A Biblical Vision, Part I: Mastering the Old Testament Witness to Christ

Sess ion 4: Jesus as Ful f i l lment of the Tabernacle, Pr iesthood, Sacr i f ices, and Fest ival s 73

V. Principles and Implications for Old Testament Study

Heb. 8.1-6 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, [2] a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. [3] For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. [4] Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. [5] They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” [6] But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. make everything according to the

What are the implications of seeing that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament pictures in the tabernacle and the priesthood?

A. Principles in our study of the Old Testament

1. The Old Testament provides a comprehensive witness to Messiah and his Kingdom in the Old Testament sacrificial system.

2. Jesus is the substance and fulfillment of the body of the Tabernacle , the Levitical priesthood, the sacrifices within ceremonial Judaism, and the feasts and festivals.

3. Jesus of Nazareth represents the antitype of the major personages, events, and institutions which are prefigured in the Old Testament sacrifices and priestly offices.

4. In all of Israel’s history and worship, if we look carefully through the tutelage of the Holy Spirit, we will see in the Scriptures the person of the Lord Jesus Christ , who himself is the center of the Scriptures, our dear Redeemer and Savior.

B. Critical implications

1. In a real sense, the person of Jesus Christ is the telos (end and goal) of the entire sacrificial and worship system of the Hebrew religion. He is Lord, even over religion itself. (Cf. Rom. 10.1-4 – Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. [2] I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to