Illustrating Macro-Typology

Typology refers to the study of correspondences between persons, events, and institutions within the historical framework of God's acts. It rests upon the conviction that God has sovereignly ordered history such that God's past actions serve as a pattern for his future actions. The first event/person/institution is referred to as a "type," while the latter is the "antitype."

Although some have abused typology, its use in the New Testament demonstrates that it is a legitimate way of seeing connections between the Old and the New Testaments. Typology is not about finding obscure connections between OT events and NT realities, such as arguing that the scarlet thread hung in Rahab's window points to the blood of Christ (Joshua 2:21). Instead, typology tends to work on the macro-level. In other words, it is connected with major events, people and institutions in the unfolding story of God. A helpful guideline in testing whether a possible type is in fact legitimate is to ask how closely that type is related to the central message of the passage. If it is a small detail that is not very closely related to the main point of the passage, it is unlikely to be a legitimate or significant type. Thus, the storyline of the biblical remnant and salvation has significant connections to salvation.

 Biblical Storyline Remnant

As early as Adam and Eve's sons, God chooses some and not others (e.g. Abel not Cain; Isaac not Ishmael; Jacob not Esau; etc.). Even within the nation of Israel God makes it clear that not every single Israelite is in a right relationship with him. As the rebellion of Israel grew, God made it progressively clearer that his purposes would be accomplished through a remnant of the nation from which Messiah would come (Isa 10:22). This concept is picked up in the New Testament when Jesus chooses the 12 apostles to represent the restoration of Israel through a remnant identified with him (Matt 10:1-4). God in His wisdom chose the remnant to experience redemptive power of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.

Salvation of the remnant is not cheap. Hence, it is through God’s election, predestination and foreordination from the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-14; Rom. 8:28-33; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1; 2:9; 2 Thess. 2:13). It is not done by quoting a few bible verses and pretending to be a Christian. For example, you cannot force your way to salvation. One has to be elected and predestined to salvation by God. The Bible is a story that runs from creation in Genesis to new creation in Revelation. In addition, in between God promises to make things new in connection with his promise of redemption (Isa 46:8-10; 65:17-19; 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15). Related to this theme would also be the themes of new life and resurrection. That means those (called in the bible as His people) that Jesus has taken the consequences of all their failures by fulfilling in himself all that God requires of them. These are the remnant called to salvation by God’s grace and mercy.

 Only through Jesus Christ, we are offered grace, a free gift. This is contrary to human nature, which in pride says I can do it myself. The works that we do for God are the works that He has prepared in advance that we should walk in them; they are not a result of our efforts. They are God's works that we move in being guided by His Holy Spirit of Love. This is the destiny of every child of God on earth. God does not love anyone of us because we are good; God loves us because He is good.