Types and Patterns

Some parts of Scripture are plain and simple, eg  Matthew 19:18
Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal…

We know that these are literally true and we know what they mean.

Some parts are a bit less obvious, eg Matthew 20:1
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

This parable is using something familiar – workers and a vineyard – to describe something else, in this case the kingdom of heaven. The words paint a picture for us, and if we do some study to find out the meaning… we will find it.

And some are not obvious at all, eg Revelation 10:7
… but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Scriptures like this one work on a completely different level – where God reveals something to us by His Spirit. We don’t work it out with our brains, but God gives us an Aha! moment and we get it by revelation.

I like the third type because there’s always some hidden pattern… just waiting to be found…
– angels? Are they heavenly or are they human messengers, like Paul?
– angels speak to us? What do they say?
– seventh? Who or when were the other six? Is there a pattern?
– when does he or will he begin to sound, or has he already sounded? What does an angel sound like?
– the mystery of God? Finished when the angel speaks? Finished as in ‘completed’ or as in ‘opened up’?
– when did God say this to and through His prophets?

Each of these questions is worth studying.
Why?
Revelation 19:7
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. Do you want to be ready for Him?

If we are diligent and ask God to reveal His thoughts to us, then He will reward us with revelation.

Are you willing to study and to seek the mind of Christ?