GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 427 August 8, 2012SHADOWS AND TYPES OF CHRIST
"Who served unto the EXAMPLE and SHADOW of heavenly things..." Hebrews 8:5 a.
There are a lot of shadows and types in God's word. Each TYPE reveals SPIRITUAL MEANING ABOUT HEAVENLY THINGS. But, we must remember that the TYPES are just that; TYPES and SHADOWS. They show us a lot about Jesus and, even heaven; yet, the redemption value cannot be revealed in the types. The true offering for redemption shows that another has to die. The main character used in each type continues to live on; while another gives his life to finish the type.Such is the case in one of my FAVORITE TYPES; that of Joseph, a son of Jacob. And, this issue of GoodNewsLetter focuses upon the failure that each type has, within itself. We want to show why eachTYPE comes up short. In the life of Joseph, the TYPE of Christ is clear. He was sold by his brothers, just as Jesus was; became SECOND in command, just like Jesus is today. Yes! Joseph is a great type! And, Joseph shows the shortcoming of a type, as well. In Joseph and all the types and shadows, another additional TYPE has to enter the scene. A goat had to be killed to finish the meaning of the TYPE.Thus, every TYPE FAILS when we come to the blood sacrifice.The shadow and example of each story ends when it's time for a blood offering. NOTICE: WHEN IT COMES TO REDEMPTION, only the blood of Jesus can accomplish salvation. As in Joseph's case, a GOAT was killed and Joseph continued to live on. The life of JOSEPH could not continue on at this point and reveal Jesus. Each type provides a lot of what Jesus would do for fallen mankind. But, concerning the blood offering, another has to die. In the life of Joseph, his brothers had to kill a goat and smear the coat of Joseph for proof that he died. Then. they took their made-up story to Jacob; but, Joseph continue to live.One type that I really like is that of Moses. And here, I think that we can see the SHORTCOMINGS of SHADOWS TYPES in this leader's life. In every way, this faithful servant revealed many aspects of what Christ would do on behalf of all of us. But, right away, on the day of The Passover, we see that a LAMB was offered; not Moses. He would continue to take Israel up to the promise land. Then, it was time for another TYPE to enter. As a leader into the PROMISED LAND, God shows us that Joshua would take the place of Moses. It was time for more of the life of Christ to be shown in the life of another.We conclude this article by showing why the meaning of each TYPE comes up short. Study Hebrews 9:23. "It was therefore necessary that the pattern of these things in THE HEAVENS should be purifiedwith these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these."