Bible study 2

One of the challenges of the Bible student is what to do with a
book written spanning about 4000 years of human history.
Tons of writers, different dispensations, cultures and
professions and skills yet the SAME MESSAGE, however
communicated differently! It would have been easier in 450BC
to read Isaiah, Jeremiah and the prophets, there and then I
would have been acquainted with the mode of
Communication-The PROPHETS! Today, we face the dilemma
of reading and studying a now-completed book that includes
when promises were made with when they were fulfilled, when
man was separated from God, now with when God reconciled
with man.
We can go on and on. A good bible study however will be able
to RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH (2 Timothy 2: 15)!
Let us see how the Scriptures speak of these different modes
of communication.
Hebrews 1: 1 God, who gave our forefathers many different
glimpses of the truth in the words of the prophets,
2 has now, at the end of the present age, given us the truth in
the Son. Through the Son God made the whole universe and to
the Son he has ordained that all creation shall ultimately
belong.
3 This Son, radiance of the glory of God, flawless expression
of the nature of God, himself the upholding principle of all that
is, effected in person the reconciliation between God and man
and then took his seat at the right hand of the majesty on high.
(JB PHILLIPS TRANSLATION)
This readily explains How God communicated His Word in the
different ages.
You will not readily see Christ mentioned in those books,
rather you will see Him taught and spoken of in types and
shadows. Let’s examine another portion of scripture.
Luke 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart
to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter
into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he
expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things
concerning himself.
Here is Jesus explaining from the scriptures (Genesis through
Malachi) things that were said concerning Himself.
He must have showed them that Abel’s offering was a type of
himself, hence God’s word to Abel, as this granted the latter a
right standing with God.
He must have showed them Noah’s Ark was Christ as wood
put together to save people from judgment. No ark can deliver
from God’s judgment. Rather it was a shadow of Jesus'
finished, substitutionary work and sacrifice.
He must have let them see Isaac wasn’t the seed but was
symbolic of it as the seed is Christ. A Child of Promise, A child
of The Spirit!
When they got to Genesis 14, the appearance of Melchizidek
must have caused some to stumble. He must have showed
them how old Melchi stood in Christ’s stead as a priest
without descent in Levi. He functioned as Priest and King- This
was to foreshadow Christ.
On mount Moriah, He must have showed them how Isaac’s
sacrifice was figurative, hence the lamb was Jehovah’s lamb
which He foresaw, provided by Jireh, The one who foresees!
In Moses' days He must have showed them that all the
sacrifices, meats and drinks were ALL, ONE AND THE SAME-
representing Christ Alone!
What an interesting Bible Study. No revs, no esoteric
explanations, just plain telling them what The Spirit
communicated in types and shadows!
Hence the lovely rule for bible interpretation is presented
below:
• Christ the Word is seen in Genesis in germ form, seed figures
• He is in the Law as shadows from all the sacrifices and
offerings
• He is revealed in the Psalms in the Sacred songs of David as
Prophecy
• In the Prophets as God’s promise of Salvation in the
prophecies of the Prophets
• In the four Gospels as the WORD BECAME FLESH
• In the Epistles as One PLAINLY SEEN, REVEALED AND
TAUGHT
He is seen no longer in types and shadows or as a promise or
prophecy. He is rather seen as The Substance, The promise
and prophecy fulfilled!
Clear?
We are in Him today and He is in us to stay. This is no day for
types and symbols it is the Day of The Church