Thematic Bible: Symbols and similitudes


Thematic Bible








For you have not come to a material object all ablaze with fire, and to gloom and darkness and storm and trumpet-blast and the sound of words-- a sound of such a kind that those who heard it entreated that no more should be added.





And now you will be dumb and unable to speak until the day when this has taken place; because you did not believe my words--words which will be fulfilled at their appointed time." Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah, and were surprised that he stayed so long in the Sanctuary. When, however, he came out, he was unable to speak to them; and they knew that he must have seen a vision in the Sanctuary; but he kept making signs to them and continued dumb.

They asked his father by signs what he wished him to be called. So he asked for a writing-tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered. Instantly his mouth and his tongue were set free, and he began to speak and bless God.


and ministers in the Holy place and in the true tabernacle which not man, but the Lord pitched. Verse ConceptsSanctuaryThe Temple In HeavenThe Tabernacle

and serve a copy and type of the heavenly things, just as Moses was divinely instructed when about to build the tabernacle. For God said, "See that you make everything in imitation of the pattern shown you on the mountain." Verse ConceptsArchitectureForeshadowingMoses, Life OfPriesthood, In NtShadowsDivine PlansAntitypesDesignPatternsThe Temple In HeavenHeavenly Visionreality


Now even the first Covenant had regulations for divine worship, and had also its sanctuary--a sanctuary belonging to this world. For a sacred tent was constructed--the outer one, in which were the lamp and the table and the presented loaves; and this is called the Holy place. And behind the second veil was a sacred tent called the Holy of holies. read more.
This had a censer of gold, and the ark of the Covenant lined with gold and completely covered with gold, and in it were a gold vase which held the manna, and Aaron's rod which budded and the tables of the Covenant. And above the ark were the Cherubim denoting God's glorious presence and overshadowing the Mercy-seat. But I cannot now speak about all these in detail. These arrangements having long been completed, the priests, when conducting the divine services, continually enter the outer tent. But into the second, the High Priest goes only on one day of the year, and goes alone, taking with him blood, which he offers on his own behalf and on account of the sins which the people have ignorantly committed. And the lesson which the Holy Spirit teaches is this--that the way into the true Holy place is not yet open so long as the outer tent still remains in existence. And this is a figure--for the time now present--answering to which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, unable though they are to give complete freedom from sin to him who ministers. For their efficacy depends only on meats and drinks and various washings, ceremonies pertaining to the body and imposed until a time of reformation. But Christ appeared as a High Priest of the blessings that are soon to come by means of the greater and more perfect Tent of worship, a tent which has not been built with hands--that is to say does not belong to this material creation-- and once for all entered the Holy place, taking with Him not the blood of goats and calves, but His own blood, and thus procuring eternal redemption for us.

It was needful therefore that the copies of the things in Heaven should be cleansed in this way, but that the heavenly things themselves should be cleansed with more costly sacrifices. For not into a Holy place built by men's hands--a mere copy of the reality--did Christ enter, but He entered Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you; Verse ConceptsCups, Literal UseThanking God For FoodAlcoholicsThe Blood Of JesusGiving ThanksThankscommunion

Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and handed it to them, and they all of them drank from it.


Then, having received the cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves; Verse ConceptsThanking God For FoodDividing Food

He gave them the cup in like manner, when the meal was over. "This cup," He said, "is the new Covenant ratified by my blood which is to be poured out on your behalf. Verse ConceptsCovenant, the newdrinkingBlood, of Jesus ChristLord's SupperRelationshipsRevelation, In OtSacramentsSacrifice, Nt Fulfilment OfWineBlood Of The Covenant

And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood which is to be poured out for many for the remission of sins--the blood which ratifies the Covenant. I tell you that I will never again take the produce of the vine till that day when I shall drink the new wine with you in my Father's Kingdom."

Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and handed it to them, and they all of them drank from it. "This is my blood," He said, "which is to be poured out on behalf of many--the blood which makes the Covenant sure. I solemnly tell you that never again will I taste the produce of the vine till I shall drink the new wine in the Kingdom of God."

Then, having received the cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you that from this time I will never drink the produce of the vine till the Kingdom of God has come."


And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him remains within you, and there is no need for any one to teach you. But since His anointing gives you instruction in all things--and is true and is no falsehood--you are continuing in union with Him even as it has taught you to do. 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



For the foolish, when they took their torches, did not provide themselves with oil; but the wise, besides their torches, took oil in their flasks.

















Jesus, however, on seeing this, was moved to indignation, and said to them, "Let the little children come to me: do not hinder them; for to those who are childlike the Kingdom of God belongs. In solemn truth I tell you that no one who does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will by any possibility enter it."

Jesus however called the infants to Him. "Let the little children come to me," He said; "do not hinder them; for it is to those who are childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs. I tell you in solemn truth that, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will certainly not enter it."















During the meal Jesus took a Passover biscuit, blessed it and broke it. He then gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it: it 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

Also during the meal He took a Passover biscuit, blessed it, and broke it. He then gave it to them, saying, "Take this, it is my body." Verse ConceptsBody Of Christ, SymbolizedLord's SupperSacramentsEating Christ's BodyBreaking Of BreadThanking God For FoodThe Lord's SupperTable Grace

Then, taking a Passover biscuit, He gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is being given on your behalf: this do in remembrance 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 in Him you Gentiles also, after listening to the Message of the truth, the Good News of your salvation--having believed in Him--were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit; that Spirit being a pledge and foretaste of our inheritance, in anticipation of its full redemption--the inheritance which He has purchased to be specially His for the extolling of His glory.


He went to him, and dressed his wounds with oil and wine and bound them up. Then placing him on his own mule he brought him to an inn, where he bestowed every care on him. Verse ConceptsGesturesInnsAnointing, Medical PurposeAnointing With OilHealingHelpfulnessMedicineOilOintmentHoly Spirit, Types OfAlcohol ConsumptionStaying Temporarily

Also cinnamon and amomum; odors to burn as incense or for perfume; frankincense, wine, oil; fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep; horses and carriages and slaves; and the lives of men. Verse ConceptsBabylonFrankincensePerfumeSpirit, Nature OfTradeCinnamonCommerceProviding WineProvision Of OilGroups Of Slaves

Immediately the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom: the earth quaked; the rocks split; Verse ConceptsCurtainsAccess To God, Through ChristMost Holy PlaceSplitting RocksThe Ground Being SplitNets TornThe Veil Torn

"Let us go elsewhere, to the neighbouring country towns," He replied, "that I may proclaim my Message there also; because for that purpose I came from God." Verse ConceptsGoalsHeraldPreaching, Importance OfChrist PreachingWhy God Did Things

The sun was darkened, and the curtain of the Sanctuary was torn down the middle, Verse ConceptsMost Holy PlaceThe Veil TornDarkening Sun Moon And Starsassertiveness


Another saying of His was this: "The Kingdom of God is as if a man scattered seed over the ground: he spends days and nights, now awake, now asleep, while the seed sprouts and grows tall, he knows not how. Of itself the land produces the crop-- first the blade, then the ear; afterwards the perfect grain is seen in the ear.




On either side of the river, midway between it and the main street of the city, was the Tree of Life. It produced twelve kinds of fruit, yielding a fresh crop month by month, and the leaves of the tree served as medicine for 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














when he saw Jesus passing by, and said, "Look! that is the Lamb of God!" Verse ConceptsLambsAtonement, By Christ AloneWatching Christ



when suddenly there came from the sky a sound as of a strong rushing blast of wind. This filled the whole house where 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




When he arrived he took Paul's loincloth, and bound his own feet and arms with it, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So will the Jews in Jerusalem bind the owner of this loincloth, and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'" Verse ConceptsBeltsWarning IndividualsSuffering From ForeignersSpeaking By The SpiritTying Up




A wicked and faithless generation are eager for a sign; but none shall be given to them except the sign of Jonah." and 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

Now when the crowds came thronging upon Him, He proceeded to say, "The present generation is a wicked generation: it requires some sign, but no sign shall be given to it except that of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be a token to the present generation.



Get rid of the old yeast so that you may be dough of a new kind; for in fact you *are* free from corruption. For our Passover Lamb has already been offered in sacrifice--even Christ. Verse ConceptsAtonement, in NTAtonement, Types OfLambsMalicePassoverPassover lambSacramentsSin, God's Remedy ForTypesChrist, Types OfShowbreadPurgingAnimal Sacrifices, As A Type Of ChristOld NatureFreshIdentity





But these results are all brought about by one and the same Spirit, who bestows His gifts upon each of us in accordance with His own will. Verse ConceptsIndependenceHoly Spirit, Types OfGod WillingDividing Spiritual BlessingsGod Works His WillSpiritual Giftsempowerment









and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they long drank the water that flowed from the spiritual rock that went with 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 spiritual drink; for they long drank the water that flowed from the spiritual rock that went with them--and that rock was the Christ. Verse ConceptsSpiritual FoodTypes Of ChristOld Testament Events As TypesProvision From RocksChrist The RockChrist's Originfollowing




Before, not after. And he received circumcision as a sign, a mark attesting the reality of the faith-righteousness which was his while still uncircumcised, that he might be the forefather of all those who believe even though they are uncircumcised--in order that this righteousness might be placed to their credit; Verse ConceptsCircumcision, spiritualPraiseSealsAbraham, God's Covenant WithAbraham, New Testament ReferencesReckoningRighteous By FaithRighteousness imputed





He who believes in me, from within him--as the Scripture has said--rivers of living water shall flow." He referred to the Spirit which those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not bestowed as yet, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

And this is a figure--for the time now present--answering to which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, unable though they are to give complete freedom from sin to him who ministers. For their efficacy depends only on meats and drinks and various washings, ceremonies pertaining to the body and imposed until a time of reformation.

Accordingly we find that the first Covenant was not inaugurated without blood. For when Moses had proclaimed to all the people every commandment contained in the Law, he took the blood of the calves and of the goats and with them water, scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, "This is the blood which confirms the Covenant that God has made binding upon you." read more.
And in the same way he also sprinkled blood upon the Tent of worship and upon all the vessels used in the ministry. Indeed we may almost say that in obedience to the Law everything is sprinkled with blood, and that apart from the outpouring of blood there is no remission of sins. It was needful therefore that the copies of the things in Heaven should be cleansed in this way, but that the heavenly things themselves should be cleansed with more costly sacrifices.

As I swore in My anger, they shall not be admitted to My rest" -- see to it, brethren, that there is never in any one of you--as perhaps there may be--a sinful and unbelieving heart, manifesting itself in revolt from the ever-living God.

and He has also declared, "They shall not be admitted to My rest." Verse ConceptsEntering Life















Yet we all alike hear these Galilaeans speaking in our own language about the wonderful things which God has done." Verse ConceptsJudaismPraise, Manner And Methods OfLanguages Mentioned In ScriptureProselytesThe Holy Spirit In The Church

and they saw tongues of what looked like fire distributing themselves over the assembly, and on the head of each person a tongue alighted. Verse ConceptsBaptism, significance ofDivine ManifestationsSymbolsHoly Spirit, Types OfFire Of The SpiritDividing Spiritual BlessingsSymbols of the Holy SpiritThe Tongue

So when this noise was heard, they came crowding together, and were amazed because everyone heard his own language spoken. Verse ConceptsCrowdsGod, Impartiality OfLanguages ConfusedBewildermentPuzzlementAll LanguagesLanguage




Our forefathers ate the manna in the Desert, as it is written, 'He gave them bread out of Heaven to eat'." "In most solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that Moses did not give you the bread out of Heaven, but my Father is giving you the bread--the true bread--out of Heaven. For God's bread is that which comes down out of Heaven and gives Life to the world." read more.
"Sir," they said, "always give us that bread." "I am the bread of Life," replied Jesus; "he who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never, never thirst. But it is as I have said to you: you have seen me and yet you do not believe. Every one whom the Father gives me will come to me, and him who comes to me I will never on any account drive away. For I have left Heaven and have come down to earth not to seek my own pleasure, but to do the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that of all that He has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it to life on the last day. For this is my Father's will, that every one who fixes his gaze on the Son of God and believes in Him should have the Life of the Ages, and I will raise him to life on the last day." Now the Jews began to find fault about Him because of His claiming to be the bread which came down out of Heaven. They kept asking, "Is not this man Joseph's son? Is he not Jesus, whose father and mother we know? What does he mean by now saying, 'I have come down out of Heaven'?" "Do not thus find fault among yourselves," replied Jesus; "no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; then I will raise him to life on the last day. It stands written in the Prophets, 'And they shall all of them be taught by God'. Every one who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to me. No one has ever seen the Father--except Him who is from God. He has seen the Father. "In most solemn truth I tell you that he who believes has the Life of the Ages. I am the bread of Life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the Desert, and they died. Here is the bread that comes down out of Heaven that a man may eat it and not die. I am the living bread come down out of Heaven. If a man eats this bread, he shall live for ever. Moreover the bread which I will give is my flesh given for the life of the world." This led to an angry debate among the Jews. "How can this man," they argued, "give us his flesh to eat?" "In most solemn truth I tell you," said Jesus, "that unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no Life in you. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has the Life of the Ages, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in union with me, and I remain in union with him. As the ever-living Father has sent me, and I live because of the Father, so also he who eats me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down out of Heaven; it is unlike that which your forefathers ate--for they ate and yet died. He who eats this bread shall live for ever."

For this reason--as the Holy Spirit warns us, "To-day, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as your forefathers did in the time of the provocation on the day of the temptation in the Desert, where your forefathers so sorely tried My patience and saw all that I did during forty years. read more.
Therefore I was greatly grieved with that generation, and I said, 'They are ever going astray in heart, and have not learnt to know My paths.' As I swore in My anger, they shall not be admitted to My rest" --































I indeed am baptizing you in water on a profession of repentance; but He who is coming after me is mightier than I: His sandals I am not worthy to carry for a moment; He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in 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 I saw another angel coming from the east and carrying a seal belonging to the ever-living God. He called in a loud voice to the four angels whose work it was to injure 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