In the Old Testament, there are several instances where the physical realm is represented as a shadow, pointing towards the spiritual reality.
What Is The Physical Realm?
The “physical realm” refers to the tangible, material world in which we live.
It encompasses all the physical objects, substances, and phenomena that can be perceived through our senses or measured using scientific instruments.
In the context of scripture, the physical realm is often described as the visible creation of God, including the earth, heavens, and everything within them.
What Is The Spiritual Realm?
The “spiritual realm” as defined in scripture refers to the non-physical or metaphysical reality that exists beyond our tangible, material world.
Scripture describes the spiritual realm as the domain of God, angels, and other spiritual beings. It encompasses the realm of divine presence, supernatural experiences, and eternal truths that extend beyond our physical existence.
“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” – Psalm 103:19
What Does Shadow Mean?
The word “shadow” refers to a symbolic representation or foreshadowing of a deeper spiritual truth.
It signifies something that is not fully realized or understood in its physical form but points towards a spiritual reality yet to come.
This can be seen in various instances within the Old Testament where physical objects, events, or practices are used as shadows to signify and anticipate the fulfillment of God’s plans and purposes.
Biblical Examples Of The O.T. Shadow Revealed In The N.T.
The Tabernacle and Temple
The construction of the tabernacle and later the temple in Jerusalem were physical representations of a greater spiritual reality.
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written,
“The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.”
The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. -1 Corinthians 15:440-
It is also mentioned that the place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven:
They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” [Hebrews 8:5]
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| 8:1 Now the main point in what has been said {is this:} we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, |
| 8:2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. |
| 8:3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this {high priest} also have something to offer. |
| 8:4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; |
| 8:5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned {by God} when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “SEE, He says, “THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.”” |
| 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. |
| 8:7 For if that first {covenant} had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. |
| 8:8 For finding fault with them, He says, “BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH; |
| 8:9 NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD. |
| 8:10 “FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS. AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. |
| 8:11 “AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, `KNOW THE LORD,’ FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM. |
| 8:12 “FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE.” |
| 8:13 When He said, “A new {covenant,} He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.” |
13In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
Footnotes:
a2 Or tabernacle; also verse 5
b6 Greek he
c8 Some manuscripts For finding fault with it he says to them
These physical structures served as a visual reminder of the spiritual dwelling place of God.
Sacrifices and Offerings
The various sacrifices and offerings prescribed in the Old Testament law were physical acts that symbolized a deeper spiritual truth.
For example, the offering of animal sacrifices represented the need for atonement for sins, pointing towards the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross for the redemption of humanity.
Bible Verses
Leviticus 1:4 – “He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.”
Leviticus 16:34 – “And this shall be a statute forever for you, that atonement may be made for the people of Israel once in the year because of all their sins.”
Hebrews 9:22 – “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
Isaiah 53:5 – “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
Romans 3:25 – “God put Christ forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.”
1 Peter 2:24 – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
Hebrews 10:10 – “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
John 1:29 – “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”
Ephesians 5:2 – “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Revelation 5:9 – “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.’”
Festivals and Sabbaths
The festivals, new moons, and Sabbaths observed in the Old Testament served as temporal traditions that had symbolic significance.
They were shadows of the spiritual realities to come. Colossians 2:16-17 states that these were a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
Bible Verses
Leviticus 23:1-44 – This chapter outlines various festivals and appointed times such as the Sabbath, Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Firstfruits, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Booths (Tabernacles).
Exodus 12:1-28 – Instructions for the Passover festival, including the selection and sacrifice of the lamb.
Numbers 28:1-29:40 – Details of the offerings and sacrifices to be made on various festivals and appointed times.
Deuteronomy 16:1-17 – Instructions for the observance of the Passover, Feast of Weeks, and Feast of Booths, emphasizing the importance of giving offerings and worshiping God during these times.
Colossians 2:16-17 – As mentioned before, this verse states that the festivals, new moons, and Sabbaths were shadows of things to come, with Christ being the substance or fulfillment of these symbolic practices.
Galatians 4:9-10 – Paul warns against returning to observing days, months, seasons, and years, highlighting the freedom and salvation found in Christ.
Hebrews 10:1 – The author of Hebrews explains how the Old Testament law and its festivals were a shadow of the good things to come, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
Romans 14:5-6 – Paul addresses differing opinions on the observance of special days, encouraging believers to have conviction in their own minds and not condemn each other based on these practices..
Ezekiel 45:17 – In the context of future temple rituals, the prophet Ezekiel mentions the observance of festivals such as the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Zechariah 14:16-19 – Zechariah prophesies about a time when all nations will come to worship the Lord during the Feast of Booths.
Acts 18:21 – Paul desires to celebrate the upcoming feast in Jerusalem, indicating his recognition of Jewish festivals.
Acts 20:6 – Paul and his companions stayed in Philippi to observe the days of Unleavened Bread.
The Promised Land
The physical Promised Land, to which the Israelites were guided by God, served as a symbolic representation of the greater spiritual inheritance promised to believers in the Bible.
It symbolized the peace and abundant life that can be attained through faith in Christ.
Biblical Verses:
Old Testament
Genesis 12:7 – “The Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land.’ So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.”
Genesis 13:14-15 – “The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, ‘Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.’”
Exodus 3:8 – “And I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey.”
Joshua 1:6 – “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.”
Psalm 37:9 – “For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.”
New Testament
Matthew 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Hebrews 11:9 – “By faith, he [Abraham] went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.”
Revelation 21:3-4 – “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’”
Revelation 22:1-2 – “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
