We should be able recognize types in the history given in Scripture, or in the dialogue or poetry of the prophets. It is true that sometimes we see paradoxes in Scripture. Despite that, our guide posts, and our limits, should be the clear statements of Scripture, and never should symbolism be used to contradict plain statements of the Bible. So what are some of the clues
- When we are given verbal links or clues.
Notice that Isaiah calls someone a Branch.
“In that day, Yahweh’s branch will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the beauty and glory of the survivors of Israel.”
Isa 4:2 WEB
Later someone is called a tender shoot, a root.
“For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: …”
Isa 53:2 WEB
Then Jeremiah speaks of a Branch of David.
“Behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.”
Jer 23:5 WEB
And the prophet Zechariah says for the Lord, “for, behold, I will bring forth my servant, the Branch.” in Zech 3:8 WEB. All of which indeed applies to One Special Servant of God, Jesus the Christ.
So similar words and word links, verbal links, related adjectives or names, often cause us to realize that certain prophecies should be interpreted together. A times though, it is,
2. By plain statements such as Jesus makes concerning Jonah.“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Mtt 12:40 WEB.
3. At other times it is when the words seem to have no parallel in the prophet’s life, or the wording seems exaggerated, or not to fit in the history following the prophet’s times. What may seem like cracks and flaws in a narrative, these little pieces of seeming “contradiction” or “exaggeration,” or seeming “to not fit what happened,”… (we speak as a man), causes us to ask with the Ethiopian eunuch, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?” Act 8:34 WEB.
These are some of clues that cause us to recognize events and texts as types of a more distant fulfillment. There are many more details on types in Scripture, especially in Prophecy Principles.
We should not be as Jesus said of His disciples, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!”
Lk 24:24 WEB.
We should remember that “improbable” or “incredible” or “I haven’t seen that before” (as for instance when the Jews or Gentiles thought about the resurrection) is not necessarily equal to “impossible” or “false.” We need to read and study with hearts and minds that are open to learning the wonderful things that God has done, and will do.
WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901