THE ANTI-TYPICAL LEVITES
Is there any question as to there being an antitype?
Surely not when we summarize the preceding paragraphs and note afresh the minuteness of detail given us by God's Word in regard to this class. In brief, the Scriptures teach:
1) On the Passover night the first-born of Israel were saved by the blood of the paschal lamb.
2) For a permanent memorial they are exchanged for the tribe of Levi, which is set apart to spiritual service.
3) From the Levites the high priest and under-priests are selected.
4) Under the supervision of the priests, the Levites perform the tabernacle service and are also instructors of the Law to the people.
Thus far we have merely recited the Scriptural facts upon which all will agree. In interpreting these facts, however, patience must be exercised by all, inasmuch as there is some honest and sincere disagreement. Taking the above points in the same order, the following appears to be their logical interpretation:
(1) The Passover night represents the period of the Gospel Age, during which a class from amongst mankind, namely the Church of the First-born (Heb 12:23) are delivered from the danger of destruction by the "sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ," the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world. (1 Pet 1:2; Rom 5:9; Rev 5:9; Acts 20:28; John 1:29, 36; Rev 13:8) These are "passed from death unto life" and are become "a kind of first-fruits of His creatures" and "the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb." "For Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." - James 1:18; Rev 14:4; 1 Cor 5:7
The deliverance of the world follows that of the Church, and was pictured in the departure from Egypt (Satan's order) of all Israel AFTER the "passing over" of the first-born. The next morning typified the millennial morning; and the subsequent passing through the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh's hosts, pictured the work of the Restitution Age culminating in the final removal of all evil forces.
(2) The selection of the tribe of Levi as permanent representatives of the first-born and their separation to the tabernacle ministry can well represent the called-out class of Christians consecrated to God's service. These constitute the "household of God" and are "the household of faith"; the "Church of the First born, which are written in heaven." (Eph 2:19; Gal 6:10; Heb 12:23)
These are set apart to God's service and have made with Him “a covenant by sacrifice" (Psa 50:5; Rom12:1); thus, emulating their Master, whose footsteps they seek to follow in fulfilling their vow to do not their own, but the divine will.
(3) The elevation of some of the Levites to the Priesthood, comprising a High Priest and under priests seems to teach an eventual separation of these called-out, consecrated ones into two classes.
Other Scriptures bear out this thought of a division of true believers into two classes. Actually, all believers, sincere and otherwise, can be listed under four headings, viz.: those who go into the Second Death; those who are mere professors, "tares" (a.k.a. nominal Christians); and the two classes mentioned by the apostle Paul in the oft-quoted words of 1 Cor 3:11-15:
"Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and. the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abides which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he him-self shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
Here then, are two Christians, both justified, consecrated, and spirit-begotten, justified, because they build on the only true Foundation (Psa 40:2; Matt 7:24; 1 Cor ,10:4); consecrated, because none can be related to the Master except, they take up their cross and deny themselves; spirit-begotten, because they are building A SPIRITUAL STRUCTURE.
(NOT an earthly structure as our JW friends would have some to believe).
"No man takes this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Heb 5:4,) Both have come "under the blood"; both are antitypical first-born and consequently, antitypical Levites. Both are endeavoring to emulate the High Priest of their profession (Heb 3:1); both are PROBATIONARY members of the Royal Priesthood. (1 Pet 2:5, 9)
The superstructure they must build is that crystallization of character, of spiritual principles that attainment of Christ-mindedness which is best summed up in the one glorious resolution: "Not my will but Thine, O Lord, be done." Theirs is a purely voluntary walk, neither demanded by the justice of God, nor coerced by His Power. Their attainment of the divine goal, joint-heirship with Christ, depends entirely upon the carrying out of their consecration vows, by means of the "grace sufficient" God has promised to supply.
"Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice." (Psa 50:5)
Both are called in the one hope of their calling, but only the one is chosen and abides faithful. Only the one follows the "Lamb whithersoever He goes." The other, alas, fails to realize that complete submission of self-will requisite for complete overcoming, and consequently is unable to endure the fiery tests which come in the "way" of suffering with Christ. Nevertheless, they are beloved of the Lord, for their failure is not due to willful sin, but solely to an avoidance of the sacrificing necessary to carry out the terms of their covenant.”
We will consider the fourth point mention above in our next post.
Is there any question as to there being an antitype?
Surely not when we summarize the preceding paragraphs and note afresh the minuteness of detail given us by God's Word in regard to this class. In brief, the Scriptures teach:
1) On the Passover night the first-born of Israel were saved by the blood of the paschal lamb.
2) For a permanent memorial they are exchanged for the tribe of Levi, which is set apart to spiritual service.
3) From the Levites the high priest and under-priests are selected.
4) Under the supervision of the priests, the Levites perform the tabernacle service and are also instructors of the Law to the people.
Thus far we have merely recited the Scriptural facts upon which all will agree. In interpreting these facts, however, patience must be exercised by all, inasmuch as there is some honest and sincere disagreement. Taking the above points in the same order, the following appears to be their logical interpretation:
(1) The Passover night represents the period of the Gospel Age, during which a class from amongst mankind, namely the Church of the First-born (Heb 12:23) are delivered from the danger of destruction by the "sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ," the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world. (1 Pet 1:2; Rom 5:9; Rev 5:9; Acts 20:28; John 1:29, 36; Rev 13:8) These are "passed from death unto life" and are become "a kind of first-fruits of His creatures" and "the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb." "For Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." - James 1:18; Rev 14:4; 1 Cor 5:7
The deliverance of the world follows that of the Church, and was pictured in the departure from Egypt (Satan's order) of all Israel AFTER the "passing over" of the first-born. The next morning typified the millennial morning; and the subsequent passing through the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharaoh's hosts, pictured the work of the Restitution Age culminating in the final removal of all evil forces.
(2) The selection of the tribe of Levi as permanent representatives of the first-born and their separation to the tabernacle ministry can well represent the called-out class of Christians consecrated to God's service. These constitute the "household of God" and are "the household of faith"; the "Church of the First born, which are written in heaven." (Eph 2:19; Gal 6:10; Heb 12:23)
These are set apart to God's service and have made with Him “a covenant by sacrifice" (Psa 50:5; Rom12:1); thus, emulating their Master, whose footsteps they seek to follow in fulfilling their vow to do not their own, but the divine will.
(3) The elevation of some of the Levites to the Priesthood, comprising a High Priest and under priests seems to teach an eventual separation of these called-out, consecrated ones into two classes.
Other Scriptures bear out this thought of a division of true believers into two classes. Actually, all believers, sincere and otherwise, can be listed under four headings, viz.: those who go into the Second Death; those who are mere professors, "tares" (a.k.a. nominal Christians); and the two classes mentioned by the apostle Paul in the oft-quoted words of 1 Cor 3:11-15:
"Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and. the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abides which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he him-self shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
Here then, are two Christians, both justified, consecrated, and spirit-begotten, justified, because they build on the only true Foundation (Psa 40:2; Matt 7:24; 1 Cor ,10:4); consecrated, because none can be related to the Master except, they take up their cross and deny themselves; spirit-begotten, because they are building A SPIRITUAL STRUCTURE.
(NOT an earthly structure as our JW friends would have some to believe).
"No man takes this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Heb 5:4,) Both have come "under the blood"; both are antitypical first-born and consequently, antitypical Levites. Both are endeavoring to emulate the High Priest of their profession (Heb 3:1); both are PROBATIONARY members of the Royal Priesthood. (1 Pet 2:5, 9)
The superstructure they must build is that crystallization of character, of spiritual principles that attainment of Christ-mindedness which is best summed up in the one glorious resolution: "Not my will but Thine, O Lord, be done." Theirs is a purely voluntary walk, neither demanded by the justice of God, nor coerced by His Power. Their attainment of the divine goal, joint-heirship with Christ, depends entirely upon the carrying out of their consecration vows, by means of the "grace sufficient" God has promised to supply.
"Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice." (Psa 50:5)
Both are called in the one hope of their calling, but only the one is chosen and abides faithful. Only the one follows the "Lamb whithersoever He goes." The other, alas, fails to realize that complete submission of self-will requisite for complete overcoming, and consequently is unable to endure the fiery tests which come in the "way" of suffering with Christ. Nevertheless, they are beloved of the Lord, for their failure is not due to willful sin, but solely to an avoidance of the sacrificing necessary to carry out the terms of their covenant.”
We will consider the fourth point mention above in our next post.
