God is amazing. No one else could put the shadow of future things into the past. Types and antitypes are examples of God prefiguring the future. Types are the shadow in the Old Testament of things that were to come (antitypes) in the New Testament.
Most of the furniture of the tabernacle and temple are of a typical nature. The Ark of the Covenant occupied the most prominent place in the Holy of Holies, and in many ways points to Christ.
| The Ark of the Covenant Type | Jesus The Christ Antitype |
| The space above the ark is where the presence of God met with the high priest (Exodus 25:22). | Is called Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). |
| Contained the tablets of stone given to Moses that were engraved with the law (Hebrews 9:4). | Is the Word made flesh; fulfilled the Law and gave grace and truth, which bring salvation (John 1:14, 17; Colossians 2:14; Titus 2:11). |
| Contained the jar of manna (Hebrews 9:4). | Is the bread of life (John 6:48). |
| Contained the rod of Aaron the high priest, which budded (Hebrews 9:4; Numbers 17:10). | Is our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14–16). |
| Was precious and pure (Exodus 25:10–11). | Is holy and undefiled (Hebrews 7:26). |
| Opened the passage through Jordan to the promised land (Joshua 3:7–4:18). | Opened the way to heaven and was baptized in the Jordan (Matthew 3:13–17; John 14:1–6; Ephesians 4:8). |
| Caused the walls of Jericho to fall after the people exercised faithful obedience (Joshua 6:12–20). | Has broken down the power of Satan for the faithfully obedient (Hebrews 2:14; Colossians 1:13). |
| Was victorious in battle (Joshua 6:1–27). | Is victorious over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:57). |
