What does that mean, and why is it important? Did you know that the word "type" cannot be found anywhere in the King James Version, Old or New Testaments? Obviously God did not consider it the least bit important. Why do you?
>>>As Adam had no earthly mother, I suggest that Christ had no spiritual mother.<<<
Do you have proof, or does it simply not seem ethical to your carnal mind? :) You do know that Israel was both the Lord's wife and son in the Old Testament, don't you? Do you have a problem with that, as well? See Jer 3:8, 14, 20, 22; 31:9, 32; Isa 54:5; and Hos 11:1 for examples.
I surmise you deem the "Church" more as people, than as Spirit. But it is a spiritual entity, that can be thought of in this way:
If the Father loved Christ from before the foundation of the world (John 17:24;) and if Christ was foreordained before the foundation of the world (1 Pet 1:20;) and if Christ suffered since the foundation of the world (Heb 9:26;) and if Christ was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8;) then what better way to nurture and comfort Christ after his resurrection than by the "Mother" Church?
When the "Church" delivered Christ, and He ascended to the Father, Satan was angry and went after the "Church:" first with a "flood," which I assume to mean contrary doctrine. When that didn't work, Satan went after the individual members of the Church (the remnant of her seed.)
Everything fits Revelation 12 perfectly, when the context of Galatians 4:25-26 is included.
Now recall this prophecy of the Church by Joel:
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." (Joel 2:32 KJV)
According to Joel there were two "types" (if you will) of early Christians: those who called on His name, and those whom he called: the chosen remnant. That remnant, like Christ, was chosen from before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4,) and they were the ones who first trusted Him (Eph 1:12.) After He was "delivered" (e.g., ascended to the Father,) then Satan went after that remnant.
It is important to note that the real chosen people were Christ and his faithful remnant, all chosen before the foundation of the world, and all out of Israel. That was the point of Romans 9:27 and 29: that "Israel" was comprised of only a remnant and a chosen seed, respectively: and, according to Joel, all were Christians.
There is another way to look at it. Christ was born knowing nothing, just like us. Recall that after his encounter with Satan; that is, after Christ rejected Satan's offer of all the kingdoms of the world (Matt 4:8-9,) angels came to Christ and ministered unto him. (Matt 4:11.) Christ was in a continual state of learning until his ascension to the Father. So, in a sense, Christ was also "being born" of the ("Mother") Spirit; and He was finally "delivered" just prior to his ascension to God and to his throne!
>>>I like your reasoning on these matters especially your use of scripture to support your arguments but your aversion to dispensationalism is telling.<<<
Dispensationalism is faulty, new-age theology, that marginalizes Christianity. What is there to like?
>>>A few verses to support my position, Proverbs 25:2, Romans 1:20, and 1 Corinthians 10:11. They suggest that both creation and history can be used for prophetic interpretation.<<<
Let's take each verse in order:
1) " It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter." (Proverbs 25:2)
I cannot disprove that verse supports your position; because I do not know what your position is. But I can assure you that chapter has absolutely nothing to do with what I have been explaining in Revelation 12. Rather, it appears to be a lesson in humility, with one of the best examples being this verse:
"For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen." (Proverbs 25:7 KJV)
2) "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20 KJV)
In this chapter Paul is warning against all sorts of ungodliness, generalized in this verse:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" (Rom 1:18 KJV)
In verse 13 Paul's admonition contains a similar "preamble" to the one he gives in Romans 11:25:
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits;" (Rom 11:25 KJV)
3) "Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (1 Corinthians 10:11 KJV)
This is another warning by Paul to the Church: this time against the sinful acts and deeds of the Israelites of the past. Again he begins his admonition in a manner similar to that in Romans 11:25.
>>>The types are there, the debate is in how they are used. There are lots of examples throughout scripture for instance you would not expect the pearl of great price to come out of Israel because the pearl comes out of the sea (nations). <<<
I still don't understand your use of the word "type," or why you feel it necessary to use it.
In the case of the parable of the pearl, the parable immediately before it refers to treasure hid in a field; and in another parable: that of the wheat and the tares, the field is the world. In another, the kingdom of heaven is a net that gathers sea creatures of every kind, which are then separated into the good and bad, like the wheat and the tares.
Therefore, it appears Christ was trying to teach the faithful that the kingdom will contain people of all kinds: both Jews and Gentiles; but only the righteous ones, or as Peter said:
"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2 Pet 3:13 KJV)
>>>Facts and Theories as to a Future State. <<<
That link is to some of Grant's new-age (Plymouth Brethren?) doctrine where he makes a big deal out of nothing.
>>>Question: did God write the acrostics in scripture or did men? <<<
All of the scripture is "written" by the finger of God. The scribes, like John of the Revelation, were mere instruments. That is why the writings of poor shepherd boys, like David, and uneducated fishermen, like Peter, put the works of the giants of the classics to shame. Peter explained it this way:
"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:19-21 KJV)
Peter is explaining that, unlike the words of today's commentators, who attempt to interpret prophecy for us: prophecy came direct from God, void of the interpretation of "middle-men." Therefore, we can have faith in the infallibility of the scripture.
Philip