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A Study Of Biblical Typology (1)

A study of Bible “types” and “antitypes” is a fascinating study. A “type” is defined as: “A biblical person, thing, action, event, ceremony, structure, furniture, number, etc. that prefigures an ‘antitype’ of the same in the New Testament”. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary provides this simple definition: “a person or thing (as in the Old Testament) believed to foreshadow another (as in the New Testament)”. In his book entitled, “Figures of Speech Used in the Bible” (p. 768), E. W. Bullinger defines a “type” as a figure or ensample of something future and more or less prophetic, called the ‘antitype’. A study of the “types” and “antitypes” in the Scriptures will give the Bible student a clearer understanding of the purpose and reason for the acts of worship and obedience presented in the New Testament law of Christ. It is toward this end that we present this study.

1) The tabernacle, or “Mishkan” which God commanded Moses to make (Exodus 25:8-9 is a “type” of the church (Foursquare – length, breadth and height being equal – Exodus 26:16: Exodus 27:16; Revelation 21:16). The tabernacle and tent were two separate things. The tabernacle was the small structure which housed the holy place (Exodus 25:23,31; Exodus 26:1,35; Hebrews 9:2) and the most holy place (Exodus 26:31; Hebrews 9:3). The tent, or ‘Ohel, was a covering which was placed over the tabernacle (Exodus 40:19). It was called the “tent of meeting” (Exodus 40 – ESV) because it was here that Jehovah promised to “meet” Moses and the people (Exodus 40:34-35).

2) The Courtyard surrounding the tabernacle represents the world (Exodus 27:18; Exodus 27:12; Revelation 11:2). Since the court is “typical” of the world (Revelation 11:2), the priest must have “left the world” before he entered the first place in the tabernacle, and the first place provided the only entrance to the second. Likewise, we must “leave the world” before we enter the Lord’s church, and all who are accountable must enter the Lord’s church before they can enter heaven (Luke 10:20; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 12:22-23).

3) Under the law of Moses, the priest approached the altar of sacrifice through fear and trembling, and after he made sacrifice, he would start for the tabernacle, stopping only at the laver to wash his feet and hands (Exodus 30:17-21). He then entered the tabernacle. This act of service “typifies” the Christian purifying himself before going to worship.

4) When alien sinners are “pierced to the heart” by the word of God (Acts 2:37) and believe the remedy for sins given in the Word by repenting of their sins, confessing that Jesus is God’s Son, then passing on through baptism (an antitype of the laver – Titus 3:5; John 3:3-5; 1 Peter 3:21), they then become Christians only. They are then separated from the world and “added” to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47).

5) When the priest entered the tabernacle in his morning and evening service, his first duty was to dress the lamps of the candlestick and replenish the oil (Exodus 26:37; Exodus 40:4; Exodus 40:24-25; Numbers 8:2). They were to keep the lights burning continuously (Exodus 27:20; Leviticus 24:2. The candlestick is “typical” of the Bible, our only light in the church today (Proverbs 6:23; Psalm 119:105). This signifies that we should read and meditate upon the teachings of God’s Word daily – even morning and evening (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; cf. Acts 17:11). We should teach our children God’s Word with the same diligence and frequency (Deuteronomy 6:7).

6) The priests next approached the table of shewbread. On top of the bread pure frankincense was placed, which was to be burned on the altar of incense. God instructed Moses that the people should not make any like it for their own use as it was “Holy unto the Lord” (Exodus 30:34-38). The gathering of the sweet incense, and bringing it to the tabernacle as an offering for God is a “type” of the Christian who is commanded to “lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him” (1 Corinthians 16:2), and bringing it to the worship service as a offering unto the Lord. As the burning of incense is “typical” of prayer, so must the faithful Christian bring his prosperity as a offering to the Lord with the prayer in his heart that it will be used to the glory of God by helping the needy and spreading the gospel to a lost and dying world.

7) The altar of incense was placed by the inner veil, with the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat on the other side of the veil immediately behind. It was above the mercy seat that God came down to commune with man (Exodus 25:22; Leviticus 16:2). Drawing of this parallel, and reflecting on His promise that He hears and answers the prayers of faithful Christians, it shows that He is ever near to listen to our petitions. When we draw nigh to God, He draws nigh to us (James 4:8). Just as the Bible is God’s only way to communicate to man, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

8) Every Sabbath day, it was the duty of the priest to remove the twelve cakes from the table of shewbread and place hot loaves in their place (Leviticus 24:5-8). There were twelve loaves – one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. The loaves were removed from the golden table each Sabbath and were eaten by the priests (Leviticus 24:9). The “antitype” of this is the Lord’s Supper which Christians (priests – Revelation 1:6) are commanded to eat on the “first day of the week”, the Lord’s Day (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).

9) The priests had to cleanse themselves before entering the tabernacle as the passed the laver. They could not “move” the laver from before the door of the tabernacle by moving it inside because it was a sin punishable by death (Exodus 30:17-21; Exodus 40:7,30). How does the location of the laver “fit” the pattern God had in mind for the church? The courtyard is filled with alien sinners as well as with God’s people (Psalm 79:1; Luke 21:24; Romans 11:25; Revelation 11:2). Before any high priest or common priest could perform service unto God as priest, he must have his entire body washed (Exodus 29:4). Following the washing of their bodies, they had blood put upon the tip of their right ears, and on their right thumbs, and on their right foot (Exodus 29:30; Leviticus 8:6-23). We notice that the washing was done before the blood of consecration was applied. Similarly, before we can come to the atoning power of the blood of Christ, we must have our entire bodies washed in the cleansing waters of baptism (Acts 22:16; Hebrews 10:22; 1 Peter 3:21). Whatever was in the “type” must of necessity be in the “antitype”.