Christ as Mediator

Moses

Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, [even] Jesus: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old.—Acts 3:19-21, ASV

Mark Tribble

Moses is highly regarded by the adherents of three religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Yet each of these understands his role quite differently. All agree that he was a great man, led Israel out of Egyptian bondage, and received the law from God. To this day he is a singular figure in the Jewish faith and consciousness. As mediator of the Law Covenant we believe he typified a “greater than Moses” who would accomplish blessings through the New Covenant that Moses could never have achieved in his time.

One encyclopedia says Moshe is a Hebrew word meaning “one who draws water.” The Bible asserts that this is the origin of the name because Moses was “drawn out” of the water by the Egyptian princess.

“A Prophet Like Unto Me”

Beginning in Acts 3:12, Peter speaks to a crowd who had gathered at the healing of a lame man. He tells them that Jesus was the Prince of Life whom God raised from the dead (Acts 3:15). He proceeds to tell them that at some point in time, there will be a prophet sent like unto Moses, and then the people must listen and obey or face the consequences. Acts chapter 4 says the religious leaders were not convinced, but about 5,000 people did believe on Jesus (Acts 4:4).

Peter said that the Jews had longed for this one whom Moses had promised. Daniel’s seventy-week prophecy (Daniel 9:24) spoke of this one to come: “The people were in expectation [of him]” (Luke 3:15). Pastor Russell writes: “It was thus, in types, that Moses wrote of Christ and the blessings to come through him (John 5:46; 1:45)—the Great Restitution and Jubilee to come to all the race, now groaning under the bondage of corruption and slavery to Sin” (The Time is at Hand, p. 177).

Jesus the Head and the church his body (Colossians 1:24), when complete, will comprise “that Prophet,” the “mediator of a better covenant” (Hebrews 8:6). In this understanding, Bible Students are likely unique. Many recognize that Peter in Acts 3:22,23 identified “that prophet” as Jesus, but fail to see the antitypical fulfillment in that Peter speaks of the completed Messiah, Jesus the head and the church his body. “Moses seems to have been a type of the complete Christ (Head and body) at the introduction of the Millennial age, when the New Covenant will be introduced to the world—after ‘the sound of the great [seventh] trumpet,’ and the black darkness and ‘great earthquake,’ etc., of the Day of Vengeance shall have appalled mankind and made them ready to hear the voice of the Great Teacher, and glad to accept his New Covenant” (The Battle of Armageddon, p. 630).

The Clouds of Sinai

The world has seen clouds of trouble since the return of Christ in 1874. The thick darkness of the mountain at Sinai with the earth quaking were pictures of the spiritual darkness in the world and the upheavals of society. Truly the nations are in turmoil with no way out. The safety valves that have enabled society to lurch along throughout the twentieth century are now being overwhelmed, producing discontent, worry, fear, stress, and anger. The storm and natural fury of the elements at Sinai also picture the difficult time of trouble that the last members of The Christ may go through to complete their change. Instead of approaching Mount Sinai as in Moses’ day, the world will be confronted with Mount Zion, the spiritual phase of the kingdom. As none who were at Sinai could miss the manifestations of God at the inauguration of the Law Covenant, so all of mankind will “see” the breakdown of this present evil world, the establishment of the New Covenant in all the earth, and will eventually recognize these things as part of God’s plan of salvation (Luke 3:6).

As Moses desired to bless the people of Israel, so The Christ will bless all the families of the earth, in accord with the original promise given to Abraham (Genesis 12:2,3). The merit of Jesus’ sacrifice secured for him the promises of God. The “joy set before him” caused him to endure the shame of the cross, the degradation and humiliation that was heaped upon him. Becoming the inheritor of all things by keeping God’s law perfectly, he was placed in the unique position of being qualified as the mediator of the New Covenant, the church sharing with him in this work by the arrangement of the sin-offering. The experiences that they have had will “fill up ... the afflictions of Christ” (Colossians 1:24), allowing the race of mankind to feel a kinship, to give them a hope that they too can overcome the weaknesses of the old flesh, and make steady progress up the Highway of Holiness (Isaiah 35:8). Those who rebelled and despised Moses died without mercy, though they will be awakened from the tomb. But those of this same mind-set, under the antitypical Moses, will encounter a more severe penalty: second death, a death without a further resurrection. Rebellion and disobedience are symptoms of pride, and “pride goeth before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18).

Broken Tables of the Law

Moses broke the first tables of the law in anger when he came down from the mount and saw the idolatry and wickedness that had been embraced by the people. The breaking of the tablets represented the typical failure of the Law Covenant to secure everlasting life for the lost and dying race. The second set of tablets represented the New (Law) Covenant, enacted on better promises and sure of success because of the worthiness of the Mediator. During the period of Christ’s parousia there is also wickedness and idolatry among the people; they also worship (creedal) idols and the idols of money, fame, and success.

The Law Covenant that Moses received from God is still binding on Israel until the antitypical mediator is complete (Romans 7:1). Only then the “blindness in part” will be turned away (Romans 11:25). When the antitype of the Law covenant comes into operation, the impossible task of the Jew trying to fulfill the Law will cease. The New Law Covenant will succeed in doing what the former could never do: provide everlasting life through obedience. That was the original promise: Obey and live, Disobey and die (cf. Ezekiel 18:20-32).

Experiences of the Past

Much of the book of Deuteronomy is an admonition by Moses, a great sermon to prepare the Israelites for their entry into Canaan. He retells the events of the exodus and the establishment of the Law Covenant. He reminds them of the significance of their experiences. Those experiences are significant for the Church as well. That Israel’s experiences typically point ahead to a larger and grander spiritual fulfillment is in itself a testimony to the wisdom, justice, love, and power of the Creator.

Likewise the experiences of the past will remind the world of their failure to live up to God’s standards. Human history is full of wrong thinking, wrong decisions, and wrong turns. Mankind will need to recall their past so they can fully benefit from the gracious provisions of the New Covenant. The Christ will provide the needed lessons to remind the world of mankind how much has been done for them, and how much there is for them to do. Undoubtedly Moses will rejoice when he sees the fulfillment of the promises to Israel. The result he could not secure for them will be evident everywhere in the changed hearts and lives of the world of mankind.

During the time of this New Covenant, which is made with the house of Israel (Jeremiah 31), the whole world will be receiving blessings from it as they become “Israelites” by accepting the terms of this new arrangement. The Mediator will stand between God and man to bring about full reconciliation between God and all willing to obey. As Moses stood between Israel and God, so The Christ will stand between the world and God and bring mankind up through the administration of those who have received a “better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35), the faithful who lived in Old Testament times, These, called Ancient Worthies, (vs. 38) will be mentally, spiritually, and physically superior to the rest of men. They will command respect and inspire confidence. As one of them, Moses will be quick to grasp the typical significance of his role in his former life, and will understand the importance of the events that surrounded and influenced him.

The purpose of this coming world reign is unlike the reign of any previous earthly ruler. Humanity will be judged fairly and wisely, eventually returning to the role that God designed for his human family. As progress is made through the Messianic age, The Christ will be ever watchful, desirous to help those who go astray. This help will never override the free will of an individual, however. Each will know his responsibility to the increased light and knowledge of this glorious kingdom.

Moses was not allowed to set foot in the Promised Land, perhaps suggesting that the last members of the Church can appreciate and mentally discern the beauties of the earthly kingdom, but they cannot “possess it.” They have given up the earthly hope and have set their affections on things above. Canaan may picture the perfected earthly kingdom. As the typical mediator Moses died without entering the land, so the antitypical mediator will cease to exist (as a mediator) when the mediation work is complete, when the kingdom is turned over to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:28).

The words found in Numbers 6:24-27 will have their ultimate fulfillment in that day: “Jehovah bless thee, and keep thee: Jehovah make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: Jehovah lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. So shall they put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them” (ASV). Names in the Scriptures often represent character. By taking Jehovah’s name, mankind will have the opportunity to take on the character of God that was lost in Adam, revealed in Jesus at his first advent, and that his footstep followers have striven to emulate and attain during the Gospel age (cf. Acts 15:14).