Athen's Library

THE SECOND ADVENT

THE COMING OF “ONE LIKE THE SON OF MAN”

Letter #6 In The Series

December 1998

Symbols

For the law, having a shadow (symbol) of the good things to come, and not the very image (literal) of the things, can never with these same sacrifices (symbols), which they offer continually year by year (each year was a series of offerings that pointed to the plan of salvation), make those who approach perfect.  Hebrews 10:1 (NKJ).

The message of the angel who joins the third angel giving it power and force makes it possible for (T.M. p.3OO, E.W. p.277, G.C. p.424,5, 604) those who approach the altar of the Lord to become perfect.  Perfection comes with the literal application of Daniel 8 & 9.  This literal application begins with the King of Kings renewing His Covenant Promises.  The voice of God is heard from heaven, declaring the day and hour of Jesus’ coming, and delivering the everlasting covenant to His people. Like peals of loudest thunder His words roll through the earth. The Israel of God stand listening… G. C. p 640.  These Promises are heard by those who have fallen asleep in Jesus, and they come forth from their dusty beds. This is the resurrection of Daniel 12.  From this time on, all types and symbols will be taught in there literal application. Perfection comes by beholding the “very image” or the reality, not the symbols.

The following are some of the symbols and what they represent which have been revealed over the past few years:

The broken tablets of stone like the broken bread, symbolize the broken Messiah at the first advent. The number of tablets being two, point to the promise Jesus gave to His followers. They represent Jesus (the Messiah), and Another Comforter. After Moses broke the two tablets of stone, he melted the golden calf, ground it to powder and threw the powder into the water and the water became as blood. Moses then made the people drink this symbol of the blood of Jesus.  Jesus later gave the disciples the cup and said, “This cup is the New Testament in my blood” (1 Corinthians 11:25).

Moses was told to hew two tablets “like” (symbol) the ones he had broken; and God wrote with His finger on them the same words that He had written on the first set.  This “like” is the symbol of “the one like the Son of man” in both Daniel and Revelation.  Christ is both God and man as symbolized by Moses hewing and God writing on the second set of tablets, the ones “like”. He is the one that brings the “Son of Man” “like” the one that came at the first advent. The unbroken tablets which Moses placed into the ark (safe place-kingdom) symbolize the second advent of Messiah. To understand who these two tablets symbolize we must go to the story of David and His son, Solomon. 

David (symbol of Christ) wanted to build a Temple for his God but the Lord in 1 Chronicles 22:8 told him that because he had shed much blood he could not build the Temple.  The Lord gave him the blueprint for the Temple and told him that he could gather the material. David, who shed blood, and Christ who shed His blood in behalf of the sinner both had blood on their hands.  As in the type Christ was given the blueprint for the living Temple (His other self).   Like David’s son Solomon, was the builder of the Temple, so Christ’s Son builds the Temple.  The two tablets represent the one that builds the Temple and the Temple for this is a living Temple.

And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.  Revelation 21:22.

Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the (living) temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.  Zechariah 6:11-13.

In the chapter of “Joshua and the Angel” 5T. 467-476 Ellen White writes,

Zechariah’s vision of Joshua and the Angel applies with peculiar force to the experience of God’s people in the closing up of the great day of atonement.

The high priest cannot defend himself or his people from Satan’s accusations. He does not claim that Israel are free from fault. In his filthy garment, symbolizing the sins of the people, which he bears as their representative, he stands before the Angel, confessing their guilt, yet pointing to their repentance and humiliation, relying upon the mercy of a sin-pardoning, Redeemer and in faith claming the promises of God.

Then the Angel, who is Christ Himself, the Saviour of sinners, puts to silence the accuser of His people, declaring;  The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Zech 3:2.

Here we see that Joshua, the high priest is making the atonement for the people in the closing up of the great day of atonement. The symbol of this atonement we find in Leviticus 16 where the Son of the high priest makes the atonement. This vision of Joshua and the Angel have perplexed Bible students for many years. Understanding that Jesus has a Son that makes an atonement makes this crystal clear.

And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony where in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.  Exodus 32:15-16.

Worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.  Revelation 19:10.

Here in Exodus 32:15-16 is the first mention of the testimony of Jesus Christ. God gave to Moses two tablets (of testimony) written on both their sides.  These two tablets are the testimony of Jesus and they symbolize the ones that reveal to His servants His truths for every generation. Putting the two tablets together they become a book.  This book is written within and without and is a symbol of the book that John was told to eat.  The Ten Commandments are a transcript of God’s character and are written in their entirety on each of the tablets showing both Christ and His other self have God’s character. Moses broke the tablets showing the Messiah that is broken in the behalf of the sinner. Jesus promised His followers His abiding Presence by the aid of His Spirit-His other self and as the antitypical Adam, He produced His helpmate from a deep sleep. These two are the living testimony of the first advent of Christ. So, the stone represents the Messiah and the Law is the character.  These two, Jesus and His Helpmate (the Spirit is a symbol) are both intercessors that work in the behalf of the human family (Romans 8).

And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand. And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing…  Deuteronomy 10:3-4.

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:  Romans 11:26.

Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.  Daniel 2:34.

The one Like, the Deliverer and the Stone mentioned in the quotes above are all symbols of the One “cut off” in the literal application of the 70 week prophecy.

The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 11:15.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:20.

The creation of Adam, male and female, symbolize the second Adam, Christ and His helpmate.  They are the second Adam and Eve.

And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.  Genesis 3:20.

But Jerusalem (symbol of the second Eve) which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.  Galatians 4:26.

These two, Christ and His helpmate, symbolized by Adam and Eve, our first parents, are the two Intercessors brought to view in Romans 8:26 by the also.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Romans 8:26.

Other Symbols of these two are the blood and water that came from Jesus’ side, the veil that was torn from top to bottom in the temple.  The smitten and divided rock that provided water in the desert.  These all apply to the Messiah’s first advent.

With the symbols pointing to the first advent of Christ, there comes the greatest of the Bible symbols.  The stories of Abraham and Sarah have in them many symbols.

And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.  Genesis 15:4.

Here we see that God promised Abraham that his heir would come from his own body.  According to Galatians 3:16 all the promises that are made to Abraham are made to Christ also.  With this understanding, Sarah the mother of Abraham’s heir becomes a symbol of the mother of Christ’s heir.  This points to the woman of Revelation 12, not in symbol for the symbol is the church, but to the literal Woman that brings forth the Man Child that Rules all nations.  This Child, the promised Seed, the One “like” is given dominion, glory and a kingdom (Daniel 7:13).

...there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord (Jesus the Christ), and of his Christ (the promised Seed, Luke 9:48 the Child in His name); and he shall reign for ever and ever.  Revelation 11:15.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.  He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  Galatians 3:16.

For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.  But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.  Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.  For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.  Galatians 4:22-27.

ALLEGORY; The Bible Dictionary

A symbolic representation of a truth about human conduct or experience.  The word allegory is found only once in the King James Version.  In Galatians 4:24 it translates the Greek verb allegoreo, which means to say something different from what the words normally imply.  The NKJV translates it by the word symbolic.

Perhaps the most memorable of Paul’s allegories, however, is found in Galatians 4:21-31: Hagar and Sarah, Ishmael and Isaac.  One of them (Ishmael) was born to the bondwoman Hagar; the other (Isaac) was born to a freewoman, Sarah.  Hagar and Ishmael are symbolic of the Old Covenant: the law from Mount Sinai that brings all flesh into bondage.  Sarah and Isaac are symbolic of the New Covenant: the gospel of grace from Mount Calvary that gives spiritual freedom.  When Paul concluded by saying, “So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free [woman]”. (from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) (Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Here we see that the word “allegory” is used in some translations the same way as symbol or symbolic is used but has a deeper meaning in the King James Version.  So the stories of Abraham and Sarah have a large part to play in the plan of salvation.  What we need to remember is that the “Word made flesh” in the Old Covenant, is born of the bondwoman.  The Son of promise (New Covenant) is born of the freewoman.  This woman is free from the law of sin. She being free from the law of sin is the same as the Messiah being “cut off” in Daniel 9.  The woman is barren because she is one of the intercessors.  When she breaks forth with singing it is in the beginning of the kingdom of Daniel 2:44.

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  Hebrews 10:16-18.

In the “Old Covenant” the animal sacrifices symbolized the Messiah’s sacrifice.  In the “New Covenant”, Paul, in Romans 12:1, tells us to, “present your bodies a living sacrifice”.  This is a symbol for the promised Son’s sacrifice.  This sacrifice is also symbolized by Abraham offering his promised son, Isaac, and like Isaac escaped death so the Promised Son of Christ is a live offering.  This offering is also seen in the two goats on the Day of Atonement.  The Lord’s goat symbolizes the Atonement that Christ made in our behalf.  The scapegoat symbolizes the Atonement that the Promised Son makes, in the wilderness, when He escapes death.  This live Atonement is what breaks the power of Satan.

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises (Christ, Galatians 3:16) offered up his only begotten Son.” Hebrews 11:17.

And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.  Luke 9:48.

From this verse we can see that Abraham and Christ both offer Their promised Sons and God the Father offered His only begotten Son.  Abraham as a picture, symbol or type, and Christ as the fulfillment showing the picture in its completeness.  This offering is shown in symbol in the offering of the scapegoat that makes an Atonement in the Wilderness.

Another symbol in Abraham’s story is the fact that he became the father of both the circumcised and the uncircumcised. He is the father of the faithful, the Messiahs.

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.  Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.  Revelation 1:5.

You may say, ‘how does this work?’  Christ, “the Word made flesh”, was born into the bondage of sin and was circumcised.  Christ’s Son, the son of promise, is born as the child, or heir, of the kinsman redeemer, or in the name of the dead, Adam’s heir. Circumcision was not given to Adam.  So Abraham is the father of Christ, (the circumcised). And the father of the Promised Son, uncircumcised.

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.  For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.  Romans 4:11-13.

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.  Galatians 3:6.

The proof that Abraham received “Christ’s Righteousness” is the promised son, Isaac, the symbol.  Man’s righteousness is as filthy rags showing no live offspring (not one unaffected by sin).  And “Christ righteousness” is life eternal.  Adam’s seed are ALL dead.  There is none righteous, not one.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.  He saith not, And to seeds, as of many;   but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.  For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.  Wherefore then serveth the law?  It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.  Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.  Galatians 3:16-20.

Till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; This promise we find in Galatians where we read, And to thy seed, which is Christ.  Isaiah tells us: Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  Isaiah 53:10.

The times we are living in are symbolized by Sodom. During the time their sins are being repeated, the promised “Son of Man” will be revealed.

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.  Luke 17:28-30.

Heretofore the third member of the Godhead has only been known to us by  titles and symbols, Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, water, oil, wind, fire, dove etc. and not as the feminine member of the Godhead.  But we must remember Jesus said, “Ye must be born of the Spirit”.  And even a child knows that if there is a father and son, there has to be a mother.  The feminine member of the family is the only one that gives birth. Remember Romans 1:20, the visible shows the invisible, even the Godhead. Let any beware who would lightly treat this truth.

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.  Matthew 12:31.

With out the understanding of Christ’s heir we have applied “the seed of the woman” to Christ.  Because there was no seed placed in Mary, Mary built the body that contained “the seed of the woman”.  Sin separated us from face to face communion with the heavenly family. The only visible member of the Godhead is the human Messiah, Christ, and this is the reason for the titles and symbols. The scriptures regarding the feminine members are so intertwined that we have not understood that there are two. The “Spirit” that overshadowed Mary is not the same as “another comforter” that Jesus promised to send when He went away.  The “Spirit” that overshadowed Mary is the Mother of God’s Son, the Creator. The “Spirit” told me that “when the “Spirit” overshadowed Mary she left a bit of Spirit in Mary and Mary built a body for it.” Mary is a surrogate mother or one that has a baby for another woman. The “Spirit” overshadowed or encompassed Mary and when the “Spirit” left her, she was with child.  Without the understanding that the Spirit is of the feminine gender there is no way that we can understand the plan of salvation.  Zechariah 2:10 tells us that there is a daughter of Zion (Jerusalem which is above). It would be difficult to have a Daughter with out a Mother and vice versa.

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.  Zechariah 2:10.

Adam married his sister and Abraham married his sister, and both represent (symbolize) Christ, the second Adam, who was divided male and female and married His sister.  When Christ (male and female) went to Heaven, they were crowned as kings.  This crowning ceremony was so glorious it filled Heaven and spilled over into this Earth.  The way we know that Christ and His other self were crowned is because the woman in Revelation 12 has a crown. The reason John sees this as a “great wonder” is that man and woman were made to inhabit this Earth and Heaven is for “Spirits”, or the Heavenly family.

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:  Revelation 12:1.

In biblical times, when a couple in Israel marries the wedding party follows to the place where they spend the night.  The good man, or best man, is the one that informs the wedding party that the marriage is consummated and they celebrate.  This is what John the beloved recorded for us in Revelation 12 by telling us that the Woman is with child.  This shows that not only was Christ crowned, but He was also married.  Pentecost was crowning time for the kings of Israel and marriage time still today, May-June, is Pentecost time and many couples get married in or around June.

Christ’s ascension to heaven was the signal that His followers were to receive the promised blessing.  For this they were to wait before they entered upon their work.  When Christ passed within the gates, He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels.  As soon as this ceremony was completed, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in rich currents, and Christ was indeed glorified, even with the glory which He had with the Father from all eternity.  The Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven’s communication that the Redeemer’s inauguration was accomplished.  According to His promise, He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers as a token that He had, as priest and king, received all authority in Heaven and Earth, and was the Anointed One over His people. The Acts of the Apostles pg 38-39

God blessed Abraham and Christ

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;  Genesis 22:17.

Moses’ Passover delivered Abraham’s seed through Isaac;

And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.  And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.  Exodus 12:37-38.

Passover, The Lord’s Supper, delivered Abraham’s seed through Christ;

And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.  Revelation 7:4.

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; Revelation 7:9.

This may seem like we are left up in the air; but remember it is the reality of the types and symbols that bring the everlasting life (salvation). A picture of water can never make one clean and neither can types and symbols for they are only pictures. 

Yours to meet Christ in His Kingdom

Athen Slawson