The Shadow Of Things To Come

Shadows of Things to Come by D. J. Love, Minister, TSN, SBC written 10-30-2004

In order to understand Colossians chapter two to its fullness, we need to better understand the meaning of a "Shadow Of Things To Come."

Col 2:16-17 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an Holy Day, or of the New Moon, or of the Sabbath [days]: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Messiah.

This message, however, is not to analyze Colossians chapter two, but to dispel the myth concerning the phrase "Shadows Of Things To Come." Many so called preachers and teachers of the word, have wrongly used this phrase to say that we do not have to observe any of those things mentioned in Colossians chapter two because these are things that have not yet come. That if and when we ever observe them, that it will most probably be in heaven or in the coming kingdom on Earth in the future; Nothing could be farther from the truth. IF you have been studying my many other messages, then you should be fully aware by now that YHVH uses anthropomorphisms to draw parallel examples between the physical (which we can see) and the Spiritual (which we cannot see) in order to explain Spiritual Truths; Romans 1:20 pretty much spells it out, and reasonably so.

Romans 1:20 For the invisible (Spiritual) things of Him (YHVH) from the creation of the world are clearly (easily) seen, being understood by the things that are made (The physical or created things), [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Yes, folks, IF you want to be able to better understand The Inspired Words of YHVH, you had better learn how to discern anthropomorphisms (physical to Spiritual parallels); because ALL "Shadows of Things to Come," ARE anthropomorphisms. However, they are still not as previously believed and taught by uninspired seminary and college educated preachers and teachers. The purpose of a "Shadow of Things to Come" is to teach Spiritual Truth (in this case prophecy). Let's take another look at Colossians, only this time with its inspired interpretation.

Col 2:16-17 16 Let no man therefore judge you in (clean) meat (which you presently observe), or in drink (which you presently observe), or in respect of an Holy Day (which you presently observe), or of the New Moon (which you presently observe), or of the Sabbath [days] (which you presently observe): 17 Which (they all) are a shadow (teacher of prophecy) of things to come; but the body [is] of Messiah.

Yahweh has given us the means to discern prophecy, as "Shadows of Things to Come," and "The World" has dismissed it as insignificant, because they assume that they are just shadows or vague images of a future life in heaven (or something). Do you see how "In seeing they do not see," and "In hearing they do not hear?" Every single verse below is an anthropomorphism, to help those with (Spiritual) ears to hear (Spiritual things) and (Spiritual) eyes to see (Spiritual things) to understand (Spiritual things).

Deuteronomy 29:4 Yet YHVH hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day (now past).

Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and

be healed.

Isaiah 32:3 And the eyes of them that (spiritually) see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that (spiritually) hear shall hearken.

Jeremiah 5:21 Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have (physical) eyes, and (spiritually) see not; which have (physical) ears, and (spiritually) hear not:

Ezekiel 12:2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have (physical) eyes to see, and (spiritually) see not; they have (phusical) ears to hear, and (spiritually) hear not: for they [are] a rebellious (SELF-centered) house.

Matthew 13:15-16 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed [are] your (spiritual) eyes, for they see: and your (spiritual) ears, for they hear.

Mark 8:18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

Acts 28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Romans 11:8 (According as it is written, YHVH hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day (not completely past).

The bottom line is simply this, "There is no significant

difference in a "Shadow of Things to Come," and a lesson taught and learned by YHVH's Holy Righteous Spirit." Nehemiah 9:20 Thou gavest also thy good (Holy) Spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.

SO what are (Clean) Meats or in Drink (as wine) or in Respect for Holy Days (all of them) or Respect for a New Moon (to determine the beginning of months and Holy Days) or respect for The Sabbath Days (all of them)?

They are all teaching anthropomorphisms that Yahweh expects us to keep in order to "See & Hear" and "Teach & Learn" Spiritual Truths. John 16:13 Howbeit when [it] the (Holy) Spirit of truth, is come (into you), it will guide you into all truth: for it shall not speak of itself; but whatsoever the (holy) Spirit (inside you) shall HEAR (and thus bring understanding) shall it (you) SPEAK: and it will SHOW you

things to come.

Keep The Shadows of Things to Come!