The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet #6322

The foundation for the use of symbolism in scripture

Our Father has a simple method of drawing very colorful and impressively graphic pictures in our mind's eye so that we can SEE a visual representation of things which are unseen, invisible, i.e. spiritual. In fact the Apostle Paul explains this in Romans 1:20:

Romans 1:20
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:

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Editors Note: It would be of value to read Pamphlet #1151 "A horse riding on a chicken?"

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This is the foundation for the use of symbolism in scripture, which is to take things we can SEE with our flesh eyes and use them to represent something else that we need to SEE with our spiritual eyes. However, there is a unique and beautiful two-fold aspect concerning the use of symbolism and that is this:

If you understand what the symbols represent in an analogy then that which is being taught will be made very simple and easy to understand by the imagery etched in your mind. The proverb  "a picture is worth a thousand words"  is true, and it is a well documented and established fact that people remember far more of what they SEE than what they hear or read, even if what they SEE is only in their mind's eye, i.e. a picture which they have mentally created! God knows that, of course, which is exactly why the Holy Spirit gives us so many simple pictures, models, and plays to see and watch in His Word.

However, if you do not understand what the symbols represent, you will then scratch your head in wonderment and declare that which has been made so simple to be confusing, complex and mysterious, which is the way many folks describe the plain and simple Word of God.

Are you familiar with what God's elect, His watchmen, will be doing in the last days? Yes, they will be teaching His Word, but there also comes a time when they are to be delivered up. Here it is in Christ's own words as recorded in the Gospel of Mark:

Mark 13:9
But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

[10] And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

How is this proclaiming of the gospel among ALL NATIONS going to be accomplished? Is man going to do it, or is God going to do it? Here is your answer:

[11] But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Has there ever been anything like it before? Yes there has! Remember what happened on Pentecost Day in Acts chapter 2? Let's go there because this is important to understanding Ezekiel 37.

Acts 2:1
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

[2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

[3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

[4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now, as these men of God were speaking "the wonderful works of God" (Acts 2:11), which by the way every person present out of every nation present clearly heard spoken in his own language, some were making false accusations against them of being drunk, etc. But Peter stood up and said "No, these men are not drunk. This is an example of what will happen in the last days (which we just read about in Mark 13)."

Then Peter quoted His documentation from the book of the prophet Joel. In other words, Peter spoke in the manner of "Thus saith the Lord GOD", "here's what the Word of God says."

Acts 2:16
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

[17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

And they now understand the "visions" Ezekiel saw too, including the highly polished spectrum metal circular whirling vehicle which came out of the north sky, let down its landing gear, and landed right in front of him!

They also understand the dreams of Daniel, etc., even king Nebuchadnezzar's dreams! And the Word of God is being taught chapter by chapter and line by line by those sons and daughters, the "children of the prophets" (Acts 3:25).

But as we just read, there will come a time when the "WIND" comes rushing from heaven and the Holy Spirit is poured out on HIS servants and HIS handmaidens and they shall prophesy, to that WIND! Here it is:

Acts 2:18
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

[19] And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

[20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: