ALLEGORIES
Does the Bible always say what it means or mean what it says? One of the difficulties with reading the Bible is that much of what it says is allegory. As one book puts it: “[One] reason for this is that Scripture is written allegorically, or as Clement say, (Clement of Alexandria) ‘in parables.’ The sacred text has more than one meaning.**
So it is with many words in the Bible. Take the word “woman” for example, it has been used as an allegory for the church and vice-versa. In Genesis 2:24, regarding man and woman, it is said that: “a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
In Revelation 19:7-8 states: “…for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Further along, while speaking of the New Jerusalem, Revelation goes on to say: “…The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light…” (21:23-24).
So the woman who is to marry the man in Genesis is replaced by the church which is to be the bride of the Lamb (Christ) in Revelation.
Now in Genesis, it says that: “…God caused a great sleep to fall on Adam…and He took one of his ribs…which the Lord God made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:21-22)
In John, at the crucifixion of Christ, it is stated that: “…one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.” (19:34) The blood and water that came from Jesus’ side indicated that He was truly dead but also, as stated in 1 John 5:6 “This is He who came by water and blood-Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.” It goes on to say in verse 8 that “…there are three who bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.” This, in part, comes from Leviticus where it states that in order to cleanse (purify) a house that: “…he [a priest] shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and the running water and the living bird…” (14:52).
So the blood and water that came from the side of Christ not only gave proof of His death, but also signified His divinity. They also were evidence to the purification that these substances provided in the Old Testament.
And as the woman came from the side of Adam in Genesis, so started the church from the side of Christ, at His death, in the New Testament with the symbolism of purification by blood and water.
The meanings become clearer when you think about them.
*Clement of Alexandria (150-215AD) was an early church father
**The Story of Christianity by Justo L. Gonzales pg. 73
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