From “Feast of Tabernacles,” Chapter 1- Continued
THE CHURCH IN OLD TESTAMENT TYPE AND PROPHECY
Before we begin to deal with the typical significance of the various Feasts of the Lord, it will be necessary for us to establish the fact that the Old Testament, in type and prophecy, is applicable to the Church of Jesus Christ on a spiritual plane. It is quite common among all evangelical circles to hear sermons which are based upon the Old Testament and expounded in the light of the New; but there are so many who would insist on a literal and natural interpretation if and when a spiritual interpretation would conflict with their theological views.
For example, there is no question as to the meaning of the Passover. It is established beyond all question that Jesus Christ is our Passover, who has been sacrificed for us. Then we have the type of the Unleavened Bread–and Paul exhorts the saints to keep this Feast, “not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Cor. 5:8). All Christians are agreed on this interpretation. Next in order is the waving of the Sheaf of Firstfruits before the Lord. That too, is generally recognized as having been fulfilled in Christ on resurrection morning: “Christ, the firstfruits…” Then comes Pentecost, occurring fifty days after the Passover sabbath–and the typical significance of this Feast is definitely established in the New Testament, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the waiting disciples to bestow upon them the promise of the Father. (Acts 2). But for some strange reason this pattern of Biblical exposition is forsaken, and men seek to postpone the last three events comprising the Feast of Tabernacles to some future age, and to a people other than the Church. And whereas the first four events are generally taught as being applicable to the Church in a spiritual way, the last three are given a most literal and natural and earthly interpretation, and consequently the real spiritual meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles is completely obscured and lost. It is essential therefore that the saints know for a certainty that the Old Testament was written for us, and that the truths which once applied to an earthly and natural Israel, are now gloriously applicable to a heavenly and spiritual Israel, only on a much higher and much more glorious spiritual plane. Much could be said concerning this, but we believe a few Scriptures will suffice for the purpose of this study: GHW
There is a saying that, “The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. If this is true, and I believe it is, we must see the hand of God in scripture. The books of the Bible were written at different times by different authors over a period of approximately 1,500 years. For the types in the Old Testament and the anti-types in the New Testament to correspond in such an incredible way, we can surely see that “16All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3;16-17 NASB). Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
We cannot say that the Old Testament is a dead book to us, that it only pertains to natural Israel and is therefore of no use to New Testament Christians. The Old Testament begins the beautiful story of God’s redemptive plan for His creation, that is finished in the New Testament, through the person and ministry of Jesus Christ.
As we look at the Feasts of Israel with Bro. Warnock, we will learn that some Feasts have multiple events and sub-types associated with them. But, in short, we will see that Passover has to do with our justification, Pentecost with our baptism in the Holy Spirit, and Tabernacles with our sanctification. Along the way we will also look at the Tabernacle of Moses in the same way: the outer court our justification, the inner court our baptism in the Spirit, and the most Holy Place our sanctification. There are other discoveries, too, that will be exciting and enlightening as we move along. As Bro. Warnock writes, “It is essential therefore that the saints know for a certainty that the Old Testament was written for us, and that the truths which once applied to an earthly and natural Israel, are now gloriously applicable to a heavenly and spiritual Israel, only on a much higher and much more glorious spiritual plane.” In the next lesson, Bro. Warnock will examine some scriptures for us.
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