++++Think that Jesus Christ was just a container for God, not actually God in flesh?
Think that Jesus Christ was created by God, just a creature, not God?
Think that Jesus Christ is akin to the ark, a created thing, not God?<++++
The very ARK, the container itself was a type of christ, are you saying Mary was equal to Christ?
There is no question but that the Ark was a figure of spiritual things as was the entire tabernacle (Hebrews 9:8-9). It was a type or pattern of things in Heaven (Hebrews 9:23, Revelation 11:19). Let us contemplate some of the particular aspects of this symbolism:
A. The Wood - The shittim wood used in the construction of the Ark has always been viewed as a type of Christ’s human nature (John 1:14). It points to the condescension of Christ in coming in the form of a man (Isaiah 53:2).
B. The Gold - The Ark was overlaid with gold inside and out. This has always been seen as a type of Christ’s divine nature (John 1:1). The wood and the gold united in one Ark reveal the two natures of Christ united in one person (I Timothy 3:16).
C. The Ark’s Contents - In Hebrews 9:4 the contents of the Ark are listed. There is a symbolic significance associated with each of these items:
(1) The stone tables of the law received by Moses on Mt. Sinai were placed in the Ark and gave it the name “Ark of the Covenant.” This pointed to Christ as the one who not only kept the law but had it in His heart (Psalm 40:7-8, Galatians 4:4). In Christ the law was fully honored while at the same time mercy was made possible (Psalm 85:10).
(2) Aaron’s rod that budded was placed in the Ark. A careful reading of Numbers 16 & 17 will show that this rod was a symbol and proof of priestly authority. In the Ark it signified that Christ was the great high priest of God’s choosing.
(3) A pot of manna was kept in the Ark. This not only reminded Israel of God’s provision for them but also pointed to Christ as the bread of life (Exodus 16:32-34, John 6:48-51).
D. The Golden Crown - The crown or cornice on the Ark called attention to the kingship of Christ. As a priest after the order of Melchizedek our Saviour is both priest and king (Hebrews 7:1 & 17). Some have referred to the Ark as God’s throne on earth.
E. The Mercy Seat - The Mercy Seat was the solid gold lid that set on the Ark. The Hebrew word translated “Mercy Seat” means propitiatory or the place where propitiation is made. To propitiate means to pacify or conciliate an angry party. God was angry with us as sinners but Christ became our propitiation or mercy seat (Romans 3:25, I John 4:10).
Once a year the great high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood of sacrifices on the Mercy Seat (Leviticus 16:1-15). This was a foreshadowing of Christ’s redemptive work (Hebrews 9:1-8, 12, 24).
His blood enables the Father to forgive our sins (Ephesians 1:7). The publican in Luke 18:13 prayed for mercy. The Greek word translated “merciful” could be translated propitious or mercy seat.
F. The Golden Cherubim - The cherubim overlooking the Mercy Seat reveal the interest that the angels have in the saving work of Christ (I Peter 1:12, Ephesians 3:10). Note: Some have used the cherubim to justify the use of idols and images in worship. They forget that while there were images of cherubims there were no images of God.
G. The Pillar - The Shekinah glory that hovered over the Mercy Seat was a manifestation of God’s glory (Psalm 80:1 & 99:1). God met with His people through the mediation of Jesus Christ (I Timothy 2:5). He dwelt with Israel at the place where the blood was sprinkled. The entire tabernacle revealed God dwelling with His people through Christ (John 1:14).
http://www.firstbaptistchurchindependence.org/tabernacle.ark.cov.html
Only Catholics that keep trying to legitimize their worship of Mary want to turn a type of Christ into a type of Mary
That my friend is blasphemy
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I don’t know if you’ve been told this before, but we Catholics believe the Ark was an archetype of Mary, not Christ. This is because both carried the Word of God inside them.
We may disagree kindly, but at the very least, it cannot be said that the Catholic belief here is without merit. It’s unquestionable both the Ark and Mary bore the Word of God.
Actually, I’d be interested to hear the reason for believing the Ark was an archetype of Christ. For curiosity’s sake only. I see no reason to debate the topic as again, there is a perfectly valid reason to believe the Ark and Mary are similar types as well.
the Ark of the Old CovenantPlease do tell us if you believe the following:
- a container for the Word written down by Moses.
- Not God, just a container, something created
- Not God, just a container, filled with the grace of God
- Not a sacrifice, not a teacher, not a preacher
Christ
- God and man
- 100% God and 100% man, not a container, not a phantom, not just a spirit, but God in flesh
- The Word incarnate, not a container for the Word
- Begotten not made, not created -- not a creature
- Preacher, teacher, Lord, God, not a container, not a created being
The Ark’s Contents-- however, do note that the Ark is NOT God, but just a created thing. Do you by comparing Christ to the Ark believe that Christ was a created being, NOT God?
The stone tables of the law
Aaron’s rod
A pot of manna
etc. etc.
Only Catholics that keep trying to legitimize their worship of Mary want to turn a type of Christ into a type of Mary
That my friend is blasphemy
INDEED.
However, Jesus had to exert His own free will, and to devote Himself continually to being obedient to the Father’s willSo do you believe in free will? Here's another article from your website that supports free will
C. S. Lewis said, “Our Lord . . . warned people to ‘count the cost’ before becoming Christians. Make no mistake,’ He says, ‘if you let me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other than that. You have free will, and if you choose, you may push Me away. But if you do not push Me away, understand that I am going to see this job through… I will never rest, nor let you rest, until you are literally perfect—until My Father can say without reservation that He is well pleased with Me’” (Mere Christianity, pp. 157-58).-- CS Lewis is good.
'Tis most certain and undeniable, that so far as the history of the primitive church is probably true, so far it is to be looked upon as probable; and so [far] as the state and general belief of those times, according to the exercise of reason, makes any other matters of fact relating to the apostles' times, or their doctrine, or anything else relating to the Christian religion [probable]; so far we are to look upon these or those things as more probable for it. So that we may be confirmed hereby, with a rational and right confirmation, with respect to the apostles' doctrines or facts; for this is but exercising our reason about the Scripture, and not the making another thing the standard of our faith. No man is to blame for making use of the fathers or primitive