in the New. In dealing with types we must be careful to note dissimilarity as well as

similarity. As well as there being points of similarity between Christ and Adam, or

Christ and Moses, there are many points of dissimilarity, especially when we consider the

sin and weaknesses of both Adam and Moses. One of the errors that can arise is to make

typical the elements of dissimilarity in a type, but this is guarded against if we carefully

note how the New Testament comments upon the types of the Old.

True typology is a species of prophecy, and in the Old Testament we have some of the

major and basic doctrines of the New Testament set forth in picture form, such as

redemption, justification and atonement. We should take care in typical study to avoid

extremes and flights of fancy. Some have been put off such study because of the

extremes to which certain expositors have gone.  The doctrine lying behind the

Tabernacle needs care. A spiritual equivalent cannot be found for every single detail, and

to try and produce this is not a mark of spirituality, nor is it sound. Another important

thing to remember is that we should never seek to prove doctrine from types unless there

is New Testament authority. There are at least six kinds of types in the Word of God:

(1) Persons, as we have seen,  (2) Institutions such as Old Testament sacrifices,

(3)  Offices,  Moses as prophet, Melchizedek as Priest-King,

(4)  Events,  The

wilderness wanderings,  (5) Actions, The lifting up of the brazen serpent in the

wilderness, (6) Things, such as the Tabernacle and its furnishings.

Linked with types, yet separate from them, are symbols. One difference between

them is the time element, a type being essentially a prefiguring of something future,

whereas a symbol has no definite reference to time. In a symbol there are two elements:

the idea which is mental, and the concrete image which represents it. It is well known

that the prophetical books of the Bible are full of symbols and it is largely because of this

fact that they are difficult to interpret.  Here again, unless we have some guiding

principle, the door is wide open to fancy, speculation and ridiculous extremes. We will

confine ourselves to Scriptural symbols and consider the interpretation of prophecy later

When we seek to understand a symbol in the Bible we should have a concordance by

us and be prepared to search and note every context where such a symbol is used, in other

words, compare Scripture with Scripture, which we have seen is fundamental to the true

interpretation of God's Word. We should carefully note if the symbol in question is

explained by another passage of Scripture, and if so, we must accept this and not force

upon it another meaning which is contradictory. Thus the wild animals of Daniel's

prophecy stand for nations under human rule and energized by Satan. We should be

helped by this when we come to interpret the wild beasts of the book of Revelation which

have a similar meaning, and refer to the heads or rulers of these nations.

We must note that there is sometimes double imagery in symbols. The Lord Jesus is

called "the lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev. 5: 5), and Satan too is likened to a "lion . . . . .