The concept of the shift from symbol to reality is a significant theme in biblical theology, reflecting the transition from Old Testament symbols and types to their fulfillment in the New Testament through the person and work of Jesus Christ. This transition underscores the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan as revealed in Scripture.

Old Testament Symbols and Types

In the Old Testament, God often used symbols, types, and shadows to convey deeper spiritual truths and foreshadow future realities. These symbols served as tangible representations of God's promises and His covenant relationship with His people. For instance, the sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law was a symbolic representation of atonement and purification. The blood of animals, as described in Leviticus, was a temporary covering for sin, pointing to the need for a more perfect sacrifice.

The tabernacle and later the temple were also rich in symbolic meaning. They represented God's dwelling place among His people and the means by which they could approach Him. The high priest, who entered the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement, was a type of Christ, foreshadowing the ultimate High Priest who would offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice.

Fulfillment in Christ

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of these Old Testament symbols and types in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews articulates this transition, stating, "The law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves" (Hebrews 10:1). Jesus is presented as the reality to which these shadows pointed.

Christ's sacrificial death on the cross is the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system. As the Lamb of God, He offered Himself once for all, achieving what the blood of bulls and goats could never accomplish (Hebrews 10:4). His resurrection and ascension further affirm His role as the eternal High Priest, who intercedes for believers at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 7:25).

The temple, too, finds its fulfillment in Christ. In John 2:19-21, Jesus refers to His body as the temple, indicating that He is the true dwelling place of God among men. Through His incarnation, God tabernacled among humanity, and through His Spirit, He continues to dwell within believers, making them the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

The New Covenant

The shift from symbol to reality is also evident in the establishment of the New Covenant. Jeremiah prophesied a new covenant that would be written on the hearts of God's people (Jeremiah 31:31-34). This promise is realized in Christ, who, at the Last Supper, declared, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you" (Luke 22:20). The New Covenant, unlike the Old, is based on the finished work of Christ and the internal transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit.

Eschatological Fulfillment

While many symbols have found their fulfillment in Christ's first coming, the ultimate reality awaits His return. The Book of Revelation describes the consummation of God's redemptive plan, where the symbolic imagery of the New Jerusalem and the marriage supper of the Lamb will become reality. Believers anticipate the day when faith becomes sight, and the fullness of God's promises is realized in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4).

In summary, the shift from symbol to reality is a central theme in Scripture, highlighting the continuity of God's redemptive work from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Through Christ, the shadows of the Old Covenant give way to the substance of the New, offering believers a deeper understanding of God's eternal purposes.