Thematic Bible: Symbols and similitudes


Thematic Bible








It is not to tangible 'flaming fire' that you have drawn near, nor to 'gloom, and darkness, and storm, and the blast of a trumpet, and an audible voice.' Those who heard that voice entreated that they might hear no more,





And now you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when this takes place, because you did not believe what I said, though my words will be fulfilled in due course." Meanwhile the people were watching for Zechariah, wondering at his remaining so long in the Temple. When he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision there. But Zechariah kept making signs to them, and remained dumb.

And they made signs to the child's father, to find out what he wished the child to be called. Asking for a writing-tablet, he wrote the words--'His name is John.' Every one was surprised; And immediately Zechariah recovered his voice and the use of his tongue, and began to bless God.


where he ministers in the Sanctuary, in that true Tabernacle set up by the Lord and not by man. Verse ConceptsSanctuaryThe Temple In HeavenThe Tabernacle

(These priests, it is true, are engaged in a service which is only a copy and shadow of the heavenly realities, as is shown by the directions given to Moses when he was about to construct the Tabernacle. 'Look to it,' are the words, 'that thou make every part in accordance with the pattern shown thee on the mountain.') Verse ConceptsArchitectureForeshadowingMoses, Life OfPriesthood, In NtShadowsDivine PlansAntitypesDesignPatternsThe Temple In HeavenHeavenly Visionreality


It is true that even the first Covenant had its regulations for divine worship, and its Sanctuary--though only a material one. For a Tabernacle was constructed, with an outer part which contained the stand for the lamps, and the table, and the consecrated bread. This is called the Sanctuary. The part of the Tabernacle behind the second Curtain is called the Inner Sanctuary. read more.
In it is the gold incense-altar, and the Ark containing the Covenant, completely covered with gold. In the Ark is a gold casket containing the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets on which the Covenant was written; while above it, and overshadowing the Cover on which atonement was made, are the Cherubim of the Presence. But I must not now dwell on these things in detail. Such, then, was the arrangement of the Tabernacle. Into the outer part priests are constantly going, in the discharge of their sacred duties; but into the inner only the High Priest goes, and that but once a year, and never without taking the blood of a victim, which he offers on his own behalf, and on behalf of the errors of the People. By this the Holy Spirit is teaching that the way into the Sanctuary was hidden, as long as the outer part of the Tabernacle still remained. For that was only a type, to continue down to the present time; and, in keeping with it, both gifts and sacrifices are offered, though incapable of satisfying the conscience of the worshiper; the whole system being concerned only with food and drink and various ablutions--external ceremonials imposed until the coming of the New Order. But, when Christ came, he appeared as High Priest of that Better System which was established; and he entered through that nobler and more perfect 'Tabernacle,' not made by human hands--that is to say, not a part of this present creation. Nor was it with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, that he entered, once and for all, into the Sanctuary, and obtained our eternal deliverance.

While, then, it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly realities to be purified by such means as these, the heavenly realities themselves required better sacrifices. For it was not into a Sanctuary made by human hands, which merely foreshadowed the true one, that Christ entered, but into Heaven itself, that he might now appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

Then he took a cup, and, after saying the thanksgiving, gave it to them, with the words: "Drink from it, all of you; Verse ConceptsCups, Literal UseThanking God For FoodAlcoholicsThe Blood Of JesusGiving ThanksThankscommunion

Then he took a cup, and, after saying the thanksgiving, gave it to them, and they all drank from it.


Then, on receiving a cup, after saying the thanksgiving, he said: Verse ConceptsThanking God For FoodDividing Food

And in the same way with the cup, after supper, saying: "This cup is the New Covenant made by my blood which is being poured out on your behalf.] Verse ConceptsCovenant, the newdrinkingBlood, of Jesus ChristLord's SupperRelationshipsRevelation, In OtSacramentsSacrifice, Nt Fulfilment OfWineBlood Of The Covenant

Then he took a cup, and, after saying the thanksgiving, gave it to them, with the words: "Drink from it, all of you; For this is my Covenant blood, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. And I tell you that I shall never, after this, drink of this juice of the grape, until that day when I shall drink it new with you in the Kingdom of my Father."

Then he took a cup, and, after saying the thanksgiving, gave it to them, and they all drank from it. "This is my Covenant-blood," he said, "which is poured out on behalf of many. I tell you that I shall never again drink of the juice of the grape, until that day when I shall drink it new in the Kingdom of God."

Then, on receiving a cup, after saying the thanksgiving, he said: "Take this and share it among you. For I tell you that I shall not, after to-day, drink of the juice of the grape, till the Kingdom of God has come."


But you--you still retain in your hears that consecration which you received from the Christ, and are not in need of any one to teach you; but, since his consecration of you teaches you about everything, and since it is a real consecration, and no lie, then, as it has taught you, maintain your union with him. Verse ConceptsLiesAnointingAbiding In ChristAnointing, Of ChristAnointing of ChristiansAnointing With OilGod, Revelation OfOrthodoxy, In NtScripture, UnderstandingCharacter Of SaintsIndwelling Of The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit As TeacherThe Holy Spirit As CounsellorThe Spirit TeachingUs In GodAnointed By GodAnointing Oil



The foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them; While the prudent ones, besides taking their lamps, took oil in their jars.

















When, however, Jesus saw this, he was indignant. "Let the little children come to me," he said, "do not hinder them; for it is to the childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs. I tell you, unless a man receives the Kingdom of God like a child, he will not enter it at all."

Jesus, however, called the little children to him. "Let the little children come to me," he said, "and do not hinder them; for it is to the childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs. I tell you, unless a man receives the Kingdom of God like a child, he will not enter it at all."















While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and, after saying the blessing, broke it and, as he gave it to his disciples, said: "Take it and eat it; this is my body." Verse ConceptsPassover lambBody Of Christ, SymbolizedLord's SupperSacramentsThanksgiving Before MealsBreaking Of BreadAt The Same TimeOther References To The DisciplesThanking God For FoodThe Lord's SupperBreadcommunionJesus Eating

While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and, after saying the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said: "Take it; this is my body." Verse ConceptsBody Of Christ, SymbolizedLord's SupperSacramentsEating Christ's BodyBreaking Of BreadThanking God For FoodThe Lord's SupperTable Grace

Then Jesus took some bread, and, after saying the thanksgiving, broke it and gave to them, with the words: "This is my body, [which is now to be given on your behalf. Do this in memory of me." Verse ConceptsBreaking Of BreadCommemorationDoubt, Dealing WithCeremoniesBody Of Christ, SymbolizedLord's SupperSacramentsMemorialEating Christ's BodyRemembering ChristJesus As FoodThanking God For FoodThe Lord's SupperBreadcommunionremembrance



And you, too, by your union with him, after you had heard the Message of the Truth, the Good News of your Salvation--you believed in him and were sealed as his by receiving the holy Spirit, which he had promised. And the Spirit is a pledge of our future heritage, fore- shadowing the full redemption of God's own People--to enhance his Glory.


He went to him and bound up his wounds, dressing them with oil and wine, and then put him on his own mule, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. Verse ConceptsGesturesInnsAnointing, Medical PurposeAnointing With OilHealingHelpfulnessMedicineOilOintmentHoly Spirit, Types OfAlcohol ConsumptionStaying Temporarily

nor their cinnamon, or spice, or incense, or perfumes. or frankincense, or wine, or oil, or fine flour, or wheat, or cattle, or sheep; nor their horses, or chariots, or slaves; nor the bodies and souls of men. Verse ConceptsBabylonFrankincensePerfumeSpirit, Nature OfTradeCinnamonCommerceProviding WineProvision Of OilGroups Of Slaves

Suddenly the Temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth shook, the rocks were torn asunder, Verse ConceptsCurtainsAccess To God, Through ChristMost Holy PlaceSplitting RocksThe Ground Being SplitNets TornThe Veil Torn

But Jesus said to them: "Let us go somewhere else, into the country towns near, that I may make my proclamation in them also; for that was why I came." Verse ConceptsGoalsHeraldPreaching, Importance OfChrist PreachingWhy God Did Things

The sun being eclipsed; and the Temple curtain was torn down the middle. Verse ConceptsMost Holy PlaceThe Veil TornDarkening Sun Moon And Starsassertiveness


Jesus also said: "This is what the Kingdom of God is like-- like a man who has scattered seed on the ground, And then sleeps by night and rises by day, while the seed is shooting up and growing--he knows not how. The ground bears the crop of itself--first the blade, then the ear, and then the full grain in the ear;




in the middle of the street of the City. On each side of the river was a Tree of Life which bore twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Verse ConceptsThe Number TwelveHealingMedicineWorldlinessYearsAbundance, MaterialUnceasingContinual GoodIncreasing FruitFoliageMetaphorical TreesTwelve ThingsGod HealsHealing Of NationsBenefits Of HeavenRiver Of LifeTree Of LifeRiversHerbsMonthsGod Healing Our LandGod's Healing Love














He looked at Jesus as he passed and exclaimed: "There is the Lamb of God!" Verse ConceptsLambsAtonement, By Christ AloneWatching Christ



When suddenly there came from the heavens a noise like that of a strong wind rushing by; it filled the whole house in which they were sitting. Verse ConceptsSymbolsHoly Spirit, Types OfSudden EventsThe Holy Spirit Described As The WindFilling HousesSitting In FellowshipGod In The WindSoundSymbols of the Holy Spirit




He came to see us, and, taking Paul's girdle, and binding his own feet and hands with it, said: "This is what the Holy Spirit says--'The man to whom this girdle belongs will be bound like this at Jerusalem by the Jews, and they will give him up to the Gentiles'." Verse ConceptsBeltsWarning IndividualsSuffering From ForeignersSpeaking By The SpiritTying Up




A wicked and unfaithful generation is asking for a sign, but no sign shall be given it except the sign of Jonah." So he left them and went away. Verse ConceptsGenerationsGospel, Confirmation OfProof, As EvidenceSigns Of The TimesUnbelief, As Response To GodJesus Christ, ResurrectionEvil GenerationsConfronting SinsSeeking A SignNo Signs

As the crowds increased, Jesus began to speak: "This generation is a wicked generation. It is asking a sign, but no sign shall be given it except the sign of Jonah. For, as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so shall the Son of Man be to this generation.



Get rid entirely of the old leaven, so that you may be like new dough-free from leaven, as in truth you are. For our Passover Lamb is already sacrificed-Christ himself; Verse ConceptsAtonement, in NTAtonement, Types OfLambsMalicePassoverPassover lambSacramentsSin, God's Remedy ForTypesChrist, Types OfShowbreadPurgingAnimal Sacrifices, As A Type Of ChristOld NatureFreshIdentity




The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes, or where it goes; it is the same with every one that owes his birth to the Spirit." Verse ConceptsThe Holy SpiritMetaphysicsBeing Born AgainMetaphorsSymbolsWeather, God's Sovereignty OverWindAbraham, New Testament ReferencesHoly Spirit, Types OfThe Holy Spirit Described As The WindGod In The WindNot Knowing WhereLack Of ExpectationWhere From?Where To?muscles

All these result from one and the same Spirit, who distributes his gifts to each individually as he wills. Verse ConceptsIndependenceHoly Spirit, Types OfGod WillingDividing Spiritual BlessingsGod Works His WillSpiritual Giftsempowerment









and all drank the same supernatural water, for they used to drink from a supernatural rock which followed them, and that rock was the Christ. Verse ConceptsSpiritual FoodTypes Of ChristOld Testament Events As TypesProvision From RocksChrist The RockChrist's Originfollowing




and all drank the same supernatural water, for they used to drink from a supernatural rock which followed them, and that rock was the Christ. Verse ConceptsSpiritual FoodTypes Of ChristOld Testament Events As TypesProvision From RocksChrist The RockChrist's Originfollowing




Not after, but before. And it was as a sign of this that he received the rite of circumcision-to attest the righteousness due to the faith of an uncircumcised man-in order that he might be the father of all who have faith in God even when uncircumcised, that they also may be regarded by God as righteous; Verse ConceptsCircumcision, spiritualPraiseSealsAbraham, God's Covenant WithAbraham, New Testament ReferencesReckoningRighteous By FaithRighteousness imputed





He who believes in me--As Scripture says, Out of his heart shall flow rivers of 'Living Water.'" (By this he meant the Spirit, which those who had believed in him were to receive; for the Spirit had not yet come, because Jesus had not yet been exalted.)

For that was only a type, to continue down to the present time; and, in keeping with it, both gifts and sacrifices are offered, though incapable of satisfying the conscience of the worshiper; the whole system being concerned only with food and drink and various ablutions--external ceremonials imposed until the coming of the New Order.

This explains why even the first Covenant was not ratified without the shedding of blood. For, when every command had been announced to all the people by Moses in accordance with the Law, he took the blood of the calves and of the goats, with water, scarlet wool, and a bunch of hyssop, and sprinkled even the Book of the Law, as well as all the people, saying, as he did so-- "This is the blood that renders valid the Covenant which God has commanded to be made with you." read more.
And in the same way he also sprinkled with the blood the Tabernacle and all the things that were used in public worship. Indeed, under the Law, almost everything is purified with blood; and, unless blood is shed, no forgiveness is to be obtained. While, then, it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly realities to be purified by such means as these, the heavenly realities themselves required better sacrifices.

While in my wrath I swore-- "They shall never enter upon my Rest."' Be careful, Brothers, that there is never found in any one of you a wicked and faithless heart, shown by his separating himself from the Living God.

On the other hand, we read in that passage-- ' They shall never enter upon my Rest.' Verse ConceptsEntering Life















Either Jews by birth or converts, and some are Cretans and Arabians--yet we all alike hear them speaking in our own tongues of the great things that God has done." Verse ConceptsJudaismPraise, Manner And Methods OfLanguages Mentioned In ScriptureProselytesThe Holy Spirit In The Church


And, when this sound was heard, numbers of people collected, in the greatest excitement, because each of them heard the disciples speaking in his own language. Verse ConceptsCrowdsGod, Impartiality OfLanguages ConfusedBewildermentPuzzlementAll LanguagesLanguage




Our ancestors had the manna to eat in the desert; as Scripture says--'He gave them bread from Heaven to eat.'" "In truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "Moses did not give you the Bread from Heaven, but my Father does give you the true Bread from Heaven; For the Bread that God gives is that which comes down from Heaven, and gives Life to the world." read more.
"Master," they exclaimed, "give us that Bread always!" "I am the Life-giving Bread," Jesus said to them; "he that comes to me shall never be hungry, and he that believes in me shall never thirst again. But, as I have said already, you have seen me, and yet you do not believe in me. All those whom the Father gives me will come to me; and no one who comes to me will I ever turn away. For I have come down from Heaven, to do, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me; And his will is this--that I should not lose one of all those whom he has given me, but should raise them up at the Last Day. For it is the will of my Father that every one who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have Immortal Life; and I myself will raise him up at the Last Day." Upon this the Jews began murmuring against Jesus for saying-- 'I am the Bread which came down from Heaven.' "Is not this Jesus, Joseph's son," they asked, "whose father and mother we know? How is it that he now says that he has come down from Heaven?" "Do not murmur among yourselves," said Jesus in reply. "No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me draws him to me; and I will raise him up at the Last Day. It is said in the Prophets--'And they shall all be taught by God.' Every one who is taught by the Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that any one has seen the Father, except him who is from God--he has seen the Father. In truth I tell you, he who believes in me has Immortal Life. I am the Life-giving Bread. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, and yet died. The Bread that comes down from Heaven is such that whoever eats of it will never die. I am the Living Bread that has come down from Heaven. If any one eats of this Bread, he will live for ever; and the Bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I will give for the Life of the world." Upon this the Jews began disputing with one another: "How is it possible for this man to give us his flesh to eat?" "In truth I tell you," answered Jesus, "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, you have not Life within you. He who takes my flesh for his food, and drinks my blood, has Immortal Life; and I will raise him up at the Last Day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood true drink. He who takes my flesh for his food, and drinks my blood, remains united to me, and I to him. As the Living Father sent me as his Messenger, and as I live because the Father lives, so he who takes me for his food shall live because I live. That is the Bread which has come down from Heaven--not such as your ancestors ate, and yet died; he who takes this Bread for his food shall live for ever."

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says-- 'If to-day you hear God's voice, Harden not your hearts, as when Israel provoked me on the day when they tried my patience in the desert, Where your ancestors tried my forbearance, And saw my mighty deeds for forty years. read more.
Therefore I was sorely vexed with that generation, And I said-- "Their hearts are always straying; They have never learned my ways"; While in my wrath I swore-- "They shall never enter upon my Rest."'



























The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes, or where it goes; it is the same with every one that owes his birth to the Spirit." Verse ConceptsThe Holy SpiritMetaphysicsBeing Born AgainMetaphorsSymbolsWeather, God's Sovereignty OverWindAbraham, New Testament ReferencesHoly Spirit, Types OfThe Holy Spirit Described As The WindGod In The WindNot Knowing WhereLack Of ExpectationWhere From?Where To?muscles




I, indeed, baptize you with water to teach repentance; but He who is Coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not fit even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Verse ConceptsBaptism Of The Holy SpiritBaptism, in the GospelsSending Of The Holy SpiritSandalsThe Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit,Preeminence Of ChristShoesUnworthinessThe Holy Spirit, And SanctificationPromises Of The Holy SpiritWater For BaptismFire Of The SpiritSigns Of RepentanceSymbols of the Holy SpiritBaptism




And, in the east, I saw another angel, ascending, holding the seal of the Living God; and he cried in a loud voice to the four angels, to whom there had been given power to harm the earth and the sea-- Verse ConceptsSealsHoly Spirit, Types OfFour AngelsOut Of The EastShout Of GodAngels Doing God's WorkCreatures Going UpOther Creatures Going UpPeople Possibly Doing EvilMark Of The Beastempowerment