The Preincarnate Christ, Part III, Typology-
Another amazing proof of the Bible being the genuine Word of God is the incredible truth of typology. Typology is the people, places and events in the Old Testament that foreshadow and clearly point to the Person of Jesus Christ long before He was born. No one except God Almighty could possibly orchestrate this miracle. As is our custom, I will share a few examples on this blog that represent the countless “types of Christ” that are in the Old Testament.
1)In the book of Ruth, Boaz is the Kinsman Redeemer of Naomi who intercedes and saves Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth from financial destitution. Jesus is the ultimate Kinsman Redeemer who saves His believers from their sins. An Old Testament “type” clearly points to the New Testament fulfillment in Christ.
2)Old Testament Joseph is a representation of our Lord and Savior in countless ways. He was sold into slavery by his brothers and he later forgave them and bought them back. He was in jail with the butler and baker, one who was saved and the other was lost (just like Jesus in between the two thieves on the cross). Joseph was falsely imprisoned even though he did not sin (just like Jesus, he was falsely accused). Joseph was elevated to the highest position available just like Jesus who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The comparisons between Joseph and Jesus go on and on and on.
3)Noah’s Ark is a type of Christ. There was only one way unto the ark and anyone who did not enter the door of the ark could not be saved. EVERYONE else perished. Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to the Father except through Him.” (John 14:6)
4)The Passover in Exodus 12. People put blood on their doorposts from perfect lambs without blemish. The death angel passed over their homes because of this faithful act. Anyone who lacked the blood around their doors on that fateful night, lost the firstborn in their homes. The blood of Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, protects us from the wrath of God on the day of judgment. Jesus is called “the Lamb of God who died for the sins of the world,” by John the Baptist. He is called the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,” in Revelation 13:8. He is also called the “Passover Lamb,” since He fulfilled Exodus 12! Easter falls on the passover since Jesus is the Passover Lamb.
5)Abraham offered his only son Isaac on Mount Moriah, and at the last moment, God provided a substitute lamb that was Providentially caught in a thicket. Later on, God offered His only begotten Son Jesus Christ on the same Mount Moriah. Abraham was a type of the Father and Isaac was a type of the Son.
6)Abraham and Melchizedek. Read Genesis 14:18-20. Melchizedek was a mysterious priest in Salem who Abraham tithed to. Melchizedek offered Abraham bread and wine. Note the similar spelling of Salem and [Jeru]salem! Now read Hebrews 5:5-11; 7:1-28. These verses reveal Melchizedek to be a type of Christ. Melchizedek has no family lineage and no beginning or end. He offered the bread and cup (the Lord’s Supper) to Abraham long before Jesus died for our sins! Some theologians believe Melchizedek is actually a preincarnate appearance of Christ, that is, a theophany. (Theophanies will be discussed in detail in the final section of this study).
7)The book of Hebrews. Hebrews refers continually to how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament temple/tabernacle and the role of the high priest. This is an entire study in itself and replete throughout the book of Hebrews. When Jesus was crucified, the thick veil in the holy of holies was torn top to bottom since Jesus became our High Priest and we no longer needed the temple since Christ fulfilled it all! Everything in the tabernacle pointed to, and was later fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
8)I Corinthians 10:1-4,6,11. These verses tell us that Jesus was with the Israelites when they were in the wilderness. He was the Spiritual Rock from which they drank, and they were baptized with Moses in the sea. That all these things happened as examples for us (typology) is emphasized in verses 6 and 11.
9)King David was a profound type of Christ– He authored one half of the Psalms including countless prophecies of Jesus Christ, 1000 years prior to His birth! Like Jesus, David was born in Bethlehem, and he was a Shepherd, a Prophet, and a King!
10)So many animals were slain at the Jerusalem temple, that blood stains went to the bottom of Mount Moriah. Every oxen, goat, lamb, turtledove, bull and other animals were all finally fulfilled when Jesus died for the sins of the world. There is no need for any more animal sacrifice since Christ completed the sacrifice as the Perfect Sacrifice.
11)In the book of Esther, both Esther and Mordecai were types of Christ as they interceded for and saved the Israelites during their captivity in Persia.
12)Moses, the man of the law, was not allowed to cross the Jordan River since we can enter heaven and rest ONLY through our faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The man of faith, Joshua, crossed the Jordan River since only our faith can save us. Crossing the Jordan River was symbolic of our salvation and entering heaven. The law alone can only condemn us. Only our faith can save us. Hence Joshua (faith) crossed the Jordan River, but not Moses (law). Amazingly, Joshua is the Old Testament name that has the same meaning as Jesus. They both refer to salvation.
Even Steven 