Typography in the Temple

The temple in ancient Israel, also known as the sanctuary, served as the greatest lesson on the plan of salvation ever given to God’s people. Its symbols and ceremonies lead us into a greater understanding of the mystery of salvation. In types and shadows we learn of Christ’s earthly mission as the Lamb of God, and His role as High Priest, Advocate, Judge, and King.

In the sanctuary we see sanctification, glorification, and justification by faith. In the sanctuary we learn more about Jesus, His character, His heavenly system of government, and His hopes and objectives for the people of God.
What a pity that some would discard the Old Testament as worthless today, teaching that it belonged to the old dispensation without relevance to those living after the cross. The New Testament says this:

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4).

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Corinthians 10:11).

Jesus Fulfills the Old Testament

We must not neglect the Old Testament. It is full of blessings and warnings for us today. Jesus Himself testified that the Old Testament testified about Him when he said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).

Jesus did not come to do away with the writings of the Old Testament. He came to fulfill them. The first five books of the Bible, the Torah, were written by Moses and were a testimony to the plan of salvation. The prophetic books were written to remind God’s people of these truths and to unfold to them more fully their duty toward God. The Psalms form a miniature Bible by themselves—a written history of God’s people. They are prophetic and contain songs of praise to God.

The New Testament is the true fulfillment of the Old Testament. Jesus said this:

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 (Matthew 5:17-18).

Read the next article to learn about the Old Testament moral and ceremonial laws that point to Jesus the Messiah.