BEREAN PICTORIAL CHARTS

While it may be too bold a statement that the idea of the Jubilee underlies the whole of the revelation of Scripture, one can safety say that the whole purpose of the ages appears to be constructed along the lines of the Jubilee. The present creation, with its six days’ work and seventh day rest, conforms to this idea, and the ever widening series of sevens, which are such a feature in Israel’s typical feasts and prophecies but confirm the close association of the age purpose and the type of the Jubilee.

The Jubilee and its glorious anti-type at the end of the ages cannot be separated from the atonement, and in all the types there is present the alternative to "the acceptable year of the Lord,” namely, "the day of vengeance of our God."

Not only does the Jubilee foreshadow the great purpose of the ages, but we find it colouring prophecy, doctrine, and hope. The prophecy of Dan. 9 is most obviously built upon the idea of the Jubilee, but instead of the period being one of 7 x 7 years, it is the longer period of 70 x 7 years.

The word translated "forgiveness" in Eph. 1:7 is the same as is used in the O.T. for the proclamation of "liberty." The second reference to redemption in Eph. 1 looks to the day when every man shall return to his own possessions. The use of the title "Kinsman-Redeemer" and the securing of the lost inheritance in the book of Ruth should also be taken into account.

Throughout Israel's history we meet with the blowing of trumpets. The overthrow of Jericho is intimately associated with the seven-times-seven, with the blowing of trumpets, with the scarlet thread, and with the execution of vengeance. Trumpets are associated with the second coming of the Lord, with the assumption of the kingdom, and with the resurrection.

It may not be granted to us all to attain to an earthly Jubilee, but we rejoice to know that not one of the redeemed of the Lord shall fail of that great anti-typical Jubilee, when "the creature itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

CHARLES H. WELCH.

Berean Pictorial Charts