Preaching The Grace Of God
From The King James Bible – Dispensationally Delivered
Berean Bible Church – Edgewater, Florida – Doug Dodd s.b.g. - Pastor

Introduction

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary - TYPE,

• The mark of something; an emblem; that which represents something else.
• A sign; a symbol; a figure of something to come; as, Abraham's sacrifice and the Passover lamb, were types of Christ. To this word is opposed antitype. Christ, in this case, is the antitype.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary - AN'TITYPE, n. [Gr. against, and a type, or pattern.]

A figure corresponding to another figure; that of which the type is the pattern or representation. Thus the paschal lamb, in scripture, is the type of which Christ is the antitype.

An antitype then, is something which is formed according to a model or pattern, and bearing strong features of resemblance to it.

Reasons for typological study and study of the Old Testament in general

1. Typological study opens up the Old Testament in a new light. The old and boring (to some) books of the Pentateuch spring to life when you understand the types that they represent.
2. Typological study teaches, admonishes us and exemplifies interdispensational principles. For example:

 

1Corinthians 10 1 Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Note: The word "ensamples" in the above verse can be defined as "in type"

Rom 15:3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. (Ps. 69:9, 20 cf. Jn.15:24-25) 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

 

    3. Study of the Old Testament is necessary for the full development of the grace believer.

Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to (1) my gospel, and (2) the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and (3) by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

The stabilization of the believer in the dispensation of the grace of God is accomplished in accordance with the pattern set forth in these verses. Notice the order and content each "phase" establishes.

"My Gospel" is the very first item with which the believer is to be aquatinted. The believer is made stable in his faith when he understands that the gospel committed to the apostle Paul, is that gospel which saves today and is not to be confused with the gospel of the kingdom preached by Peter and the 11 to the nation of Israel.

"The preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery" is the next level of understanding. It builds upon the first foundation and further establishes the saint by teaching him all that God is free to do for us today based upon the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ . It teaches us the grace of God. It teaches the doctrine duty and destiny of the church the body of Christ.

"And by the scriptures of the prophets" is the third level of understanding. Paul says: 2 Tim 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:. It is only "after" we understand the revelation given to Paul that we really begin to grasp the teachings of the Old Testament.

How sad it is that serious students of the word of God are so often directed to do just the opposite in their Bible study, for most are told to begin in Genesis or Matthew or John. These books are in the Old Testament and should be understood in the light of the Pauline revelation.

In this study we will look at the typology surrounding….  

The Brazen Serpent
Main Analogies Or Similarities 

Num 21:4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

 There are at least four analogies we can draw from the record of the Brazen Serpent.

Sin - Num 21:5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

Here we see man's condition regardless of the dispensational setting. The sinner speaks against God and against the messenger of God. They have forgotten HIS mercy; they have forgotten HIS provision; they long to go back to the slave market; they loath the provision that God has made for them. They are dead, dominated, driven and doomed.

Suffering - Num 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

 Sin brings suffering, again regardless of the dispensation. The sin here is the rejection of God, his message and messenger. This is the condition of the world today. Sinners have been snake bit by sin. With all our modern technology the death rate is still one apiece. This is because sin brings about death.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Supplication - Num 21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

The need of sinners is to see their plight. They cannot help themselves. They cannot save themselves. The must turn to the one who can help them. The must turn to the only one who will help them. Notice here again that it is God, his message and messenger that the people have sinned against. It is a package deal. You must come to God on his terms. Religion, tradition nor denominationalism can save for it mishandles the word and message of God. No the sinner must enter in at the strait gate and so they call to Moses, God's chosen messenger, to pray for them.

And so today, the blinded sinner who needs to come to Christ will find his way barred by the false redemptive systems. Moses was not bitten by the serpents. He was not like the rest of the world. Any man could see that he was different because he was God's man!

My dear friend, if you are saved, if you have trusted Christ and Christ alone for salvation look around and see if you are being a light house for the lost. For as our pilot Paul says: 1 Th 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

Salvation - Num 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

  We now come to our fourth analogy and it is very dear. Notice that salvation comes from a look. The sinner is not capable of anything else. Look and Live must have been the cry of Moses! Notice too that it is a serpent of brass! Brass is a type of judgment and so the sinner must look on the very thing that bit him but now in a different light. Sin has been judged! Paul says that Christ was MADE sin for US! Beautiful words! Wonderful words! Wonderful words of LIFE!

See now that Moses placed the serpent on a pole and lifted it up. The Lord Jesus Christ said: John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

Lifted up was He to die
It is finished was his cry
Now in heaven exalted high
Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

  Notice too, that salvation takes place outside the tabernacle, apart from the offerings, apart from the Levitical priesthood, …. You have to be saved before you can partake of God's blessings…

We Turn Now To The Main Aspects Of The Brazen Serpent And We Identify 3 Truths

First Its Appointment

1. It was prescribed by God, so too the cross of Christ is appointed for salvation. Nails in His hands, Why? I used them to do things I should not do! Nails in His feet, Why? I went places I ought not to go! Crown of thorns on His brow, Why? I thought some things I should not have thought! Spear thrusted into his heart, Why? Wrong Affections! At The Cross, At The Cross Where I First Saw The Light! And the burden of my heart rolled away! 

2. It was the ONLY divinely appointed remedy.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. -

1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

3. It was conspicuous - It was erected high in the camp… even so Christ was lifted up.

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Secondly Its All - Sufficiency 

1. It availed wherever a man was bitten. There is provision for all manner of sin. Christ died for all sin, for all men, for all time!

1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

2. It availed however serious a man's condition. So Christ the type saves the worst of sinners!

1 Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. If Christ can save the chief of sinners he can certainly save me and you!

3. It availed whoever was bitten! So is Christ the cure for all!

Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Unto All speaks of unlimited provision!

Upon All speaks of limited atonement! The condition to salvation is belief! Just as the sinner had to look and live at the brazen serpent for that was all he could do, today all we can do is to believe! Believe that Christ died FOR our sins. Believe that He was buried and rose again as the author and finisher of eternal life! Will you believe?

Do you believe that Christ died FOR your sins? YES! Why? Because the word of God tells me so!

Do you believe that Christ was buried and rose again? YES! Why? Because the word of God tells me so!

Do you desire to have eternal life? Why not thank God right now for that precious gift that is yours the moment you believe? Why not trust him right now? The serpent of sin has struck and you will die but you need not die in your sins! Trust Christ now! Trust Him Today! - 2 Cor 6:2b… in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

1. It was enough! Some do not think he paid enough its true. Some think they can lose what God through Christ paid for. Some sing… Jesus paid a part and I a part you know. NO! Jesus paid it all! All to him I owe! Sin had left a crimson stain! HE washed it white as snow!

Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Heb 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

2. It was infallible - it never fails! He never loses those who have come to him for salvation! Even as the apostle Paul the apostle to the Gentiles, writing in the dispensation of the grace of God reminds us when he says: 2 Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

 

Thirdly We See Its Appropriation

1. It was very easy! Life came by a look. So salvation is by the look of faith today.
2. It was individual! Each person must look for himself! - So the gift of eternal life in Christ today must be appropriated individually.
3. It was instantaneous! No hint of gradual or delayed cure! So it is with Christ today! Eternal life can happen right now where you are.

Conclusion

There is much for us to learn from the Old Testament. We must, however approach it from a Pauline understanding. Not to do so will lead to confusion. There is a difference between learning a lesson from Typological study and practicing the type! We would never today lift up a brazen serpent but we can learn from and be admonished by the types of Christ in the Old Testament.

To you who have never put your trust in Christ now is the time! The Law condemns you and sin will kill you but the grace of God will save you!

To you who are saved the world needs to hear … 1 Cor 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

How is your life demonstrating the life of Christ? Can the world see Christ in you.. the hope of glory? Today would be a good day to say as Paul did…. Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

 

~finis~