PREVIOUS | UP | CONTENTS | NEXT |
Type (Model) | Antitype (Fulfillment) |
The Israelites were bitten by serpents resulting in death (Num. [[21:6|bible.4.21.6]]). | Adam and Eve, and by extension all of mankind, were "bitten by Satan" resulting in the curse of death (Gen. [[3:1|bible.1.3.1]], [[19|bible.1.3.19]]). |
Moses lifted up the serpent on a pole (Num. [[21:9|bible.4.21.9]]). | Jesus was lifted up on a tree (Acts [[5:30|bible.65.5.30]]). |
Moses placed a serpent on the pole (Num. [[21:9|bible.4.21.9]]). | Jesus was nailed to the cross. God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us (Isa. [[53:6|bible.23.53.6]], [[10|bible.23.53.10]]; 2Cor. [[5:21|bible.68.5.21]]). |
Merely looking on the serpent on the pole provided life (Num. [[21:9|bible.4.21.9]]).1 | Merely trusting in Jesus on the cross provides life (Isa. [[45:22|bible.23.45.22]]; John [[3:16|bible.64.3.16]]; Rev. [[2:7|bible.87.2.7]]+). |
The serpent was cursed (Gen. [[3:14|bible.1.3.14]]). | Christ was made a curse for us (Gal. [[3:13|bible.69.3.13]]). |
The serpent deceived man using a tree (Gen. [[3:6|bible.1.3.6]]; Num. [[21:9|bible.4.21.9]]). | Christ redeemed man using a tree (Acts [[10:39|bible.65.10.39]]). |
The serpent, representing sin, was brazen--a metal not consumed by fire, representing judgment (Num. [[21:9|bible.4.21.9]]). | Those who trust in Christ are sinners, but their sin is judged while they themselves are not consumed. |
Postribulationalists reject this conclusion, contending there is no reason why Christians in the last generation deserve to escape the great tribulation. The fact is, however, that Christians in every other generation have escaped the great tribulation, so there is no reason why the last should be singled out for participation in it.3
Notes
1 Looking on the serpent was an act demonstrating faith.
2 Did the saints of Moses' and Abraham's day understand the details of these types? Perhaps some--like Moses and Abraham--did, but the majority probably did not. Yet it is clear that those who maintained a close relationship with God and carefully studied His Word often understand subtleties which others were unaware of (Luke [[2:25-38|bible.63.2.25-63.2.38]]).
3 Henry Morris, The Revelation Record (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1983), Rev. 3:10.
PREVIOUS | UP | CONTENTS | NEXT |