Transcript Document

The Gospel In The Law and Prophets
Bro. Thomas
realized that all
Scripture relates
to the Gospel.
Elpis Israel is an
exposition of the
Kingdom of God.
PART SECOND
THE THINGS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND THE
NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
CHAPTER 1
THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM IN RELATION TO
ISRAEL AND THE GENTILES
CHAPTER 2
THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO ABRAHAM
CHAPTER 3
THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO ISAAC AND JACOB
CHAPTER 4
THE GOSPEL IN RELATION TO THE MOSAIC ECONOMY
CHAPTER 5
THINGS CONCERNING THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
PART THIRD
THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD IN RELATION TO THE
KINGDOM OF GOD
THE GOSPEL—IN THE LAW
1Co 10:1-11 “All our fathers were under the cloud, and
all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto
Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the
same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same
spiritual drink…Now these things were our examples
(mg. figures)…all these things happened unto them for
ensamples (mg. types)” Israel’s “baptism” a type or figure
___________________________________________________________________________________
Act 7:36-38 “He brought them out, after that he had
shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in
the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years…This is
he, that was in the eccclesia in the wilderness with the
angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with
our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto
us” Israel styled the “ecclesia in the wilderness”
Heb 4:1-11 “FOR UNTO US WAS THE GOSPEL PREACHED,
AS WELL AS UNTO THEM: but the word preached did not
profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that
heard it…As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall
enter into my rest: although the works were finished
from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a
certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God
did rest the seventh day from all his works…and they
to whom it was first preached entered not in because
of unbelief…For if Jesus had given them rest, then
would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased
from his own works, as God did from his” Entrance
under Joshua represented the Seventh Day Rest
THREE PHASES OF THE GOSPEL IN THE LAW
OUT OF EGYPT—Baptism into Moses (1Cor 10:1-10)
IN THE WILDERNESS—Ecclesial Life (Acts 7:38)
INTO THE LAND—Inheritance under Jesus (Heb 4:1-11)
• MOSES—The Law
• WILDERNESS—The Ecclesia
• JOSHUA—The Lord Jesus Christ
“’The Law,’ wrote John, stating the historical facts
succinctly, ‘was given by Moses.’ For that reason it
is customary to talk of the Law, AS INDEED SCRIPTURE
ITSELF SO OFTEN DOES, as ‘the Law of Moses’…his name
has come to attach itself to the Law”—Law and
Grace, pg. 12
Moses personally represents the Law
THINGS OF THE KINGDOM-THE GOSPEL (HEB 4:1-2)
Exo 6:5-8 “I have also heard the groaning of the
children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in
bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the
LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens
of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their
bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out
arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to
me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye
shall know that I am the LORD your God, which
bringeth you out from under the burdens of the
Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land,
concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham,
to Isaac, and to Jacob”
BAPTISM INTO MOSES—SERVANTS/MASTERS (1COR 10:1-2)
EGYPT: “THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE” throughout Scripture
(Exo 13:3, 14; 20:2), and Pharaoh the master who made
Israel serve him with “cruel bondage” (Exo 6:6-9).
BONDAGE is a word used to represent sin (John 8:33-34)
PHARAOH: Master whom Israel “SERVED” with rigour
(Exo 1:13-14). SIN is personified as a master (Rom 6).
YAHWEH: the Righteous Master whom Israel were
called out to “SERVE” in holiness (Exo 4:23; 7:16).
MOSES: the Mediator sent by Yahweh, familiar with
the affliction of his people (Exo 3-12).
RED SEA: the place where Pharaoh’s servants die; and
Yahweh’s servants are redeemed (Exo 15).
Rom 6:3-6,9,12-18 “Know ye not, that so many of us as
were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his
death? …Knowing this, that our old man is crucified
with him, that the BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED,
that henceforth we should not serve sin…Knowing that
Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death
hath no more dominion over him…Let not sin therefore
REIGN in your mortal body, that ye should OBEY it in
the lusts thereof…Know ye not, that to whom ye yield
yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to
whom ye obey; WHETHER OF SIN UNTO DEATH, OR OF
OBEDIENCE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS?...But God be
thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have
obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was
delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye
became the servants of righteousness”
The Law of Moses—
From their departure out of Egypt, the Law of Moses
taught Israel the principle of SIN and its EFFECTS.
Although called out of Egyptian darkness and into the waters of
baptism, Israel were not a “holy people.” Therefore, the Law was
given to purify God’s people during their ecclesial wandering in
the Wilderness. It was vital that the character of Yahweh’s
servants be developed in all aspects of life—religious and civil—
before they could enter the Land of Inheritance. Accordingly,
attention was drawn to sin and its effects—in every little detail.
Although the Law of Moses established the tabernacle,
sacrifices, feasts, priesthood, holy days, and various cleansings,
these all fell short because of sin. They were, in fact, a shadow of
things to come. Therefore, it had to be JOSHUA and not MOSES
who brought Israel into the possession promised to Abraham.
THE TABERNACLE—FIGURE OF GREATER THINGS
The center of Israel’s worship was the Tabernacle, which was a
representation of the things yet to be completely fulfilled—
Heb 9:8-9 “The Holy Spirit 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”
SACRIFICES & FEASTS—SHADOWS OF THE SUBSTANCE
Col 2:16-17 “Let no man therefore judge you in meat,
or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new
moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of
things to come; but the body is of Christ”
Heb 9:23-24 “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:” (Heb 8:1-6; 10:1-2)
“The type is before us; the antitype is in Christ. He is the altar,
the book of the Law, and the other things that come after…the
Mosaic pattern was but a foreshadowing. They are all
comprehended in Christ…” Law of Moses, pg. 90-91
The Importance of Identifying Shadows & Types in the Law—
Questions and Questions—by Robert Roberts
73. Paul says the substance of the law or things foreshadowed in
it are to be found in Christ (Col. 2:17; Rom. 2:20; Heb. 9:23; Heb.
10:1). This being so, can your theory furnish the antitype to the
High Priest offering for himself (Lev. 16:6)?
74. Can your theory furnish the antitype to the scarlet which
entered into the composition of the veil (that is to say, his flesh—
Heb. 10:20)?
75. Can your theory furnish the antitype to the uncleanness
imparting bodies of those beasts burnt without the camp (Heb.
13:11)?
76. Can your theory furnish the antitype to the making atonement
for the holy place (Lev. 16:16)?
77. Can your theory furnish the antitype to the atonement made
for the altar (Lev. 16:18)?
79. Can your theory furnish the antitype to the atonement for the
tabernacle of the congregation wherein God dwelt (Lev. 16:33)?
80. If you attempt to answer, do not content yourself with “yes;”
but show us wherein all these things which were typical of Christ
have their counterpart in a theory which teaches…etc.”
“This…was both literal and allegorical, like the rest of the things
exhibited in the Mosaic account; being ‘representations of the
knowledge and the truth’… to allegorize is to speak in such a way
that something else is intended than is contained in the words
literally construed. The historical allegory has a double sense,
namely, the literal and the figurative; and the latter is as real, as
the former is essential to its existence...The discernment of the
due limit between them is acquired, not by rules, but by much
diligent study of the word.”
John Thomas, 1849 (Elpis Israel, pg. 109)
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO UNDERSTAND SHADOWS?
Regarding the Manna, Jesus told the Jews: “Verily, I
say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man,
and drink his blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:53).
THE RESULT: “From that time many of his disciples
went back, and walked no more with him” (John 6:66)
The LAW is a “Shadow” of Christ. He is the antitypical:
MANNA—John 6
PASSOVER—1Cor 5
TABERNACLE—John 1
SERPENT POLE—John 3
HIGH PRIEST—Heb 7
RED HEIFER—Heb 9
MOSES—Heb 3
ALTAR—Heb 13
SACRIFICES—Heb 10
ROCK—1Cor 10
LORD OF SABBATH—Mat 12
NEW COVENANT—Mat 26
Mat 5:17 “Think not that I am come to destroy the Law,
or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fullfil”
•
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TOUCHED THE LEPER, WOMAN WITH
ISSUE OF BLOOD, AND DEAD BODY—THINGS CONDEMNED
AND UNCLEAN UNDER THE LAW. TEACHING:
•
REDEMPTION
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST CONTRADICTED THE OUTWARD
PRACTICES OF THE SABBATH AND WASHING—THINGS
REQUIRED BY RITUALS OF THE LAW. TEACHING:
ABOVE RITUAL
•
PRINCIPLE
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST COMMUNED WITH SINNERS,
FORGAVE ADULTERERS AND EXTORTIONERS—THINGS THAT
BROUGHT CASTING OUT OR DEATH UNDER THE LAW.
TEACHING: FORGIVENESS OF SIN.
IN CONTRAST TO THE LAW, WHEN THE LORD CURED DISEASES HE
STATED: “THY SINS BE FORGIVEN THEE.”
Redemption In Christ Above the Law—
“The Law condemned men for their sins: Christ offered them,
instead, the forgiveness of these sins. Each cure was in fact but
an example of such forgiveness in symbolic form, precisely
because each disease he cured was ultimately attributed to sin.
The cure was in each case but an outward proof of his right to
offer men the true Rest, to wit, release from sin’s grip upon
them”—Law and Grace, pg. 191
Mar 16:20 “And they went forth, and preached every
where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the
word with signs following” (Gospel preached, then healing)
MOSES & JOSHUA REP. LAW & GRACE AS IT RELATES TO THE GOSPEL.
AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW IS ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTAND CHRIST
Successive Books of the Bible show the Divine Plan—
Deuteronomy—Death of Moses: Law can’t bring
Inheritance
Joshua—Crossing Jordan: Joshua by baptism enters
Land
Judges—After Joshua’s death: Jews turn to apostasy
Ruth—Gentiles Called: embraces Hope of Israel
Samuel—Kingdom of God: David established in Israel
Kings—Reign of Solomon: David’s Son sits upon his
throne
Chronicles—Temple Built: Divine worship in
Jerusalem
NAME OF JESUS CHRIST— OUT OF MOSES INTO JOSHUA
Deu 34:1-7 “And Moses went up from the plains of
Moab unto the mountain of Nebo…And the LORD
said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto
Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will
give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with
thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. So Moses
the servant of the LORD died there in the land of
Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And he
buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over
against Bethpeor: but NO MAN KNOWETH OF HIS
SEPULCHRE unto this day. And Moses was an hundred
and twenty years old when he died: HIS EYE WAS NOT
DIM, NOR HIS NATURAL FORCE ABATED”
The Law “saw” the Land, but could not provide entrance—
PRINCIPLES
OF THE LAW
• The Law was holy, just and good.
• The Law manifested sin, death.
• Sepulchre hid in death: Christ’s opened to life.
“The death of Moses…typed the need for the curse of the Law
to be removed before the people could enter upon a new
relationship with Yahweh…In crossing the Jordan they would
be figuratively baptized into him, and as part of his corporate
body would engage upon the conquest of the Land of
Promise”—Expositor, pg. 9-10
“The Book of Joshua, therefore, must be studied as history and
typography”—Expositor, pg. 12-13
“In our study of the Book of Joshua, therefore, it is important to
discern the typical lessons of the times and circumstances”—
Expositor, pg. 14
The Law Manifested Sin—
“From the Law comes the knowledge of sin, and relates
us clearly to death; and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
is needed to save us from the consequences of such, and
lead us into the Kingdom which is seen ‘afar off’ as Moses
views it from Mt. Nebo”—Deu. Expositor
Rom 3:19-21 “Now we know that what things soever the
law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that
every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may
become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the
law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by
the law is the knowledge of sin”
Rom 4:14-15 “For if they which are of the law be heirs,
faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there
is no transgression”
The Law Manifested Sin—
Rom 7:6-12 “But now we are delivered from the law,
that being dead wherein we were held…What shall we
say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not
known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust,
except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin,
taking occasion BY THE COMMANDMENT, wrought in me
all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin
was dead…but when the commandment came, sin
revived, and I died. AND THE COMMANDMENT, WHICH
WAS ORDAINED TO LIFE, I FOUND TO BE UNTO DEATH. For
sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived
me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and
the commandment holy, and just, and good”
The Law is called the “ministration of condemnation” (2Cor 3:9)
The Law Manifested Sin—
1Co 15:56-57 “The sting of death is sin; and the
strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which
giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”
1Jn 3:4-5 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth
also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And
ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins;
and in him is no sin”
Rom 5:20-21 “Moreover the law entered, that the
offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace
did much more abound”
Gal 3:19 “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was
added because of transgressions, till the seed should
come to whom the promise was made”
Perfect Obedience to Law Impossible—
Gal 3:10 “For as many as are of the works of the law
are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every
one that continueth not in all things which are written
in the book of the Law to do them” (Gal 5:3-5; Rom 9:33)
Jas 2:10-11 “For whosoever shall keep the whole law,
and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all”
Law was not against Righteousness—
Gal 5:18-23 “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not
under the law…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law”
1Ti 1:8-9 “We know that the law is good, if a man use it
lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a
righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient…”
Law a schoolmaster bringing us to Christ—
Gal 3:21-24 “If there had been a law given which could
have given life, verily righteousness should have been
by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under
sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be
given to them that believe. But before faith came, we
were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which
should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was
our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might
be justified by faith”
Christ redeems from condemnation of Law—
Gal 4:4-5 “But when the fulness of the time was come,
God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under
the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that
we might receive the adoption of sons”
Law a schoolmaster bringing us to Christ—
Gal 3:21-24 “If there had been a law given WHICH
COULD HAVE GIVEN LIFE, verily righteousness should
have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded
all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ
might be given to them that believe. But before faith
came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the
faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore
the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ,
that we might be justified by faith”
Christ redeems from condemnation of Law—
Gal 4:4-5 “But when the fulness of the time was come,
God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under
the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that
we might receive the adoption of sons”
Inheritance by Abrahamic seed, Not Law—
Rom 4:13-17 “For the promise, that he should be the
heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed,
through the law, but through the righteousness of
faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is
made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is,
there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that
it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be
sure TO ALL THE SEED; not to that only which is of the
law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham;
who is the father of us all, As it is written, I have made
thee a father of many nations”
Even under the Law, inheritance was based upon obedience and
righteousness; else the Land would “spue them out” (Lev 20:22)
Christ redeems from condemnation of Law—
Gal 4:4-5 “But when the fulness of the time was come,
God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under
the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that
we might receive the adoption of sons” (Rom 10:1-5)
Col 2:12-14 “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also
ye are risen with him through the faith of the
operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
And you, being dead in your sins and the
uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened
together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was
against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of
the way, nailing it to his cross”
(Acts 13:38-39; Gal 3:8-14)
Christ elevated the Law, beyond mere ritual—
Mat 5:17-19 “Think not that I am come to destroy the
law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to
fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth
pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the
law, till all be fulfilled” Christ gave the Law its true value.
Mat 5:21-22 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of
old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill
shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you,
That whosoever is angry with his brother without a
cause shall be in danger of the judgment”
Mat 5:27-28 “Ye have heard that it was said…Thou shalt
not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever
looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed
adultery with her already in his heart”
Christ elevated the Law to touch the Conscience—
Heb 9:9-10 “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”
Isa 1:11-17 “To what purpose is the multitude of your
sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the
burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I
delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he
goats…Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an
abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the
calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is
iniquity…Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil
of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil”
Christ elevated the Law, beyond mere ritual—
Mat 23:23 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and
cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the
law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have
done, and not to leave the other undone”
Heb 10:28-29 “He that despised Moses' law died
without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how
much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be
thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son
of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant,
wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and
hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Heb 2:1-3)
Faith in Christ Jesus brings higher obligations, not a relaxation
of Divine standards. It’s redemption from the curse not removal.
Moses brought Israel out BUT Joshua brought them in
Heb 4:8-10 “For if (Joshua) had given them rest, then
would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
For HE THAT IS ENTERED INTO HIS REST, HE ALSO HATH
CEASED FROM HIS OWN WORKS, as God did from his”
JOSHUA—Type of Christ
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Called “Moses’ Minister” Exo 24:13. Obedient to the Law
Was also brought from Egypt Num 17. Shared our nature
Appointed to war with Amalek Exo 17:1-16. Overcame Sin
Brought Israel into Land Jos 1-6. Provided inheritance
Crossed Jordan Jos 1:3. Baptism makes seed of Abraham
Warred with nations Jos 5-24. Settles Israel in the Land
Told brethren to war Jos 24. Requires brethren to battle flesh
Dies before all subdued Jos 24. Provides example for success
“Whilst a mere historian, considering the work of Joshua, may well
imagine that he failed to thoroughly complete his conquests, a
Biblical Historian will realize that it was not intended for him to do
so. Biblical history is not limited to recording past events, but also
foreshadowing those to come…Christ’s victory over sin made it
possible for every individual saint to personally succeed…”—
Expositor, pg. 4
“Yahweh did not intend for Joshua to do everything for the people
of Israel any more than Christ will do everything for his followers if
they fail to give themselves to the fight of faith as instructed in the
World…The people had to be given the opportunity to personally
demonstrate their undivided fidelity to God, and therefore the work
of Joshua had to fall short of the absolute destruction of the
Canaanites, even as, sin in the flesh remains to be personally
overcome…as required by Yahweh, he was removed from the
scene, as was also his greater anti-type, the Lord Jesus Christ”
“Now after the death of Moses the servant of the
LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto
Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses
my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this
Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I
do give to them, even to the children of Israel” Jos 1:1-2
“It was not only Moses the man who died on Pisgah, but (this being
the fact of greatest importance) also Moses the Lawgiver, he who…
was so much the symbol and embodiment of it that his own name
came to attach itself…When he failed to take the people into the
material Rest, so also, simultaneously, did the Law…because the
Law never possessed, and was never meant to possess, the power
to do so in the first place. Not Moses, but Joshua was the appointed
agent—not the Law, that is, but that scheme of salvation realized in
him (Jesus) who bore the same name as his illustrious predecessor
(Heb. Joshua, cf. Acts 7:45; Heb. 4:8)”—Law and Grace, page 179.
Moses—The Law that brought Death
Joshua—Grace that brought Life
Jordan—Baptism into Christ
Land—Inheritance of Abrahamic Covenant
Mark 1:9 “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus
came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John
in Jordan” (Jordan is where Naaman was baptized—2Kin 5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only those passing through Baptism into Christ enter the Land—
Gal 3:26-29 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in
Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized
into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither
male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if
ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs
according to the promise”
“Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people,
saying, Pass through the host, and command the
people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three
days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess
the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to
possess it” Jos 1:10-11
• Three Days—Christ’s Death and Resurrection
• Victuals—trans. “meat, venison” This was a change in
diet from the Mosaic to Christ…
Heb 5:12-13 “For when for the time ye ought to be
teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which
be the first principles of the oracles of God (the Law);
and are become such as have need of milk, and not of
strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful
in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe” (John 6)
Calling out of Harlot—before entrance into the Land
“And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two
men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even
Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's
house, named Rahab, and lodged there” Jos 2:1
The “Harlot” represents the unfaithful religious system of
both Catholic and Protestant denominations (Rev 17:5)
Eureka, Vol 5. pg. 274-275
The Gospel message goes out to proclaim the ultimate
collapse of the systems of men; but before doing invites
those a part of its political and religious environment to
“Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of
her sins”—Rev. 18:4
• The Truth is all about inviting people out of gross
darkness (Eph 2).
“And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD
hath given you the land” Jos 2:9
This confession of Faith acknowledges Yahweh’s plan and
purpose with Israel and the Land of Promise.
Note: The figurative application of Joshua leading men
into the Land through the River Jordan is two-fold:
1. The event represents the need for redemption apart
from the Law; being baptized into Christ—both Jew
and Gentile.
2. The event also typifies the restoration of Israel to be
brought from the nations (Egypt) “a second time” (Isa
11); when Yahweh will make “a new covenant” with
Israel, even a greater covenant than that made to them
at Sinai, when they came out of Egypt (Jer 31:31-32)
Elpis Israel, pg 286-287, 446-457 “The Second Exodus”
“After three days…the officers went through the
host; And they commanded the people, saying, When
ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God,
and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall
remove from your place, and go after it. Yet there shall
be a space between you and it, about two thousand
cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may
know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not
passed this way heretofore” Jos 3:3-4
The Lord Jesus Christ is the anti-typical Ark (Heb 9). Thus,
under Joshua, the space between the Ark and the people
was “about two thousand cubits.” This represents the times
of the Gentiles, after which Yahweh’s people will “enter the
Land.” Significantly, this represented a “way” not known
before. That “way” is Jesus Christ (John 14:6)
“The Ark (the Lord Jesus Christ—Heb. 9:11) previously was
concealed in the midst of Israel (Num. 10:21), as the coming of
Messiah was concealed in the teaching of the Law and the
Prophets (1Pet. 1:10-11; Eph. 3:4-5); but it is now openly made
manifest before all called upon to follow it. So it was when the
Lord appeared in Israel 1900 years ago. As the Ark was borne by
the priests, so the priests of the New Testament proclaimed the
gospel before all men (1Pet. 2:1-11). It passed over the Jordan
about two thousand cubits before Israel did, as Christ ministered
to the people about 2,000 years before the last of those to be
saved will be brought in”—Expositor, page 46.
•
The name “Jordan” means to descend. It appropriately
represents mankind: ultimately headed toward death, unless
baptized into the saving Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“As they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and
the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in
the brim of the water…the waters which came down
from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far
from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those
that came down toward the sea of the plain, EVEN THE
SALT SEA, failed, and were cut off: and the people
passed over right against Jericho” Jos 3:15-16
The type is remarkable! Baptism into the greater Joshua
turns back the descending fall of man. The normal flow of
life is from “Adam” down to the “Salt” or “Dead Sea.” Only
by participating in the prescribed process were the people
able to “pass over” and inherit the Land. Without
identification and association with Christ in Baptism, there
is no opportunity to occupy the Land promised to
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
“And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of
the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of
Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry
ground, until ALL THE PEOPLE were passed clean over
Jordan” Jos 3:17
“It is significant that the word used for ‘people’ here and in Ch. 4:1
is gowy, a word normally reserved for Gentiles. It is from a root
signifying to mass, and therefore denoting a nation. The word is
rendered ‘nation’ in the R.V.”—Expositor, page 52.
The point advanced shows again our understanding of the Gospel
is the “key” to unlocking the Scriptures. Doctrinally, we know that
“all the Israelites” includes “the Gentiles” who have been graft
into the Hope of Israel (Rom 11; Acts 28). Baptism in the Jordan—
Christ—brings both Jew and Gentile the promise of Inheritance.
“The LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, Take you
twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of
the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests'
feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them
over with you, and leave them in the lodging place,
where ye shall lodge this night” Jos 4:1-3
The placing of 12 stones in Jordan and the removal of 12
others represents the Israel of God, by baptism—
Gal 6:15-16 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new
creature. And as many as walk according to this rule,
peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of
God”
• On this very principle John warned the Jews—
Mat 3:5-9 “Then went out to (John) Jerusalem, and all
Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were
baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But
when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come
to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of
vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to
come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
And think not to say within yourselves, We have
Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is
able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”
The 12 Men chosen to lead the Inheritance represent the 12
Disciples of the Lord, who were promised: “in the regeneration
when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also
shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel”
Mat 19:28
“For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst
of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the
LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people,
according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and
the people hasted and passed over” Jos 4:10
The center piece of the Ark was the “Mercy Seat”—a fit
representation of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 3:25; 1Jn 2;2).
In the type, the way of entrance into the Hope of Israel is
provided “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled”
(Luke 21:24; Rom 11:25).
The priests holding up the Ark are also typical of the
Saints (1Pet 2:5-9): the Ecclesia of God, the pillar and
ground of the Truth (1Tim 3:15) exalting Christ and
preserving the principles of baptism, “until every thing is
finished.”
(see verse 17)
“About forty thousand prepared for war passed over
before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho”
Jos 4:13
When Joshua and his brethren enter the Land after the
space of “two thousands” cubits, it will be militant.
Psa 149:6-9 “Let the high praises of God be in their
mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute
vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the
people; To bind their kings with chains, and their
nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the
judgment written: this honour have all his saints”
Rev 2:26-27 “He that overcometh, and keepeth my works
unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels
of a potter shall they be broken to shivers” (Dan 2:44)
“On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight
of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared
Moses, all the days of his life” Jos 4:14
The “times of the Gentiles” now elapsed, the Lord will be
magnified “in the sight of ALL ISRAEL”—significant phrase:
Rom 9:6 “Not as though the word of God hath taken
none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of
Israel”
Rom 11:25-27 “For I would not, brethren, that ye should
be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in
your own conceits; THAT BLINDNESS IN PART IS HAPPENED
TO ISRAEL, UNTIL THE FULNESS OF THE GENTILES BE COME
IN. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There
shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn
away ungodliness from Jacob”
Isa 11:10-12 “And in that day there shall be A ROOT OF
JESSE, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it
shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall
set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant
of his people…and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel,
and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four
corners of the earth…And there shall be an highway for
the remnant of his people…like as it was to Israel in the
day that he came up out of the land of Egypt”
Jer 31:31-32 “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD,
that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel,
and with the house of Judah: Not according to the
covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I
took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of
Egypt…” (Joshua rep. the New Covenant in the Age to Come)
“Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel
came over this Jordan on DRY LAND. For the LORD
your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before
you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God
did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us,
until we were gone over” Jos 4:22-23
“I quote this passage (Isa 11:12-16) by way of a hint to the reader
that if he would understand how Jehovah will arbitrate between
Israel and the existing nations when He grafts them in again, he
must give himself to know the particulars of their deliverance
under Moses; for the exodus under him is the type, or
representation, of their future exodus under the Lord of Hosts”
Elpis Israel, pg. 287 (Eureka Vol. 5, pg 76 Micah 7:15; Zec 10:6-12)
The inheritance of Israel under Joshua represented Israel going
beyond the Law and embrace the Messiah, as in the Age to Come.
“At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee
sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of
Israel the second time. And Joshua made him sharp
knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the
hill of the foreskins” Jos 5:2-3
Change of Nature for those who Inherit land with Joshua—
“(Circumcision) is a process that commences with baptism and
culminates with the bestowal of Divine nature at the coming of the
Lord”—Expositor, page 62.
“Except a man be born from above, he cannot SEE the
Kingdom of God…Except a man be born of water and of
spirit, he cannot ENTER into the Kingdom of God”—John
3:1-6
“Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God”—
1Cor. 15:50
For those “baptized into Moses” and were faithful in the “ecclesia
in the wilderness,” this represents the second baptism, “into
Joshua.” (Joshua, Caleb, the Priests). Furthermore, true
Circumcision identifies with the Lord Jesus Christ, not Moses—
Php 3:3 “For we are the circumcision, which worship God
in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no
confidence in the flesh” (Col 2:11; Rom 2:28-29)
The Circumcision for Israel was also “under Joshua” not “Moses.”
This principle is vital for the restoration of the Jews at the Second
Advent of the Lord. It must be of the heart (Deu 10:16; Jer 4:4;
Rom 2:28-29). This was a problem in the 1st Century Ecclesia—
Act 15:5 “But there rose up certain of the sect of the
Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to
circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of
Moses” (Acts 21:19-21)
“Now all the people that came out were circumcised:
but all the people that were born in the wilderness by
the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had
not circumcised…And their children, whom he raised
up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they
were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised
them by the way” Jos 5:5-7 Seed-Abraham includes all. Gal 3:26-29
“This uncircumcised generation passed over Jordan, whereas the
previous circumcised Israelites were denied entrance. Is not the type
clear? So Israelites and Gentiles will go into the Kingdom of God
because they “do by nature the things of the Law” (Rom 2:1315)…Therefore, this act of circumcision on the western banks of the
Jordan, taught that the Gentiles could be saved equally with
Israelites, if they embrace the Hope of Israel and submitted to the
requirements of the Law. Rahab and her household were cases in
point, for they accepted those conditions”—Expositor, pg. 64
“And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven
trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall
compass the city seven times, and the priests shall
blow with the trumpets” Jos 6:4
Hebrew word “shophereth” signifies the Jubilee Trumpet. This
period marked a time of liberty and inheritance (Lev. 25:8-17; Isa. 27:13)
Rev 11:15 “And the seventh angel sounded; and there
were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this
world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his
Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever”
Rev 16:16-17 “And he gathered them together into a
place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. And the
seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there
came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the
throne, saying, It is done”
Eze 20:33-37 “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely
with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and
with fury poured out, will I rule over you: And I will
bring you out from the people, and will gather you out
of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty
hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury
poured out. And I WILL BRING YOU INTO THE
WILDERNESS OF THE PEOPLE, and there will I plead with
you face to face. Like as I pleaded with your fathers in
the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with
you, saith the Lord GOD. And I will cause you to pass
under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of
the covenant. And I will purge out from among you
the rebels, and them that transgress against me…and
they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall
know that I am the LORD. ”
Rom 4:6-11 “Even as David also describeth the
blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth
righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they
whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are
covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not
impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the
circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also?
for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for
righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he
was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in
circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received
the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of
the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that
he might be the father of all them that believe, though
they be not circumcised”
• Both Abraham and David were outside the Law of Moses
THE FEASTS a Shadow of the Gospel—Lev 23
PASSOVER
Lev 23:5 In the fourteenth day of the first month at even
is the LORD’S passover.
Christ is called “our passover” (1Cor 5:7).
FIRSTFRUITS
Lev 23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto
them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto
you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall
bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the
priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to
be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the
priest shall wave it.
Christ is called the “firstfruits” to rise from the dead (1Cor 15:23).
PENTECOST
Lev 23:15 ¶ And ye shall count unto you from the
morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought
the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be
complete:
16 Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall
ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat
offering unto the LORD.
17 Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave
loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they
shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto
the LORD.
Jew and Gentile are the “two wave loaves”: also represented as
“firstfruits” (Jam 1:18; Rev 14:4). They were extended the Gospel
“fifty days” or Pentecost after the Lord’s resurrection (Acts 2:1).
MEMORIAL OF TRUMPETS
Lev 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In
the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye
have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an
holy convocation.
That this takes place in the “seventh month” symbolizes the coming
Kingdom Age. The “blowing of trumpets” is the very symbol used for
the resurrection (1Cor 15:52; 1The 4:16).
DAY OF ATONEMENT
Lev 23:27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month
there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy
convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls,
and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Atonement means “covering” or “clothing” of righteousness and
immortality for the saints . (1Cor 15:53; Rev 3:5; 19:8; 2Cor 5:3-4).
FEAST OF TABERNACLES (Ingathering—Harvest)
Lev 23:34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The
fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of
tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD…
39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when
ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a
feast unto the LORD seven days…
42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are
Israelites born shall dwell in booths:
This feast is also called the “feast of harvest…feast of ingathering”
(Exo 23:16) and adds strength to the shadow. This represents elect
of Israel assembled before the Lord (Mat 24:30-34 cf. Exo 23:17), and
therefore was observed when God’s people were “in the land.”
Accordingly, the “feast of tabernacles” will be observed by all
nations in the Age to Come (Zec 14:16-19)!
TABERNACLE: Exo 25-40…God Manifestation
Exo 25:8-9 “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I
may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee,
after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all
the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it”
Rev 21:1-4 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for
the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;
and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy
city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of
heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold,
the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with
them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall
be with them, and be their God.”
TABERNACLE—God manifested in His People (Rev 21:3)
PILLARS—Saints upholding the Truth (Gal 2:9; Rev 3:12)
ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERING—Christ/sacrifice (Heb 13:10)
LAVER—Cleansing of the Word of God (Eph 5:25-27)
INCENSE—Prayers of the Saints (Rev 8:3; 5:8)
LAMPSTAND—The Ecclesia of God (Rev 1:20; 2:1)
TABLE OF SHEWBREAD—Memorial emblems (1Cor 10:21)
MERCY SEAT—the Lord Jesus Christ (1John 2:2)
2Co 6:14-18 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness
with unrighteousness?... as God hath said, I will dwell
in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and
they shall be my people.”
THE SACRIFICES: Lev 1-7…Personal Dedication
Lev 1:3-9 “And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it
into his pieces. And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put
fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the
fire…the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is
on the fire which is upon the altar: But his inwards and
his legs shall he wash in water...”
Mark 12:28-34 “And the scribe said unto him, Well,
Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and
there is none other but he: And to love him with all the
heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the
soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour
as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and
sacrifices…(Jesus) said unto him, Thou art not far from the
kingdom of God”
Joh 5:45-47 “Do not think that I will accuse you to the
Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in
whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would
have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe
not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”
Luk 16:29-31 “Abraham saith unto him, They have
Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he
said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them
from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him,
If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will
they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead”
• “The New Testament is merely a commentary of the
Old”—John Thomas
If we do not understand Moses & the Old Testament
Scriptures, we can’t understand Christ & the New Testament.
2Co 3:7-14 “If the ministration of death, written
and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the
children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the
face of Moses for the glory of his countenance;
which glory was to be done away…not as Moses,
which put a vail over his face, that the children of
Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that
which is abolished: But their minds were
blinded: for until this day remaineth the same
vail untaken away in the reading of the old
testament; which vail is done away in Christ”
Exo 34 is an allegory of Israel’s blindness under the Law