Why is it that in order to be a student of the Bible, everything has to have a hidden meaning or symbolism? I can understand when it’s something like Joseph being a type of Christ, or Isaac the same. But when we start making a tree and a river and a cloud in the sky types; we start to complicate what God intends to be simplified and understood of everyone. The message of the Bible is clear! Christ came in the flesh, died for our sin, and rose again. This message is to be taken to every corner of the world, to every creature, and is to be understood by all men that they may believe!
These guys trying to turn everything in the scriptures into symbolism only fulfills the purpose of boasting their Bible “knowledge” and not for the purpose of preaching the gospel. How much time will continue to be wasted searching the newest “type” in the scripture, when 2 people each second die and wake in eternity? How much time will we spend searching the hidden meaning when India with 1.3 billion people have never heard the gospel?! Or China with 1.6 billion, or Indonesia; a group of islands yet 208 million people living there have not heard the gospel even once?!
Some are so satisfied with their little “country” church and their “anointed” pulpit, and NO MAN better touch “God’s anointed, that they have become more of a hindrance for the cause of Christ than a help! Let’s get real! The business of preaching is not to boast of our scripture knowledge among fellow scholars but to proclaim the DEATH, BURIAL, and RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ! That’s why the bible calls it the “foolishness of preaching!” God uses our foolishness to draw men unto repentance. But we often think ourselves as supermen in the faith because we can make a type out of a twig on a riverbank!
Friend, understand that as preachers of the gospel, we do shoulder a heavy responsibility. But no more a responsibility than the businessman sitting on the pew listening to our messages! The Great Commission was given to all believers. Everyone should be a scholar of the Bible and everyone should take part in sharing the gospel of Christ to all people. The honor that God has bestowed upon us to stand behind a pulpit, and preach to a congregation does not mean that we are above anyone else. As a matter of fact, our responsibility to people is to serve, to love, and to lead with compassion, not arrogance!
I pray that I would always remember that this is an honor and privilege to to serve the King, and not a right or even deserved! I am unworthy of so great an honor, but God saw fit to use me in spite of me! I pray that my attitude toward my brothers and sisters in Christ would always be encouraging and never belittling. Thanks be to God that I am allowed and have the privilege to serve the King!
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