Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”—John 1:49

In the Jewish age, all the revealings of God to His people, everything relating to His worship, was closely connected with the sanctuary—with the tabernacle in the wilderness, and afterward with the temple. Here God was worshiped; here the sacrificial offerings were presented before Him. Here was the breastplate of the high priest, set with precious stones, from which messages from Jehovah were received. Here, in the holy of holies, overshadowed by the wings of cherubim, dwelt the perpetual token of the presence of the Holy One, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Here was the ark of the covenant, containing the tables of the law—the ark which was to Israel the symbol of the divine presence, and the pledge of victory in battle….

All through the pages of sacred history, where the dealings of God with His chosen people are recorded, there are burning traces of the great I AM. Never has He given to the sons of humanity more open manifestations of His power and glory than when He alone was acknowledged as Israel’s Ruler, and gave the law to His people. Here was a scepter swayed by no human hand; and the stately goings forth of Israel’s invisible King were unspeakably grand and awful.

Truly this was a wonderful dispensation, and those who speak derisively of the old Jewish law and the Dark Ages, should remember that they are treading on holy ground. While we rejoice today that our Saviour has appeared on earth, and that the offering for sin typified in the ceremonial law has become a reality, we are not excusable in harboring feelings of disrespect for that period when Christ Himself was the leader of His people. Those who do this may not know what they are doing; but they are showing themselves ignorant both of the Scriptures and of the power of God. They show that they need divine enlightenment, a more intelligent knowledge of God and His word.

The Christ typified in the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish law is the very same Christ that is revealed in the gospel. The clouds that enshrouded His divine form have rolled back; the mists and shades have disappeared; and Jesus, the world’s Redeemer, stands revealed.—The Signs of the Times, June 3, 1886.

Further Reflection: Why didn’t Jesus simply reveal Himself without types and symbols?