How Adam and Eve point to Christ and His Church.
A beautiful way to read the Old Testament Scriptures is the allegory. This method of Old Testament exegesis is traceable to Jesus who “expounded in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27).
2 Tim. 3:15 tells us that the Hebrew Scriptures (Genesis to Malachi) were written to teach salvation through faith in Christ. This means we should be reading the Old Testament Scriptures to find Christ in all the imageries, types and shadows used therein. One of such types is Adam and Eve.
The Apostle Paul helps us see that Adam and Eve were actually foreshadowers of Christ and His Church (see Ephesians 5:25-32). This implies that the Gospel of Christ can be found in their story. Although Adam and Eve were REAL persons (see 1 Tim. 2:12-14), they yet pointed to Christ. Genesis 2:21-25 is particularly quintessential.
Adam is put to a deep sleep so another just like him can be formed (vs. 21). The phrase “deep sleep” translates the Hebrew word “tardemah” (תַּרְדֵּמָה). This word is derived from “radam” (רָדַם) which refers to an insensitive state, that is, one in which all the senses are shut up. This word was translated in Psalm 76:6 as “dead sleep.”
So, we see Adam fall into a deep, deathlike sleep (“sleep” is often used as a metaphor for death in Scripture) and in his death another would be created who is exactly like him. This points to Christ’s death and His Church coming to being as a result of His sacrifice.
In vs. 23 when Adam is “raised back to life,” he sees another being who is EXACTLY like him — “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” He calls her “woman” because she was taken out of him. In the same way, at Jesus’ Resurrection, His Church is formed EXACTLY like Him. But what for Adam was “one flesh,” for us is “one spirit” — we are now one (identified) with the Lord! (See 1 Corin. 6:17). This is what it means to be “in Christ.” It infers an everlasting union.
So the reality of what Adam and his wife foreshadowed is found in Christ and His spiritual bride — the Church! Just like Adam, Christ “slept” (died) and in His “awakening” (Resurrection) came forth His bride, having the SAME nature and characteristics as Him. Note however that in the allegorical method of Bible interpretation, not EVERY aspect of the type’s life speaks concerning Christ. For example, Adam’s sin does not mean Christ would sin. Only certain aspects or characteristics in the type’s life point to Christ. Hence, the interpreter must carefully seek out specific occurrences which point to Christ and not go overboard.
(For the full explanation, get the teaching “What God Always Wanted” by Pastor Josh Banks)
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2020.
