Page 151 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

COLOUR - COMMENDATION

woof we stand amazed. Let us look a bit just at the color ingenuity, is utterly insufficient. God must provide our
scheme that runs through the Bible. covering. He did it in Eden and in so doing pointed His
Throughout the Book GOLD is emblematic of Deity. finger down the course of time to Calvary to the Lamb
The Thread of gold begins in Eden where it is said of that taketh away the sin of the world.
this metal that it “is good.” It plays an important part Again and again, woven into the whole texture of the
throughout the whole Old Testament. With it the Book, this blood thread appears. It cannot be escaped. It
Tabernacle furniture was covered, as also the walls of is seen climatically at Calvary where sins were expiated
the Temple. With it kings were crowned, designating once for all. In this scarlet thread the CROSS has been
their divinely-appointed supremacy. Thus throughout woven inextricably into the texture of the Bible—the
the Book, it speaks to us of the beauty and preciousness one Book of adequate substitutionary sacrifice for man’s
of our God and His Christ. redemption.
The SILVER thread of redemption also runs through What do these colors mean to YOU? Where do you
the Book. Silver was designated as atonement money stand in respect to the Word of life which is nigh thee,
and symbolized the one price for all in the experience of even in thy mouth? “If thou shalt confess with thy
redemption. Christ paid this price in His own blood at mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart
Calvary. WHITE is the thread of righteousness or purity. that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
Used in the Tabernacle and Temple hangings, it saved. For with the heart man believeth unto
portrayed the righteousness of Jehovah. Christ was righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
transfigured before His apostles in the Mount and His unto salvation” (Ro. 10:9-10) (V.C. Oltrogge). [See also
“raiment was white and glistering, so as no fuller on High Priest, Tabernacle.]
earth could white them.” Angelic messengers from His COLOUR. (1) Color (Nu. 11:7). (2) Pretense;
holy habitations make their appearances in the white of outward show (Ac. 27:30).
heaven. COME AT. Come near (Nu. 6:6; Lk. 8:19).
BLACK is not omitted from the sacred page. It made COME BY. (1) To approach by; to pass near (Jos.
its first appearance in the rebellion of Lucifer. In the 7:14; Ro. 15:28). (2) To get possession of (Ac. 27:16).
records of time it first besmirched the restored creation
of God in Eden. Satan is its author and it is SIN. At COMELY. Elegant; well-fashioned; attractive;
Calvary the ebony hue of sin is beheld in its awfulness; befitting (1 Sa. 16:18; Ps. 33:1; 147:1; Pr. 30:29; Song
the sun loses its light and the earth is bathed in 1:5; Is. 53:2; Eze. 27:10; Da. 10:8; 1 Co. 7:35; 11:13;
blackness, that portrays the wrath of God. 12:24).
BLUE is the thread of heaven, one of the most COMFORT. Relief from pain; ease; rest or moderate
predominant colors in the coverings and trimmings of pleasure after pain, cold or distress or uneasiness of
the Tabernacle and Temple. It presents to us the truth body; relief from distress of mind; the ease and quiet
that Israel’s system of faith and worship was from which is experienced when pain, trouble, agitation or
heaven, a revelation brought down, not a religion affliction ceases; support; consolation; encouragement
gotten up. (Webster) (Ge. 5:29; 18:5; 27:42; 37:35; 2 Sa. 10:2; 1
Ch. 7:22; Job 2:11; Ps. 23:4; Is. 40:1; Lam. 1:2; Mt.
PURPLE is the color of royalty, evident in the 9:22; Jn. 11:19). The child of God has comfort in the
drapings of Tabernacle and Temple, typifying the Holy Spirit (Ac. 9:31), the Scriptures (Ro. 15:4),
coming regal One whose undisputed right to reign was preaching (1 Co. 14:3), the ministry of the godly
contested at Calvary. When He was mocked, they put a preachers (2 Co. 1:4; Ep. 6:22; Col. 4:8; 1 Th. 3:2), the
purple robe upon Him. Little did they realize His right fellowship of the brethren (1 Th. 4:18; 5:11, 14). [See
to be clothed in royal array. They stripped Him of it Cheer, Consolation, Delight, Hope, Joy, Rejoice,
again and with hissing mockery born of hell they cried, Suffering, Trial.]
“Hail, king of the Jews!” But He is again to be clothed in
royal purple, for as King of kings and Lord of lords, He COMFORTER. A name for the Holy Spirit, referring
is to rule from David’s throne in Jerusalem. to His ministry of encouraging and strengthening the
believer (Jn. 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). [See Holy Spirit.]
SCARLET is the color of blood atonement, without
which “there is no remission of sins.” The scarlet thread COMMEND. (1) To commit to (Lk. 23:46; Ac.
of sacrifice begins in Eden. After man had sinned, he 14:23). (2) To approve; recommend (Pr. 12:8; Ro. 16:1;
realized his nakedness and sought to cover his shame 1 Co. 8:8; 2 Co. 3:1; 5:12; 10:12). (3) To commend to
with fig leaves. But God in mercy and grace, ere He the care of (Ac. 20:32). (4) To make known; to manifest
drove man forth, slew the lamb and provided a blood (Ro. 5:8).
covering. Fig leaf religion, that provided by man’s own COMMENDATION. Recommendation; introduction
(2 Co. 3:1).

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 151