OLD TESTAMENT PICTURES OF CHRIST



BIBLE DOCTRINE II

LECTURE 33

CHRISTOLOGY – TYPOLOGY

Muenscher says a type is “the preordained representative relation which certain persons, events, and institutions of the Old Testament bear to corresponding persons, events, and institutions in the New” (Biblical Hermaneutics, Terry, 1890).

Wick Broomall has a concise statement that is helpful: “A type is a shadow cast on the pages of Old Testament history by a truth whose full embodiment or antitype is found in the New Testament revelation” (Baker Dictionary of Theology, 1960). [‘antitype’ is who or what the ‘type’ is referring to]

One must be very cautious in his study of Bible types. There are some dangerous extremes to be avoided. On the one hand, some deny the use of biblical types altogether. Others, though, feel that the use of types in the Scriptures is quite limited. Accordingly, one can only identify a type when the New Testament specifically does so. If one followed a similar line of reasoning, he might assert that there are no prophecies in the Old Testament save those which are specifically quoted in the New Testament. Another extreme is the notion that virtually every little detail of the Old Testament system was typical of some New Testament circumstance. Thus, even the cords and pegs of the tabernacle were seen by some commentators as representing significant antitype New Testament truths. The truth is to be found between these extremes.

There are several interpretative principles that one should keep in mind as he begins a study of this subject.

(1) It must be recognized that types are grounded in real history; the people, places, events, etc. were deliberately chosen by God to prepare for the coming of the Christian system. An old writer has wonderfully described it: ‘God in the types of the last dispensation was teaching His children their letters. In this dispensation He is teaching them to put the letters together, and they find that the letters, arrange them as they will, spell Christ, and nothing but Christ.’

(2) It must be clear (on the basis of reasonable evidence) that the type was designed by God to preview its fulfillment in the New Testament.

(3) There is a graduation from type to antitype; of the lesser to the greater; from the material to the spiritual; the earthly to the heavenly.

(4) One must distinguish what is essential in the type and what is merely incidental. A failure to do this can lead to some serious errors. Broomall notes, for example, that ‘Jonah’s expulsion from the great fish typifies Christ’s resurrection (Matt. 12:40); but Jonah’s restoration to the land does not necessarily typify Israel’s restoration to Palestine’.

The above was from (a Church of Christ site…beware).

Types are not Symbols - Symbols are not as close in likeness as types are, but they do hold a high significance. A symbol, unlike a type, is not usually shown ahead of time, but rather represents something that already exists. ()

[In this lecture we will just be focusing on the typologies associated directly with Christ (though, Christ is the ‘Antitype’ for most typology in the Bible)]

The following is from David Cloud’s ebook “Give Attendance to Doctrine” unless ‘bracketed’.

[Bracketed] items are of other sources, as referenced; they are by Pastor Warner if unreferenced.

TYPOLOGY IN CHRISTOLOGY

The O.T. not only contains many direct prophecies of Christ, it also contains many types of Christ.

Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

John 1:45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

[Some typologies will only be mentioned, but not examined…due to time constraints of this lecture]

Adam

[I will dispense with a bulleted listing here of all the types found in Adam of Christ, and rather just give the Bible texts for this.

1 Cor 15:21-22 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Cor 15:45-49 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.]

Abel’s Offering - (Ge. 4; Jn. 1:29; He. 12:24).

Noah’s Ark - (Ge. 6-8). Christ is the only true Ark of safety whereby man can escape the eternal wrath of God. As a picture of Christ and Salvation following are some of the lessons:

1. The Ark was planned by God, not man (2 Ti. 1:9).

2. There was only ONE Ark, as there is only ONE Savior (Ac. 4;12; 1 Ti. 2:5).

3. There was only ONE door (compare Jn. 14:6).

4. It was offered to all men (2 Pe. 2:5; 1 Ti. 2:4).

5. It saved both man and creation (compare Ro. 8:18-25).

6. It required faith (He. 11:7).

7. The offer of safety was temporary and had to be heeded while there was opportunity (Ge. 7:11-13; 2 Co. 6:2).

8. The ark was secured by God (Ge. 7:16; Jn. 10:27-29; 1 Jn. 5:11-13).

1 Peter 3:18-21 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Typical Places

Several prominent places emphasized in the Old Testament appear to have a typical significance. Egypt represents a state of bondage such as holds the sinner prior to his conversion (Galatians 4:2; Romans 6:17; 1 Corinthians 10:lff); Jerusalem or Zion typifies…heaven (cf. Galatians 4:25, 26; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 21:2); and Babylon, which held God’s people captive in the Old Testament, pictures the condition of an apostate church that has departed from the simplicity of the New Testament pattern (Revelation 11:8; 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2ff).

[The following is a typology involving Egypt and Jerusalem: Rev 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Abraham - [The following is a powerful typology of salvation: via the flesh (law), vs. via the Spirit (grace):

Gal 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.]

Melchizedek - (Ge. 14:17-20)

Six times in the Bible God says Jesus Christ is of the order of Melchizedek (Ps. 110:4; Heb. 5:6,10; 6:20; 7:17,21).

Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Heb 7:1-4 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

1. Melchizedek foreviews Christ in His NAMES. He was king of righteousness and king of peace. In the Lord Jesus

Christ righteousness and peace have met. He makes peace between God and man because He paid man’s sin debt

[via His righteousness] (Rom. 5:1).

2. Melchizedek foreviews Christ in HIS CITY. Melchizedek reigned in Salem (Gen. 14:18). This later became

Jerusalem, and will be Christ’s reigning city (Ps. 76:2; Zech. 8:3-8).

3. Melchizedek foreviews Christ in HIS OFFICES: Melchizedek was king (Gen. 14:18), priest (Gen. 14:18), and

prophet (Gen. 14:19). The Lord Jesus Christ also is Prophet (Deut. 18:15; Ac. 3:22), Priest (Heb. 7-10), and King

(1 Tim. 6:14-15).

4. Melchizedek foreviewed Christ in His AUTHORITY. This is the first mention of tithing in the Bible, and it was

long before God gave the law of Moses. Tithing has always been God’s normal plan for the support of His

earthly work. Great Abraham gave tithes to a Greater…Melchizedek.

5. Melchizedek foreviews Christ in HIS WORK: He ministered to God’s people (Gen. 14:18; Mt. 20:28). He

blessed God’s people (Gen. 14:19; Lk. 24:51). He glorified God (Gen. 14:20; Jn. 17:4).

6. Melchizedek foreviews Christ in HIS PROVISION. Melchizedek provided bread and wine for Abraham (Gen.

14:18). This foreviews Christ’s provision of His body and blood for the needs of His people (Mt. 26:26-28).

7. Melchizedek foreviews Christ in HIS MYSTERY. There is a mysterious aspect to Melchizedek, because the

Bible says he had no beginning of days nor end of life (Heb. 7:3). This reminds us that Jesus Christ is the eternal

Son of God, whose “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).

[Well, it really isn’t that ‘mysterious’; this typology is actually not typology at all…but, rather the Person is one and the same…i.e. Jesus Christ!]

Isaac (Ge. 21-24): a promised son, submitted to the father even unto death, received a bride from a far country.

Jacob’s ladder, with the angels ascending and descending upon it (Genesis 28:12), apparently pictured Christ (cf. John 1:51), who provides both communication from the Father (John 1:18; Hebrews 1:1-2) and access to heaven (John 14:6).

Joseph (Ge. 37-50). The beloved son, despised and rejected, sold, suffered, was the world’s savior.

Moses – [A type of Jesus Christ, who was a Deliverer and Prophet (Exodus 2:2).]

The Passover Lamb - (Ex. 12; Jn. 1:29; 1 Pe. 1:18-20). The Passover lamb was slain; it was without blemish; its blood was applied to the doorposts (hearts); and it was eaten, thus signifying the fellowship [one can have with Christ]; It depicts redemption from God’s wrath through faith in Christ’s blood (Jn. 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7).

[1 Cor 5:7-8 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth].

Manna - (Ex. 16:4-31). Manna was a gift of God from heaven; it was free; it was sufficient; Manna pictures Christ as the Bread of Life.

John 6:31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

Smitten Rock – (Ex. 17:5-6). The smitten rock pictures Jesus smitten ‘once’ for man’s sin; it continually followed Israel to sustain them.

1 Cor 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Tabernacle: [Parts – (Hebrews 9:2-10)

1) Altar of brass [(underneath was shittim wood)]: Type of cross upon which Christ was offered (Exodus 27:1).

2) Altar of incense: Type of Christ our Intercessor, through whom our prayers and praises ascend to God (Exodus 30:1;

John 17:1-26; 13:15; Revelation 8:3,4).

3) Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10) [The covenant focuses on the coming Messiah]

4) Mercy seat (Hebrews 9) [This solidly typifies Christ’s mercy when His blood opened up the veil to the Holy of

Holies…to Heaven]

5) Golden candlestick (Lampstand): Type of Christ our Light (Ex 25:31; cf. John 1:4; Isaiah 11:2). [May typify His

churches, also]

6) Laver: Type of cleansing from defilement (Exodus 30:18; John 13:2-10; Ephesians 5:25-27; I John 1:9).

7) Showbread: Type of Christ as Bread of Life (Exodus 25:30).

8) Veil: Type of Christ’s body; [it was ‘rent through’ to give us direct access to God.] (Ex 26:31; Mt 26:26; Hb 10:20).

(Robert Sargeant, Landmarks of Baptist Doctrine)]

[There are many, many other typologies contained in the Tabernacle: i.e. gold, silver, brass, skins, etc.]

Heb 8:4-5 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Heb 9:8-12 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Offerings

1) [Burnt offering – Christ giving Himself completely, a sacrifice wholly acceptable to God.

2) Meal offering – Christ in perfections of His humanity.

3) Peace offering – Christ is our peace (made peace, preached peace).

4) Sin offering – Christ bearing guilt of our sin.

5) Trespass offering – Christ repairing the injury of our sin.]

(Robert Sargeant, Landmarks of Baptist Doctrine)]

Heb 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

Day of Atonement (Le. 16). The day of atonement pictures Christ as our Great High Priest, by Himself making atonement for our sins.

1. The High Priest’s linen clothes depicts the holiness of Christ (Le. 16:4; He. 7:26).

2. The High Priest went into the Holy of Holies alone [only One could make the sacrifice] (Heb. 1:3).

3. He did the work of atonement in the place of the people of Israel, for them (He. 10:20).

4. He made atonement by the sprinkling of blood (Heb. 10:19).

5. He did not go in every day but only once a year, thus depicting the once for all sacrifice of Christ (Heb. 7:27;

9:26-28; 10:14).

Heb 9:22-26 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Cities of Refuge (Nu. 35). Jesus Christ is the sinner’s refuge from the wrath of God’s law.

The Brazen Serpent (Nu. 21:6-9; Jn. 3:14-16). [Lifted up in order to be effective; offered to all for healing; but had to be received individually; the healing was immediate and permanent; there was no other hope for cure.]

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

Joshua - Joshua pictures Christ as the Captain of the Lord’s people, leading us into eternal salvation and rest (Hebrews 2:10)

Boaz (Ruth). [Boaz served as a ‘kinsmen redeemer’; Jesus redeemed His kinsmen (the Jews, and mercifully opened it up to the Gentiles also); Ruth was a type of the church.]

David - (1,2 Sa.) In David we see Jesus foreviewed as an exiled king who later returns in victory and power.

Solomon - (1 Ki. 3-10). Solomon pictures Christ’s future glorious earthly reign.

Jonah - Jonah’s three days in the fish’s belly pictures Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. As Jonah was a sign to Ninevah, Jesus’ resurrection was a sign to the Jews.

Jonah 1:17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Matt 12:39-40 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

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