0 EEHod#s
:8F.!+G0
The "#r"ose ll lon) $or the '#ildin) o$ the t'erncle
ws so tht ?od co#ld dwell %on)st his "eo"le
witho#t the% seein) hi% directl&! 'ec#se $or n&one
to see ?od $ceItoI$ce wo#ld %en deth0 EEHod#s
*=F:.! CThe d& &o# see %& $ce &o# will dieDG0 Once
the t'erncle ws set #"! ?odKs "resence ws seen s
"illr o$ clo#d '& d& nd "illr o$ ;re '& ni)ht
EN#%'ers */F*/G0 Not s#r"risin)l&! the 4ews too3 ?od
dwellin) with the% B#ite literll&0
The t'erncle ws s#rro#nded '& lr)e o#ter
c#rtin which %de co#rt&rd0 The o#ter co#rt&rd
ws rectn)#lrJ one h#ndred c#'its '& ;$t& c#'its
E'o#t *8= $eet '& ,8 $eetG0 There ws n entrnce on
the est side which ws twent& c#'its E'o#t thirt&
$eetG lon)0 The c#rtin ws %de o$ 'l#e! "#r"le nd
scrlet &rn0 The 4ews were not llowed into the
co#rt&rd0 Onl& the le2iticl "riests were llowed into
the co#rt&rd0 E2en %on)st the le2ites! onl& one
desi)nted "riest ws llowed into the Hol& Plce to
"er$or% cere%onies on n& )i2en d&0 Tht "riest ws
de;nitel& not llowed into the Most Hol& Plce0 The
two %in o'5ects in the co#rt&rd o#tside the Hol&
Plce were the 'ron6e ltr nd the l2er0
http";;www.bibletruth.net;<orlane;Tabernacle
;bra6en.htm
insert %odel o$ the t'erncle here
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle *=-
The 'ron6e ltr ws "lt$or% ;2e c#'its
E'o#t , T $eetG on side nd three c#'its E'o#t / T
$eetG tll0 It ws %de o$ cci wood nd ws o2erlid
with 'ron6e0 The ltr ws $or the '#rnt scri;ce o$
ni%ls! )rin nd so $orth0 As one "ssed the ltr!
one c%e to lr)e 'sin! so%eti%es 3nown s the
l2er0 The l2er ws %de o$ solid 'ron6e0 The "riests
were reB#ired to wsh in the l2er 'e$ore the& co#ld
enter the t'erncle itsel$0 CWhene2er the& enter the
Tent o$ Meetin)! the& shll wsh with wter so tht the&
will not die0D EEHod#s -=F:=G0 The New Test%ent
s&%'olis% o$ the l2er will 'e i%"ortnt! '#t e2en $or
the 4ews! the s&%'olis% ws "ro''l& "rett& o'2io#s0
?od wnted his "eo"le to 'e cere%onill& clen when
the& c%e into his "resence0
The ct#l t'erncle ws s#rro#nded '& n
inner c#rtin ten c#'its E'o#t *8 $eetG '& thirt& c#'its
E'o#t /8 $eetG0 The t'erncle ws di2ided into the
Hol& Plce! which ws ten c#'its '& twent& c#'its nd
the Hol& o$ Holies or Most Hol& Plce! which ws ten
c#'its sB#re0 There ws n dditionl c#rtin
se"rtin) the Hol& Plce $ro% the Hol& o$ Holies0
When one "ssed into the Hol& Plce End one 'etter
'e "riest or one %i)ht 'e 3illedG! on the ri)ht wll
ws t'le inlid with )old! with twel2e lr)e ro#nd
*=/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
lo2es o$ 'red! so%eti%es 3nown s the show 'red0
The 'red ws re"lced dil& '& the desi)nted "riest0
On the le$t wll ws l%"stnd o$ solid )old0 The
l%"stnd ws constr#cted s stnd with se2en
'rnches! ech to""ed with l%"0 The l%"s were lit
whene2er the t'erncle ws set #"0 At the 'c3 o$
the Hol& Plce stood )olden ltr $or '#rnin) incense
which stood #" )inst the c#rtin which led to the
inner%ost snct#r&0
Behind this c#rtin ws the Hol& o$ Holies0 Here
stood the r3 o$ the co2ennt0 The r3 ws constr#cted
o$ cci wood! inlid with "#re )old0 Inside the r3
ws contined )old 5r o$ %nn! the t'lets Moses
recei2ed $ro% ?od on Mo#nt Sini on which were
en)r2ed the Ten 9o%%nd%ents0 Also in the r3 ws
AronKs rod0 The lid o$ the r3 ws %de o$ "#re )old0
It ws co2ered with el'orte detil0 The lid ws clled
the tone%ent co2er or the %erc& set0 Two )olden
cher#'i% stood t either end o$ the tone%ent co2er!
with their win)s s"red #"wrd! o2ershdowin) the
r30 O#tside o$ Moses! onl& the hi)h "riest ws llowed
into the Hol& o$ Holies0 E2en the hi)h "riest ws
llowed into the Most Hol& Plce onl& once &er! on
the D& o$ Atone%ent! onl& $ter ;rst s"rin)lin) the
'lood o$ the )ot nd '#ll slin on tht d&0 As we
will see! e2er& s"ect o$ the t'erncle will 'e
$oreshdow o$ 2er& i%"ortnt s"ect o$ the New
9o2ennt0 Be$ore we )et to tht! let #s consider the
te%"le in 4er#sle%0
Be$ore enterin) the Pro%ised Lnd! ?od
"ro%ised the "eo"le! thro#)h Moses! tht he wo#ld
est'lish "er%nent "lce $or his "resence nd $or
the "eo"le to worshi" hi% in the Hol& Lnd0 This
"ro%ise ws del&ed $or o2er three h#ndred &ers
d#rin) the chotic ti%e o$ the 5#d)es0 D#rin) this ti%e
the t'erncle ws set #" t Shiloh0 E4osh# *.F*G0 The
r3 did not s"end ll its ti%e t Shiloh! '#t tht
interestin) stor& is o#tside the s#'5ect %tter o$ this
'oo30
Finll&! 7in) D2id conB#ered 4er#sle%! the cit&
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle *=8
$or%erl& 3nown s Sle%! where Melchi6ede3 hd
r#led0 The %o#ntin o$ Morih! where A'rh% hd
oLered #" Isc ws t the site o$ 4er#sle%0
Si)ni;cntl&! Mo#nt Morih 'ec%e the site $or the
te%"le o$ ?od0 A$ter est'lishin) 4er#sle% s his
c"itl! D2id wnted to '#ild the te%"le0 Des"ite his
sincere desire to '#ild ho#se $or his ?od! the ts3 $ell
to his son Solo%on 'ec#se there ws too %#ch 'lood
on D2idKs hnds0 Solo%on '#ilt )rnd te%"le with
Hol& Plce nd Most Hol& Plce constr#cted l%ost
eHctl& on the "ln o$ the t'erncle! eHce"t on
lr)er scle0 When the r3 ws ;nll& 'ro#)ht into the
inner snct#r& ?od c#sed 2er& cons"ic#o#s )rnd
o"enin)F
When the "riests withdrew $ro% the Hol&
Plce! the clo#d ;lled the te%"le o$ the LORD0
And
the "riests co#ld not "er$or% their ser2ice
'ec#se
o$ the clo#d! $or the )lor& o$ the LORD ;lled the
te%"le0
E* 7in)s .F*=!**G0
At this ti%e! ?od "ro2ided "ower$#l e2idence
tht he ws dwellin) in his te%"le in 4er#sle%M
Solo%onKs te%"le ws si)ni;cntl& diLerent
$ro% the t'erncle in tht it "ro2ided se2erl diLerent
co#rt&rds0 The Hol& Plce ws s#rro#nded '& n inner
re 3nown s the co#rt&rd o$ the "riests0 The
scri;cil ltr nd the l2er were in the co#rt&rd $or
the "riests0 It wo#ld 'e %ore cc#rte to s& the
l2ers E"l#rlG0 D#e to the 2ol#%e o$ scri;ces on
s"ecil $est d&s! there were ten 'sins set #" in the
co#rt&rd o$ the "riests0 O#tside this co#rt&rd ws the
co#rt&rd o$ Isrel! where 4ewish %en who were not
"riests were llowed0 In $ront o$ this! on the estern
end o$ the te%"le ws the co#rt&rd o$ wo%en where!
o'2io#sl&! the He'rew wo%en were llowed to enter0
Still $#rther $ro% the snct#r& ws n e2en lr)er
*=> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
co#rt&rd reser2ed $or the )entiles0 The 4ews sw this
s n rrn)e%ent o$ those closer to nd $rther $ro%
the "resence o$ ?od0 Howe2er! there is no s"eci;c
co%%nd in the Bi'le to '#ild se"rte co#rts $or the
%en nd wo%en! so it is B#estion'le to ss#%e tht
?od sw the distinction 'etween %le nd $e%le 4ews
in this w&0
Solo%onKs te%"le ws '#ilt '& ro#nd +,= B90
It s#r2i2ed! with so%e reno2tions! #ntil its destr#ction
'& Ne'#chdne66rKs r%& in 8.> B90 B& 8*> B9! $ter
the ret#rn $ro% the eHile! second! s%ller te%"le ws
'#ilt #nder 1er#'''el lon) st&le si%ilr to
Solo%onKs te%"le0 This te%"le stood #ntil it ws
co%"letel& re'#ilt #nder 7in) Herod0 HerodKs te%"le
ws 'e)#n in := B90 It ws still 'ein) co%"leted
d#rin) the li$e o$ 4es#s 9hrist! ;nll& 'ein) ;nished in
AD >/0 HerodKs te%"le ws destro&ed onl& $ew &ers
lter in AD ,=! 'rin)in) to n end the scri;cil $or% o$
worshi" o$ 4eho2h nd the "h&sicl "resence o$ ?od in
Isrel0
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle *=,
Schematic Plan of the Temple
Fro% the we' site Pwww0'i'leI
histor&0co%P5ewishte%"leP4EWISHUTEMPLESche%ticUPl
nUo$UtheUTe%"le0ht%
*=. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
O#E&HADO.&
The t'erncle! nd lter the te%"le! ws center
o$ worshi" $or the entire He'rew ntion0 I$ the
t'erncle ws the "lce where ?od dwelt %on) his
"eo"le! then one co#ld r)#e tht the entire $oc#s o$
the Old 9o2ennt worshi" ws to est'lish w& to 'e
in $ellowshi" with ?od nd to co%e into his "resence0
This! too! is the $oc#s o$ the New 9o2ennt0 How re
we to co%e into reltionshi" with ?odA The erthl&
t'erncle will )i2e #s %n& hints0
The set#" o$ the t'erncle in the Old Test%ent
tells #s tht onl& "erson who is $ree o$ sin cn enter
into the "resence o$ ?od0 Onl& the hi)h "riest co#ld
enter the "resence o$ the Lord 'ehind the c#rtin! onl&
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle *=+
once &er! nd e2en then! onl& $ter the 'lood o$
)ot nd '#ll ws s"lttered on the tone%ent co2er
o$ the r3 to tone $or his sins0
There is sense in which this re%ins tr#e #nder
the New 9o2ennt s well0 Onl& "er$ect "erson cn
co%e into the "resence o$ ?od0 Howe2er! when 4es#s
c%e to dwell on the erth! he did so%ethin) %6in)0
In 4ohn *F*/! we red! CThe Word 'ec%e Qesh nd
li2ed $or while %on) #s0D The "hrse trnslted in
the NI( s li2ed %on) #s in the ?ree3 %ens literll&!
he c%e $or while nd t'erncled %on) #s0 In
4es#s! we see ?od $ceItoI$ce0 When 4es#s ste""ed
into 4er#sle%! the 4ews were still )oin) thro#)h the
%otions o$ the scri;cil s&ste% so tht the hi)h "riest
co#ld )o 'e$ore ?od once &er to re"resent the%0 All
the while the& were )oin) thro#)h this s&%'olic
cere%on&! ?od ws t'ernclin) %on) the% in the
$or% o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 ?od hd tr#l& co%e to 4er#sle%0
B#t 4es#s hs )one 'c3 into he2en to 'e t the
ri)ht hnd o$ ?od0 How re we to co%e into the
"resence o$ ?od nowA
E2er& hi)h "riest is ""ointed to
oLer 'oth )i$ts nd scri;ces! nd so it ws
necessr& $or this one Eie0 the hi)h "riest
4es#sG lso to h2e so%ethin) to oLer0 I$
he were on erth! he wo#ld not 'e "riest!
$or there re lred& %en who oLer the
)i$ts "rescri'ed '& the lw0 They serve at a
sanctuary that is a copy and a shadow of
what is in heaven0 This is wh& Moses ws
wrned when he ws 'o#t to '#ild the
t'erncleF CSee to it tht &o# %3e
e2er&thin) ccordin) to the "ttern shown
&o# on the %o#ntin0D B#t the %inistr&
4es#s hs recei2ed is s s#"erior to theirs
s the co2ennt o$ which he is %editor
is s#"erior to the old one! nd is $o#nded
on 'etter "ro%ises0 EHe'rews .F-I>G
**= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
When 4es#s ws on the erth in h#%n $or% in
his %inistr&! he did not enter into the Hol& o$ Holies in
the te%"le t 4er#sle%0 When he died nd ws
rised! he entered he2enl& t'erncle to oLer )i$ts
nd scri;ces there $or #s directl& 'e$ore ?od0 Tht is
the %enin) o$ the "hrse! Ci$ he were here on erth0D
Altho#)h 4es#s wl3ed into the te%"le "recincts while
here on the erth! he did not enter into the Hol& o$
Holies0 He did not need to0 He entered the he2enl&
t'erncleNthe relit& o$ which the "h&sicl t'erncle
is %erel& co"&0
The t'erncle itsel$! then! re"resents the
"resence o$ ?od with his "eo"le0 In the he2enl&
t'erncle! those who re s2ed '& the 'lood o$ 4es#s
will dwell with ?od $ore2er0
And I herd lo#d 2oice $ro% the
throne s&in)! CNow the dwellin) o$ ?od is
with %en nd he will li2e with the%0 The&
will 'e his "eo"le nd ?od hi%sel$ will 'e
with the% nd 'e their ?od0 ERe2eltion
:*F-G
A)in! the ?ree3 word trnslted s dwellin) in this
"ss)e is literll& t'ernclin)0 In he2en! ?od will
t'erncle with #s s he t'erncled with #s when
4es#s c%e to the erth s ?od in the Qesh0
Act#ll&! $or those who re in 9hrist! ?od is
dwellin) with nd in the% ri)ht now0 CDonKt &o#
#nderstnd tht &o# &o#rsel2es re ?odKs te%"le nd
tht ?odKs s"irit li2es in &o#0D E* 9orinthins -F*>G0
Wht n weso%e conce"tM The ntit&"e to the 4ewish
te%"le is the 'odies o$ those who h2e 'een '"ti6ed
into 9hrist! recei2in) the "ro%ised Hol& S"irit to dwell
in the% EActs :F-.G0 ?od is t'ernclin) with his
"eo"le0 No wonder ?od llowed the te%"le in
4er#sle% to 'e destro&ed in AD ,=0
THE "#ON3E A!TA#
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle ***
Let #s loo3 t the indi2id#l ite%s in the
t'erncle s $oreshdows o$ thin)s to co%e0 When
one ;rst entered the t'erncle! one c%e to the
scri;cil ltr0 This is where the $ellowshi" oLerin)!
the "ece oLerin)! the sin oLerin) nd so $orth were
lid o#t nd '#rned in the "resence o$ ?od0 We will
s"end n entire ch"ter considerin) the si)ni;cnce o$
ech o$ the oLerin)s "rescri'ed in Le2itic#s! so let #s
3ee" it si%"le $or now0 Wht we lern $ro% the
"resence o$ the 'ron6e ltr in the co#rt&rd is tht in
order to co%e 'e$ore ?od! scri;ce is needed0 This
scri;ce in2ol2es the sheddin) o$ 'lood0 9o%in) into
$ellowshi" with ?od hs lw&s reB#ired the sheddin)
o$ 'lood0 4es#s t3es his 'lood with hi% when he
enters the he2enl& t'erncle $or #s0 9onsider
He'rews +F:-I:>0 This "ss)e %3es the conce"t
2er& cler0
It ws necessr&! then! $or the
copies of the heavenly things to 'e "#ri;ed
with these scri;ces '#t the he2enl&
thin)s the%sel2es with 'etter scri;ces
thn these0 For 9hrist did not enter a man7
made sanctuary that was only a copy of
the true oneJ he entered he2en itsel$! now
to ""er $or #s in ?odKs "resence0 Nor did
he enter he2en to oLer hi%sel$ )in nd
)in! the w& the hi)h "riest enters the
Most Hol& Plce e2er& &er with 'lood tht
is not his own0 Then 9hrist wo#ld h2e hd
to s#Ler %n& ti%es since the cretion o$
the world0 B#t now he hs ""ered once
$or ll t the end o$ the )es to do w&
with sin '& the scri;ce o$ hi%sel$0
The "resence o$ the 'ron6e ltr in the t'erncle ws
constnt re%inder $or the 4ews o$ the contin#in) need
$or scri;ce in order to h2e $ellowshi" with ?od0 The
ntit&"e o$ the t'erncle scri;ces is the scri;ce o$
4es#s 9hrist0 As 'lood scri;ce on the ltr ws
**: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
reB#ired $or the "riests o$ Aron to enter the Hol&
Plce! so the 'lood o$ 4es#s! scri;ced on the cross!
llows #s to co%e into the "resence o$ the Most Hi)h
?odNto enter the s"irit#l t'erncle in He2en0 Dil&!
wee3l&! &erl& scri;ce is no lon)er needed in the New
9o2ennt0
When 9hrist c%e s hi)h "riest o$
the )ood thin)s tht re lred& here! he
went thro#)h the greater and more perfect
tabernacle that is not man7made! tht is to
s&! not "rt o$ this cretion0 He did not
enter '& %ens o$ the 'lood o$ )ots nd
cl2esJ '#t he entered the Most Hol& Plce
once $or ll '& his own 'lood! h2in)
o'tined eternl rede%"tion0 The 'lood o$
)ots nd '#lls nd the shes o$ hei$er
s"rin3led on those who re cere%onill&
#nclen sncti$& the% so tht the& re
o#twrdl& clen0 How %#ch %ore! then!
will the 'lood o$ 9hrist! who thro#)h the
eternl S"irit oLered hi%sel$ #n'le%ished
to ?od! clense o#r consciences $or% cts
tht led to deth! so tht we %& ser2e
the li2in) ?odM EHe'rews +F**I*/G
I%)ine the n#%'er o$ )ots! shee"! cl2es!
do2es nd so $orth scri;ced on the ltr t the
t'erncle or t the te%"le in 4er#sle% o2er the
$o#rteen cent#ries o$ its eHistenceM S#rel& there were
tens o$ %illions o$ scri;ces0 On the )ret $est d&s!
the 'roo3 o$ 7idron in 4er#sle% rn red with the 'lood0
All o$ these scri;ces were $oreshdows! co"ies!
re%inders o$ the one )ret scri;ce o$ 4es#sK 'lood on
the cross0 9o#ld ?od h2e creted %ore )r"hic
ill#strtion o$ the "ro'le% o$ sin nd its sol#tionA
THE !AVE#
B#t let #s co%e closer to the inner snct#r&0
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle **-
Wht do we co%e to neHtA We co%e to the l2er0
Be$ore the "riests co#ld enter the snct#r& to oLer
their dil& ser2ice 'e$ore ?od! the& were reB#ired to
'theF CThe& shll wsh their hnds nd $eet so tht
the& will not die0D EEHod#s -=F:=G0 A scri;ce $or sins is
reB#ired in order to co%e into the "resence o$ ?od0 Is
n&thin) else reB#iredA A""rentl&! &es0 It is not hrd
to see wht ?od intended the wshin) in the l2er to
'e $oreshdow o$0 We h2e lred& seen the He'rew
writer declre the thin)s in the t'erncle to 'e co"ies
o$ thin)s to co%e0 The reB#ire%ent tht the "riests to
'e wshed in wter in the 'sin is clerl& $oreshdow
o$ the co%%nd in the New Test%ent to 'e wshed in
the wter o$ '"tis%0
<nd this wter s&%'oli6es '"tis% tht
now s2es &o# lsoNnot the re%o2l o$
dirt $ro% the 'od&! '#t the "led)e o$
)ood conscience towrd ?od0 E* Peter -F:*G
In * Peter -F:*! Peter eH"lins tht the wter o$ NohKs
Qood is $oreshdow o$ the clensin) wter o$ '"tis%0
He co#ld 5#st s esil& h2e sid tht the wter in the
l2er is s&%'ol E$oreshdowG o$ New Test%ent
'"tis%0 The wter in the l2er re%o2ed dirt $ro% the
'odies o$ the "riests! '#t it lso %de the%
cere%onill& clen so tht the& co#ld ser2e the li2in)
?od0 Si%ilrl&! the wter o$ '"tis% %3es those who
co%e to 4es#s clen! so tht the& %& ser2e ?od0
Fro% the "resence o$ the l2er in the co#rt&rd!
o#tside the ct#l t'erncle! we lern tht '"tis% in
wter is reB#ired in order to co%e into the "resence o$
?od0 So %#ch $or those who tech tht '"tis% is
si%"l& cere%on& re%indin) #s o$ so%ethin) which
hd lred& h""ened0 Wht h""ened to the "riests
who $or)ot to wsh their hnds nd their $eet 'e$ore
the& entered the snct#r&A CThe& shll wsh their
hnds nd $eet so tht the& will not die0D There is
wter in ?odKs "ln $or #s to co%e to hi%0 There hs
'een wter in the "ln $ro% the 'e)innin)0
**/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
A$ter re"entin) nd 'ein) '"ti6ed EActs :F-.G!
$ter the scri;ce o$ 4es#sK 'lood hs 'een ""lied to
#s! we cn co%e into the snct#r&Ninto the "lce
where ?od dwells with his "eo"le0 Let #s in o#r %inds
2is#li6e enterin) into the Hol& Plce0 Wht do we ;nd
thereA We ;nd s&%'ols o$ o#r reltionshi" with ?od0
THE &HO. "#EAD$ THE !AM/ AND THE A!TA# O
%N'EN&E
On the ri)ht s one c%e into the Hol& Plce
stood )oldIinlid t'le with twel2e lr)e ro#nd lo2es
stc3ed on the to"0 The lo2es were '3ed $resh nd
re"lced dil& '& the "riest on d#t&0
The twel2e lo2es were s&%'olic o$ the twel2e
sons o$ Isrel nd o$ the twel2e tri'es descended $ro%
the%0 The ntit&"e o$ the twel2e tri'es in the Old
Test%ent is the twel2e "ostles in the New0 The
si)ni)icnce o$ the twel2e lo2es is tht there is
s#@cient s"irit#l $ood $or ll o$ ?odKs "eo"le0 It does
not see% to 'e coincidence tht when 4es#s $ed the
;2e tho#snd in the wilderness E4ohn >F*I*8G there
were twel2e 's3et$#ls o$ 'red le$t o2er0 The 'red!
trditionll& 3nown s the show 'red! ws
$oreshdow o$ the s"irit#l $ood we h2e in 9hrist0
4es#s did not le2e #s in %#ch do#'t 'o#t the
si)ni;cnce o$ the 'red in the snct#r&0 CI % the
'red o$ li$e0 He who co%es to %e will ne2er )o
h#n)r&0D E4ohn >F-8G0 When 4es#s %de this stte%ent!
soon $ter $eedin) the ;2e tho#snd 'red in the
wilderness! his herers tho#)ht 'oth o$ the %nn in
the wilderness nd o$ the 'red in the snct#r&0 4es#s
is s"irit#l $ood0 He is lso 3nown s the Word o$ ?od0
4es#s sid I % the w&! the tr#th nd the li$e0 The
'red! then is s"irit#l $ood0 It is the tr#th0 It is the
Word o$ ?od0 As "eo"le in $ellowshi" with ?od thro#)h
the 'lood o$ 4es#s! we h2e dil& ccess to this $ood
'oth '& redin) the Word o$ ?od nd '& eH"eriencin)
reltionshi" with 4es#s0
There is so%ewht o'sc#re e2ent in the li$e o$
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle **8
7in) D2id which t3es on dded %enin) in this li)ht0
Altho#)h D2id hd 'een nointed 3in)! S#l ws still
o@cill& 7in) o$ Isrel0 S#l ws "ersec#tin) D2id!
chsin) hi% thro#)ho#t Plestine0 One d& D2id
c%e to the t'erncle0 He nd his %en were
$%ished0 D2id s3ed the "riest $or 'red0 Bec#se
there ws no other 'red 2il'le! ?od %o2ed the
hert o$ the "riest Ahi%elech to do so%ethin) which
wo#ld nor%ll& h2e 'een inconcei2'le0 He )2e
D2id so%e o$ the consecrted show 'red which hd
'een re%o2ed $ro% the t'erncle tht d&0 7in)
D2id! the t&"e! te the 'red o$ the snct#r& which
ws $orshdow o$ the ntit&"e! his Cson!D 4es#s
9hrist0
On the le$t side o$ the o#ter snct#r& s one
entered $ro% the est ws the )olden l%"stnd0 This
l%"stnd hd se2en 'rnches! se2en 'ein) the
s&%'olic n#%'er o$ ?od nd o$ the S"irit o$ ?od0 Ech
o$ the 'rnches hd 'owl t its end with oil in the
'owl0 The l%"s were 3e"t '#rnin) "er%nentl&!
#nless the "eo"le o$ ?od were %o2in) the t'erncle
thro#)h the desert0 O$ co#rse! e2er& detil in the
t'erncle is co"& or $oreshdow o$ so%ethin) we
h2e in 9hrist0 Wht is the si)ni;cnce o$ the l%"A
A n#%'er o$ Bi'le "ss)es co#ld hel" nswer
this B#estion0 9onsider one o$ the 2isions )i2en to
1echrihF
Then the n)el who tl3ed with %e
ret#rned nd w3ened %e! s %n is
w3ened $ro% his slee"0 He s3ed %e!
CWht do &o# seeAD
I nswered! I see solid )old
l%"stnd with 'owl t the to" nd
se2en li)hts on it! with se2en chnnels to
the li)hts0 Also there re two oli2e trees '&
it! one on the ri)ht o$ the 'owl nd the
other on its le$t0D
I s3ed the n)el who tl3ed with
%e! CWht re these! %& lordAD
**> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
He nswered! CDo &o# not 3now
wht these reAD
CNo! %& lord!D I re"lied0
So he sid to %e! CThis is the word
o$ the LORD to 1er#'''elF RNot '& %i)ht
nor '& "ower! '#t '& %& S"irit!K s&s the
Lord Al%i)ht&0 E1echrih /F*I>G0
The l%"s re"resented the Hol& S"irit o$ ?odM
On the ri)ht side o$ the Hol& Plce one hd
$oreshdow o$ the Son o$ ?od in his wor3 s o#r
"ro2ider0 On the le$t o$ the o#ter snct#r& ws
$oreshdow o$ the s#stinin) "ower o$ the Hol& S"irit0
The si)ni)icnce o$ the oli2e trees nd the se2en
chnels to the se2en l%"s in this 2ision ws tht the
l%" will ne2er r#n o#t o$ oil0 Si%ilrl&! the l%"s in
the t'erncle nd lter in the te%"le were le$t
'#rnin)0 This is $oreshdow o$ the nt#re o$ the Hol&
S"irit in the New 9o2ennt0 In Acts :F-.!-+ the "ostle
Peter descri'es the wor3in) o$ the Hol& S"irit in those
who re"ent nd re '"ti6ed into 9hrist s "ro%ised
)i$t to ll who cce"ted his %ess)e0
?od hd %de the Hol& S"irit 2il'le in certin
s"ecil sit#tions in the Old Test%ent0 D2id "r&ed
to ?od! CDo not cst %e $ro% &o#r "resence or t3e
&o#r Hol& S"irit $ro% %e0D EPsl%s 8*F**G0 We h2e
lred& seen tht D2id recei2ed the S"irit when he
ws nointed '& S%#el0 D2id $ered 'ein) cst $ro%
the "resence o$ ?od nd h2in) the Hol& S"irit t3en
$ro% hi%0 The $oreshdow o$ the l%" in the
t'erncle tells #s tht those who co%e to ?od thro#)h
4es#s 9hrist will recei2e )i$t o$ the Hol& S"irit which
will ne2er 'e sn#Led o#t0
CI$ %n is thirst&! let hi% co%e to
%e nd drin30 Whoe2er 'elie2es in %e! s
the Scri"t#re hs sid! stre%s o$ li2in)
wter will Qow $ro% within hi%0D B& this he
%ent the S"irit! who% those who 'elie2ed
in hi% were lter to recei2e0 E4ohn ,F-,I
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle **,
-+G0
Prise ?od tht the 9hristin does not h2e to cr& o#t
with D2id! CT3e not &o#r Hol& S"irit $ro% %e0D As
lon) s we re $ith$#l! o#r l%" will ne2er )o o#t!
ltho#)h $ollowers o$ 4es#s re d%onished! Cdo not
"#t o#t the S"iritKs ;re0D E* Thesslonins 8F*+G
It is di@c#lt to le2e 1echrih $o#r witho#t
notin) $#rther $oreshdow0 1echrih s3ed 'o#t
the two oli2e trees on the ri)ht nd the le$t o$ the
l%"stnd with the "i"es which "o#red o#t n
#nendin) s#""l& o$ )olden oil0 When s3ed the n)el
eH"lined the t&"olo)& o$ the two trees! CThese re the
two who re nointed to ser2e the LORD o$ ll0 The two
nointed re$erred to were the hi)h "riest 4osh#h nd
the )o2ernor 1er#'''el! 'oth o$ who% were
$oreshdows o$ the nointed oneF the Messih0
Other re$erences to the connection 'etween the
l%" nd the oil in the snct#r& nd the nointin) o$
the Hol& S"irit co#ld 'e %entioned0 In * S%#el *>F*-!
D2id! t&"e o$ 9hrist ws nointed '& S%#el with oil
Nsettin) hi% "rt s 7in) o$ IsrelJ C$ro% tht d& on
the S"irit o$ the LORD c%e #"on D2id in "ower0D
Si%ilrl&! 7in) S#l ws nointed nd recei2ed n
o#t"o#rin) o$ the S"irit in * S%#el *=F*!+!*=0
Re2eltion ch"ters two nd three h2e se2erl
re$erences to se2en strs! se2en l%"s nd the se2en
Cs"iritsD o$ ?od0
The lst ite% in the Hol& Plce ws the )olden
ltr o$ incense which stood in $ront o$ the c#rtin
which led to the Hol& o$ Holies0 This! too! re"resents
%5or s"ect o$ the s"irit#l li$e o$ those who re in
9hrist0
Aron %#st '#rn $r)rnt incense on
the ltr e2er& %ornin) when he tends the
l%"s0 He %#st '#rn incense )in when
he li)hts the l%"s t twili)ht so incense
will '#rn re)#lrl& 'e$ore the LORD $or the
)enertions to co%e0 Do not oLer on this
**. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
ltr n& other incense or n& '#rnt
oLerin) or )rin oLerin)! nd do not "o#r
drin3 oLerin) on it0
This ltr ws ne2er #sed $or oLerin)s Eltho#)h it!
with ll the other ite%s in the Hol& Plce ws s"rin3led
with 'lood on the D& o$ Atone%entG0
Wht is the si)ni;cnce o$ this )olden ltr nd
o$ the incenseA In scene set in he2en in the 'oo3 o$
Re2eltion! one ;nds the interestin) "ss)e! CEch
one hd hr" nd the& were holdin) )olden 'owls $#ll
o$ incense! which are the prayers of the saints0
ERe2eltion 8F.G0 The incense '#rned ri)ht in $ront o$
the Hol& o$ Holies ws $oreshdow re"resentin) the
"r&ers o$ the sints0 B& the w&! in the New
Test%ent! the sints re not so%e )ro#" o$ s#"erIhol&
9hristins0 All s2ed 'elie2ers in 4es#s 9hrist re
sintsM The "r&ers o$ his "eo"le s%ell 'e#ti$#l to
?od0 Notice tht the "riests oLered #" incense! which
is $oreshdow o$ o#r "r&er e2er& d&! 'oth %ornin)
nd ni)ht0 One wo#ld do well to co%"re his or her
own "r&er li$e to this eH%"le0
Wht 'e#ti$#l "ict#re we h2e in the o#ter
snct#r& o$ o#r reltionshi" with ?od in the New
9o2ennt0 These co"ies o$ the )reter! he2enl&
relities crete wonder$#l "ict#re o$ the sec#rit& nd
the "ower nd the inti%c& o$ o#r reltionshi" with
?od0 When we wl3 'e$ore ?od! we lw&s h2e the
s#stinin) stren)th o$ the Son o$ ?od in o#r ri)ht hnd!
nd the e2erI'#rnin) "ower o$ the Hol& S"irit in o#r
le$t! with o#r oLerin)s o$ "r&er to ?od e2er 'e$ore
hi%0 With the Son on the ri)ht nd the Hol& S"irit on
the le$t! )#ess who is ri)ht in $ront o$ #s s we enter
the Hol& PlceM
THE '*#TA%N
Now we co%e to the c#rtin0 The c#rtin which
se"rted the Hol& Plce $ro% the Hol& o$ Holies! where
?od dwelt 'etween the win)s o$ the cher#'i% ws
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle **+
%de o$ twined 'l#e! "#r"le nd scrlet &rn0 The
'l#e re"resented the he2ens where ?od resides0 The
"#r"le hs lw&s 'een the color o$ ro&lt&0 It stnds
$or ?od! the 7in) o$ 3in)s0 The scrlet &rn in the
c#rtin stnds $or the 'lood which is reB#ired to "#ri$&
ll the ite%s in the snct#r&0
For the 4ew! the c#rtin which se"rted the Hol&
Plce $ro% the Most Hol& inner snct#r& oLered
)ret lesson 'o#t the Holiness o$ ?od0 The& were
re%inded tht $or the%! to see ?od $ce to $ce ws
$tl0 The t&"icl 4ew did not thin3 o$ ?od s so%eone
with who% to h2e n inti%te relionshi"0 EThe li$e o$
D2id nd the Psl%s he nd others wrote re
not'le eHce"tion to this r#leG0 To the 4ew! ?od too3
cre o$ his "eo"le! '#t $ro% distnce0 He ws to 'e
$ered nd ws not to 'e ""roched directl&0 All the
ite%s in the snct#r& were crried '& the Le2ites
#sin) rin)s on the side nd "oles so tht the& did not
h2e to to#ch the hol& ite%s0
It is #nli3el& the 4ews $or)ot the ti%e U66h hd
to#ched the r3 o$ ?od0 D2id hd ordered the r3 to
'e %o2ed to 4er#sle% so tht ?od co#ld 'e
worshi""ed there0
D2id )in 'ro#)ht to)ether o#t o$
Isrel chosen %en< to 'rin) #" $ro% there
the r3 o$ ?od! which is clled '& the
N%e! the n%e o$ the Lord Al%i)ht& who
is enthroned 'etween the cher#'i% tht
re on the r30<
When the& c%e to the threshin)
Qoor o$ Ncon! U66h reched o#t nd too3
hold o$ the r3 o$ ?od! 'ec#se the oHen
st#%'led0 The LORDKS n)er '#rned
)inst U66h 'ec#se o$ his irre2erent ctJ
there$ore ?od str#c3 hi% down nd he died
there 'eside the r3 o$ ?od0 E: S%#el
>F*!:!>!,G0
It see%s hrd to $#lt U66h $or tr&in) to s2e the r3
*:= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
$ro% d%)e s it ws 'o#t to sli" $ro% the w)on!
'#t ?od str#c3 hi% down0 Those who wo#ld to#ch the
r3 o$ ?od! e2en o#t o$ sincere intent $or$eited their
li$e0 No wonder the 4ews 2iewed ?od with we nd
$er0
The c#rtin which led to the Hol& o$ Holies
re"resented $or the 4ews their se"rtion $ro% ?od0
Bec#se o$ the c#rtin! none co#ld see ?od0 None o$
the% co#ld co%e into the "resence o$ ?od eHce"t the
hi)h "riest! one d& &er! onl& $ter the s"rin3lin) o$
%#ch 'lood0 The d& on which this h""ened ws the
D& o$ Atone%ent! which will 'e disc#ssed in detil in
ch"ter se2en0
The rell& weso%e thin) 'o#t the c#rtin s
$oreshdow is tht it does not eHist in the )reter
t'erncle in he2en0 The d& 4es#s ws cr#ci;ed
wonder$#l thin) h""ened in HerodKs te%"le which
"ro''l& went #nnoticed '& %ost tht d&0
And when 4es#s hd cried o#t )in
in lo#d 2oice! he )2e #" his s"irit0 At
tht %o%ent the c#rtin o$ the te%"le ws
torn in two $ro% to" to 'otto%0 EMtthew
:,F8*G
At the %o%ent 4es#s died! the c#rtin se"rtin) the
Hol& Plce where the "riest %inistered End where we
%inister in o#r "riestl& reltionshi" with ?odG ws
ri""ed in two $ro% to" to 'otto%0 Wht n weso%e
"ortent0 Bd news $or the 4ews! or t lest $or those
#nder the Old 9o2ennt0 ?od hd le$t his te%"le0 ?od
ws no lon)er dwellin) %on) %en in "h&sicl
te%"le0 CB& cllin) this co2ennt Cnew!D he hs %de
the ;rst one o'soleteJ nd wht is o'solete nd )in)
will soon dis""er0D EHe'rews .F*-G0 Fro% this
%o%ent $orwrd the Old 9o2ennt ws o'soleteNs
)ood s ded0
Bd news! tht is! $or those 4ews who wo#ld not
co%e into New 9o2ennt reltionshi" with ?od0 In
the he2enl& t'erncle where 4es#s entered '& 2irt#e
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle *:*
o$ his own 'lood! there is no c#rtin0 It hs 'een ri""ed
in two0 There is no se"rtion 'etween ?od nd %n0
O#r hi)h "riest hs )one in to the Most Hol& Plce nd
clled #s to co%e ri)ht in 'ehind hi%0 Wht )ret
"ict#re we re )i2en in the erthl& t'erncle! nd
wht n ins"irin) $oreshdowin) we h2e o$ o#r
reltionshi" with ?od0 Listen to this )ret newsF
There$ore! 'rothers! since we h2e
con;dence to enter the Most Hol& Plce '&
the 'lood o$ 4es#s! '& new nd li2in) w&
o"ened $or #s thro#)h the curtain* that is
his body! nd since we h2e )ret "riest
o2er the ho#se o$ ?od! let #s drw ner to
?od with sincere hert in $#ll ss#rnce
o$ $ith! h2in) o#r herts s"rin3led to
clense #s $ro% )#ilt& conscience nd
h2in) o#r 'odies wshed with "#re wter0
EHe'rews *=F*+G
When the c#rtin ws torn in two! e2er&thin)
chn)ed0 Those who co%e to ?od thro#)h the scri;ce
on the ltrNthe 'lood o$ 9hrist! nd thro#)h the wter
in the l2erN'"tis% into hi%! co%e stri)ht into the
"resence o$ ?od0 There is no lon)er se"rtion
'etween the Hol& Plce nd the Most Hol& Plce0
Thn3s to 4es#s! we co%e ri)ht #" to the throne with
o#r "r&ers0
THE A#4$ THE ME#'1 &EAT AND THE 'HE#*"%M
The si)ni;cnce o$ the ite%s in the Hol& o$
Holies hs lred& 'een hinted t0 CThen the clo#d
co2ered the Tent o$ Meetin)! nd the )lor& o$ the LORD
;lled the t'erncle0 Moses co#ld not enter the Tent o$
Meetin) 'ec#se the clo#d hd settled #"on it! nd the
)lor& o$ the LORD ;lled the t'erncle0D EEHod#s
/=F-/!-8G0 The LORD Al%i)ht&! 4eho2h ?od ct#ll&
dwelled 'etween the cher#'i% on the r3M This is not
$irl& tle0 As3 U66h0 No wonder the 4ews were
*:: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
te%"ted to rel& on the %ntr! Cthe te%"le o$ the
LORD! the te%"le o$
ITEM IN THE
TABERNA9LE OR
TEMPLE
ANTITYPE IN THE
NEW 9O(ENANT
S9RIPTURE
REFEREN9E
The t'erncle
itsel$
?od dwellin)
with his "eo"le
4ohn */F*I-! 4ohn
*F*/0 Re2 *F*-
The 'ron6e ltr
o$ scri;ce
The scri;ce o$
4es#s $or sins
The 'sinPl2er B"tis%
The show 'red The 'red o$ li$e!
4es#s 9hrist
The l%"stnd The Hol& S"irit 1echrih /F*I>
The ltr o$
incense
The "r&ers o$
the sints
Re2eltion 8F.
The 'l#e! "#r"le
nd scrlet &rn
The he2ens! the
3in)shi" o$ ?od!
the 'lood o$
4es#s
The c#rtin Se"rtion $ro%
?od
Mtthew :,F8*
The r3 o$ the
co2ennt
The "resence o$
?od
The Merc& Set The )rce o$ ?od
The 9her#'i%
the LORD! the te%"le o$ the LORD0D ?i2en the 'illowin)
s%o3e nd the 'lindin) li)ht which were seen when the
te%"le ws consecrted! it is not hrd to see wht the
r3! %erc& set nd cher#'i% re"resentF the "resence
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle *:-
o$ ?od %on) his "eo"le0
For the 4ews! the ite%s 'ehind the 2eil were
%&ster&0 The& hd herd their whole li2es 'o#t the
%nn! the t'lets nd AronKs rod 'ein) in the r3
nd 'o#t the cher#'i% stndin) o2er the r30 For
the%! howe2er! the ide o$ ct#ll& seein) these
weso%e "ortents ws 'e&ond n& "ossi'ilit&0 All this
hs chn)ed $or those who re in 9hrist0 When Moses
c%e o#t $ro% 'ein) $ce to $ce with ?od! his $ce
ws so 'rillint with li)ht tht the& hd to co2er hi%
with 2eil so tht the "eo"le wo#ld not 'e 'linded '&
the li)ht0 The 2eil on MosesKs hed ws s&%'olic o$ the
2eil in $ront o$ the Hol& o$ Holies which 3e"t the
Isrelites $ro% the "resence o$ ?od0 Not so with those
who re in 9hristF
There$ore! since we h2e s#ch
ho"e! we re 2er& 'old0 We re not li3e
Moses! who wo#ld "#t 2eil o2er his $ce
to 3ee" the Isrelites $ro% )6in) t it
while the rdince ws $din) w&0 B#t
their %inds were %de d#ll! $or to this d&!
the s%e 2eil re%ins when the old
co2ennt is red0 It hs not 'een re%o2ed!
'ec#se onl& in 9hrist is it t3en w&0
E2en to this d& when Moses is red! 2eil
co2ers their herts0 B#t whene2er n&one
t#rns to the Lord! the 2eil is t3en w&0 E:
9orinthins -F*:I*>G0
When the 2eil ws rent t the %o%ent o$ 4es#sK deth!
w& ws o"ened $or #s to loo3 ri)ht into the Hol& o$
Holies0 The 2eil hs 'een re%o2ed $or those who re in
9hrist0 No lon)er do we need to red the Old
Test%ent! s the 4ews did! with 2eiled herts0 We cn
see %ore clerl&0 We cn co%e! s "riests! directl& to
?od to oLer o#r scri;ces to hi%0
Those who "#ll 'c3 the 2eil nd co%e into the
Hol& o$ Holies! wo#ld 'e str#c3 ;rst '& the cher#'i%0
To the 4ew! the )olden cher#'i% were so%ethin) to 'e
*:/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
$ered0 9her#'i% were the s"irit#l eB#i2lent o$
r%ed )#rds0 When ?od "lced Ad% nd E2e in the
?rden o$ Eden! the& were in n inti%te reltionshi"
with hi%! ct#ll& 'ein) 'le to Cwl3 with ?odD in the
)rden0 ?od hd lw&s intended $or %n3ind to 'e in
close reltionshi" with hi%0 Un$ort#ntel&! sin
entered the scene! nd th#s the se"rtion0
A$ter he dro2e the %n o#t! he
"lced on the est side o$ the ?rden o$
Eden cher#'i% nd Q%in) sword
Qshin) 'c3 nd $orth to )#rd the w& to
the tree o$ li$e0 E?enesis -F:/G0
These cher#'i% were not the c#te! "#d)& n)els o$
h#%n $nts&0 Ad% nd E2e were 3e"t $ro% the
"resence o$ ?od #"on "in o$ deth0 The s%e with
the cher#'i% in the Hol& o$ Holies0
I$ the cher#'i% re t&"e! End e2er&thin) in
the t'erncle is co"& o$ he2enl& thin)! so the&
%#st 'e t&"eG then wht is the ntit&"eA The )olden
stt#es o$ cher#'i% 'o2e the r3 re t&"es o$ the rel
cher#'i% in he2en0 The ntit&"e to the Hol& o$ Holies
is the he2enl& t'erncleNthe throne roo% o$ the
Al%i)ht& ?od0 Re2eltion ch"ter ;2e descri'es
scene in this roo%0 CThen I loo3ed nd herd the 2oice
o$ %n& n)els! n#%'erin) tho#snds #"on tho#snds!
nd ten tho#snd ti%es ten tho#snd0 The& encircled
the throne nd the li2in) cret#res nd the elders0 In
lo#d 2oice the& sn)F RWorth& is the L%' who ws
slin<K D ERe2eltion 8F**!*:G0
The diLerence 'etween the t&"e nd the
ntit&"e is tht $or the 4ew! the cher#'i% were c#se
$or '5ect $er0 The& were ?odKs )#rdin 3ee"in)
the% o#t o$ his "resence 'ec#se o$ their sin0 For
those who re in 9hrist! the cher#'i% re"resent
so%ethin) 2er& diLerent0 The& re"resent ?odKs hol&
n)els with who% we will cele'rte d& nd ni)ht
$ore2er 'e$ore the throne o$ ?od0
The o'5ects inside the r3 were t&"es s well0
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle *:8
The t'lets which ?od hd )i2en to Moses were there0
The& hd $irl& o'2io#s si)ni;cnce0 The& stood $or
the Lw o$ Moses! )i2en on Mo#nt Sini0 The ntit&"e
to the Lw o$ Moses is the Lw o$ 9hrist! which ws
seled in the 'lood o$ 4es#s hi%sel$0 The reltionshi"
'etween the Lw o$ Moses nd the Lw o$ 9hrist will
'e disc#ssed in detil in ch"ter ;2e0
Also in the r3 ws AronKs rod0 This ws the
s%e rod which Moses hd "lced in the Tent o$ the
Testi%on& Ethe t'erncleG0 The neHt d&! the rod hd
'#dded! 'losso%ed nd "rod#ced l%onds0 EN#%'ers
*,F>I*-G0 For the Isrelites! the rod ws so%ethin) to
$er0
The LORD sid to Moses! CP#t AronKs
stL in $ront o$ the Testi%on& to 'e 3e"t s
si)n to the re'ellio#s0 This will "#t n
end to their )r#%'lin) )inst %e so tht
the& will not die<0D
Then the Isrelites sid to Moses!
CWe will dieM We re lost! we re ll lostM
An&one who e2en co%es ner the
t'erncle o$ the LORD will die0D
How thin)s h2e chn)ed $or $ollowers o$ 4es#s
since he entered the he2enl& t'erncleM
The t&"e re"resents so%ethin) to $er $or the
Isrelites! '#t not $or #s0 The '#ddin) o$ AronKs rod is
"re;)#re o$ ?od t3in) thin)s which re ded nd
%3in) the% li2e0 Most s"eci;cll&! it is $oreshdow
o$ the res#rrection o$ 4es#s $ro% the ded0
The lst ite% in the Hol& o$ Holies which needs
%entionin) is the Merc& SetNthe solid )old lid on the
r30 This ws the "lce where 'lood ws s"ttered to
%3e tone%ent $or the "eo"le on Yo% 7i""#r! the D&
o$ Atone%ent0 The Merc& Set ws lso 3nown s the
Atone%ent 9o2er0 To the 4ews! the Merc& Set ws the
throne o$ ?od0 For the 4ews! to co%e into the Most
Hol& Plce! 'e$ore the throne o$ ?od! wo#ld %en
deth0
*:> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
In the New Test%ent this set s&%'oli6es the
)rce o$ ?od0 It is where we cn )o! 'sed! not on the
'lood o$ the )ot! '#t 'sed on the 'lood o$ 4es#s
9hrist! to recei2e %erc& $ro% ?od0 As with the
cher#'i%! the t&"e cn re"resent so%ethin) to $er
#nder the Old 9o2ennt! '#t the ntit&"e re"resents
so%ethin) to 'e 5o&$#l 'o#t #nder the New 9o2ennt0
When ll ""er 'e$ore the 5#d)e%ent set o$ ?od! s
%entioned in Ro%ns */F*= nd s descri'ed in
Re2eltion :=F**I*/! $or so%e it will 'e n Old
9o2ennt eH"erienceF $er nd 5#d)e%ent will 'e
in2ol2ed0 For others! those whose n%es re written in
the L%'Ks 'oo3 o$ li$e! the Merc& Set will 'e "lce
to eH"erience %erc& nd )rce0 ?ret 5o& will res#lt0
&*MMA#1
For well o2er %illenni#% the le2iticl "riests
oLered re)#lr ser2ice! either in the t'erncle or in
the te%"le0 The t'erncle hd rel nd 2er& )ret
si)ni;cnce to the 4ewsNit re"resented the "resence o$
?od %on)st his "eo"le0 As ?od hd sid to Moses!
C%3e snct#r& $or %e! nd I will dwell %on)
the%0 M3e this t'erncle nd ll its $#rnishin)s
eHctl& li3e the "ttern I will show &o#0D EEHod#s
:8F.!+G0 As the "rtici"nts cted o#t this reli)io#s
"l& dil& o2er ll those cent#ries! little did the& 3now
tht the& were ser2in) Ct snct#r& tht is co"&
nd shdow o$ wht is in he2en0D EHe'rews .F8G0
E2er& detil o$ the desi)n nd the $#rnishin)s in
the t'erncle ws )i2en '& ?od to his "eo"le s
$oreshdow o$ the New 9o2ennt he wo#ld est'lish '&
the 'lood o$ 4es#s0 S#rel& we cn s& with Sir Ro'ert
Anderson!
CNo one who reds He'rews in the
li)ht o$ the Pentte#chl t&"es co#ld 'e
del#ded '& the "ro$ne ;)%ent tht the
Boo3s o$ Moses re literr& $or)eries
concocted '& the "ostte "riests o$ the
The Erthl& T'erncle nd the
He2enl&T'erncle *:,
eHilic er0 For the t&"olo)& nswers to the
New Test%ent re2eltion o$ 9hrist s
eHctl& s 3e& ;ts the loc3 it is intended
to o"en0D

Tr#l& we h2e here %6in) e2idence o$ the
ins"irtion o$ the Bi'le0 We h2e irre$#t'le e2idence
tht ?od hd the "ln o$ sl2tion in %ind $ro% the
'e)innin)0 This ws no $tertho#)ht0 The onl& rel
B#estion $or #s is whether we will res"ond to tht "ln
nd co%e into the "resence o$ the one! tr#e! li2in) ?od
in the he2enl& t'erncle! $ollowin) in the w3e o$ o#r
)ret hi)h "riest! 4es#s 9hrist0 As P#l s&s in :
9orinthins >F*>! CFor we re the te%"le o$ the li2in)
?od0 As ?od hs sidF RI will li2e %on) the% nd wl3
%on) the% nd I will 'e their ?od nd the& will 'e %&
"eo"le0K D
*
Sir Ro'ert Anderson! Types in Hebrews* E7re)el
P#'lictions! ?rnd R"ids! Michi)n!*+,.G "0 *8-0
*:. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
The point of what we are
saying is this" =e do have
such a high priest* who sat
down at the right hand of
the throne of the 5a>esty
in heaven* and who serves
in the sanctuary* the true
tagernacle set up by the
?-#@* not by man.
Hebrews 3"*.
/
The Old 9o2ennt Priesthood
Foreshdows the Priesthood o$ the
New 9o2ennt
I$ n Isrelite hi)h "riest were to co%e into the
$ellowshi" o$ 9hristin )ro#" tod&! dressed in his
linen t#nic! e"hod! 'rest"lte! t#r'n! nd Uri% nd
Th#%%i%! he wo#ld certinl& crete B#ite stir0 When
one reds EHod#s nd Le2itic#s! it cn 'e d#ntin)
ts3 to tr& to relte to ll the cere%on&! re)#ltions!
s"ecil clothin)! diLerent orders ssocited with the
4ewish "riesthood0 I$ one will 'er in %ind tht in ll
this! ?od hd "ln to re2el his "ln $or the %inistr&
o$ 4es#s 9hrist nd his ch#rch! this con$#sin) rr& o$
in$or%tion which we cnnot rell& relte to will 'e)in
to %3e sense0 In tr&in) to #nderstnd the Old
9o2ennt "riesthood nd the $oreshdows in ll these
re)#ltions! we will ;nd $#rther e2idence to s#""ort the
cli% tht the the%e o$ the Old Test%ent is The
Messih is co%in)! 'rin)in) sl2tion0
Under the Old 9o2ennt! the t'erncle nd the
te%"le wo#ld not h2e co#nted $or %#ch witho#t
"riests to ser2e there0 Who were the "riestsA Wht did
the& do! nd wht! s"eci;cll& does ll this $oreshdow
in the New Test%entA Tht is the s#'5ect o$ this
ch"ter0
THE /#%E&THOOD
First! we will need "ri%er on the 4ewish
"riesthood0 So%eti%es the "riesthood in the Mosic
Lw is clled the le2iticl "riesthood0 This is so%ewht
o$ %isno%er0 All "riests were Le2ites! '#t not ll
Le2ites were "riests0 The Le2ites were the sons o$ Le2i!
one o$ the twel2e sons o$ Isrel0 ?od desi)nted the
Le2ites to ser2e t the t'erncle nd the te%"le0 The
Le2ites were! in sense! the CtitheD o$ ?odKs "eo"leN
de2oted to the %inistr& o$ ?od0 Howe2er! onl& s%ll
"ortion o$ the Le2ites were ct#ll& desi)nted "riests0
CThe LORD sid to Moses! CS"e3 to the "riests! the
sons o$ Aron<DD ELe2itic#s :*F*G0 Onl& the sons o$
Aron were cce"ted s "riests to ct#ll& ser2e in the
snct#r&! %3in) scri;ces! 3ee"in) the l%" lit!
re"lcin) the 'red nd so $orth0
The rest o$ the Le2ites were desi)nted $or s#ch
ts3s s %o2in) the t'erncle! sin)in) t the te%"le
nd so $orth0 CTheir $ellow Le2ites were ssi)ned to ll
the other d#ties o$ the t'erncle! the ho#se o$ ?od0
B#t Aron nd his descendnts were the ones who
"resented oLerin)s on the ltr o$ '#rnt oLerin) nd
on the ltr o$ incense in connection with ll tht ws
done in the Most Hol& Plce! %3in) tone%ent $or
Isrel! in ccordnce with ll tht Moses the ser2nt o$
?od hd co%%nded0D E* 9hronicles >F/.!/+G0
There were %n& s"ecil re)#ltions in the Lw
o$ Moses reB#irin) the sons o$ Aron! the "riests! to
3ee" cere%onill& clen0 The& co#ld not to#ch ded
'od&! sh2e their hed or %rr& wo%en who hd
$or%erl& 'een "rostit#tes nd so $orth0 CThe& %#st 'e
hol& to their ?od nd %#st not "ro$ne the n%e o$
their ?od0 Bec#se the& "resent the oLerin)s %de to
the LORD '& ;re! the $ood o$ their ?od! the& re to 'e
hol&0D ELe2itic#s :*F>G0 No son o$ Aron with n&
"h&sicl de$or%it& ws llowed to ser2e in the
snct#r&0 To #s! this %i)ht see% 'it "re5#diced
)inst the "h&sicll& dis'led! '#t ll these
restrictions h2e %enin) in the ntit&"e to the
"riesthood in the New Test%ent0 The "oint o$ ll
these restrictions ws so tht "riests wo#ld 'e %ore
Chol&D thn the other Isrelites0 The word hol& in the
He'rew %ens one s"ecill& desi)nted! set "rt! or
"#re0 This will h2e )ret si)ni;cnce in the ntit&"e
to the "riesthood in the New Test%ent0
A%on)st the "riests! there ws one s"ecill&
desi)nted s hi)h "riest0 The o@ce o$ hi)h "riest ws
o$ )ret si)ni;cnce to the entire s&ste% o$ Lw
instit#ted '& ?od thro#)h Moses0 The Hi)h Priest!
o'2io#sl&! hd to 'e descendnt o$ Aron0 In $ct!
Aron ws the ;rst hi)h "riest0 The hi)h "riest ws
desi)nted so '& nointin) with oil0 There were e2en
%ore strin)ent r#les $or holiness $or the hi)h "riest
thn $or the other sons o$ Aron0
CThe hi)h "riest! the one %on) his
Priesthood in the Old nd the New
9o2nnt *-*
'rothers who hs hd the nointin) oil
"o#red on his hed nd who hs 'een
ordined to wer the "riestl& )r%ents!
%#st not let his hir 'eco%e #n3e%"t or
ter his clothes0 He %#st not enter "lce
where there is ded 'od&0 He %#st not
%3e hi%sel$ #nclen! e2en $or his $ther
or %other! nor le2e the snct#r& o$ his
?od or desecrte it! 'ec#se he hs 'een
dedicted '& nointin) oil o$ his ?od0D
ELe2itic#s :*F*=I*:G0
The hi)h "riest co#ld not e2en 'e in the roo%
with ded 'od&! ne2er %ind to#chin) one0 He ws
not llowed to le2e the snct#r& )ro#nds d#rin) his
entire ter% o$ o@ce0 This %#st h2e 'een
"rtic#lrl& onero#s reB#ire%ent0 There is )ret
si)ni;cnce to ll these r#les in the ntit&"e to the hi)h
"riest0
Another s"ect o$ the o@ce o$ hi)h "riest which
is hrd to %iss when one reds the Pentte#ch is the
hi)h "riestl& )r%ents0 These re descri'ed in so%e
detil in EHod#s ch"ter twent&Iei)ht0 These )r%ents
worn '& the hi)h "riest incl#ded wo2en t#nic! t#r'n
nd ssh o$ ;ne! white linen! nd n e"hod o$ )old!
'l#e! "#r"le nd scrlet thred! with twel2e diLerent
"rescio#s stones wo2en into the sho#lder "ieces0 Also
incl#ded ws 'rest"iece o$ the s%e %terils s
the e"hod0 CFsten 'rest"iece $or %3in)
decisions< It is to 'e sB#re<D EEHod#s :.F*8!*>G0
The 'rest"iece! li3e the e"hod! contined twel2e
diLerent "recio#s stones! one to re"resent ech o$ the
twel2e tri'es o$ Isrel0 This 'rest"iece ws to 'e worn
when the hi)h "riest %de decisions in his role s
5#d)e0 Lstl&! the Uri% nd Th#%%i% were ttched
to the 'rest"iece0 These were ""rentl& two lr)er
"recio#s stones which were to 'e in2ol2ed in the hi)h
"riestKs role o$ decisionI%3in) s 5#d)e0 The word
Uri% is deri2ed $ro% the He'rew ur which %ens
Vli)htA* or Vto )i2e li)htV! nd Th#%%i% deri2es
*-: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
$ro% the He'rew word tummim which %ens
Vco%"letenessA* V"er$ectionA* or AinnocenceA.
The hi)h "riest hd %n& i%"ortnt $#nctions!
'#t his %ost i%"ortnt role ws to crr& o#t the nn#l
scri;ce on Yo% 7i""#r! the D& o$ Atone%ent0 Onl&
he ws llowed to enter the Most Hol& Plce on tht
d&! nd e2en he ws onl& llowed there $ter li'erl
s"rin3lin) o$ the 'lood o$ )ot nd '#ll! oLerin)
scri;ce o$ tone%ent $or the sins co%%itted '& ll the
"eo"le tht &er0 Botto% line! onl& the Hi)h "riest ws
llowed into the "resence o$ the Al%i)ht& ?od0
THE &ON& O AA#ON
Wht is the %enin) o$ ll this $or those #nder
the New 9o2enntA Wh& sho#ld we "low thro#)h ll
this rcne detil in EHod#s nd Le2itic#s which see%s
#nnecessr& $or $ollower o$ 4es#s to #nderstndA The
"riesthood o$ the sons o$ Aron tells #s lot 'o#t o#r
reltionshi" with ?od0 E2en tho#)h ll o$ Isrel were
chosen s ?odKs s"ecil "eo"le! nd e2en tho#)h one
o$ the twel2e tri'es! the Le2ites! were chosen nd
s"ecill& dedicted to the ser2ice o$ the Lord! it ws
onl& 2er& s%ll "ro"ortion o$ the "eo"le! the sons o$
Aron! who were hol& eno#)h to ser2e in the ner
"resence o$ ?od! %inisterin) in the te%"le or
t'erncle0
Wht is the ntit&"e to the "riests in the Old
Test%entA It is n&one who is s2ed #nder the New
9o2ennt0 All 9hristins re ro&l "riesthood!
dedicted to ser2in) 'e$ore ?od in his s"irit#l te%"le!
the he2enl& t'erncle0 This sho#ld s"e3 2ol#%es to
#s 'o#t how 'lessed we re to ser2e ?od #nder the
lordshi" o$ 4es#s0
B#t &o# re chosen "eo"le! ro&l
"riesthood! hol& ntion! "eo"le
'elin)in) to ?od! tht &o# %& declre the
"rises o$ hi% who clled &o# o#t o$
dr3ness into his wonder$#l li)ht0 E* Peter
Priesthood in the Old nd the New
9o2nnt *--
:F+!*=G0
Thro#)h the scri;ce o$ 4es#s 9hrist! those who re
sncti;ed thro#)h hi% re %de ro&l "riesthood0
When Peter s&s C chosen "eo"le! ro&l "riesthoodD
he is not re"etin) hi%sel$0 He is s&in) tht i$ &o# re
%de hol& '& the 'lood o$ 9hrist! &o# re re %ore
thn chosen "eo"le Es ws ll IsrelG! &o# re tht
2er& s%ll "ortion o$ the chosen "eo"le! those hol&
eno#)h to 'e declred "riests to ser2e 'e$ore ?od0 The
weso%e thin) 'o#t this is tht! #nli3e the sons o$
Aron! we ser2e in te%"le where the c#rtin hs
'een re%o2ed0 Thn3s to 4es#s! we "riests ser2e in
t'erncle where there is 'sol#tel& no restriction to
direct ccess to the throne o$ the Fther in He2en0
I$ those who re in 9hrist re "riests! then wht
does the t&"e s& 'o#t the ntit&"eA
<&o# lso li3e li2in) stones! re
'ein) '#ilt into s"irit#l ho#se to 'e
hol& "riesthood! oLerin) s"irit#l scri;ces
cce"t'le to ?od thro#)h 4es#s 9hrist0 E*
Peter :F8G
The "riests #nder the Old 9o2ennt were not eH"ected
to sit ro#nd nd loo3 )ood0 The& were eH"ected to
oLer scri;ces0 Tht is wht ?od eH"ects o$ ll his
"riests tod&0 The 9hristin li$e is 'o#t oLerin)
s"irit#l scri;ces! not to 'eco%e hol&! '#t 'ec#se we
re hol&0 Are these scri;ces reB#ired to 'eco%e
"riestA NoM The& re eH"ected 'ec#se we are "riests0
Tht is o#r role0 I$ &o# re $ollower o$ 4es#s! re &o#
oLerin) these scri;ces thro#)h &o#r li$e ri)ht nowA
4es#s s hi)h "riest oLered #" s scri;ce his 2er&
sel$0 He eH"ects no less o$ #s s his "riests0 CI$ n&one
wo#ld co%e $ter %e! he %#st den& hi%sel$ nd t3e
#" his cross dil& nd $ollow %e0D EL#3e +F:-G0 The
neHt ch"ter will oLer lot o$ detil 'o#t the 3inds o$
scri;ces ?od eH"ects o$ his "riests0
There is %ore to the t&"e nd to the ntit&"e0
*-/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
The "riests were to h2e their li2es de2oted to ?od0
He ordered the "eo"le li2in) in
4er#sle% to )i2e the "ortion d#e the
"riests nd Le2ites so the& co#ld de2ote
the%sel2es to the Lw o$ the LORD0 E:
9hronicles -*F/G0
The "eo"le o$ Isrel were to s#""l& the "h&sicl needs
o$ the Le2ites nd the "riests so tht the& co#ld h2e
their li2es totll& de2oted to the ser2ice o$ the Lord0 It
is te%"tin) to see this s nlo)o#s to %e%'ers o$
ch#rch )i2in) their CtitheD so tht the "id C%inistersD
cn de2ote their ti%e to ser2in) ?od nd the ch#rch0
This wo#ld 'e n 'sol#tel& $lse ""liction o$ this
"ss)e0 All o$ those who re in 9hrist re "riests! nd
ll re to 'e! s the "riest on the Old 9o2ennt
co%"letel& de2oted to the ser2ice o$ ?od0 It is the
world in which we wor3 to ern li2in) nd %on)
who% disci"les o$ 4es#s li2e who re to s#""l& the
"ortion $or #s so tht we %& ser2e the li2in) ?od0 The
world )i2es #s 5o' nd "lce to li2e E'sed on o#r
hrd wor3 o$ co#rseG nd we! in t#rn! %inister to the%
the %ess)e o$ reconcilition0 There is 'sol#tel& no
cler)&Plit& i%"lied in the New 9o2ennt "riesthood o$
ll 'elie2ers0 I$ n&thin)! the Ccler)&D is ll the sints
End ll 9hristins re sintsG! nd the Clit&D is those
who re not &et sints0
We lern $ro% the Le2ites nd the "riests tht
those who re in 9hrist re to 'e co%"letel& de2oted to
their wor3 o$ %inistr& 'e$ore ?od0 This is re%iniscent
o$ the chllen)e o$ 4es#s to ll who wo#ld co%e $ter
hi%0 CIn the s%e w&! n& o$ &o# who does not )i2e
#" e2er&thin) he hs cnnot 'e %& disci"le0D I$ the
reltion 'etween the t&"e nd the ntit&"e is correct!
there re not two stndrds o$ de2otion0 A "riest o$
9hrist is de2oted to hi%0 Period0
There is %ore still! to this New 9o2ennt
"riesthood0
Priesthood in the Old nd the New
9o2nnt *-8
To hi% who lo2es #s nd hs $reed #s
$ro% o#r sins '& his 'lood! nd hs %de
#s to 'e 3in)do% nd "riests to ser2e his
?od nd FtherNto hi% 'e )lor& nd
"ower $or e2er nd e2erM ERe2eltion *F>G0
<'ec#se &o# Eie0 4es#sG were slin!
nd with &o#r 'lood &o# "#rchsed %en $or
?od $ro% e2er& tri'e nd ln)#)e nd
"eo"le nd ntion0 Yo# h2e %de the% to
'e 3in)do% nd "riests to ser2e o#r ?od!
nd the& will rei)n on erth0 ERe2eltion
8F+!*=G0
Blessed nd hol& re those who h2e
"rt in the ;rst res#rrection0 The second
deth hs no "ower o2er the%! '#t the&
will 'e "riests o$ ?od nd o$ 9hrist nd will
rei)n with hi% $or tho#snd &ers0
ERe2eltion :=F>G
Fro% Re2eltion :=F> nd $ro% * Peter :F+ we
see tht we re 'lessed s "riests! '#t tht we re lso
hol&0 We re hol&! set "rt! "#re! sints! 'oth 'ec#se
we re declred to 'e hol& '& ?od nd 'ec#se we
dedicte o#rsel2es to re%in hol&0 I$ "riest #nder the
Old 9o2ennt de;led hi%sel$ '& co%%itin) sin or
so%e sort o$ ct which %de the% cere%onill&
#nclen! the& were disB#li;ed $ro% ser2iceNin certin
cses $or certin set "eriod! in others! $ore2er0 In
9hrist! we re "riests! hol& nd cce"t'le to ?od! not
'sed on %intinin) "er$ect holiness in o#r own li$e
'#t '& the 'lood o$ 4es#s0 Ne2ertheless! it is the d#t&
o$ ll New Test%ent "riests to re%in s hol& s the&
"ossi'l& cn0 ?od sid to Isrel! CBe hol& s I % hol&0D
ELe2itic#s **F/8G0 Is the cll to %3e e2er& eLort to
%intin hol& li2in) n& less rele2nt techin) $or the
sints o$ ?od! the 9hristinsA
One New Test%ent "ss)e which 'rin)s this
"oint o#t clerl& is * 9orinthins *F:0 Here P#l s&s!
*-> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
CTo the ch#rch o$ ?od in 9orinth! to those sncti;ed in
9hrist 4es#s nd clled to 'e hol&<D The ?ree3 word
$or sncti;ed nd hol& re the s%e in this "ss)e0
P#l is tellin) the 9hristins t 9orinth tht the& re
lred& hol&! '#t tht the& sho#ld stri2e to li2e in
hol& w&0 All those who wo#ld 'e "riests o$ ?od %#st
%3e e2er& "ossi'le eLort to 'stin $ro% sin0 We
sho#ld co%e s close s we "ossi'l& cn to %intinin)
the holiness which we lred& h2e in 9hrist0 Bein)
declred hol& "riest is no eHc#se whtsoe2er $or
$ilin) to %3e e2er& eLort to 'e hol&0 Tht is the
%ess)e o$ P#l! nd tht is the %ess)e o$ the Old
Test%ent t&"eNthe "riesthood o$ Aron0
The "#r"ose o$ the "riests #nder the Old
9o2ennt ws to %3e intercession $or Isrel0 The&
were to in sense! %3e #" $or the lc3 o$ holiness o$
the "eo"le o$ ?od thro#)h their %inistr& o$ scri;ce
'e$ore ?od0 I$ this is the t&"e! then wht is i%"lied
'o#t the ntit&"eN9hristinsA E2er& $ollower o$ 4es#s
is "riest nd there$ore is %inister s well0 Is tht
not wht is t#)ht in : 9orinthins 8F*.I:=A
All this is $ro% ?od! who hs
reconciled #s to hi%sel$ thro#)h 9hrist nd
)2e #s the ministry of reconciliation" tht
?od ws reconcilin) the world to hi%sel$ in
9hrist! not co#ntin) %enKs sins )inst
the%0 And he hs co%%itted to #s the
%ess)e o$ reconcilition0 We re
there$ore 9hristKs %'ssdors! s tho#)h
?od were %3in) his ""el thro#)h #s0
Those who re in 9hrist re "riests nd the& re
%inistersF %inisters o$ reconcilition0 E2er& 9hristin
is "riest nd %inister to 'rin) those in the world
into the "riesthoodM Ministr& to the lost world is n
#to%tic "rt o$ the 5o' descri"tion o$ New
9o2ennt "riest0
Another "ss)e which 'rin)s o#t this "oint is
$o#nd in Ro%ns *8F*8!*>J
Priesthood in the Old nd the New
9o2nnt *-,
<'ec#se o$ the )rce ?od )2e %e
to 'e %inister o$ 9hrist 4es#s to the
?entiles with the "riestl& d#t& o$
"rocli%in) the )os"el o$ ?od! so tht the
?entiles %i)ht 'eco%e n oLerin)
cce"t'le to ?od! sncti;ed '& the Hol&
S"irit0
P#l %3es the connection 'etween 'ein) New
9o2ennt "riest nd %inister0 One o$ o#r "riestl&
d#ties is to "rocli% the )os"el o$ 4es#s 9hrist to the
lost so tht the& %& 'eco%e n oLerin)! cce"t'le
to ?od0 As with P#l! 9hristins "rocli% the )os"el!
not to 'eco%e "riests '#t 'ec#se the& re "riests!
%3in) intercession $or the lost0
To s#%%ri6e! ll those who re s2ed '& the
'lood o$ 4es#s 'eco%e New 9o2ennt "riests0 The& re
%de hol&! nd there$ore the& stri2e to 'e hol&0 The&
re de2oted to ?od! not to the "#rs#its o$ the world0
The& ser2e in te%"le not %de with h#%n hnds0
The& h2e direct ccess to the li2in) ?od in his hol&
t'erncle0 The& re %inisters o$ reconcilition to
those in the world who re not &et "riests0 I$ &o# re
"riest o$ ?od! how is &o#r %inistr& )oin)A
THE H%(H /#%E&T
The "riesthood o$ the sons o$ Aron is t&"e!
while the the "riesthood o$ ll 'elie2ers who re in
9hrist is the ntit&"e0 The $or%er ser2es in "h&sicl
t'erncle! the ltter in he2enl& t'erncle0 Wht
re we to %3e o$ the role o$ the hi)h "riestA The "lin
white linen )r%ents worn '& ll the "riests when the&
ser2ed t the snct#r& re %irrored '& Ere
$oreshdows o$G those in white ro'es in Re2eltionF
Then one o$ the elders s3ed %e!
CThose in white E"riestl&G ro'esNwho re
*-. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
the& nd where did the& co%e $ro%AD
I nswered! CSir! &o# 3now0D
And he sid! CThese re the& who
h2e co%e o#t o$ the )ret tri'#ltionJ
the& h2e wshed their ro'es nd %de
the% white in the 'lood o$ the L%'0D
ERe2eltion ,F*-!*/G
B#t wht o$ the hi)h "riest! with his 'e#ti$#l! color$#l
)r%entsN"erh"s e2en )#d& '& %odern stndrdsA
The ntit&"e to the hi)h "riest in the Mosic
dis"enstion is 4es#s 9hrist hi%sel$0 Li3e the hi)h
"riest o$ old! he is the one who hs )one into the
s"irit#l Most Hol& Plce to %3e intercession $or #s0
He'rews %3es this $ct '#ndntl& cler0
There$ore! since we h2e )ret
hi)h "riest who hs )one thro#)h the
he2ens! 4es#s the Son o$ ?od! let #s hold
;r%l& to the $ith we "ro$ess0 For we do
not h2e hi)h "riest who is #n'le to
s&%"thi6e with o#r we3nesses! '#t we
h2e one who hs 'een te%"ted in e2er&
w&! 5#st s we reN&et ws witho#t sin0
Let #s then ""roch the throne o$ )rce
with con;dence! so tht we %& recei2e
%erc& nd ;nd )rce to hel" #s in o#r ti%e
o$ need0 EHe'rews /F*/I*>G0
The hi)h "riest co#ld relte to the "eo"le the&
re"resented 'ec#se the& s#Lered the s%e
te%"ttions s those $or who% the& were %3in)
intercession! '#t so cn 4es#s 9hristM He! too! ws
te%"ted in e2er& w& we re! &et he did not st#%'le0
The hi)h "riest o$ Isrel went thro#)h the c#rtin into
the Hol& o$ Holies once &er! '& 2irt#e o$ the 'lood o$
)ot nd '#ll! to %3e intercession $or the "eo"le0
4es#s hs )one into the he2enl& eB#i2lent '& 2irt#e
o$ his own 'lood to %3e intercession $or #s0 The hi)h
"riest ws 'le to ""roch the throne o$ ?odNthe
Priesthood in the Old nd the New
9o2nnt *-+
Merc& SetNonce &er0 Thro#)h 4es#s! o#r hi)h
"riest! we cn ""roch the throne o$ ?od directl&!
twent&I$o#r! se2en! three h#ndred siHt&I;2e0 The
c#rtin hs 'een ri""ed in twoM Wht )ret hi)h
"riest we h2e in 4es#s0 The ntit&"e )oes 2er& $r
'e&ond the t&"e indeed0
Where wo#ld Isrel h2e 'een witho#t the
%inistr& o$ their hi)h "riestA The& co#ld not ""roch
?od directl&! '#t!
E2er& hi)h "riest is selected $ro%
%on) %en nd is ""ointed to re"resent
the% in %tters relted to ?od! to oLer
)i$ts nd scri;ces $or sins0 EHe'rews 8F*G0
Where wo#ld 4#dis% 'e witho#t the hi)h "riestA
Where wo#ld $or)i2eness o$ sins 'e $o#ndA The
"ro'le% is tht #nder the co2ennt t Sini! there ws
no $or)i2eness witho#t the %inistr& o$ the hi)h "riest0
4#dis% tod& is n e%"t& shell in tht it does not oLer
ccess to the "resence o$ ?od0 The entire scri;cil
s&ste%! lon) with its "riests nd the hi)h "riest
dis""ered l%ost two tho#snd &ers )o! eHctl& s
"ro"hesied '& Dniel EDniel +F:>!:,G! 4es#s EL#3e
:*F:=I:/G nd the He'rew writer EHe'rews .F*-G0
The hi)h "reist ws )ret thin) $or Isrel! '#t
he ws not witho#t his "ro'le%s0 First o$ ll! he s
sinner0 4es#s! on the other hnd! ws sinless0 Second
o$ ll! the "erson selected s hi)h "riest hd w& o$
d&in) on re)#lr 'sisF C<'#t 'ec#se 4es#s li2es
$ore2er! he hs "er%nent "riesthood0 There$ore he
is 'le to s2e co%"letel& those who co%e to ?od
thro#)h hi%! 'ec#se he lw&s li2es to intercede $or
the%0D EHe'rews ,F:/!:8G0 No %ore )ettin) #sed to
new hi)h "riest0 No %ore re2ol2in) door in2ol2ed0 O#r
hi)h "riest is "riest $ore2er0
S#ch hi)h "riest %eets o#r needN
one who is hol&! 'l%eless! "#re! set "rt
$ro% sinners! eHlted 'o2e the he2ens0
*/= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
Unli3e the other hi)h "riests! he does not
need to oLer scri;ces d& $ter d&! ;rst
$or his own sins! nd then $or the sins o$ the
"eo"le0 He scri;ced $or their sins once $or
ll when he oLered hi%sel$0 For the lw
""oints s hi)h "riests %en who re we3J
'#t the oth! which c%e $ter the lw!
""ointed the Son! who hs 'een %de
"er$ect $ore2er0 EHe'rews ,F:>I:.G0
4es#s hs done it0 He hs rri2ed in the he2enl&
te%"le $ore2er0 No %ore dil& scri;ce0 No %ore
crin)in)! ho"in) we do not so%ehow 2iolte so%e
see%in)l& %inor s"ect o$ the lw s did U66h! nd he
ws str#c3 ded0 The %inistr& o$ 4es#s %& 'e the
ntit&"e o$ the %inistr& o$ the hi)h "riest! '#t his
%inistr& is so %#ch s#"eriorM The erthl& snct#r&
where the old hi)h "riests ser2ed ws 5#st co"&0
When so%eone who co%es into the snct#r& on the
cottils o$ 4es#s! the& re co%in) into the rel thin)0
We do not need "riests to intercede $or #sF we re
"riestsM And we h2e "ersonl reltionshi" with the
hed )#& in the "riesthoodNhi)h "riest 4es#s 9hrist0
CThe throne o$ ?od E%erc& setG nd o$ the L%' Ehi)h
"riest 4es#sG will 'e in the cit&! nd his ser2nts E#s!
"riestsG will ser2e hi%0 The& will see his $ce! nd his
n%e will 'e on their $oreheds0D ERe2eltion ::F-!/G0
The hi)h "riest oLered incense t the )older ltr! we
oLer the ntit&"e to incense! "r&er! ri)ht there t the
$eet o$ the throne0 Wht n honorM Wht "ri2eled)eM
Do we rell& ""recite this $ctA
The "oint o$ wht we re s&in) is
thisF We do h2e hi)h "riest who st
down t the ri)ht hnd o$ the throne o$ the
M5est& in he2en! nd who ser2es in the
snct#r&! the true tabernacle.
E2er& hi)h "riest is ""ointed to
oLer 'oth )i$ts nd scri;ces! nd so it ws
necessr& $or this one lso to h2e
Priesthood in the Old nd the New
9o2nnt */*
so%ethin) to oLer<0 The& ser2e t
snct#r& tht is co"& nd shdow o$
wht is in he2en<0 B#t the %inistr& 4es#s
hs recei2ed is s s#"erior to theirs s the
co2ennt o$ which he is %editor is
s#"erior to the old one! nd is $o#nded on
'etter "ro%ises0 EHe'rews ,F*I>G0
More will 'e sid on the s#"eriorit& o$ the New
9o2ennt in nother ch"ter0
9onsider so%e o$ the detils o$ the Old
Test%ent descri"tion o$ the %inistr& o$ the hi)h "riest!
nd their ""liction to the ntit&"e! 4es#s 9hrist0 CHe
%#st not enter "lce where there is ded 'od&0D
ELe2itic#s :*F**G0 The "riests co#ld not to#ch ded
'od&! '#t the hi)h "riest co#ld not e2en 'e in the s%e
roo% with ded "erson0 This is $oreshdowin) o$
the s"irit#l hi)h "riest who ser2es in snct#r&
where there is no %ore deth nd no %ore ters0
CHe %#st not %3e hi%sel$ #nclen! e2en $or
his $ther or %other! nor le2e the snct#r& o$ his ?od
or desecrte it! 'ec#se he hs 'een dedicted '& the
nointin) oil o$ his ?od0D ELe2itic#s :*F**!*:G0 The hi)h
"riest ws 3e"t 2er& "#re thro#)h see%in)l& endless
list o$ r#les $or 3ee"in) cere%onill& clen0 4es#s! o#r
hi)h "riest! ws "#re thro#)ho#t his li$e0 He ne2er
sinned t ll0 He s3ed the crowd! C9n n& o$ &o#
"ro2e %e )#ilt& o$ sinAD E4ohn .F/>G0 His cc#sers were
silent0
Notice tht Le2itic#s :*F*: sttes tht the hi)h
"riest ws not llowed to le2e the snct#r& $or the
entire d#rtion o$ their o@ce $or n& reson
whtsoe2er0 This ws 2er& to#)h restriction0
Perh"s the hi)h "riest ws te%"ted to thin3 his o@ce
ws not s#ch )ret "ri2eled)e0 Wht )ret
$oreshdow o$ the %inistr& o$ 4es#s! who hs )one into
the he2enl& t'erncle0 CThe LORD hs sworn nd will
not chn)e his %indF RYo# re "riest $ore2er0KD EPsl%
**=F/G0 4es#s ne2er le2es the he2enl& snct#r&
either0 He is t the ri)ht hnd o$ the throne $ore2er0
*/: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
No one with "h&sicl de$ect ws llowed to
ser2e s hi)h "riest0 CNo descendnt o$ Aron the
"riest who hs n& de$ect is to co%e ner to "resent
the oLerin)s %de to the LORD '& ;re0D ELe2itics
:*F:*G0 This ws not si)n o$ 4#dis%Ks insensiti2it& to
the "h&sicll& chllen)ed0 It is $oreshdow o$ the
l%' witho#t de$ect! 4es#s 9hrist0
And wht 'o#t the rell& strn)e )r%ents the
hi)h "riest woreF the t#nic nd ssh! the e"hod! the
'rest"lte nd the Uri% nd Th#%%i%A O$ co#rse
these ser2ed their "#r"ose $or the 4ews in order to
%r3 o#t the si)ni;cnce o$ the o@ce o$ hi)h "riest0
One cn esil& i%)ine the 4ews lo2in) the "o%" nd
circ#%stnce o$ the o@ce o$ hi)h "riest0 Howe2er! one
sho#ld 'er in %ind tht ll these thin)s ser2e s
$oreshdows o$ the wor3 o$ the ntit&"eNthe hi)h
"riest 4es#s 9hrist0 The "ostle 4ohn sw 2ision o$
hi)h "riest 4es#s on the islnd o$ Pt%os! incl#din) his
'rillint white ro'e nd )olden ssh ERe2eltion *F*-G0
Li3e Moses! when he went into the Most Hol& Plce!
4es#sK $ce shines with n intense 'rillince0
The twel2e diLerent "recio#s stones on the
e"hod nd on the 'rest"lte o$ the hi)h "riest stnd
$or the twel2e tri'es o$ Isrel! '#t lso re "re;)#res o$
the twel2e "ostles chosen '& the )reter hi)h "riest!
4es#s 9hrist0 The twel2e "recio#s stones in the hi)h
"riestl& )r%ent lso "re;)#re the twel2e )tes! the
twel2e n)els nd the twel2e $o#ndtions in the
he2enl& cit& where 4es#s 9hrist r#lesF
And he crried %e w& in the S"irit
to %o#ntin )ret nd hi)h! nd showed
%e the Hol& 9it&! 4er#sle%! co%in) down
o#t o$ he2en $ro% ?od0 It shone with the
)lor& o$ ?od! nd its 'rillince ws li3e tht
o$ 2er& "recio#s 5ewel! li3e 5s"er! cler
s cr&stl0 It hd )ret! hi)h wll with
twel2e )tes! nd with twel2e n)els t the
)tes0 On the )tes were written the
n%es o$ the twel2e tri'es o$ Isrel0 There
Priesthood in the Old nd the New
9o2nnt */-
were three )tes on the est! three on the
north! three on the so#th nd three on the
west0 The wll o$ the cit& hd twel2e
$o#ndtions! nd on the% were the n%es
o$ the twel2e "ostles o$ the L%'<0 The
$o#ndtions o$ the cit& wlls were
decorted with e2er& 3ind o$ "recio#s
stone0 The ;rst $o#ndtion ws 5s"er! the
second s""hire! the third chlcedon&! the
$o#rth e%erld< nd the twel$th %eth&st0
ERe2eltion :*F*=I*/! *+!:=G
So%e cli% tht the Pentte#ch does not tech 'o#t
he2en0 It is tr#e tht the erliest 'oo3s o$ the Old
Test%ent do not s"e3 to the $terli$e directl& ll tht
%#ch! '#t one certinl& ;nds %n& $oreshdowin)s o$
he2en there0
Re%e%'er tht the hi)h "riest wore the
'rest"iece nd the Uri% nd Th#%%i% when the&
were in the role o$ 5#d)e $or the "eo"le o$ ?od0 A)in!
we h2e $oreshdow o$ 4es#s 9hrist! who will stnd t
the ri)ht hnd o$ ?od! 5#d)in) the li2in) nd the ded
t the lst d&0 The He'rew word trnsliterted s
Uri% %ens li)ht! while the word Th#%%i% %ens
"er$ection0 9lerl&! the hi)h "riest ws neither li)ht
nor "er$ection $or the "eo"le o$ ?od! '#t when one
considers the $ct tht ?od set #" the entire o#t;t s
$oreshdowin) o$ the wor3 o$ 4es#s 9hrist! ll is %de
cler0
4es#s 9hrist is s#ch )ret hi)h "riest tht 'ein)
n ntit&"e o$ the Mosic hi)h "riest ws not eno#)h to
eH"ress e2er&thin) 'o#t his %inistr& s "riest 'e$ore
the throne o$ ?od0 4es#s is lso "riest ccordin) to
the order o$ Melchi6ede30 We re wdin) into so%e
dee" wter here0
We h2e this ho"e s n nchor $or
the so#l! ;r% nd sec#re0 It enters the
inner snct#r& 'ehind the c#rtin! where
4es#s! who went 'e$ore #s! hs entered on
*// FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
o#r 'ehl$0 He hs 'eco%e "riest
$ore2er! in the order o$ Melchi6ede30
EHe'rews >F*+!:=G0
We h2e lred& seen the so%ewht %&sterio#s
Melchi6ede3 s "re;)#re o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 Melchi6ede3
ws "riest o$ ?od! not '& 'irth s were the sons o$
Aron! '#t thro#)h direct ""oint%ent '& ?od0 As the
He'rew writer "oints o#t! A'rh% the C$therD o$ Le2i
'& 4ewish c#sto%! oLered tri'#te to Melchi6ede3 nd
Melchi6ede3 'lessed A'rh% in ret#rn0 CAnd witho#t
do#'t the lesser is 'lessed '& the )reter0D This e2ent
ner the )tes o$ Sle% E4er#sle%G ser2es s
$oreshdow o$ the $ct tht the "riesthood o$ 4es#s
9hrist is %#ch )reter thn the "riesthood o$ the sons
o$ A'rh%0
The writer o$ He'rews )ets down to the 'otto%
line o$ wh& the "riesthoodNe2en the hi)h "riesthoodN
o$ the sons o$ Aron ws not s#@cient $oreshdow $or
the )ret hi)h "riest! 4es#s 9hristF
I$ "er$ection co#ld h2e 'een
ttined thro#)h the Le2iticl "riesthood<
wh& ws there still need $or nother "riest
to co%eNone on the order o$ Melchi6ede3!
not in the order o$ AronA< And wht we
h2e sid is e2en %ore cler i$ nother
"riest li3e Melchi6ede3 ""ers! one who
hs 'eco%e "riest not on the 'sis o$
re)#ltion s to his ncestr& '#t on the
'sis o$ the "ower o$ n indestr#cti'le li$e0
For it is declredF CYo# re "riest $ore2er
in the order o$ Melchi6ede30D EHe'rews
,F**! *8I*,G0
The "riesthood o$ Aron ws not s#@cient s
$oreshdow o$ 9hrist $or two resons0 First! the sons o$
Aron 'ec%e "riests '& 2irt#e o$ 'irth! wheres 'oth
Melchi6ede3 nd 4es#s were "riests '& di2ine choice0
Second! the sons o$ Aron died! while Melchi6ede3
Priesthood in the Old nd the New
9o2nnt */8
ne2er died0 Li3e Enoch 'e$ore hi% E?enesis 8F:/G nd
li3e Eli5h $ter hi% E: 7in)s :F**!*:G! Melchi6ede3 ws
t3en w& '& ?od0 He ne2er s#Lered "h&sicl deth0
Act#ll&! 4es#s did s#Ler "h&sicl deth! '#t deth
co#ld not 3ee" its hold on hi%0 He ws rised $ro% the
ded on the third d& nd li3e Enoch! Melchi6ede3 nd
Eli5h! ?od too3 4es#s $ro% the erth to 'e with hi% in
he2en0 Tr#l& 4es#s is the son o$ Ethe ntit&"e toG the
"riest Melchi6ede30 A)in! we see $oreshdowin) in
the Old Test%ent o$ the techin) on eternl li$e in the
New Test%ent0
E2er& sin)le s"ect o$ the r#les nd re)#ltions!
the )r%ents nd the %inistr& o$ the hi)h "riest o$
Isrel "oints towrd the )ret nd weso%e hi)h "riest
o$ the New 9o2ennt! 4es#s 9hrist0 In co#"le o$ w&s
the Aronic hi)h "riest co#ld not $#ll& $oreshdow the
"riesthood o$ 4es#s 9hrist! so ?od "ro2ided Melchi6ede3
to ;ll in the )"M 9o#ld ?od h2e "ro2ided n& )reter
"ict#re o$ the %inisteril role o$ his Son nd o#r s2ior!
4es#s 9hristA When we loo3 t the o@ce o$ "riest nd
o$ hi)h "riest in Isrel! we cn s#rel& s& the& tell #s
the Messih is co%in)0
*/> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
The ?aw is only a shadow
of the good things that are
comingnot the realities
themselves.
Hebrews !"
Therefore do not let
anyone >udge you by what
you eat or drin&* or with
regard to a religious
festival* a Bew 5oon
celebration or a Sabbath
day. These are a shadow
of the things that were to
come8 the reality*
however* is found in
'hrist.
'olossians ."0*1
8
The Lw o$ Moses Pre;)#res the Lw
o$ 9hrist
I%)ine the scene0 A$ter $reein) his "eo"le $ro%
sl2er& in E)&"t '& )ret wonders nd si)ns! ?od
'ro#)ht the% to Mo#nt Sini0 Here ?od est'lished
9o2ennt with his "eo"le0 ?od told Moses to set
'o#ndries t the $oot o$ the %o#ntin 'ec#se n&one
who set $oot on the hol& %o#ntin while ?od ""ered
to Moses wo#ld 'e 3illed0 For two d&s Moses
consecrted the "eo"le0 All the "eo"le wshed their
'odies nd their clothes nd 'stined $ro% seH#l
reltions0 Tension ws '#ildin)! s the "eo"le 3new
so%ethin) )ret ws 'o#t to h""en0 ?od hd his
"eo"leKs ttention0
EHctll& s Moses hd told the% erlier! ?od
c%e #"on the %o#ntin with )ret "ower on the third
d&0
On the %ornin) o$ the third d& there
ws th#nder nd li)htnin)! with thic3
clo#d o2er the %o#ntin0 Mo#nt Sini ws
co2ered with s%o3e! 'ec#se the LORD
descended on it in ;re0 The s%o3e 'illowed
#" $ro% it li3e s%o3e $ro% $#rnce! the
whole %o#ntin tre%'led 2iolentl&! nd the
so#nd o$ the tr#%"et )rew lo#der nd
lo#der<0 When the "eo"le sw the th#nder
nd li)htnin) nd herd the tr#%"et nd
sw the %o#ntin in s%o3e! the& tre%'led
with $er0 EEHod#s *+F*>I*+! :=F*.G0
?i2en this weIins"irin) si)n! it is not hrd to see wh&
the "eo"le were terri;ed0 And th#s ws the Lw
recei2ed '& Moses nd the "eo"le o$ ?od0 ?od hs
w& o$ nno#ncin) )ret chn)es with "ower$#l si)ns0
The rece"tion o$ the ;rst co2ennt ws certinl& no
eHce"tion to this r#le0 A'o#t $o#r h#ndred &ers
erlier! ?od hd chosen A'rh% s the %n thro#)h
who% to 'less the world0 It ws t this ti%e t the $oot
o$ Mo#nt Sini tht ?od set #" his co2ennt nd )2e
his Lw to A'rh%Ks descendnts0 On this d&! the
4ewish reli)ion 'e)n0
I$ the te%"le ws the $oc#s o$ reli)ion nd
worshi" $or the 4ews! then the Lw o$ Moses ws the
$oc#s o$ their dil& li2es! t lest $or those who
re%ined $ith$#l to the Old 9o2ennt0 Wht to et!
when to "lnt cro"s! helth "rctices! %rri)e! deth!
tHes!< it see%ed s i$ e2en the %ost %in#te s"ect o$
the li2es o$ ?odKs "eo"le ws )o2erned '& the Lw
)i2en t Sini0
Wht ws the essenceNthe hertNo$ the Lw o$
MosesA Ws it the Ten 9o%%nd%entsA Mn& wo#ld
s& tht the Ten 9o%%nd%ents re the essence o$
the Lw o$ Moses0 The Ten 9o%%nd%ents certinl&
%ent lot to the 4ewish "eo"le! s the& were "lced
in the r3! '#t the Ten 9o%%nd%ents re de;nitel&
not the hert o$ the Lw o$ Moses0 The hert o$ the
Lw co#ld 'e stted s $ollowsF
The %n who does these thin)s will
li2e '& the%0 ELe2itic#s *.F8G0
The essence o$ the First 9o2ennt ws co%"ct with
"ro%ise! seled in 'lood0 ?od told his "eo"le tht i$
the& wo#ld 3ee" ll the lws he )2e the% t Mo#nt
Sini! the& wo#ld 'e )retl& 'lessed in the lnd he ws
)oin) to )i2e the%0 At ;rst )lnce! this %& h2e
see%ed li3e )ret thin)! '#t consider the
i%"lictions0 The "ro'le% co%es in h2in) to 3ee" all
the lwsF
9#rsed is the %n who does not
#"hold the words o$ this lw '& crr&in)
the% o#t0 EDe#terono%& :,F:>G0
T3e to hert ll the words I h2e
sole%nl& declred to &o# this d&! so tht
&o# %& co%%nd &o#r children to o'e&
cre$#ll& ll the words o$ this lw0 The& re
not 5#st idle words $or &o#Nthe& re &o#r
li$e0 B& the% &o# will li2e lon) in the lnd
&o# re crossin) the 4ordn to "ossess0
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce */+
EDe#terono%& -:F/>!/,G0
Yo# %#st distin)#ish 'etween the
hol& nd the "ro$ne! 'etween the #nclen
nd the clen! nd &o# %#st tech the
Isrelites ll the decrees the LORD hs
)i2en the% thro#)h Moses0 ELe2itic#s
+F*=!**G0
Be hol& 'ec#se I! the Lord &o#r
?od! % hol&0 ELe2itic#s *+F*G0
I$ &o# $ollow %& decrees nd re
cre$#l to o'e& %& co%%nds! I will send
&o# rin in its seson< B#t i$ &o# will not
listen to %e nd crr& o#t all these
commands! nd i$ &o#< $il to crr& o#t all
my commands! nd so 2iolte %&
co2ennt! then I will do this to &o#F I will
'rin) #"on &o# s#dden terror! wstin)
diseses< ELe2itic#s :>F-!/!*/I*>G0
The "ro'le% with the co2ennt ?od est'lished
thro#)h the Lw o$ Moses on Sini is tht the "eo"le
were #n'le to 3ee" #" their end o$ the contrct0 Who
co#ld li2e li$e in which the& ne2er $iled t n& "oint
o$ the lw )i2en to MosesA As P#l sid in ?ltins
:F:*! ri)hteo#sness co#ld not 'e )ined thro#)h the
lw0
B#t wht 'o#t ll those scri;cesA S#rel& ll
tht 'lood o$ '#lls nd )ots ws not 'ein) shed $or
nothin)0 Were the& not intended to %3e #" $or the
diLerence 'etween the 4ewKs "er$or%nce nd ?odKs
eH"ecttionsA The nswer is &es< nd no<0 The
scri;ces instit#ted t Sini were shdow! s ws the
lw the& were 'sed on0 Shdows do not 'rin)
$or)i2eness! the& do not %3e "er$ect0 Onl& the rel
thin) cn 'rid)e the weso%e chs% 'etween o#r
tte%"ts t ri)ht li2in) nd tr#e ri)hteo#sness in ?odKs
si)ht0 And th#s we hd the need $or the ntit&"e to the
*8= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
Lw o$ MosesF the Lw o$ 9hrist0 9onsider He'rews
*=F*I/J
The lw Et SiniG is onl& shdow o$
the )ood thin)s tht re co%in)Nnot the
relities the%sel2es0 For this reson it cn
ne2er! '& the s%e scri;ces re"eted
endlessl& &er $ter &er! %3e "er$ect
those who drw ner to worshi"0 I$ it
co#ld! wo#ld the& not h2e sto""ed 'ein)
oLeredA For the worshi"ers wo#ld h2e
'een clensed once $or ll! nd wo#ld not
h2e $elt )#ilt& $or their sins0 B#t these
scri;ces re n nn#l re%inder o$ sins!
'ec#se it is i%"ossi'le $or the 'lood o$
'#lls nd )ots to t3e w& sins0
There &o# h2e it0 The lw! in other words the Lw o$
Moses! ws $oreshdow0 ?od hd ne2er intended it to
'e the ;nl nswer $or his "eo"le0 As the life o$ Moses
ws "re;)#re o$ the life nd %inistr& o$ 4es#s 9hrist!
so the ?aw o$ Moses ws "re;)#re o$ the ?aw o$
9hrist0 Moses ws "ro"hetic "re;)#re o$ the relit& in
9hrist0 The s%e is tr#e o$ the lw )i2en to Moses t
Sini0 It is $oreshdow o$ the $#ll& reli6ed Lw o$
9hrist0
Perh"s so%e %i)ht ;nd this hrd to cce"t0
How co#ld one tho#snd $o#r h#ndred &ers nd
literll& %illions o$ scri;cesN%illions o$ )llons o$
'lood shedN'e %enin)lessA How co#ld the one tr#e
?od instit#te s#ch thin)A Let the do6ens o$
eH%"les lred& )i2en stnd s irre$#t'le "roo$ o$
the "rinci"le tht ?od #ses the "eo"le nd e2ents in
the Old Test%ent s $oreshdows o$ the relit& he ws
to re2el to #s in 4es#s 9hrist0 The& hd )ret %enin)
s $oreshdow0
Besides! the scri;ces "er$or%ed ll those &ers
in the desert nd in 4er#sle% certinl& were not
%enin)less to the 4ews the%sel2es0 The& were
"re)nnt with %enin)0 Thro#)h the scri;ces in the
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *8*
Old Test%ent! ?od ws techin) 'oth the "h&sicl nd
the s"irit#l children o$ A'rh% so%e $#nd%entl
"rinci"les 'o#t o#r reltionshi" with hi%! s we will
see0
To the 4ew who %i)ht co%"lin! CWh& did &o#
%3e #s )o thro#)h this whole chrdeAD ?od %i)ht
re"l&! CThis ws no chrde0 In %& %ind! it ws s i$
%& son 4es#s hd 'een slin ll lon)0 I )2e &o# the
Lw o$ Moses s techer! t#tor0 I needed to "re"re
"eo"le thro#)h who% to 'less the world0 And
'esides! it is not s i$ I did not tell &o# I wo#ld 'e
%3in) new nd )reter co2ennt $o#nded on 'etter
"ro%ises0 Wht did %& "ro"het 4ere%ih tell &o#AD
CThe ti%e is co%in)!Ddeclres the LORD!
CWhen I will %3e new co2ennt with the
ho#se o$ Isrel nd with the ho#se o$ 4#dh0
It will not 'e li3e the co2ennt I %de with
their
$ore$thers when I too3 the% '& the hnd
o#t
o$ E)&"t! 'ec#se the& 'ro3e %& co2ennt!
tho#)h I ws h#s'nd to the%!D
declres the LORD0
CThis is the co2ennt I will %3e with the
ho#se
o$ Isrel $ter tht ti%e!D declres the LORD0
CI will "#t %& lw in their %inds nd write it
on
their herts 0
I will 'e their ?od nd the& will 'e %&
"eo"le0
No lon)er will %n tech his nei)h'or! or

%n his 'rother! s&in) R7now the LORD!K
'ec#se the& will ll 3now %e! $ro% the
lest
o$ the% to the )retest!D declres the LORD0
CFor I will $or)i2e their wic3edness nd will
re%e%'er their sins no %ore0D declres the
*8: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
LORD0
It is not s i$ the Lw o$ Moses ws 'd0 It is
5#st tht the ntit&"e is so %#ch )reter0 The Lw o$
9hrist is the $#l;ll%entNthe co%"letion! o$ the Lw o$
Moses0 Is tht not wht 4es#s sid in the Ser%on on
the Mo#ntA CDo not thin3 tht I h2e co%e to 'olish
the Lw or the Pro"hetsJ I h2e not co%e to 'olish
the% '#t to $#l;ll the%0D EMtthew 8F*,G0 The ntit&"e
did not 'olish the t&"e0 It 'ro#)ht it to co%"letion
nd $#l;lled ll its reB#ire%ents0 How %#ch )reter is
the New 9o2ennt! est'lished nd seled '& the
'lood o$ 4es#sM
The Lw )i2en on Mo#nt Sini ws tr#l& n
weso%e thin)0 The ;re nd s%o3e which co2ered the
entire %o#ntin ws n #n%ist3e'le si)n o$ tht0
Howe2er! i$ we h2e lerned n&thin) $ro% the t&"es
nd ntit&"es in the Old nd New Test%ents! s#rel& it
is tht the ltter is )reter thn the $or%er0 This
#thor will not 'e 'le to i%"ro2e on the writer o$
He'rewsF
Yo# h2e not co%e to %o#ntin
tht cn 'e to#ched nd is '#rnin) with
;reJ to dr3ness! )loo% nd stor%J to
tr#%"et 'lst or to s#ch 2oice s"e3in)
words! so tht those who herd it 'e))ed
tht no $#rther word 'e s"o3en to the%<
B#t &o# h2e co%e to Mo#nt 1ion! to the
he2enl& 4er#sle%! the cit& o$ the li2in)
?od0 Yo# h2e co%e to tho#snds #"on
tho#snds o$ n)els in 5o&$#l sse%'l&! to
the ch#rch o$ the ;rst'orn! whose n%es
re written in he2en0 Yo# h2e co%e to
?od! the 5#d)e o$ ll %en! to the s"irits o$
ri)hteo#s %en %de "er$ect! to 4es#s the
%editor o$ new co2ennt! nd to the
s"rin3led 'lood tht s"e3s 'etter word
thn the 'lood o$ A'el0 EHe'rews *:F*.I:/G0
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *8-
When 4ewish reders c%e to this "oint in the He'rew
letter! the& 3new eHctl& wht the writer ws re$errin)
to when he %entioned the %o#ntin! the ;re! dr3ness
nd tr#%"et 'lstNHe'rews twel2e is re%inder o$ the
)i2in) o$ the Lw o$ Moses on Sini0 ?odKs ;rst
co2ennt ws )ret! '#t the new co2ennt ws
in;nitel& )reter0 It 'ro#)ht in "er$ection0
A)in! one %i)ht 'e te%"ted to s3 wh& ?od
introd#ced so%ethin) which ws not "er$ect in the ;rst
"lceA CThe $or%er re)#ltion is set side 'ec#se it
ws we3 nd #seless E$or the lw %de nothin)
"er$ectG0 EHe'rews ,F*.G0 Wh& not s3i" ri)ht to the
"er$ect Lw o$ 9hristA There were %n& resons0 One
o$ these is $ith0 It t3es %ore $ith to cce"t the
second co2ennt 'ec#se it in2ol2es thin)s which re
#nseen0 The 4ews co#ld see the te%"le in 4er#sle%0
The& co#ld not %ist3e the i%"lictions o$ the "illr o$
clo#d '& d& nd o$ ;re '& ni)ht0 When the Se o$
Reeds "rted! the "eo"le o$ ?od did not str#))le with
inter"retin) the %ess)eF MrchM
The ntit&"es o$ ll these thin)s re s"irit#l0
The& re in2isi'le0 In the words o$ 4es#s to s3e"ticl
Tho%s! CBec#se &o# h2e seen %e! &o# h2e
'elie2edJ 'lessed re those who h2e not seen nd &et
h2e 'elie2ed0D We re o$ those who h2e not seen!
nd &et who% ?od eH"ects to 'elie2e0 As P#l sid!
Cwe li2e '& $ith! not '& si)ht0D E: 9orinthins 8F,G0
When ?od creted the t&"es in the Old Test%ent nd
their $#l;ll%ent in the New! he "ro2ided $or #s %6in)
"roo$ o$ the relit& o$ the second nd )reter co2ennt0
?od eH"ects 9hristins to li2e '& $ith! not '& si)ht E:
9orinthins 8F,G0 Howe2er! with the "ro"hetic nt#re o$
the t&"es in the Old Test%ent! it is $r $ro% 'lind
$ith0 The $#l;ll%ent o$ t&"e nd ntit&"e in the lw is
%5or "rt o$ the e2idence to s#""ort tht $ith0
A second reson the Lw o$ Moses is o$ )ret
2l#e is tht the Lw )i2en on Sini ws )ret
techer0 So %#ch 'o#t the nt#re o$ ?od nd the 3ind
o$ reltionshi" he wnts with his "eo"le cn 'e )lened
$ro% cre$#l st#d& o$ the Lw o$ Moses0 The Lw
*8/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
"re"red the 4ews 'oth intellect#ll& nd s"irit#ll& $or
the chn)e o$ co2ennt ?od hd in %ind0 I$ onl& %ore
hd 'een willin) to %3e the chn)e o$ %ind nd hert
to 'eco%e $ollowers o$ the second Moses0
Wht shll we s&! thenA Is the lw
sinA 9ertinl& notM Indeed I wo#ld not h2e
3nown wht sin ws eHce"t thro#)h the
lw0 For I wo#ld not h2e 3nown wht it
ws to co2et i$ the lw hd not sid! CDo
not co2et<0D Did tht which is )ood! then!
'eco%e deth to %eA B& no %ensM B#t in
order tht sin %i)ht 'e reco)ni6ed s sin! it
"rod#ced deth in %e thro#)h wht ws
)ood! so tht thro#)h the co%%nd%ent
sin %i)ht 'eco%e #tterl& sin$#l0 ERo%ns
,F,!*-G0
For the 4ews! nd $or n&one else willin) to loo3
cre$#ll& t the Lw o$ Moses! the tr#e nt#re o$ sin
nd its eLect on o#r reltionshi" with ?od ws %de
2er& cler0 It is hrd to $#ll& #nderstnd the )ood news
o$ eternl $or)i2eness #nder the New 9o2ennt witho#t
;rst $#ll& #nderstndin) the 'd news o$ the de"r2it&
o$ sin nd o#r in'ilit& to sto" sinnin)0 The 4ewKs
$r#itless tte%"ts to $ollow the Lw o$ Moses "er$ectl&
teches 'oth the% nd #s tht lesson0 The %ess)e is
tht h#%n eLort cn not nd will not "rod#ce ri)ht
reltionshi" with ?od0
P#l eH"resses the ide tht the Lw is )ret
techer in ?ltins s wellF
Wht! then! ws the "#r"ose o$ the
LwA It ws dded 'ec#se o$
trns)ressions #ntil the Seed Etht is 4es#s
9hristG to who% the "ro%ise re$erred hd
co%e<0 Is the lw! there$ore! o""osed to
the "ro%ises o$ ?odA A'sol#tel& notM For
i$ lw hd 'een )i2en tht co#ld i%"rt
li$e! then ri)hteo#sness wo#ld certinl&
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *88
h2e co%e '& the lw<0 So the law was
put in charge to lead us to 'hrist! tht we
%i)ht 'e 5#sti;ed '& $ith0 E?ltins
-F*+!:*!:/G0
Until we re red& $or the 'i) eH%! we need t#tor0
Until we re red& $or the C"rosD we need coch0
Until we re red& to t3e on $#ll res"onsi'ilit&! we
need %entor0 Tht is wht the Lw o$ Moses ws0 It
eH"lined ?od to #s! it led the w&J it showed #s wht
ws co%in)0 The Lw o$ Moses did not )et the 4ews to
he2en! '#t it led the% to 9hrist0 B#t when 9hrist
c%e! it ws ti%e to "#t 'ehind childish thin)s nd
ti%e to t3e #" the $#l;ll%ent o$ ?odKs "ln in the New
9o2ennt0
The Lw o$ 9hrist hs lred& 'een %entioned
se2erl ti%es s n ntit&"e to the Lw o$ Moses0 The
Lw o$ Moses hs 'een descri'ed in its essence s!
CThe %n who does these thin)s will li2e '& the%0D
Wht is the Lw o$ 9hristA Wht is this New 9o2ennt
tht re"lced the lw o$ sin nd dethA
9hrist is the %editor o$ new
co2ennt! tht those who re clled %&
recei2e the "ro%ised eternl inheritnceN
now tht he hs died s rnso% to set
the% $ree $ro% the sins co%%itted #nder
the ;rst co2ennt0 EHe'rews +F*8G
In this section o$ He'rews! the writer )oes on to
eH"lin the t&"ePntit&"e reltionshi" 'etween the ;rst
nd the second co2ennts in %ore detil0 Both were
essentill& li3e will0 Both were onl& seled '& the
deth o$ the one who %de the co2ennt0 The He'rew
writer B#otes Moses $ro% EHod#s :/F.J CThis is the
'lood o$ the co2ennt! which ?od hs co%%nded &o#
to 3ee"!D )oin) on to eH"lin tht this ws wh& Moses
s"rin3led 'lood 'oth in the t'erncle nd on ll the
ite%s #sed in the cere%onies o$ the ;rst co2ennt0
CWitho#t the sheddin) o$ 'lood there is no
*8> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
$or)i2eness0D EHe'rews +F::G0
As with the t&"e! so with the ntit&"e0 The New
9o2ennt co#ld onl& 'e "#t into eLect nd seled with
the deth o$ hi% who seled itF 4es#s 9hrist0 His 'lood
ws reB#ired to clense the ite%s in the he2enl&
t'erncle0 The writer o$ He'rews co#ld s#%%ri6e
the ntit&"eNthe Lw o$ 9hristNs $ollowsF
So 9hrist ws scri;ced once to t3e
w& the sins o$ %n& "eo"leJ nd he will
""er second ti%e! not to 'er sin! '#t
to 'rin) sl2tion to those who re witin)
$or hi%0 EHe'rews +F:.G0
4#st li3e the ;rst co2ennt! the second co2ennt ws
co%"ct with "ro%ise! seled in 'lood
O#E&HADO.& %N THE !A. O MO&E&
There re %n& "rllels 'etween the Old nd the
New 9o2ennt in which the $oreshdow is "h&sicl
thin) while the New 9o2ennt reli6tion is s"irit#l
thin)0 The '#lls nd )ots whose 'lood ws #sed in the
scri;ces #nder the Lw o$ Moses were reB#ired to 'e
#n'le%ished "h&sicll&0 How %#ch )reter is the
scri;ce in the New 9o2enntM In the ntit&"e! the
scri;ce! 4es#s 9hrist led n #n'le%ished li$e! not
"h&sicll& '#t s"irit#ll&0
As second eH%"le o$ the "h&siclPs"irit#l
"rllels 'etween the co2ennts! $ollowin) the $or%er
co2ennt led to lr)el& "h&sicl 'lessin)s0 CSee! I set
'e$ore &o# tod& li$e nd "ros"erit&! deth nd
destr#ction0 For I co%%nd &o# tod& to lo2e the LORD
&o#r ?od! to wl3 in his w&s! nd to 3ee" his
co%%nds! decrees nd lwsJ then &o# will li2e nd
increse! nd the LORD &o#r ?od will 'less &o# in the
lnd &o# re enterin) to "ossess0D EDe#terono%&
-=F*8!*>G0 Mn& %iss this "oint! so let it 'e sid )in0
The "ro%ise o$ the Old 9o2ennt ws "rinci"ll& tht
?od wo#ld )i2e "h&sicl 'lessin)s0 ?od "ro%ised )ood
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *8,
cro"s! %n& children! rin t the "ro"er ti%e! %il3 nd
hone& nd $reedo% $ro% ttc3s $ro% their ene%ies0
Bec#se the scri;ce in the New 9o2ennt ws
#n'le%ished s"irit#ll&! not "h&sicll&! the 'lessin)
#nder the second co2ennt is s"irit#l0 It incl#des
$or)i2eness o$ sin nd reltionshi" with ?od0 CPrise
'e to the ?od nd Fther o$ O#r Lord 4es#s 9hrist! who
hs 'lessed #s in the he2enl& rel%s with every
spiritual blessing in 9hrist0D EE"hesins *F-G0 The ;rst
ch"ter o$ E"hesins )oes on to list these s"irit#l
'lessin)s! incl#din) 'ein) hol& nd 'l%eless! 'ein)
do"ted s sons o$ ?od! recei2in) his )lorio#s )rce!
rede%"tion! $or)i2eness o$ sins! 'ein) chosen! incl#ded
in 9hrist nd %r3ed with the sel! the "ro%ised Hol&
S"irit0 E2er& sin)le one o$ these s"irit#l )i$ts re
$oreshdowed in the "h&sicl 'lessin)s )i2en to Isrel in
the Pro%ised Lnd0
So! wht do we lern 'o#t ?od nd 'o#t the
New 9o2ennt thro#)h its $oreshdowJ the Lw o$
MosesA One thin) tht cn 'e lerned $ro% the Old
9o2ennt is tht ?od wnts reltionshi" with his
"eo"le thro#)h which he cn 'less the%0 One does not
h2e to red 2er& $r into Le2itic#s to notice tht ?od
)2e to Isrel! thro#)h Moses! lot o$ lws0 Let #s )et
the 'i) "ict#re0 Wht ws the "#r"ose o$ these lwsA
For #s who red the New Test%ent! the& re
$oreshdows! o$ co#rse! '#t wht did these lws %en
$or IsrelA In )enerl! the lws )i2en to Isrel were
)i2en! either to )i2e the% direct "h&sicl 'ene;t or to
3ee" the% "#re so tht the& co#ld 'e in reltionshi"
with 4eho2h0
HEA!TH #E(*!AT%ON&
There re %n& eH%"les o$ lws which ?od
)2e Isrel so tht the& co#ld 'e 'lessed with "h&sicl
helth nd with h""& reltionshi"s with one nother0
For eH%"le! ?od co%%nded tht the& 'stin $ro%
certin %ets0 It 5#st so h""ens tht ech o$ the
%ets which ?od co%%nded the& not et E"or3! %et
*8. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
o$ crni2ores! shell;sh etc0G crr& relti2el& hi)h
li3elihood o$ c#sin) dedl& disese! while the %ets
the& were llowed to et E;sh! l%'! 'ee$! etc0G tend to
'e %#ch s$er to et! e2en i$ not thoro#)hl& coo3ed0
Other eH%"les co#ld 'e cited0 ?od )2e lws $or
B#rntine in the cse o$ certin diseses0 ?od )2e
lws 'o#t the to#chin) o$ ded 'odies nd r#les 'o#t
seH#l 'eh2ior! ll o$ which 'ro#)ht )ret helth
'ene;t to Isrel i$ the& wo#ld o'e& the Lord0

?od %de it cler tht he wnted to )i2e the%
)ood helth0 CI$ &o# listen cre$#ll& to the 2oice o$ the
LORD &o#r ?od nd do wht is ri)ht in his e&es! i$ &o#
"& ttention to his co%%nds nd 3ee" ll his
decrees! I will not 'rin) on &o# n& o$ the diseses I
'ro#)ht on the E)&"tins! $or I % the LORD who hels
&o#0D EEHod#s *8F:>G0 Des"ite the co%"lete lc3 o$
scienti;c 3nowled)e o$ the ti%e! the Mosic Lw is ;lled
with wht see% to 'e #neH"lin'l& wise helth lws0
UneH"lin'le! tht is! i$ one ss#%es tht the Lw o$
Moses is o$ h#%n ori)in0 It is interestin) to notice the
historicl $ct tht the 4ewish "eo"le h2e lw&s 'een
'le to reco2er $ro% )ret tr)ed&! wr nd
"ersec#tions0 One contri'#tin) $ctor is tht to the
eHtent tht the& $ollowed the lws )i2en the% '&
Moses! the& li2ed helthier li2es nd )rew n#%ericll&0
The t&"e in the Lw o$ Moses is )ood "h&sicl
helth0 The ntit&"e in the New Test%ent is )ood
s"irit#l helth0 The wstin) diseses s#ch s le"ros&
which were "re2ented '& $ollowin) ?odKs co%%nds
)i2en to Moses! which lso %de the% cere%onill&
#nclen! $oreshdow sin nd its de'ilittin) eLect in o#r
li$e which is "re2ented '& $ollowin) the Lw o$ 9hrist0
The 4ews who $ollowed the Lw o$ Moses were "rotected
$ro% the de2sttin) eLects o$ the "h&sicl diseses o$
the E)&"tins0 Those who $ollow the Lw o$ 9hrist will
2oid the de2sttin) eLects o$ the s"irit#l disese o$
E)&"tF sin0 We will not 'e "er$ect in this li$e! '#t ?od
*
For %ore on %edicl i%"lictions o$ the Lw o$ Moses! see
4ohn O3es! #easons for $elief" % Handboo& of 'hristian (vidences
E?9I Boo3s! :==*! Hi)hlnds Rnch! 9olordoG ""0 :/:I:8/0
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *8+
will )i2e #s e2er& s"irit#l 'lessin)0 CPrise 'e to ?od
nd the Fther o$ o#r Lord 4es#s 9hrist! who hs 'lessed
#s in the he2enl& rel%s with e2er& s"irit#l 'lessin)
in 9hrist0D EE"hesins *F-G0 Ph&sicl 'lessin)s re
wonder$#l thin)! '#t s"irit#l 'lessin)sN"ece o$ %ind!
$or)i2eness! $reedo% $ro% )#ilt! "ersonl reltionshi"
with the ?od o$ the #ni2erseNs#rel& these re )reter
'lessin)sM
'!EAN VE#&*& *N'!EAN
As lred& %entioned! %n& o$ the Lws hnded
down thro#)h Moses hd helth i%"lictions0 ?ood
"h&sicl helth $or the 4ews hs s its ntit&"e )ood
s"irit#l helth $or the s"irit#l children o$ Moses0 An
e2en )reter "ro"ortion o$ the lws )i2en to Isrel t
Sini hd to do with re)#ltions $or %intinin)
cere%onil clenness0 There were lws $or %intinin)
clenness $or ll the "eo"le o$ Isrel0 There were lso
s"ecil lws $or cere%onil clenness $or the "riests!
nd still %ore strin)ent lws $or %intinin) cere%onil
clenness $or the hi)h "riest0 It is es& to )et lost
redin) N#%'ers! Le2itic#s nd De#terono%& in ll the
r#les $or 2oidin) #nclenness0
In order $or 9hristin to #nderstnd the
rele2nce o$ ll these lws! it is #se$#l to 'er in %ind
the ntit&"e to cere%onil clenness0 Bein)
cere%onill& clen to the 4ews %ent tht the& were
'le to "resent cce"t'le scri;ces nd to worshi"
?od0 It is not hrd to see wht this is $oreshdowin) in
the New 9o2ennt0 9ere%onil clenness is the t&"e!
while the ntit&"e in 9hrist is 'ein) clensed $ro% sin0
In order to "resent o#r li2es s li2in) scri;ces to ?od!
which is o#r s"irit#l worshi" Eto "r"hrse Ro%ns
*:F:G! we %#st 2oid 'ein) "oll#ted '& the world0 One
thin) which is %de cr&stl cler $ro% the Lw o$ Moses
is tht 3ee"in) o#r li$e $ree o$ sin is 2er& i%"ortnt to
?od0
4#st to )i2e $eelin) $or so%e o$ the r#les
re)rdin) #nclenness $or the Aronic "riests! consider
*>= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
list t3en $ro% Le2itic#s ch"ter twent&Ione0 In order
to 'e cere%onill& clen! nd there$ore 'le to %inister
'e$ore their ?od! the hi)h "riest ws not e2en llowed
in the roo% with ded "erson0 The& "riests were not
llowed to sh2e their heds or the ed)es o$ their
'erds0 CA "riest %#st not %3e hi%sel$ cere%onill&
#nclen0D E20 *G0 CThe& %#st 'e hol& to their ?od nd
%#st not "ro$ne the n%e o$ their ?od0D E20 >G0 The&
were not to %rr& wo%n who hd 'een "rostit#te
or hd 'een di2orced0 In the s%e ch"ter! the hi)h
"riest ws disB#li;ed $or ser2in) 'e$ore ?od $or n& o$
n#%'er o$ "h&sicl de$ects0 The list )oes on0 R#les
$or ll the "eo"le! not 5#st the "riests incl#ded s#ch
"rohi'itions s %tin) diLerent 3inds o$ ni%ls!
"lntin) ;elds with two 3inds o$ seeds! etin) %et
with 'lood still in it! nd so $orth0 There were lws
)inst cr#elt& to ni%ls! 2rio#s sorts o$ seH#l
reltions! s well s r#les $or delin) with re'ellio#s
children0 Mn& o$ these lws re "h&sicl
$oreshdowin)s o$ s"irit#l "rinci"les $or those who re
#nder the Lw o$ 9hrist0
All these re)#ltions re $oreshdows o$ the sort
o$ "#rit& nd $reedo% $ro% sin tht ?od eH"ects $ro%
his children #nder the second nd )reter co2ennt0
Re%e%'er tht the $or)i2en disci"le o$ 4es#s is "riest0
He or she %#st %3e e2er& "ossi'le eLort to 2oid
s"irit#l #nclenness0
E2er&one who con$esses the n%e o$
the Lord %#st t#rn w& $ro% wic3edness0
In lr)e ho#se there re rticles not
onl& o$ )old nd sil2er! '#t lso o$ wood
nd cl&J so%e re $or no'le "#r"oses nd
so%e $or i)no'le0 I$ %n clenses hi%sel$
$ro% the ltter! he will 'e n instr#%ent $or
no'le "#r"oses! %de hol&! #se$#l to the
Mster nd "re"red to do n& )ood wor30
Flee the e2il desires o$ &o#th! nd
"#rs#e ri)hteo#sness! $ith lo2e nd "ece
lon) with those who cll on the Lord o#t o$
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *>*
"#re hert0 E: Ti%oth& :F:=I::G0
The New Test%ent wrns re"etedl& )inst
'ein) "oll#ted '& the world0 CFor the )rce o$ ?od hs
""ered to ll %en0 It teches #s to s& RNoK to
#n)odliness nd world& "ssions nd to li2e sel$I
controlled! #"ri)ht nd )odl& li2es in this "resent )e0D
ETit#s :F**!*:G0 I$ the %#ltit#de o$ lws $or cere%onil
#nclenness %3es n&thin) cler to those who re in
9hrist! it is tht ?od eH"ects #s to %3e e2er& "ossi'le
eLort to $ree $ro% e2er& 3ind o$ sin nd i%"#rit&0
Altho#)h one cn list n#%'er o$ eH%"les o$
t&"e nd ntit&"e in s"eci;c lws )i2en t Sini which
re t&"es o$ s"irit#l "rinci"les lid down in the New
Test%ent! it is %ost i%"ortnt to )et the 'i) "ict#re0
Wht the co2ennts h2e in co%%on is tht #nder 'oth
dis"enstions! those who co%e 'e$ore ?od re
eH"ected to )i2e 2er& cre$#l ttention to re%inin)
hol&0 H2in) sid tht! in 'oth co2ennts ?od "ro2ided
w& to 'rid)e the )" Ect#ll& the %ssi2e chs%G
'etween the reB#ire%ent o$ holiness nd the ct#l
"er$or%nce o$ those who sincerel& tried to re%in
ri)hteo#s0 Under the $or%er co2ennt! 'lood scri;ce
ws "ro2ided to tone $or "h&sicl #nclenness E%n&
s"eci;cs o$ the scri;cil s&ste% will 'e )i2en in the
neHt ch"terG0 Under 9hrist! the 'lood o$ 4es#s is
"ro2ided to tone $or s"irit#l #nclenness0 The o2erll
sense one )ets in either cse is tht there is no eHc#se
$or #s will$#ll& sinnin)0
M& der children! I write this to &o#
so tht &o# will not sin0 B#t i$ n&one does
sin! we h2e one who s"e3s to the Fther
in o#r de$enseN4es#s 9hrist! the Ri)hteo#s
One0 He is the tonin) scri;ce $or o#r
sins! nd not onl& $or o#rs! '#t lso $or the
sins o$ the whole world0 E* 4ohn :F*!:G
Under the Lw o$ Moses! the "eo"le o$ ?od were
reB#ired to 3ee" cere%onill& clen0 ?od 3new tht
*>: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
the& wo#ld ne2er 'e 'le to $ollow his decrees
"er$ectl&! so he "ro2ided the scri;cil s&ste% t lest
in "rt to %3e #" $or the diLerence 'etween sincere
eLort nd "er$ection0 The scri;ces in the t'erncle
nd lter t the te%"le %de tone%ent with ?od so
tht his "eo"le co#ld 'e "h&sicll& 'lessed0 Si%ilrl&!
in 9hrist! his $ollowers re reB#ired to %3e e2er& eLort
to re%in s"irit#ll& clen! '#t ?od "ro2ides the
tonin) scri;ce o$ 4es#s 9hrist to tone $or the sins
tht e2en the %ost sincere 9hristin will ine2it'l&
co%%it0
"!OOD$ "!OOD AND MO#E "!OOD-
The t&"e nd ntit&"e reltionshi" 'etween the
two co2ennt lws hs $ew other lessons to tech #s0
Under the Lw o$ Moses! e2en wht wo#ld see%
%inor oLense reB#ired 'lood scri;ce0 In $ct! Isrel
ws reB#ired to oLer 'lood scri;ces $or #nintentionl
sins o$ which the& were not e2en wreM
I$ the whole Isrelite co%%#nit& sins
#nintentionll& nd does wht is $or'idden
in n& o$ the LORDKS co%%nds! e2en
tho#)h the co%%#nit& is #nwre o$ the
%tter! the& re )#ilt&0 When the& 'eco%e
wre o$ the sin the& co%%itted! the
sse%'l& %#st 'rin) &o#n) '#ll s sin
oLerin) nd "resent it 'e$ore the Tent o$
Meetin)0 The elders o$ the co%%#nit& re
to l& their hnds on the '#llKs hed 'e$ore
the LORD0 Then the ""ointed "riest is to
t3e so%e o$ the '#llKs 'lood into the Tent
o$ Meetin)0 He shll di" his ;n)er into the
'lood nd s"rin3le it 'e$ore the LORD se2en
ti%es in $ront o$ the c#rtin0 He is to "#t
so%e o$ the 'lood on the horns o$ the ltr
tht is 'e$ore the LORD in the Tent o$
Meetin)0 The rest o$ the 'lood he shll
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *>-
"o#r o#t t the 'se o$ the ltr o$ '#rnt
oLerin) t the entrnce to the Tent o$
Meetin)0 ELe2itic#s /F*-I*.G0
This is 2er& )r"hic scene0 Tr& to i%)ine the eLect
on those whose '#ll ws scri;ced0 Seein) the '#llKs
throt slit nd seein) the )llons o$ 'lood 'ein) s"illed
o#t %#st h2e %de 2er& stron) i%"ression on the
"eo"le! es"ecill& 'ec#se it ws $or sins the& were not
e2en wre o$0 Ne2er %ind the sins the& were 2er& well
wre o$0
Li3e ws sid 'e$ore! on the )ret scri;ce d&s
in 4er#sle% the Broo3 o$ 7idron rn red0 The %ess)e
is cler0 Sin cretes 2er& 'i) "ro'le% 'etween ?od
nd his "eo"le0 The "rice to 'rin) rede%"tion is der
indeed0 The "enlt& $or sin is deth0 No in$rction o$
?odKs lw is too s%ll to inc#r deth "enlt&0
For the li$e o$ e2er& cret#re is in the
'lood< ELe2itic#s *,F**G0
For the w)es o$ sin is deth<
ERo%ns >F:-G0
In $ct! the lw reB#ires tht nerl&
e2er&thin) 'e clensed with 'lood! nd
witho#t the sheddin) o$ 'lood there is no
$or)i2eness0 EHe'rews +F::G0
These "ss)es %3e P#lKs stte%ent tht the lw
leds #s to 9hrist t3e on % w$#l nd n weso%e
%enin)0 Sin is horri'le thin) in ?odKs e&es0 It is
2er& costl&0 The 'lood o$ '#lls 'ro#)ht cere%onil
clenness0 How %#ch )reter the 'lood o$ the
ntit&"eF 4es#s 9hrist0 It is tr)icll& es& $or those
who re $or)i2en '& the 'lood o$ 4es#s to $or)et the
incredi'le "rice t which the& were 'o#)ht0 It is e2en
esier to $or)et the "enlt& which stood o2er o#r heds0
One lie! one $#rti2e )lnce! one 5elo#s ct led to deth0
Thin3 o$ the 'lood s"#rtin) o#t s the '#ll dro""ed to
*>/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
its 3nees nd 'rethed its lst0 Thin3 o$ &o#rsel$ nd
&o#r sin0 Thin3 o$ the 'lood o$ 4es#s0
#OM &!AVE#1 TO #EEDOM
In so%e w&s the Lw o$ Moses teches 'o#t
the Lw o$ 9hrist '& thin)s which re si%ilr0 In other
w&s it teches #s 'o#t the Lw o$ 9hrist thro#)h
t&"es whose ntit&"es re nlo)o#s '#t in so%e sense
ct#ll& o""osite0 The Lw o$ Moses in2ol2ed
"rinci"ll& "h&sicl cti2ities which 'ro#)ht "rinci"ll&
"h&sicl 'lessin)s0 The Lw o$ 9hrist in2ol2es
"rinci"ll& s"irit#l cti2ities which 'rin) "rinci"ll&
s"irit#l 'lessin)s0 As eH%"le! the Lw o$ Moses
reB#ired 2er& cre$#ll& de;ned! re)#lted cti2ities0
The ntit&"e! the Lw o$ 9hrist! clls $or worshi" 'sed
not "rinci"ll& on cere%on& nd re)#lted cti2it&! '#t
on the hert nd on lo2in) reltionshi"0 To tht
eHtent! the ntit&"e is o""osite to the t&"e0 To "#t it in
2er& stron) ter%s! the Old 9o2ennt i%"lied sl2er&!
while the New 9o2ennt i%"lies $reedo%0 Mn&
eH%"les o$ this "rinci"le co#ld 'e )i2en0
For eH%"le! #nder the Old 9o2ennt! worshi"
ws in )enerl hi)hl& re)#lted! in2olin) %#ch
cere%on&0 Priests hd wellIde;ned o#t;ts to wer!
dtes o$ reli)io#s cere%onies were ;Hed! who hd wht
role in worshi" ws deter%ined t lest in "rt '& 'irth0
The Psso2er ceder in2ol2ed de;nite rit#l0 Yo%
7i""#r in2ol2ed the "riests "er$or%in) cre$#ll&
choreo)r"hed series o$ ste"s E%ore on tht in ch"ter
se2enG0 The r#les $or worshi" on the Old Test%ent
h2e s their ntit&"e $reedo% o$ $or% in worshi"0 The
New 9o2ennt is not co%"letel& witho#t rit#l! s it
incl#des the LordKs S#""er0 Howe2er! 'e&ond tht!
worshi" s descri'ed in the New Test%ent is
%6in)l& o"enIended0 The "riest o$ the New 9o2ennt
%& "r& n& ti%e he or she wnts0 No cere%on& is
reB#ired to co%e directl& 'e$ore the throne o$ ?od0 No
s"ecil )r%ents re reB#ired0 ?od "ro2ides 2irt#ll&
no s"eci;c co%%nds $or the "#'lic worshi"! other thn
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *>8
tht it sho#ld 'e reson'l& orderl&0 CB#t e2er&thin)
sho#ld 'e done in ;ttin) nd orderl& w&0D E*
9orinthins*/F/=G0 It wo#ld ""er tht the New
9o2ennt in2ol2es %ore tr#st on ?odKs "rt concernin)
o#r worshi" o$ hi%0 It in2ol2es $reedo%0 CThis is the
co2ennt I will %3e with the%< I will "#t %& lw in
their %inds nd write it on their herts0D E4ere%ih
-*F--G0
The Lw o$ Moses reB#ired contri'#tion $ro% the
welth which ?od )2e to his "eo"le! '#t tht
contri'#tion ws cre$#ll& de;ned0 CBe s#re to set
side tenth o$ ll tht &o#r ;elds "rod#ce ech &er0D
EDe#terono%& */F::G0 Des"ite so%e who h2e tried to
i%"ose Old 9o2ennt tithin) s r#le $or those #nder
the New 9o2ennt! the $ct is tht the stndrd $or
those in 9hrist is to )i2e scri;cill& ccordin) to wht
the worshi""ers decides in their hert to )i2e0 CEch
%n sho#ld )i2e wht he hs decided in his hert to
)i2e! not rel#ctntl&! or #nder co%"#lsion! $or ?od
lo2es cheer$#l )i2er0D E: 9orinthins +F,G0 There is
)ret $reedo% here0 ?od tr#sts those #nder the New
9o2ennt to decide $or the%sel2es wht to )i2e0
Ho"e$#ll& the& will "ro2e his tr#st to 'e well "lcedM
Under the Old 9o2ennt! ti%es o$ rest! reQection
nd %edittion #"on ?od were re)#lted nd e2en
en$orced0 All were reB#ired to t3e wee3l& ti%e $ro%
their '#s& sched#le to o'ser2e S''thIrest to ?od0
This ws rell& )ood ide on ?odKs "rt0 CO'ser2e
the S''th! 'ec#se it is hol& to &o#0 An&one who
desecrtes it %#st 'e "#t to dethJ whoe2er does n&
wor3 on tht d& %#st 'e c#t oL $ro% his "eo"le0D
EEHod#s -*F*/G0 A""rentl&! o#r h#%n tendenc& is to
not rel& on ?od! '#t rther o#r own 'ilit& to wor3 to
t3e cre o$ o#r "h&sicl needs0 This wo#ld hel"
eH"lin wh& ?od ttched s#ch stron) wrnin)s to
o'ser2tion o$ the S''th0 O#r %odern word
s''ticl co%es $ro% the He'rew root0 E2en o#r own
instit#tions reco)ni6e the need $or ti%e to rest nd
reQect0
?odKs "eo"le were reB#ired to o'ser2e S''th
*>> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
&ers s well0
CFor siH &ers sow &o#r ;elds! nd $or
siH &ers "r#ne &o#r 2ine&rds nd )ther
their cro"s0 B#t in the se2enth &er the
lnd is to h2e S''th rest! S''th to
the Lord<0 Whte2er the lnd &ields d#rin)
the S''th &er will 'e $ood $or &o#N$or
&o#rsel$! &o#r %nser2nt nd
%idser2nt! nd the hired wor3er nd
te%"orr& resident who li2e %on) &o#! s
well s $or &o#r li2estoc3 nd the wild
ni%ls in &o#r lnd0D ELe2itic#s
:8F-!/!>!,G0
One cn i%)ine it too3 )ret del o$ $ith to o'ser2e
S''thI&er0 It is not nt#rl $or h#%n 'ein)s to
sto" tillin) nd sowin) nd to si%"l& rel& on the
'lessin)s o$ ?od $or ll o#r s#stennce! "rtic#lrl& $or
n entire &er0
Not onl& this! '#t e2er& ;$tieth &er! ?od
reB#ired in the Lw o$ Moses tht his "eo"le t3e
4#'ilee &er0 The 4#'ilee ws n eHtr &er o$ rest nd
relince on ?od on to" o$ the S''th &ers0 At this
ti%e! the "eo"le were reB#ired to relese their sl2es
nd cncel ll de'ts Esee Le2itic#s :8F.I8 $or detils on
the &er o$ 5#'ileeG0 Two &ers in row witho#t sowin)
nd re"in) reB#ired )ret $ith indeed! es"ecill& $or
those who hd '#ilt #" welth thro#)h ownin) "eo"le
nd thro#)h lonin) %one&0
In ll these lws! ?od ws tellin) Isrel
so%ethin) 'o#t rest nd relince on hi%! '#t he is
tellin) #s so%ethin) s well0 Under the second
co2ennt! we h2e $reedo% in 9hrist0 ?od does not
"rescri'e set S''th d& or &er $or those who re in
9hrist0 Yet! ?od still eH"ects #s to li2e li$e o$ rest nd
de"endence #"on hi%0 C9o%e to %e ll &o# who re
wer& nd '#rdened! nd I will )i2e &o# rest0 T3e %&
&o3e #"on &o# nd lern $ro% %e! $or I % )entle nd
h#%'le in hert! nd &o# will ;nd rest $or &o#r so#ls0D
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *>,
EMtthew **F:.!:+G0 This is not s#))estion '#t
co%%nd%ent o$ 4es#s0 A)in! we see tht the
ntit&"e to the S''th is less de;ned nd rit#listic0
?od is tr#stin) o#r hert nd o#r lo2e $or hi% to c#se
#s to $#l;ll the reB#ire%ent o$ the Old 9o2ennt in
$reedo% $ro% re)#ltion0 I$ &o# cll &o#rsel$ disci"le
o$ 4es#s! how re &o# doin) in this reA Hs ?odKs
tr#st in &o# 'orn $r#it in &o#r li$e s &o# $#ll& tr#st in
hi%A Do &o# str#))le to cr2e o#t B#iet! rest$#l ti%es
with ?od in &o#r '#s& sched#leA Do &o# llow the
"#rs#it o$ ;nncil sec#rit& to crowd o#t si%"l&
en5o&in) li$e s s2ed "ersonA
Mn& other eH%"les co#ld 'e )i2en o$ lws!
r#les nd re)#ltions #nder the ;rst co2ennt 'ein)
t&"e with the ntit&"e in 9hrist in2ol2in) the s%e
conce"t onl& 'sed on $reedo% nd tr#st on ?odKs "rt0
We sho#ld 'e thn3$#l tht CHe sets side the ;rst to
est'lish the second0D EHe'rews *=F+G0 Wh& did ?od do
thisA Bec#se the Lw o$ Moses ws not 'sed on $ith0
Tr#e! lo2in)! tr#stin) $ith which leds to o'edience ws
?odKs desire $ro% the 'e)innin)0
All who rel& on o'ser2in) the lw re
#nder c#rse! $or it is writtenF C9#rsed is
e2er&one who does not contin#e to do
e2er&thin) written in the Boo3 o$ the Lw0D
EB#otin) H'33#3 :F/G0 9lerl& no one is
5#sti;ed 'e$ore ?od '& the lw! 'ec#se
CThe ri)hteo#s will li2e '& $ith0D The lw is
not 'sed on $ithJ on the contrr&! CThe
%n who does these thin)s will li2e '&
the%0D 9hrist redee%ed #s $ro% the c#rse
o$ the lw '& 'eco%in) c#rse $or #s<
E?ltins -F*=I*-G0
This is 2er& stron) ln)#)e! '#t it is the hert o$ the
%tter0 It is the hert o$ the )os"el0 It is the hert o$
the New 9o2ennt0 The t&"e ws intended since 'e$ore
?od set it #" to wor3 onl& s shdow! t#tor!
school %ster! to led #s to the ntit&"eJ Cthe lw o$
*>. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
the S"irit o$ li$eD which Cset %e $ree $ro% the lw o$ sin
nd deth0D ERo%ns .F:G0
P#l "#ts this conce"t in e2en stron)er ter%s in
9olossins :F*-I*,! where ?od s&s to those who were
$or%erl& #nder the Lw o$ MosesF
When &o# were ded in &o#r sins nd
in the #ncirc#%cision o$ &o#r sin$#l nt#re!
?od %de &o# li2e with 9hrist0 He
$or)2e #s ll o#r sins! having cancelled the
written code* with its regulations tht ws
)inst #s nd tht stood o""osed to #sJ he
too3 it w&! nilin) it to the cross0 And
h2in) disr%ed the "owers nd
#thorities! he %de "#'lic s"ectcle o$
the%! tri#%"hin) o2er the% '& the cross0
There$ore do not let n&one 5#d)e &o# '&
wht &o# et or drin3 or with re)rd to
reli)io#s $esti2l! New Moon cele'rtion
or S''th d&0 These are a shadow of
the things that were to comeJ the relit&!
howe2er! is $o#nd in 9hrist0
As )ret s the Lw )i2en t Sini ws! in the ;nl
nl&sis it led to sl2er&0 It stood o""osed to #s! not
'ec#se ?od is o""osed to #s! '#t 'ec#se we needed
to 'e t#)ht tht
PREFI?URE IN THE LAW OF
MOSES
REALI1ATION IN THE LAW
OF 9HRIST
O'edience to "h&sicll&
de;ned r#les reB#ired0
O'edience to s"irit#l
"rinci"les reB#ired0
Ph&sicl 'lessin)s
"ro%ised0
S"irit#l 'lessin)s
"ro%ised0
9ere%onil #nclenness0 Sin nd se"rtion $ro%
?od0
Scri;ce 'rid)es the Scri;ce 'rid)es the
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *>+
chs% 'etween lw nd
eLort0
chs% 'etween lw nd
eLort0
Seled with the 'lood o$
'#lls nd )ots0
Seled with the 'lood o$
4es#s 9hrist0
Medited '& Hi)h Priest0 Medited '& THE Hi)h
Priest! 4es#s 9hrist0
Lws! r#les nd
re)#ltions $or 'eh2ior0
Beh2ior 'sed on s"irit#l
"rinci"le nd lo2e0
Tithin)0 Scri;ce nd )i2in) $ro%
the hert0
S''th0 9o%e<0 I will )i2e &o#
rest0 Rel&in) on 4es#s0
Deth0 Li$e0
sl2tion thro#)h h#%n eLort is worse thn 2in0 It is
the hei)ht o$ rro)nce0 A reltionshi" with ?od hs
lw&s 'een nd lw&s will 'e 'sed on the lo2e nd
)rce o$ the l%i)ht& ?od0 Here P#l sttes in no
#ncertin ter%s tht ?od ne2er intended the Lw o$
Moses to 'e the ;nl word! '#t onl& shdow
E$oreshdowG o$ wht he intended ll lon) to oLer in
9hrist0 Let #s 'e t#)ht '& the Lw o$ Moses to "#t the
$#ll wei)ht o$ o#r tr#st in the lo2e! the scri;ce! nd the
)rce o$ 4es#s 9hrist0
&*MMA#1
Th#nder! li)htnin) nd thic3 clo#d o2er the
%o#ntinJ s%o3e! sh3in) o$ the erth nd the so#nd o$
tr#%"etJ ll co%'ine to tell #s tht the lw )i2en to
?odKs "eo"le thro#)h Moses t Sini ws tr#l&
wonder$#l nd weso%e thin)0 As )ret s the Lw o$
Moses ws! ?od intended it ll lon) to 'e %ere
$oreshdow o$ the $r %ore wonder$#l New 9o2ennt in
9hrist0
The $or%er co2ennt ws indeB#te in tht it
ws 'sed on h#%n eLort nd "h&sicll& #n'le%ished
*,= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
scri;ces! rther thn on the 'lood o$ the #n'le%ished
li$e o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 Ne2ertheless! the Lw o$ Moses
ser2ed )ret "#r"ose0 It led #s to 9hrist0 Ph&sicl
'lessin) 'sed on #nchie2'le "er$ect o'edience )2e
w& to s"irit#l 'lessin) 'sed o"on relince on the
onl& one who e2er li2ed "er$ect li$eF 4es#s 9hrist0
The Old 9o2ennt! s )lorio#s s it ws! 'ro#)ht
onl& deth! while the New 9o2ennt 'rin)s li$eJ
Now i$ the %inistr& tht 'ro#)ht
deth! which ws en)r2ed in letters on
stone! c%e with )lor&! so tht the
Isrelites co#ld not loo3 stedil& t the $ce
o$ Moses 'ec#se o$ its )lor&! $din)
tho#)h it ws! will not the %inistr& o$ the
S"irit 'e e2en %ore )lorio#sA I$ the
%inistr& tht conde%ns %en is )lorio#s!
how %#ch %ore )lorio#s is the %inistr&
tht 'rin)s ri)hteo#snessM For wht ws
)lorio#s hs no )lor& now in co%"rison
with the s#r"ssin) )lor&0 And i$ wht ws
$din) w& c%e with )lor&! how %#ch
)reter is the )lor& o$ tht which lstsM E:
9orinthins -F,I**G0
The $din) w& o$ the )low on MosesK $ce shows #s
tht the New 9o2ennt! which is $oreshdowed '& the
Old! is n weso%e thin)! '#t one which wo#ld $de
with ti%e0 Ho"e$#ll& we! in the li)ht o$ the )os"el o$
4es#s! will 'e 'le to see the )lor& o$ the )os"el clerl&!
$or P#l s&s o$ the 4ews tht! Ctheir %inds were %de
d#ll! $or to this d& the s%e 2eil re%ins when the old
co2ennt is red<0B#t whene2er n&one t#rns to the
Lord! the 2eil is t3en w&D E: 9orinthins -F*/!*>G0
Those who tr#l& 'ehold 9hrist co%e into the li)ht o$ the
)lor& o$ ?od0
Thro#)h the lw )i2en t Sini! ?od t#)ht #s
tht %ore thn n&thin) else! he wnts reltionshi"
with his "eo"le0 He t#)ht #s tht sin is terri'le
thin)! res#ltin) in deth nd se"rtion0 The Lw o$
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *,*
Moses teches #s tht there is 'sol#tel& no roo% $or
c2lier ttit#de towrd o#r own sin0 Ne2ertheless!
thro#)h the Old 9o2ennt! ?od told #s tht the %i)ht&
chs% se"rtin) o#r own l%ost "iti$#l eLort t
"er$ection ws to 'e crossed thro#)h the 'lood scri;ce
o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 No lon)er is o#r reltionshi" with ?od
'sed on sl2er& to set o$ r#les we co#ld ne2er o'e&
"er$ectl&0 It is 'sed on the "er$ect lw o$ $reedo% in
9hrist0 The Lw o$ Moses ws )ret! '#t the Lw o$
9hrist is in;nitel& )reter0 Let #s re5oice to)ether with
P#l s he declresF
There$ore! there is now no
conde%ntion $or those who re in 9hrist
4es#s! $or thro#)h 9hrist 4es#s the lw o$
the S"irit o$ Li$e set %e $ree $ro% the lw o$
sin nd deth0 ERo%ns .F*!:G0
Thn3s 'e to ?od thro#)h 4es#s 9hrist o#r Lord0
Therefore I urge you*
brothers* in view of 2od9s
mercy to oCer your bodies
as living sacri4ces* holy
and pleasing to 2od
*,: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
which is your spiritual
worship.
#omans ."
>
Old Test%ent Rit#l Scri;ce Points
to New Test%ent Scri;ce
One e2enin) chic3en nd "i) were h2in)
dee" disc#ssion 'o#t 're3$st the neHt d& t
Fr%er BrownKs0 The chic3en sid! CFr%er Brown 5#st
doesnKt ""recite the scri;ce we %3e $or his
're3$st0 He 5#st t3es #s $or )rnted0D The "i)
re"lied! Cscri;ceJ &o# 3now nothin) 'o#t scri;ce0D
Rit#l scri;ce ws not new conce"t when Moses
'ro#)ht the Lw to ?odKs "eo"le t Sini0
Archeolo)icl e2idence tells #s tht the ide o$ t3in)
n o'5ect o$ 2l#e nd oLerin) it #" in order to ""ese
so%e sort o$ s#""osed )reter "ower is n ide l%ost
s old s h#%nit&0 In order to ""ese the n)er o$
so%e )od or )ods! "eo"le h2e oLered their %ost
"ri6ed "ossessions! e2en their own children! t ltrs
de2oted to 'ein)s o$ their own i%)intion0 When P#l
entered Athens! he sw ltrs de2oted to n& n#%'er
o$ )ods incl#din) nonI?ree3 )ods s#ch s Ishtr nd
Isis s well s %n& o$ the ?ree3 )ods! nd o$ co#rse!
Athen0 In $ct! 5#st to co2er the%sel2es! the& e2en
hd n ltr with the inscri"tion! CTO AN UN7NOWN
?OD0D EActs *,F:-G0
Scri;ce hs lw&s 'een 'o#t )i2in) #"
so%ethin) o$ "ersonl 2l#e in order to eH"ress the
sincerit& o$ the )i2er nd in order to o'tin the $2or o$
the one to who% the scri;ce is oLered0 Howe2er!
thro#)ho#t h#%n histor&! the "ro'le% hd lw&s
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *,-
'een tht the sincerit& o$ the )i2er did not h2e the
"ower to ""ese )od which did not eHist0 It is
"iti$#l thin) to conte%"lte the %o#nt o$ 'lood nd
s%o3e de2oted o2er the cent#ries in des"ertion o#t o$
the $er o$ the #n3nown to cretions o$ h#%n $nts&0
The eHistence o$ scri;cil s&ste%s %on)st
2irt#ll& e2er& h#%n c#lt#re since 'e$ore the dwn o$
histor& tells #s tht it is so%ehow inherent in h#%n
nt#re to 'elie2e tht scri;ce is needed to chie2e
ri)ht reltionshi" with tht "ower which controls o#r
destin&0 It is ?od who "#t this instinct into the h#%n
hert0 In ll this! ?od ws "re"rin) the h#%n hert
nd %ind to cce"t the scri;ces ordined in the Lw
o$ Moses0 E2en %ore so! ?od ws cretin) #s to
recei2e nd to oLer the scri;ces co%%nded in the
New Test%ent! the )retest o$ which! o$ co#rse! is the
scri;ce o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 The scri;ce o$ 4es#s 9hrist on
the cross ws neither n ccident nor n $tertho#)ht
on the "rt o$ ?od0 4es#s is Cthe L%' o$ ?od! slin
$ro% the cretion o$ the world0D ERe2eltion *-F.G O$
co#rse the s3e"tic hs e2er& ri)ht to B#estion this
cli%! '#t the e2idence o$ t&"e nd ntit&"e $o#nd in
this ch"ter will "ro2e 'e&ond reson'le do#'t tht
the ?od who ins"ired the writin) o$ the Bi'le hd these
scri;ces in %ind $ro% the 'e)innin)0
Scri;ces co%%nded in the New Test%entA
Which scri;ces re thoseA I do not re%e%'er n&
scri;ces ordined in the New Test%ent0 In this
section we will see tht ech one o$ the scri;ces
descri'ed in detil in the lw )i2en t Sini ws
intended to ntici"te nd to tech 'o#t n i%"ortnt
s"ect o$ scri;ce s $#l;lled in their ntit&"es in the
New Test%ent0
It wo#ld 'e s$e to s& tht )ood %5orit& o$
9hristins 'eco%e lost in the detils when the& red
wht %& see% li3e con$#sin) rr& o$ scri;ces
descri'ed in the Old Test%ent Lw! es"ecill& in
Le2itic#s0 S#rel& %ost Bi'le reders h2e s3ed
the%sel2es wh& ?od "#t ll tht detil in there0 ?od
cnnot eH"ect #s to )et n&thin) o#t o$ ll this0 Wron)M
*,/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
Tres"ss oLerin)s! sin oLerin)s! '#rnt oLerin)s! drin3
oLerin)s! )rin oLerin)s! thn3 oLerin)s0 Were the
4ews 'le to 3ee" ll this stri)htA The nswer is
'sol#tel& &es0 The Mosic scri;cil s&ste% to the
4ews ws 'it li3e the )%e o$ 'se'll to the 2er)e
A%ericn0 For n&one rised in c#lt#re #n$%ilir
with the )%e! 'se'll is con$#sin) set o$ see%in)l&
%enin)less r#les0 Howe2er! $or %ost A%ericns
'se'll is "rt o$ dil& li$e! #nderstood nd t3en $or
)rnted '& ll0 The s%e wo#ld ""l& to the scri;cil
s&ste% nd the 4ews0 For #s it %& see% con$#sin)
rr& o$ see%in)l& %enin)less r#les! '#t $or the 4ews
d#rin) the ti%e 'e$ore 9hrist it ws "rt o$ dil& li$e!
#nderstood nd t3en $or )rnted '& llN ntionl
"ssIti%e0
The scri;cil s&ste% )i2en #nder the ;rst
co2ennt ws o$ )ret si)ni;cnce to the 4ews0 The&
#nderstood tht thro#)h oLerin) these scri;ces the&
were 'le to 3ee" ri)ht reltionshi" with their ?od
nd to li2e 'lessed li$e #nder the "rotection o$
4eho2h0 The scri;ces t the te%"le were t the hert
o$ 4#dis%0 Howe2er! ll lon) ?od intended the% to
'e $oreshdowin) o$ so%ethin) $r )reter $or those
who wo#ld co%e to h2e reltionshi" with hi% #nder
the second co2ennt in 4es#s 9hrist0
The 'lood o$ )ots nd '#lls nd the shes
o$ hei$er s"rin3led on those who re
cere%onill& #nclen sncti$& the% so tht the&
re o#twrdl& clen0 How %#ch %ore! then! will
the 'lood o$ 9hrist! who thro#)h the eternl
S"irit oLered hi%sel$ #n'le%ished to ?od!
clense
o#r consciences $ro% cts tht led to deth! so
tht
we %& ser2e the li2in) ?odM EHe' +F*-!*/G0
I$ the Mosic scri;ces h2e $#ller si)ni;cnce
to #s thn to the 4ews! s#rel& it is worth the eLort to
#nderstnd wht ?od is tr&in) to tech #s! e2en i$ it
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *,8
%ens slo))in) thro#)h $ew detils to rech tht
end0 Belie2e it or not! it is esier to #nderstnd the
scri;cil s&ste% in Le2itic#s nd its si)ni)icnce to
$ollowers o$ 4es#s thn it is to #nderstnd the )%e o$
'se'llM
THE LE(ITI9AL SA9RIFI9IAL SYSTEM
It will 'e hel"$#l to )o thro#)h )enerl
introd#ction to the scri;ces ordined #nder the Lw o$
Moses 'e$ore descri'in) t&"e nd ntit&"e in the two
test%ents0 To 'e)in with! the reder %& 'e
s#r"rised to 3now tht not ll the scri;ces "er$or%ed
'& the "riests were $or $or)i2eness o$ sins Eor the ;rst
co2ennt eB#i2lentJ cere%onil clennessG0 One cn
di2ide the scri;ces into those which were $or worshi"
nd those which were intended to del with sin0
Another w& to descri'e the di2ision is those scri;ces
which were $or worshi" o$ ?od nd those which %de it
"ossi'le to worshi" ?od in the ;rst "lce0
When redin) 'o#t the scri;ces in Le2itic#s!
there is stri)ht$orwrd w& to 3now whether one is
redin) 'o#t scri;ce intended s worshi" or one
which is $or delin) with indi2id#l or cor"orte sin0
The 'oo3 o$ Le2itic#s is consistent in descri'in) the
worshi" scri;ces s Cn ro%! "lesin) to the LORD0D
For eH%"le! consider Le2itic#s *F+! Le2itic#s :F: nd
Le2itic#s -F80 The scri;ces $or sin de;nitel& were not
"lesin) ro% to ?od nd the& re ne2er descri'ed
tht w&0 On the contrr&! the& in2ol2e thin)s which
?od htes0 Le2itic#s ch"ters $o#r nd ;2e do not
%ention n&thin) 'o#t sin scri;ces "lesin) ?od0
The distinction 'etween the two t&"es o$ scri;ce is
lso reco)ni6ed in the New Test%ent0 CE2er& hi)h
"riest is selected $ro% %on) %en nd is ""ointed to
re"resent the% in %tters relted to ?od! to oLer )i$ts
nd scri;ces $or sins0D EHe'rews 8F*G0 In this cse! the
C)i$tsD re the sweetIs2or! worshi" scri;ces! while
the Cscri;ces $or sinsD wo#ld 'e the sin oLerin)s0
It is trditionl to se"rte the scri;ces
*,> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
descri'ed in Le2itic#s nd elsewhere into ;2e %in
t&"es! with the other scri;ces s s#'cte)ories0 The
three %in sweet s2or scri;ces were the '#rnt
oLerin) Eolah in He'rewG! the )rin oLerin) EminchahG!
nd the $ellowshi" oLerin) EshelemG0 The two scri;ces
which were intended '& ?od to del with sin re the sin
oLerin) EchatatG nd the tres"ss oLerin) EashamG0
The detils o$ these scri;ces! their "#r"ose in the Old
9o2ennt nd their ntit&"e %enin) in the New
Test%ent re the %in s#'5ect o$ this ch"ter0
Other oLerin)s co#ld 'e %entioned s well0 One
o$ these is the drin3 oLerin) Enese& in He'rewG0 This
oLerin) ws #s#ll& )i2en lon) with one o$ the
worshi" oLerin)s0 Bec#se the drin3 oLerin) ws
lw&s incl#ded when 4ews )2e )rin oLerin)! it is
o$ten not %entioned s one o$ the ;2e "rinci"le
oLerin)s nd is listed #nder the )rin oLerin)0 There
re s#'Icte)ories #nder the $ellowshi" oLerin) s
well0 One o$ these is the thn3IoLerin) Eo$ten clled
the "ece oLerin)G0 Another is the 2ow oLerin)! while
third is the $reeIwill oLerin)0 These three scri;ces
re 2er& si%ilrJ diLerin) %inl& in the intention o$ the
worshi""er0 In $ct! the trditionl n%e $or these
scri;ces )i2es w& their "#r"ose0
Ech o$ these scri;ces were to 'e %de! either
t the t'erncle or lter! t the Te%"le in 4er#sle%0
Ech o$ these scri;ces were "er$or%ed '& "riests $ro%
the line o$ Aron! ltho#)h the 4ewish worshi""er ws
occsionll& llowed to t3e "rt in t lest "rt o$ the
cere%on&! es"ecill& in the worshi" scri;ces0 So%e o$
these scri;ces were to 'e oLered on re)#lr 'sis!
either dil&! or wee3l& or t New Moon $esti2l or one
o$ the other ordined $esti2ls0 Others were to 'e
oLered whene2er the need or desire on the "rt o$ one
o$ the 4ews c%e #"0
A secondr& )ol o$ this ch"ter is to se"rte
nd descri'e ech o$ the scri;ces so tht the reder
cn #nderstnd the 4ewish "ers"ecti2e on the scri;cil
s&ste%0 The "rinci"le )ol! o$ co#rse! is to show how
ech o$ these scri;ces were intended '& ?od to tech
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *,,
#s 'o#t s"ects o$ scri;ce to ?od #nder the New
9o2ennt0 Ech o$ the scri;ces will 'e descri'ed in
detil! lon) with their New Test%ent i%"lictions0
The worshi" scri;ces will 'e delt with ;rst 'ec#se!
$or whte2er reson! ?od chose to "#t the% ;rst in the
'oo3 o$ Le2itic#s0 We will see tht the sin scri;ces
"re;)#re the scri;cil %inistr& o$ 4es#s0 The worshi"
scri;ces will tech #s 'o#t "ersonl scri;ce in o#r
dil& li2es nd s"eci;cll& 'o#t those %de '& o#r
)retest eH%"le! 4es#s 9hrist0
THE BURNT OFFERIN? EolahG
The '#rnt oLerin) is descri'ed in Le2itic#s
ch"ter one0 As lred& %entioned! this ws scri;ce
o$ worshi"N sweet s2or oLerin)0 This oLerin) ws in
)enerl 2ol#ntr&! ltho#)h '#rnt oLerin)s were lso
)i2en rit#ll& $or the whole co%%#nit& twice d& Esee
N#%'ers :.G0 For the 4ew! the '#rnt oLerin)
re"resented 2ol#ntr& dediction or co%%it%ent to
the Lord0 ?od s3ed the 4ews to t3e 2l#ed
"ossession nd literll& '#rn it #" on n ltr de2oted
to hi%0 This scri;ce s"e3s 2ol#%es 'o#t totl
co%%it%ent nd dediction0 Once &o# '#rn #" &o#r
"ossessions! there is certinl& no )ettin) the% 'c30
The '#rnt scri;ce %intins the s%e ntit&"e
%enin) in the New Test%ent s well! s we will see0
The detils o$ the "er$or%nce o$ this scri;ce
%& 'e s#%%ri6ed s $ollows0 The '#rnt oLerin) ws
to 'e n ni%l o$ the herd E '#llG or the Qoc3 E
shee"G! or $or "oor "erson! 'ird co#ld 'e
s#'stit#ted0 The worshi""er ;rst lid his hnds on the
hed o$ the scri;ce to s&%'oli6e tht the oLerin)
re"resented hi%sel$0 The ni%l hd to 'e witho#t
de$ect0 It ws then scri;ced nd the 'lood ws
s"rin3led on the ltr0 The hed ws '#rned entire s
is! while the 'od& ws 2er& thoro#)hl& wshed 'e$ore
lso '#rnin) it on the ltr0 CIt is '#rnt oLerin)! n
oLerin) %de '& ;re! n ro% "lesin) to the LORD0D
ELe2itic#s *F*-G When the '#rnt oLerin) ws co%"lete!
*,. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
there ws nothin) le$t '#t shes0
The '#rnt oLerin) held dee" si)ni;cnce to the
4ews0 It re"resented $or the% totl dediction o$ the
li$e nd hert to 4eho2h0 It is lso loded with
%enin) nd $oreshdow $or those #nder the New
9o2ennt0 Bec#se it is sweet s2or scri;ce! it
'ers si)ni)icnce 'oth $or the scri;ce o$ 4es#s nd $or
o#r own "ersonl scri;ce0
It is not %ere coincidence tht in the '#rnt
oLerin) the hed ws not clensed! while the 'od& ws
thoro#)hl& clened0 This is 'ec#se this scri;ce is
$oreshdowin) o$ the scri;ce nd dediction o$ 4es#s
9hrist nd o$ his ch#rch to ?od0 4es#s is the hed o$
the ch#rch0
And ?od "lced ll thin)s #nder his $eet
nd ""ointed hi% to 'e hed o2er e2er&thin)
$or the ch#rch! which is his 'od&! the $#llness o$
hi% who ;lls e2er&thin) in e2er& w&0
EE"hesins *F::!:-G0
Insted! s"e3in) the tr#th in lo2e! we will
in ll thin)s )row #" into the Hed! tht is 9hrist0
EE"hesins /F*8G0
<s 9hrist lo2ed the ch#rch nd )2e
hi%sel$ #" $or her to %3e her hol&! cleansing
her
'& the wshin) with wter thro#)h the word! nd
to "resent her to hi%sel$ s rdint ch#rch<0
A$ter ll! no one e2er hted his own 'od&! '#t he
$eeds nd cres $or it! 5#st s 9hrist does the
ch#rchN$or we re %e%'ers o$ his 'od&0
EE"hesins 8F:8I-=G0
4es#s certinl& "resented hi%sel$ to ?od s
'#rnt oLerin)0 Yet he! s the hed o$ the 'od&! did not
need clensin)! s he ws witho#t sin0 Howe2er! the
'od&! re"resentin) the 'od& o$ 9hrist! the ch#rch!
needed clensin)0 The Aronic "riests "ro''l& were
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *,+
not wre o$ the "ower$#l i%)er& nd "ro"hec& in the
wshin) o$ the 'od& '#t not the hed! '#t ?od hd
so%ethin) in %ind ll lon)0
In his li$eti%e! 4es#s "resented his own 'od& s
li2in) scri;ce0 We re not tl3in) here 'o#t his deth
'#t his life s n oLerin)0
Be i%ittors o$ ?od! there$ore! s derl&
lo2ed children nd li2e li$e o$ lo2e! 5#st s
9hrist lo2ed #s nd )2e hi%sel$ #" $or #s s
$r)rnt oLerin) nd scri;ce to ?od0
EE"hesins 8F*!:G0
In this "ss)e! P#l is %3in) re$erence to the
'#rnt oLerin)0 Notice tht he is re$errin) to $r)rnt
oLerin) nd )i2in) #" o$ hi%sel$0 The "oint is tht
4es#s oLered his li$e s s totl dediction to ?od $or
o#r s3e nd tht we o#)ht to oLer o#rsel2es to ?od s
'#rnt oLerin) scri;ce o$ lo2e s well0
?od is s3in) $or the s%e '#rnt oLerin) $ro%
#s! ltho#)h we need wshin) 'e$ore we re "re"red
to )i2e itM The '#rnt oLerin) is not 'o#t sl2tion0 It
is not CreB#ired0D It is 2ol#ntr& dediction o$ onesel$
to ?odN thin) which is 2er& "lesin) to ?od0 Loo3 t
Ro%ns *:F*!:0 It t3es on whole new nd $#ller
%enin) in this conteHtF
There$ore! I #r)e &o#! 'rothers! in 2iew o$
?odKs %erc&! to oLer &o#r 'odies s li2in)
scri;ces!
hol& nd "lesin) to ?odNthis is your spiritual
act
o$ worshi"0
The re$erence to the '#rnt oLerin) is cler! s is
the ""liction to those #nder the New 9o2ennt0 ?od
is cllin) #s to %3e '#rnt oLerin) o$ o#r li2es! not in
order to 'e clensed! '#t 'ec#se we h2e 'een
clensed0 Note he s&s Cin 2iew o$ ?odKs %erc&0D In
other words! )i2en tht 4es#s hs lred& clensed #s
*.= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
nd "re"red #s $or the '#rnt oLerin)! let #s co%e to
?od nd "resent o#r li2es on the ltr o$ o#r $ith in
totl dediction nd lo2e to hi%0 This is onl&
reson'le res"onse0 H2e &o# "resented &o#r li$e s
li2in) scri;ceA Are &o# holdin) 'c3 so%ethin)A It
is not %tter o$ sl2tion '#t %tter o$ lo2e nd
res"onse to tht lo2e0 Are &o# willin) to h2e &o#r li$e
#sed #" $or ?od! le2in) onl& "ile o$ shes here on
the erthA I$ so! 3now tht it will 'e "lesin) ro%
to o#r ?od0
O#r ttit#de o#)ht to 'e the s%e s tht o$
P#lJ
I e)erl& eH"ect nd ho"e tht I will in no
w& 'e sh%ed! '#t will h2e s#@cient co#r)e
so tht now! s lw&s! 9hrist will 'e eHlted in
%& 'od&! whether '& li$e or '& deth0 For %e to
li2e is 9hrist nd to die is )in0 I$ I % to )o on
li2in) in the 'od&! this will %en $r#it$#l l'or $or
%e0 EPhili""ins *F:=I::G0
P#lKs sincere ho"e ws tht his 'od& nd his li$e
co#ld 'e "resented s n oLerin) to ?odN '#rnt
oLerin) o$ dediction to the Hed! which is 9hrist0 Is
tht &o#r ho"eA
One o$ the )ret thin)s 'o#t the '#rnt scri;ce
Nnd there$ore 'o#t the 9hristin li$eNis tht it is
tr#l& 2ol#ntr&0 There is )ret diLerence 'etween
dedictin) so%ethin) 'ec#se it is reB#ired nd
dedictin) so%ethin) 'ec#se &o#r hert is 'ehind it0
We lern $ro% the Old Test%ent! o$ ll "lces! is tht
this is the essence o$ the 9hristin li$e0 ?od is witin)
in e)er eH"ecttion tht we will oLer o#rsel2es to hi%
s li2in) scri;ces! not in order to 'e s2ed! '#t o#t o$
)rtit#de 'ec#sed we re s2ed0
THE ?RAIN OFFERIN? EminchahG
The )rin oLerin) is descri'ed in detil in
Le2itic#s ch"ter two0 Unli3e the '#rnt oLerin)! the
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *.*
)rin oLerin) ws not 2ol#ntr&0 The 4ews were
reB#ired to )i2e )rin oLerin)! '#t it ws the si5e o$
the oLerin) which ws 2ol#ntr&0 For the 4ew! the )rin
oLerin) ws )i2in) o$ the ;rst $r#its o$ their l'or to
?od0 It ws )i$t in res"onse to the "h&sicl )i$ts tht
?od hd )i2en the%0 Fro% the )rin oLerin)! the
9hristin cn lern 'o#t contri'#tin) $ro% the ;rst
$r#its o$ their l'orF %one&M How does ?od $eel 'o#t
o#r contri'#tionA
Act#ll&! there ws %ore to the )rin oLerin)
thn 5#st )rin0 The worshi""er ws to 'rin) %iHt#re
o$ )rin! oil! incense ELe2itic#s :F*I*=G! nd in so%e
cses slt ELe2itic#s :F*-G0 The %iHt#re ws
so%eti%es coo3ed s 'red0 A "ortion ws '#rned on
the ltr! nd the rest ws )i2en to t3e cre o$ the
needs o$ Aron nd his sons0 The )rin oLerin) ws t
lest "rtill& intended to t3e cre o$ those who
%inistered 'e$ore the Lord0 It ws worshi" oLerin)!
Cn ro% "lesin) to the Lord0D ELe2itic#s :F+G0
Le2itic#s two s"eci;ed so%e thin)s tht
de;nitel& were not to 'e co%'ined with the )rin
oLerin)0 It ws $or'idden to incl#de n& 3ind o$ le2en
or &est s well s hone& ELe2itic#s :F**G0
For the 4ews! the "#r"ose o$ the )rin oLerin)
ws twoI$old0 It ws intended to re%ind the% tht
their "h&sicl 'lessin)s were $ro% ?od! not si%"l& $ro%
their own eLort0 ?od eH"ected the% to ret#rn
"ortion o$ their 'lessin)s s tri'#te to re%ind the% o$
where their "h&sicl 'lessin)s c%e $ro% in the ;rst
"lce0 The )rin oLerin) ws lso intended to t3e
cre o$ the "h&sicl needs o$ those who de2oted
the%sel2es in s"ecil w& to the %inistr& 'e$ore the
LordNthe "riests nd the Le2ites0
It is not 2er& di@c#lt to see wht ?od intended
the )rin oLerin) to $oreshdow $or those who re
#nder the New 9o2ennt0 ?od eH"ects #s to 'rin) to
hi% n oLerin) $ro% the ;rst $r#its o$ o#r l'or s well0
?od ws tellin) #s tht )i2in) $ro% wht he hs
'lessed #s with in order to t3e cre o$ the needs o$ the
ch#rch nd o$ those who ser2e ?od in s"ecil w& is
*.: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
not n o"tion0 ?od eH"ects #s to )i2e $ro% o#r ;rst
$r#its0 In other words! o#r )i2in) sho#ld not 'e n
$terItho#)ht! or $ro% wht is le$t o2er $ter o#r own
CneedsD re t3en cre o$0 It is %tter o$ $ith to )i2e
$ro% o#r ;rst $r#its 'ec#se when we h2e onl&
)thered the ;rst $r#its! we re not 'sol#tel& certin
tht the lst $r#its will 'e eno#)h to s#stin #s0 Tr#st is
in2ol2ed in this scri;ce0
Let #s loo3 t t&"e nd ntit&"e in the detils o$
this oLerin)0 The )rin oLerin) o'2io#sl& incl#ded
)rin0 ?rin is the $r#it o$ cre$#l! s#stined l'or0 ?od
eH"ects #s to wor3! to ern nd to )i2e $ro% wht we
ern0 One reson we wor3! o$ co#rse! is to t3e cre o$
o#r "h&sicl needs0 A secondr& reson to wor3 is so
tht we cn 'rin) n oLerin) to ?od0
The oLerin) lso incl#ded oil0 One eLect o$ the
oil! o$ co#rse! ws to %3e the 'red tste )ood0 In the
Bi'le! oil consistentl& re"resents the nointin)
Echoosin)G o$ ?od0 4es#s ws nointed with the oil o$
5o& EHe'rews *F+G0
We ll h2e n nointin) $ro% the Hol& One E* 4ohn
:F:=G0 ?od hs chosen ech o$ his children nd their
oLerin) o$ the $r#its o$ their l'or re%inds the% o$ tht
$ct0
The )rin oLerin) lso incl#ded incense0 Incense
consistentl& re"resents o#r oLerin)s o$ "r&er to ?od
ERe2eltion 8F.! Re2eltion .F-! L#3e *F*=G0 In this! ?od
is tellin) #s tht o#r oLerin)s sho#ld 'e )i2en with
"r&er0
The )rin oLerin) o$ten incl#ded slt s well0
Slt re"resents eterenit&! so%ethin) "er%nent!
lstin) co2ennt! n eternl rewrd0 EMr3 +F/+!8=!
9olossins /F>! Mtthew 8F*-! : 9hronicles *-F8!
N#%'ers *.F*+G0 Altho#)h the $ood which ws oLered
on the ltr ws "erish'le! it "rod#ced rewrds in
he2en which re eternl0 Si%ilrl& $or #sJ o#r erthl&
tres#res re te%"orr& thin)! '#t in )i2in) o$ o#r
"h&sicl tres#res to ?od! we re recei2in) he2enl&
rewrd which will ne2er s"oil or "erish0
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *.-
Do not store #" $or &o#rsel2es tres#res
on erth! where %oth nd r#st destro&! nd
where
thie2es 're3 in nd stel0 B#t store #" $or
&o#rsel2es
tres#res in he2en! where %oth nd r#st do not
destro&! nd where thie2es do not 're3 in nd
stel0
For where &o#r tres#re is! there &o# hert will
'e
lso0 EMtthew >F*+I:*G0
?od is techin) #s lot 'o#t o#r scri;cil
)i2in) to t3e cre o$ the needs o$ his 3in)do% thro#)h
the )rin oLerin)0
The thin)s which were not llowed to 'e incl#ded
in the )rin oLerin) re i%"ortnt $oreshdows s well0
Le2en ws not llowed0 4es#s #sed le2en to
re"resent sin nd e2il inQ#ences0 CBe on &o#r )#rd
)inst the &est o$ the Phrisees nd the Sd#cees
which is h&"ocris&0D EL#3e *:F*G0 P#l #sed the s%e
the%eJ
DonKt &o# 3now tht little &est wor3s
thro#)h the whole 'tch o$ do#)hA ?et rid o$
the
old &est tht &o# %& 'e new 'tch witho#t
&estNs &o# rell& re0 For 9hrist! o#r Psso2er
l%'! hs 'een scri;ced0 There$ore let #s 3ee"
the Festi2l! not with the old &est! the &est o$
%lice nd wic3edness! '#t with the 'red
witho#t
&est! the 'red o$ sincerit& nd tr#th0
E* 9orinthins 8F>I.G0
In the )rin oLerin)! ?od is tellin) #s to )i2e o$
o#r ;rst $r#its! '#t to wtch $or the inQ#ence o$ e2er&
3ind o$ sin in o#r li2es0 An oLerin) which is tinted
with )reed nd e2il desire is worse thn no oLerin) t
ll0
*./ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
The )rin oLerin) ws to eHcl#de &est nd lso
hone&0 For the 4ews! hone& re"resented tht which is
dec&in)0 O#rs is to 'e li2in) scri;ce! co%in) $ro%
new wine s3ins! %de new in wshin) o$ re'irth nd
renewl '& the Hol& S"irit0 ETit#s -F8G0
Pro''l& the %ost o'2io#s New Test%ent
""liction o$ the )rin oLerin) is $o#nd in :
9orinthins . nd +0 The Mcedonin ch#rches
"leded with P#l $or the o""ort#nit& to t3e cre o$
the needs o$ the sints0 The& )2e ;rst to ?od! then to
P#lKs needs! nd "res#%'l& lst to their own "ersonl
needs0 The& hd C)ood eHc#seD to 'e %iserl& in their
)i2in) 'ec#se the& were "oor! '#t the& )2e
)enero#sl&! ne2ertheless0 P#l re%inds the% tht
4es#s set n eH%"le o$ )i2in) )rinIoLerin) '&
)i2in) to the "oint tht he ws %de "oor so tht the
sints co#ld 'e %de rich0 ?i2in) to the needs o$ the
locl ch#rch is not o"tionl! '#t the eHtent o$ )i2in) is!
C$or ?od lo2es cheer$#l )i2er0D E: 9orinthins +F,G0
P#l ssocites "r&er EincenseG with the oLerin) E:
9orinthins +F*:!*/G s well s eternl 'lessin)s EsltG
E: 9orinthins +F>I**G0
4es#s certinl& )2e )rin oLerin)0 In $ct! he
le$t ll his erthl& "ossessions 'ehind in order to "#rs#e
his %inistr& to the needs o$ his "eo"le0 How re &o#
doin) in &o#r )rin oLerin)A Are &o# )i2in) &o#r ;rst
$r#itsA Are &o# holdin) 'c3Nwntin) to see how the
hr2est will ;nish 'e$ore &o# )i2eA Is &o#r oLerin)
co%'ined with "r&er! or is ro#tine0 Is &o#r oLerin)
%iHed with the le2en o$ 'itterness nd )reedA I$ so!
do not sto" )i2in)! '#t eHcl#de the le2en $ro% &o#r
)i$t0 Let #s )i2e n cce"t'le )rin oLerin) to ?od! n
ro% "lesin) to the Lord0
THE DRIN7 OFFERIN? Enese&G
As "re2ioi#sl& %entioned! the drin3 oLerin) ws
relted to the )rin oLerin)0 Drin3 oLerin)s were
l%ost lw&s )i2en in tnde% with )rin oLerin)s
EEHod#s :+F/*! Le2itic#s :-F*- nd N#%'ers :.F-* $or
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *.8
eH%"leG0 The& were worshi" oLerin)J sweet s2or
scri;ce0 The drin3 oLerin) ws the si%"lest o$ the
scri;ces ordined in the Mosic s&ste%0 It in2ol2ed
si%"l& "o#rin) wine o#t on the ltr0
Altho#)h the drin3 oLerin) ws si%"le! it oLered
to the 4ews 2i2id "ict#re o$ their worshi" o$ ?od0
When one e%"ties continer o$ )rin or other
"rod#ce! it is si%"le %tter to scoo" it 'c3 #" into
the continer! ltho#)h so%e %& 'e lost0 When liB#id
is s"illed $ro% c#" onto the )ro#nd! it is irretrie2'le0
There is so%ethin) 2er& ;nl 'o#t "o#rin) o#t drin3
oLerin)! which re%inded the 4ew o$ their irretrie2'le
nd totl dediction to ?od0
D2id %de sort o$ drin3 oLerin) in : S%#el
:-F*>0 He hd eH"ressed his thirst in $ront o$ three o$
his 'r2est nd %ost lo&l soldiers while his "#rs#er
7in) S#l ws c%"ed close '&0 At eHtre%e ris3 o$
their own li2es! these soldiers 'ro3e thro#)h S#lKs
lines nd 'ro#)ht n oLerin) o$ wter to D2id stolen
ri)ht o#t $ro% #nder the noses o$ 7in) S#lKs troo"s0 In
2i2id scene! D2id t#rned their de2otion to hi% into
drin3 oLerin) o$ de2otion to ?od s he "o#red the
"recio#s wter o#t on the )ro#nd0
The drin3 oLerin) is $oreshdowin) o$ the 3ind
o$ totl de2otion ?od wnts #s to h2e $or 4es#s 9hrist!
the son o$ D2id E'& the w&! the 'o2e incident is
nother eH%"le o$ how D2idKs li$e is "re;)#re o$
the MessihG0 As with ll the worshi" oLerin)s! 4es#s
set the eHtre%e eH%"le0 His li$e ws "o#red o#t $or
?od in e2er& i%)in'le w&0 4es#s hi%sel$ sid t the
Lst S#""er tht the wine re"resented his 'lood Cwhich
is "o#red o#t $or &o#0D EL#3e ::F:=G0 In Ro%ns 8F8 we
re re%inded tht ?od irretrie2'l& "o#red o#t his lo2e
$or #s in the Hol& S"irit0
As 4es#s $#l;lled the ntit&"e o$ the drin3 oLerin)
thro#)h his li$e! so sho#ld we do o#r 'est to do the
s%e0 P#l chllen)ed the Phili""ins with his li$eF
<I did not r#n or l'or $or nothin)0 B#t
e2en i$ I % "o#red o#t li3e drin3 oLerin) on
*.> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
the scri;ce nd ser2ice co%in) $ro% &o#r $ith!
I % )ld nd re5oice with ll o$ &o#0
EPhili""ins :F*>!*,G0
For P#l! 'ein) drin3 oLerin) ws not '#rden
'#t 5o&0 He ws 'le to cli% tht his entire 9hristin
li$e ws drin3 oLerin)0 He held nothin) 'c3 in his
c#" t the end o$ his li$e0
For I % lred& 'ein) "o#red o#t li3e
drin3 oLerin)! nd the ti%e hs co%e $or %&
de"rt#re0 I h2e $o#)ht the )ood ;)ht! I h2e
;nished the rce! I h2e 3e"t the $ith0
E: Ti%oth& /F>!,G0
Wht )ret honor to "o#r o#r li2es o#t t the
$oot o$ the ltr in scri;ce nd ser2ice to ?odM Wht
% I holdin) 'c3A Wht little side reser2oir o$ li$e % I
3ee"in) in reser2eA Let &o#rsel$ 'e "o#red o#t $or
?od0
Be$ore %o2in) on! one $#rther co%%ent 'o#t
the )rin nd the drin3 oLerin)s sho#ld 'e %de0
Perh"s the reder tho#)ht o$ the "ossi'ilit& tht there
is t&"e nd ntit&"e reltionshi" 'etween the
co%'ined )rin nd drin3 oLerin)s nd the LordKs
S#""er0 It is te%"tin) to see the Co'2io#sD nlo)&
here! '#t o'2io#s nlo)ies cn so%eti%es not 'e
2lid0 In this cse! the LordKs s#""er %& incl#de
#nle2ened 'red nd wine to)ether! '#t it is
ne2ertheless not $#l;ll%ent o$ the )rin nd drin3
oLerin)s0 The LordKs S#""er is n ct o$ worshi" '#t it
is not t oLerin)! it is remembrance o$ the deth o$
4es#s 9hrist0 In $ct! we will see in ch"ter se2en tht
the LordKs S#""er is ct#ll& the New Test%ent
ntit&"e to the Psso2er0 The Psso2er! li3e the LordKs
S#""er is re%e%'rnce o$ 'lood scri;ce nd the
res#ltnt sl2tion0 More on tht lter0
THE FELLOWSHIP OFFERIN? EshelemG
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *.,
The $ellowshi" oLerin) is the third %5or
cte)or& o$ worshi" scri;ces0 This oLerin) hs 'een
trditionll& 3nown s the "ece oLerin) 'ec#se it
ws trnslted tht w& in the 7in) 4%es (ersion0
There re three sli)htl& diLerent 2ersions o$ the
$ellowshi" oLerin)! de"endin) on the intent o$ the
)i2er0 These re the thn3IoLerin) ELe2itic#s ,F**I*8G!
the 2owIoLerin) ELe2itic#s **F*> nd ::F:-G nd the
$reeIwill oLerin) ELe2itic#s ::F:-G0 All o$ these were
Cn ro%! "lesin) to the LORD0D ELe2itic#s -F8G0 As
with the other $r)rnt ro% oLerin)s! the $ellowshi"
oLerin) ws not intended to 'rin) $or)i2eness o$ sin0
The )enerl intent o$ the $ellowshi" oLerin) ws to
oLer )i$t o$ thn3s to ?od $or so%e s"ecil 'lessin)N
whether it ws $or 'lessin) lred& recei2ed or one
which ws 'ein) eH"ectntl& "r&ed $or0 The 'otto%
line is tht the $ellowshi" oLerin) ws "rt&M
The detils o$ the $ellowshi" oLerin) re
descri'ed in Le2itic#s three0 The worshi"er ws to
"ro2ide n ni%l $ro% their own herd0 It ws to 'e n
ni%l witho#t de$ect0 As with the '#rnt oLerin)! the
worshi"er lid his hnds on the ni%l 'e$ore the
scri;ce so tht the ni%l co#ld re"resent hi% to ?od0
Followin) this! the "riest scri;ced the ni%l!
s"rin3lin) so%e o$ the 'lood on the sides o$ the ltr0
The 3idne&s nd the $t nd other "rts o$ the entrils
were '#rned on the ltr0 The rest o$ the ni%l ws to
'e coo3ed nd eten in $est cele'rted 'e$ore the
Lord0 The %et ws to 'e eten on tht s%e d&0
For the 4ew! the $ellowshi" oLerin) ws ll 'o#t
cele'rtin) their reltionshi" with ?od0 Re%e%'er tht
"rinci"le s"ect o$ the ;rst co2ennt ws $or ?od to
)i2e "h&sicl 'lessin)s to his "eo"le! whether it 'e
%n& children! 'lessed %rri)es! s#ccess$#l hr2ests
or so $orth0 ?od wnted his "eo"le to cele'rte their
own "ersonl 2ictories to)ether nd to #se the "rt& s
n o""ort#nit& $or the% to 'e re%inded tht the
'lessin) co%es $ro% ?od0 The thn3IoLerin) ws
intended s $est to cele'rte nd to oLer thn3s $or
s"eci;c 'lessin) lred& recei2ed0 The 2ow oLerin)
*.. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
ws $est ntici"tin) $#t#re 'lessin) o$ ?od0 For
eH%"le! i$ wo%n ws "re)nnt! nd the worshi""er
wnted to cele'rte! '#t to lso s3 ?od to 'less the
'irth! the& %i)ht )i2e 2ow oLerin)0 The $reeIwill
oLerin) ws eHctl& wht is i%"lied '& the n%e0 In
this cse! the worshi"er is si%"l& ;red #" 'o#t 'ein)
in co2ennt reltionshi" with ?od nd wnts to
cele'rte 'e$ore ?od! '#t not necessril& $or n&
s"eci;c 'lessin)0
O$ co#rse! the $ree will oLerin) hs lot to tech
those #nder the New 9o2ennt s well! 'ec#se ?od
intended ll lon) $or it to 'e $oreshdowin) o$
9hristin worshi"0 One o$ the i%"ortnt s"ects o$ the
$ree will oLerin) ws tht the $est ws to 'e
cele'rted nd the %et eten on sin)le d&0 ?od
wnted the 4ews nd 9hristins s well to cele'rte the
dil& 'lessin)s he )i2es #s0 9hristinit& is de;nitel& not
ll 'o#t )i2in) #" thin)s nd scri;ce nd sel$Idenil0
These re 'sol#tel& "rt o$ the li$e o$ the disci"le! '#t
h#)e "rt o$ ?odKs intention $or #s #nder the New
9o2ennt is to eH"erience s"irit#l 'lessin)s0 ?od
wnts #s to li2e li$e o$ dil& cele'rtion o$ the
'lessin)s we h2e in 9hrist0
CI h2e co%e tht the& %& h2e li$e! nd
h2e it to the $#ll0 C E4ohn *=F*=G0
CI tell &o# the tr#th!D 4es#s re"lied! Cno
one
who hs le$t ho%e or 'rothers or sisters or
%other
or $ther or children or ;elds $or %e nd the
)os"el
will $il to recei2e h#ndred ti%es s %#ch in
this "resent )e< nd in the )e to co%e!
eternl
li$e0D EMr3 *=F:+!-=G0
Prise 'e to ?od the Fther o$ o#r Lord
4es#s
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *.+
9hrist! who hs 'lessed #s in the he2enl&
rel%s
with e2er& s"irit#l 'lessin) in 9hrist0
EE"hesins *F-G
9hristin worshi" in2ol2es scri;ce0 It in2ol2es
'sol#te dediction to ?od! s the other worshi"
scri;ces re%ind #s0 Let #s not $or)et! tho#)h! tht
?od "ro%ises to ;ll the de2oted! dedicted! scri;cil
li$e with s"irit#l 'lessin)s 'e&ond %es#re0 We tend
to $oc#s on the ne)ti2e0 Pro'le%s tend to o2erwhel%
#s! '#t the $ollower o$ 4es#s %#st cele'rte the
'lessin)s! nd the& re %n&0
The Mr3 *= "ss)e "ro%ises one h#ndred $old
in reltionshi"sJ i$ not in B#ntit&! certinl& in B#lit&0
Let #s en5o& nd cele'rte these reltionshi"s0 These
re 'lessin)s )i2en to #s '& ?od0 We sho#ld h2e
re)#lr "rties to cele'rte 'oth s"irit#l re'irths
E'"tis%sG nd "h&sicl 'irths0 There sho#ld 'e s%ll
"rties nd 'i) "rties! nd so%eti%es e2en oneIonI
one "rties 5#st with ?od0 CBe 5o&$#l lw&sJ "r&
constntl&J )i2e thn3s in ll circ#%stnces! $or this is
?odKs will $or &o# in 9hrist 4es#s0D E* Thesslonins
8F*>G0 In this "ss)e! one cn see n s"ect o$ the
$reeIwill oLerin) Ere5oice lw&sG! o$ the 2ow oLerin)
E"r& contin#ll&G nd o$ the thn3 oLerin) E)i2e
thn3s constntl&G0 This is "ro''l& not 5#st
coincidence0 P#l! Phrisee! hs the $ellowshi"
oLerin) in %ind0 I$ the reder is 9hristin! re &o#
;red #" 'o#t &o#r li$e in 9hristA Do &o# $oc#s on the
"ro'le%s! or do &o# s"end %ore ti%e cele'rte the
'lessin)sA I$ &o# re not &et 9hristin! &o# need to
)et with the "ro)r% nd 5oin the "rt&0
One interestin) $ct 'o#t the $ellowshi"Pshelem
oLerin) is tht it ws o$ten "lced on to" o$ the '#rnt
oLerin)Polah scri;ce0 This re"resents to #s tht the
'lessin)s o$ ?od re 'sed on nd "rod#ced thro#)h
o#r dediction to hi%0 The )reter the de2otion
oLered! the )reter the 'lessin) )i2en '& ?od0 It is not
tht o#r )ood deeds nd scri;ces to ?od ern the
*+= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
'lessin)s0 The New Test%ent %3es it cler wht we
deser2e 'sed on o#r sin0 O#r de2otion does not ern
the 'lessin)s! '#t tht is 5#st how ?od wor3s0 The
'lessin)s re the nt#rl res"onse o$ ?od to o#r
scri;ce to hi%0
Another s"ect o$ the $ellowshi" oLerin) is tht it
hd to 'e clen ni%l0 Le2itic#s ::F*,I:+ descri'es
in so%e detil the t&"es o$ de$or%ities which %de n
ni%l de;led nd there$ore n #ncce"t'le $ree will
oLerin)0 ?od does not cce"t de;led oLerin)s0 O$
co#rse! #nclenness in the ;rst co2ennt is the t&"e o$
sin in the second co2ennt0 Prise ?od tht once
"erson is $or)i2en o$ sins thro#)h the 'lood o$ 4es#s! he
or she is #to%ticll& clen nd 'le to oLer '#rnt
oLerin)s! $reeIwill oLerin)s nd thn3IoLerin)s0 Those
who re not wshed in the 'lood o$ 4es#s re not ;t to
oLer worshi" to ?od0 This %& 'e $r#strtin)0 In %&
e2en see% #n$ir! '#t tht is how ?od wor3s0 In the
words o$ Ro%ns .F>! the %ind o$ sin$#l %n does not
s#'%it to ?odKs lw! nor cn it do so0 We %#st t3e
cre o$ ;rst thin)s ;rst0 I$ "erson is not s2ed! the&
sho#ld "#t their reli)io#s oLerin)s side nd )et into
ri)ht reltionshi" with ?od0 Onl& then cn the %3e
sweet s%ellin) oLerin)s 'e$ore the s"irit#l t'erncle
in the "resence o$ ?od0
THE BLOOD SA9RIFI9ES
The scri;ces lred& descri'ed h2e
'een 'o#t o#r worshi" o$ ?od #nder the New
9o2ennt0 The lst two scri;ces re de;nitel& not
$oreshdows o$ o#r worshi" o$ ?od0 These re the
scri;ces reB#ired $or $or)i2eness o$ sins in order to "#t
#s into reltionshi" with ?od0 Altho#)h the worshi"
oLerin)s were co2ered ;rst in this ch"ter E$ollowin)
the order in Le2itic#sG! the $ct is tht witho#t the sin
oLerin) nd the )#ilt oLerin)! the '#rnt! )rin nd
$ellowshi" oLerin)s wo#ld 'e o$ 'sol#tel& no 2l#e0
O#r reltionshi" with ?od is "redicted on the
$or)i2eness o$ sins0 Unless we re %de clen $ro% o#r
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *+*
sin! o#r co%%it%ent! o#r )i$ts nd ll o#r other
tte%"ts t worshi" re in 2in0
S#rel& the r% o$ the LORD is not too short to
s2e!
nor his er too d#ll to her0
B#t &o#r iniB#ities h2e se"rted &o# $ro% &o#r
?odJ
Yo#r sins h2e hidden his $ce $ro% &o#!
so tht he will not her0
For &o#r hnds re stined with 'lood!
&o#r ;n)ers with )#ilt0
Yo#r li"s h2e s"o3en lies!
nd &o#r ton)#e %#tters wic3ed thin)s0 EIsih
8+F*I-G0
There is no one ri)hteo#s! not e2en oneJ
there is no one who #nderstnds!
no one who see3s ?od0
All h2e t#rned w&!
the& h2e to)ether 'eco%e worthlessJ
there is no one who does )ood!
not e2en one0 ERo%ns -F*=I*:G0
So%ethin) hd to 'e done 'o#t the sin "ro'le%
$or the 4ews 'e$ore worshi" 'ec%e rele2nt iss#e0
This 'rin)s one to the sin nd the )#ilt oLerin)0
The two rede%"tion oLerin)s re B#ite si%ilr in
$or%0 To the #ninitited! there is relti2el& little
diLerence 'etween ct#l cere%onies o$ the two
scri;ces0 At ;rst )lnce! the two scri;ces see% to 'e
$or si%ilr "#r"ose s well0 Howe2er! cre$#l st#d&
will re2el tht the two scri;ces were $or si)ni;cntl&
diLerent cte)ories o$ trns)ressions0
In )enerl! the sin oLerin) ws $or tres"sses
)inst ?odKs territor&0 In other words! the sin oLerin)
ws to del with sins directl& )inst the #thorit& o$
?od0 It hs 'een sid tht in essence! the sin oLerin)
is $or 2ioltions o$ the ;rst $o#r o$ the Ten
9o%%nd%ents0 The sin oLerin) nd the oLenses it
*+: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
ws %ent to del with re descri'ed in the neHt
section0
In )enerl! the )#ilt oLerin) ws $or sins o$ one
4ew )inst $ellow 4ew or )inst the 4ewish "eo"le s
whole0 These were oLenses o$ "ersonl "ro"ert& Es
o""osed to ?odKs "ro"ert&G0 It hs 'een sid tht the
lst siH o$ the Ten 9o%%nd%ents re s#%%r& o$
the lws which! when 2iolted! reB#ired )#ilt oLerin)0
This %& 'e n o2ersi%"li;ction! '#t it cn 'e hel"$#l
in distin)#ishin) the two t&"es o$ scri;ces $or
$or)i2eness o$ sins0
Be$ore %o2in) on to the s"eci;cs o$ the two
scri;ces! it wo#ld 'er %entionin) one 2er& i%"ortnt
"oint which ""lies to 'oth0 The $ct is tht #nder the
Lw o$ Moses! there ws no "ro2ision %de $or will$#l
sin )inst ?od or )inst $ellow 4ew0
The LORD sid to Moses! CS& to the
IsrelitesF RWhen n&one sins unintentionally nd
does wht is $or'idden in n& o$ the LORDKS
co%%nds< ELe2itic#s /F*G0
CI$ the whole Isrelite co%%#nit& sins
unintentionally nd does wht is $or'idden in n&
o$ the LORDKS co%%nds!<D ELe2itic#s /F*-G0
CWhen "erson co%%its 2ioltion nd
sins
unintentionally in re)rd to n& o$ the LORDKS
hol&
thin)s<0 ELe2itic#s 8F*/G0
S"eci;cll&! there ws no "ro2ision $or
$or)i2eness o$ intentionl %#rder! 'ls"he%& )inst
?od! d#lt#r&! idoltr& nd other sins which co#ld not
'e co%%itted ccidentll&0 There re hints in the Old
Test%ent tht #"on dee" re"entnce nd eHtre%e
'horrence o$ the e2il co%%itted! ?od held o#t the
"ossi'ilit& o$ $or)i2eness0 The cse o$ D2idKs sin in
co%%itin) d#lt#r& with Bthshee'! nd orderin) the
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *+-
deth o$ her h#s'nd in 'ttle E* S%#el ** nd *:G!
$ollowed '& D2idKs '5ect re"entnce! s seen in
Psl% 8* is one eH%"le o$ this "rinci"le0 Howe2er! in
)enerl! the Mosic s&ste% did not %3e "ro2ision $or
those who 'ltntl& 'ro3e the co%%nd%ents o$ the
Lw0
How re we to 2iew this $ct! nd wht does it
$oreshdow in the Lw o$ 9hristA The nswer cn 'e
$o#nd in He'rews *=F:>I-*J
I$ we deli'ertel& 3ee" on sinnin) $ter we
h2e recei2ed the 3nowled)e o$ the tr#th! no
scri;ce $or sins is le$t! '#t onl& $er$#l
eH"ecttion
o$ 5#d)%ent nd o$ r)in) ;re tht will cons#%e
the ene%ies o$ ?od0 An&one who re5ected the
lw
o$ Moses died witho#t %erc& on the testi%on& o$
two or three witnesses0 How %#ch %ore
se2erel&
do &o# thin3 %n deser2es to 'e "#nished who
hs tr%"led the Son o$ ?od #nder $oot! who hs
treted s n #nhol& thin) the 'lood o$ the
co2ennt tht sncti;ed hi%! nd who hs
ins#lted
the S"irit o$ )rceA For we 3now hi% who sid!
CIt is %ine to 2en)eJ I will re"&!D nd )in!
CThe Lord will 5#d)e his "eo"le0D It is dred$#l
thin) to $ll into the hnds o$ the li2in) ?od0
The "ln o$ rede%"tion in the Old 9o2ennt is
wonder$#l thin)0 Its ntit&"e in the New 9o2ennt is
e2en $r )reter0 Howe2er! ?odKs )rce does not
eHtend to those who re$#se his lo2in) 3indness nd t#rn
'c3 to will$#ll& contin#in) in sin0 This is so'erin)
techin)! to s& the lest0 ?od is consistent 'o#t
will$#l sin in 'oth co2ennts0 So %#ch $or those who
wo#ld tech the $lse doctrine o$ten 3nown s Conce
s2ed! lw&s s2ed0D
It is not tht ?od wnts those whose herts re
*+/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
)i2en to hi% to li2e in constnt $er o$ hell nd
d%ntion e2er& ti%e the& sin0 On the contrr&! it is
?odKs intent $or those who re in 9hrist to co%e into
his "resence with con;dence! in $#ll eH"ecttion o$
?odKs 'lessin)s0
CThere$ore! 'rothers! since we h2e
con4dence
to enter the Most Hol& Plce '& the 'lood o$
4es#s! '&
new nd li2in) w& o"ened 'or #s thro#)h the
c#rtin! tht is his 'od&! nd since we h2e
)ret
"riest o2er the ho#se o$ ?od! let #s drw ner to
?od
with sincere hert in full assurance o$ $ith!
h2in)
o#r herts s"rin3led to clense #s $ro% )#ilt&
conscience nd h2in) o#r 'odies wshed with
"#re
wter0 EHe'rews *=F*+I::G0
?od wnts nd e2en eH"ects those who re
$or)i2en '& the 'lood o$ the New 9o2ennt to co%e to
hi% with con;dence nd $#ll ss#rnce o$ $ith0
Ne2ertheless! let o#r con;dence 'e sesoned with the
so'er 3nowled)e! 'oth $ro% the Old nd the New
9o2ennt! tht ?od will not tolerte contin#ed! will$#l
2ioltions o$ his lw0
THE SIN OFFERIN? EchatatG
As lred& %entioned! the sin oLerin) ws
intended to "ro2ide $or)i2eness $or oLenses )inst the
#thorit& o$ ?od0 It is not $oreshdowin) o$ n&thin)
we %i)ht do0 Rther! it is $oreshdowin) o$ the
rede%"ti2e wor3 o$ 4es#s 9hrist hi%sel$0 The detils o$
the sin oLerin) re descri'ed in Le2itic#s /F*I8F*- s
well s in Le2itic#s >F:/I-=0
In the sin oLerin)! the oLendin) "erson! or
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *+8
re"resentti2e i$ the sin ws cor"orte! ws to 'rin) n
#n'le%ished ni%l
*
to the "riest0 He ws to l& his
hnds on the ni%l s s&%'ol o$ i%"rtin) the sin
onto the ni%l0 Si)ni;cntl&! the sinner hi%sel$
ct#ll& 3illed the ni%l! #nli3e with the worshi"
scri;ces0 Pres#%'l&! this 'ro#)ht ho%e the
serio#sness o$ his oLenses to the sinner0 Then the
"riest s"rin3led the 'lood se2en ti%es 'e$ore the
c#rtin ledin) to the Most Hol& Plce s well s on the
horns o$ the ltr o$ incense in $ront o$ the c#rtin0 This
is B#ite diLerent $ro% the worshi" scri;ces! where the
'lood ws ne2er 'ro#)ht in to the Hol& Plce0 A$ter
this! the rest o$ the 'lood ws s"illed o#t t the $oot o$
the ltr o$ '#rnt oLerin)! s in the worshi" scri;ces0
NeHt! the 3idne&s nd ssocited $t on the 3idne&s
nd the li2er Es with the '#rnt nd the $ellowshi"
oLerin)G ws '#rned on the ltr0 The rest o$ the
ni%l! incl#din) the hide! the or)ns! the hed! the
'ones nd the %et! were crried outside the camp to
'e '#rned0
E2er& sin)le s"ect o$ this scri;ce is
$oreshdowin) o$ the rede%"ti2e wor3 o$ 4es#s 9hrist0
First! the scri;ce hd to 'e #n'le%ished0 4es#s ws
lso n #n'le%ished scri;ce $or o#r sins0 In $ct!
'sed on this B#li;ction! he is the onl& "erson who
hs e2er li2ed on this erth who wo#ld h2e 'een
B#li;ed to 'e %de sin scri;ce0 CFor &o# 3now tht
it ws not with "erish'le thin)s< tht &o# were
redee%ed $ro% the e%"t& w& o$ li$e hnded down to
&o# $ro% &o#r $ore$thers! '#t with the "recio#s 'lood
o$ 9hrist! l%' witho#t 'le%ish or de$ect0D E* Peter
*F*.!*+G0
Second! the sinner lid his hnds on the
scri;ce0 This is re%iniscent o$ Isih 8-F>! Cnd the
LORD hs lid on hi% the iniB#it& o$ #s ll0D This ws
*
The hi)her the "osition o$ ledershi" o$ the oLender! the
%ore 2l#'le the ni%l reB#ired to %3e tone%ent0 Priests nd
elders o$ the co%%#nit& were to 'rin) '#ll! lesser leders were to
'rin) %le )ot! while the co%%on "eo"le were to 'rin)
$e%le )ot or l%'0
*+> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
the so#rce o$ the )retest "in $or 4es#s when he
ntici"ted )oin) to the cross0 CM& so#l is
o2erwhel%ed with sorrow to the "oint o$ deth0D
EMtthew :>F-.G! nd e2en while he ws on the crossJ
CM& ?od! %& ?od! wh& h2e &o# $ors3en %e0D
EMtthew :,F/>G0 Bsed on the sin oLerin)! 4es#s ws
$#ll& co)ni6nt o$ wht ws 'o#t to h""en to hi%0 In
the scri;cil deth o$ 4es#s! ?od lid on hi% the sins
o$ e2er& "erson who hs e2er li2ed0 C?od %de hi%
who 3new no sin to 'e sin $or #s! so tht in hi% we
%i)ht 'eco%e the ri)hteo#sness o$ ?od0D E:
9orinthins 8F:*G0 9n one e2en 'e)in to i%)ine how
de2sttin) tht ws to 4es#sA A %n witho#t sinN?od
in the Qesh! too3 $#ll res"onsi'ilit& $or e2er& sin e2er
co%%itted '& h#%nit&0 In cce"tin) this
res"onsi'ilit&! he cce"ted deth0
NeHt! the sinner hi%sel$ ct#ll& 3illed the
ni%l0 Plese consider the i%"lictions o$ this ction0
Yo# or I %& not h2e ct#ll& dri2en the nils into the
hnds nd $eet o$ 4es#s! '#t ?od considers #s
res"onsi'le $or h2in) 3illed his son0 The words o$ the
"eo"le in the crowd when 4es#s ws conde%ned s"e3
2ol#%es $or #s0 CLet his 'lood 'e on #s nd on o#r
children0D EMtthew :,F:8G0 ?od $#l;lled their reB#est!
$or 'etter or $or worse0 Peter sid to )ro#" o$
tho#snds o$ 4ews sse%'led in 4er#sle% on the D&
o$ Pentecost! C?od hs %de this 4es#s! who% you
cruci4ed! 'oth Lord nd 9hrist0D EActs :F->G0 It is worth
notin) tht onl& s%ll $rction o$ this crowd ws e2en
in 4er#sle% t the ti%e o$ his eHec#tion0 It is not
stretch to ""l& Cwho% &o# cr#ci;edD to ll sinners!
es"ecill& in 2iew o$ the $oreshdow in the sin oLerin)0
In $ct! in the sin oLerin)! when cor"orte sin ws
co%%itted! sin)le re"resentti2e 3illed the ni%l s
re"resentti2e o$ ll the oLenders0 The nlo)& here
is cler0
The 'lood o$ the sin scri;ce ws s"rin3led on
the c#rtin nd on the ltr o$ incense! inside the Hol&
Plce0 4es#s did not enter the erthl& Hol& Plce with
his 'lood! '#t s the He'rew writer tells #s!
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *+,
He went thro#)h the )reter nd %ore
"er$ect t'erncle tht is not %nI%de! tht is
to
s&! not "rt o$ this cretion0 He did not enter
'& %ens o$ the 'lood o$ )ots nd cl2esJ '#t
he
entered the Most Hol& Plce once $or ll '& his
own
'lood! h2in) o'tined eternl rede%"tion0 The
'lood o$ )ots nd '#lls nd the shes o$
hei$er!
s"rin3led on those who re cere%onill& #nclen
sncti$& the% so tht the& re o#twrdl& clen0
How %#ch %ore! then! will the 'lood o$ 9hrist!
who thro#)h the eternl S"irit oLered hi%sel$
#n'le%ished to ?od! clense o#r consciences
$ro%
cts tht led to deth so tht we %& ser2e the
li2in)
?od0 EHe'rews +F**I*/G0
The 'lood o$ 4es#s ws 'ro#)ht ri)ht into the
"resence o$ the li2in) ?od in the he2enl& t'erncle!
o$ which the t'erncle or te%"le in 4er#sle% ws
onl& co"&0 Si%ilrl&! so%e o$ the 'lood $ro% the sin
oLerin) hd to 'e 'ro#)ht into the Hol& "lce0 The sin
oLerin) is n weso%e "re;)#re o$ thin)s to co%e0
Re%e%'er tht t the %o%ent 4es#s 'rethed his lst!
the c#rtin in the te%"le ws ri""ed s#nder $ro% to"
to 'otto%0 Fro% tht %o%ent! ?od ws no lon)er
dwellin) in the te%"le in 4er#sle%0 Rther! ?od ws
"resent in the he2enl& t'erncle where 'lood o$
4es#s does its wor30
NeHt! the oLerin) ws '#rned0 Other thn the
3idne&s nd certin $t "ortions! the 'od& ws '#rned
o#tside the c%"0 ?od co%%nded tht the 'od& $ro%
the sin scri;ce 'e '#rned o#tside the c%" s
s&%'ol o$ re%o2in) the sin $ro% %on) his "eo"le0
There re %n& eH%"les in the Lw o$ Moses in which
*+. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
#nclen thin)s hd to 'e t3en o#tside the c%" to
3ee" the co%%#nit& cere%onill& clen0 This! too! is
$oreshdow o$ the scri;cil deth o$ 4es#s0 For
s&%'olic resons! 4es#s ws 3illed o#tside the cit& o$
4er#sle%0 As we h2e lred& seen! the sin o$ the
whole world ws lid on 4es#s when he ws 3illed s
sin scri;ce! which reB#ired hi% to 'e cr#ci;ed o#tside
the cit& o$ 4er#sle%0 The w& the He'rew writer "#t
itJ
The hi)h "riest crries the 'lood o$
ni%ls
into the Most Hol& Plce s sin oLerin)! '#t the
'odies re '#rned o#tside the c%"0 And so
4es#s
lso s#Lered o#tside the cit& )te to %3e the
"eo"le hol& thro#)h his own 'lood0 Let #s! then!
)o to hi% o#tside the c%"! 'erin) the dis)rce
he 'ore0 EHe'rews *-F**I*-G0
Here we h2e nother eH%"le o$ the ene%ies o$
4es#s #nwittin)l& hel"in) to $#l;ll "ro"hec& o$ the
Messih0 This "ro2ides still %ore e2idence! not onl&
tht the Bi'le is the ins"ired word o$ ?od! '#t tht ?od
ws in control o$ e2er& e2ent which s#rro#nded the
deth o$ 4es#s 9hrist0
We cn see tht e2er& detil o$ the Mosic sin
scri;ce ws $oreshdowin) o$ the scri;ce o$ 4es#s
9hrist $or the sins o$ the whole world0 As is #s#l! the
thin) which is "re;)#red is $r )reter thn the
ori)inl0 As He'rews %3es "linJ
<the )i$ts nd scri;ces 'ein) oLered
were
not 'le to cler the conscience o$ the worshi"er0
The&
re onl& %tter o$ $ood nd drin3 nd 2rio#s
cere%onil wshin)sNeHternl re)#ltionsn
""l&in)
#ntil the ti%e o$ the new order0 EHe'rews
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce *++
+F+!*=G0
I$ the 'lood o$ the sin scri;ce hd n& "ower to
$or)i2e the sins o$ the 4ews t ll! it ws onl& )i2en tht
"ower '& $#t#re re$erence to the onl& scri;ce which
hs e2er 'een 'le to %3e sinner tr#l& clenNthe
'lood o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 When he sw 4es#s! 4ohn the
B"tist declred! CLoo3! the L%' o$ ?od! who t3es
w& the sin o$ the worldMD E4ohn *F:+G0 Re%e%'er tht
$ro% ?odKs "ers"ecti2e! 4es#s is l%' slin $ro% the
cretion o$ the world! or s Peter "#t it! CHe ws chosen
Es n #n'le%ished scri;ceG 'e$ore the cretion o$ the
world0D E* Peter *F*+G0 Re%e%'er! too! tht in the sin
scri;ce! the l%' ws the correct scri;ce $or the
co%%on "eo"le0 Prise ?od $or 4es#s! o#r sin scri;ce0
THE ?UILT OFFERIN? EashamG
The second scri;ce $or the sin o$ the "eo"le
#nder the Mosic s&ste% ws the )#ilt oLerin)0 This
scri;ce is so%eti%es 3nown s the tres"ss oLerin)!
which cn hel" to #nderstnd its distinction $ro% the
sin oLerin)0 The )#ilt oLerin) ws intended to del
with Ctres"ssesD )inst onesK nei)h'or End
so%eti%es )inst ?odG0 The detils o$ this scri;ce
re descri'ed in Le2itic#s 8F*/I>F, nd Le2itic#s ,F*I*=0
The %in "oint o$ the )#ilt oLerin) to the 4ew ws tht
the "erson who sins )inst his or her $ellow %n! will
'e "#t o#t o$ $ellowshi" with ?od #nless the& )et it
ri)ht with their $ellow 4ew0 Sins )inst "eo"le re sins
)inst ?od0
There were two 2er& si)ni;cnt diLerences
'etween the sin oLerin) nd the )#ilt oLerin) other
thn the t&"e o$ sin the& were intended to re%o2e0 The
)#ilt oLerin) ws onl& to 'e oLered '& n indi2id#l0
There ws no s#ch thin) s cor"orte sin )inst n
indi2id#l0 Ech "erson ws to t3e "ersonl
res"onsi'ilit& $or his or her own ctions0 The second
%5or diLerence 'etween the sin nd the )#ilt oLerin)
is tht the )#ilt oLerin) lw&s incl#ded restit#tion $or
:== FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
the oLense0 It ws reB#ired tht the restit#tion 'e
%de 'e$ore the scri;ce ws oLered0 The oLender
ws reB#ired to %3e his reltionshi" ri)ht with his
nei)h'or 'e$ore he co#ld re"ir his reltionshi" with
?od thro#)h scri;ce0 Here we cn see tht ?od is
concerned with o#r reltionshi" with hi% nd with one
nother0 This is certinl& %5or the%e in the New
Test%ent s well0
The detils o$ this scri;ce were s $ollows0 I$
the 2ioltion ws )inst ?od! s#ch s $ilin) to 'rin)
in tithe! the worshi"er ws reB#ired to %3e #" the
$#ll %o#nt! "l#s :=W nd to 'rin) r% $or the
scri;ce0 I$ the oLense ws )inst $ellow 4ew! s#ch
s stelin)! $ilin) to ret#rn lost ni%l nd so $orth!
the s%e $#ll restit#tion "l#s :=W ws reB#ired! "l#s
r% $or the scri;ce o$ tone%ent0 A$ter con$essin)
nd %3in) restit#tion! the r% ws 3illed! the 'lood
ws s"illed o#t t the $oot o$ the ltr nd the ni%l
ws '#rned #" on the ltr0
The )#ilt oLerin)s were lw&s intended '& ?od
to 'e $oreshdow o$ the %inistr& o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 The
New Test%ent ntit&"e o$ this oLerin) is #niB#e in
tht it in2ol2es 'oth o#r own ction to %3e o#r
reltionshi" with o#r 'rother or sister ri)ht nd the
scri;ce o$ 4es#s to %3e #s ri)ht with the Fther0 One
;nds in the %essinic "ro"hec& Isih 8-F*=! tht! Cit
ws the LORDKS will to cr#sh hi% nd c#se hi% to
s#Ler! nd tho#)h the LORD %3es his li$e a guilt
oCering! he will see his oLs"rin) nd "rolon) his d&s0D
When ?od %de 4es#s )#ilt oLerin)! he hd in %ind
Chis oLs"rin)!D which is the disci"les o$ 4es#s whose
reltionshi"s with one nother will 'e %de ri)ht
thro#)h the %inistr& o$ 4es#s0
Ro%ns -F:8 tl3s 'o#t ?od "resentin) 4es#s s
scri;ce o$ tone%ent0 Thro#)h 4es#s! s in the )#ilt
oLerin)! we re %de Ct oneD with 'oth o#r $ellow
%n nd with ?od0 4es#s e2en "ro2ided s"eci;c
instr#ctions $or how his $ollowers were to $#l;ll the New
Test%ent eB#i2lent o$ the )#ilt oLerin) in Mtthew
8F:-!:/J
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce :=*
There$ore! i$ &o# re oLerin) &o#r )i$t t
the ltr nd there re%e%'er tht &o#r 'rother
hs so%ethin) )inst &o#! le2e &o#r )i$t there
in
$ront o$ the ltr0 First )o nd 'e reconciled to
&o#r
'rotherJ then co%e nd oLer &o#r )i$t0
The "rllel here with the )#ilt oLerin) is
#n%ist3e'le0 9hristins do not 'rin) oLerin)s to the
te%"le! '#t the "oint o$ 4es#s is tht i$ we re
worshi"in) ?od in whte2er w&! '#t i$ we h2e
oLended o#r 'rother! then s in the )#ilt oLerin)! we
%#st )i2e ;rst "riorit& to con$essin) nd )ettin) it ri)ht
with o#r 'rother0 Notice tht! s is #s#l in the New
9o2ennt! le)l reB#ire%ent E$#ll restit#tion "l#s
:=WG is not de;ned0 Insted 4es#s le2es #s $ree to
wor3 o#t the detils in lo2e with o#r 'rother or sister0
The "oint in either cse is tht i$ we re o#t o$
$ellowshi" with o#r 'rother or sister! it will ine2it'l&
Lect o#r reltionshi" with ?od! nd ?od eH"ects #s to
%3e resol2in) le)iti%te conQict B#ic3l& 2er& hi)h
"riorit&0
Old
Test%ent
Scri;ce
New
Test%ent
$#l;ll%ent

Scri"t#res
Sw
eet S2or
Scri;ces
The
B#rnt OLerin)
4es#sK
nd o#r
de2otion to ?od
E"hesi
ns 8F*!:
Ro%ns *:F*!:
The
?rin OLerin)
?i2in)
'c3
contri'#tion to
?od
Mtthew
>F*+I:*
Ro%ns
.!+
:=: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
The
Drin3 OLerin)
Po#rin)
o#t o#r li$e $or
?od
L#3e
::F:=
Phili""ins
:F*>
The
Fellowshi"
OLerin)
9ele'rti
n) o#r
'lessin)s $ro%
?od
4ohn
*=F*=
* Thess
8F*>
Bl
ood
Scri;ces
The Sin
OLerin)
4es#sK
scri;ce $or o#r
sins
* Peter
*F*.!*+
:
9orinthins
8F:*
The
?#ilt OLerin)
Mintini
n)
reltionshi"
with one
nother
Mtthew
8F:-!:/
In s#%%r&! ll the scri;ces in2o3ed '&
?od #nder the Aronic "riesthood were intended to
"re;)#re the wor3 nd %inistr& o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 O$
co#rse! these scri;ces were the hert o$ 4#dis% nd
the& there$ore hd )ret si)ni;cnce to the 4ews0
Howe2er! their tr#e %enin) ;nds its #lti%te
$#l;ll%ent in 4es#s 9hrist0 In st#d&in) o#t these
scri;ces s t&"es nd their New Test%ent ntit&"es!
we lern )ret del 'o#t the 3inds o$ scri;ces ?od
wnts $ro% those #nder the New 9o2ennt0 ?od wnts
#s to )i2e )enero#sl& $ro% the "h&sicl 'lessin)s he
hs )i2en #s0 ?od eH"ects #s to de2ote o#r li2es
witho#t reser2tionNto "o#r o#rsel2es o#t $or hi%0
?od wnts #s to 'e de2oted! '#t he lso wnts #s to 'e
;red #" 'o#t the 5o& o$ h2in) reltionshi" with hi%0
Prties re the order o$ the d&0 We re re%inded o$
o#r 'sol#te! '5ect de"endnce $or sl2tion nd
reltionshi" with ?od on the scri;ce o$ 4es#s 9hrist on
the cross0 The 'lood o$ 4es#s is the onl& w& to ri)ht
The Mosic Scri;ces Pre;)#re New 9o2ennt
Scri;ce :=-
reltionshi" with ?od0 Prise ?od $or the l%'! chosen
'e$ore the cretion o$ the world0
2et rid of the old yeast
that you may be a new
:=/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
batch without yeast77as
you really are. )or 'hrist*
our Dassover lamb* has
been sacri4ced. Therefore
let us &eep the )estival*
not with the old yeast* the
yeast of malice and
wic&edness* but with
bread made without yeast*
the bread of sincerity and
truth.
'orinthians +"1*3
,
The Old 9o2ennt Fests Pre;)#re
S"eci;c As"ects o$ the 9hristin Li$e
CWhen &o# enter the lnd tht the Lord will )i2e
&o# s he "ro%ised! o'ser2e this cere%on&0 And when
&o#r children s3 &o#! RWht does this cere%on& %en
to &o#AK then tell the%! RIt is the Psso2er scri;ce to
o#r LORD who "ssed o2er the ho#ses o$ the Isrelites
in E)&"t nd s"red o#r ho%es when he str#c3 down
the E)&"tins0KD EEHod#s *:F:>!:,G0 With these nd
other words! ?od co%%nded his "eo"le! thro#)h
Moses! to cele'rte the Psso2er0 The Psso2er is
re%inder o$ the ni)ht tht the destro&in) n)el "ssed
thro#)h E)&"t to 3ill the ;rst'orn in e2er& ho#sehold0
The ;rst'orn o$ Isrel were s2ed $ro% deth thro#)h
the 'lood o$ l%'! s"rin3led on the wooden 'e%
o2er their doors0 The n)el C"ssed o2erD these
ho#ses0
CFor I recei2ed $ro% the Lord wht I lso "ssed
on to &o#F The Lord 4es#s on the ni)ht he ws
'etr&ed! too3 'red! nd when he hd )i2en thn3s!
he 'ro3e it nd sid! RThis is %& 'od&! which is $or &o#J
do this in re%e%'rnce o$ %e0K In the s%e w&! $ter
s#""er he too3 the c#"! s&in) RThis c#" is the new
co2ennt in %& 'loodJ do this! whene2er &o# drin3 it!
in re%e%'rnce o$ %e0K For whene2er &o# et this
'red nd drin3 this c#"! &o# "rocli% the LordKs deth
#ntil he co%es0D E* 9orinthins **F:-I:>G0 With these
nd other words! ?od co%%nded s"irit#l Isrel!
thro#)h P#l! to cele'rte the LordKs S#""er0 The
LordKs S#""er is re%inder o$ the deth o$ the L%'
o$ ?od! 4es#s 9hrist! whose 'lood ws "o#red o#t o2er
wooden 'e% in order to s2e those #nder the New
9o2ennt0 The Psso2er ws )i2en '& ?od to
A'rh%Ks "h&sicl descendnts s re%e%'rnce o$
their sl2tion $ro% "h&sicl deth! while the LordKs
S#""er ws )i2en '& ?od to A'rh%Ks s"irit#l
descendents s re%e%'rnce o$ their sl2tion $ro%
s"irit#l deth0
Is the "rllel n ccidentA 9onsider the $ct
tht when 4es#s instit#ted the LordKs S#""er! he nd
his "ostles were cele'rtin) the Psso2er %el0 Both
the Psso2er %el nd the LordKs S#""er incl#de
#nle2ened 'red nd wine0 The deth o$ 4es#s on the
cross occ#rred on the s%e d& tht the 4ews
cele'rted the Psso2er0 As with the t&"e! so with the
ntit&"e0 On the ni)ht 4es#s ws 'etr&ed! he 3new
eHctl& wht ws h""enin)0 He hd lred& sid to
his $ollowers tht he hd co%e! not to 'olish the lw!
'#t to $#l;ll it0 He ws 'o#t to show the tr#th o$ this
cli% one %ore ti%e0 Once )in! we see ?od #sin)
n e2ent in the histor& o$ his chosen "eo"le s
"re;)#re o$ 3e& s"ect o$ the New 9o2ennt0 ?od
hd "lnned ll lon) to %3e the deth o$ 4es#s 'e n
ntit&"e to the deth o$ the Psso2er l%' which hd
occ#rred o2er $o#rteen cent#ries erlier0 He lso
"lnned $ro% the 2er& 'e)innin) to %3e the Psso2er
$est nd the LordKs S#""er t&"ePntit&"e "ir0
When one reds the Old Test%ent! nd
es"ecill& the 'oo3 o$ Le2itic#s! it is hrd to %iss the
$ct tht ?od instit#ted )ret n#%'er o$ cere%onies!
$esti2ls nd $ests0 These $ests were )i2en '& ?od
to his "eo"le with two )enerl "#r"oses in %ind0
So%e o$ the $ests were intended to hel" Isrel to
re%e%'er s"eci;c e2ents in their "st Eor in one cse!
in their $#t#reG which co#ld c#se the% to #nderstnd
nd re%e%'er how %#ch the& needed to rel& on hi%0
The others were intended! not to re%e%'er n& one
s"eci;c e2ent! '#t to c#se the% to re%e%'er the
'lessin)s the& hd in reltionshi" with hi%0 We will
see tht the ntit&"es to these $ests in the New
Test%ent h2e the s%e "#r"ose0
There re se2en %5or $ests instit#ted in the
'oo3 o$ Le2itic#s0 All se2en re descri'ed in so%e
detil in Le2itic#s ch"ter twent&Ithree0 In ddition!
%ore in$or%tion nd co%%nd%ents relted to these
$ests re scttered thro#)ho#t Le2itic#s! s well s in
EHod#s! N#%'ers! De#terono%& nd elsewhere0 The
se2en $ests cn 'e se"rted into two cte)ories0
There were the ;2e oneId& $ests0 These were the
Psso2er! the Fest o$ First$r#its! the Fest o$ Wee3s
Elso 3nown s the Fest o$ PentecostG! the Fest o$
tr#%"ets Ethe 4ewish New Yer $estG nd the D& o$
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :=,
Atone%ent0 Ech o$ these $ests! s ll#ded to 'o2e!
ws intended to re%ind Isrel o$ s"eci;c e2ent in the
li$e o$ the ntion Isrel nd its reltionshi" with ?od0 It
will 'e shown in this ch"ter tht ech o$ the ;2e oneI
d& $ests re t&"es o$ s"eci;c d&sPe2ents in the li$e
o$ n indi2id#l 9hristin which ?od wnts #s to 'e
re%inded o$ s well0
The other two $ests co#ld "erh"s 'etter 'e
descri'ed s $esti2ls! s the& occ#rred o2er se2en
d& "eriod0 These were the Fest o$ Unle2ened
'red! se2en d& "eriod o$ co%%#nl worshi" which
ws "receeded '& the Psso2er0 The Fest o$ First
Fr#its ws cele'rted on the second d& o$ Unle2ened
Bred s well0 The second wee3Ilon) $esti2l ws the
Fest o$ T'erncles Elso 3nown s the Fest o$
BoothsG0 The D& o$ Atone%ent $ell on dte ;2e d&s
'e$ore the Fest o$ T'erncles0 Both o$ the wee3Ilon)
$esti2ls were intended '& ?od to 'e re%inders o$ the
nt#re o$ their reltionshi" with hi%0 O$ co#rse! their
ntit&"es in the New 9o2ennt will ser2e the s%e
"#r"ose! s will 'e shown0
Other "rescri'ed $esti2ls o$ the 4ews 'er
%entionin) in this conteHt s well0 There ws the
wee3l& d& o$ rest! the S''th! which ws lred&
descri'ed in detil s t&"e in n erlier ch"ter0
There were lso the %onthl& New Moon $esti2ls0 In
the erliest ti%es! these were cele'rted on the d&
$ollowin) the ;rst ""ernce o$ new %oon in the
s3&0 Lter! the 4ews "re"red clendr &ers in
d2nce! incl#din) desi)nted New Moon d&s 'sed
on strono%icl clc#ltions0 This llowed the 4ews to
"re"re hed o$ ti%e $or these $esti2ls0 The dtes
o$ ll se2en 4ewish $esti2ls were set 'sed on the
ti%in) o$ the New Moons0 This will 'e disc#ssed in
little %ore detil in this ch"ter0 In ddition! the 4ews
hd their S''th &ers nd 4#'ilee &ers! s
%entioned "re2io#sl&0
Lstl&! one co#ld %ention two dditionl $ests
cele'rted '& %ost 4ews which were instit#ted $ter
Sini! nd which there$ore re not %entioned in the
:=. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
Pentte#ch0 These re the Fest o$ P#ri% nd the
Fest o$ Hnn#3h0 The Fest o$ P#ri% is three d&
$esti2l est'lished to re%e%'er the sl2tion o$ the
4ews $ro% their "ersec#tors d#rin) the ti%e o$ Esther
EEsther +F:>I-:G0 Hn#33h Eor 9hn#33hG is n ei)ht
d& $esti2l which ws creted '& the 4ews in the
second cent#r& B9 to co%%e%orte the
reconsecrtion o$ the Te%"le $ter the horri'le
"ersec#tions nd desecrtion #nder Antioch#s
E"i"hnes in *>,I*>/ B90
There is one o'2io#s techin) one cn )le%
$ro% ll these $ests nd $esti2ls0 I$ one cn ss#%e
tht the& were ll )i2en '& ?od to his "eo"le! then it
'eco%es cler tht it is 2er& i%"ortnt $or those who
re in reltionshi" with ?od to s"end ti%e
re%e%'erin) the s"eci;c 'lessin)s he hs )i2en the%0
The i%"ortnce o$ re%e%'erin) the 'lessin)s o$ ?od
is stressed )in nd )in in the Old Test%ent0 For
eH%"le! consider De#terono%& .F*=I*+0 This is n
eHtended B#ote! '#t it hs "ower$#l %ess)eF
When &o# h2e eten nd re
stis;ed! "rise the LORD &o#r ?od $or the
)ood lnd he hs )i2en &o#0 Be cre$#l
tht &o# do not forget the ?-#@ your 2od!
$ilin) to o'ser2e his co%%nds! his lws
nd his decrees tht I % )i2in) &o# this
d&0 Otherwise! when &o# et nd re
stis;ed! when &o# '#ild ;ne ho#ses nd
settle down! nd when &o#r herds nd
Qoc3s )row lr)e nd &o#r sil2er nd )old
increse nd ll &o# h2e is %#lti"lied!
then &o#r hert will 'eco%e "ro#d nd you
will forget the ?-#@ your 2od who 'ro#)ht
&o# o#t o$ E)&"t! o#t o$ the lnd o$ sl2er&0
He led &o# thro#)h the 2st nd dred$#l
desert! tht thirst& nd wterless lnd!
with its 2eno%o#s sn3es nd scor"ions0
He 'ro#)ht &o# wter o#t o$ hrd roc30 He
)2e &o# %nn to et in the desert!
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :=+
so%ethin) &o#r $thers hd ne2er 3nown!
to h#%'le nd to test &o# so tht in the
end it %i)ht )o well with &o#0 Yo# %i)ht
s& to &o#rsel$! CM& "ower nd the
stren)th o$ %& hnds h2e "rod#ced this
welth $or %e0D B#t remember the ?-#@
your 2od! $or it is he who )i2es &o# the
'ilit& to "rod#ce welth! nd so con;r%s
his co2ennt! which he swore to &o#r
$ore$thers! t is is tod&0
If you ever forget the ?-#@ your 2od
nd $ollow other )ods nd worshi" nd
'ow down to the%! I testi$& )inst &o#
tod& tht &o# will s#rel& 'e destro&ed0
It %& not 'e o'2io#s t ;rst )lnce '#t there is
)ret dn)er l#r3in) 'ehind n& 'lessin)s which one
recei2es $ro% ?od0 When we re 'lessed '& ?od the
h#%n tendenc& to $or)et where the 'lessin)s co%e
$ro% nd 'e)in to )i2e o#rsel2es the credit $or o#r
Ccco%"lish%entsD is lw&s "resent0 The $esti2ls
nd $ests in the Old 9o2ennt were )i2en s"eci;cll&
so tht the 4ews wo#ld not e2er $or)et $ro% where their
'lessin)s c%e0
Are those #nder the New 9o2ennt i%%#ne $ro%
the te%"ttion to $or)et where their 'lessin)s c%e
$ro%A 9lerl& not0 CWht do &o# h2e tht &o# did not
recei2eA And i$ &o# did recei2e it! wh& do &o# 'ost s
tho#)h &o# did notA E* 9orinthins /F,G0 A""rentl&
the 9orinthin disci"les str#))led with this sin0
Re%e%'er tht the Old Test%ent lws were shdow
o$ thin)s to co%e0 I$ the Old 9o2ennt $ests were
intended to hel" the 4ews to re%e%'er ?odKs
'lessin)s! then the& were intended to do the s%e $or
those who re 9hristins s well0 This is 2er& )ood
reson to st#d& the t&"ePntit&"e reltionshi" o$ the
Old Test%ent $esti2ls0 ?od eH"ects nd e2en
de%nds tht we t3e the ti%e to re%e%'er o#r
'lessin)s nd $ro% where the& co%e0
:*= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
THE /A&&OVE# 6pesach7
1
The Psso2er Epesach in He'rewG ws oneId&
$est instit#ted '& ?od in order tht the 4ews wo#ld
re%e%'er the C"ssin) o2erD o$ the destro&in) n)el!
when the ;rst'orn o$ e2er& ho#sehold in E)&"t ws
3illed0 This ws the lst o$ the "l)#es which ?od
'ro#)ht on E)&"t so tht Phroh wo#ld let ?odKs
"eo"le )o o#t into the desert to worshi" hi%0
Re%e%'er $ro% ch"ter one tht the entire e2ent o$
le2in) E)&"t! "ssin) thro#)h the Se o$ Reeds nd
enterin) the wilderness is $oreshdow o$ those #nder
the New 9o2ennt le2in) their li$e o$ sin nd enterin)
into s2ed reltionshi" with ?od $ter '"tis%0 ?od
est'lished the Psso2er 'ec#se he ne2er wnted the
4ews to $or)et tht it ws onl& '& his %irc#lo#s "ower
tht the& were s2ed! 'oth $ro% sl2er& nd $ro% the
destro&in) n)el0
To this 2er& d&! 4ews hold the Psso2er to 'e
their second %ost si)ni;cnt $est! $ter yom &ippur!
the D& o$ Atone%ent0 E2er& 4ewish $%il&! e2en so%e
o$ the lest reli)io#sl& o'ser2nt! cele'rtes Psso2er
%el in their ho%es 2er& si%ilr to the one instit#ted
'& ?od in EHod#s ch"ter twel2e0 (er& "recise
directions were )i2en '& ?od in EHod#s $or how the
Psso2er %el ws to 'e cele'rted0 E2er& sin)le
detil o$ this %el hs dee" si)ni;cnce $or those who
re s2ed '& the 'lood o$ 4es#s0 We will see tht ?od
intended the Psso2er %el ll lon) to 'e re%inder!
not 5#st $or the 4ews! '#t $or 9hristins0
The historicl record o$ the Psso2er is $o#nd in
EHod#s ch"ters ele2en thro#)h thirteen0 ?od hd
lred& 'ro#)ht nine #nnt#rl dissters! co%%onl&
3nown s C"l)#esD on E)&"t in order to con2ince
Phroh to let his "eo"le )o o#t into the desert to
worshi" hi%0 A$ter so%e o$ the "l)#es! Phroh hd
re"ented nd )reed to let the 4ews )o o#t to worshi"!
onl& to chn)e his %ind nd hrden his hert when he
*
The #thor c3nowled)es hel" in this section $ro% Phili"
Lester nd n #n"#'lished rticle o$ his CDassover #e<ections.D
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :**
tho#)ht 'o#t the i%"lictions o$ lettin) the% $ree!
e2en $or short ti%e0 ?od told Moses CI will 'rin) one
%ore "l)#e on Phroh nd on E)&"t0 A$ter tht! he
will let &o# )o $ro% here! nd when he does! he will
dri2e &o# o#t co%"letel&0D EEHod#s **F*G0 So Moses
shred with the "eo"le wht ?od hd told hi%J CA'o#t
%idni)ht I will )o thro#)ho#t E)&"t0 E2er& ;rst'orn
son in E)&"t will die! $ro% the ;rst'orn son o$ Phroh!
who sits on the throne! to the ;rst'orn son o$ the sl2e
)irl! who is t her hnd %ill! nd ll the ;rst'orn o$ the
cttle s well0D EEHod#s **F/!8G0 Since the 4ews
the%sel2es were sl2es! this wo#ld "res#%'l& incl#de
the ;rst'orn sons o$ e2er& 4ewish $%il&0 Most o$ the
"re2io#s nine "l)#es hd Lected 'oth 4ew nd
E)&"tin0
?od "ro2ided his "eo"le with w& to 2oid this
disstro#s "l)#e0 Ech $%il& ws to t3e &er old
%le l%' Cwitho#t de$ect!D sl#)hter it t twili)ht nd
"#t so%e o$ the 'lood o$ tht scri;ce on the sides nd
to"s o$ the wooden door$r%es on their ho%es0 ?od
"ro%ised tht i$ the& wo#ld "er$or% this scri;ce! he
wo#ld C"ss o2erD their ho#ses when he c%e to
destro& the ;rst 'orn in E)&"t0 The $%ilies were to
et the sl#)htered l%' tht ni)ht0 Pro"heticll&!
?od told the% not to 're3 n& o$ the 'ones o$ the
l%' the& sl#)htered EEHod#s *:F/>G0 The& were lso
instr#cted to et #nle2ened 'red nd 'itter her's
with their Psso2er %el0 ?od told the% to et the
%el in hste! Cwith &o#r clo3 t#c3ed into &o#r 'elt!
&o#r sndls on &o#r $eet nd &o#r stL in &o#r hnd0D
EEHod#s *:F**G0
Wht ?od hd told Moses is eHctl& wht
h""ened0 On tht s%e ni)ht! the LORD str#c3 down
the ;rst'orn sons thro#)ho#t E)&"t! ri)ht #" to
PhrohKs ho#se! eHce"t $or those whose ho#ses were
%r3ed with the 'lood o$ the Psso2er l%'0 Phroh
clled Moses nd Aron into his "lce nd ordered
the% to le2e into the desert to worshi" 4eho2h0
Unli3e in his "re2io#s si%ilr orders! he told the% to )o
with their herds nd 'elon)in)s0 The 4ews went on
:*: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
their w& lden with %n& 2l#'le )i$ts $ro% their
E)&"tin nei)h'orsIIe)er to see the% )o0 The 4ews
le$t is s#ch hste tht the& were #n'le to le2en their
'red0 The rest o$ the stor& o$ the EHod#s hs lred&
'een descri'ed in ch"ter one0 The "eo"le esc"ed
$ro% sl2er& in E)&"t! s&%'olic o$ those #nder the New
9o2ennt esc"in) $ro% sl2er& to sin0 The& were onl&
'le to esc"e '& "ssin) thro#)h the wters o$ the
Red Se! s the& were '"ti6ed into Moses0
At the s%e ti%e tht ?od "er$or%ed the
Psso2er %ircle! he lso instr#cted his "eo"le to
"er$or% rit#l Psso2er %el e2er& &er $ro% tht
d& $orwrd s re%inder o$ how he $reed the% $ro%
their c"ti2it&J
.
CThis is d& &o# re to
co%%e%orteJ $or the )enertions to
co%e! &o# shll cele'rte it s $esti2l to
the LORDII lstin) ordinnce0 C EEHod#s
*:F*/G0
CWhen &o# enter the lnd tht the
LORD will )i2e &o# s he "ro%ised! o'ser2e
this cere%on&0 And when &o# children s3
&o#! RWht does this cere%on& %en to
&o#AK tell the%! RIt is the Psso2er scri;ce
to the LORD! who "ssed o2er the ho#ses
o$ the Isrelites in E)&"t nd s"red o#r
ho%es when he str#c3 down the
E)&"tins0D EEHod#s *:F:8I:,G0
I$ there e2er ws co%%nd ?od )2e to the
4ews which the& h2e $ollowed reli)io#sl&! it is the
co%%nd to cele'rte the Psso2er %el nn#ll&0
E2er& &er! 4ewish $%ilies "er$or% rit#l
clensin) o$ ll &est $ro% their ho#se 'e$ore
cele'rtin) the Psso2er0 On the ni)ht o$ the Psso2er
%el! 3nown s the CSeder!D the eHtended $%il&
:
?od instit#ted the wee3Ilon) $est o$ #nle2ened 'red t
this ti%e s well! s will 'e disc#ssed 'elow0
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :*-
)thers to)ether to shre the %el o$ l%'!
#nle2ened 'red nd 'itter her's0 The l%' is eten
to re%e%'er the scri;ce nd the esc"e $ro%
destr#ction0 The #nle2ened 'red is to re%e%'er the
hste o$ their esc"e $ro% sl2er&0 The 'itter her's re
eten to re%ind the% o$ the 'itterness o$ ensl2e%ent
#nder Phroh0 Trditionll&! the "trirch o$ the $%il&
reds $ro% set "ss)es in EHod#s0 Be$ore the
redin)s it is trditionl to choose &o#n) 'o& $ro%
the $%il& to s3 $o#r B#estions0 One o$ these is CWht
does this %enAD EEHod#s *-F/G! $ter which! the whole
)ro#" is t#)ht 'o#t the %enin) o$ the Psso2er0
The other three B#estions re! CWh& is this ni)ht
diLerent $ro% ll other ni)htsAD CWh& on this ni)ht do
we onl& et #nle2ened 'redAD nd CWh& et 'itter
her'sAD Trditionll&! three "ieces o$ #nle2ened 'red
re #sed0 The third "iece o$ 'red is 'ro3en! hidden
w&! onl& to 'e reco2ered nd distri'#ted to ll lter0
Additionll&! three c#"s o$ wine re shred0 For the
4ews! the third c#"! shred t the end o$ the s#""er! is
3nown s the c#" o$ rede%"tion0
E2er& sin)le detil o$ this $est ser2es s
wonder$#l $oreshdowin) o$ sl2tion in 4es#s 9hrist0
To B#ote $ro% Philli" Lester
/
! CThe essence o$ the
Psso2er is tht o$ the LordKs S#""er0 It is ll 'o#t
re%e%'erin) where we h2e co%e! the 'itterness o$
o#r ensl2e%ent Eto sinG! nd the "rice o$ o#r
deli2ernce '& the 'lood o$ the L%'0D The Psso2er
o$ the 4ews is t&"e! while theLordKs S#""er is the
ntit&"e0 In $ct! it wo#ld "ro''l& 'e %ore cc#rte
to cll the %el on the ni)ht 4es#s ws 'etr&ed the
Lst Seder! rther thn the Lst S#""er0 This tr#l& ws
the lst Psso2er %el 'e$ore the Psso2er ws
re"lced '& its New Test%ent ntit&"eIIThe LordKs
S#""er ENot tht there is n&thin) wron) with
9hristin cele'rtin) Seder %elG0 This is eHctl&
wht 4es#s %ent s he shred the Lst S#""er with
his closest $riendsJ
-
Philli" Lester! $ro% his E#n"#'lishedG ess& CA""recitin)
the Si)ni;cnce o$ the Psso2er0D
:*/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
Then c%e the d& o$ Unle2ened
Bred on which the Psso2er l%' hd to
'e scri;ced0 4es#s sent Peter nd 4ohn!
s&in) C?o nd %3e "re"rtions $or #s
to et the Psso2er<0
When the ho#r hd co%e! 4es#s nd
his "ostles reclined t the t'le0 And he
sid #nto the%! CI h2e e)erl& desired to
et this Psso2er with &o# 'e$ore I s#Ler0
For I tell &o#! I will not et it )in #ntil it
;nds $#l;ll%ent in the 3in)do% o$ ?od0D
EL#3e ::F,!.!*/I*>G0
It this "ss)e! 4es#s is tellin) the disci"les tht the
neHt Psso2er cele'rtion wo#ld 'e in the $or% o$ its
New 9o2ennt ntit&"eNthe LordKs S#""er0 One is
re%inded one %ore ti%e o$ 4es#sK cli% tht he did not
co%e to 'rin) the lw to n end '#t to 'rin) it to
$#l;ll%ent in the New 9o2ennt0
9onsider so%e o$ the t&"ePntit&"e
reltionshi"s 'etween the Psso2er nd the LordKs
S#""er0 As %entioned in the introd#ction to this
ch"ter! when ?od %de the Psso2er to 'e t&"e o$
the LordKs S#""er he ws not 'ein) s#'tle! )i2en tht
4es#s cele'rted the Lst S#""er on the ni)ht o$ the
Psso2er %el0 In the Psso2er %el! n innocent
l%' is scri;ced0 The LordKs S#""er co%%e%ortes
the deth o$ 4es#s who! Cws led li3e l%' to the
sl#)hter! nd s shee" 'e$ore his sherers is silent!
so he did not o"en his %o#th0D The Psso2er l%' hd
to 'e witho#t "h&sicl de$ect0 The ntit&"e to the
l%'! 4es#s 9hrist ws witho#t s"irit#l de$ect0 He
ne2er sinned0
The ori)inl Psso2er l%'s were 3illed to s2e
"eo"le who were #nder deth sentence! s the deth
n)el ws to "ss thro#)h E)&"t tht ni)ht0 The LordKs
S#""er co%%e%ortes 4es#sK deth $or "eo"le who
were #nder s"irit#l deth sentence0 CB#t 'ec#se
o$ his )ret lo2e $or #s! ?od! who is rich in %erc&!
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :*8
%de #s li2e with 9hrist e2en when we were ded in
trns)ressionsNit is '& )rce &o# h2e 'een s2ed0D
EE"hesins :F/!8G0 The Psso2er l%'Ks scri;cil
'lood ws s"rin3led on the wooden crossI'e% o2er
the IsreliteKs doors0 When the& did this! the 4ews hd
no ide whte2er tht the& were "re;)#rti2el& ctin)
o#t the 'lood o$ 4es#s! Cthe l%' o$ ?od who t3es
w& the sins o$ the world!D E4ohn *F:+G which ws to
'e shed on crossI'e% $o#rteen cent#ries lter0
Bec#se o$ the 'lood o$ the Psso2er l%'! ?od
C"ssed o2erD the ho#ses o$ the 4ews0 Bec#se o$ the
'lood o$ the L%' o$ ?od! Cslin $ro% the cretion o$
the world!D ?od will "ss o2er the sin in o#r own
"ersonl ho#seNo#r li2es0
The ;2e t&"ePntit&"e "rllels lred&
%entioned re onl& the 'e)innin)0 ?od co%%nded
the 4ews not to 're3 n& o$ the 'ones o$ the Psso2er
l%'0 CDo not 're3 n& o$ the 'ones0D EEHod#s
*:F/>G0 How did the 4ews inter"ret this see%in)l&
o'sc#re co%%ndA Wht did ?od h2e in %indA The
co%%nd to not 're3 n& o$ the 'ones o$ the
Psso2er l%' is "ro"hec& o$ the ntit&"e to the
Psso2er l%'! 4es#s 9hrist0 It is re%iniscent o$ the
%essinic "ro"hec& in Psl%s ::F*,! CI cn co#nt ll
%& 'ones0D 4es#s ws cr#ci;ed lon) with two thie2es0
4es#s died ;rst o$ the three! %ost li3el& 'ec#se o$ the
eHtre%el& ro#)h tret%ent he recei2ed e2en 'e$ore
'ein) cr#ci;ed0 Bec#se the cr#ci;Hion h""ened on
the s%e d& s the Psso2er %el! the 4ews wnted
the 'odies t3en down $ro% the cross 'e$ore s#nset0
When the& %de this reB#est! the Ro%n soldiers
'ro3e the 'ones o$ the two thie2es cr#ci;ed lon) with
4es#s0 The& did this 'ec#se it ws co%%on
3nowled)e tht once the conde%ned "ersonKs le)s
were 'ro3en! the& co#ld no lon)er "#sh the%sel2es #"
to )et 'reth0 The& there$ore eH"ired within 5#st
$ew %in#tes0 When the soldiers c%e to 4es#s! the&
did not 're3 his le)s 'ec#se he hd lred& died0
All this is recorded in 4ohn *+F-*I--0 Th#s ws $#l;lled
the "ro"hec&! d#ti$#ll& cted o#t e2er& &er! when the
:*> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
4ews cre$#ll& 2oided 're3in) n& o$ the 'ones o$ the
Psso2er l%'0
The 4ews hd to Qee E)&"t so B#ic3l& tht the&
were not e2en 'le to le2en their 'red0 4es#s
eH"ects those who $ollow hi% to Qee $ro% their li$e o$
s"irit#l sl2er& in sin witho#t e2en loo3in) 'c3 EL#3e
+F>:G0 Whte2er we re c#rrentl& doin)! 4es#s eH"ects
#s to dro" o#r nets there nd then nd $ollow hi%
when we her the cll EMr3 *F*,!*.G0 O$ co#rse! 'oth
the Psso2er %el nd the LordKs S#""er incl#de the
etin) o$ #nle2ened 'red0 In the LordKs S#""er the
#nle2ened 'red is %ent to s&%'oli6e the 'od& o$
4es#s whose li$e ws witho#t le2en0 We h2e lred&
seen in ch"ter siH tht le2en is s&%'ol o$ sin0
Be$ore the Psso2er %el! 4ews )o thro#)h trditionl
serchin) o$ the ho#se to re%o2e n& "ossi'le le2en
$ro% their ho%es0 Si%ilrl&! ?od eH"ects #s 'e$ore we
e2en t3e the LordKs S#""er to loo3 t o#r own
"ersonl s"irit#l ho#se in order to del with s"irit#l
le2en we will ine2it'l& ;nd thereJ
A %n o#)ht to eH%ine hi%sel$
'e$ore he ets o$ the 'red nd drin3s o$
the c#"0 E* 9orinthins **F:.G0
DonKt &o# 3now tht little &est
wor3s thro#)h the whole 'tch o$ do#)hA
?et rid o$ the old &est tht &o# %& 'e
new 'tch witho#t &estNas you really
are0 For 9hrist! o#r Psso2er l%'! hs
'een scri;ced0 There$ore let #s 3ee" the
Festi2l0 E* 9orinthins 8F,!.G0
Here! the i%)er& o$ the Psso2er %el nd the LordKs
S#""er is inti%tel& intertwined0 Note tht the LordKs
S#""er is 'oth re%inder o$ the lred& cco%"lished
$ct o$ 'ein) witho#t sin nd cll to wl3 w& $ro%
c#rrent sin in o#r li2es0
As "rt o$ the Psso2er %el! ?od co%%nded
the etin) o$ 'itter her's0 This ws to re%ind the 4ews
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :*,
o$ the 'itterness o$ sl2er& in E)&"t0 One wo#ld thin3
tht the 4ews wo#ld ne2er $or)et how terri'le it ws to
'e in 'ond)e0 One wo#ld 'e wron)0 While wnderin)
in the wilderness! the 4ews soon $or)ot the horrors o$
sl2er& nd lon)ed to ret#rn to E)&"t EN#%'ers
:=F8!>G0 This is wh& ?od )2e the% the Psso2er s
re%e%'rnce! not onl& o$ the %6in) %ircle o$ their
relese $ro% 'ond)e! '#t lso s re%inder o$ the
'itterness o$ sl2er&0 Wht )ret $oreshdow $or
those #nder the New 9o2ennt who cele'rte the
LordKs S#""er0 One wo#ld thin3 tht it wo#ld 'e es&
$or disci"le o$ 4es#s to re%e%'er how %6in)l&
'etter their li$e is #nder the ?ood She"herd 4es#s
9hrist who )i2es li$e nd li$e to the $#ll E"r"hrsin)
4ohn *=F*=!**G0 A)in! one wo#ld 'e 2er& wron)0
9hristins need to re%e%'er on re)#lr 'sis how
tr#l& 'itter li$e #nder sl2er& to sin ws0 The rit#l
re%inder o$ the Psso2er nd the LordKs S#""er 'oth
let ?odKs "eo"le re%e%'er the 'itterness o$ sl2er&0
Altho#)h it is not co%%nded in the Pentte#ch!
the 4ews h2e n ncient trdition o$ shrin) three
lo2es o$ 'red nd three c#"s o$ wine0 The third "iece
o$ #nle2ened 'red is 'ro3en into "ieces nd the
"ieces re hidden ro#nd the ho#se0 A$ter the %el!
the $%il& serches the ho#se! reco2erin) the "ieces
nd shrin) the% to)ether0 Little do %ost o$ the%
3now tht the& re ctin) o#t $oreshdow o$ the
'odil& res#rrection o$ 4es#s in this interestin) "rt o$
the Psso2er %el0 The trditionl third c#" o$ wine is
dr#n3 $ter the %el0 The 4ews reco)ni6e this s the
c#" o$ rede%"tion0 This third c#" is the one 4es#s too3
on the ni)ht he ws scri;ced s Psso2er l%'0
C%fter supper he too3 the c#"! s&in)! RThis is the new
co2ennt in %& 'lood<K0D I$ onl& the 4ews who shred
this third c#" hd n& ide how "ro"hetic the c#" o$
rede%"tion ws to 'eco%e when 4es#s shred it with
his "ostles the ni)ht 'e$ore he )2e scri;ce $or
rede%"tion o$ the whole world0
There re three the%es in this ch"ter0 Two o$
these re the the%es o$ the entire 'oo30 One o$ these
:*. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
is tht entire Old Test%ent is 'o#t 4es#s 9hrist0 The
second is tht the '#ndnt nd intricte
$oreshdowin)s in the Old Test%ent "ro2e 'e&ond
do#'t tht the Bi'le is ins"ired '& ?od0 The dditionl
the%e in this ch"ter is tht ?od wnts nd e2en
eH"ects those who co%e to hi% to t3e ti%e to %3e
re)#lr h'it o$ re%e%'erin) wht he hs done in their
li2es0 In 'oth the Psso2er nd the LordKs S#""er! ?od
is cllin) 9hristins to re%e%'er the deth o$ the
scri;cil l%' 4es#s 9hrist nd the %ircle o$
sl2tion which it wor3s in the li2es o$ those who "#t
their $ith in the 'lood o$ the Psso2er l%'0 Perh"s
9hristin "rents wo#ld do well to instit#te their own
cere%on& si%ilr to the $o#r B#estions s3ed '& 4ewish
children0 Rit#l re%e%'erin) is 2l#'le to ll
disci"les o$ 4es#s0 This tr#th ""lies e2en %ore so to
their children0 In order to 'rin) ho%e the "rllel
%ess)e o$ the LordKs S#""er nd the Psso2er! one
hel"$#l ide wo#ld 'e $or 9hristin $%il& or )ro#"
o$ disci"les o$ 4es#s to cele'rte Psso2er Seder
to)ether0 Wht %i)ht %3e this e2en 'etter wo#ld 'e
to in2ite 4ewish 9hristin to t3e "rt0 The "oint is
tht in these two cere%onies ?od is tellin) #s tht we
need to 'e re%inded o$ the 'itterness o$ sl2er& nd
the wonder$#l sl2tion wro#)ht '& the 'lood o$ the
Psso2er l%'0
THE EA&T O %#&T#*%T&
Most 'elie2ers in 4es#s re t lest "eri"herll&
wre o$ the Psso2er nd the $ct tht it occ#rs
so%ewhere ner the ti%e o$ the deth o$ 4es#s in the
4ewish clendr0 B& contrst! 9hristins in )enerl
3now 'sol#tel& nothin) 'o#t the Fest o$ First$r#itsF
when it is cele'rted! its "#r"ose in the Lw o$ Moses!
nd es"ecill& its role s $oreshdow o$ the 9hristin
dis"enstion0
The Fest o$ First$r#its ws instit#ted s "rt o$
the Lw o$ Moses0 The "#r"ose! ti%in) nd cere%on&
o$ the $est re $o#nd in Le2itic#s :-F+I*/0 Bsicll&!
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :*+
this $est ws creted '& ?od $or the "eo"le to
cele'rte the "ro%ise inherent in the 2er& ;rst $r#it o$
the hr2est o$ their cro"s0 It ws not so %#ch
hr2est $esti2l! '#t n ntici"tionIo$ItheIhr2est
$esti2l0 Mn& ncient "eo"le hd hr2est $esti2ls!
'#t the 4ews %#st h2e 'een #niB#e %on) their
nei)h'ors to h2e $esti2l $or hr2est which still l&
in the $#t#re0 To crete n nlo)&! i$ one were to "lnt
lr)e )rden with %n& diLerent cro"s! the Fest o$
First$r#its wo#ld 'e cele'rted when tht 2er& ;rst cro"
o$ &o#n) s"inch 'ec%e red& to et0 I$ one li2ed in
the Midwest United Sttes! this wo#ld h""en in M&
t the erliest! '#t in Plestine this $ell in Mrch or
A"ril0 This ;rst $r#it o$ oneKs )rden wo#ld 'e 'ro#)ht
'e$ore ?od nd dedicted to hi% 'oth in reco)nition
tht ll )ood $r#it co%es $ro% hi% nd in ntici"tion
o$ nd reB#est $or )ood hr2est the rest o$ the &er0
When &o# enter the lnd I % )oin)
to )i2e &o# nd &o# re" its hr2est! 'rin)
to the "riest she$ o$ the ;rst )rin o$ the
hr2est0 He is to w2e the she$ 'e$ore
the Lord so it will 'e cce"ted on &o#r
'ehl$J the "riest is to w2e it on the d&
$ter the S''th0 ELe2itic#s :-F*=!**G0
For o#r "#r"oses! the ti%in) o$ the Fest o$
First$r#its is 2er& i%"ortnt0 As one cn see $ro% the
"ss)e 'o2e! this $esti2l ws cele'rted on the d&
$ter the S''th0 Which S''thA Act#ll&! in the
4ewish clendr! the Fest o$ First$r#its c%e to 'e
cele'rted on the d& $ter the S''th which $ell
d#rin) the Fest o$ Unle2ened Bred0 It is "ossi'le to
)et con$#sed here! so let #s slow down0 For 4ewish
"eo"le! the ter% CPsso2erD hs e2ol2ed to co2er the
Psso2er %el! or Seder! the se2enId& Fest o$
Unle2ened Bred which directl& $ollowed the Psso2er
nd the Fest o$ First$r#its which $lls on the second
d& o$ the Fest o$ Unle2ened Bred0 In other words!
$or the 4ews! the Psso2er co2ers ei)ht d&s nd three
::= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
$esti2ls! 'e)inin) with the "re"rtor& Psso2er %el!
incl#din) the entire Fest o$ Unle2ened Bred nd the
oneId& Fest o$ First$r#its0
I$ one considers the ti%in) o$ the Fest o$
First$r#its cre$#ll&! n sto#ndin) concl#sion 5#%"s
o#t0 4es#s ws res#rrected $ro% the ded on the Fest
o$ First$r#itsM 4es#s ws cr#ci;ed on Frid&
,
! the d& o$
the Psso2er Fest! which ws the */
th
o$ Nisn0 The
$ollowin) d&! the *8
th
o$ Nisn ws S''th nd ws
lso the ;rst d& o$ the Fest o$ Unle2ened Bred0
The third d&! the *>
th
o$ Nisn! S#nd&! ws the
Fest o$ First$r#its0 It ws lso the d& 4es#s rose $ro%
the ded0 ?od )2e the Fest o$ First$r#its to the 4ews
so tht the& wo#ld re%e%'er tht the& were entirel&
de"endent on hi% $or their "h&sicl 'lessin)s0 As is '&
now 2er& $%ilir "ttern! ?od lso hd dee"er
s"irit#l %enin) in the Fest o$ First$r#its $or those
who wo#ld 'e s2ed #nder the New 9o2ennt0 The
Fest o$ First$r#its is re%inder o$ o#r totl
de"endence on ?od to inherit eternl li$e0 It is lso
$oreshdow o$ the res#rrection o$ 4es#s0
In the Old 9o2ennt t&"e! the Fest o$ First$r#its!
the ;rst$r#it i$ the hr2est ws 'ro#)ht nd "resented
to 4eho2h0 The "resenttion o$ the ;rst$r#its o$ their
;elds re"resented n eH"ecttion on the "rt o$ the
4ews o$ n '#ndnt $#t#re hr2est0 In the ntit&"e!
the res#rrection! 4es#s rose s the ;rst $r#its $ro% the
ded0 The res#rrection o$ 4es#s is the ;rst$r#its! the
hr'in)er nd the "ro%ise o$ the ;nl res#rrection0
CM#ltit#des who slee" in the d#st o$ the erth will
w3eF so%e to e2erlstin) li$e! others to sh%e nd
e2erlstin) conte%"t0D EDniel *:F:G0 To s#""ort this
cli%! consider * 9orinthins *8F:=!:* where P#l is
disc#ssin) the res#rrection o$ the dedJ
/
The 4ewish d& hs lw&s 'e)#n nd ended t s#ndown0
There$ore! the */
th
o$ NisnNthe d& o$ the Psso2er FestN'e)n
on Th#rsd& e2enin)! when 4es#s cele'rted wht c%e to 'e
3nown s the Lst S#""er0 It stretched thro#)h Th#rsd& ni)ht
when 4es#s ws rrested nd #nderwent %oc3 tril 'e$ore the
4ews0 It lso incl#ded the tril 'e$ore Pilte nd the cr#ci;Hion
which occ#rred d#rin) the d& on Frid&0
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e ::*
B#t 9hrist hs indeed 'een rised
$ro% the ded! the ;rst$r#its o$ those who
h2e $llen slee"0 For since deth c%e
thro#)h %n! the res#rrection o$ the
ded co%es lso thro#)h %n0
In other words! the res#rrection o$ 4es#s is the
;rst$r#its o$ ll those who h2e died0 It is "ro%ise o$
$#t#re hr2estNthe res#rrection $ro% the ded0
It is worth notin) tht 4es#s ws not the ;rst
"erson to 'e recorded in the Bi'le s 'ein) res#rrected
$ro% the ded0 One co#ld %ention L6r#s E4ohn **G
or the Sh#nn%ite wo%nKs son E: 7in)s /F.I-,G nd
others0 Howe2er! in ech o$ these cses! we re led to
ss#%e tht the "erson %irc#lo#sl& rised to li$e lter
died in the #s#l w&0 4es#s is the ;rst$r#its $ro% the
ded in tht he rose to e2erlstin) li$e with ?od0
9onsider lso 9olossins *F*.J
And he is the hed o$ the 'od&! the
ch#rchJ he is the 'e)innin) nd the
;rst'orn $ro% %on) the ded! so tht in
e2er&thin) he %i)ht h2e the s#"re%c&0
4es#s is the ;rst'ornNthe ;rst$r#its $ro% %on) those
who h2e died nd 'een rised to eternl li$e with ?od0
As P#l told his herers in Athens! the res#rrection o$
4es#s "ro2es tht ?od hs set side d& in which ll
%en will 'e 5#d)ed with 5#stice0 EActs *,F-*G0 This is
tr#e 'ec#se 4es#s is the ;rst $r#it o$ 2stl& lr)er
hr2est which will 'e res#rrected $ro% %on) the ded
to $ce 5#d)e%ent0 Fro% the )i2in) o$ the Lw o$
Moses on! the 4ews cele'rted the )therin) o$ the
"h&sicl ;rst$r#its! ne2er reli6in) tht the& were
"ro"heticll& ctin) o#t the res#rrection o$ 4es#s nd
its "ro%ise o$ hr2est o$ so#ls t the end o$ ti%e0
I$ the res#rrection o$ 4es#s is "ro"hesied in the
Fest o$ First$r#its! nt#rl B#estion rises0 Sho#ld
those #nder the New 9o2ennt re%e%'er the e2ent in
::: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
so%e sort o$ nn#l 9hristin ;rst$r#its cere%on& s
?od told the 4ews to doA The nswer to this is tht ?od
does not "rescri'e s#ch cele'rtion! which le2es it
#" to indi2id#l 9hristins0 The eHct historicl roots o$
the reli)io#s holid& now 3nown s Ester is so%ewht
o'sc#re0 One cn ss#%e tht it ws strted '& erl&
ch#rch leders tr&in) to enco#r)e the disci"les o#t o$
concern tht the& not $or)et the res#rrection o$ 4es#s0
Un$ort#ntel&! o2er ti%e! the ch#rchKs cele'rtion o$
the res#rrection cB#ired stron) ")n o2ertones0
Ester too3 on s"ects o$ $ertilit& rite! e2en
'orrowin) its n%e $ro% the ")n )od Ishtr0
9hristins sho#ld "ro''l& "#t side s#ch ")n
s"ects in their co%%e%ortion o$ the res#rrection o$
4es#sM Howe2er! so%e h2e o2errected to the Ro%n
9tholic holid& '& declrin) it sin to cele'rte
Ester0 I$ there is n& %ess)e to 'e )lened $ro% this
ch"ter it is tht ?odKs "eo"le tend to $or)et0 Re)#lr
re%inders o$ s#ch 'lessed e2ents s the res#rrection o$
4es#s re 2er& )ood thin)0
For the 4ews the Fest o$ First$r#its ws 'o#t
$ith0 Fro% the ;rst si)n o$ the de2elo"%ent o$ seed
on the )rin the 4ews cele'rted hr2est which did
not &et eHist on $ith tht ?od wo#ld t3e cre o$ their
needs0 It is the s%e $or the $ollower o$ 4es#s0 The
ntit&"e is ll 'o#t $ith s well0 We t3e the
res#rrection o$ 4es#s $ro% the ded s "ro%ise o$
)ret $#t#re hr2est0 We #nderstnd tht we will 'e
"rt o$ this hr2est o$ so#ls $or eternit&0
THE EA&T O *N!EAVENED "#EAD
It hs lred& 'een stted tht the Fest o$
Unle2ened Bred is "rt o$ the three cele'rtions
which co%"rise wht 'ec%e collecti2el& 3nown s the
Psso2er0 The Fest o$ Unle2ened Bred ws se2enI
d& $esti2l which ws cele'rted i%%editel& $ter
the Psso2er %el! %3in) the entire Psso2er n ei)ht
d& e2ent0 The Fest o$ Unle2ened Bred ws
instit#ted t the s%e ti%e s the Psso2er %el! s
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e ::-
descri'ed in EHod#s *:J
+
9ele'rte the Fest o$ Unle2ened
Bred! 'ec#se it ws on this 2er& d& tht
I 'ro#)ht &o#r di2isions o#t o$ E)&"t0
9ele'rte this d& s lstin) ordinnce
$or the )enertions to co%e0 In the ;rst
%onth &o# re to et 'red %de witho#t
&est! $ro% the e2enin) o$ the $o#rteenth
d& #ntil the e2enin) o$ the twent&I;rst
d&0 For se2en d&s no &est is to 'e
$o#nd in &o#r ho#ses0 And whoe2er ets
n&thin) with &est in it %#st 'e c#t oL
$ro% the co%%#nit& o$ Isrel! whether he
is n lien or nti2eI'orn0 EEHod#s *:F*,I
*+G0
One cn see $ro% this descri"tion tht the Fest o$
Unle2ened Bred ws desi)ned to cele'rte nd to
re%e%'er the EHod#sNthe relese o$ ?odKs "eo"le
$or% c"ti2it& nd sl2er& in E)&"t0 It is i%"ortnt to
distin)#ish the Psso2er %el $ro% the Fest o$
Unle2ened Bred0 The Psso2er %el ws )i2en s
re%e%'rnce o$ IsrelKs sl2tion $ro% the destro&in)
n)el0 It is $oreshdow o$ sl2tion thro#)h the
'lood o$ 4es#s nd $oreshdow o$ the LordKs S#""er0
The Fest o$ Unle2ened Bred ws intended s
re%e%'rnce o$ $reedo% $ro% sl2er& which res#lted
$ro% the Psso2er e2ent0
Wh& #nle2ened 'redA For two resons0 One
reson ws tht it ws re%inder o$ the ct#l e2ents
o$ the EHod#s0 CWith the do#)h the& hd 'ro#)ht $ro%
E)&"t! the& '3ed c3es o$ #nle2ened 'red0 The
do#)h ws witho#t &est 'ec#se the& hd 'een
dri2en o#t o$ E)&"t nd did not h2e ti%e to "re"re
$ood $or the%sel2es0D EEHod#s *:F-+G0 The #nle2ened
'red is re%inder o$ the s#ddenness nd the totlit&
o$ their relese $ro% c"ti2it&0 The second reson ?od
hd the% #se #nle2ened 'red $or the se2en d&
8
Also see Le2itic#s :-F/I.G
::/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
$est is tht it ser2ed s $oreshdow $or #s o$ o#r
$reedo% which is )ined when we esc"e $ro% o#r own
c"ti2it& to sin0 We h2e lred& seen tht &est is
o$ten #sed in the New Test%ent s s&%'ol o$ the
insidio#s eLect o$ sin on o#r li2es0 CA little le2en
le2ens the whole l#%"0D A)in! one cn see tht n
Old 9o2ennt $est is re%e%'rnce o$ "h&sicl
e2ent $or the 4ews nd o$ s"irit#l relit& $or
9hristins0
It hs lred& 'een stted tht! in )enerl! the
oneId& $ests o$ the 4ews were )i2en '& ?od s
$oreshdows to re%ind those who re in 9hrist o$
s"eci;c e2ent o$ i%"ortnce to their s"irit#l li2es!
while the wee3Ilon) $esti2ls were )i2en s
$oreshdows nd re%inders o$ n s"ect o$ 9hristin
li2in)0 This will ""l& to the Fest o$ Unle2ened
Bred0 For the 4ews it ws re%e%'rnce o$ their
$reedo% $ro% sl2er&0 For the 9hristin it is re%inder
o$ $reedo% $ro% sin0 Thn3s to the Psso2er e2entN
the scri;cil deth o$ 4es#s on the crossNthe disci"le
o$ 4es#s is $ree $ro% the destr#cti2e inQ#ence o$ sin in
his or her li$e0 Ro%ns >F8I, )i2es #s )ret re%inder
o$ the %enin) o$ ll three o$ the Psso2er We3
$esti2ls0
I$ we h2e 'een #nited with hi% in
his deth! we will certinl& lso 'e #nited
with hi% in his res#rrection0 For we 3now
tht o#r old sel$ ws cr#ci;ed with hi% so
tht the 'od& o$ sin %i)ht 'e rendered
"owerless! tht we sho#ld no lon)er 'e
sl2es to sinN'ec#se n&one who hs
died hs 'een $reed $ro% sin0
In this one %6in) "ss)e! P#l re%inds his
reders o$ the "ssin) o2er o$ their sins which res#lted
$ro% the deth o$ the Psso2er l%'! 4es#s 9hrist0 He
lso re%inds the% tht witho#t the res#rrection o$
4es#s! which is cele'rted in the Fest o$ First$r#its!
the& wo#ld not h2e 'een rised to li2e new li$e0
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e ::8
Most i%"ortnt to this section! P#l lso re%inds his
reders tht s res#lt o$ the Psso2er nd the
First$r#its! the& cn cele'rte li$e o$ no lon)er 'ein)
ensl2ed to sin0 The deth o$ 4es#s cretes $or #s li$e
which is no lon)er c"ti2e to the ensl2in) s"ects o$
sin0
Wht does one lern $ro% thisA Fro% the Fest
o$ Unle2ened Bred we lern tht the Bi'le is clerl&
ins"ired '& ?odM Fro% "rcticl "ers"ecti2e! we
lern tht those who re in 9hrist need to ""recite
'ein) $or)i2en0 Freedo% $ro% sin is so%ethin) to 'e
;red #" 'o#t0 We need to 'e re%inded on re)#lr
'sis tht no %tter wht is h""enin) in o#r li2es! 'e
it str#))les! chllen)es or te%"ttions! the si%"le $ct
o$ 'ein) $ree $ro% the destr#cti2e! ensl2in) "ower o$
sin is so%ethin) to cele'rte0
In $ct! those who cnnot cele'rte this si%"le
$ct re in s"irit#l "eril0 ?od )2e the Fest o$
Unle2ened Bred to Isrel $or reson0 The& needed
re)#lr re%inders 'oth o$ wht the& hd le$t 'ehind
nd wht the& hd )ined when the& le$t sl2er& in
E)&"t0 Let #s cele'rte with o#r 4ewish 'rothers nd
sisters o#r wonder$#l li$e o$ $reedo%0 Let #s ne2er e2er
ct s the& did when onl& short ti%e $ter the EHod#s
the "eo"le o$ Isrel 'ec%e $oc#sed on the trils o$
needin) $ood nd wter in the desert nd ct#ll&
lon)ed to ret#rn to their li$e o$ sl2er&0 Yes! this cn
h""en to #s0 As P#l d%onished the Thesllonin
disci"les! let #s CBe 5o&$#l lw&sJ "r& contin#ll&J nd
)i2e thn3s in ll circ#%stnces! $or this is ?odKs will
$or &o# in 9hrist 4es#s0D E* Thesslonins 8F*>G0
THE EA&T O .EE4&8/ENTE'O&T 6shavoat7
The $o#rth $est "rescri'ed in the Old Test%ent
clendr ws the Fest o$ Wee3sF shavoat in He'rew0
This ws the %in hr2est $est o$ the 4ewish &er0
The ti%in) o$ the $est ws tied to the Fest o$
First$r#its0
::> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
Fro% the d& $ter the S''th ! the
d& &o# 'ro#)ht the she$ o$ the w2e
oLerin)! co#nt oL se2en $#ll wee3s0 9o#nt
oL ;$t& d&s #" to the d& $ter the
se2enth S''th! nd then "resent n
oLerin) o$ new )rin to the LORD0 Fro%
where2er &o# li2e! 'rin) two lo2es %de
o$ twoItenths o$ n e"hh o$ ;ne Qo#r!
'3ed with &est! s w2e oLerin) o$
;rst$r#its to the LORD0 ELe2itic#s :-F*8I*,G0
The S''th re$erred to in this "ss)e $ro% Le2itic#s
is the Psso2er S''th0 The d& $ter this S''th
ws the Fest o$ First$r#its0 The Fest o$ Wee3s )ot its
n%e $ro% the $ct tht it $ell eHctl& se2en wee3s
$ter the Fest o$ First$r#its0 This Fest c%e lter to
'e 3nown s the Pentecost 'ec#se it lso h""ens to
$ll eHctl& ;$t& d&s $ter the Psso2er S''th0
Notice the "hrse C$ro% where2er &o# li2eD in
the "ss)e 'o2e0 Once Isrel entered the Pro%ised
Lnd! the& were eH"ected to 'rin) the $r#it o$ their
hr2est to cele'rte the Fest o$ Wee3s in 4er#sle%
e2er& &er! #nless it 'ec%e i%"ossi'le 'ec#se the&
hd 'een scttered too $r to %3e the tri"0 E2en
then! the 4ews were eH"ected to %3e the 5o#rne&
e2en $ro% )ret distnces t lest t so%e "oint in
their li2es0 This $ct will 'e si)ni;cnt when we
disc#ss the New Test%ent ntit&"e to the Fest o$
Wee3s0 In $ct! the 4ews were eH"ected to tr2el to
the loction o$ the T'erncle or the Te%"le three
ti%es "er &er! on Psso2er! Pentecost nd the D& o$
Atone%ent! which is wh& these c%e to 'e tho#)ht o$
s the three "rinci"le $ests0
The #se o$ the word ;rst$r#its in the 'o2e
"ss)e cn led to con$#sion 'etween the Fest o$
First$r#its nd the Fest o$ Pentecost0 B& the ti%e o$
the Fest o$ Wee3s! which $ell in %id M& to erl& 4#ne!
2irt#ll& ll the S"rin) h2est o$ )rin ws lred& in0
The 4ews were co%%nded '& ?od to dedicte the
;rst$r#its o$ ll their hr2ests to hi%! incl#din) the
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e ::,
;rst$r#its o$ the wo%'s o$ their Qoc3s nd herds
EEHod#s -/F*+!:=G! nd e2en their ;rst children0 With
the Fest o$ Wee3s 'ein) the "rinci"le hr2est $esti2l
Ein $ct it is clled the Fest o$ Hr2est in EHod#s
:-F*>G! it is nt#rll& re$erred to s ti%e $or
dedictin) ;rst$r#its0 To "#t it si%"l&! the Fest o$
Wee3s ws a ;rst$r#its $esti2l! while the d& 4es#s ws
res#rrected ws the Fest o$ First$r#its0
The Fest o$ Wee3s! then! ws intended '& ?od
s ti%e $or his "eo"le to cele'rte the hr2est o$
their cro"s0 The "eo"le %& h2e done the hrd wor3!
'#t ?od eH"ected the% to re%e%'er tht in the end it
ws onl& thro#)h his 'lessin) tht the& co#ld 'rin) in
cro"0 The 4ews wo#ld 'e "er"et#ll& te%"ted to $or)et
this $ct! so ?od )2e the% Fest $or which the&
were reB#ired to tr2el to 4er#sle% to cele'rte0
E2er& &er the& re%inded the%sel2es tht the hr2est
is $ro% the Lord0
I$ the Fest o$ Pentecost is t&"e! wht is the
ntit&"eA As with Psso2er nd First$r#its! ?od hs
%de it es& $or #s to ;)#re this one o#t0 Se2en
wee3s $ter 4es#s ws rised $ro% the ded! tens o$
tho#snds o$ 4ews were )thered in 4er#sle% $ro% ll
the ntions to which the 4ews hd 'een scttered d#e
to their "ersec#tions to cele'rte the Pentecost0 4es#s
hd lred& scended into he2en! h2in) told his
$ollowers to wit in 4er#sle%0
Erl& tht %ornin)! the "ostles nd other
$ollowers )thered to)ether in one "lce0 CS#ddenl&
so#nd li3e the 'lowin) o$ 2iolent wind c%e $ro%
he2en nd ;lled the whole ho#se where the& were
sittin)0D EActs :F:G0 With this ttentionI)r''in)
%ircle nd %n& others which $ollowed tht d&! ?od
nno#nced the 'e)innin) o$ his )ret s"irit#l hr2est0
On wht 9hristins now 3now s Cthe D& o$
Pentecost!D ?od "o#red o#t the Hol& S"irit on the
"ostles s to#n)#es o$ ;re c%e to rest on ech o$
the% nd the& were %irc#lo#sl& en'led to s"e3 in
the diLerent ln)#)es o$ the 4ews $ro% ll the ntions
to which the& hd 'een scttered0 At this ti%e Peter
::. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
"reched the ;rst "#'lic )os"el ser%on! nno#ncin)
the New 9o2ennt to the 4ews who hd co%e to
4er#sle% to cele'rte the Fest o$ Wee3s0 CWith %n&
other words he wrned the%J nd he "leded with
the%! RS2e &o#rsel2es $ro% this corr#"t )enertion0K
Those who cce"ted his %ess)e were '"ti6ed! nd
'o#t three tho#snd were dded to their n#%'er tht
d&0D EActs :F/=!/*G0 At the Fest o$ Pentecost! the
hr2est $est o$ the 4ews! the 'e)innin) o$ the s"irit#l
hr2est o$ so#ls $or eternl li$e ws 'e)#n0 And wht
'e)innin) it wsM There were 'o#t three tho#snd
'"tis%s on tht one d& lone0
?od #sed the )east o$ Pentecost s $oreshdow
o$ the @ay o$ Pentecost0 The "h&sicl hr2est ws
$oreshdow o$ the s"irit#l hr2est0 It ws lso
$oreshdow o$ the o#t"o#rin) o$ the Hol& S"irit0 When
?od "o#red o#t the Hol& S"irit on the "ostles tht
Pentecost d&! he ws nno#ncin) tht $ro% this d&
$orwrd! the Hol& S"irit wo#ld 'e %de 2il'le to
dwell in n&one who wo#ld re"ent nd 'e '"ti6ed0
Peter re"lied! CRe"ent nd 'e
'"ti6ed! e2er& one o$ &o#! in the n%e o$
4es#s 9hrist so tht &o#r sins %& 'e
$or)i2en0 And &o# will recei2e the )i$t o$
the Hol& S"irit0 This "ro%ise is $or &o# nd
&o#r children nd $or ll who re $r oLN
$or ll who% the Lord o#r ?od will cll0
EActs :F-.!-+G0
The Fest o$ Wee3s ser2ed s $oreshdow o$
the s"irit#l hr2est in the 7in)do% o$ ?od0 On the
D& o$ Pentecost! the 9hristin ch#rch hd sort o$
'irthd&0 So%e h2e r)#ed tht $ter the d& 4es#s
died nd the d& 4es#s ws res#rrected! the D& o$
Pentecost is the third %ost si)ni;cnt d& in the entire
s"irit#l histor& o$ h#%nit&0 No wonder ?od )2e the
4ews $est d& to ser2e s t&"e o$ this )ret d&0
Wht is the %ess)e o$ the Fest o$
Wee3sPPentecost $or those #nder the New 9o2enntA
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e ::+
?od wnts #s to wor3 2er& hrd to &ield s"irit#l
cro" o$ so#ls $or eternit&0 ?od is 2er& ;red #" 'o#t
e2en one so#l 'ein) s2edNeno#)h to set #" the
Fest o$ Wee3s s $oreshdow o$ this )ret hr2est0
H2in) sid tht! let those who 'rin) the hr2est o$
so#ls into the 3in)do% o$ ?od ne2er $or)et who )i2es
the% the 'ilit& to 'rin) in the cro"0 As P#l told the
9orinthin disci"lesJ
CI "lnted the seed! A"ollos wtered
it! '#t ?od %de it )row0 So neither he
who "lnts nor he who wters is n&thin)!
'#t onl& ?od! who %3es thin)s )row0 The
%n who "lnts nd the %n who wters
h2e one "#r"ose! nd ech will 'e
rewrded ccordin) to his own l'or0 For
we re ?odKs $ellow wor3ersJ &o# re ?odKs
;eld! ?odKs '#ildin)0D E* 9orinthins -F8I
+G0
Thro#)h the Fest o$ Pentecost! ?od teches #s tht
we sho#ld l'or li3e hrd wor3in) $r%er to 'rin) the
s"irit#l cro" o$ so#ls into his 3in)do%! '#t we sho#ld
ne2er $or)et tht ll the )lor& )oes to the one witho#t
who% there wo#ld 'e no hr2est t ll0
THE EA&T O T#*M/ET& 6#osh Hashannah7
In %odern 4ewish c#lt#re! Rosh Hashannah! the
$est o$ tr#%"ets hs 'eco%e the third %ost si)ni;cnt
reli)io#s holid& $ter Yom Eippur nd the Psso2er0 It
is cele'rted s the 4ewish New Yer0 In $ct! the
He'rew words #osh Hashannah trnslte s hed o$
the &er0 One sho#ld 'er in %ind tht $or the 4ews
there re two %5or New Yers e2er& clendr &er0
The reli)io#s New Yer $lls on the Psso2er! which is
the $o#rteenth o$ Nisn in Mrch or A"ril0 The ci2il New
Yer co%es l%ost siH %onths lter! on the ;rst o$
Tishri! the dte o$ #osh Hashannah. For the 4ews! the
chn)e o$ &er n#%'er occ#rs on the Fest o$
:-= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
Tr#%"ets. For eH%"le! Se"te%'er :,! :==- is the
'e)innin) o$ the &er 8,>/ in the 4ewish clendr0 On
the other hnd! when the 4ews in the 3in)do% "eriod
3e"t trc3 o$ how %n& &ers their 3in)s hd r#led!
the& co#nted their rei)nl &er $ro% the $o#rteenth o$
Nisn! not the ;rst o$ Tishri0 M3in) %tters e2en
hrder to 3ee" trc3 o$ $or nonI4ews is the $ct tht
'oth New Yer cele'rtions %o2e ro#nd on the
%odern ?re)orin clendr0 This is tr#e 'ec#se the
4ews #se l#nr clendr0 Their %onths 'e)in with
new %oon0 De"endin) on where the new %oon $lls!
the Fest o$ Tr#%"ets cn 'e n&where $ro% erl&
Se"te%'er to erl& Octo'er0
At ;rst! it %& see% strn)e to nonI4ews to h2e
two New Yers! '#t i$ one thin3s 'o#t it! it rell& is not
so diLerent0 Mn& o$ #s trce o#r &er $ro% the
'e)innin) o$ the school &er in Se"te%'er0 For %&sel$
s colle)e "ro$essor! when "eo"le s3 %e how %&
&er is )oin)! I #s#ll& thin3 'c3 to the "re2io#s
Se"te%'er! not to the "re2io#s 4n#r& *
st
to nswer
the B#estion0
The Fest o$ Tr#%"ets hs not lw&s 'een
clled #osh Hashannah '& the 4ews0 When the holid&
ws ori)inll& instit#ted! s descri'ed in Le2itic#s
:-F:/!:8! it ws clled Fom Teruah! which trnsltes s
the d& o$ so#ndin) the sho$r0 The sho$r ws
tr#%"et %de $ro% r%Ks horn Esee "ict#re 'elowG0
This eH"lins the n%e Cthe Fest o$ Tr#%"ets0D


Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :-*
A Sho$r
The ori)inl Fest o$ Tr#%"ets ws not
necessril& creted s New Yer cele'rtion0 One
cn red in Le2itic#s :-F:/!:8J
The ;rst d& o$ the se2enth %onth
will 'e d& o$ rest $or &o#! scred
sse%'l& "rocli%ed with tr#%"et cll0
Yo# %#st not do n& wor3 nd &o# %#st
oLer '#rnt oLerin) to the LORD0
There is little sid here which co#ld ser2e s cl#e to
the "#r"ose o$ the Fest o$ Tr#%"ets0 The "ss)e in
N#%'ers :+F*I> does not dd lot to this descri"tion0
It hs lred& 'een %entioned tht in ncient Isrel!
the ti%in) o$ the New Moon ws 'sed on ct#l 2is#l
si)htin) o$ the sli)ht crescent o$ new %oon0 O#t o$
concern tht the& %i)ht %iss the correct d& o$ the
New Moon on which #osh Hashannah $lls! 4ewish
techers ct#ll& dded second d& to the Fest o$
Tr#%"ets 5#st in cse the crescent %oon co#ld not 'e
seen d#e to clo#ds in the ni)ht s3&0 The $est too3 on
n s"ect o$ 'ein) on )#rd or 'ein) lertNwitin) $or
?odKs ti%in)0 Mn& r''is ct#ll& s#))ested tht the
4ews not slee" t ll on the ni)ht o$ #osh Hashannah0
The Fest o$ Tr#%"ets 'ec%e s&%'olic o$ D& o$
4#d)e%ent $or the 4ews0 4ewish techers clled the
Fest o$ Tr#%"ets to 'e d& o$ sel$IreQection nd
re"entnce $or Isrel in order to 'e "re"red $or ?odKs
5#d)e%ent0
There ws )ood reson $or the 4ews to ssocite
the 'lowin) o$ the tr#%"ets on Fom Teruah with
5#d)e%ent0 When the& herd the tr#%"et 'lst t
Sini!
<the& tre%'led with $er0 The&
:-: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
st&ed t distnce nd sid to Moses!
CS"e3 to #s &o#rsel$ nd we will listen0
B#t do not h2e ?od s"e3 to #s or we will
die0D
Moses sid to the "eo"le! CDo not 'e
$rid0 ?od hs co%e to test &o#! so tht
the $er o$ ?od will 'e with &o# to 3ee" &o#
$ro% sinnin)0 EEHod#s :=F*.I:=G0

This incident when Isrel herd the tr#%"et 'lst t

Sini c#sed the% to ssocite 5#d)e%ent nd
re"entnce with the Fest o$ Tr#%"ets0 As n
dditionl eH%"le! when the Isrelite r%ies
s#rro#nded 4ericho! it ws sho$rs which were 'lown!
'rin)in) down the wlls o$ the cit&0 All this will hel" #s
to #nderstnd wht ?od intended the Fest o$
Tr#%"ets to $oreshdow0
The "oint hs lred& 'een %de tht the
sin)leId& $ests re ll t&"es o$ s"eci;c e2ent o$
rele2nce $or the 'elie2er in 4es#s 9hrist0 The Fest o$
Tr#%"ets is no eHce"tion to this r#le0 Altho#)h the
$est hs si)ni;cnce to the 4ews s well! ?od intended
ll lon) $or the 4ewish Fest o$ Tr#%"ets to 'e t&"e
o$ the d& 4es#s will ret#rn to the erth to 'rin) n end
to this "resent world nd to #sher in the ;nl D& o$
4#d)%ent0
When 4es#s descri'ed his own ret#rn t the end
o$ d&s! he #sed 2er& $%ilir i%)er& E$%ilir to the
4ews! tht isG $ro% the Fest o$ Tr#%"ets0
CAt tht ti%e the si)n o$ the Son o$
Mn will ""er in the s3&! nd ll the
ntions o$ the erth will %o#rn0 The& will
see the Son o$ Mn co%in) on the clo#ds o$
the s3&! with "ower nd )ret )lor&0 And
he will send his n)els with lo#d tr#%"et
cll! nd the& will )ther his elect $ro% the
$o#r winds! $ro% one end o$ the he2ens to
the other0D EMtthew :/F-=!-*G0
*
Also! see Isih :,F*:!*- nd 1echrih +F*-I*80
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :--
I%%editel& $ter %3in) this stte%ent! 4es#s
l#nched into len)th& disco#rse on 'ein) wtch$#l
nd red& $or the d& o$ his co%in) ECNo one 3nows the
ho#r<D E20 ->G! CThere$ore 3ee" wtch<D E20 /:G! CSo
&o# lso %#st 'e red&<D E20 //G! CThere$ore 3ee"
wtch! 'ec#se &o# do not 3now the d& or the ho#r0D
E:8F*-GG0 This ser%on wo#ld h2e ;t "er$ectl& with the
the%e o$ e2er& Fest o$ Tr#%"ets cele'rtion $or the
"rior $o#rteen cent#ries0
The ntit&"e to the Fest o$ Tr#%"ets is
%entioned in other "ss)es in the New Test%ent s
well0 The ret#rn o$ 9hrist nd the res#rrection o$ ll
h#%nit& t the end o$ this "resent )e re lso
descri'ed in * 9orinthins *8F8*I8-J
<we will ll 'e chn)edNin Qsh! in the
twin3lin) o$ n e&e! t the lst tr#%"et0 For
the tr#%"et will so#nd! the ded will 'e
rised i%"erish'le! nd we will 'e
chn)ed0 For the "erish'le %#st clothe
itsel$ with the i%"erish'le! nd the %ortl
with i%%ortlit&0
This ;nl tr#%"et 'lst will 'e the reli6tion o$ ll
those nn#l sho$r 'lsts in Isrel0 Re"entnce nd
wtch$#lness will 'er $r#it in eternl li$e0
P#l ret#rns one %ore ti%e to this the%e in *
Thesslonins /F*8!*>J
Accordin) to the LordKs own word!
we tell &o# tht we who re still li2e! who
re le$t till the co%in) o$ the Lord! will
certinl& not "recede those who h2e $llen
slee"0 For the Lord hi%sel$ will co%e
down $ro% he2en! with lo#d co%%nd!
with the 2oice o$ the rchn)el nd with
the tr#%"et cll o$ ?od! nd the ded in
9hrist will rise ;rst0
:-/ FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
A$ter this weIins"irin) descri"tion o$ the ret#rn o$
9hrist! P#l contin#es with cll to contin#l
re"entnce nd rediness which %& 2er& well h2e
reQected so%e o$ the lessons he herd on the Fest o$
Tr#%"ets s &o#n) PhriseeIinItrinin)0
I$ one ss#%es tht ?od desi)ned the entire Old
Test%ent s "ro"hetic "re"rtion $or the co%in) o$
4es#s nd his %inistr& to the world! then it 'eco%es
onl& reson'le to i%)ine the $esti2ls he )2e to the
4ews to 'e $oreshdows o$ the )ret %o%ents in the
new dis"enstion 'ro#)ht in '& 9hrist0 When one reds
the New Test%ent! it is 2er& cler tht the d& 4es#s
co%es )in! with lo#d co%%nd! the 2oice o$ the
rchn)el nd with the tr#%"et cll o$ ?od! tht will 'e
2er& )ret d& indeed0 It sho#ld not s#r"rise #s t ll
tht ?od "ro2ided $oreshdow o$ this )ret d& in the
$esti2ls cele'rted '& the 4ews0 The Fest o$ Tr#%"ets
is the Old Test%ent t&"e o$ the ret#rn o$ 4es#s nd the
D& o$ 4#d)e%ent o$ ll h#%nit&0 As the 4ewish
leders t#)ht! nd s 4es#s nd P#l "reched! we
wo#ld do well to st& wtch$#l nd red& $or tht d&0
Let #s not 'e li3e the $oolish 2ir)ins in Mtthew ch"ter
twent&I;2e who let their l%"s )o o#t0 Let #s li2e li$e
o$ dil& re"entnce nd de2otion! 'ec#se s s#rel& s
the s#n will co%e #" to%orrow! so%e d& tht ;nl
tr#%"et 'lst will so#nd0 Will &o# 'e red&A
THE DA1 O ATONEMENT 61om Kippur)
The D& o$ Atone%ent! Yom Eippur! ws the
%ost si)ni;cnt $esti2l o$ the 4ewish &er0 It ws the
one d& o$ the &er when the hi)h "rest wo#ld enter
into the Hol& o$ Holies to %3e intercession $or the sin
o$ ll the "eo"le $or the entire &er0 Wheres the sin
oLerin) nd the )#ilt oLerin) $oc#sed on accepting
personal responsibility $or oneKs sins! the D& o$
Atone%ent ws 'o#t forgiveness o$ sins0 Ar)#'l&!
this is the centrl $oreshdow o$ the entire Old
Test%ent0
Fom Eippur ws "rt o$ the Fll c&cle o$ $esti2ls
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :-8
o$ the 4ewish reli)io#s &er! $llin) so%ewhere
'etween %idISe"te%'er nd erl& Octo'er! de"endin)
on the ti%in) o$ the new %oon0 The Fll $ests
incl#ded the oneId& Fest o$ Tr#%"ets nd the D& o$
Atone%ent! s well s the se2enId& Fest o$
T'erncles0 The D& o$ Atone%ent $ell on the tenth o$
Tishri in the 4ewish clendr! nd there$ore c%e nine
d&s $ter #osh Hashannah0 It ws one o$ the three
cere%onies which ll 4ews li2in) within reson'le
distnce were reB#ired to co%e to 4er#sle% to
cele'rte0 Fom Eippur is still o'ser2ed tod& '& 4ews
world wide s one o$ their hi)h holid&s0 Howe2er! the
cele'rtion tod& is shell o$ the ori)inl 'ec#se
witho#t the ct#l scri;ce o$ the )ot in the
t'erncle! the centrl si)ni;)nce o$ the e2ent is lost0
Fom Eippur ws instit#ted with the )i2in) o$ the
Lw o$ Moses on Sini0 The detils o$ the $esti2l re
$o#nd in Le2itic#s *>! Le2itic#s :-F:>I-: nd N#%'ers
:+F,I**0 The $ocl "oint o$ the D& o$ Atone%ent ws
the entrnce o$ the Hi)h Priest into to Hol& o$ Holies to
sctter the 'lood o$ the scri;cil )ot on the %erc&
set $or the sin o$ the whole "eo"le0 Howe2er! to
e%"hsi6e the holiness o$ ?od! n el'orte
cere%on&! with %n& other oLerin)s! ws reB#ired s
"rel#de to this one weso%e scri;ce0
CThis is how Aron Xnd ll Hi)h Priests $ter
hi%Y is to enter the snct#r& reF with &o#n) '#ll
$or sin oLerin) nd r% $or '#rnt oLerin)0D
ELe2itic#s *>F-G0 To hel" 3ee" the in$or%tion $ro%
'eco%in) o2erwhel%in)! the %ost i%"ortnt e2ents
s#rro#ndin) the Fom Eippur cere%on& re listed 'elowF
*0 The Hi)h Priest wshes his entire 'od& with wter
$ro% the
l2er E%ore wshin) thn is nor%ll& reB#iredG0
:0 The Hi)h Priest then "#ts on n llIwhite CscredD
linen
t#nic Es o""osed to his nor%l color$#l )r%entsG0
:-> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
-0 A &o#n) '#ll is scri;ced $or the sins o$ the Hi)h
Priest nd
his $%il& Es well s r% $or '#rnt oLerin)G0
/0 Two )ots re selected0 One is scri;ced $or sin
oLerin)
$or the whole "eo"le0 The other will 'e the sc"eI
)ot0
80 The Hi)h Priest enters the Hol& Plce lone0 He
t3es
lr)e censer $#ll o$ incense nd col $ro% the
ltr nd
2er& cre$#ll& "lces it 'ehind the c#rtin in $ront
o$ the
Hol& o$ Holies0
>0 Once the s%o3e o$ the incense hs ;lled the Most
Hol&
Plce s#@cientl& $or the Hi)h Priest not to 'e 3illed
'&
seein) the "resence o$ ?od! he "sses thro#)h the
c#rtin
nd B#ic3l& s"rin3les the 'lood o$ the '#ll $ollowed
'& the
'lood o$ the )ot on the %erc& set to C%3e
tone%ent $or
the Most Hol& Plce 'ec#se o$ the #nclenness
nd the
re'ellion o$ the Isrelites! whte2er their sins h2e
'een0D
ELe2itic#s *>F*>G0
,0 The Hi)h Priest then s"rin3les the 'lood o$ 'oth
scri;ces
on the ite%s in the Hol& Plce! the ltr o$ '#rnt
oLerin)
nd so $orth0
.0 He then t3es the second )ot! the sc"eI)ot! nd
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :-,
l&s his
hnds on its hed! s&%'olicll& i%"rtin) the sins
o$ ll the
"eo"le onto the )ot0 The )ot is then chsed oL
into the
desert to crr& the sins o$ the "eo"le w& $ro%
the c%"0
+0 A$ter %3in) the '#rnt oLerin) on the ltr! nd
'#rnin)
the $t o$ the sin oLerin)! the 'odies o$ the )ot
nd the '#ll re crried o#t o$ the c%" Eor o#t o$
the cit& o$ 4er#sle% d#rin) the Te%"le "eriodG to
'e co%"letel& '#rned0
The D& o$ Atone%ent ws 'o#t $or)i2eness o$
sins0 CThis is n e2erlstin) co2ennt $or &o#F
Atone%ent is to 'e %de once &er $or ll the sins o$
the Isrelites0D ELe2itic#s *>F-/G0 It ser2ed s
$oreshdow o$ the centrl e2ent in the New 9o2enntF
the entrnce o$ the ?ret Hi)h Priest 4es#s 9hrist '&
2irt#e o$ his own 'lood into the he2enl& T'erncle to
t3e w& the sins o$ the whole world0
While Fom Eippur ser2es s $oreshdow o$ the
tonin) wor3 o$ 4es#s 9hrist! it tells #s t lest s %#ch
'o#t wht the Old 9o2ennt did not do s it tells #s
'o#t wht the 'lood o$ 4es#s does do0 The Hi)h
Priest hd to wsh hi%sel$ thoro#)hl& t the l2er0 He
hd to "#t on 'rnd new white linen )r%ents0 He hd
to %3e se"rte scri;ce o$ '#ll $or his own sins0
The ntit&"e to the Hi)h Priest! 4es#s 9hrist! ws 'le
to enter the he2enl& t'lerncle $or #s witho#t n& o$
these ste"s 'ec#se he ws witho#t sin0 The Hi)h
Priest hd to li)ht censer $#ll o$ incense 'ehind the
Hol& o$ Holies to crete s#ch clo#d tht he wo#ld not
'e 3illed '& seein) the #no'sc#red "resence o$ ?od0
.
4es#s ws 'le to co%e 'oldl& into the "resence o$ the
Fther in he2en! #no'sc#red '& the clo#d o$ incense0
:
Le2itic#s *>F:0
:-. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
It ws necessr&! then! $or the
co"ies o$ the he2enl& thin)s to 'e "#ri;ed
with these scri;ces! '#t the he2enl&
thin)s the%sel2es with 'etter scri;ces
thn these0 For 9hrist did not enter %nI
%de snct#r& tht ws onl& co"& o$
the tr#e oneJ he entered he2en itsel$! now
to ""er $or #s in ?odKs "resence0
EHe'rews +F:-!:/G0
Most si)ni)icntl& o$ ll! the Hi)h Priest hd to
"er$or% this cere%on& &er $ter &er0 This ws
"in$#l re%inder tht the sins o$ the "eo"le were not
$or)i2en once nd $or ll on Fom Eippur0 The ntit&"eN
the scri;ce o$ 4es#s is B#ite diLerent0 CB#t now he hs
""ered once $or ll t the end o$ the )es to do w&
with sin '& the scri;ce o$ hi%sel$0D EHe'rews +F:>G0
The $ct is tht i$ the scri;ce o$ the )ot on Fom
Eippur did 'rin) 'o#t $or)i2eness o$ sins $or Isrel t
ll! it ws onl& in ntici"tion o$ the onl& scri;ce tht
e2er tr#l& re%o2ed the sin o$ h#%nit&F the 'lood o$
4es#s 9hrist0 I$ the ntit&"e scri;ce were ne2er
oLered! the t&"e wo#ld not h2e hd n& eLect in
tonin) $or sin0 All this is s#%%ri6ed nd %de cler
in He'rews +F**I*/J
When 9hrist c%e s hi)h "riest o$
the )ood thin)s tht re lred& here! he
went thro#)h the )reter nd %ore "er$ect
t'erncle tht is not %nI%de! tht is to
s&! not "rt o$ this cretion0 He did not
enter '& %ens o$ the 'lood o$ )ots nd
cl2esJ '#t he entered the Most Hol& Plce
once $or ll '& his own 'lood! h2in)
o'tined eternl rede%"tion0 The 'lood o$
)ots nd '#lls nd the shes o$ hei$er
s"rin3led on those who re cere%onill&
#nclen sncti$& the% so tht the& re
o#twrdl& clen0 How %#ch %ore! then!
will the 'lood o$ 9hrist! who thro#)h the
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :-+
eternl S"irit oLered hi%sel$ #n'le%ished
to ?od! clense o#r consciences $ro% cts
tht led to deth! so tht we %& ser2e
li2in) ?od0
4es#s %de those who re s2ed thro#)h his
'lood to 'e "riests to ser2e in the he2enl& T'erncleM
For those who re s2ed '& the 'lood o$ 9hrist! it is no
lon)er the D& o$ Atone%entJ it is li$e o$ tone%entM
The D& o$ Atone%ent is $oreshdow o$ the d& &o#!
"ersonll&! re s2ed $ro% the conseB#ences o$ &o#r
sins0
B#t there is %ore to the $oreshdow0 A$ter the
T'erncle ws "#ri;ed! the Hi)h Priest lid his hnds
on the sc"e )ot0 As the sins o$ the "eo"le were
s&%'olicll& lid onto the sc"e )ot! so the sins o$ the
whole world were lid on 4es#s 9hrist0 CHe hi%sel$ 'ore
o#r sins in his 'od& on the tree! so tht we %i)ht die to
sins nd li2e $or ri)hteo#snessJ '& his wo#nds &o# h2e
'een heled0D E* Peter :F:/G0 As the sc"eI)ot
s&%'olicll& crried w& the sins o$ the 4ews o#t o$
the c%"! so 4es#s literll& crries w& the sins o$ his
"eo"le w& $ro% the Cc%"D which is their li$e0 CAs
$r s the est is $ro% the west! so $r hs he re%o2ed
o#r trns)ressions $ro% #s0D EPsl%s *=-F*:G0
Not onl& ws the sc"eI)ot chsed oL into the
wilderness! ne2er to ret#rn! the 'odies o$ the sin
scri;ces were lso crried o#tside the c%" to 'e
'#rned0 This! too! is $oreshdow o$ the scri;ce o$
4es#s0 The sin scri;ces hd to 'e '#rned o#tside the
c%" 'ec#se ?od will not dwell where there is sin0
Si%ilrl&! the scri;ce o$ the ntit&"e! 4es#s 9hrist! hd
to occ#r o#tside the cit& o$ 4er#sle%0
The hi)h "riest crries the 'lood o$
the ni%ls into the Most Hol& Plce s
sin oLerin)! '#t the 'odies re '#rned
o#tside the c%"0 Ans so 4es#s lso
s#Lered o#tside the cit& )te Xt ?ol)oth
where he ws cr#ci;edY to %3e the "eo"le
:/= FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
hol& thro#)h his own 'lood0 Let #s! then!
)o to hi% o#tside the c%"! 'erin) the
dis)rce he 'ore0 For here we do not h2e
n end#rin) cit&! '#t we re loo3in)
$orwrd $or the cit& tht is to co%e0
EHe'rews *-F**I*/G0
Here the He'rew writer identi;es the "h&sicl cit& o$
4er#sle% s t&"e o$ the s"irit#l 4er#sle% where
4es#s is %inisterin) e2en now in the "resence o$ the
Fther0 As the sin scri;ces hd to 'e crried o#tside
o$ 4er#sle% to 'e '#rned on the D& o$ Atone%ent! so
4es#s! who crried the sins o$ the whole world! hd to
'e t3en o#t o$ the cit& )te to 'e scri;ced0
Fom Eippur! the D& o$ Atone%ent! ws #sed '&
?od s $oreshdow o$ the tonin) scri;ce o$ 4es#s
9hrist0 It ws ?odKs "ro"hetic stte%ent 'o#t how
those #nder the New 9o2ennt were to co%e directl&
into the "resence o$ the Most Hi)h ?od thro#)h the
'lood o$ 4es#s0 The other siH $ests o$ the 4ews were
cele'rted either s re%inder o$ so%ethin) ?od hd
done $or his "eo"le in the "st E$or eH%"le! the
Psso2erG or in ntici"tion o$ so%ethin) ?od wo#ld do
in the $#t#re EFirst$r#its! the Fest o$ Tr#%"etsG0 The
D& o$ Atone%ent ws neither o$ these0 It ws
cele'rtion o$ so%ethin) which h""ened tht 2er& d&
Ntone%ent $or the sins o$ the "eo"le0 E2er& ti%e
disci"le o$ 4es#s is '"ti6ed into 9hrist! it is %odernI
d& $#l;ll%ent o$ the "ro%ise $oreshdowed in the D&
o$ Atone%ent0 Those who re '"ti6ed into 9hrist re
'#ried with hi%! the& re #nited with hi% in his deth!
the& re cr#ci;ed with hi%! nd the& re rised to li2e
with hi% ERo%ns >F:I,G0 Now! tht is so%ethin) to
cele'rte0
THE EA&T O TA"E#NA'!E&
The Fest o$ T'erncles ws se2enId&
$esti2l tht %r3ed the end o$ the Fll c&cle o$
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :/*
reli)io#s holid&s $or the 4ews0
/
The 4ewish n%e $or
this $est is Su&&ot! which %ens 'ooth or shc30 This
is 2er& ""ro"rite n%e 'ec#se the 4ews were
reB#ired to li2e in si%"le 'ooths d#rin) the $esti2l0
Tht is wh& the $esti2l is lso 3nown s Fest o$
Booths0 To %3e %tters e2en %ore con$#sin) $or the
#ninitited! the $est is lso 3nown s the Fest o$
In)therin) EEHod#s :-F*>G 'ec#se it occ#rred t the
ti%e o$ the ;nl 'rin)in) in o$ the Fll hr2est o$ cro"s0
In $ct! the Fest o$ T'erncles ws s#ch n i%"ortnt
"rt o$ the 4ewish li$e! tht it si%"l& c%e to 'e 3nown
s Cthe FestD E4ohn ,F-,G0
Su&&ot ws ordined '& ?od s the ;nl o$ three
hr2est $esti2ls Ethe others 'ein) First$r#its nd
PentecostG0 It ws to 'e cele'rted 'e)innin) ;2e d&s
$ter Fom EippurJ $ro% the ;$teenth to the twent&I;rst
o$ Tishri0 Unli3e the so%'er D& o$ Atone%ent! it ws
intended s 5o&o#s cele'rtion o$ the 'lessin)s o$
?od0 So%e h2e ""ro"ritel& descri'ed it s the
4ewish Thn3s)i2in)0 The s"eci;c co%%nd%ents
concernin) this $esti2l re $o#nd in Le2itic#s :-F--I/-!
EHod#s :-F*> nd De#terono%& *>F*>0 In %odern
4#dis% the Fest o$ T'erncles hs di%inished
so%ewht in i%"ortnce! '#t in 'i'licl ti%es it ws
2er& si)ni;cntNt lest s si)ni;cnt s Thn3)i2in)
is to A%ericns tod&0 Indeed 4ose"h#s! the 4ewish
historin o$ the ;rst cent#r& AD descri'ed it s the
)retest $est o$ the 4ews0
,
Philo! the ;rst cent#r&
4ewish "hiloso"her %de si%ilr co%%ent 'o#t
Su&&ot0
The cele'rtion o$ the Fest o$ T'erncles
in2ol2ed the 4ews '#ildin) C'oothD which ws 2er&
-
The 4ews trditionll& cele'rte two dditionl
nd se"rte holid&s which re tc3ed on to the end
o$ the T'erncle wee3Non the twent&Isecond nd
twent&Ithird o$ Tishri0 These re 3nown s Shemini
%t6eret nd Sim&hat Torah0 The& re co%%onl&
tho#)ht o$ s "rt o$ the Fest o$ T'erncles! '#t will
not 'e co2ered in this ch"ter0
/
4ose"h#s! %ntiGuities of the Jews! (III! i2! *
:/: FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
si%"le! te%"orr& str#ct#re! desi)ned to re%ind the%
o$ the 'ooths the& hd li2ed in when wnderin) in the
wilderness0 These 'ooths were to 'e s%ll! '#t o$
s#@cient si6e $or the $%ilies to ct#ll& s"end the
ni)ht0 CLi2e in 'ooths $or se2en d&sF All nti2eI'orn
Isrelites re to li2e in 'ooths so &o#r descendnts will
3now tht I hd the Isrelites li2e in 'ooths when I
'ro#)ht the% o#t o$ E)&"t0 I % the LORD &o#r ?od0D
ELe2itic#s :-F/:!/-G0 All 4ews were reB#ired to )o to
4er#sle% to cele'rte CThe Fest0D This %& 'e "rt
o$ the reson it ws d#rin) T'erncles tht E6r %de
his $%o#s cll to re2i2l nd re"entnce EE6r *=F*I
*,G0 As with the other two hr2est $esti2ls! the intent
ws $or the 4ews to 'e re%inded tht ll their 'lessin)s
co%e $ro% ?od0 First$r#its ws 'o#t n ntici"ted
'lessin)! Pentecost 'o#t 'lessin) which ws 5#st
'e)innin)! nd T'erncles ws 'o#t thn3in) ?od $or
the co%"leted hr2est which hd lred& co%e in0
Altho#)h it is not s"eci;cll& stted in the Old
Test%ent! the connection 'etween the D& o$
Atone%ent nd the Fest o$ T'erncles is $irl&
o'2io#s0 Thro#)h the $or)i2eness o$ sins! recei2ed on
the D& o$ Atone%ent! the 4ews hd reltionshi" with
?od! nd thro#)h tht reltionshi"! the& were )i2en
'#ndnt "h&sicl 'lessin)s! which the& cele'rted in
the Fest o$ Booths0
The Fest o$ T'erncles! o$ co#rse! is
$oreshdow o$ so%ethin) to 'e cele'rted in the New
9o2ennt0 The Fest o$ T'erncles is n Old
Test%ent $oreshdow o$ o#r li2in) in 'lessed
reltionshi" with ?od thro#)h 4es#s 9hrist0 A hint o$
this $ct cn 'e $o#nd in E6e3iel -,F:/!:>!:,J
M& ser2nt D2id will 'e 3in) o2er
the%! nd the& will ll h2e one she"herd0
The& will $ollow %& lws nd 'e cre$#l to
3ee" %& decrees<0 I will %3e co2ennt
o$ "ece with the%J it will 'e n
e2erlstin) co2ennt0 I will est'lish the%
nd increse their n#%'ers! nd I will put
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :/-
my sanctuary among them $ore2er0 5y
dwelling place will be with the%J I will 'e
their ?od nd the& will 'e %& "eo"le0
Then the ntions will 3now tht I the LORD
%3e Isrel hol&! when %& snct#r& is
%on) the% $ore2er0
This is %essinic "ro"hec&0 CM& ser2nt D2idD is
re$erence to 4es#s! the Messih0 In this "ro"hec&! ?od
is tellin) his "eo"le tht thro#)h the Messih! his
snct#r&! his dwellin) "lce! in other words his
t'erncle will 'e %on) his "eo"le0 In E6e3iel! ?od is
s&in)! CI will co%e nd dwell with %& "eo"le0D
1echrih */F*>I:* is lso nother "ro"hec&
'o#t the Fest o$ T'erncles with %essinic
i%"lictions0 In this "ss)e! 1echrih "ro"hesies
tht re%nnt $ro% the ntions tht $or%erl&
"ersec#ted Isrel will 'e clled to the New 4er#sle% to
cele'rte the Fest o$ T'erncles0
?od hs $#l;lled the "ro"hec& i%"lied in the
Fest o$ T'erncles in %ore thn one w&0 When
4es#s dwelled on erth %on) %en! ?od ws literll&
t'ernclin) with his "eo"le0 CThe Word 'ec%e Qesh
nd li2ed $or while %on) #s0D E4ohn *F*/G0 The
?ree3 word trnslted Cli2edD in the NI( co#ld 'e
trnslted 'it %ore w3wrdl&! '#t lso %ore
cc#rtel& s Ct'erncled0D As the 4ews li2ed in
'ooths d#rin) the Fest tht "rtic#lr &er in
4er#sle%! ?od literll& li2ed nd wl3edNhe
t'erncledN%on) his "eo"le0 The Fest o$
T'erncles ws $oreshdow o$ 4es#sN?od in the
QeshNco%in) nd dwellin) with %en0
?od lso co%"leted the ntit&"e to the Fest o$
T'erncles when he sent the Hol& S"irit to dwell in his
"eo"le0 CIn hi% the whole '#ildin) is 5oined to)ether
nd rises to 'eco%e hol& te%"le on the Lord0 And in
hi% &o# too re 'ein) '#ilt to)ether to 'eco%e
dwellin) in which ?od li2es '& his S"irit0D EE"hesins
:F:*!::G0 Disci"les o$ 4es#s re t'erncles! 'ooths! in
which ?od dwells '& his S"irit0 4es#s %de it cler tht
:// FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
this wo#ld h""en0
I$ &o# lo2e %e! &o# will o'e& wht I
co%%nd0 And I will s3 the Fther! nd
he will )i2e &o# nother 9o#nselor to 'e
with &o# $ore2erNthe S"irit o$ tr#th0 The
world cnnot cce"t hi%! 'ec#se it
neither sees hi% nor 3nows hi%0 B#t &o#
3now hi%! $or he li2es with &o# nd will 'e
in &o#0 E4ohn */F*8I*,G0
In the Hol& S"irit! ?od dwells in his "eo"le! %3in)
the% hol& te%"le0
Another rele2nt "ss)e is * 9orinthins 8F*I8J
Now we 3now tht i$ the erthl& tent
Et'erncleG we li2e in is destro&ed! we
h2e '#ildin) $ro% ?od! n eternl ho#se
in he2en! not '#ilt '& h#%n hnds0
Menwhile! we )ron! lon)in) to 'e clothed
with o#r he2enl& dwellin)! 'ec#se when
we re clothed! we wil not 'e $o#nd n3ed0
For while we re in this tent! we )ron nd
re '#rdened! 'ec#se we do not wish to
'e #nclothed '#t to 'e clothed with o#r
he2enl& dwellin) so tht wht is %ortl
%& 'e swllowed #" in li$e0 Now it is ?od
who hs %de #s $or this 2er& "#r"ose nd
hs )i2en #s the S"irit s de"osit
)#rnteein) wht is to co%e0
He2en will 'e one lon) Fest o$ T'erncles0 For
those who re in 9hrist! the Hol& S"irit is de"osit
)#rnteein) their in2ittion to tht 'lessed $est0
An interestin) s"ect o$ the 4ewish cele'rtion
o$ T'erncles is tht ech d& o$ the $est! there ws
5o&o#s "rocession o$ the 4ews to the Pool o$ Silo%!
heded '& "riest crr&in) "itcher0 U"on rechin)
the Pool! the "riest ;lled the "itcher with wter0 He
crried the "itcher thro#)h the Wter ?te Ethe so#rce
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :/8
o$ the n%e $or tht )teG! 'c3 into the te%"le
"recincts where! $ter three$old 'lst o$ tr#%"ets! he
"o#red the wter into sil2er rece"tcle on the ltr0
For the 4ews! this re%inded the% o$ the wter co%in)
o#t o$ the roc3 in the wilderness0 This 'rin)s dded
%enin) to the e2ents in 4ohn ch"ter se2en0
On the lst nd )retest d& o$ the
Fest Eo$ T'ernclesG! 4es#s stood nd sid
in lo#d 2oice! CI$ %n is thirst&! let hi%
co%e to %e nd drin30 Whoe2er 'elie2es
in %e! s the Scri"t#re hs sid! stre%s o$
li2in) wter will Qow $ro% within hi%0D B&
this he %ent the S"irit! who% those who
'elie2ed in hi% were lter to recei2e0 E4ohn
,F-,I-+G0
For the 4ews in ttendnce! the re$erence to the
"o#rin) o$ wter in the T'erncle cere%on& ws
i%"ossi'le to %iss0 For 4es#s! T'erncles ws
$oreshdow o$ ?od dwellin) with %n3ind $ore2erF ;rst
with hi% co%in) nd t'ernclin) with #s E4ohn *F*/G!
second! with ?od dwellin) in #s in the $or% o$ the Hol&
S"irit E4ohn ,F-.J lso 4ohn /F*/ nd Isih *:F.G! nd
;nll& c#l%intin) with #s dwellin) with ?od the
Fther $ore2er in the )ret nd ;nl T'erncle! which
will 'e he2en0
Wht do we lern $ro% the Fest o$ T'ernclesA
We lern tht ?od intended ll lon) to dwell with nd
in his "eo"le thro#)h 4es#s 9hrist0 We lern tht this is
so%ethin) which needs to 'e re%e%'ered! to 'e
""recited nd to 'e cele'rted with ll o$ o#r %i)ht0
?od $elt tht the 4ews needed wee3Ilon) nn#l
re%inder tht he hd chosen the%! $ro% %on) ll the
"eo"les o$ the erth! to dwell %on) the% nd to 'less
the%0 I$ the 4ews needed to t3e n entire wee3 o#t o$
their '#s& li2esNto 're3 their ro#tine '& li2in) in tents
Nto 'e re%inded o$ the )ret 'lessin) o$ li2in) in
reltionshi" with ?od! it is $ir to s& tht $ollowers o$
4es#s will lso need constnt re%inders to cele'rte the
:/> FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
'lessin) o$ 'ein) li2in) t'erncle in who% ?od
dwells s well0 We need to 're3 the ro#tine o$ dil&
li$e0 We need to )et o#t o$ o#r co%$ort 6one0 We need
to do so%ethin) o#t o$ the ordinr& to cele'rte li2in)
in reltionshi" with ?od0 Perh"s h2in) oneKs own
"ersonl Fest o$ T'erncles %i)ht 'e )ood ide0
S"endin) wee3end c%"in) o#t in the wilderness in
tent! de2otin) the ti%e to 'ein) in nd cele'rtin)
reltionshi" with ?od %i)ht 'e )ood ide0 The o#tin)
co#ld 'e oneIonIone Lir with ?od! or it co#ld 'e
)ro#" cele'rtion! s it ws with the 4ews0 It wo#ld 'e
$ir to s& tht in o#r s#"erI'#s& %odern c#lt#re! we
need to cele'rte re)#lr Fests o$ T'erncles e2en
%ore thn the 4ews did0 How is it )oin)A
Re%e%'er tht e2er& s"ect o$ the Old
9o2ennt ws creted $or the 4ews! '#t it hs n e2en
dee"er %enin) $or those #nder the New 9o2ennt0
Disci"les o$ 4es#s need to consider how to i%"le%ent
the Fest o$ T'erncles in their own li2es0
A hel"$#l re$erence is t
htt"FPPwww0christcentered%ll0co%Ptechin)sP$ests
4EWISH FESTI(AL ANTITYPE IN THE
9HRISTIAN LIFE
Psso2er EpesachG The Scri;cil Deth o$
4es#s 9hrist
Fest o$ First$r#its The Res#rrection o$
4es#s 9hrist
Fest o$ Unle2ened
Bred
9ele'rtin) Bein) Free
o$ Sin in O#r Li2es
Fest o$
Wee3sPPentecost
EshavoatG
The ?i2in) o$ the Hol&
S"irit nd the Initition
o$ the 9h#rch
Fest o$ Tr#%"ets Erosh
hashanahG
4#d)e%ent D&! 4es#s
9o%in) Bc3
D& o$ Atone%ent Eyom
&ippurG
The D& We Were S2ed
NS"irit#l Birthd&
Old Test%ent Fests Pre;)#re the
9hristin Li$e :/,
Fest o$ Booths
ET'erncle
sG
9ele'rtin) Li$e in
Fellowshi" with ?od
'ON'!*&%ON0
In considerin) the $ests ordined in the Old
Test%ent it 'eco%es cler tht ?od hd the 4ews
doin) lot o$ cele'rtin)M Bein) 4ew ws not
"rinci"ll& 'o#t 'ein) so%'er nd )l#%F it ws 'o#t
cele'rtin) the 'lessin)s o$ li$e in co2ennt
reltionshi" with ?od Al%i)ht&0 In their $esti2ls! the
4ews cele'rted "st 'lessin)s! "resent 'lessin)s nd
$#t#re 'lessin)s $ro% ?od0
In the li)ht o$ the %inistr& o$ 4es#s 9hrist! the
$esti2ls o$ the 4ews t3e on $#ller nd dee"er
%enin)0 The shdow is $o#nd in the Mosic
cele'rtions0 The relit& is $o#nd in their $#l;ll%ent in
9hrist0 For tho#snds o$ &ers the 4ews h2e 'een
tellin) #s 'o#t the scri;cil deth o$ 4es#s on the
cross EPsso2erG! the res#rrection o$ 4es#s $ro% the
ded EFirst$r#itsG! the 'irth o$ the ch#rch! nd the
sendin) o$ the Hol& S"irit EPentecostG! the ret#rn o$
4es#s 9hrist t the end o$ the )es ETr#%"etsG! nd!
#lti%tel&! 'o#t o#r own "ersonl sl2tion $ro% o#r
sin Eyom &ippurG0 In li)ht o$ these %6in) tr#ths we!
s ntici"ted '& the Lw o$ Moses! sho#ld li2e in dil&
cele'rtion o$ 'ein) $or)i2en o$ o#r sins EUnle2ened
BredG nd li2in) in contin#l $ellowshi" with o#r
9retor ET'ernclesG0 In the words o$ * 9orinthins
8F,J C9hrist! o#r Psso2er l%' hs 'een scri;ced0
There$ore! let #s 3ee" the Festi2lMD
:/. FROM SHADOW TO REALITY
This is what I told you
while I was still with you"
(verything must be
ful4lled that is written
about me in the ?aw of
5oses* the Drophets and
the Dsalms.
?u&e .,",,
.
Pro"hecies in the Old Test%ent
Predict E2ents in the Li$e o$ 4es#s
9hrist o$ N6reth
When 4es#s s"o3e the words recorded 'o2e to
his "ostles $ter he ws rised $ro% the ded he told
the%! not onl& tht the Old Test%ent ws written
'o#t hi%! '#t tht he ws in the ;nl "hse o$ ctin)
o#t the s"eci;c historicl "ro"hecies 'o#t the
Messih0 In this ch"ter! we will see the tr#th o$ this
cli% "l&ed o#t to n sto#ndin) de)ree0 We will see
historicl %essinic "ro"hecies descri'in) in detil
e2er&thin) $ro% the loction nd detils o$ 4es#sK 'irth!
to the loction! %ens nd ti%in) o$ his deth0
Messinic "ro"hecies in the Old Test%ent descri'e
nd "redict the li$e o$ 4es#s on e2er& le2elN$ro% the
'rodest descri"tion o$ his li$e nd %inistr& down to
so%e o$ the %ost %in#te detils o$ e2ents in his li$eN
ll this recorded h#ndreds o$ &ers 'e$ore 4es#s ws
'orn0 We will ;nd historic "ro"hecies o$ 4es#s $ro%
?enesis to 1echrih0 At the end o$ ll this! the reder
is le$t with #nssil'le "roo$ tht Bi'le is ins"ired '&
?od nd tht 4es#s 9hrist is the One! the Messih! the
L%' o$ ?od! slin $ro% the $o#ndtion o$ the world0
It wo#ld 'e reson'le to ss#%e tht $or %ost
who h2e red the Bi'le eHtensi2el&! i$ the& were s3ed
how does the Old Test%ent tell #s 'o#t 4es#s! %ost
wo#ld nswer tht it is thro#)h historicl "ro"hecies o$
the Messih0 It ws te%"tin) to 'e)in this st#d& with
the %essinic "ro"hecies $or this reson0 The
"redicti2e "ro"hecies 'o#t the S2ior o$ Isrel in the
Old Test%ent re so stri3in) s "olo)etic "roo$ o$ the
ins"irtion o$ the Bi'le! tht it co#ld distrct $ro% the
%in "oint! which is tht the entire Old Test%ent is
'o#t 4es#s 9hrist0 B& now the reder "ro''l& )ets
the "oint! so it is ti%e to di2e into the %6in)
"redictions 'o#t the Messih which st#rte the Old
Test%ent scri"t#re0
9*E&T%ON& TO "EA# %N M%ND
The "olo)etic nt#re o$ %essinic "ro"hecies
hs 'een co2ered $irl& eHtensi2el& in n erlier 'oo3
o$ %ine0

In tht 'oo3! the "ossi'le o'5ections to the

%essinic "ro"hecies re delt with in detil0 The& will
'e disc#ssed onl& 2er& 'rieQ& here0 Let #s i%)ine
t3in) the eHtre%e s3e"ticl 2iew towrd the e2idence
tht the Bi'le is "rod#ct o$ di2ine ins"irtion0 A
"erson who is s3e"tic o$ the cli% tht %essinic
"ro"hecies "ro2e the ins"irtion o$ the Bi'le %i)ht s3
the $ollowin) B#estionsJ
*0 How do we 3now tht the s#""osed "ro"hetic
"ss)es in the Old Test%ent re rell& "redictions o$
the MessihA Is it not "ossi'le tht these "ss)es re
t3en o#t o$ their conteHt '& "olo)ists nd %is""lied
to 4es#s si%"l& to "ro" #" 'elie$ in the Bi'leA
:0 9n we 'e 'sol#tel& s#re tht these writin)s in the
Old Test%ent rell& "redted the li$e o$ 4es#sA 9o#ld
the erl& ch#rch h2e inserted the% into the Old
Test%ent in order to 'e 'le to cli% tht 4es#s is the
MessihA
-0 How cn we 'e s#re tht 4es#s rell& did these
thin)sNtht the witnesses re reli'leA
/0 Is it not "ossi'le tht 4es#s red the Old Test%ent
nd! wntin) to cli% to 'e the Messih! "#r"ose$#ll&
did so%e o$ the thin)s the Messih is s#""osed to do
so tht he co#ld s#""ort his cli%A
In nswer to the ;rst B#estion! we will see s we
)o thro#)h the indi2id#l "ss)es tht %n& o$ the%
re #n%ist3e'le re$erences to the Messih0 For
eH%"le! in Isih +F*!: which! s we will see! "redicts
tht the Messih will 'e $ro% ?lilee! the "ss)e
contin#es '& cllin) this "erson! CWonder$#l 9o#nselor!
Mi)ht& ?od! E2erlstin) Fther! Prince o$ Pece0D
EIsih +F>G0 It is hrd to den& tht this is "ro"hec& o$
the Messih0
*
4ohn M0 O3es! #easons for $elief E?9I Boo3s! Hi)hlnds
Rnch! 9olordo! :==*G! ch"ter $o#r0
As dditionl e2idence tht %n& o$ the
"ro"hecies we will disc#ss re indeed 'o#t the
Messih! there is the $ct tht %ost o$ the 4ews o$ the
;rst cent#r& hd %essinic eH"ecttions0 The&
considered "ss)es s#ch s Mich 8F: Ewhich "redicts
tht s2ior will 'e 'orn in Bethlehe%G to 'e 'o#t the
eH"ected Messih0 It see%s reson'le to ss#%e tht
n& scri"t#re in the Old Test%ent which ws
considered '& consens#s o$ %ost o$ the 4ews in the ;rst
cent#r& s 'ein) 'o#t the Messih is le)iti%te
%essinic "ro"hec&0 Not ll the "ss)es we consider
will 'e Co'2io#sl&D 'o#t the Messih i$ t3en '&
the%sel2es in their Old Test%ent conteHt0 Howe2er!
in )enerl we will stic3 to "ss)es which re clerl&
'o#t the Messih0 The reder sho#ld 'er this
B#estion in %ind when nl&6in) the "ro"hecies 'elow0
Let #s consider B#estion n#%'er two0 9n we
'e s#re tht these rell& re "ro"hecies o$ the $#t#reA
In other words! how do we 3now tht the& were rell&
written h#ndreds o$ &ers 'e$ore the e2entsNtht the&
were not lter insertions into the Old Test%ent '&
6elo#s 9hristins! intent on "ro2in) tht 4es#s is the
"ro%ised MessihA The nswer is tht we cn 3now $or
s#re tht this criticis% o$ Messinic "ro"hecies does
not hold wter $or two resons0
First! with the disco2er& o$ the Ded Se Scrolls
in the *+/=Ks! we now h2e %n#scri"ts o$ ll or "rt
o$ l%ost e2er& Old Test%ent 'oo3 which "redtes the
%inistr& o$ 4es#s '& 'etween one h#ndred nd two
h#ndred nd ;$t& &ers0 It wo#ld 'e di@c#lt $or
%ni"#lti2e "olo)ists to insert chn)es into the Old
Test%ent 'e$ore the& were 'ornM Besides this! there
is the Se"t#)int trnsltion o$ the entire He'rew Bi'le
into the ?ree3 2ernc#lr which ws co%"leted '&
'o#t *8= B90 This "rllel witness to the Old
Test%ent %n#scri"t %3es the cli% tht the Old
Test%ent ws chn)ed to s#""ort 'elie$ in 9hristinit&
#nten'le0 ?i2en the reB#ire%ent o$ ti%e in order $or
the 4ewish scri'es to co%e to consens#s 'o#t the
ins"irition o$ indi2id#l 'oo3s! one cn conser2ti2el&
concl#de tht the entire Old Test%ent cnon ws
written '& :== B9! nd "ro''l& consider'l& erlier0
The second reson we cn dis%iss the ide tht
the Old Test%ent ws chn)ed to %3e it ""er tht
4es#s $#l;lled "ro"hecies is tht ll lon)! the 4ews
h2e hd #lti%te c#stodinshi" o2er the He'rew teHt
o$ the Old Test%ent0 The 4ews "#t to)ether the %ost
#thoritti2e He'rew 2ersion o$ the Old Test%ent
3nown s the Msoretic TeHt in the ,
th
nd .
th
cent#ries
AD0 It is si%"l& not 'elie2'le tht the 4ews who
re5ected 4es#s 9hrist s the Messih wo#ld h2e
chn)ed the Old Test%ent to s#""ort 9hristin 'elie$s0
Altho#)h we %& not 'e 'le to "ro2e 'sol#tel& tht
the words recorded in Isih were written in 'o#t ,8=
B9 Eie0 d#rin) the crreer o$ IsihG we cn stte with
certint& tht e2er& sin)le "ro"hec& we will loo3 t ws
written h#ndreds o$ &ers 'e$ore the crreer o$ 4es#s o$
N6reth0
Wht 'o#t the third B#estionA 9n we 'e
'sol#tel& s#re tht 4es#s rell& did the thin)s recorded
'& the )os"el writersA Is it "ossi'le tht the New
Test%ent writers stretched the tr#th or e2en si%"l&
%de #" stories 'o#t 4es#s $ter his %inistr& in order
to %ni"#lte the e2idence to s#""ort the cli% tht
he ws the MessihA In the end! it will 'e i%"ossi'le to
'sol#tel& "ro2e tht e2er& sin)le e2ent in the li$e o$
4es#s recorded in the )os"els! which lso $#l;lled
%essinic "ro"hec&! ct#ll& h""ened0 We re $orced
to tr#st the word o$ the ori)inl witnesses0 Howe2er!
there re $ew resons tht it is %ore thn reson'le
to cce"t tht their witness is reli'le0
First! there is the $ct tht se2erl o$ the
"ro"hec& $#l;ll%ent e2ents re %tter o$ historicl
record $ro% ")n nd e2en 4ewish #thors0 S"eci;c
"ro"hecies o$ the Messih whose $#l;ll%ent is %tter
o$ eHternl historicl record in 4es#sK li$e incl#de the
"lce o$ his 'irth! the $ct tht 4es#s wor3ed %n&
"#'lic %ircles! nd tht he ws "ersec#ted! rrested
nd cr#ci;ed0 In ddition! we 3now $ro% historicl
record tht he ws eHec#ted in 4er#sle%! s well s
the ""roHi%te dte o$ his deth! ll o$ which re
s"eci;cll& "ro"hesied in the Old Test%ent! s we will
see0 These $cts re testi;ed to '& s#ch Ro%n
historins s Tcit#s nd Plin& the &o#n)er! s well s
the 4ewish historin 4ose"h#s nd e2en the 4ewish
writers o$ the Tl%#d0
.
Then there is the chrcter o$ the writers
the%sel2es0 9ll P#l! Peter! L#3e nd Mtthew
$ntics i$ &o# will! '#t the 'otto% line is tht the&
'sol#tel& 'elie2ed in the tr#th o$ the %ess)e which
the& t#)ht0 One e2idence o$ the reli'ilit& o$ the New
Test%ent s histor& is the $ct tht it "resents the
"ostles s rel "eo"leNwith sins nd chrcter Qws0
Howe2er! there is not sin)le "iece o$ e2idence tht
n& o$ the% were n&thin) less thn 'sol#tel& honest
witnesses to the e2ents the& recorded0 I$ the "ostles
nd other New Test%ent writers were o#t to decei2e
"eo"le 'o#t 4es#s 'ein) the Messih! how is one to
eH"lin the $ct tht %n& or %ost o$ the% were
%rt&red $or their $ithA There is no e2idence tht n&
o$ the e&eIwitnesses to the %inistr& o$ 4es#s lter
recnted! e2en on "in o$ deth0
/
I$ the )os"el
cco#nts re $'rictions! creted to %3e it ""er
tht 4es#s is the Messih! then it is hrd to eH"lin the
$cts0 It is concei2'le! "erh"s! tht one o$ the
cons"irtors wo#ld die $or lie! '#t it de;es wht we
3now o$ h#%n nt#re to cce"t tht do6ens were
%rt&red $or $ith which the& 3new to 'e lie0 4es#s
rell& did these thin)s0
Wht 'o#t the $o#rth B#estion 'o2eA Is it
concei2'le tht 4es#s %i)ht h2e decided t so%e
"oint in his li$e tht he wnted to st3e cli% to 'e
the Messih nd tht he 'e)n to will$#ll& %ni"#lte
his $ollowers '& doin) the thin)s the Old Test%ent
:
See #easons for $elief $or s"eci;c re$erences to Tcit#s!
Plin&! 4ose"h#s nd the Talmud0
-
The 4ewish historin 4ose"h#s descri'ed the %rt&rdo% o$
the "ostle 4%es in %ntiGuities! HH0+0*0 Fo#rth cent#r& ch#rch
historin E#se'i#s cli%ed tht ll the "ostles eHce"t $or 4ohn
were %rt&red! "ro2idin) detils o$ 2r&in) reli'ilit& to s#""ort the
cli%0
sid the Messih %#st doA The $ct is tht 4es#s ws
well wre o$ the Old Test%ent nd he ws $#ll&
con)ni6nt o$ the $ct tht he ws li2in) o#t the e2ents
$oreshdowed in the scri"t#res0 Ne2ertheless the
scenrio where'& 4es#s decei2ed the "eo"le '& $3in)
his 'ein) the Messih is co%"letel& #ns#""ort'le0
We will see tht 4es#s $#l;lled Old Test%ent
"ro"hecies 'o#t the Messih which incl#de where nd
when he wo#ld 'e 'orn s well s how he wo#ld die
nd the s"eci;cs o$ his 'etr&l0 As h#%n 'ein)!
4es#s o'2io#sl& wo#ld h2e no 'ilit& to %ni"#lte
these thin)s E#nless! o$ co#rse! he ws ?od! which
wo#ld %3e the iss#e %ootG0 Yes! it is tr#e tht
%essinic "retender co#ld set #" the scenrio o$
enterin) 4er#sle% on don3e& E1echrih +F+G to
decei2e the "eo"le! '#t it is hrd to i%)ine hi%
"lnnin) o#t h2in) his eHec#tion detil )%'le o2er
his clothin) EPsl%s ::F*.G0
H2in) lid o#t so%e "olo)etic iss#es! we will
now "roceed to considerin) n#%'er o$ the historicl
"ro"hecies o$ the Messih0 For the s3e o$ s"ce! it will
o'2io#sl& 'e i%"ossi'le to co2er ll the %essinic
"ro"hecies0 The "ss)es chosen! howe2er! re
$irl& co%"rehensi2e list0 A disc#ssion o$ %ethodolo)&
#sed to decide whether n Old Test%ent "ss)e is
tr#l& %essinic "ro"hec& is $o#nd in the ""endiH0
THE /ENTATE*'H
Altho#)h the& re 5%I"c3ed with "re;)#res
nd $oreshdows! the ;rst ;2e 'oo3s o$ the Bi'le! the
Lw o$ Moses! hs relti2el& $ew direct historicl
"ro"hecies o$ the Messih0 Perh"s this %3es the $ew
eH%"les o$ note e2en %ore si)ni)icnt0
(enesis :0;<
And I will "#t en%it& 'etween &o#
nd the wo%n! nd 'etween &o#r
oLs"rin) nd hersJ he will cr#sh &o#r hed
nd &o# will stri3e his hel0
This "ss)e is widel& considered the ;rst
%essinic "ro"hec&0 Stn did indeed stri3e t 4es#sK
hel! %ost not'l& in the te%"ttion in the desert
EMtthew /F*I**! L#3e /F*I*-G0 The 'low! howe2er!
ws not $tl0 CWhen the de2il hd ;nished ll this
te%"tin)! he le$t hi% #ntil n o""ort#ne ti%e0D EL#3e
/F*-G0 4es#s! the CoLs"rin)D o$ E2e '& direct descent!
des"ite 'ein) str#c3 in his hel! #lti%tel& cr#shed the
hed o$ Stn s he h#n) on the cross0 StnKs ;nl
conde%ntion wits the end ti%e ERe2eltion :=F*=G!
when he will 'e thrown into the l3e o$ ;re nd '#rnin)
s#l$#r0 The oLs"rin) o$ Stn! in the $or% o$ the )ret
"ersec#tors o$ ?odKs "eo"le! s#ch s Antioch#s
E"i"hnes!
,
Do%itin nd Diocletin clerl& eH"ressed
en%it& towrd 4es#s when the& ttc3ed the "eo"le o$
?od0 The "re;)#re o$ the sn3e nd E2e is crried
$orwrd to Re2eltion ch"ter twel2e which descri'es
the wr 'etween the Dr)on EStnG nd the Wo%n
Ein this cse! s&%'olic o$ the 9h#rch o$ 4es#s 9hristG0
(enesis =>0;?$;;
The sce"ter will not de"rt $ro%
4#dh! nor the r#lerKs stL $ro% 'etween
his $eet! #ntil he co%es to who% it 'elon)s
nd the o'edience o$ the ntions is his0 He
will )ther his don3e& to 2ine! his colt to
the choicest 'rnchJ he will wsh his
)r%ents in wine! his ro'es in the 'lood o$
)r"es0
The sce"ter in this "ss)e is the ro&l stL
which re"resents the #thorit& o$ 3in)0 D2id! who
ws $ro% the tri'e o$ 4#dh! "rtill& $#l;lled this
/
Antioch#s E"i"hnes ws the ?ree3 3in) who desecrted
the te%"le in *>, B9! scri;cin) "i) in the Most Hol& Plce0 For
detils on this! see 4ohn M0 O3es! @aniel* Drophet to the Bations
E?9I Boo3s! Hi)hlnds Rnc&! 9olordo! :===G ! es"ecill& in its
tret%ent o$ Dniel ch"ters se2en nd ele2en0
"ro"hec& s $oreshdow when he c%e to r#le in
4er#sle%0 Howe2er! the "ro"hec& re$ers to Che who
co%es to who% it 'elon)s nd the o'edience o$ the
ntions is his0D This is clerl& re$erence to the 7in) o$
7in)sN4es#s 9hrist E4ohn *.F-,G0 B& the w&! 4es#s!
the CSon o$ D2id!D ws lso %e%'er o$ the tri'e o$
4#dh on his %otherKs side! s reB#ired '& this
"ro"hec&0
This "ss)e hs se2erl other ll#sions to 4es#sK
li$e nd %inistr&0 The don3e& nd colt ntici"te 4es#sK
ro&l ride into 4er#sle% on don3e& nd its colt
EMtthew :*F*I8G0 We will see %ore on this0 4es#s is
the tr#e 2ine E4ohn *8F*G0 It is not hrd to see wht the
wine! which is interestin)l& clled the C'lood o$
)r"es!D is loo3in) towrd0 The stte%ent tht the
'lood o$ )r"es wo#ld 'e #sed to wsh his )r%ents
see%s li3e 2er& o'sc#re re$erence! #nless one ""lies
it to the scri;ce o$ 4es#s nd the i%)er& in the LordKs
S#""er0 CThese re the& who h2e co%e o#t o$ the
)ret tri'#ltionJ the& h2e wshed their ro'es nd
%de the% white in the 'lood o$ the l%'0D ERe2eltion
,F*/G0 This "ro"hec&! co%in) s it does erlier in the
Bi'le! %3es so%ewht less direct stte%ents 'o#t
the Messih thn we will ;nd in the lter "ro"hets0
Deuteronomy ;@0;<$;AB;@
The LORD &o#r ?od will rise #" $or
&o# "ro"het li3e %e $ro% %on) &o#r
own 'rothers0 Yo# %#st listen to hi%<0
The LORD sid to %eF CWht the& s& is
)ood0 I will rise #" $or the% "ro"het li3e
&o# $ro% %on) their 'rothersJ I will "#t
%& words in his %o#th! nd he will tell
the% e2er&thin) I co%%nd hi%0 I$
n&one does not listen to %& words tht
the "ro"het s"e3s in %& n%e! I %&sel$
will cll hi% to cco#nt0
In these words to Moses! ?od told hi%! in
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:8,
essence! tht he ws "re;)#re o$ the )ret "ro"het to
co%e0 Tht "ro"het! o$ co#rse! is 4es#s 9hrist0 4es#s
ws %ore thn "ro"het! '#t "ro"het he de;nitel&
ws0 In $#l;ll%ent o$ this "ro"hec&! 4es#s 'oldl&
declred! Cwhte2er I s& is 5#st wht the Fther hs
told %e to s&0D E4ohn *:F8=G0 The scri'es in the crowd
tht d& s#rel& 3new he ws re$errin) 'c3 to the
"ro"hec& )i2en to Moses0
ME&&%AN%' /#O/HE'%E& %N THE /&A!M&-
There re %ore %essinic "ro"hecies in the
Psl%s thn in n& other sin)le Old Test%ent 'oo3
EIsih nd 1echrih r#n close second nd thirdG0
Mn& o$ the e%otionl cries '& D2id to his ?od cn 'e
seen s h2in) do#'le re$erence! 'oth to hi%sel$ nd
to the CSon o$ D2id!D 4es#s 9hrist0 In so%e cses!
one co#ld cli% tht it is de't'le whether the
"ss)e is 'sol#tel& %essinic EPsl%s :F*I>! Psl%s
-8F*+! Psl% /*F+! Psl%s >+F:8! Psl%s ,.F:! Psl%s
+*F**!*: nd %n& others co#ld 'e %entioned in this
conteHtG0 In this section! we will loo3 t those
"ro"hecies which h2e the %ost clerIc#t ""liction to
the 9hrist0
/salm ;C0;?$;;
<'ec#se &o# will not 'ndon %e
to the )r2e! nor will &o# let &o#r Hol& One
see dec&0 Yo# h2e %de 3nown to %e
the "th o$ li$eJ &o# will ;ll %e with 5o& in
&o#r "resence! with eternl "les#res t
&o#r ri)ht hnd0
Psl% *> is ttri'#ted to 7in) D2id0 As Peter
"ointed o#t in Acts :F:+! D2id did indeed die nd his
'od& dec&edJ Chis to%' is here to this d&0D In this
3e& "ss)e D2id ws "ro"hes&in) the res#rrection o$
his direct descendentNthe Messih0 How do we 3now
this is re$erence to the MessihA Who else in the
Bi'le co#ld e2en concei2'l& 'e re$erred to s sittin)
down t the ri)ht hnd o$ ?odA 9ertinl& D2id wo#ld
not h2e hd the rro)nce reB#ired to cli% the ri)ht
hnd "osition to ?od0 This is the %ost direct "ro"hec&
in the Old Test%ent tht the MessihNhe who will sit
t the FtherKs ri)ht hndNws to 'e res#rrected $ro%
the ded0 Perh"s this is one o$ the "ss)es P#l hd
in %ind when he sid tht 4es#s ws to 'e rised $ro%
the ded Cccordin) to the Scri"t#res0D E* 9orinthins
*8F-G0
/salm DD0;$A$@$;<B;@
M& ?od! %& ?od! wh& h2e &o# $ors3en
%eA
Wh& re &o# so $r $ro% s2in) %e!
so $r $ro% the words o$ %& )ronin)A
All who see %e %oc3 %eJ
the& h#rl ins#lts! sh3in) their hedsF
He tr#sts in the LORD
let the LORD resc#e hi%0
Let hi% deli2er hi%!
since he deli)hts in hi%0
M& stren)th is dried #" li3e "otsherd
nd %& ton)#e stic3s to the roo$ o$ %&
%o#thJ
&o# l& %e in the d#st o$ dethJ
Do)s h2e s#rro#nded %eJ
'nd o$ e2il %en hs encircled %e!
the& h2e "ierced %& hnds nd %& $eet0
I cn co#nt ll %& 'onesJ
Peo"le stre nd )lot o2er %e0
The& di2ide %& )r%ents %on) the%
nd cst lots $or %& clothin)0
At ;rst )lnce! Psl% twent&Itwo wo#ld ""er
to si%"l& 'e n e%otionl cr& $ro% D2id! C %n $ter
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:8+
?odKs own hert!D to his ?od! 'oth co%"linin) 'o#t
his s#Lerin) nd cr&in) o#t $or deli2ernce0 In $ct! it
wo#ld h2e 'een "er$ectl& reson'le $or D2id to $eel
s i$ he were $ors3en '& ?od when he ws chsed '&
7in) S#l thro#)h the wilderness or "l&in) the "rt o$
cr6& %n when eHiled to Philisti0 His ene%ies
"ro''l& did %oc3 hi% nd ins#lt hi% t ti%es0
Howe2er! when one loo3s t so%e other detils in this
"sl%! there is no w& D2id cn si%"l& 'e tl3in)
'o#t hi%sel$0 Were D2idKs hnds nd $eet e2er
"iercedA Did those who stred t hi% e2er di2ide his
)r%ents %on)st the%sel2esA This is Messinic
"ro"hec&M Tr& to i%)ine wht D2id %#st h2e
tho#)ht $ter he wrote down these words #nder the
inQ#ence o$ the Hol& S"irit0 Wh& did I write thtA Wht
% I tl3in) 'o#t hereA I cn co#nt ll %& 'onesA
Wht is tht 'o#t! ?odA
To the 4ews redin) this "sl% 'e$ore the d2ent
o$ 4es#s 9hrist! it "ro''l& wo#ld not h2e 'een
co%"letel& o'2io#s tht it ws 'o#t the Messih!
ltho#)h the&! too! %i)ht h2e wondered wht D2id
ws tl3in) 'o#t0 Howe2er! historicl hindsi)ht %3es
the concl#sion tht the "sl% is %essinic "ro"hec&
#n%ist3e'le0 In Psl% twent&Itwo we re loo3in) t
t'le# o$ the cr#ci;Hion scene! o2er one tho#snd
&ers 'e$ore it too3 "lceM
D2id %& h2e $elt $ors3en '& ?od0 In $ct!
?od ne2er $orsoo3 hi%0 Howe2er! 4es#s ws literll&
$ors3en '& ?od when the sins o$ the entire h#%n
rce were i%"#ted to hi%0 This wo#ld eH"lin wh& he
B#oted this Psl% when t the "oint o$ deth EMr3
*8F-/G0
Little did 4es#sK ene%ies! the chie$ "riests nd
techers o$ the lw! 3now tht ?od wo#ld #se the% to
$#l;ll "ro"hecies o$ the Messih0 I$ the& hd 3nown!
the& %i)ht h2e held their ton)#es! rther thn %oc3
hi% nd h#rl ins#lts t hi%0 CIn the s%e w& the chie$
"riests nd techers o$ the lw %oc3ed hi% %on)
the%sel2es0 RHe s2ed others!K the& sid! R'#t he cnKt
s2e hi%sel$M Let this 9hrist! this 7in) o$ Isrel! co%e
down now $ro% the cross! tht we %& see nd
'elie2e0K Those cr#ci;ed with hi% lso he"ed ins#lts
on hi%0D EMr3 *8F-*!-:G0
D2id descri'ed the MessihKs ton)#e stic3in) to
the roo$ o$ his %o#th0 4es#s si%"l& sid CI % thirst&0D
E4ohn *+F:.G0 Hd 4es#s red Psl%s ::! nd ws he
5#st tr&in) to contin#e to crete the $lse i%"ression
tht he ws the MessihA We cn ss#%e he hd red
the "sl%0 We cn lso ss#%e tht he ws 2er&
thirst&0
NeHt! D2id descri'es the cr#ci;Hion scene EC
'nd o$ e2il %en hs encircled %eDG nd then %3es n
%6in) stte%ent0 CThe& h2e "ierced %& hnds nd
%& $eet0D This is n #n%ist3e'le re$erence to the
cr#ci;Hion o$ 4es#s0 Wht %3es the ide tht D2id
$oresw this e2en %ore %6in) is the $ct tht
cr#ci;Hion ws not e2en in2ented $or o2er siH h#ndred
&ers $ter D2id died0 9r#ci;Hion! s $r s we 3now
$ro% historicl doc#%ents! ws in2ented '& the
Persins in the $o#rth cent#r& B90 E2en then! it
in2ol2ed t&in) "erson to st3e0 9r#ci;Hion '&
nilin) hnds Ect#ll& wristsG nd $eet to cross ws
in2ented '& the Ro%ns! o2er ei)ht h#ndred &ers
$ter D2id wrote0 Did the )os"el writers %3e #" this
stor& o$ the cr#ci;HionA The 4ewish historin 4ose"h#s!
s well s the writers o$ the Tl%#d %ention 4es#s
'ein) cr#ci;ed0
+
Mi)ht 4es#s h2e rrn)ed this to
s#""ort his %essinic cli%A Tht wo#ld 'e "rett&
to#)h "rice to "& to s#stin lie0 I%)ine how 4es#s
$elt s &o#n) %n redin) Psl%s twent&Itwo!
3nowin) tht it ws 'o#t hi%M
B#t D2id is not done0 CI cn co#nt ll %&
'ones0DE20 *,G0 Wht ws D2id tl3in) 'o#tA It
wo#ld 'e "rett& s$e to s& tht he did not 3now0
Redin) 4ohn *+F-*I-, will s#""l& the nswer0 Bec#se
4es#s nd the two thie2es were cr#ci;ed on the d&
'e$ore the Psso2er S''th nd 'ec#se deth '&
8
4ose"h#s! %ntiGuities! H2iii0-0-! B'&lonin Tl%#d!
Sanhedrin! /-0
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:>*
cr#ci;Hion co#ld t3e %ore thn twent&I$o#r ho#rs! the
4ews s3ed tht the three "risoners 'e 3illed so their
'odies co#ld 'e t3en down $ro% the crosses0 This ws
cco%"lished '& 're3in) the le)s o$ the cr#ci;ed
"erson! which wo#ld "re2ent their 'ein) 'le to "#sh
#" on their $eet! c#sin) s#Loction within %in#tes0
When the soldiers c%e to 4es#s! he ws lred& ded0
He hd died in consider'l& less thn the #s#l ti%e!
"ro''l& 'ec#se he hd lred& 'een tort#red l%ost
to deth 'e$ore 'ein) cr#ci;ed0 Botto% line! #nli3e the
other two with hi%! none o$ 4es#sK 'ones were 'ro3en0
This e2ent ws $oreshdowed '& the Psso2er trdition
o$ not 're3in) n& o$ the 'ones o$ the l%' s well! s
we h2e lred& seen0 We lern two thin)s $ro% this0
First! ?od intended ll lon) $or his Son to die $or o#r
sins0 Second! Psl%s twent&Itwo is ins"ired '& tht
s%e ?odM
We re not done with Psl%s twent&Itwo0 CThe&
di2ide %& )r%ents %on) the% nd cst lots $or %&
clothin)0D E20 *.G0 Now! which ws it! D2id! did the&
di2ide &o#r )r%ents Eone $or &o#! one $or &o#! one $or
%e<G or did the& cst lots! i0e0 )%'le! $or &o#r
clothesA It wo#ld see% i%"ossi'le $or 'oth to 'e the
cse0 ?odKs word 'ein) wht it is! will n&one 'e
s#r"rised t this "oint tht the& ct#ll& did 'othA
When the soldiers cr#ci;ed 4es#s!
the& too3 his clothes! di2idin) the% into
$o#r shres! one $or ech o$ the%! with the
#nder)r%ent re%inin)0 This )r%ent
ws se%less! wo2en in one "iece $ro% to"
to 'otto%0
CLetKs not ter it!D the& sid to one
nother0 CLetKs decide '& lot who will )et
it0D E4ohn *+F:-! :/G0
This co%es $ro% n e&ewitness to the e2ents0 Ws
4ohn lirA 9onsider his li$e nd decide $or &o#rsel$0
This "ro"hec& $#l;ll%ent hs )ee whi6 B#lit& to it!
'#t the thin) to $oc#s in on is tht 4es#s! 3nowin)l&!
willin)l&! )2e #" his li$e $or &o# nd %e0 Re%e%'er
the "re2io#s stte%ent '& D2id "ro"hes&in) 4es#sK
words on the cross! CM& ?od! %& ?od! wh& h2e &o#
$ors3en %e 0D
/salm :;0<
Into &o#r hnds I co%%it %& s"iritJ
Redee% %e! O LORD! the ?od o$ tr#th0
Seen in isoltion! the s3e"tic co#ld "erh"s cli%
tht this "ss)e in the Psl%s is t3en o#t o$ conteHt
i$ ""lied to 4es#s 9hrist0 Howe2er! )i2en the totlit& o$
the "oi)nnt scene t the cross! it see%s 'e&ond
"ossi'ilit& tht 4es#s 5#st h""ened to "#ll o#t this
so%ewht o'sc#re "ss)e in Psl%s while on the
cross t the "oint o$ deth0 As L#3e records! these re
the lst words o$ 4es#s0 CIt ws now 'o#t the siHth
ho#r< 4es#s clled o#t in lo#d 2oice! CFther! into
&o#r hnds I co%%it %& s"irit0D When he hd sid this!
he 'rethed his lst0D EL#3e :-F//!/>G0 It is interestin)
to note tht the other %essinic "ro"hecies in the Bi'le
record n#%'er o$ $cts 'o#t 4es#s! '#t the Psl%s!
'ein) e%otionIlden "oetr&! )enerll& "redict the
%ost e%otionl s"ects o$ the li$e nd deth o$ the
Messih0
/salm C>0>$D;
For 6el $or &o#r ho#se cons#%es %e!
nd the ins#lts o$ those who ins#lt &o# $ll on
%e0
The& "#t )ll in %& $ood
nd )2e %e 2ine)r $or %& thirst0
The "ro"hecies in Psl%s >+ re no eHce"tion to
the r#le 5#st stted0 D2id ws 6elo#s %n0 4es#s!
the Cson o$ D2id0D ws %ore so! s e2idenced '& the
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:>-
scene in 4ohn :F*-I*,0 When 4es#s c%e into the
te%"le! he sw )reed& "eo"le %3in) "ro;t $ro% the
sincere eLorts o$ ?odKs "eo"le to oLer scri;ce to Hi%0
Pro2idin) "ossi'le scri;ces $or the "eo"le ws not the
"ro'le%0 M3in) 3illin) oL o$ the 3illin) ws0 This
)ot 4es#s B#ite #"set0 He %de whi"! dri2in) the
ni%ls o#t! o2ert#rnin) the t'les o$ the hi)hl&
"ro;t'le %one& chn)ers Eonl& the 4ewish she3el ws
cce"ted t the te%"le! "ro2idin) nother w& to %3e
nice "ro;tG! s&in)! C?et these o#t o$ hereM How dre
&o# t#rn %& FtherKs ho#se into %r3et0D E20 *>G0 The
disci"les were not noted $or reco)ni6in) %essinic
"ro"hecies s the& were 'ein) $#l;lled0 This ws one
eHce"tion0 E2en the see%in)l& so%ewht slow
disci"les re%e%'ered t tht ti%e the stte%ent in
Psl%s >+F+! C1el $or &o#r ho#se will cons#%e %e0D
(erse twent&Ione t3es #s o#t o$ D2idKs li$e nd
'c3 to the cr#ci;Hion scene0 The He'rew word
trnslted s )ll here is )enerl ter% %enin)
"oison or 'itter weeds or her's0 It is do#'t$#l tht
D2id e2er s#Lered this "rtic#lr tret%ent0 This is
%essinic "ro"hec&0 In Mtthew :,F-/ the "ostle
re%e%'ers tht CThe& oLered hi% wine to drin3! %iHed
with )ll0D Mr3 is %ore s"eci;c! %entionin) wine nd
the her' %&rrh! which ws #sed s dr#) to deden
"in EMr3 *8F:-G0 L#3e nd 4ohn co%"lete the "ict#re!
%entionin) wine 2ine)r EL#3e :-F->! 4ohn *+F:+G0
/salm ;;?0;$=
The LORD s&s to %& LordF CSit t %& ri)ht hnd
#ntil I %3e &o#r ene%ies $ootstool $or &o#r
$eet0D
The LORD hs sworn nd will not chn)e his
%indF
CYo# re "riest $ore2er in the order o$
Melchi6ede30D
Psl% **= is B#ite diLerent $ro% those we h2e
lred& st#died0 It is clled ro&l "sl% '& 2irt#e o$
its s#'5ect0 Here we do not ;nd the s#Lerin) s2io#r
'#t the Messih rei)nin) s "riest nd 3in)0 O$
co#rse! 4es#s ws ll these thin)s0 When D2id sid!
CThe LORD sid to %& Lord!D who ws he re$errin) toA
Did D2id h2e two diLerent LordsA Not tht he ws
wre o$0 Tht is how we 3now this scri"t#re is 'o#t
the Messih0 In the teHt! the ;rst LORD Enote ll
c"itlsG is the word yhwh! so%eti%es trnslted
4eho2h! wheres the second Lord Enote s%ller cse
lettersG #sed the He'rew word adon! %enin) lord or
%ster0 The $or%er LORD re$ers to ?od the Fther!
while the second Lord is ?od the Son! 4es#s 9hrist0
Tht certinl& is how Peter inter"reted this "ss)e in
his ser%on in Acts ch"ter two EActs :F--I-8G! where
he cc#rtel& "oints o#t 'oth tht 4es#s is now eHlted
to the ri)ht hnd o$ the Fther! nd tht D2id %ost
certinl& did not scend to he2en0 D2id! '& the
"ower o$ the Hol& S"irit! )ot it eHctl& ri)ht0
(erse $o#r is "ro"hec& tht the Messih will 'e
"riest! '#t not "riest $ro% the order o$ Aron or o$
Le2i0 Rther! the LordKs nno#nted will 'e "riest o$
2er& diLerent 3ind0 The Messih will 'e "riest in the
order o$ Melchi6ede3 E'& s"ecil ""oint%ent! rther
thn "h&sicl descentG0 This ws disc#ssed in the
ch"ter on the Old Test%ent "riesthood s
$oreshdow o$ the %inistr& o$ 9hrist0 ?od )2e his
"eo"le "lent& o$ wrnin) tht new 3ind o$ "riesthood
ws in the o@n)0
/salm ;;@0DD$D: 6also %saiah D@0;C7
The stone the '#ilders re5ected
hs 'eco%e the c"stoneJ
the LORD hs done this!
nd it is %r2elo#s in his e&es0
This! the lst o$ the %essinic "ro"hecies $ro%
Psl%s we will co2er! is "sl% o$ "rise0 It is not
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:>8
s"eci;cll& ttri'#ted to D2id0 Hints tht this is
%essinic stte%ent re $o#nd in the i%%edite
conteHt o$ these 2erses0 CI will not die '#t li2eD E20 *,G0
CThis is the )te o$ the LORD thro#)h which the
ri)hteo#s %& enter!D E20 :=G which certinl& "#ts into
%ind the stte%ent o$ 4es#s! CI % the )teJ whoe2er
enters thro#)h %e will 'e s2ed0D E4ohn *=F+G0 The
Messih will 'e stone who% the '#ilders re5ected0
Pres#%'l& those who re5ected the stone re the 4ews
)enerll&! or %ore s"eci;cll& the 4ewish techers!
scri'es nd Phrisees0 This "ro"hec& clls to %ind the
ter$#l scene s 4es#s loo3ed o2er 4er#sle%0 CO
4er#sle%! 4er#sle%! &o# who 3ill the "ro"hets nd
stone those sent to &o#! how o$ten I h2e lon)ed to
)ther &o#r children to)ether! s hen )thers her
chic3s #nder her win)s! '#t &o# were not willin)0D
EMtthew :-F-,G0
The %r2elo#s thin) is tht ?od hs rised #"
the stone! re5ected nd 3illed '& the 4ews0 The Fther
res#rrected the Son! %3in) hi% into the c"stone0 In
Acts /F*=! Peter B#otes $ro% Psl%s **.F::!:-! s&in)
CIt is '& the n%e o$ 4es#s 9hrist o$ N6reth! who%
&o# cr#ci;ed! '#t who% ?od rised $ro% the ded! tht
this %n stnds 'e$ore &o# co%"letel& heled EActs
/F*=G0 The word trnslted c"stone in Psl%s **.F::
is ct#ll& two He'rew words pinna! %enin)
cornerstone! nd ros! %enin) hed or hi)hest in
#thorit&0 Accordin) to the Psl%ist! the Messih will
%o2e $ro% re5ection to 'ein) 'oth the cornerstone! the
de;nin) $o#ndtion EE"hesins :F:=G nd the "e3! the
"inncle o$ ?odKs #thorit& EMtthew :.F*.G0 And tht
he %ost certinl& is0
Messianic /rophecies in %saiah-
B& sheer n#%'ers! the Psl%s %& h2e %ore
"ro"hecies o$ the Messih thn n& other 'oo3! '#t
Isih contins the %ost wellI3nown %essinic
"redictions0 Si)ni;cntl&! it contins the )retest
n#%'er o$ "ro"hecies which were )enerll&
c3nowled)ed to 'e %essinic '& the 4ews d#rin) the
li$eti%e o$ 4es#s 9hrist! s we will see0 ?i2en tht the
4ews sw these Isih "ro"hecies s ""l&in) to the
Messih! there is no le)iti%te w& to cli% tht o2erI
6elo#s 9hristins so%ewhow red detils o$ 4es#sK
%inistr& o#t o$ conteHt $ro% wht is written in the
'oo3 o$ Isih0 It is noteworth& tht $ter the ti%e o$
4es#s! the R''is re%o2ed %n& o$ the %essinic
"ro"hecies $ro% their c#sto%r& dil& redin)s o$ the
Old Test%ent! $or o'2io#s resons! when one
considers the i%"lictions o$ these "ss)es0
0
As with
the Psl%s! not ll the %essinic "ro"hecies in Isih
will 'e co2ered! '#t rther those which re %ost
con2incin)l& %essinic0 Pro"hecies not disc#ssed here
incl#de Isih /F:I/! Isih *>F8! Isih ::F:=I::! Isih
/=F+I**! Isih 88F/!8 nd others0
%saiah A0;=
There$ore theLord hi%sel$ will )i2e
&o# si)nF The 2ir)in will 'e with child nd
will )i2e 'irth to son! nd will cll hi%
I%%n#el0
Fro% the "oint o$ 2iew o$ the "olo)ist! this is
"ro''l& the %ost contro2ersil "ro"hec& o$ the
Messih 'ec#se o$ the $ct tht the He'rew teHt cn
'e inter"reted in two diLerent w&sJ the diLerence
h2in) rdicl eLect on oneKs 2iew o$ the incrntion
o$ 4es#s0 The He'rew word trnslted here s 2ir)in is
alma! which hs s its nor%l %enin)! )irl! %iden or
&o#n) wo%n0 In certin conteHts it cn lso 'e
trnslted s 2ir)in0 In the Old Test%ent this word is
trnslted s %iden or %idens $o#r ti%es s )irl
once nd s 2ir)in or 2ir)ins twice0 M3in) the
inter"rettion e2en %ore dice& is the $ct tht He'rew
>
EH%"les re $o#nd in Brr& R#'in! Fou $ring the $agels*
I9ll $ring the 2ospel ELederer! Blti%ore! Mr&lnd! *++,G ""0 ,-I
,+0
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:>,
t tht ti%e hd nother word whose nor%l %enin)
ws 2ir)inJ betula. This word #n%'i)#o#sl& %ent
wo%n who hs not hd seH#l reltions0 It is #sed
;$t&Ione ti%es in the Old Test%ent0
So did ?od! thro#)h Isih! "ro"hes& tht the
Messih wo#ld 'e 'orn o$ 2ir)inA First o$ ll! the word
I%%n#el is trnslitertion o$ the He'rew $or ?od
%on) #s0 This "ro"hec& #n%'i)#o#sl& %entions
'oth si)n $ro% ?od nd wo%n with child who is
clled ?odIwithI#s0 Wh& do %ost trnsltors #se 2ir)in
hereA Is it 'ec#se the& re 'ised nd li3e the $ct
tht the "ss)e then 'eco%es "rediction o$ the
2ir)in 'irthA The nswer is tht %ost scholrs #se the
word 2ir)in in this cse $or two resons0 First! the 4ews
the%sel2es! when the& trnslted this "ss)e into
?ree3 in the Se"t#)int 2ersion! trnslted the He'rew
word alma into ?ree3 word which de;nitel& %ens
2ir)in0 A""rentl&! the 4ews t tht ti%e! who 3new
their own ln)#)e nd c#lt#re 'etter thn n& o$ #s!
sw this is 'ein) "ro"hec& o$ their Messih 'ein)
'orn o$ 2ir)in0 The second reson %ost scholrs
wo#ld "re$er 2ir)in here is the s%e reson!
"res#%'l&! tht the 4ews who %de the ?ree3
trnsltion in the second cent#r& B9 did so0 The
conteHt o$ the "ss)e see%s to de%nd this
trnsltion0 How is it si)n $ro% ?od i$ %rried
wo%n or e2en n #n%rried wo%n who hd seH
were to h2e childA Botto% line! Isih ,F*/ is
stte%ent tht the Messih wo#ld 'e $ro%
%irc#lo#s 'irth0 Wh&! then! did ?od! thro#)h Isih!
#se the word alma! rther thn betulaA Perh"s to
stress tht Mr&! the %other o$ the Messih ws so
&o#n)0
For %&sel$! when I s"e3 "#'licl& on %essinic
"ro"hecies! I do not incl#de Isih ,F*/ in %& 2er&
short list o$ "ro"hecies to co2er! not 'ec#se I do not
'elie2e it is "ro"hec& o$ the 2ir)in 'irth! '#t si%"l&
'ec#se the inter"rettion is de't'le0 In ddition!
the s3e"tics cn nd do %3e the chr)e tht Mr&
ws not rell& 2ir)in! nd who cn rell& "ro2e it one
w& or nother t this "ointA Let #s le2e it t thisF
Mr& certinl& cli%ed tht her sonKs 'irth ws
%irc#lo#s! in $#ll nd %6in) )ree%ent with Isih
,F*/0
%saiah >0;$D$C$A
Ne2ertheless! there will 'e no %ore
)loo% $or those who were in distress0 In
the "st he h#%'led the lnd o$ 1e'#l#n
nd the lnd o$ N"htli! '#t in the $#t#re
he will honor ?lilee o$ the ?entiles! '& the
w& o$ the se! lon) the 4ordn<
For to #s child is 'orn ! to #s son is
)i2en!
nd the )o2ern%ent will 'e on his
sho#lders0
And he will 'e clled Wonder$#l 9o#nselor!
Mi)ht& ?od! E2erlstin) Fther! Prince o$
Pece0
O$ the increse o$ his )o2ern%ent nd
"ece
there will 'e no end0
He will rei)n on D2idKs throne nd o2er his
3in)do%!
Est'lishin) nd #"holdin) it with 5#stice
nd ri)hteo#sness $ro% tht ti%e on nd
$ore2er0
The 6el o$ the LORD Al%i)ht& will
cco%"lish this0
This is 'o#t s #n%'i)#o#sl& %essinic
"ro"hec& s n&0 Isih descri'es ;)#re who is 'orn
o$ wo%n! '#t who is Wonder$#l 9o#nselor! Mi)ht&
?od! Prince o$ Pece0 The 4ews o$ 4es#sK d& wo#ld
reco)ni6e this s %essinic 'ec#se o$ the re$erence to
D2idKs throne0 Wht is Isih re$errin) to when he
%entions 1e'#l#n nd N"thliA I$ one loo3s t %"
o$ the ""roHi%te 'orders o$ the Isrelite tri'es! one
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:>+
will see tht 1e'#l#n nd N"htli re t the hert o$
the re o$ 4ewish settle%ent which c%e to 'e 3nown
s C?lileeD in Ro%n ti%es Esee %" 'elowG0 In $ct!
i$ one co%"res %" o$ Ro%nIer Plestine to the
%" o$ the tri'l territories! one thin) which stic3s o#t
is tht N6reth is ri)ht on the 'order 'etween the two
territories0
Isih is "ro"hes&in) tht the Messih will 'rin)
honor to ?lilee! nd %ore s"eci;cll& to the lnds o$
1e'#l#n nd N"htli0 It 5#st so h""ens tht 4es#s
ws rised in ?lileeNs"eci;cll& in the s%ll town o$
N6reth which is ri)ht on the 'order 'etween the
territor& o$ these two tri'es0 It is not s i$ 4es#s co#ld
h2e rrn)ed to $#l;ll this %essinic "ro"hec& E#nless!
)in! he were ?odG0 It is lso worth notin) tht the
$ct tht 4es#s ws $ro% N6reth is %tter o$
historicl record! o#tside the Bi'le0 In $ct! his ene%ies
srcsticll& clled hi% CThe N6rene0D EMr3 */F>,!
Acts :/F8G0 Ironicll&! one o$ the chr)es his ene%ies
%de )inst 4es#s ws tht he co#ld not 'e "ro"het!
since he ws $ro% ?lilee0 CAre &o# $ro% ?lilee! tooA
Loo3 into it! nd &o# will ;nd tht "ro"het does not
co%e o#t o$ ?lilee0D E4ohn ,F8:G0 These critics $or)ot
tht 4onh ws $ro% ?lilee0 The& lso $or)ot the
"ro"hec& in Isih tht ?od wo#ld honor ?lilee
thro#)h his Messih0 When we loo3 t Mich 8F:! this
"ro"hec& will see% e2en %ore re%r3'le0
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:,*
%nsert a map such as that at0
http://www.bible-
history.com/geography/maps/map_canaan_tribal_portions.h
tml
(ie a map of the twelve tribal territories)
and http://www.bible-
history.com/maps/galilee_north_palestine.html
E %" o$ 4#de! incl#din) ?lilee! in the ti%e o$ 4es#s0
%saiah ;;0;$D
A shoot will co%e #" $ro% the st#%" o$
4esseJ
Fro% his roots Brnch will 'er $r#it0
The S"irit o$ the Lord will rest on hi%N
the S"irit o$ wisdo% nd o$ #nderstndin)!
the S"irit o$ co#nsel nd "ower
the S"irit o$ 3nowled)e nd o$ the $er o$
the LORD0
Accordin) to Isih! one with wisdo%! 3nowled)e
nd "ower who is $#ll o$ the S"irit o$ ?od will co%e0
He will 'e li3e rootN 'rnch $ro% 4esse0 An& 4ew
wo#ld 3now tht this is 4esse! the $ther o$ 7in) D2id0
?od hd lred& "ro%ised to D2id thtJ
I will rise #" &o#r oLs"rin) to
s#cceed &o#! who will co%e $ro% &o#r own
'od&! nd I will est'lish his 3in)do%0 He is
the one who will '#ild ho#se $or %&
n%e! nd I will est'lish the throne o$ his
3in)do% $ore2er0 I will 'e his $ther nd he
will 'e his son<0Yo#r ho#se nd &o#r
3in)do% will end#re $ore2er 'e$ore %eJ
&o#r throne will 'e est'lished $ore2er0 E:
S%#el ,F*:I*>G0
The "ro%ise o$ ?od to D2id ws $#l;lled! in "rt!
thro#)h his "h&sicl son Solo%on! who '#ilt the
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:,-
te%"le0 Howe2er! the "h&sicl throne o$ IsrelP4#dh
ws destro&ed $ore2er in 8.> B9 when Ne'#chdne66r
'#rned 4er#sle% nd le2eled the te%"le0 The "ss)e
in : S%#el! which "redicts n eternl throne! is cler
re$erence to the eH"ected Messih! who will 'e
descendnt o$ D2id E: S%#el ,F*:I*>G! $ro% the
CrootD o$ 4esse EIsih **F*G0 The 4ews eH"ected the
Messih! s "ro"hesied in Isih **! to 'e direct
descendnt o$ 7in) D2id0
Tht is eHctl& wht 4es#s ws0 E2en i$ we did
not h2e the )eneolo)ies in Mtthew *F*I*> nd L#3e
-F:-I-.! con;r%in) 4es#sK descent $ro% the line o$
D2id! we co#ld still 3now tht 4es#s ws $ro% 7in)
D2idKs line0 We 3now this $ro% the $ct tht the
cens#s clled $or '& A#)#st#s reB#ired ll to ret#rn to
their ncestrl towns0
1
Mr& nd 4ose"h hd to ret#rn
to Bethlehe%! which ws the tri'l territor& o$ 4esse
nd o$ D2id E* S%#el *>F/I*-G0 A)in we h2e
%essinic "ro"hec& $#l;lled '& 4es#s which is %tter
o$ #ndeni'le historicl record o2er which 4es#s s
h#%n 'ein) hd no control0 I$ 4es#s ws si%"l&
tr&in) to $#l;ll %essinic "ro"hecies to "ro" #" 'o)#s
%essinic cli%! it wo#ld h2e 'een hrd $or hi% to
rrn)e to 'e descended $ro% D2id0
B#t there is 'it %ore here 'e$ore we %o2e on0
In Mtthew :F:- there is n interestin) stte%ent0
A$ter est'lishin) the $ct tht 4es#sK $%il& settled in
N6reth! Mtthew %3es the cli% tht this $#l;lled
stte%ent o$ the "ro"hetsF CHe will 'e clled
N6rene0D One will not ;nd the stte%ent CHe will 'e
,
Fo% %n& &ers! s3e"tics scoLed t the stor& in Mtthew
o$ 4ose"h nd Mr& h2in) to tr2el to their ncestrl ho%e to
re)ister $or cens#s0 The s3e"tics sid! ;rst o$ ll tht there ws
no e2idence o$ A#)#st#s cllin) )enerl cens#s! nd second tht
e2en i$ he hd! the ide tht "eo"le wo#ld tr2el )ret distnces to
'e co#nted hd no ncient "recedent0 Tht s3e"ticis% ws shown
$or wht it is when n inscri"tion ws $o#nd in E)&"t which
%entions cens#s clled '& A#)#st#s in .B9 which s"eci;cll&
stted tht ll "eo"les hd to ret#rn to their nti2e towns to
re)ister0
clled N6reneD n&where in the Old Test%ent0 Is
Mtthew %ist3enA The B#estion is clered #" when
one loo3s 'it closer t the word N6rene0 The word
N6reth in ?ree3 is HIJIKLM which %ens s"ro#t or
'rnch0 It co%es $ro% the He'rew word neser! which
lso %ens 'rnch! nd is the word #sed in Isih **F*0
Other "ro"hecies cllin) the Messih Cthe BrnchD
incl#de 4ere%ih :-F8! 1echrih -F. nd 1echrih
>F*:0
This is n %6in) set o$ circ#%stncesM ?od
rrn)ed! ;rst! to tell #s tht his Messih wo#ld 'e
descended $ro% 4esse nd D2id0 Second! he rrn)ed
to h2e 4es#s 'e 'orn '& direct descent $ro%! or s
'rnch o$! D2id0 Third! he told #s in the Old Test%ent
tht his son wo#ld 'e clled Cthe BrnchD Ewe will see
other "ss)es which re"ets this n%e $or the
MessihG0 Fo#rth! he %n)ed to rrn)e tht 4es#s
ws rised in town n%ed C'rnchD so tht he co#ld
'e clled N6rene E'rnchG0 To dd to the %6in)
set o$ circ#%stnces! ?od %n)ed to h2e this town
clled 'rnch EN6rethG 'e ri)ht on the 'order
'etween 1e'#l#n nd N"htli0 I$ tht is 'it
con$#sin) $or &o#! i%)ine ?od settin) it ll #"M
This is ll "rett& cool in$or%tion to "onder! '#t
it is 2er& i%"ortnt to re%e%'er the %in the%e0 ?od
is sendin) the Messih! 'rin)in) sl2tion0
%saiah :<0<$C
Then will the e&es o$ the 'lind 'e o"ened
nd the ers o$ the de$ #nsto""ed0
Then will the l%e le" li3e deer!
nd the ton)#e o$ the d#%' sho#t $or 5o&0
Wter will )#sh $orth in the wilderness
nd stre%s in the desert0
Tht this is %essinic "ro"hec& is shown '&
the conteHt in Isih -80 CWter will )#sh $orth in the
wilderness!D CAnd hi)hw& will 'e thereJ it will 'e
clled the W& o$ Holiness0D E20 .G! CB#t onl& the
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:,8
redee%ed will wl3 there! nd the rnso%ed o$ the
Lord will ret#rn0D E20 +G0 Accordin) to Isih! the d2ent
o$ the Messih will 'e cco%"nied '& helin)s o$ the
'lind EMtthew +F:,I-*! Mr3 .F::I:>! 4ohn +F*I, nd
othersG! the de$ EMr3 ,F-:I-8! Mr3 +F*,I:,G nd the
l%e
EMr3 :F-I*:! 4ohn 8F*I. nd %n& %oreG0 As little
to#ch o$ "ro"hetic detil! the %n heled in Acts -F*I*=
Ed%ittedl& heled '& Peter in the n%e o$ 4es#s o$
N6reth! rther thn '& 4es#s hi%sel$G ws Cwl3in)
nd 5#%"in) nd "risin) ?od0D 4es#s $#l;lled this
"ro"hec&! to s& the lest0 9rowds o$ tho#snds c%e
to hi% $ro% )ret distnces $or the o""ort#nit& to 'e
heled0 Mn& o$ these %ircles were "er$or%ed in the
"#'lic ren0 At the ;rst )os"el ser%on! Peter
re%inded the "eo"le tht 4es#s ws wor3er o$
%ircles! wonders nd si)ns! Cs &o# &o#rsel2es
3now0D EActs :F::G0 E2en the 4ews who 2ehe%entl&
o""osed 4es#s co#ld not den& tht he wor3ed wonders
li3e no one 'e$ore hi%0 In $ct! the 4ewish writers o$
the Talmud d%itted in 'c3hnded w& tht he
wor3ed %ircles! cc#sin) 4es#s o$ "rcticin) sorcer&0
3
%saiah =D0;B=
Here is %& ser2nt who% I #"hold!
%& chosen one in who% I deli)htJ
I will "#t %& S"irit on hi%
nd he will 'rin) 5#stice to the ntions0
He will not sho#t or cr& o#t!
or rise his 2oice in the streets0
A 'r#ised reed he will not 're3!
nd s%olderin) wic3 he will not sn#L o#t0
Here is ser2nt who will 'rin) 5#stice to the
ntions0 The Messih will h2e n %6in) i%"ct on
the world0 S"irit#ll&! he will h2e th#nderin) 2oice!
&et he will 'e s#"ernt#rll& h#%'le t the s%e ti%e0
.
Fro% the $araila Talmud! B'&loni Snhedrin /-0
He est'lishes 5#stice $or h#%nit& witho#t sho#tin)N
witho#t e2en risin) his 2oice0 Wht n %6in)
%et"horF CA 'r#ised reed he will not 're30D Is there
nother ;)#re in world histor& who ;ts this descri"tion
'etter thn 4es#s o$ N6rethA 4es#s co#ld dis'nd n
n)r&! %#rdero#s crowd '& loo3 o$ con2iction! '& n
""el to conscience nd '& %o%ent o$ "re)nnt
silence E4ohn .F*I**G0
%saiah <:0;B;:
The %teril in Isih ch"ter ;$t&Ithree is
witho#t do#'t the %ost wellI3nown o$ %essinic
"ro"hec&0 So%e! '#t not ll 4ews sw this is %essinic
%teril0 To %n& 4ews it ws hrd to 5#sti$& their
conce"t o$ the Messih s "oliticl s2io#r! D2idic
Messih! who wo#ld restore the $ort#nes o$ Isrel with
the s#Lerin) ser2nt o$ Isih ;$t&Ithree0 So%e 4ews
e2en en2isioned se"rte "ersons in the s#Lerin)
ser2nt o$ Isih 8- nd the restorer o$ Isrel0 M#ch o$
the "ro"hetic %teril concernin) the s"irit#l
restortion o$ Isrel will 'e co2ered in the ch"ter on
"ro"hecies o$ the 3in)do%0
The ins"irin) thin) 'o#t the "ro"hecies 'oth o$
s#Lerin) ser2nt nd o$ conB#erin) 3in) is tht
4es#s $#l;lled the% ll0 The reson the 4ews $iled to
%3e the connection is tht the& %isinter"reted the
nt#re o$ the re2i2ed 3in)do% o$ Isrel0 As 4es#s sid!
CM& 3in)do% is not o$ this world0D E4ohn *.F->G0 M#ch
%ore will 'e sid on this lter0
There is so %#ch %teril in Isih ch"ter ;$t&I
three! tht it will 'e 'ro3en into sections in o#r
tret%ent0
Who hs 'elie2ed o#r %ess)e
nd to who% hs the r% o$ the LORD 'een
re2eledA
He )rew #" 'e$ore hi% li3e tender shoot!
nd li3e root o#t o$ dr& )ro#nd0
He hd no 'e#t& or %5est& to ttrct #s to
hi%!
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:,,
nothin) in his ""ernce tht we sho#ld desire
hi%0
He ws des"ised nd re5ected '& %en!
%n o$ sorrows! nd $%ilir with s#Lerin)0
Li3e one $ro% who% %en hide their $ces
he ws des"ised! nd we estee%ed hi% not0
None o$ his conte%"orries in either 'i'licl or
other so#rces descri'ed the "h&sicl ""ernce o$
4es#s0 A""rentl&! there ws nothin) either stri3in)l&
ttrcti2e or re"#lsi2e in 4es#sK "h&sicl ""ernce0
One thin) which is not dis"#tedJ he ws des"ised nd
re5ected '& %en0 When )i2en choice 'etween 4es#s
nd the 2iolent cri%inl Br''s! the crowd o$ 4ews
chose the ltter0 Altho#)h 4es#s li2ed 5o&o#s li$e! he
ws %n o$ )ret sorrows nd s#Lerin)0 At one
"oint! e2en his own $%il& clled hi% cr6&0 The
"eo"le in his ho%e town tried to 3ill hi% EL#3e /F*>I
-=G0 His closest $riends 'ndoned hi% t his dr3est
ho#r0 Finll&! the "eo"le who% he hd co%e to s2e
hd hi% tort#red nd 3illed0 Tr#l& the He'rew writer
co#ld s& o$ 4es#s tht Che lerned o'edience $ro%
wht he s#Lered0D EHe'rews 8F.G0
S#rel& he too3 #" o#r in;r%ities
nd crried o#r sorrows!
&et we considered hi% stric3en '& ?od!
s%itten '& hi%! nd Sicted0
B#t he ws "ierced $or o#r trns)ressions!
he ws cr#shed $or o#r iniB#itiesJ
the "#nish%ent tht 'ro#)ht #s "ece ws #"on
hi%!
nd '& his wo#nds we re heled0
We ll! li3e shee"! h2e )one str&!
ech o$ #s hs t#rned to his own w&J
And the LORD lid on hi% the iniB#it& o$ #s ll0
4es#s ws indeed "ierced $or o#r trns)ressions0
4ohn re"orts this detil o$ the cr#ci;Hion in 4ohn *+F-*I
-,0 As lred& %entioned in the conteHt o$ Psl%s
twent&Itwo! the Ro%n soldiers did not 're3 4es#sK
le)s when the& were s3ed to 'rin) n end to the
cr#ci;Hions o$ he nd the two cri%inls t his side
'ec#se he ws lred& ded0 In order to %3e
'sol#tel& s#re o$ his deth! soldier dro2e s"er
dee" into his side! 'rin)in) $orth )ret Qow o$ 'lood
nd wter0
:
4ohn ws n e&eIwitness o$ this e2ent0
Little did the soldier 3now tht he ws $#l;llin) the
"ro"hec& #ttered '& Isih o2er se2en h#ndred &ers
'e$ore0 The wonder$#l stte%ents! C'& his wo#nds we
re heled!D nd Cthe LORD hs lid on hi% the iniB#it&
o$ #s ll!D 'rin)s #s 'c3 to the whole "oint o$ this
"ro"hec&0 The Messih is co%in)! 'rin)in) sl2tion0
He ws o""ressed nd Sicted!
&et he did not o"en his %o#thJ
he ws led li3e l%' to the sl#)hter!
nd s shee" 'e$ore her sherers is silent!
so he did not o"en his %o#th0
B& o""ression nd 5#d)%ent! he ws t3en w&0
And who cn s"e3 o$ his descendentsA
For he ws c#t oL $ro% the lnd o$ the li2in)J
$or the trns)ression o$ %& "eo"le he ws
stric3en0
He ws ssi)ned )r2e with the wic3ed!
nd with the rich in his deth!
tho#)h he hd done no 2iolence!
nor ws n& deceit in hi% %o#th0
One o$ the %ost %6in) s"ects o$ the e2ents
which led #" to the cr#ci;Hion o$ 4es#s is tht when he
ws cc#sed! he re$#sed to de$end hi%sel$0 CWhen he
ws cc#sed '& the chie$ "riests nd the elders! he
)2e no nswer0D EMtthew :,F*:G0 Tr#l&! 4es#s ws led
li3e shee" 'e$ore his sherers0 The diLerence is tht
shee" is not s%rt eno#)h to 3now wht is co%in)!
+
Modern %edicl science wo#ld inter"ret the Qow o$ 'oth
'lood nd CwterD to indicte tht 4es#s hd lred& died! s 'lood
nd ser#% se"rte soon $ter deth0
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:,+
while 4es#s %ost certinl& did0 CWho cn s"e3 o$ his
descendntsAD This is n ironic B#estion0 4es#s ws
c#t oL in the "ri%e o$ his li$e nd hd no "h&sicl
descendnts0 Yet those who t3e on the $ith o$
A'rh% 'eco%e s"irit#l descendnts o$ A'rh%!
sons or d#)hters o$ ?od nd 'rothers or sisters o$
4es#s0
Yet it ws the LORDKS will to cr#sh hi% nd c#se
hi% to s#Ler!
And tho#)h the LORD %3es his li$e )#ilt
oLerin)!
he will see his oLs"rin) nd "rolon) his d&s!
nd the will o$ the LORD will "ros"er in his hnd0
A$ter the s#Lerin) o$ his so#l!
he will see the li)ht o$ li$e nd 'e stis;edJ
'& his 3nowled)e %& ri)hteo#s ser2nt will
5#sti$& %n&!
nd he will 'er their iniB#ities0
There$ore I will )i2e hi% "ortion %on) the
)ret!
nd he will di2ide the s"oils with the stron)!
'ec#se he "o#red o#t his li$e #nto deth!
nd ws n#%'ered with the trns)ressors0
For he 'ore the sin o$ %n&!
nd %de intercession $or the trns)ressors0
As lred& stted! ltho#)h the Messih ws c#t
oL nd hd no "h&sicl descendnts! thro#)h his )i2in)
o$ hi%sel$ s )#ilt oLerin)! 4es#s ws 'le to see his
s"irit#l oLs"rin)Nthe ch#rch0 Isih lso "ro"hesies
the res#rrection o$ the s#Lerin) ser2nt0 CA$ter the
s#Lerin) o$ his so#l! he will see the li)ht o$ li$e0D As
P#l sid in * 9orinthins *8F8! the 9hrist ws rised!
Cccordin) to the Scri"t#res0D The $#l;ll%ent o$ this
"ro"hec& is one o$ the centrl $cts o$ 9hristinit&0 In
re$erence to the drin3 oLerin)! Isih sttes tht the
Messih will "o#r o#t his li$e #nto deth0 4es#s willin)l&
)2e hi%sel$ s drin3 oLerin) $or #s0 This 'e#ti$#l
"ss)e is %iHt#re o$ historicl "ro"hec& o$ the
Messih nd cler stte%ent o$ the )os"el o$ 4es#s
9hrist0 Prise ?od tht we h2e "ssed $ro% shdow
to relit&0 On the cross! 4es#s willin)l& 'ore the sin o$
%n& nd interceded with his Fther $or #s0
Messianic /rophecies in the other prophets-
There re n#%'er o$ %essinic "ro"hecies
scttered thro#)ho#t the other 'oo3s o$ the "ro"hets!
es"ecill& in 1echrih0 There is l%ost s %#ch
s"eci;c %essinic "ro"hec& in 1echrih s in Isih or
Psl%s0 For the s3e o$ s"ce! we will onl& co2er
those which re %ost o'2io#sl& %essinic nd which
incl#de new in$or%tion 'o#t the Messih we h2e
not lred& seen0 Messinic "ro"hecies in these 'oo3s
which re not co2ered here incl#de 4ere%ih :-F8!
4ere%ih --F*/I::! Hoseh **F*! 1echrih -F*I.!
1echrih /F*:I*/! nd 1echrih *:F*=0
Daniel >0D=BDA
The 'oo3 o$ Dniel hs %ore historicl "ro"hec&
thn n& other in the Bi'le0 In the siHth cent#r& B9!
Dniel wrote histor& 'oo3 o$ the Ner Est $or the
neHt two tho#snd &ers0 Dniel tells the histor& o$ the
B'&lonin! Persin! ?ree3 nd Ro%n E%"ires 'oth
with 'rod 'r#sh nd in stri3in) detil0 All these
"ro"hecies re co2ered thoro#)hl& in %& 'oo3 @aniel*
Drophet to the Bations0
!
There re "ro"hecies o$ the
7in)do% o$ ?od in Dniel s well Esee ch"ter nineG0
The "rinci"l %essinic "ro"hec& in Dniel is $o#nd in
ch"ter nine0
Se2ent& Rse2ensK re decreed $or
&o#r "eo"le nd &o#r hol& cit& to ;nish
trns)ression! to "#t n end to sin! to
tone $or wic3edness! to 'rin) in
*=
4ohn M0 O3es! @aniel* Drophet to the Bations E?9I Boo3s!
Hi)hlnds Rnch! 9olordo! :===G
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:.*
e2erlstin) ri)hteo#sness! to sel #" 2ision
nd "ro"hec& nd to noint the %ost hol&0
7now nd #nderstnd thisF Fro% the
iss#in) o$ the decree to restore nd re'#ild
4er#sle% #ntil the Anointed One! the r#ler!
co%es! there will 'e se2en Rse2ens0K It will
'e re'#ilt with streets nd trench! '#t in
ti%es o$ tro#'le0 A$ter siHt&Itwo Rse2ens!K
the Anointed One will 'e c#t oL nd will
h2e nothin)0 The "eo"le o$ the r#ler who
will co%e will destro& the cit& nd the
snct#r&0 The end will co%e li3e QoodF
Wr will contin#e #ntil the end! nd
desoltions h2e 'een decreed0 He will
con;r% co2ennt with %n& $or one
Rse2en!K '#t in the %iddle o$ tht Rse2enK he
will "#t n end to scri;ce nd oLererin)0
And one who c#ses desoltion will "lce
'o%intions on win) o$ the te%"le #ntil
the end tht is decreed is "o#red o#t on
hi%0 EDniel +F:/I:,G0
The 4ews in the ;rst cent#r& were well wre
tht this ws "ro"hec& o$ the Messih0 The word
Messih co%es $ro% the ?ree3 $or nointed one0 9o#ld
it 'e n& clererA The "hrses! Cto tone $or
wic3edness! to 'rin) in e2erlstin) ri)hteo#sness! to
sel #" 2ision nd "ro"hec& nd to noint the %ost
hol&0D h2e the #n%ist3e'le i%"rint o$ %essinic
"ro"hec&0
Wht is the %enin) o$ the se2ent& Cse2ensAD I$
one were redin) this "ro"hec& 'e$ore its $#l;ll%ent!
the %enin) o$ this "hrse wo#ld 'e de't'le0 In
hindsi)ht! there is little do#'t wht it re$ers to0
Se2ent& se2ens is $o#r h#ndred nd ninet&0 Is it $o#r
h#ndred nd ninet& d&sA MonthsA YersA Or is it
so%e indeter%inte %o#nt o$ ti%eA Histor& nd the
""ernce o$ the Messih in 4er#sle% will nswer
this B#estion $or #s0 It is de;nitel& $o#r h#ndred nd
ninet& &ers0
The 3e& to inter"retin) the ti%in) o$ this
"ro"hec& is $o#nd in 2erse twent&I;2e0 CFro% the
iss#in) o$ the decree to restore nd re'#ild 4er#sle%!
#ntil the Anointed One Eie0 the MessihG co%es000D
When 9&r#s destro&ed the B'&lonin E%"ire in 8-+
B9! he set in %otion the "rocess which led to the ret#rn
o$ ?odKs "eo"le $ro% eHile in Meso"ot%i to reocc#"&
the Pro%ised Lnd0 All this hd 'een "ro"hesied '&
?od0 In 'o#t ,8= B9! Isih wrote! CThis is wht the
LORD s&s< RI will rise #" 9&r#s in %& ri)hteo#snessF I
will %3e ll his w&s stri)ht0 He will re'#ild %& cit&
nd set %& eHiles $ree0KD EIsih //F:.I/8F*! *-G0 ?od
hd ree%"hsi6ed this "ro"hec& in 4ere%ih :8F**!*:0
Cthese ntions will ser2e the 3in) o$ B'&lon se2ent&
&ers0 B#t when the se2ent& &ers re $#l;lled! I will
"#nish the 3in) o$ B'&lon nd his ntion0D
Once the Persins! #nder 9&r#s! hd destro&ed
the B'&lonin "ower! there ws %ore thn one decree
to $ree the 4ews0 There ws the decree o$ 9&r#s in 8-+
B9! $o#nd in E6r *F:I/! which led to the ;rst ret#rn o$
c"ti2es to 4er#sle%0 This decree #thori6ed the
re'#ildin) o$ the Te%"le! not necessril& the cit& o$
4er#sle%0 There were two other restortion decrees
iss#ed '& Persin e%"erors tht we 3now o$0 The ;rst
o$ these is $o#nd in E6r ,F*-I:>0 It ws iss#ed Cin the
;$th %onth o$ the se2enth &er o$ the 3in)0D The 3in)
re$erred to in E6r se2en is ArtHerHes0 It ws iss#ed in
/8. B90 This decree "ro2ided $or lr)e $#nds to re'#ild
the cit& o$ 4er#sle%0 ArtHerHes iss#ed second
decree to Nehe%ih in the 3in)Ks twentieth &er
ENehe%ih :F*G! which wo#ld %3e it //8 B90 This
letter! ltho#)h not recorded in Nehe%ih! s#""orted
the eLorts to co%"lete the wll o$ the cit&0 The ;rst
decree to ct#ll& restore nd re'#ild 4er#sle% ws
tht o$ /8. B90 This is %ost li3el& the one re$erred to
in Dniel +F:80
I$ the se2ent& Cse2ensD re$er to &ers! then!
ddin) $o#r h#ndred nd ninet& &ers to /8. B9 wo#ld
)i2e the &er AD -:0 Act#ll&! tht is wron)! s there
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:.-
ws no &er = B9! so $o#r h#ndred nd ninet& &ers
$ter the decree to re'#ild 4er#sle% ws AD --0 Tht
is 2er& $%ilir &er to n&one who 3nows the stor&
o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 Act#ll&! i$ one reds Dniel +F:8 %ore
cre$#ll&! one will ;nd tht the Messih will co%e to
4er#sle% d#rin) the lst wee3J Cthere will 'e se2en
Rse2ensK nd siHt&Itwo Rse2ens0K D To 'e honest with
the teHt! it "redicts tht the Messih will co%e to
4er#sle% to tone $or wic3edness! to 'e nointed nd
to 'rin) in e2erlstin) ri)hteo#sness so%ewhere
'etween AD :>I--0 The %ost li3el& dte $or the
cr#ci;Hion ws ct#ll& AD :+! rther thn the
trditionl AD --0

Either w&! wht we h2e here is not onl& the

"rediction tht the Messih wo#ld 'rin) $or)i2eness o$
sins to Isrel! '#t ?od! thro#)h Dniel! e2en told #s
when to eH"ect hi% to co%eM It is not s i$ the )os"el
writers co#ld h2e $3ed 4es#sK $#l;ll%ent o$ this
"ro"hec&M Histor& tells #s when Ponti#s Pilte r#led
4#de nd Tcit#s re"orted tht C9hrest#sD ws
eHec#ted #nder Ponti#s Pilte0 This is n %6in)
"ro"hec&M Thin3! $or %o%ent! 'o#t the
i%"lictions0 ?od told #s the &er 4es#s wo#ld 'e
cr#ci;ed l%ost siH h#ndred &ers 'e$ore it h""ened0
The deth o$ 4es#s ws no $tertho#)ht0
The "ro"hec& in Dniel ch"ter nine )oes on to
"redict e2ents in AD ,= when the Ro%n r%ies
s#rro#nded 4er#sle%! 'ro3e thro#)h the wlls!
destro&ed the cit& nd '#rned the Te%"le to the
)ro#nds! 'rin)in) Cn end to scri;ce nd oLerin)D E20
:,G $ore2er0 4es#s 9hrist "ro"hesied concernin) these
e2ents s recorded in L#3e :*F:=I:/ nd Mtthew
:/F*8I:8! '#t since this is not %essinic "ro"hec&! we
will %o2e on0
Micah <0D
B#t &o#! Bethlehe% E"hrthh
**
See @aniel* Drophet to the Bations! " *8/!*880
tho#)h &o# re s%ll %on) the clns o$ 4#dh!
O#t o$ &o# will co%e $or %e
one who will 'e r#ler o2er Isrel!
whose ori)ins re $ro% o$ old!
$ro% ncient ti%es0
Mich "ro"hesied to Isrel in the ei)hth cent#r&
B90 He ws conte%"orr& o$ Isih0 Tht this is
"ro"hec& o$ the Messih is o'2io#s $ro% the teHtJ Cone
who will 'e r#ler o2er Isrel! whose ori)ins re $ro%
old0D There is no do#'t tht the 4ews in 4es#sK ti%e
c3nowled)ed tht this ws %essinic "rediction! s
the& con$ronted 4es#s with this 2er& "ss)e0 CHow
cn the 9hrist co%e $ro% ?lileeA Does not the
Scri"t#re s& tht the 9hrist will co%e $ro% D2idKs
$%il& nd $ro% Bethlehe%! the town where D2id
li2edAD E4ohn ,F/*!/:G0 A""rentl& the crowd ws
wre o$ Mich 8F:! nd o$ the $ct tht 4es#s ws $ro%
?lilee Es reB#ired '& Isih +F*G! '#t the& were not
in$or%ed 'o#t where 4es#s ws 'orn0 Here )in we
h2e s"eci;c "ro"hec& o$ the Messih which ws
$#l;lled '& 4es#s which it ws not in his Eh#%nG 'ilit&
to control nd which e2en historins will c3nowled)e
is tr#e o$ 4es#s0 How %n& "eo"le r#nnin) ro#nd in
Isrel t the ri)ht ti%e EAD :>I--G were 'orn in
Bethlehe% '#t c%e $ro% ?lileeA Pro''l& 2er& $ew0
Throw in the reB#ire%ent to 'e N6rene E'rnchG
nd &o# re "ro''l& down to eHctl& one0
B& the w&! there were ct#ll& two s%ll cities
in Plestine n%ed Bethlehe% t the ti%e Mich wrote0
One ws the nowI$%o#s Bethlehe% which is $ew
%iles so#th o$ 4er#sle%0 The other ws in Northern
Isrel E4osh# *+F*8G0 4es#s ws 'orn in the ri)ht oneF
Bethlehe% E"hrthh0
63echariah C0>B;<7
The word o$ the Lord c%e to %eF
T3e sil2er nd )old $ro% the eHiles Heldi!
To'i5h nd 4edih! who h2e rri2ed $ro%
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:.8
B'&lon0 ?o the s%e d& to the ho#se o$
4osih son o$ 1e"hhih0 T3e the sil2er
nd )old nd %3e crown! nd set it on
the hed o$ the hi)h "riest! 4osh# son o$
4eho6d30 Tell hi% this is wht the LORD
Al%i)ht& s&sF RHere is the %n whose
n%e is the Brnch! nd he will 'rnch o#t
$ro% his "lce nd '#ild the te%"le o$ the
LORD nd he will 'e clothed with %5est&
nd will sit nd r#le on his throne0 And he
will 'e "riest on his throne0 And there
will 'e hr%on& 'etween the two0
This is one o$ the lesserI3nown Old
Test%ent "ro"hecies o$ the Messih0 We cn 'e
s#re tht it is "ro"hec& o$ the s2io#r o$ Isrel
'ec#se o$ so%e $%ilir the%es in the "ss)e0
1echrih %entions tht the n%e o$ the %n to
'e crowned is Cthe Brnch0D He lso s&s tht
the Brnch will sit nd r#le on his throne0 This!
lon) with Mich 8F: End 4ere%ih --F*/I::G
co#ld 'e cte)ori6ed s 3in)l&! D2idic %essinic
"ss)esNones which the 4ews were %ore li3el&
to c3nowled)e s re$errin) to the Messih thn
ser2nt "ss)es s#ch s Isih 8-0
In this "ro"hetic "ss)e! ?od tells
1echrih to "lce crown on the hed o$ the
hi)h "riest 4osh#! son o$ 4eho6de30 This is
s&%'olic ctin) o#t o$ the crownin) o$ the
Messih s 3in)0 Re%e%'er tht the He'rew
word 4osh# is 4esh# in Ar%ic or 4es#s in
?ree30 This is not the ;rst ti%e in 1echrih tht
?od #ses the hi)h "riest 4osh# s s&%'olic
$oreshdowin) o$ the Messih0 1echrih sw
4osh# the hi)h "riest in %essinic 2ision ctin)
o#t the role o$ the S2io#r o$ Isrel in 1echrih
-F*I/ s well0
We h2e so%e new detils 'o#t the
Messih here0 First! he will '#ild the te%"le o$
the LORD0 4es#s %de si%ilr stte%ent 'o#t
hi%sel$0 CDestro& this te%"le! nd I will rise it
)in in three d&s0D E4ohn :F*+G0 In this
stte%ent! 4es#s ws re$errin) to his own 'od&!
which ws the Te%"le o$ ?od0 We lso 3now $ro%
o#r st#d& o$ the T'erncle nd the Te%"le in
ch"ter three tht 4es#s restored the tr#e
Te%"lePT'erncle in he2en thro#)h his scri;ce
on the cross0
Another i%"ortnt "rt o$ this "ro"hec& is
tht! $ter descri'in) the Messih s 3in)! it
lso clls hi% C"riest on his throne0D ?od tells
1echrih tht Cthere will 'e hr%on& 'etween
the two0D CThe twoD re the "riesthood nd the
3in)shi"0 As hs 'een sid "re2io#sl&! the 4ews
hd three o@cesF "riest! "ro"het nd 3in)0 This
"ro"hec& sttes tht in the Messih! "riest nd
3in) will co%e to)ether in one "erson0 For the
4ews! the ide o$ crownin) the hi)h "riest 4osh#
s 3in) %#st h2e 'een shoc3in)! '#t ?od is
tr&in) to tell #s so%ethin) 'o#t the Messih0
Ne2er in the histor& o$ Isrel did "riest occ#"&
the throne0 4es#s certinl& $#l;lled this "ro"hec&
s "riest Cin the order o$ Melchi6ede30D EPsl%s
**=F/G! nd s 3in) E4ohn *+F-,G0
3echariah >0>B;;
Re5oice )retl&! O D#)hter o$ 1ionM
Sho#t! d#)hter o$ 4er#sle%M
See! &o#r 3in) co%es to &o#!
Ri)hteo#s nd h2in) sl2tion!
?entle nd ridin) on don3e&!
on colt! the $ol o$ don3e&<0
He will "rocli% "ece to the ntions0
His r#le will eHtend $ro% se to se
nd $ro% the Ri2er to the ends o$ the erth0
As $or &o#! 'ec#se o$ the 'lood o$ %&
co2ennt with &o#!
I will $ree &o#r "risoners $ro% the wterless
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:.,
"it0
For #s in the %odern world! the don3e& is not
s&%'ol o$ n&thin) )ret! '#t in the ncient Ner Est!
ridin) into cit& in "rocession on don3e& ws
s&%'ol o$ ro&lt&0 A)in we h2e "ro"hec& which is
#ndo#'t'l& %essinic0 CHe will "rocli% "ece to the
ntionsF His r#le will eHtend $ro% se to se000 to the
ends o$ the erth0 Accordin) to 1echrihKs orcle! the
Messih will ride into 4er#sle%on don3e&0 No! tht is
not ri)ht0 He will ride into 4er#sle% on coltN 2er&
&o#n) don3e&0 This is re%iniscent o$ Psl%s ch"ter
twent&Itwo which hd the MessihKs )r%ents di2ided
#" nd )%'led0 Which is it! don3e& or coltA BothM
As 4es#s sid! Ce2er&thin) %#st 'e $#l;lled tht
is written 'o#t %e in the Lw o$ Moses! the Pro"hets
nd the Psl%s0D EL#3e :/F//G0 1echrih ch"ter + is
no eHce"tion0 4es#s hd 'een to 4er#sle% %n& ti%es
'e$ore0 Howe2er! 'ec#se he 3new C%& ti%e hs not
&et co%eD E4ohn :F/G! he entered nd le$t 2er& B#ietl&0
His lst entr& into 4er#sle% ws dr%tic eHce"tion
to this r#le0 C?o to the 2ill)e hed o$ &o#! nd t
once &o# will ;nd don3e& tied there! with her colt '&
her0 Untie the% nd 'rin) the% to %e0D EMtthew
:*F-G0 Which did 4es#s ride onA CThe& 'ro#)ht the
don3e& nd the colt! "lced their clo3s on the% nd
4es#s st on the%0D EMtthew :*F,G0 4es#s %#st h2e
ridded sideIsddle! strddlin) 'oth the d#lt nd the
don3e& colt0 4es#s rode s 3in) into 4er#sle%0
3echariah ;;0;?B;=
Then I too3 %& stL clled F2or nd
'ro3e it! re2o3in) the co2ennt I hd %de
with ll the ntions0 It ws re2o3ed on tht
d&! nd so the Sicted o$ the Qoc3 who
were wtchin) %e 3new it ws the word o$
the LORD0
I told the%! CI$ &o# thin3 it 'est! )i2e
%e %& "&J '#t i$ not! 3ee" it0D So the&
"id %e thirt& "ieces o$ sil2er0
And the LORD sid to %e! CThrow it
to the "otterDNthe hndso%e "rice t
which the& "riced %eM So I too3 the thirt&
"ieces o$ sil2er nd threw the% into the
ho#se o$ the LORD to the "otter0
So%eone is 'ein) "id thirt& "ieces o$ sil2er
here0 For whtA And the ?-#@ sid to %e! CThrow it to
the "otterDNthe "rice t which the& "riced meM
So%eone sold ?od $or thirt& "ieces o$ sil2er0 Most o$ #s
h2e herd stories o$ "intin) '& one o$ the %sters!
worth %n& %illions o$ dollrs! 'ein) sold $or twent&
'#c3s t )r)e sle! '#t this hs to 'e the %ost
$oolish sle since Ess# sold his 'irthri)ht to 4co' $or
'owl o$ lentil stew E?enesis :8F:+I-/G0 When he loo3ed
t wht he hd "#t on ""er! 1echrih %#st h2e
rell& 'een 'Sed to i%)ine wht he ws writin)
'o#t0 With historicl hindsi)ht! we 3now eHctl& wht
this is 'o#t0 Tl3 'o#t s"eci;c "ro"hec&M
Then one o$ the Twel2eNthe one
clled 4#ds IscriotNwent to the chie$
"riests nd s3ed! CWht re &o# willin) to
)i2e %e i$ I hnd hi% o2er to &o#AD So
the& co#nted o#t $or hi% thirt& sil2er coins0
Fro% then on 4#ds wtched $or n
o""ort#nit& to hnd hi% o2er0 EMtthew
:>F*/I*>G0
1echrih hit the "rice on the nose! ;2e h#ndred nd
;$t& &ers 'e$ore the e2ent0
.
Wht re the chnces o$
cc#rtel& "redictin) tht ?od wo#ld 'e sold! ne2er
%ind )ettin) the eHct "rice! h#ndreds o$ &ers 'e$ore
the e2entA And who wo#ld h2e the ner2e to "#t his
"rediction down on ""er s 1echrih didA 4es#s
co#ld not h2e rrn)ed $or the "rice o$ his 'etr&l0
*:
1echrih *F* dtes the 2isions he recei2ed $ro% ?od to
the second &er o$ Dri#s! 3in) o$ Persi! which wo#ld 'e 8:= B90
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:.+
A)in! we see ?od #sin) those who o""osed 4es#s to
$#l;ll "ro"hecies o$ the Messih0
The s3e"tic %i)ht r)#e tht Mtthew %de #"
this detil 'o#t the "rice to %3e it ""er tht 4es#s
$#l;lled this "ro"hec&0 Howe2er tht r)#%ent does
not hold #" to scr#tin&0 I$ Mtthew ws %3in) #"
stor&! wh& wo#ld he incl#de detil tht h#ndreds o$
"eo"le still li2e when he wrote the )os"el co#ld
"#'licl& re$#teA A lir )enerll& is 2)#e 'o#t the
detils0
In 1echrih **! the one who sells ?od $or thirt&
"ieces o$ sil2er see%s hesitnt to t3e the %one&J CI$
&o# thin3 it 'est! )i2e %& "&! '#t i$ not 3ee" it0D Then
1echrih s#""lies detil which %#st h2e 'een e2en
%ore %&sti$&in) to hi% thn the thirt& "ieces o$ sil2er0
C RThrow it to the "otterKNthe hndso%e "rice t which
the& "riced %e0 So I too3 the thirt& "ieces o$ sil2er nd
threw the% into the ho#se o$ the LORD to the "otter0D
The %&ster& is re%o2ed when one loo3s t wht
h""ened to 4#ds neHt0 Perh"s 4#ds hd 'etr&ed
4es#s in order to $orce his hnd to 'id $or "oliticl "ower
in 4#de0 It is hrd to 'elie2e he did it si%"l& $or the
%one&0 When he sw his "ln 'c3;rin)! nd reli6ed
tht 4es#s wo#ld not de$end hi%sel$! '#t wo#ld insted
'e conde%ned! 4#ds ws sei6ed with re%orse0 He hd
%is#nderstood 4es#s ll lon)0 When 4#ds tried to
ret#rn the %one& to the chie$ "riests! the& re$#sed to
cce"t it! so he threw the %one& into the te%"leNthe
ho#se o$ the LORDNeHctl& s 1echrih hd
"ro"hesied0 This is not the ;rst ti%e we h2e seen
chrcters ctin) o#t "l& on di2ine st)e witho#t
e2en 3nowin) tht the& re 'ein) $ed the lines '& ?od0
The chie$ "riests "ic3ed #" the coins
nd sid! CIt is )inst the lw to "#t this
into the tres#r&! since it is 'lood %one&0D
So the& decided to #se the %one& to '#&
the "otterKs ;eld s '#ril "lce $or
$orei)ners0 Tht is wh& it hs 'een clled
the Field o$ Blood to this d&0 EMtthew
:,F>!,G0
When Mtthew threw in the little detil 'o#t the ;eld
'ein) clled The Field o$ Blood Cto this d&!D it is s i$
he ws s&in)! CI$ &o# h2e n& do#'t 'o#t it! 5#st )o
s3 the chie$ "riests in 4er#sle%! the& will tell &o# ll
'o#t it0
Let #s not $or)et the %in "oint here0 The deth
o$ 4es#s on the cross ws no ccident0 Pro"hecies s#ch
s 1echrih **F*=I*/ "ro2ide )ret e2idence $or the
ins"irtion o$ the Bi'le! which is )ret $ithI'#ilder0
E2en %ore si)ni;cntl&! this "ss)e re%inds #s tht
?od "lnned ll lon) to send his son to 'e 'etr&ed!
to s#Ler! nd to die so tht e2er& "erson co#ld h2e
ccess to $or)i2eness o$ sins nd eterenl li$e0
3echariah ;:0A
Aw3e! O sword! )inst %& she"herd!
)inst the %n who is close to %eMD
declres the LORD Al%i)ht&0
Stri3e the she"herd!
nd the shee" will 'e scttered!
nd I will t#rn %& hnd )inst the little
one0
At the %o%ent o$ his )retest "ersonl need!
4es#s ws 'ndoned '& his closest $riends in the
world0 These were the s%e %en $or who% he hd
"o#red o#t his li$e0 Tht 2er& ni)ht he hd h#%'l&
wshed their $eet0 Yet! when he s3ed the% to st&
with hi% while he "r&ed in the )rden on the ni)ht he
ws 'etr&ed! the& $ell slee"0 CAw3e! O sword
)inst %& she"herd0D This is re$erence to the 4ewish
te%"le )#rd who c%e with swords drwn to rrest
4es#s0 Wht did the shee" Ethe "ostlesG do when their
she"herd ws str#c3A Des"ite their 2ehe%ent
declrtion tht 2er& ni)ht tht the& wo#ld ne2er
'ndon their leder! ll o$ the disci"les Qed to 2oid
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:+*
rrest0
4es#s ws o'2io#sl& 2er& well wre o$ this
"ss)e in 1echrih0 4#st $ew ho#rs 'e$ore he told
the% tht the& wo#ld 'ndon hi% tht 2er& ni)ht0
4es#s 3new his $te $ro% the 2er& 'e)innin)! '#t he
ne2er w2ered0 The s#Lerin) ser2nt o$ Isih 8- ws
'o#t to 'e)in his ho#r o$ )retest tril lone0
'ON'!*&%ON
When one considers the historicl %essinic
"ro"hecies in the Old Test%ent! one thin) is %de
"er$ectl& cler0 The deth o$ 4es#s ws no s"#rIo$ItheI
%o%ent decision0 ?od hd "lnned $ro% the 2er&
'e)innin) to llow his Son to s#Ler nd 'e 3illed t the
hnds o$ those he hd co%e to die $or0 ?od %de this
tr#th '#ndntl& cler in the Old Test%ent! '#t we re
not s#r"rised t this0 4es#sK cli% tht the entire Old
Test%ent ws written 'o#t hi% hs 'een "ro2en '&
the e2idence0 4es#s 9hrist is the Messih! sent '& ?od
into the world to s2e sinners0 He is the %n0 How
cn we 'e s#reA Accordin) to the Old Test%ent! the
Messih wo#ldF
Be 'orn in Bethlehe% E"hethrh!
9o%e $ro% ?lilee! in the re)ion o$ 1e'#l#n nd
N"htli!
9o%e to 4er#sle% to 'rin) sl2tion in 'o#t AD --!
Be des"ised nd re5ected '& %en!
Re%in silent when cc#sed! e2en #"on thret o$
deth!
Be "ierced! nd
Be cr#ci;ed!
H2e his clothes di2ided and )%'led o2er!
Be sold $or -= "ieces o$ sil2er!
Ride into 4er#sle% on don3e& nd its colt!
Be 'ndoned '& his $ollowers!
And %ost di@c#lt o$ llF
Be res#rrected $ro% the )r2e0
Hs n& %n who e2er li2ed eH"erienced %ore
thn! s&! three o$ theseA Is there the sli)htest
"ossi'ilit& tht the Bi'le is not ins"ired '& ?odA Do
nonI'elie2ers h2e n nswer to this chllen)eA
9lerl& not0
This is ll 2er& eHcitin)! '#t let #s not $or)et the
%in "oint0 ?od sent his Son! 4es#s 9hrist! to die $or
the sins o$ the whole world0 The %ess)e o$ the Old
Test%ent is tht the Messih is co%in)! 'rin)in)
sl2tion0 In the words o$ the A"ostle P#l in :
9orinthins >F*! CI tell &o#! now is the ti%e o$ ?odKs
$2or! now is the d& o$ sl2tion0D Or s Peter "#t it in
: Peter *F*+! CAnd we h2e the word o$ the "ro"hets
%de %ore certin! nd &o# will do well to "&
ttention to it0D
Old
Test%ent

Pro"hec&
9ontent New
Test%ent

F#l;ll%ent
?en
esis -F*8
Stn will ttc3 the
Messih! '#t the Messih
will destro& the wor3 o$
Stn0
Mtthew
/F*I**! L#3e /F*I
*-
?en
esis
/+F*=!**
The Messih will 'e
$ro% 4#dh Elso hints 'o#t
2ine! colt! 'rnch nd
'loodP)r"esG
Mtthew
*F:!-
De#
terono%&
?od will rise #"
"ro"het li3e! '#t )reter
Mtthew
:*F**! Mr3
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:+-
*.F*8I*. thn Moses0 >F*8
Psl
%
*>F*=!**
The Messih will not
'e 'ndoned to the )r2e
Ewill 'e res#rrectedG0
4ohn :F*+!
L#3e :/F*I,
Psl
% ::F*8I
*.
The Messih will 'e
cr#ci;ed! his 'ones will not
'e 'ro3en! his clothin) will
'e di2ided nd )%'led
o2er0
4ohn
*+F>!,! 4ohn
*+F-*I-/! 4ohn
*+F:-!:/
Psl
% -*F8
The Messih will
co%%it his s"irit into the
hnds o$ ?od0
L#3e
:-F/>
Psl
% >+F+!:*
The Messih will show
6el $or ?odKs ho#se0 He will
'e )i2en )ll nd 2ine)r to
drin30
4ohn :F*:I
*,! Mtthew
:,F-/!
L#3e :-F->
Psl
% **=F*!/
The Messih will 'e
"riest in the order o$
Melchi6ede30
He'rews
,F**I*.
Psl
%
**.F::!:-
The Messih will 'e
re5ected! '#t will 'eco%e
the $o#ndtion o$ the
7in)do% o$ ?od0
Mtthew
:-F-,! Acts /F*=
Isi
h ,F*/
The Messih will 'e
'orn o$ 2ir)in0
L#3e *F:>I
-.
Isi
h +F*!:!>!,
The Messih will 'e
$ro% ?lileeJ in the re)ion o$
1e'#l#n nd N"htli0
Mtthew
/F*:I*>
Isi
h **F*!:
The Messih will 'e
descended $ro% 4esse nd
will 'e Brnch EN6reneG0
Mtthew
*F8!>! 4ohn
*F/8!/>!
Mtthew :F:-
Isi
h -8F8!>
The Messih will hel
the de$! the 'lind nd the
"h&sicll& dis'led0
Mr3
,F-:I-8! .F::I
:>!
:F-I*:
Isi
h /:F*I/
The Messih will 'e
%irc#lo#sl& h#%'le0
4ohn .F*I
**
Isi
h 8-
The Messih will 'e
des"ised nd re5ected! will
s#Ler "h&sicll&! will 'e
"ierced! will t3e on the sin
o$ ll %en! will 'e silent
'e$ore his cc#sers! nd
'#ried with the rich0
Mtthew
:,F*8I*.! 4ohn
*+F--I-8!
Mr3 */F>=!>*!
*8F-I8!
Mr3 *8F/:I/>
Dni
el +F:/I:,
The Messih will co%e
to 4er#sle% to 'rin)
sl2tion so%ewhere
'etween AD :>I--0
L#3e -F*!:
Mic
h 8F:
The Messih will 'e
'orn in Bethlehe%
E"hrthh0
L#3e :F*I,
1ec
hrih >F+I
*8
The Messih will 'e
3in) nd "riest! nd will
'rin) hr%on& 'etween the
two0
4ohn
*.F-,!
He'rews
,F**I*,
1ec
hrih +F+I
**
The Messih will ride
s 3in) into 4er#sle%
ridin) on don3e& nd the
colt o$ tht don3e&0
Mtthew
:*F*I,
1ec
hrih
**F*=I*/
The Messih will 'e
'etr&ed $or -= "ieces o$
sil2er0 The %one& will 'e
thrown to Cthe "otter0D
Mtthew
:>F*/I*>!
Mtthew
:,F>!,
1ec
hrih
*-F,
When the Messih is
ttc3ed! his Cshee"D will 'e
scttered0
Mr3
*/F8=!8*
5y &ingdom is not of this
world. If it were* my
servants would 4ght to
prefvent my arrest by the
Jews. $ut now my
&ingdom is from another
place.
John 3"/0
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:+8
+
Old Test%ent Pro"hesies nno#nce
the co%in) o$ the 7in)do% o$ ?od
We h2e lred& seen n#%'er o$ "ro"hecies
which descri'e the Messih s 3in)0 H2in) the title
o$ 3in) does not 2il %#ch #nless the one holdin) the
title hs 3in)do% nd s#'5ects to r#le o2er0 When
4es#s rode into 4er#sle% on don3e&! he ws
nno#ncin) the co%in) o$ 3in)! nd o$ n i%%nent
3in)do%0 When s3ed '& Pilte i$ he ws 3in)! 4es#s
res"onded! CM& 3in)do% is not o$ this world0D So wht
is the 3in)do% r#led '& the Messih to 'e li3eA To
nswer this B#estion! one need loo3 no $rther thn the
Old Test%ent0 There one will ;nd do6ens o$
"ro"hecies concernin) the 3in)do% o$ ?od0 The Old
Test%ent hs "ro"hecies descri'in) the Cconstit#tionD
o$ this 3in)do%! s well s its )rowth nd the eHtent o$
its do%inion0 There re lso "ro"hecies concernin) the
"ower o$ this 3in)do% nd its C$orei)n reltions!D s
well s the reltionshi" 'etween the 3in) nd his
s#'5ects0
In the "re2io#s ch"ter we sw %essinic
"ro"hecies in2ol2in) the )enerl nt#re o$ the Messih!
'#t lso ones "ro2idin) %6in)l& s"eci;c detils 'o#t
his li$e s#ch s where he wo#ld li2e! when he wo#ld
co%e to 4er#sle%J e2en the eHct "rice $or which he
wo#ld 'e conde%ned0 Pro"hecies o$ the 7in)do% o$
?od in the Old Test%ent re not s detiled or s"eci;c
'ec#se the 7in)do% o$ ?od is 'rod conce"t! rther
thn n entit& which is li%ited '& ti%e nd s"ce0 It is
s"irit#l! '#t not "h&sicl relit&0 H2in) sid tht!
howe2er! there ws "lent& o$ Old Test%ent so#rce
%teril 'o#t the co%in) 3in)do% o$ ?od $or 4es#s to
#se when he ""ered o2er $ort& d&s $ter his
res#rrection d#rin) which he Cs"o3e 'o#t the 3in)do%
o$ ?od0D EActs *F-G0
A BIBLI9AL (IEW OF THE 7IN?DOM OF ?OD
Be$ore loo3in) t so%e o$ the 'e#ti$#l "ro"hetic
descri"tions o$ the 7in)do% o$ ?od in the Old
Test%ent! it will 'e hel"$#l to est'lish 'i'licl
de;nition o$ this 3in)do%0 It is di@c#lt to )i2e
si%"le '#t cc#rte de;nition o$ the 7in)do% o$ ?od!
s descri'ed in the Bi'le0 So%e wo#ld s& tht the
7in)do% o$ ?od is the ch#rch o$ 4es#s 9hrist on the
erth0 Others wo#ld s& tht the 3in)do% o$ ?od is
he2en0 In tr#th! ?odKs 3in)do% eH"resses itsel$ in
diLerent w&s t diLerent ti%es0 In 'rodest ter%s!
the 7in)do% o$ ?od is n&one or n&where o2er which
?od r#les0
9ertinl& the 4ews #nder the Mosic co2ennt
sw the%sel2es s the 7in)do% o$ ?od0 One o$ the
resons ?od did not wnt Isrel to h2e h#%n 3in)
is tht He wnted to 'e 3in) o2er his "eo"leNone
witho#t ri2l0 When in2ited to 'e 3in) o2er tri'es o$
Isrel! ?ideon re"liedJ CI will not r#le o2er &o#! nor will
%& son r#le o2er &o#0 The LORD will r#le o2er &o#0D
E4#d)es .F:-G0 S%#el d%onished Isrel! CB#t when
&o# sw tht Nhsh 3in) o$ the A%%onites ws
%o2in) )inst &o#! &o# sid to %e! RNo! we wnt
3in) to r#le o2er #sKNe2en tho#)h the LORD &o#r ?od
ws &o#r 3in)0D E* S%#el *:F*:G0 The )retest 3in) o$
Isrel! D2id! c3nowled)ed tht ?od ws the rel 3in)
o$ Isrel0 CYo#rs! O LORD is the 3in)do%J &o# re
eHlted s hed o2er ll0 E* 9hronicles :+F**G0 So
Isrel! nd lter 4#dh! were %ni$esttion o$ the
3in)do% o$ ?od on the erth t tht ti%e0
Howe2er ?odKs "eo"le were not $ith$#l! nd
'esides ?od intended ll lon) to set #" s"irit#l
3in)do% to re"lce the "h&sicl 3in)do% o$ Isrel0
Tht is the "oint o$ this ch"ter0 We will see %n&
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:+,
"ro"hecies o$ this 3in)do%0 The s"irit#l 3in)do% on
erth which re"lced the 3in)do% o$ Isrel ws the
ch#rch0 Indeed! the "h&sicl 3in)do% o$ Isrel ws
$oreshdow o$ the s"irit#l 7in)do% o$ ?odNthe ch#rch
o$ 4es#s 9hrist0 A n#%'er o$ New Test%ent "ss)es
see% to eB#te the 7in)do% o$ ?od with the ch#rchN
the 'od& o$ 9hrist EMtt *>F*.!*+! E"hesins *F:=I:-!
< ;nd %oreG0 B#t we sho#ld 'e wre tht while the
ch#rch which 4es#s died $or %& 'e the 3in)do% o$
?od! the 3in)do% is so%ethin) )reter thn tht! $or
while 4es#s rei)ns o2er his ch#rch! he lso rei)ns in
He2en0 To #se cr#de descri"tion! the ch#rch is
C"rtD o$ the 3in)do% o$ ?od0
So the ch#rch is the 7in)do% o$ ?od! '#t s#rel&
the )retest eH"ression o$ the 3in)do% is he2en itsel$0
In he2en! ?od rei)ns! with 4es#s t his ri)ht hnd0 As
4es#s sid! CThen the 7in) will s& to those on his ri)ht!
R9o%e &o# who re 'lessed '& %& FtherJ t3e &o#r
inheritnce! the 3in)do% "re"red $or &o# since the
cretion o$ the world0D EMtthew :8F-/G0 The 'oo3 o$
Re2eltion is re"lete with ro&l scenes in he2en! s#ch
s Re2eltion ch"ter $o#rJ CAt once I ws in the s"irit!
nd there 'e$ore %e ws throne in he2en with
so%eone sittin) on it<0 S#rro#ndin) the throne were
twent&I$o#r other thrones000 In the center! ro#nd the
throne were $o#r li2in) cret#res< the twent&I$o#r
elders $ll down 'e$ore hi% who sits on the throne! nd
worshi" hi% who li2es $ore2er<D ERe2eltion
/F:!/!>!*=G0 To s#%%ri6e! in scendin) order! "h&sicl
Isrel s 3in)do% is $oreshdow o$ s"irit#l IsrelN
the ch#rch! while the ch#rch s 3in)do% is
$oreshdow o$ the 7in)do% o$ ?od in he2en0
More e2idence o$ the "rllel nd co%"li%entr&
nt#re o$ the diLerent s"ects o$ the 7in)do% o$ ?od is
$o#nd in the #se o$ the n#%'er twel2e in the Bi'le0 The
"h&sicl 3in)do% o$ Isrel ws di2ided into twel2e
tri'es0 4es#s chose twel2e "ostles who hd s"ecil
s"irit#l #thorit& in the s"irit#l 3in)do% o$ ?od on
the erth0 The "rllel is crried into the $#t#re
3in)do% o$ ?od in Re2eltion :*F*:!*-J
It Ethe New 4er#sle%G hd )ret! hi)h
wll
with twel2e )tes nd with twel2e n)els t the
)tes0
On the )tes were written the n%es o$ the
twel2e tri'es o$ Isrel0 There were three )tes
on the
est! three on the north! three on the so#th nd
three
on the west0 The wll o$ the cit& hd twel2e
$o#ndtions! nd on the% were the n%es o$ the
twel2e "ostles o$ the L%'0
Twel2e is the n#%'er ssocited with ?odKs
3in)do% in its three %ost o'2io#s %ni$esttions0 The
throne scene in he2en in Re2eltion ch"ter $o#r hs
twent&I$o#r elders l&in) down their crowns 'e$ore the
throne o$ ?od! declrin) hi% to 'e worth& to recei2e
)lor& nd honor nd "ower0 The twent&I$o#r elders in
this scene re"resent the twel2e tri'es nd the twel2e
"ostles0 4%es ws not %3in) %ist3e when he
wrote his letter to the ch#rch s whole! descri'in)
the% s Cthe twel2e tri'es scttered %on) the
ntions0D E4%es *F*G0
M#ch %ore co#ld 'e sid 'o#t the 7in)do% o$
?od0
*
The erth itsel$! with ll its Qor nd $#n re
3in)do% o$ ?od0 The 3in)do% is ?odKs r#le o2er
n&one who t3es hi% s 7in)0 H2in) sid ll this! in
this ch"ter we will loo3 "rinci"ll& t Old Test%ent
"ro"hecies which re$er to the 3in)do% s it is
%ni$ested in the ch#rch0 Tht the "ss)es we
eH%ine re$er to the ch#rch %& not lw&s 'e
co%"letel& cler c#t0 So%e "ro"hecies o$ the 3in)do%
%& re$er "rinci"ll& to the ch#rch! '#t lso h2e so%e
re$erence to "h&sicl Isrel0 Others will 'e "redictions
o$ the ch#rch! '#t h2e "ro"hetic o2ertones re$errin) to
he2en0
*
Re$erence 4i% Mc?#i))nKs 'oo30
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
:++
We h2e lred& seen this "heno%enon! where
"ro"hec& hs d#l re$erence0 One eH%"le we h2e
seen is : S%#el ,F**!*:! in which one ;nds d#l
"ro"hec& o$ the 3in)shi" o$ Solo%on o2er "h&sicl
Isrel nd o$ the 3in)shi" o$ the Messih o2er s"irit#l
Isrel0 An eH%"le o$ "ro"hetic "ss)e which
see%s to sli" 'c3 nd $orth 'etween re$erence to the
ch#rch s 3in)do% nd to he2en is the eHtensi2e
"ro"hec& )i2en '& 4es#s in Mtthew :/F*I:8F*-! in
which 4es#s %o2es $ro% "redictin) the destr#ction o$
4er#sle% in AD ,= to descri'in) his ret#rn t the
tr#%"et cll o$ ?od t the end o$ d&s witho#t
"ro2idin) cler trnsition! to the "oint tht it is
so%eti%es di@c#lt to 3now to which he is re$errin)0
Now tht we h2e wor3in) de;nition o$ the
7in)do% o$ ?od! we will loo3 t n#%'er o$ the Old
Test%ent "ro"hecies o$ the 3in)do%0 In the st#d& o$
%essinic "ro"hecies in the "re2io#s ch"ter! we
wor3ed $ro% the $ront to the 'c3 o$ the Old Test%ent0
In this tret%ent! the 3in)do% "ro"hecies will 'e
di2ided ccordin) to s#'5ect %tter0
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE 7IN?DOM OF ?OD
We will 'e)in '& loo3in) t "ss)es tht "redict
the est'lish%ent o$ new 3in)do% nd new
co2ennt $or tht 3in)do%0 The %ost well 3nown o$
these is 4ere%ih -*F-*I-/J
CThe ti%e is co%in)!D declres the LORD!
Cwhen I will %3e new co2ennt with the
ho#se o$
Isrel nd with the ho#se o$ 4#dh0 It will not 'e
li3e
the co2ennt I %de with their $ore$thers when
I
too3 the% '& the hnd to led the% o#t o$
E)&"t!
'ec#se the& 'ro3e %& co2ennt! tho#)h I ws
h#s'nd to the%!D declres the LORD0
CThis is the co2ennt I will %3e with the
ho#se o$ Isrel $ter tht ti%e!D declres the
LORD0
I will "#t %& lw in their %inds nd write it on
their herts0 I will 'e their ?od nd the& will 'e
%&
"eo"le0 No lon)er will %n tech his nei)h'or
or %n his 'rother! s&in)! R7now the LORD!K
'ec#se the& will ll 3now %e! $ro% the lest o$
the%
to the )retest!D declres the LORD0 CFor I will
$or)i2e
their wic3edness nd will re%e%'er their sins no
%ore0D
In this "ss)e! ?od tells his "eo"le tht he will
est'lish new co2ennt so%e ti%e in the $#t#re0
:
It
will 'e 2er& diLerent $ro% the one he )2e to the%
when the& "ssed o#t o$ E)&"t! t Mt0 Sini0 This new
co2ennt will 'e 'sed on "ersonl reltionshi" with
?od! rther thn on o'edience to set o$ lws0 Peo"le
who were 'orn into the ;rst co2ennt hd to 'e t#)ht
to 3now 'o#t ?od 'ec#se the& were 'orn s in$nts
into Isrel! '#t the "eo"le in the new co2ennt will ll
3now hi% $ro% the strt0 In the old co2ennt! so%e!
s#ch s "riests! 3new ?od %ore inti%tel& thn others!
'#t tht will not 'e the cse in the new co2ennt0 All
will 3now ?od nd ll will 'e $or)i2en o$ their sins0
The 4ews who red 4ere%ih %#st h2e $o#nd
this descri"tion o$ $#t#re co2ennt to 'e 2er&
diLerent $ro% their own eH"erience0 To the 4ews! ?od
lo2ed the%! '#t $ro% distnce0 The nonILe2ites hd
no ccess into the Most Hol& "lce0 ?od hd t#)ht
the%! thro#)h Moses EDe#terono%& >F>I+G! to tech
their children cre$#ll& 'o#t ?od! '#t in this new
co2ennt! ll will 'e close to ?od! nd ll wo#ld 'e 'orn
lred& 3nowin) 'o#t hi%0
:
Act#ll&! 5#st o2er siH h#ndred &ers in the $#t#re! s
4ere%ih wrote d#rin) the )enertion 'e$ore nd $ter >== B90
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-=*
The ch#rch! the 7in)do% o$ ?od! is the "lce
where this new co2ennt ;nds its $#l;ll%ent0 CFor this
reson 9hrist is the %editor o$ new co2ennt! tht
those who re clled %& recei2e the "ro%ised eternl
inheritnceNnow tht he hs died s rnso% to set
the% $ree $ro% the sins co%%itted #nder the ;rst
co2ennt0D EHe'rews +F*8G0 ?l /F+ descri'es those
who re in 9hrist s those who 3now ?odNor rther re
3nown '& hi%0
Another "ss)e tht "ro"hesies the co%in) o$
new reltionshi" with ?od is E6e3iel ->F:/I:,J
CFor I will t3e &o# o#t o$ the ntionsJ I will
)ther &o# $ro% ll the co#ntries nd 'rin) &o#
'c3
into &o#r own lnd0 I will s"rin3le clen wter on
&o#! nd &o# will 'e clenJ I will clense &o#
$ro%
ll &o#r i%"#rities nd $ro% ll &o#r idols0 I will
)i2e &o# new hert nd "#t new s"irit in &o#J
I
will re%o2e $ro% &o# &o#r hert o$ stone nd
)i2e
&o# hert o$ Qesh0 And I will "#t %& S"irit in
&o#
nd %o2e &o# to $ollow %& decrees nd 'e
cre$#l
to 3ee" %& lws0
(erse twent&I$o#r is re$erence to the ret#rn o$
the 4ews to the Pro%ised Lnd $ter their c"ti2it& in
B'&lon0 B#t! s we will see! ?od lso #sed the ret#rn
o$ the dis"or 4ews to 4er#sle% s "re;)#re o$ the
'rin)in) o$ ?entiles $ro% e2er& ntion into the 3in)do%
o$ ?od0 When E6e3iel contin#es '& descri'in) 'ein)
s"rin3led with clen wter nd 'ein) )i2en new hert
nd new s"irit! he is de;nitel& not tl3in) 'o#t
n&thin) which ?od "ro%ised #nder the co2ennt t
Sini0 4es#s nno#nced the i%%nent $#l;ll%ent o$ this
"ro"hec& End o$ 4ere%ih -*F-*I-/G in 4ohn *>F*-I*8J
B#t when he! the S"irit o$ tr#th co%es! he will
)#ide
&o# into ll tr#th0 He will not s"e3 on his ownJ
he
will s"e3 onl& wht he hers! nd he will tell
&o#
wht is &et to co%e0 He will 'rin) )lor& to %e '&
t3in) $ro% wht is %ine nd %3in) it 3nown to
&o#0 All tht 'elon)s to the Fther is %ine0 Tht
is wh& I sid the S"irit will t3e $ro% wht is
%ine
nd %3e it 3nown to &o#0
The )i2in) o$ the "ro%ised Hol& S"irit to ll who
co%e to 'elie2e in 4es#s ws $oretold '& the 9hrist nd
ws nno#nced '& Peter the $ollowin) Pentecost in Acts
:F-.J CPeter re"lied! RRe"ent nd 'e '"ti6ed! e2er&
one o$ &o#! in the n%e o$ 4es#s 9hrist $or the
$or)i2eness o$ &o#r sins0 And &o# will recei2e the
$or)i2eness o$ &o#r sins0 And &o# will recei2e the )i$t o$
the Hol& S"irit0K D Notice tht PeterKs stte%ent
incl#des wter E'"tis%G! the $or)i2eness o$ sins! nd
the rece"tion o$ the Hol& S"irit! ll o$ which re
"redicted '& E6e3iel0
To s#%%ri6e 4ohn *>F*-I*8 nd Acts :F-. End
4ere%ih -* nd E6e3iel ->G! one enters into this new
%ni$esttion o$ the 3in)do% o$ ?od '& re"entin) o$
sins nd '& 'ein) '"ti6ed0 At tht ti%e! one is
$or)i2en o$ sins nd recei2es the )i$t o$ the Hol& S"irit
who hel"s the 'elie2er to 3now ?od! to h2e hert $or
hi% nd to o2erco%e sin in hisPher li$e0
WHO WILL BE 7IN?A
There will 'e new 3in)do%! '#t who will 'e the
3in)A The Old Test%ent nswers this B#estion in E6e3
-/F:-!:/J
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-=-
I will "lce o2er the% one she"herd! %& ser2nt
D2id! nd he will tend the%J he will tend the%
nd 'e their she"herd0 I the LORD will 'e their
?od!
nd %& ser2nt D2id will 'e "rince %on)
the%0
I the LORD h2e s"o3en0
CThe%D in this "ss)e is ?odKs "eo"le0 The
4ews o$ 4es#sK d& wo#ld h2e no "ro'le%
#nderstndin) this "ro"hec&0 The Messih will 'e o2er
?odKs 3in)do% t so%e ti%e in the E$or the%G $#t#re0
4es#s! the CSon o$ D2id!D who ws lso clled the
C?ood She"herdD E4ohn *=F*/G will r#le s 3in) o2er his
"eo"le0 This is the New Test%ent 2iew o$ the
reltionshi" 'etween the ch#rch nd 4es#s 9hrist0 CAnd
?od "lced ll thin)s #nder his $eet nd ""ointed hi%
to 'e hed o2er e2er&thin) $or the ch#rch! which is his
'od&! the $#llness o$ hi% who ;lls e2er&thin) in e2er&
w&0D EE"hesins *F::!:-G0
Another "ss)e which "ro"heticll& identi;es
the one to 'e o2er the ch#rch is Hose -F8J
A$terwrd! the Isrelites will ret#rn nd see3 the
LORD
their ?od nd D2id their 3in)0 The& will co%e
tre%'lin) to the LORD nd to his 'lessin)s in the
lst
d&s0
O$ co#rse! D2id ws ded lon) 'e$ore Hose
wrote0 His reders 3new tht he ws tl3in) 'o#t the
Son o$ D2idNthe Messih0 4es#s is the Son o$ D2id!
'oth "h&sicll&! 'ein) directl& descended $ro% the
$or%er 3in) D2id! nd s s"irit#l ntit&"e! s the
3in) o$ the s"irit#l 7in)do% o$ ?od0
THE 9OMIN? OF THE 7IN?DOM ?OD
Most "eo"le 'eco%e s#'5ects o$ "h&sicl
3in)do% either '& 'ein) 'orn to one o$ the s#'5ects o$
the 3in) or '& li2in) in territor& which is conB#ered '&
nother r#ler0 How will one 'eco%e s#'5ect o$ wht
ws! $or the 4ews! the $#t#re 3in)do% o$ ?odA And how
will this 3in)do% )et its strtA We h2e lred& seen
tht Shavoat! the Fest o$ Pentecost! is n Old
Test%ent $oreshdow o$ the co%in) o$ the 3in)do% o$
?od0 Let #s loo3 t two s"eci;c "ro"hecies $#l;lled on
the ;rst Pentecost $ter 4es#s ws cr#ci;edF
And $terwrd! I will "o#r o#t %& S"irit on ll
"eo"le0 Yo#r sons nd d#)hters will "ro"hes&!
&o#r old %en will dre% dre%s! &o#r &o#n)
%en
will see 2isions0 E2en on %& ser2nts! 'oth %en
nd
wo%en! I will "o#r o#t %& S"irit in those d&s0 I
will show wonders in the he2ens nd on the
erth!
'lood nd ;re nd 'illows o$ s%o3e0 The s#n will
'e t#rned to dr3ness nd the %oon to 'lood
'e$ore
the co%in) o$ the )ret nd dred$#l d& o$ the
LORD0 And e2er&one who clls on the n%e o$
the
LORD will 'e s2edJ $or on Mo#nt 1ion nd in
4er#sle% there will 'e deli2ernce! s the LORD
hs
sid! %on) the s#r2i2ors the LORD clls0 E4oel
:F:.I-:G0
Peter B#oted this "ss)e s "rt o$ the ;rst
)os"el ser%on "reched on the D& o$ Pentecost0 Li3e
4es#s hd sid EActs *F8!.G! nd li3e 4oel "ro"hesied! the
co%in) o$ the 3in)do% ws to 'e cco%"nied '&
"o#rin) o#t o$ the Hol& S"irit nd '& %irc#lo#s si)ns0
The 4oel "ss)e #ses "ocl&"tic ln)#)e! incl#din)
dr%tic i%)er& which sho#ld not 'e t3en literll&
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-=8
Ethe %oon t#rnin) to 'lood nd so $orthG0 This
"ro"hec& ws $#l;lled in )ret w& when the S"irit
ws "o#red o#t on the "ostles tht d&! c#sin)
)ret wind! ton)#es o$ ;re! nd )i2in) the "ostles the
%irc#lo#s 'ilit& to s"e3 in %n& ln)#)es0
Re$errin) to the %ircles! Peter sid! Cthis is wht ws
s"o3en '& the "ro"het 4oel0D EActs :F*>G0
Not onl& does this "ro"hec& in 4oel nno#nce
)ret "o#rin) o#t o$ the Hol& S"irit0 It lso "redicts the
rri2l o$ sl2tion which will 'e 2il'le to ll "eo"le0
CE2er&one who clls on the n%e o$ the LORD will 'e
s2ed0D At the end o$ his )ret ser%on! Peter
nno#nced "#'licl& $or the ;rst ti%e sl2tion in the
n%e o$ 4es#s 9hrist! C$or ll who re $r oLN$or ll
who% the Lord o#r ?od will cll0D EActs :F-+G0 O$
co#rse! s "ro"hesied '& 4oel! this )ret "o#rin) o#t o$
the S"irit c%e on Mo#nt 1ion! in 4er#sle%0
A second "ro"hec& o$ the co%in) o$ the 7in)do%
o$ ?od is $o#nd in 1echrih *-F*!:J
COn tht d& $o#ntin will 'e o"ened to
the
ho#se o$ D2id nd the inh'itnts o$ 4er#sle%!
to clense the% $ro% sin nd i%"#rit&0
COn tht d&! I will 'nish the n%es o$
the
idols $ro% the lnd! nd the& will 'e re%e%'ered
no
%ore!D declres the LORD0
The co%in) o$ the 7in)do% o$ ?od! is 2rio#sl&
clled Cthe lst d&sD E4oel :F:.! Isih :F:G! nd Ctht
d&D E1echrih *-F*! Isih ::F:=! Hose :F*>!*.!
A%os +F**! Mich /F>! 1echrih -F*=G in the Old
Test%ent0 A)in! we h2e here "ro"hec& o$ d&
on which new w& to recei2e clensin) $ro% sin will
co%e0 As in the 4oel "ss)e! this will 'e)in with the
inh'itnts o$ 4er#sle%0 The $o#ntin o$ 1echrih
*-F* is contin#o#s stre% o$ clensin) wterN
re$erence to the clensin) wter o$ '"tis%! s
nno#nced '& Peter on the d& o$ Pentecost when he
declred the 2il'ilit& o$ $or)i2eness o$ sins $or those
who re"ent nd re '"ti6ed! $or ll who% the Lord o#r
?od will cll E"r"hrsin) Acts :F-.!-+G0
EZTENT OF THE 7IN?DOM OF ?OD
One s"ect o$ the $#t#re 3in)do% o$ ?od which
ws "ro"hesied to the 4ews in2ol2ed the eHtent o$ its
C'orders0D The #nni%o#s testi%on& o$ these %n&
"ro"hecies is tht with the d2ent o$ the %essinic
3in)do% o$ ?od on erth! ll ntions nd "eo"les wo#ld
'e welco%ed into this new dis"enstion o$ ?odKs will0
There re $r %ore "ro"hecies o$ this s"ect o$ the
3in)do% o$ ?od thn n& other! "ro''l& 'ec#se ?od
3new onl& too well tht his "eo"le hd 2er&
eHcl#si2istic conce"t o$ the 3in)do%0 The 4ews were
2er& well wre o$ 'ein) the chosen "eo"le o$ ?od nd
were )enerll& 2er& 5elo#s o$ %intinin) ?odKs
'lessin)s to the%sel2es lone0 Thro#)ho#t their
histor&! the 4ews were rel#ctnt to welco%e o#tsiders!
thin3in) o$ ll other "eo"les s Cnot the "eo"le o$ ?od0D
A )ood eH%"le o$ this is $o#nd in 4onh0 ?od
co%%nded 4onh to )o nd "rech re"entnce to
Nine2eh0 Fro% h#%n "ers"ecti2e one cn
#nderstnd wh& 4onh wo#ld 'e rel#ctnt to "rech to
the Nine2ites 'ec#se this ws the c"itl o$ Ass&ri!
the "ower which ws t tht ti%e thretenin) the
inde"endence o$ the Northern 7in)do%0 When! #nder
d#ress! 4onh ;nll& went nd "reched re"entnce to
Nine2eh! he see%s to h2e $or)otten to incl#de in his
"redchin) the "ossi'ilit& o$ 'ein) s2ed $ro% ?odKs
wrth i$ the& re"ented0 When the 3in) o$ Nine2eh nd
his "eo"le re"ented! $stin) nd werin) sc3cloth!
?od relented sendin) destr#ction on Nine2eh0 Rther
thn re5oicin) in ?odKs %erc&! 4onh threw te%"er
tntr#%! tellin) ?od tht ws wh& he did not wnt to
)o there in the ;rst "lce0 The lst thin) 4onh wnted
ws $or ?od to oLer re"entnce nd $or)i2eness to the
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-=,
?entiles0
This ttit#de is the li3el& )enesis o$ s#ch lr)e
n#%'er o$ "ro"hecies in the Old Test%ent testi$&in) to
the cllin) o$ the ?entiles into the %essinic 3in)do%0
The stor& o$ 4onh is n historicl "re;)#re o$ the oLer
o$ re"entnce to the ?entiles #nder 4es#s0 Let #s loo3
t so%e o$ the "ro"hecies nno#ncin) this %6in)
de2elo"%ent0
CIt is too s%ll thin) $or &o# to 'e %& ser2nt
to
restore the tri'es o$ 4co' nd 'rin) 'c3 those
o$
Isrel I h2e 3e"t0 I will lso %3e &o# li)ht $or
the ?entiles! tht &o# %& 'rin) %& sl2tion to
the
ends o$ the erth0D EIsih /+F>G0
I! the LORD! h2e clled &o# Ethe Messih! in the
conteHt o$ the "ss)eG in ri)hteo#snessJ I will
t3e
hold o$ &o#r hnd0 I will 3ee" &o# nd will %3e
&o# to 'e co2ennt $or the "eo"le nd li)ht
$or
the ?entiles0D EIsih /:F>G0
?od tells his "eo"le in these "ss)es tht the
Messih will restore the Es"irit#lG $ort#nes o$ Isrel! o$
the 4ewish "eo"le! '#t tht he wo#ld lso 'e li)ht to
the ?entilesJ Cto the 2er& ends o$ the erth0D This %#st
h2e co%e s shoc3 to those who herd the
"rechin) o$ Isih0
This is not the ;rst ti%e Isih %entioned in his
'oo3 the oLer o$ sl2tion to the ntions0 Nor ws it
the lst0
In the lst d&s the %o#ntin o$ the LordKs
te%"le will
'e est'lished s chie$ %on) the %o#ntinsJ
it will 'e rised 'o2e the hills!
nd ll ntions will stre% to it0
Mn& "eo"les will co%e nd s&!
C9o%e let #s )o #" to the %o#ntin o$ the LORD!
to the ho#se o$ the ?od o$ 4co'0
He will tech #s his w&s!
so tht we %& wl3 in his "ths0D
The lw will )o o#t $ro% 1ion!
The word o$ the Lord $ro% 4er#sle%0
He will 5#d)e 'etween ntions
nd will settle dis"#tes $or %n& "eo"les0
The& will 'et their swords into "lowshres
nd their s"ers into "r#nin) hoo3s0
Ntion will not t3e #" sword )inst ntion!
nor will the& trin $or wr n&%ore0 EIsih :F:I
/G
-
Here the "ro"het "redicts tht the %o#ntin o$
the LordKs te%"le! s&%'olic o$ the s"irit#l "ower o$
the 3in)do% o$ ?od! will )o o#t to ll ntions in the lst
d&s0 He lso s"eci;es tht the cll to this new
3in)do% will )o o#t 'e)innin) t Mo#nt 1ion! in
4er#sle%0 It ws on Mo#nt 1ion! in the te%"le
"recincts tht Peter )2e tht $%o#s ;rst "#'lic
)os"el t Pentecost! s recorded in Acts ch"ter two0
Little did Peter nd the other "ostles t tht ti%e
inderstnd the $#ll i%"liction o$ Isih ch"ter two0 It
reB#ired two 2isions nd second "o#rin) o#t o$ the
Hol& S"irit $ew &ers $ter the Pentecost e2ent Esee
Acts ch"ter tenG to ;nll& con2ince Peter tht 4es#s
ws serio#s 'o#t oLerin) sl2tion to ll ntions0
Onl& then did the eHcl#si2el& 4ewish ch#rch welco%e
?entiles into the $old0
Isih $#rther "ro"hesies! #sin) "ocl&"tic
i%)er&! tht in this new Mo#ntin o$ the Lord! ntions
who wo#ld nor%ll& onl& thin3 o$ ;)htin) nd
destro&in) one nother will co%e to)ether in "ece0
CThe& will 'et their swords into "lowshres nd their
s"ers into "r#nin) hoo3s0D D#rin) Ro%n ti%es! nd
-
Also see the "rllel "ss)e in Mich /F*I.0
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-=+
to lesser '#t still in )ret %es#re tod&! onl& in the
ch#rch est'lished '& 4es#s 9hrist cn ll ntions nd
"eo"les! rces nd c#lt#res co%e to)ether in
hr%onio#s 'rotherhood0 I$ onl& this "ro"hec& wo#ld
""l& to the "h&sicl ntions o$ the erthM
Isih is not &et done in$or%in) ?odKs "eo"le
tht the $#t#re %essinic 3in)do% will not 'e n
eHcl#si2e cl#'J
CSin)! O 'rren wo%n!
&o# who ne2er 'ore childJ
'#rst into son)! sho#t $or 5o&!
&o# who were ne2er in l'orJ
'ec#se %ore re the children o$ the desolte
wo%n
thn o$ her who hs h#s'nd!D
s&s the LORD0 EIsih 8/F*G0
Fro% P#l! in ?ltins /F:>I:.! we lern tht
this "ro"hec& re$ers to the oLer o$ sl2tion to the
?entiles E&o# who were ne2er in l'or< the desolte
wo%nG0 In this "ss)e! Isih $oresees tht the
s"irit#l children o$ A'rh% thro#)h his 'rren wi$e
SrhNthe ?entile 9hristinsNwo#ld e2ent#ll&
o#tn#%'er the nt#rl children o$ A'rh% '& H)r0
This is eHctl& wht h""ened0 At ;rst! the ch#rch onl&
oLered sl2tion to the 4ewsNthe nt#rl 'orn children
o$ ?od #nder the old 3in)do%0 Once ?od ;nll&
con2inced Peter to oLer sl2tion to the ?entiles! it
ws li3e strtin) )#n0 Within one )enertion!
es"ecill& thro#)h P#lKs %inistr&! the ?entile $ollowers
o$ 4es#s o#tn#%'ered the 4ewish 9hristinsJ "ttern
which hs contin#ed to this d&0
Perh"s the 4ews did not )et the hint tht new
ti%es were co%in) in ?odKs 3in)do% $ro% IsihKs
"rechin)0 Perh"s the& will listen to E6e3ielJ
This is wht the So2erei)n LORD s&sF CI %&sel$
will
t3e shoot $ro% the 2er& to" o$ cedr nd
"lnt
itJ I will 're3 oL tender s"ri) $ro% its to"%ost
shoots nd "lnt it on hi)h nd lo$t& %o#ntin0
On the %o#ntin hei)hts o$ Isrel I will "lnt itJ it
will "rod#ce 'rnches nd 'er $r#it nd 'eco%e

s"lendid cedr0 Birds o$ e2er& 3ind will nest in itJ

the& will ;nd shelter in the shde o$ its 'rnches0
All the trees o$ the ;eld will 3now tht I the LORD
'rin) down the tll tree nd %3e the low tree
)row tll0D EE6e3iel *,F::I:/G0
This is 'e#ti$#l i%)er& descri'in) the tender
s"ri) $ro% the cedr tree0 This tender s"ri)! o$ co#rse!
is the ch#rchJ the 7in)do% o$ ?od0 The i%)er& ws
"ro''l& not so 'e#ti$#l to those 4ews who did not
cce"t 4es#s 9hristNwho sw the new cedr o#t)row
the ori)inl0 In AD ,= the& sw the cedr wood in the
te%"le literll& '#rned to the )ro#nd0 As E6e3iel
"ro"hesied! the little! $resh s"ri) will )row into )ret
tree nd 'irds o$ e2er& 3ind will nest in it0 A)in! we
h2e the 3in)do% 'ein) "reched to ll ntions0
/
To 'rin) ho%e his "oint! ?od lso s"o3e to his
"eo"le concernin) $#t#re 'rin)in) in o$ the ntions in
the C%inorD "ro"hets0 For eH%"le! consider 1echrih
:F*=!**J
CSho#t nd 'e )ld! O D#)hter o$ 1ion0 For I
%
co%in)! nd I will li2e %on) &o#!D declres the
LORD0 CMn& ntions will 'e 5oined with the LORD
in tht d& nd will 'eco%e %& "eo"le0 I will
li2e
%on) &o# nd &o# will 3nowtht the LORD
Al%i)ht&
hs sent %e to &o#0
This "ss)e s#%%ri6es the others0 In Ctht
/
See lso E6e3iel -/F*=I*/0
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-**
d&!D ie0 'e)innin) t the Pentecost e2ent! ?od will
est'lish 3in)do%0 The s#'5ects o$ this 3in)do% will
'e 5oined to Ereconciled withG ?od thro#)h 4es#s 9hrist0
?od will li2e in his "eo"le s Hol& S"irit in ll those who
re '"ti6ed into 9hrist0 The %6in) thin)! t lest to
the 4ews! is tht this oLer will )o o#t to %n& ntions0
M& this 2ision 'e 'ro#)ht to its ;nl $#l;ll%entM
RELATIONS BETWEEN 7IN? AND SUB4E9TS
We lred& h2e so%e hints! '#t wht will the
nt#re o$ the reltionshi" 'etween the 3in) nd his
s#'5ects in the s"irit#l 7in)do% o$ ?odA We will ;nd
%#ch sid 'o#t this in the Old Test%ent0
The ;rst "ro"hetic hint o$ new 3ind o$
reltionshi" 'etween 3in) nd s#'5ect is $o#nd ll the
w& 'c3 in the 'oo3 o$ EHod#sJ
CNow! i$ &o# o'e& %e $#ll& nd 3ee" %&
co2ennt!
then o#t o$ ll the ntions &o# will 'e %&
tres#red
"ossession0 Altho#)h the whole erth is %ine!
&o#
will 'e $or %e 3in)do% o$ "riests nd hol&
ntion0D
EEHod#s *+F8!>G0
When he )2e the Lw o$ Moses to "h&sicl
Isrel! ?od hd in %ind s"ecil reltionshi"0
Howe2er! did the& e2er $#ll& o'e& the lws nd 3ee"
the co2enntA Were the& tr#l& ntion o$ "riestsN
hol& ntionA The nswer! #n$ort#ntel&! is no0
Howe2er! this "ss)e is 2eiled re$erence to wht
?od wo#ld do $or his "eo"le in the second 7in)do% o$
?od0 Peter re%inded $ollowers o$ 4es#s tht this
"ro"hec& ""lies to the%J CB#t &o# re chosen
"eo"le! ro&l "riesthood! hol& ntion! "eo"le
'elon)in) to ?od0D E* Peter :F+G0 Onl& #nder the New
9o2ennt did ll the "eo"le o$ ?od 'eco%e "riests0
Tht is wht ch"ter $o#r o$ this 'oo3 is ll 'o#t0 As
P#l "#t it in * Ti%oth& :F8! CFor there is one ?od nd
one %editor 'etween ?od nd %en! the %n 9hrist
4es#s! who )2e hi%sel$ s rnso% $or ll %en0D Onl&
in 9hrist do the words in EHod#s *+ ;nd their
$#l;ll%ent0 Disci"les o$ 4es#s do not need h#%n to
intercede 'etween the% nd ?od0 We do h2e hi)h
"riest! 4es#s 9hrist EHe'rews .F*!:G! thro#)h who% we
cn enter 'oldl& s "riests o$ ?od into the "resence o$
the Al%i)ht& in the he2enl& t'erncle EHe'rews
*=F*+!:=G0 The 4ews co#ld onl& dre% o$ s#ch
reltionshi"0
A relted "ss)eJ one which "ro2ides e2en
%ore in$or%tion 'o#t the reltion 'etween lord nd
lei)e in the 7in)do% o$ ?od is $o#nd in E6e3iel -,F:/I
:.J
CM& ser2nt D2id will 'e 3in) o2er the%!
nd the& will ll h2e one she"herd0 The& will
$ollow
%& lws nd 'e cre$#l to 3ee" %& decrees0
The&<
will li2e there $ore2er nd D2id %& ser2nt
will 'e their "rince $ore2er0 I will %3e
co2ennt
o$ "ece with the%J it will 'e n e2erlstin)
co2ennt0
I will est'lish the% nd increse their n#%'ers
nd I will "#t %& snct#r& %on) the% $ore2er0
M& dwellin) "lce will 'e with the%J I will 'e
their ?od nd the& will 'e %& "eo"le0 Then the
ntions will 3now tht I the LORD %3e Isrel
hol&! when %& snct#r& is %on) the%
$ore2er0D
We h2e lred& seen tht D2id! ie0 4es#s! the
son o$ D2id! will 'e 3in) o2er this 3in)do%0 Here we
lso see tht his snct#r& will 'e %on) his "eo"le0
P#ttin) their con;dence in the Qesh! the 4ews declred!
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-*-
CThis is the te%"le o$ the LORD! the te%"le o$ the LORD!
the te%"le o$ the LORD!D E4ere%ih ,F/G0 Fro% the ti%e
o$ Moses! ?od li2ed near his "eo"le0 Here we see
so%ethin) $r )reter0 As P#l "#t it! in 9hrist! Cwe are
the te%"le o$ the li2in) ?od0D E: 9orinthins >F>G0 In
$ntstic w&! ?odKs snct#r& is tr#l& with his "eo"le
$ore2er0
Another 2er& enco#r)in) "ro"hec& o$ the
reltionshi" 'etween 3in) nd s#'5ect in the 7in)do%
o$ ?od is $o#nd in E6e3iel **F*+!:=J
CI will )i2e the% n #ndi2ided hert nd "#t
new
s"irit in the%J I will re%o2e $ro% the% their
hert o$
stone nd )i2e the% hert o$ Qesh0 Then the&
will
$ollow %& decrees nd 'e cre$#l to 3ee" %&
lws0
The& will 'e %& "eo"le nd I will 'e their ?od0D
This "ro"hec& s"e3s o$ "eo"le with new
hert! nd new s"iritNo$ "eo"le who will $ollow ?od
$ro% sincere desire rther thn $ro% o'li)tion0
These re "eo"le who! s 4es#s "#t it! h2e 'een 'orn
)in0 Des"ite the $ct tht these "eo"le were not
'orn into the "h&sicl 3in)do% o$ ?od! the& will 'e
clled ?odKs "eo"le0
This conce"t is de2elo"ed %ore $#ll& in the 'oo3
o$ HoseJ
CYet the Isrelites will 'e li3e the snd on
the
seshore! which cnnot 'e %es#red o$ co#nted0
In
the "lce where it ws sid to the%! RYo# re not
%&
"eo"le!D the& will 'e clled Rsons o$ the li2in)
?od0D
The "eo"le o$ 4#dh nd the "eo"le o$ Isrel will
'e
re#nited! nd the& will ""oint one leder nd
will
co%e #" o#t o$ the lnd! $or )ret will 'e the d&
o$
4e6reel<0D CI will "lnt her $or %&sel$ in the
lndJ
I will show %& lo2e to the one I clled RNot %&
lo2ed
One0K I will s& to those clled RNot %& "eo"le!K
RYo# re %& "eo"leKJ nd the& will s&! RYo# re
%& ?odK C EHose *F*=!**! :F:-G0
In order to crete this "ro"hes&! ?od hd Hose
n%e his two d#)hters! LoIR#h%h nd LoIA%%i!
which %ent Cnot lo2edD nd Cnot %& "eo"le0D
I%)ine 'ein) one o$ these wo%enM The "oint o$ this
"ro"hec&! s P#l "oints o#t in Ro%ns +F:8!:> nd
Peter rein$orces in * Peter :F*=! is tht! tho#)h the
?entiles were not ?odKs "eo"le! $#t#re ti%e nd
3in)do% wo#ld co%e in which the ?entiles wo#ld 'e
clled ?odKs "eo"le0 As Peter "#t it! COnce &o# were
not "eo"le! '#t now &o# re the "eo"le o$ ?od0D This
is )ret newsM
RELATIONSHIPS IN THE 7IN?DOM OF ?OD
The s#'5ect hs lred& 'een co2ered to so%e
eHtent! '#t it is hrd to resist 'rin)in) #" Isih **F>I*=
s "ro"hec& o$ the 'rnd new 3ind o$ reltionshi"s
'etween "eo"le in the s"irit#l 7in)do% o$ ?odJ
The wol$ will li2e with the l%'!
the leo"rd will lie down with the )ot!
the cl$ nd the lion nd the &erlin) to)etherJ
nd little child will led the%0
The cow will $eed with the 'er!
their &o#n) will lie down to)ether!
nd the lion will et strw li3e the oH0
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-*8
The in$nt will "l& ner the hole o$ the co'r!
nd the &o#n) child will "#t his hnd into the
2i"erKs
nest0
The& will neither hr% nor destro&
on ll %& hol& %o#ntin!
$or the erth will 'e $#ll o$ the 3nowled)e o$ the
LORD
s the wters co2er the se0
In the 7in)do% o$ ?od! s it is eH"ressed in
4es#sK ch#rch! there will 'e new 3ind o$ reltionshi"0
No lon)er will s#ch distinctions s rich or "oor! sl2e or
$ree! %le or $e%le %tter E?ltins -F:>I:.G0
Ntion will not %tter! nd neither will rce or ethnicit&0
All will 'e one 'ec#se the& h2e one 3in) who 5oins
the% to)ether0 The w& 4es#s "#t it! CThere$ore!
whoe2er h#%'les hi%sel$ li3e this child is the )retest
in the 3in)do% o$ he2en0D EMtthew *.F/G0 This is n
idel which! #n$ort#ntel&! no )ro#" inh'ited '&
h#%n 'ein)s will e2er $#ll& chie2e0 Howe2er! $ro%
the #thorKs own eH"erience this 3ind o$ reltionshi"
;nds its )retest $#l;ll%ent in New Test%ent ch#rch
de2oted to est'lishin) ?ltins -F:>I:. reltionshi"s0
PERSE9UTION OF THE 7IN?DOM OF ?OD
So $r! the s"irit#l 7in)do% o$ ?od see%s li3e
rell& )ret "lce! nd so it is! '#t the Old Test%ent
wrns "ro"heticll& tht the world will not lw&s see
the ch#rch s )ret thin)0 7in)s re not )enerll&
willin) to shre "ower with other 3in)s! e2en i$ their
territor& is s"irit#l0 The Old Test%ent wrns o$ )ret
"ersec#tions tht the sints will end#re0
The %ost direct "ro"hec& o$ "ersec#tion )inst
the citi6ens o$ the 7in)do% o$ ?od is $o#nd in Dniel
ch"ter se2en0 CIn the ;rst &er o$ Belsh66r! 3in) o$
B'&lon E88- B9G! Dniel hd dre%0D EDniel ,F*G0
In the dre%! Dniel sw $o#r 'ests0 As the n)el told
hi% E20 *,G! the $o#r 'ests were $o#r 3in)do%s0 The
$o#r 3in)do%sJ the lion! the 'er the leo"rd nd the
terri'le! indescri''le 'est were B'&lon!
PersiPMedi! ?reece nd Ro%e0
8
The dre% "ro2ides s"eci;c "ro"hetic detil
'o#t the PersinPMede nd the ?ree3 e%"ires! '#t it
$oc#ses "rinci"ll& on the $o#rth 'est0
A$ter tht! in %& 2ision t ni)ht I loo3ed!
nd
there 'e$ore %e ws $o#rth 'estNterri$&in)
nd $ri)htenin) nd 2er& "ower$#l!< nd it hd
ten
horns0
While I ws thin3in) 'o#t the horns!
there
'e$ore %e ws nother horn! little one! which
c%e
#" %on) the%J nd three o$ the ;rst horns
were
#"rooted 'e$ore it0 This horn hd e&es li3e the
e&es
o$ %n nd %o#th tht s"o3e 'ost$#ll&0
EDniel ,F>I.G0
Dniel %#st h2e wondered wht the %enin) o$
this strn)e 2ision co#ld 'e0 He s3ed one o$ the
n)els who stood ner'& d#rin) his 2ision nd the
n)el told hi% the %enin) o$ this 2er& strn)e 2isionJ
Then I wnted to 3now the tr#e %enin)
o$
the $o#rth 'est< I lso wnted to 3now 'o#t
the
ten horns on its hed nd 'o#t the other horn
tht
c%e #"! 'e$ore which three o$ the% $ell< As I
8
See %& 'oo3 on Dniel $or detils0 4ohn M0 O3es! @aniel*
Drophet to the Bations* E?9I Boo3s! Hi)hlnds Rnch! 9olordo!
*+++G es"ecill& ch"ter nine0
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-*,
wtched! this horn ws w)in) wr )inst the
sints
nd de$etin) the%! #ntil the Ancient o$ D&s
c%e
nd "rono#nced 5#d)%ent in $2or o$ the sints
o$ the
Most Hi)h! nd the ti%e c%e when the&
"ossessed
the 3in)do%0
He )2e %e this eH"lntionF RThe $o#rth
'est
is $o#rth 3in)do% tht will ""er on erth<0
The
ten horns re ten 3in)s who will co%e $ro% this
3in)do%0 A$ter the% nother 3in) will rise!
diLerent
$ro% the erlier onesJ he will s#'d#e three 3in)s0
He
will s"e3 )inst the Most Hi)h nd o""ress his
sints nd tr& to chn)e the set ti%es nd the
lws0
The sints will 'e hnded o2er to hi% $or ti%e!
ti%es
nd hl$ ti%e0K EDniel ,F*+I:8! eHcer"tsG
The 2ision o$ the $o#rth 'est is one o$ 3in)
who will ttc3 nd o""ress the sints who "ossess the
7in)do% o$ ?od0 This 3in) is the ele2enth 3in) o$ the
$o#rth 3in)do%J one who will re%o2e three $or%er
3in)s0
The 2ision nd its inter"rettion %& see%
%&sterio#s t ;rst )lnce! '#t second )lnce t the
histor& o$ ncient Ro%e will cler #" the 2ision redil&0
The little horn ws the ele2enth e%"eror o$ Ro%eN
Do%itin0 Do%itin ws the ;rst Ro%n e%"eror to
s&ste%ticll& ttc3 the 9hristin ch#rch thro#)ho#t
%ost o$ his e%"ire0 Do%itin ws the son o$
(es"sin! the ninth e%"eror o$ Ro%e0 While his $ther
ws oL ;)htin) the re'els in 4er#sle% in AD >.!
Do%itin ws the "rinci"le $orce in re%o2in) ?l'!
Otho nd (itelli#s! the siHth! se2enth nd ei)hth
e%"erors o$ Ro%e! ech o$ who% hd led %ilitr&
co#"s! '#t onl& r#led $or $ew %onths0 These re the
three horns re%o2ed '& the ele2enth horn in the 2ision0
Not 'd cc#rc& $or "ro"het who wrote o2er siH
h#ndred &ers 'e$ore the e2ents0 B#t ?odKs "ln is not
si%"l& to i%"ress the reders o$ Dniel with how )ood
"ro"het he is0 ?odKs "ln is to "re"re the sints o$
his 3in)do% $or )ret "ersec#tion which is to
co%e0
The First Eleven Emperors o !ome
E%"
eror
Dtes
o$ R#le
Si)ni;cnce to
Bi'licl E2ents
A#)
#st#s
:, B9I
*/ AD
Birth o$ 9hrist
Tiberius */ ADI
-, AD
9r#ci;Hion o$ 9hrist
?i#
s
E9li)#lG
-, ADI
/* AD
Atte%"ted to "#t
stt#e o$ hi%sel$ in the
te%"le
9l#
di#s
/* ADI
8/ AD
4ews EHiled $ro%
Ro%e
Nero 8/ ADI
>. AD
First serio#s
"ersec#tions! EHec#tion o$
P#l nd Peter
?l'

>. ADI
>+ AD
One o$ the three
o2erco%e '&
(es"sinPDo%itin
Oth
o
>+ ADI
,= AD
One o$ the three<
(itel
li#s
>+ ADI
,= AD
One o$ the three<
(es"
sin
,= ADI
,+ AD
Attc3 on 4er#sle%
Tit#
s
,+ ADI
.* AD
The )enerl who
destro&ed 4er#sle%
Do% .* ADI First S&ste%tic
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-*+
itin +> AD Persec#tor o$ the 9h#rch
B& coincidence! s I % writin) this ch"ter! I
5#st so h""en to ;nd %&sel$ in Ro%e0 4#st &esterd&! I
nd %& wi$e 2isited the Pltine Hill where the r#ins o$
Do%itinKs %ssi2e %"ithetre nd "ersonl
residence re still esil& seen0 Do%itin '#ilt h#)e
co%"leH $or his "ersonl "les#reF "lce to 2iew the
s"ectcle s %n& $ollowers o$ 4es#s were thrown to
the h#n)r& 'ests0 Do%itinKs "ersonl rro)nce
'ec%e "ro2er'il $or the Ro%ns0 As Dniel "#t it! he
hd C %o#th tht s"o3e 'ost$#ll&0D As the 2ision
sttes! Do%itin s"o3e 'ost$#ll& )inst the Most Hi)h
?od0 In $ct he $orced his s#'5ects to worshi" hi% s
)od0 Ro%n historins re"ort tht Do%itin insisted on
'ein) ddressed s dominus et dues Elord nd )odG0
Belie2ers in the one tr#e ?od were eHec#ted '&
Do%itin $or Ctheis%0D
The n)el sid tht this ele2enth horn wo#ld
chn)e the set ti%es nd the lws0 Tht is eHctl&
wht Do%itin did0 In his rro)nce! he dded %onth
to the Ro%n clendr! n%in) it Do%itin#sM He lso
cncelled the entire Ro%n le)l codeNthe %ost
res"ected code o$ lw in the ncient worldNnd
est'lished his own code o$ lws! which )2e hi%
)retl& eH"nded "ower0 The d& $ter Do%itin died!
the Ro%n sente re%o2ed the %onth Do%itiin#s
$ro% the clendr! nd re"eled ll the lws he hd
est'lished0
DOMITIAN! EMPEROR OF ROME AD .*I+>
The Old Test%ent wrns in stri3in) w& tht it
will not 'e ll sweetness nd li)ht $or the sints in the
7in)do% o$ ?od0 There will 'e ti%es when the citi6ens
o$ the he2enl& 3in)do% will 'e ttc3ed '& the erthl&
3in)do%s0 At ti%es! the worldl& 3in) will e2en ""er
to 'e de$etin) the sints E20 :*G0 Howe2er! the )ret
"ersec#tion will 'e $or onl& li%ited ti%eJ C ti%e!
ti%es nd hl$ ti%e0D The n#%'er three nd oneIhl$
in 4ewish "ocl&"tic s&%'olo)& re"resents li%ited
%o#nt o$ ti%e0 A$ter tht ti%e! ?od will 5#d)e the
"ersec#tor nd the sints will #lti%tel& 'e 2ictorio#s0
THE POWER AND ENDURAN9E OF THE 7IN?DOM
OF ?OD
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-:*
Altho#)h Dniel se2en "resents "otentill&
disco#r)in) "ict#re o$ "ersec#tion nd o""ression o$
the sints! it lso "resents "ict#re o$ #lti%te eternl
2ictor& $or the sints in the 7in)do% o$ ?od0
CB#t the co#rt will sit! nd his "ower will
'e
t3en w& nd co%"letel& destro&ed $ore2er0
Then
the so2erei)nt&! "ower nd )retness o$ the
3in)do%s
#nder the whole he2en will 'e hnded o2er to
the
sints! the "eo"le o$ the Most Hi)h0 His 3in)do%
will 'e n e2erlstin) 3in)do% nd ll r#lers will
worshi" nd o'e& hi%0D EDniel ,F:>!:,G
With these words the n)el ss#red Dniel tht
the 7in)do% o$ ?od will h2e #lti%te 2ictor& o2er its
"ersec#tors nd )inst the $orces o$ dr3ness in this
world0 ?i2en the $ct tht Dniel descri'ed! in
s"ectc#lr detil! the rei)n nd the "ersec#tions o$
Do%itin h#ndreds o$ &ers 'e$ore it ll h""ened! the
sints in the 3in)do% cn 'e ss#red tht e2en in the
hrdest ti%es! ?od is in control0 Also! )i2en tht Dniel
cc#rtel& "redicted s#ch detils s the three 3in)s
who wo#ld 'e re%o2ed '& Do%itin nd e2en the $ct
tht he wo#ld chn)es the ti%es nd lws o$ his
3in)do%! the sints cn 'e ss#red tht Cthe co#rt will
sit nd his "ower will 'e t3en w& nd co%"letel&
destro&ed $ore2er0D It will h""en 5#st s ?od told
Dniel in the 2ision0
Historicll&! the "ersec#tions o$ the Ro%n
E%"ire )inst the sints o$ the Most Hi)h did not end
with Do%itin0 In $ct! ltho#)h there were "eriods o$
relti2e "ece! the "ersec#tions ct#ll& )ot e2en
worse t certin ti%es! c#l%intin) with the lst )ret
"ersec#tor o$ the 9hristin ch#rch! Diocletin0
Diocletin r#led Ro%e in the &ers AD :./I-=80 He
$orced ll his s#'5ects to oLer scri;ce to the Ro%n
)od0 Mn& t tht ti%e were de$eted E20 :*G! '#t ?od
st in 5#d)%ent! nd re%o2ed the ")n r#lers o$
Ro%e0 Fro% the ti%e o$ 9onstntine EAD -*:I--8G! the
")n reli)ions in Ro%e were o""ressed nd e2ent#ll&
eli%inted! '#t the sints eH"erienced ti%e o$
#n"recedented "ece0
The %ess)e o$ this "ro"hec& is tht either w&!
whether eH"eriencin) ti%e o$ "ece nd relti2e
"ros"erit&! or ti%e o$ )ret ttc3s nd e2en
""rent de$et! the 7in)do% o$ ?od nd the sints
who re%in $ith$#l will end#re with ?od $ore2er0 His
will 'e n e2erlstin) 3in)do%0
The end#rnce! the "ower nd the #lti%te
2ictor& o$ the sints nd the 7in)do% o$ ?od is
"ro"hesied in n#%'er o$ other "ss)es in the Old
Test%ent0
CIn tht d& I will restore D2idKs $llen tent0
I will re"ir its 'ro3en "lces! restore its r#ins0D
EA%os +F**G0
CI will rise #" &o#r ED2idKsG oLs"rin) to
s#cceed
&o#! who will co%e $ro% &o#r own 'od&! nd I
will
est'lish his 3in)do%0 He is the one who will
'#ild
ho#se $or %& N%e! nd I will est'lish the
throne
o$ his 3in)do% $ore2er0 I will 'e his $ther! nd
he
will 'e %& son0D E: S%#el ,F*:I*/G0
CIn the ti%e o$ those 3in)s Ethe 3in)s o$ Ro%eG!
the
?od o$ he2en will set #" 3in)do% tht will
ne2er 'e destro&ed! nor will it 'e le$t to nother
"eo"le0 It will cr#sh ll those 3in)do%s nd
'rin)
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-:-
the% to n end! '#t it will itsel$ end#re $ore2er0D
EDniel :F//G0
These "ro"hecies ;nd their $#l;ll%ent e2en now0
Fro% the ti%e the s"irit#l 7in)do% o$ ?od
dr%ticll& 'e)n t Pentecost! %n& h2e tte%"ted
to de$et the ch#rch o$ the li2in) 9hrist0 Those who
wo#ld o'e& 4es#s nd his Word h2e eH"erienced
"ersec#tions nd ridic#le $ro% "oliticl #thorities nd
e2en $ro% soIclled 9hristins who h2e re5ected the
'sic techin)s o$ the Bi'le to $ollow h#%n trdition0
B#t D2idKs $llen tent will rise0 ?od will est'lish the
throne o$ his 3in)do% $ore2er0 The ch#rchNthe
7in)do% o$ ?od on the erthNwill cr#sh ll those
3in)do%s nd 'rin) their "ower to n end0 (ictor&
'elon)s to the 3in)do% o$ ?od0
/rophecies of the 4ingdom of
(od
Pro"hesied As"ect o$
the 7in)do% o$ ?od
Old Test%ent Pro"hecies End
New Test%ent $#l;ll%entG
Est'lish%ent o$ the
7in)do%0
4ere%ih -*F-*I-/ EHe'rews
+F*8G
E6e3iel ->F:/I:, E4ohn *>F*-I
*8! Acts :F-.G
Who will 'e the 7in)A E6e3iel -/F:-!:/ E4ohn *=F*/!
E"hesins *F::!:-G
Hose -F8
4oel :F:.I-: EActs :F*>I:*G
1echrih *-F*!:
EHtent o$ the 7in)do%
o$ ?od0
Isih /+F>! /:F>
Isih :F:I/
Isih 8/F* E?ltins /F:>I:.G
E6e3iel *,F::I:/
1echrih :F*=!**
Reltionshi" 'etween EHod#s *+F8!> E* Peter :F+!
7in) nd s#'5ects0 * Ti%oth& :F8G
E6e3iel -,F:/I:. E: 9orinthins
>F>G
E6e3iel **F*+!:=
Hose *F*=!**! :F:- ERo%ns
+F:8!:>G
Reltionshi"s 'etween
s#'5ects in the
7in)do%0
Isih **F>I*= E?ltins -F:>I
:.G
Persec#tion o$ the
7in)do% o$ ?od0
Dniel ,F>I.
Dniel ,F*+I:8
Power nd End#rnce o$
the 7in)do% o$ ?od0
Dniel ,F:>!:,
A%os +F**
: S%#el ,F*:I*/
Dniel :F//
9ON9LUSION
The 7in)do% o$ ?od ;nds its $#l;ll%ent in
"h&sicl Isrel! in s"irit#l Isrel nd in the $#t#re
eternl 3in)do% in he2en0 ?od %de it cler thro#)h
the "ro"hets tht $ter the ti%e o$ the "h&sicl
3in)do%! "ersoni;ed '& the r#le D2id o$ its )retest
3in)! s"irit#l 3in)do% wo#ld rise! 'e)innin) in
4er#sle%! s"redin) to co2er the entire erth! 'rin)in)
in 'oth 4ew nd ?entile0 This 3in)do% nd its sints
will 'e "ersec#ted! '#t in the end! let #s 'e ss#red
tht e2er& "ower nd #thorit& which sets itsel$ )inst
?odKs eternl 3in)do% will co%e into 5#d)%ent0 And
let #s not $or)et the wonder$#l "ro"hec& in DnielJ

CM#ltit#des who slee" in the d#st o$ the erth
will w3eF so%e to e2erlstin) li$e! others to
sh%e nd e2erlstin) conte%"t0 Those who
re wise will shine li3e the 'ri)htness o$ the
he2ens! nd those who led %n& to
ri)hteo#sness!
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-:8
li3e the strs $or e2er nd e2er0D EDniel *:F:!-G0
The "ro"hecies o$ the 7in)do% o$ ?od will ;nd
their #lti%te $#l;ll%ent in the stillI$#t#re 3indo%!
where the sints will rei)n with ?od in he2en $ore2er0
And to ?od 'e the )lor&0
APPENDIZ ON THE LIMITS OF BIBLI9AL
INTERPRETATIONF
This section which $ollows is incl#ded s n
""endiH 'ec#se so%e reders %& not ;nd it
necessr& to the to"ic t hnd0 For so%e who re not
inclined to s"end lot o$ ener)& worr&in) 'o#t
technicl detils! it co#ld e2en distrct $ro% the %in
%ess)e o$ the 'oo30 Howe2er! n#%'er o$ B#estions
will nt#rll& rise $or %n& reders which deser2e to
'e ddressed0 How cn one 3now $or s#re tht ?od
intended tht the Fest o$ Tr#%"ets 'e $oreshdow o$
4#d)%ent D&A Is it "ossi'le tht I % 5#st i%)inin)
tht the l%"stnd in the t'erncle is "#rs"ose$#l
t&"e o$ the Hol& S"iritNtht I % "#ttin) words in
?odKs C%o#thAD Bsed on eH%"les which will 'e
)i2en 'elow! it de;nitel& is "ossi'le to o2erIinter"ret
the Bi'le0 It is tooIco%%on occ#rrence $or "rechers
nd techers to "#ll %ess)es $ro% "rtic#lr "ss)es
o$ scri"t#re which re not 5#sti;ed '& their locl or
)lo'l conteHt in the Bi'le0 ?i2en tht so%e "ro"hetic
inter"rettion is clerl& 5#sti;'le! nd tht so%e is
de't'le! where does one 'e)in to d%it tht
"rtic#lr ""liction is o$ onl& 'orderline certint&!
nd there$ore 'etter le$t o#t o$ ser%on or 'oo3 li3e
this oneA
The "#r"ose o$ this ""endiH is to tte%"t to t
lest "ro2ide "reli%inr& nswer to these B#estions0
The ""roch t3en will 'e to list eH%"les! 'oth )ood
nd 'd! to "ro2ide 'it o$ histor& o$ Bi'le
inter"rettion! es"ecill& s it reltes to s&%'ols!
$oreshdows nd "ro"hec&! nd to )i2e $irl& si%"le
set o$ r#les to )#ide the reder into decidin) $or
the%sel2es wht re the li%its o$ Bi'le inter"rettion0
H2in) t#)ht "rts o$ the %teril in this 'oo3
to 2rio#s )ro#"s! I h2e hd the eH"erience o$ n
enth#sistic herer tte%"tin) to di) into the Bi'le on
their own nd shre their own disco2eries o$ t&"es nd
ntit&"es in the Old nd New Test%ent0 So%e o$ s#ch
co%%#nictions h2e 'een 2er& hel"$#l nd
enco#r)in)0 Others h2e c#sed n #nco%$ort'le
%o%ent0 I h2e hd to crin)e t so%e inter"rettions
which re! in %& o"inion! de;nitel& not 5#sti;ed '& the
conteHt o$ the scri"t#re! no %tter how enth#sistic or
sincere the tte%"t0 When s#ch "erson s3s! Cdo
&o# )ree tht this is )ood eH%"le o$ Old Test%ent
$oreshdowAD it cn 'e ti%e to wor3 hrd on oneKs
di"lo%c&0
It is cler tht the New Test%ent writers #sed
the %ethod o$ ;ndin) t&"es nd ntit&"es in the Old
Test%ent nd in the )os"el %ess)e s one o$ their
chie$ %ens o$ eHe)esis o$ the Old Test%ent0 Mn&
eH%"les o$ this h2e 'een )i2en in this 'oo30 4es#s
sw the %ircle o$ 4onh 'ein) inside the 'i) ;sh s
"re;)#re o$ his own deth nd res#rrection EMtthew
*:F-+I/:G0 P#l sw Ish%el nd Isc s $oreshdows
o$ "h&sicl Isrel Ethe 4ewsG nd s"irit#l Isrel Ethe
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-:,
ch#rchG E?ltins /F:*I-*G The He'rew writer sw the
4ewish T'erncle s $oreshdow o$ the 3ind o$
reltionshi" $ollowers o$ 4es#s h2e with ?od thro#)h
4es#s 9hrist EHe'rews +F:-I:.G0 Mn& eH%"les co#ld
'e dded to this list0
Erl& 9hristin writers contin#ed this trend o$
;ndin) t&"es nd ntit&"es on the Old nd New
Test%ents0 EI)nti#s! ?etter to the 5agnesians* ,F:!
*=F:! ?etter to the Dhiladelphians* +F*! The (pistle of
$arnabus* ,F*=L! 4#stin Mrt&r! @ialogues! -G0
Howe2er! e2en B#ite erl&! the ch#rch $thers 'e)n to
%o2e 'e&ond cler historicl t&"ePntit&"e
inter"rettion0 The& 'e)n to %3e wht ""er to 'e
rther s"ec#lti2e ""liction o$ s#"er;cil detils in
the OT to NT techin)s which do not see% 5#sti;ed '&
the teHt0 For eH%"le! in The (pistle of $arnabas!
when Moses "r&ed 'e$ore the "eo"le with
o#tstretched hnds EEHod#s *,F.I*-G! it is inter"reted
s $oreshdow o$ 4es#s hn)in) on the cross EThe
E"istle o$ Brn's! *:F:LG0 9le%ent o$ Ro%e
E9le%ent! 'lement *:F,G inter"reted the scrlet cord
which Rh' tied to her window E4osh# :F*,I:=G s
$oreshdow o$ the 'lood o$ 4es#s0 Ori)en inter"reted
the stor& o$ the witch o$ Endor cllin) #" S%#el $ro%
the ded E* S%#el :.G s $oreshdow o$ the
res#rrection o$ 4es#s0
PresentId& Bi'le inter"reters re not i%%#ne to
the tendenc& to o2erIinter"ret "ss)es o$ scri"t#re0
An eH%"le o$ 'i'licl o2erIinter"rettion tod& is
$o#nd in the w& so%e inter"ret the "r'les o$ 4es#s0
In the "r'le o$ the lost son! clerl& the $ther is ?od
nd the lost son is "erson who hs wndered oL0
Howe2er! when one tries to ;nd s"eci;c si)ni;cnce in
the $ct tht the son ws etin) "ods or in the rin) the
$ther )2e the son! one is ste""in) onto thin ice0
Another trend in 'oth 4#dis% nd erl& 9hristin
techers ws to inter"ret the Old Test%ent s n
lle)or&0 The word lle)or& deser2es cre$#l
de;nition0 9lssicll&! n lle)or& is writin) in which
the ctions or "ersons in stor& re intended to 'e
inter"reted s&%'olicll&0 Alle)or& ws one o$ the chie$
$or%s o$ eH"ression o$ %edie2l writers0 I cn distinctl&
re%e%'er in %& twel$th )rde En)lish clss st#d&in)
the stor& (veryman0 In this stor&! the chrcters h2e
n%es s#ch s E2er&%n! Deth! Fellowshi"! ?ood
Deeds nd so $orth0 The chrcters nd the ctions in
this stor& re clerl& to 'e t3en '& the reder s
s&%'ols0 All tht is ;ne! '#t wht 'o#t inter"retin)
the Old Test%ent lle)oricll&A Inter"retin) the teHt o$
the Bi'le lle)oricll& is 5#sti;ed s n eHe)eticl
techniB#e onl& i$ the ori)inl writer intended the
%teril to 'e t3en "rinci"ll& s s&%'olic0 Perh"s
this is 5#sti;'le in inter"retin) so%e o$ 4es#sK
"r'les! '#t o#tside these eH%"les! lle)oricl
inter"rettion o$ the Bi'le is rrel& 5#sti;ed0
A #se$#l de;nition o$ lle)oricl eHe)esis is )i2en
'& Leonhrd ?o""elt0
>
CB& lle)or& is %ent 3ind o$
eHe)esis! which! in ddition to the literl sense o$ the
teHt! nd! t ti%es! e2en to the eHcl#sion it Eie0 o$ the
literl senseG! ;nds nother diLerent nd s#""osedl&
dee"er %enin)! ltho#)h the conteHt does not
indicte the "resence o$ n& ;)#rti2e ln)#)e0D
Alle)oricl inter"rettion is rrel& 5#sti;ed! '#t
t&"ePntit&"e inter"rettion o$ the Old Test%ent is
5#sti;ed #nder conditions which re descri'ed 'elow0
T&"ePntit&"e eHe)esis 'e)ins '& cce"tin) the "h&sicl
relit& o$ the Old Test%ent e2ent nd then loo3in) $or
"rllels in the ?os"el0 Isrel "ssed thro#)h the Red
Se #nder the ledershi" o$ Moses0 The B#estion is to
wht! i$ n&! New Test%ent relit& does this ct#l
e2ent in the Old Test%ent "ro"heticll& corres"ondA
On the contrr&! lle)oricl eHe)esis 'e)ins '& loo3in)
$or s&%'olic %enin) 'ehind "h&sicl relit&
witho#t 5#sti;ction in the teHt0 As ?o""elt "#t it!
,

CAlle)or& )oes its own w& re)rdless o$ the literl
inter"rettion! while the t&"olo)icl #se o$ Scri"t#re
>
Leonhrd ?o""elt! Typos! EEerd%ns! ?rnd R"ids!
Michi)n! *+.:G "0 *>0
,
I'id! "0 *>0
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
-:+
'e)ins with the literl inter"rettion0D nd CAlle)oricl
inter"rettion! there$ore! is not concerned with the
tr#th$#lness or $ct#lit& o$ the thin)s descri'ed0 For
t&"olo)icl inter"rettion! howe2er! the relit& o$ the
thin)s descri'ed is indis"ens'le0 The t&"icl %enin)
is not rell& diLerent or hi)her %enin)! '#t
diLerent or hi)her #se o$ the s%e %enin) tht is
co%"rehended in t&"e nd ntit&"e0D
.
EH%"les o$ lle)oricl inter"rettion re $o#nd
in the 4ewish writerPtheolo)inP"hiloso"her Philo o$
AleHndri0 Philo li2ed in AleHndri in E)&"t $ro%
'o#t := B9 to AD 8=0 His %ethod ws to detect
#nderl&in) s"irit#l s&%'olis% in the literl
descri"tions in the Old Test%ent! es"ecill& in the
Pentte#ch0 To B#ote Philo! Cwe %#st now s"e3 o$
tht which %& 'e )i2en i$ the stor& 'e loo3ed t s
;)#rti2e nd s&%'olicl0D
+
As s"eci;c eH%"le!
consider PhiloKs inter"rettion o$ the ri' 'ein) t3en
$ro% Ad% in order to $or% E2eJ C RHe too3 one o$ his
ri's0K He too3 one o$ the %n& "owers o$ the %ind!
n%el&! tht "ower which dwells in the o#twrd
senses0 And when he #ses the eH"ression! RHe too3!K
we re not to #nderstnd it s i$ he hd sid RHe too3
w&!K '#t rther s eB#i2lent to RHe co#nted! He
eH%ined0KD
*=
Philo contin#es '& inter"retin) the t3in)
o$ the ri' to 'e s&%'olic o$ ?od eH%inin) o#r
conscio#s tho#)hts0
Philo! in his 'oo3 @e %brahamo inter"reted the
$o#r 3in)s o$ ?enesis */ to si)ni$& the $o#r "ssionsN
"les#re! desire! $er nd )rie$0 The other ;2e 3in)s in
this "ss)e re"resent the ;2e senses! 'ec#se the&
r#le o2er #s0 In ?enesis */! the ;2e re s#'5ect to the
$o#r nd "& the% tri'#teJ so $ro% o#r senses rise the
"ssions o$ "les#re! $er! etc which do%inte o#r
senses0 In ?enesis */! two 3in)s $ell into the well0
.
I'id! "0 *-0
+
Philo! @e %brahamo* **+0
*=
Philo! %llegorical Interpretation* II* N EFro% the
trnsltion o$ 90 D0 Yon)e! Hendric3son P#'lishers! *++-G
Philo inter"rets this to %en! tht to#ch nd tste
"enetrte to the interior o$ the 'od&0 The other three
who Ctoo3 to Qi)htD re the other three senses which
re directed o#tside the 'od&0 CThe wise %n ttc3ed
the% llD %ens tht reson r#shed #"on the% nd
conB#ered the%0 Usin) this $or% o$ inter"rettion! it
'eco%es es& to red n& "hiloso"h& one li3es into the
'i'licl teHt0 Tht is eHctl& wht Philo didN;ndin) the
techin)s o$ the Stoics nd the disci"les o$ Plto in the
He'rew Scri"t#re0
S#ch %ethodolo)& o$ inter"rettion hs not 'een
li%ited to 4ewish inter"reters0 B& the erl& third
cent#r& AD! %n& erl& 9hristin inter"reters 'e)n to
#se lle)oricl inter"rettion o$ 'oth the Old nd the
New Test%ent! with d#'io#s res#lt0 Ori)en o$
AleHndri EAD *.8I:8/G is 'est 3nown $or his
lle)oricl inter"rettion o$ the Old Test%ent0 It is
"ro''l& not coincidence tht Ori)en ws $ro%
AleHndri! the ho%e o$ Philo0 A whole school o$ Bi'le
inter"reters rose #" t tht ti%e Eincl#din) L#cin nd
E#stthi#s o$ AntiochG to de$end historicl
inter"rettion s o""osed to Ori)enKs lle)oricl
eHe)esis o$ the Bi'le0
This 'rin)s #s to the 'otto% line0 Wh& is the
writer o$ The (pistle of $arnabus not 5#sti;ed in
inter"retin) Moses holdin) o#t his r%s s "re;)#re
o$ the cr#ci;Hion o$ 4es#s! &et in this 'oo3 I cli% tht
the 'lood s"red on the crossI'e% 'o2e the doors on
the Psso2er e2e is $oreshdow o$ 4es#sK 'lood on the
crossA Wht is the essentil diLerenceA
In order to deter%ine how one cn 'e con;dent
in ;ndin) $oreshdow! t&"ePntit&"e reltionshi"
"re;)#re or le)iti%te historicl "ro"hec& in the Old
Test%ent! I wo#ld "ro"ose the $ollowin) $irl& si%"le
r#lesF
*0 I$ NT writer s&s "rtic#lr "ss)e in the
Old Test%ent is $oreshdowP"ro"hec&P"re;)#rePt&"e!
then it is0
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
--*
:0 I$ n Old Test%ent "ss)e wor3s s
$oreshdowP"ro"hec&P"re;)#rePt&"e 'oth in the )enerl
sense nd in the s"eci;cs! then it is "ro''l&
le)iti%te0
-0 I$ one lred& 3nows tht )enerl e2ent in
the Old Test%ent is
$oreshdowP"ro"hec&P"re;)#rePt&"e! then it is s$er to
ss#%e tht the detils re $oreshdows s well0
Let #s consider s"eci;c ""lictions o$ these
r#les to the inter"rettion o$ t&"es! $oreshdows nd
"ro"hecies in the Old Test%ent0 Perh"s one co#ld
B#estion whether it is %ere coincidence or historicl
$oreshdow tht 4onh ws in the 'ell& o$ the ;sh $or
three d&s! which h""ens to 'e the %o#nt o$ ti%e
tht 4es#s ws in the to%'0 When 4es#s sid in
Mtthew *:F-+I/:! CFor s 4onh ws three d&s nd
three ni)hts in the 'ell& o$ h#)e ;sh! so the Son o$
Mn will 'e three d&s nd three ni)hts in the hert o$
the erth0D it settles the iss#e0 Si%ilrl&! "erh"s one
co#ld de'te the "rllel 'etween Moses holdin) #"
the sn3e in the desert to s2e "eo"le $ro% "h&sicl
deth nd 4es#s 'ein) li$ted #" on the 9ross to s2e
"eo"le $ro% s"irit#l deth0 The B#estion see%s to 'e
settled '& 4es#sK stte%ent in 4ohn -F*/!*8J C4#st s
Moses li$ted #" the sn3e in the desert! so the Son o$
Mn %#st 'e li$ted #"! tht e2er&one who 'elie2es in
hi% %& h2e eternl li$e0D As third eH%"le! we cn
'e s#re tht the thr#stin) o$ the s"er into 4es#sK side
is $#l;ll%ent o$ 1echrih *:F*= 'ec#se 4ohn sid
tht it is E4ohn *+F-,G0 Mn& other eH%"les o$ this
"rinci"le co#ld 'e )i2en0 It is chie$ criterion #sed in
the "#ttin) to)ether o$ this 'oo30
The eH"lntion o$ r#le n#%'er two reB#ires
'it %ore cre$#l tho#)ht0 It is 'est eH"lined '& #se o$
n eH%"le0 When the sn3e ws li$ted #" in the
desert '& Moses! it ws $oreshdow o$ the s2in)
eLect o$ the cr#ci;Hion o$ 4es#s0 We lred& 3now this
to 'e tr#e 'ec#se o$ ""liction o$ r#le n#%'er one0
Ne2ertheless! let #s ""l& r#le n#%'er two to this
"ss)e0 The two Eli$tin) #" o$ the sn3e on the "ole
nd o$ 4es#s on the crossG )ree in the s"eci;cs! in tht
'oth in2ol2e so%eone or so%ethin) 'ein) li$ted #"0
The& lso )ree in the )enerl sense! 'ec#se 'oth
in2ol2e "erson 'ein) s2ed $ro% deth '& loo3in) t
the o'5ect0 Both re 'o#t sl2tion0
As co#nter eH%"le! consider the
EB#estion'leG ""liction in 'lement *:F,0 Here
9le%ent tte%"ts to drw "re;)#re $ro% the red ro"e
Rh' tied to her window to the 'lood o$ 4es#s0 Both
the 'lood o$ 4es#s nd the scrlet ro"e s2ed so%eone
$ro% deth! so the )enerl sense o$ the two )ree! '#t
the "rllel 'etween the s"eci;cs is s"ecio#s0 It is tr#e
tht the ro"e ws red! nd tht 4es#sK 'lood ws red!
'#t the "rllel 'etween the s"eci;cs o$ 'lood Qowin)
o#t nd ro"e 'ein) tied to window is B#estion'le0
One co#ld r)#e tht 4osh# :F*,I:= is $oreshdow o$
the 'lood o$ 4es#s! '#t it is de't'le t 'est0 The
s%e co#ld 'e sid $or Ori)enKs ""liction o$ the
cllin) o$ S%#el '& the witch o$ Endor s
$oreshdow o$ the res#rrection o$ 4es#s0 In the )enerl
sense! 'oth in2ol2e so%eone ""erin) on the erth
$ter deth! '#t in the s"eci;cs! the "rllel does not
wor3 t ll0 A cre$#l st#dent o$ the Bi'le will 2oid
s#ch o2erIinter"rettion0
Ret#rnin) to so%e "ositi2e eH%"les! one co#ld
%ention s#ch "ro"hecies s Psl%s :: or Isih +0 In
Psl%s ::! the detils E"iercin) o$ hnds nd $eet!
)%'lin) nd di2idin)G %tch with the deth o$ 4es#s!
'#t lso the )enerl conteHt does s well0 Both in2ol2e
s#Lerin) nd 'ein) $ors3en '& ?od0 In Isih +F*I,!
'oth the historicl detils E child 'ein) 'orn! the lnd
o$ 1e'#l#n nd N"htliG nd the )enerl ide E"rince
o$ "ece! 'ein) o2er the 3in)do%G )ree0
Another eH%"le is $o#nd in seein) the
T'erncle s $oreshdow o$ the %inistr& o$ 4es#s0
The detils )ree Eltr o$ scri;ce [ scri;ce o$ 4es#s!
wter in the l2er [ '"tis%! 'red on the ri)ht [
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
---
4es#s! the Bred o$ Li$e! l%"stnd on the le$t [ The
Hol& S"irit! etc0G! '#t the )enerl ide is "rllel lso0
Both the T'erncle nd the wor3 o$ 4es#s nd o$ the
Hol& S"irit re 'o#t how to h2e reltionshi" with
?od0
Let #s consider the third r#le0 We 3now tht the
li$e o$ 4onh cn ser2e s "re;)#re o$ 4es#s 'ec#se
o$ r#le n#%'er one0 We re there$ore s$er in loo3in)
t other detils in the li$e o$ 4onh $or "rllels in the
li$e o$ 9hrist! e2en i$ the& re not s"eci;cll& %entioned
'& 4es#s E)%'lin)! nno#ncin) re"entnce to the
?entiles! 'ein) $ro% ?lilee! etc0G We 3now $or s#re
tht Psso2er is $oreshdow o$ the deth o$ 4es#s '&
r#le n#%'er one0 In * 9orinthins 8F,! P#l s&s! CFor
9hrist! o#r Psso2er L%'! hs 'een scri;ced0D This
'ein) tr#e! one is s$er in loo3in) $or other "rllels
'etween the Psso2er nd the wor3 o$ 4es#s0 I$ one cn
est'lish tht not onl& the $esti2l o$ Psso2er! '#t lso
the $esti2l Fom Eippur is $oreshdow o$ sl2tion in
the New Test%ent! then one is $irl& s$e in loo3in) $or
t&"ePntit&"e reltionshi"s 'etween ll se2en Mosic
$esti2ls nd their New Test%ent co#nter"rts0 As
third eH%"le o$ r#le n#%'er three! we 3now $ro%
He'rews -F*>I/F: tht enterin) the Pro%ised Lnd is
$oreshdow o$ enterin) the eternl rest o$ he2en with
?od0 We re there$ore %ore li3el& 5#sti;ed in loo3in)
$or other $oreshdows in the e2ents o$ the EHod#s! the
wnderin) in the wilderness nd the entrnce o$ Isrel
into 9nn0
In s#%%r&! s P#l d%onished Ti%oth&!
n&one who st#dies the Bi'le! nd es"ecill& one who
wo#ld tech others sho#ld lern to Ccorrectl& hndle
the word o$ tr#th0D E: Ti%oth& :F*8G0 We cn see $ro%
histor&! tht %n& h2e done "oor 5o' o$ this!
incl#din) those who h2e tried to eHtrct "ro"hetic
detils $ro% Old Test%ent e2ents0 We h2e seen tht
lle)ori6in) nd o2erIinter"retin) cn led to d#'io#s
#se o$ scri"t#re0 H2in) sid tht! let #s not 'e
disco#r)ed0 We h2e seen tht there is )ret del
o$ e2idence $or the ins"irtion o$ the Bi'le in Old
Test%entPNew Test%ent "ro"hecies nd
$oreshdows0 It is tr#l& ins"irin) to consider how ?od
re2eled so %#ch o$ the )os"el tr#th in the Old
Test%ent0 Howe2er! one is well d2ised to eHercise
c#tion )inst o2erIinter"retin) nd )leenin) "rllels
tht ?od ne2er intended0 I$ the st#dent o$ the Bi'le will
""l& $ew si%"le r#les! %ost o$ the %ist3es will 'e
esil& 2oided nd the ins"irin) s"ects o$ this s#'5ect
cn co%e o#t0 In the writin) o$ this 'oo3! I h2e
tte%"ted to $ith$#ll& ""l& the "rinci"les listed
'o2e0 I will le2e it to the reder to decide how well
this )ol hs 'een reli6ed0
REFEREN9ESF
Philli" E0 Stterthwite! Richre S0 Hess nd
?ordon 40 Wenh%! The ?ord9s %nointed EB3er Boo3s!
?rnd R"ids! Michi)n! *++8G
Leonhrd ?o""elt! T&"osF The T&"olo)icl
Inter"rettion o$ the Old Test%ent in the New
EEerd%ns! ?rnd R"ids! Michi)n! *+.:G
Sir Ro'ert Anderson! Types in Hebrews E7re)el!
?rnd R"ids! Michi)n! *+,.G
P0 Fir'irn! CThe Old Test%ent in the New!D
The Typology of Scripture ENew Yor3! *+==G "0 ->-I+80
Hel"$#l B#otesF
CThe Old Test%ent 'ers witness to the s%e
sl2tion tht we "ossess s 9hristins nd tht the
New Test%ent "rocli%s! '#t onl& in the sense o$ its
'ein) so%ethin) towrd its $#ll reli6tion0D CT&"osD
Leonrd ?o""elt Eerd%nKs P#'lishin) 9o%"n&!
Pro"hecies o$ the Messih
--8
?rnd R"ids! Michi)n! *+.:! " *:
CThe histor& recorded in the Old Test%ent is the
histor& o$ sl2tion "roceedin) towrds its $#ll
reli6tionD 40 HoL%n! Weiss)#n) #nd
Er$#E#%l#tGll#n) i% Alten #nd i% Ne#en Test%ente!
*./*! ENoE#%l#tGrdlin)enG "0 8/
AlsoJ
Other<0 De#t *8F/ [ Acts /J-/
Acts 8F* EAnnisK lieG [ 4osh ,F* EAchnG
Ro% *8F*> O#r "riestl& d#t& is to "rocli% the
)os"el o$ ?od so tht the ?entiles %i)ht 'eco%e n
oLerin) cce"t'le to ?od0