Now we will study about the Covenant through the Bible, starting from the beginning, from Adam. In Scripture there are direct and indirect texts about the Covenant between the Father and the Son for the salvation of the world. One direct text is, for example, this one:
12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
This ‘Man’ whose name is ‘The BRANCH’ is Christ himself. He will sit on the Father’s throne and be a priest, and the ‘counsel’, that is, ‘Covenant’ of peace will be between them both. Here this Counsel, or Covenant between the Father and the Son is directly mentioned.
But in order to understand indirect texts, we must understand some biblical principles first. In the Bible there is a principle called ‘type - antitype’. This is actually picture - reality, or ‘lesser representation - some greater reality’. Type is the picture, and antitype is the reality. Perhaps the most famous picture or type from the Bible is the lamb as sacrifice which symbolized or ‘typified’, that is, was a type or representation of Christ, who was innocent and harmless as a lamb. That lamb was the type, and Christ was the antitype.
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
A type or representation in the Bible can be some person, some event, ceremonies, objects, positions or even places. Examples we can now mention in passing: the brazen serpent was a picture of Christ (Numbers 21:8-9, and John 3:14-15), Jonah who was in the whale’s belly and then cast out is a picture of Christ’s death and resurrection, bondage in Egypt is a representation of bondage to sin, Noah’s flood is a representation of baptism (1 Peter 3:20-21). But we will see through our studies that all prophets were types of Christ and many texts about them reveal to us details about the Covenant between the Father and the Son.
If we have this key and understand it correctly, then we understand and see that in the Bible there are persons who, in a certain segment of their life, in character, or in some work and ministry, or life, were a representation or type of Christ and His work or character, or even of the heavenly Father in some cases. So, not only animal sacrifices or some pictures, direct prophecies, parables or symbols, but even the biblical characters themselves, especially prophets and faithful people from the Old Testament, were a representation or type of Christ or sometimes even partially of the heavenly Father. And in those texts the Covenant between the Father and the Son is revealed to us. In Scripture there are also examples which are mentioned from which we see that the apostles understood this truth. Through further study we will cite and study all these examples.
If we understand this truth, then we have a key for unlocking and understanding Scripture. This key will unlock and open all Scripture for us and it will become clear and glorious to us.
When we see that various biblical persons who were faithful to God represented Christ, what is very important that is revealed to us there is also that through these biblical texts about these persons we also read God’s messages about the plan of salvation. God reveals to us the details of that plan. That plan of salvation is the Covenant between the Father and the Son. We see that when God speaks with some of His faithful servant prophets, when He gives them some prophecy or revelation, or when He makes some covenant with some of them, or when their character or work is described, that He actually in those texts reveals details of His Covenant with His Son in the plan for the salvation of the world. Even various covenants between God and some faithful people in the Bible also actually reveal to us details of the Covenant between the Father and the Son. This is the key to understanding Old Testament writings. If we have this key in our hands, the Covenant is revealed to us everywhere and the secret treasures of Scripture are opened to us.
Let us repeat a few things. That plan of salvation is the Covenant between the Father and the Son. It is revealed in Scripture in details through various covenants which God made with His faithful servants and through various revelations which He gave them in prophetic visions, various events and works and character of these faithful people. The records in Scripture reveal to us precisely in those descriptions the details of that Covenant which exists between the Father and the Son. This is what we will understand and clearly see through further study.
The Spirit of Prophecy confirms this to us in simple language:
“The story of a crucified and risen Saviour is the great central theme of the Word of God. In the Psalms, in the prophecies, in the gospels, and in the epistles, God has by revelation made prominent the vital truths concerning the agreement between the Father and the Son in providing for the salvation of a lost race.” {RH September 24, 1908, par. 1}
“…His Word is plain. If we will seek for a personal experience in submitting to its requirements, we may appropriate the promise, “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” As we study the Word prayerfully, with an obedient heart, the Holy Spirit will be with us to make upon our minds the correct application.” {RH September 24, 1908, par. 3}
“That which in the counsels of heaven the Father and the Son deemed essential for man’s salvation is clearly presented in the Holy Scriptures. The infinite truths of salvation are stated so plainly that finite beings who desire to know the truth cannot fail to understand. Divine revelations have been made for their instruction in righteousness, that they may glorify God and help their fellow men.” {CT 438.1}
The most important truths about the gospel, that is, the Covenant between the Father and the Son are clearly shown in Scripture. God has made them prominent in revelations for our understanding. The prerequisite is a humble and obedient heart. Without that, there is no understanding. There is a promise:
14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
“Those who consult the divine Oracle will have light. In the Bible every duty is made plain. Every lesson given is comprehensible. Every lesson reveals to us the Father and the Son. The word is able to make all wise unto salvation. In the word the science of salvation is plainly revealed. Search the Scriptures, for they are the voice of God speaking to the soul.” {8T 157.2}
“The Bible was written by holy men of old, as they were moved upon by the Holy Spirit; and this Book contains all that we know for certain and all that we can ever hope to learn in regard to God and Christ, unless, like Paul, we are taken to the third heaven.” {RC 77.4}
“The Bible teaches the whole will of God concerning the sons and daughters of Adam. It is the rule of life, teaching us what characters we must form for the future life. We need not the dim light of tradition to make the Scriptures comprehensible. As well might we suppose that the noonday sun needs the glimmering torchlight of earth to increase its glory. The utterances of priest or minister are not needed to save men from error. Those who consult the divine oracle will have light. In the Bible every duty is made plain. Every lesson reveals to us the Father and the Son. The Word is able to make all wise unto salvation. In the Word the science of salvation is plainly revealed. Search the Scriptures; for they are the voice of God speaking to the soul.” {ST October 10, 1906, par. 1}
All lessons reveal to us the Father and the Son, and that Covenant between the Two of them. The plan of salvation is simply revealed and made prominent in Scripture. But despite that, we need something more than ordinary human intelligence to understand these truths.
“Men may claim great intelligence, but they need more than human intelligence to grasp the revelations of the Word of God, which Inspiration declares have been hidden for ages. “The world by wisdom knew not God,” but “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” “As it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."" {RH August 19, 1909, par. 6}
The reason why something more than human mind alone is needed is that Scripture is spiritual, but man is carnal. When man receives a new heart, he becomes capable of understanding Scripture and the Spirit of Christ leads him in understanding.
“The scheme of redemption is not a common study. Had it been, so many souls would not have been disloyal to God. Commencing with the apostasy and the gospel presented to Adam and Eve in Eden, and tracing down prophetic history, the Word of God unfolds the plan of redemption, gathering fresh and increased evidence, until the fulness of the time came, and then Christ made His advent into the world.” {Ms76-1897.14}
“As a golden treasure truth was entrusted to the Jewish nation. The Jewish economy, bearing the signature of heaven, was instituted by the great Teacher, Jesus Christ. In types and shadows important truths and mysteries that needed an interpreter were veiled. The shadow pointed to the substance; and when Jesus came to our world, it was to let spiritual light shine forth.” {Ms76-1897.17}
Humility and willingness to make any sacrifice is needed for truth to be understood, and a teachable spirit like a little child because the plan of redemption is a holy subject and is not a common study.
“As men seek for earthly treasure, so are they diligently to search for the truth. The truth is to be regarded of higher value than anything else within the reach of man, and the searcher for truth must be willing to purchase it at any sacrifice or cost to himself. The word of God is the mine of truth, and the Lord would have us individually search the Scriptures, that we may become acquainted with the great plan of redemption, and take in the grand subject as far as it is possible for the human mind, enlightened by the Spirit of God, to understand the purpose of God. He would have us comprehend something of his love in giving his Son to die that he might counteract evil, remove the defiling stains of sin from the workmanship of God, and reinstate the lost, elevating and ennobling the soul to its original purity through Christ’s imputed righteousness.” {RH November 8, 1892, par. 2}
“No one can search the Scriptures in the Spirit of Christ without being rewarded. When a man is willing to be instructed as a little child, when he submits wholly to Christ, he will find the truth in His Word. If men would be obedient, they would understand the plan of God’s government. The heavenly world would open its treasures of grace and glory for exploration. Human beings would be altogether different from what they are now; for by exploring the mines of truth, men would be ennobled. The mystery of redemption, the incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice, would not be, as they are now, vague in our minds. They would be, not only better understood, but altogether more highly appreciated…” {ML 108.3}
Also, careful and persistent and patient study is needed:
“Thoughtful investigation and earnest, taxing study are required in order for this Word to be understood…” {LLM 250.7}
If we fulfill these conditions, then God will open Scripture to us. Then we will see that Christ and the plan of salvation through Him is seen in all Scriptures as the center:
“When Christ in His work of redemption is seen to be the great central truth of the system of truth, a new light is shed upon all the events of the past and the future. They are seen in a new relation, and possess a new and deeper significance. It is thus that God by His Holy Spirit has opened these things to His people.” {1888 806.2}
Paul understood this and he preached Christ, showing that He is found in all the OT writings:
“For three successive Sabbaths Paul preached to the Thessalonians, reasoning with them from the Scriptures regarding the life, death, resurrection, office work, and future glory of Christ, the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8. He exalted Christ, the proper understanding of whose ministry is the key that unlocks the Old Testament Scriptures, giving access to their rich treasures.” {AA 229.1}
Christ himself constantly emphasized that the Old Testament Scriptures testify of Him. They testify of Him much more than we understand or see now. But with God’s help, after these studies we will see more. Christ is everywhere in the Old Testament writings.
“The prophecies are to be studied, and the life of Christ compared with the writings of the prophets. He identifies himself with the prophecies, stating over and over again, They wrote of me; they testify of me. The Bible is the only book giving a positive description of Christ Jesus; and if every human being would study it as his lesson book, and obey it, not a soul would be lost.” {SpTEd 231.2}
“All the rays of light shining in the Scriptures point to Jesus Christ, and testify of him, linking together the Old and the New Testament Scriptures.” {SpTEd 231.3}
We will see that the Old Testament and New Testament are much more connected, and that the apostles understood Christ in the Old Testament and the plan of salvation revealed already in the OT better than we have thought until now. We will see many confirmations that we are not interpreting anything arbitrarily, but that the apostles understood things that way. The plan of salvation is revealed in Scripture more detailed and deeper than most Christians see, and that is the Covenant between the Father and the Son.
“Since the Saviour shed His blood for the remission of sins, and ascended to heaven “to appear in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24), light has been streaming from the cross of Calvary and from the holy places of the sanctuary above. But the clearer light granted us should not cause us to despise that which in earlier times was received through the types pointing to the coming Saviour. The gospel of Christ sheds light upon the Jewish economy and gives significance to the ceremonial law. As new truths are revealed, and that which has been known from the beginning is brought into clearer light, the character and purposes of God are made manifest in His dealings with His chosen people. Every additional ray of light that we receive gives us a clearer understanding of the plan of redemption, which is the working out of the divine will in the salvation of man. We see new beauty and force in the inspired word, and we study its pages with a deeper and more absorbing interest.” {PP 367.4}
“That which in the councils of heaven the Father and the Son deemed essential for the salvation of man, was defined from eternity by infinite truths which finite beings cannot fail to comprehend. Revelations have been made for their instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may glorify his own life and the lives of his fellow men, not only by the possession of truth, but by communicating it… The word is the great lesson book for the students in our schools. The Bible teaches the whole will of God concerning the sons and daughters of Adam. The Bible is the rule of life, teaching us of the character we must form for the future, immortal life. Our faith, our practise, may make us living epistles, known and read of all men. Men need not the dim light of tradition and custom to make the Scriptures comprehensible. It is just as sensible to suppose that the sun, shining in the heavens at noonday, needs the glimmerings of the torchlight of earth to increase its glory. The fables or the utterances of priest or of ministers, are not needed to save the student from error. Consult the divine Oracle, and you have light. In the Bible every duty is made plain, every lesson is comprehensible, able to fit men with a preparation for eternal life. The gift of Christ and the illumination of the Holy Spirit reveal to us the Father and the Son. The word is exactly adapted to make men and women and youth wise unto salvation. In the word is the science of salvation plainly revealed… “Search the Scriptures,” for therein is the counsel of God, the voice of God speaking to the soul.” {SpTEd 228.2}
Type (Typological):
As we have already said, a type is a picture or representation of something else, greater. In the Bible this can be some event from before, or someone’s character and life, someone’s words, and someone’s ministry - and all of this exists in the OT and all of it reveals to us in more detail the plan of salvation, the Covenant between the Father and the Son.
Since we are now at the beginning of studying the Covenant through the Bible, we will now give a few examples from Scripture about type-antitype.
High Priest - Picture of Christ:
Here is an example of a type that is mentioned in the New Testament:
4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
The word that is used here for ‘example’ is the word “hupodeigma” which means representation or imitation. Furthermore, the word for ‘shadow’ here is ‘skia’ which means shadow or shade. For the word ‘pattern’ stands in Greek the word ‘tupos’ (tipos), which means representation, example, model or pattern, form, or picture. This shows that Paul considered that type is actually a picture, shadow, or imitation or representation of something else. Paul understood this well, and we learn from him. Here it is about the Old Testament priest who serves in the Temple, that he is a picture or representation of Christ as the great priest who serves in the heavenly Temple for us. In this it is seen that this person was a representation of Christ in His ministry. He was the type, and Christ is the antitype. This shows us that people could in a certain sense be a representation of Christ. And we will see that the prophets were that. Regarding the high priest as he is a type of Christ we will study in more detail on another occasion.