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Volume 1 -THE GARDEN OF EDEN - Adam's Creation and His
Volume 2 - NEW BEGINNING AND NEW WORLD ENVIRONMENT Volume 3 - JOSEPH, EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH - A Foreshadow of God's Agenda for Jew and Gentile Volume 4 - CROSSING THE JORDAN RIVER - A Foreshadow of Salvation for Jew and Gentile Volume 5 - THE BOOK OF REVELATION - God's Agenda for the End Time Volume 6 - THE SEVEN LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES Volume 7 - CHRIST IN THE TABERNACLE - A Foreshadow of Redemption **************** |
This quick study is a sub-topic support for the foreshadows in Volume 6 - SEVEN LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES - See chapter 4 - Letter to the Church of Thyatira *************************** The often used symbolic use of metals in the Bible are hidden puzzle pieces used by God to fit together a bigger picture of the salvation process. Understanding the use of these metals provides a deeper understanding of the magnificent way God wrote the Bible. Brass, silver and gold are metals used to symbolically portray the spiritual refinement and growth of Christians, from salvation to glorification. Particularly in the pattern of Moses' tabernacle in the wilderness. An example of the biblical use of metals - brass, silver and gold; In the following scripture of Daniel, he is describing his vision of Christ. Daniel used symbols of lightning, lamps of fire, polished brass and the voice of a multitude to represent the appearance of Christ. Jesus always referred to Himself as the Son of Man, when asked by others as to His identity. Jesus was fully man, but without sin, as He was also the Son of God. But, Jesus wanted every person on the earth to see their kinship with Him as a member of the species of man. Then we can better relate to our own kinship with God as a child of God through Christ Jesus. Daniel 10:6 (KJV) - His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. "Polished" (Strong's Concordance - Hebrew) #7044 - qalal (kaw-lawl'); from #7043; brightened (as if sharpened). #7043 - qalal (kaw-lal'); a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.). Use in KJV - abate, make bright, bring into contempt, curse, despise, (be a, make) light, (be, be more, make, re-) vile. The figurative meaning of qalal is used to form a metaphorical meaning in Daniel's vision. The root definition of Qalal means Jesus was fully a man, born of a woman and walking on the earth, but He was not a common man because he was without sin. Man is common, earthly and unspiritual (represented by the unpolished dull appearance of brass). Daniel's vision saw Christ with feet of polished brass because Jesus was not a common man, He was without spot or blemish. He was a man made bright by the light and glory of God (polished brass). So, His feet are polished brass. The carnal earthly nature of fallen mankind is represented by unpolished brass . But, through Christ believers are made bright (polished / refined by the glory of God) as carnal beliefs are brought into contempt with the Word of God. Carnal beliefs will be despised or made vile to the believer by the power of the Holy Spirit. This will result in the believer becoming a light of the truth of God (Matthew 5:16), even as Christ was a light to the Gentiles and Jews - Isaiah 49:6; Luke 2:32. The power of God works through Christ to reach mankind by the Holy Spirit. When man opens his heart to Christ by faith the Holy Spirit transforms his spiritual nature. The truth of God becomes the light of eternal life and sin becomes a vile thing (despised). Matthew 6:22 (NIV) - "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV) - For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. **************** More on the word brass as it relates to fallen man; "Brass" - (Strong's Concordance - Greek-Hebrew Dictionary) #5178 nechosheth (nekh-o'-sheth); for #5154; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver). Use in KJV - brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness, steel. Nechosheth (when compared with gold or silver) is the base metal used in the structure of the tabernacle. It's the least of the metals. Unpolished brass is a proper symbol to use to represent the spiritual filthiness of fallen man fettered to mortality. Note:
(The photo at the right is of the structure of the tabernacle without the coverings, one of which is the rams' skins dyed red" [blood of the Lamb - Christ Jesus.]). This is mentioned to show the Hebrew meaning of the word nechosheth, which means brass is a base metal (lower order) when compared to gold or silver. Gold and silver are higher level of refined metals. Brass is earthly. Gold and silver represent a higher order of spiritual refinement. For example, only the bases of the tabernacle's support posts at the entrance to the tent are brass because of man's earthly nature enters beneath God's covering of the New Blood covenant (ram's skins dyed red). When man enters beneath the tent covering of ram's skin he brings in his carnality. All other support posts bases beneath the covering of "ram's skin dyed red" were silver. Symbolically, when brass was covered by the blood, it is refined into silver through the refiner's fire - Isaiah 60:17. Nechosheth also reveals the unrefined filthiness of brass, when compared to silver or gold. I believe God is using brass in the design of the Tabernacle to represent carnal things, natural things common to fallen man. Things which must be purged from man. The Christian's spiritual base in life (brass) is refined into silver and eventually into gold under the blood covering of Christ. #5154 nechuwshah (nekh-oo-shaw'); or nechushah (nekh-oo-shaw'); feminine of #5153; copper. #5153 nachuwsh (naw-khoosh'); apparently passive participle from the red color of the throat of a serpent when hissing; coppery, i.e. (figuratively) hard. The coppery color of the serpent's throat when hissing is an image that parallels fallen man. Fallen man (Adam) is a life form with a face that will turn rosy when emotions embarrasses or angers him and he hardens his heart. "Adam" (Strong's Concordance - Hebrew) #120 'adam (aw-dawm'); from #119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.): Use in KJV - X another, + hypocrite, + common sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person. #119 adam (aw-dam'); to show blood (in the face), i.e. flush or turn rosy: Use in KJV - be (dyed, made) red (ruddy). We can see the Hebrew word `Adam reveals man's common and low degree of existence as a human and is formed from a root word revealing his face will turn rosy (red) when influenced by certain emotions. Emotions are a powerful influence on the responsive behavior of man towards the issues in his life. Positive emotions result in positive behaviors. Negative emotions result in negative behavior. Fear is a negative emotion soliciting negative responses to life's troubles. Remember, Adam's first response to God when He called to Adam, "Adam where are you?" Adam replied, "Genesis 3:10 (KJV) - I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. Adam's separation from God (because he was naked, no longer under the covering of God), caused him to be fearful. From the time of Adam's disobedience to God, he will be fearful. Satan will use fear as an emotional tool to influence Adam's responses to the troubles in his life. Emotions are the sixth sense (so to speak) of Adam's perception of life. So it is with fallen man today. But, God has provided a way for man to overcome the fears in his mind through his re-connection to God under the blood covering of Christ Jesus. God will draw fallen to Himself through faith in Christ Jesus, the Son of God. The powers of darkness will fear the faithful man because God is with him. For instance - Genesis 15:1 (NIV) - After this (events in 14:17-24), the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." It was on this same day that God made the covenant with Abraham, giving him and his descendants the promise land. Fear is a tool of satan to get man to doubt God's promises and lose his faith. Fear is the hiss of the serpent! The word `Adam is akin to the words that formed the word brass and brass is akin to the the passive participle word #5153 nachuwsh - the red color of the serpent's throat when hissing. Also, nachuwsh figuratively means "hard" - a good word to use when figuratively speaking of the hardness of fallen man's calloused heart. Unpolished brass represents fallen earthly man. Polished brass represents man that is made bright by the glory of God. He is saved! ******************************* Silver First, the Christian is unpolished brass. He is under the New Blood covenant and God has forgiven his sins. But, he brings into the covenant his earthly nature which needs refinement through sanctification by faith. As he grows in his faith, sin becomes a thing he despises. Sin becomes a vile thing because of the light of God and the Holy Spirit that resides in his heart. His brass nature begins to be made bright (polished) by the light and glorification of God. Secondly,
brass begins to fade away as he is set apart from worldly
things unto "Silver" (Strong's Concordance / Hebrew) - #3701 keceph (keh'-sef); from #3700; silver (from its pale color); by implication, money. Use in KJV - money, price, silver (-ling). #3700 - kacaph (kaw-saf'); a primitive root; properly, to become pale, i.e. (by implication) to pine after; also to fear. Keceph (silver) implies money or something of value. The root word of keceph is kacaph which means to become pale. The implied meaning of kacaph is to pine after or long for with reverent fear. Therefore, silver symbolically means to fade from the old worldly nature (become pale) has great value. As Christians fade from their old nature and are separated unto Christ, they are transformed into the likeness of Christ by faith, commitment and devotion. Out of their love for the Lord and because of their reverent fear of God, they desire to be Christ-like. Symbolically, brass is fading into silver, a higher state of glory. ********************************* Gold Thirdly, silver is turned into gold, the highest state of glory. "Gold" (Strong's Concordance / Hebrew) - #2091 zahab (zaw-hawb'); from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky. Zahab means to shimmer, as clear oil shimmers or as bright as a clear sky. Symbolically, gold means without spot or blemish. Christians will appear without spot or blemish as they become like Christ and live as children of God. This is the process of glorification. This is the highest state of spiritual refinement. After living with Christ on the earth for a thousand years (millennium), they will reach maturation and no longer be short of the glory of God and will stand in the presence of God and see Him face to face in the New Jerusalem. ************************** In the book of Revelation, I believe the Apostle John saw the same image Daniel saw in his vision. Daniel was the Old Testament apocalyptic prophet and John was the New Testament apocalyptic prophet. Both men saw Christ after His ascension into heaven. Both visions were concerned with Christ in an apocalyptic manner concerning the end times. In the end time Christ will judge the House of God (Christians) and reward them according to what their deeds deserve. Precious metals and stones are used by God in the Bible to reveal varying levels of spirituality concerning Christians. In the Old Testament gold, silver and brass are the only metals God prescribed for the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness. These metals have specific symbolic meanings as they relate to the redemption of mankind through Christ. Throughout the scriptures these metals are used to convey hidden manna to Christians who study His Word. These metals symbolically have a specific meaning concerning the work of each Christian as he builds upon the foundation of Christ in his life. As can be seen these metals have three stages of spiritual value with brass being the least valuable. It could be said, these metals represents the work of God in a man as he accepts Christ as his Savior. Salvation begins the first work in earthly man - represented by brass. Metaphorically, brass represents the covenant work at the beginning of each Christian's salvation - salvation brings man out of Egypt (as God did through Moses). Salvation continues it work through sanctification by faith (silver) - taking Egypt out of man. When I study the Hebrew origin of the meaning of the word brass, I see the depths of the carnality of man as he enters into the covenant of God. He is a sinner made from the dust of the earth and spiritually hard, due to his mortal nature. Thus, the snake is used symbolically to represent spiritual influence (hiss of the snake) upon man's earthly nature in the Garden of Eden. The red color of the throat of the serpent (nechuwsh) when he hisses (tempts or lures man) is the same as the reddish color of Adam (mankind). The temptation of satan appeals to the earthly aspects of man. When satan tempts man he does so through man's senses. His temptations appeal to the senses and the self-centered nature. Sin will appear to be as a friend, a mortal thing that is common and compatible with self perception and self-seeking pleasures. Sin does not present itself as contrary or in contrast with the mortal nature of man. Temptation will speak in a small voice "surely you will not die" when you decide to do things your way, rather than obey God. Out of the word "nachuwsh" (red color of the throat of a serpent when hissing) the word "nechuwshah" (copper) is derived. From the word "nechuwshah" the word "nechosheth" (brass) is derived. Literally, Brass is metal alloy of copper and iron. Therefore, using the word brass to symbolically represent the low degree of the mortal sin nature of man entering into the covenant of God is a good one.
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