1-7: In the Scriptures, physical objects reflect spiritual truths

I’m sure everybody here can relate to the power of a brand-name or symbol.  

For example, what does the following symbol mean to you?

Depending on who you are, the Statue of Liberty could be a powerful symbol representing hope and freedom.  

Or, if you are an Islamic extremist, it could represent the most evil empire in the history of mankind, “The Great Satan” as our enemies like to put it.

I know I’m stating the obvious but it is not the symbol in an of itself that provokes a strong reaction.

It is the underlying reality or idea it points to that incites a strong reaction.

This brings me to the next fundamental God principle I want to introduce.

I have decided to term it the “As-in-Heaven-So-on-Earth Principle”. 

The idea is that in the Scriptures and in the NT, physical objects are often but a shadow of something spiritual.

This idea is expressed through God’s OWR (light). 

Because God’s light is both spiritual and physical. 

Another example is the physical Garden of Eden, which is a model of heaven. 

Here is an interesting question. 

Later on in the Scriptures, do you know what physical object will be modeled after the Garden of Eden? 

The answer is the tabernacle.

  The important point that I want you to get from all of this is to keep in mind that there is an underlying spiritual reality and message behind not only physical objects in Scripture but also many of the events depicted in Scripture that is not evident when first read but becomes clearer through prayer and as God gives us deeper understanding.

In our daily lives, we have a tendency to place too much focus on external circumstances and physical appearances when we shouldn’t.

“The BIBLE gives me a deep, comforting sense that ‘things seen are temporal, and things unseen are eternal'”.-Helen Keller

CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

“For the Torah has in it a shadow of the good things to come, but not the actual manifestation of the originals. Therefore, it can never, by means of the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, bring to the goal those who approach the Holy Place to offer them.”-Hebrews 10:1

“Yeshua replied to him, “Have I been with you so long without your knowing me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”-John 14:9