A Short Synopsis of the Themes of Each of the Gospels
Early church philosophers and teachers saw a correlation between the Four Living Creatures and the four Gospels. As stated in the Book of Revelation, the four Living Creatures are before the throne of Yahavah.
The photo of the seven lamps above is a replica of the original temple lamps and the seven lamps before the throne. The lamps represent the seven spirits of Yahavah (top seven bowls) and the four Living Creatures (lower four bowls). When Jesus was baptized the prophecy of anointing by the seven spirits of God was fulfilled. All are symbolically representative of the four aspects of Jesus' ministry in total and willing obedience to His father, Yahavah, by the power of the Spirit of Yahavah.
Book of Matthew--Theme-the Son of David
There are more than 100 allusions to or quotations from the Old Testament presented as the basis of his appeals. He uses the witness of the OT to site fulfilled prophecies concerning Jesus as Messiah. Matthew's genealogy of Jesus is carefully arranged in three groups of fourteen. Fourteen is two times seven; seven being the sacred number of Sabbath. Fourteen is also the Hebrew numerical equivalent of the name of David. I do not believe in understanding the Bible through the use of numbers or numerology. However, some numbers do have significant importance. Seven for Sabbath and Fifty for Jubilee (seven Sabbaths then Jubilee). Jesus was thirty when he was baptized which is the age of a man entering the priesthood of the temple. None of the numbers related to the OT and prophecy require long mathematical formulas to arrive at their importance. Keep it simple, God does.
The theological theme of Matthew is that Jesus is the promised Messiah of the Hebrews. He is of the line of Judah and the promised Davidic king. He came to bring the kingdom of God . Rejected by his people, He was crucified as the "King of the Judeans" in mockery. Matthew makes it clear that the OT, the Law and the Prophets find their fulfillment in Jesus.
What you can learn from the Book of Matthew:
There are five teaching/ narrative sections.
1. Chapters 5-7--The theme is discipleship--the teaching is the sermon on the Mount.
2. Chapter 10--The theme is mission or apostleship--the twelve were sent out to preach and heal
3. Chapter 13--The theme is the parables of the kingdom
4. Chapter 18--The theme is discipline and the fellowship of the church.
5. Chapters 24-25--The theme is in the apocalyptic discourse on the end of the world.
I will add one more:
6. Chapter 28--The death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ--He left the disciples with the Great Commission.
Book of Mark--Theme-the Son of God
The opens with the preaching of John the Baptist. Only five short verses move the reader through the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit anointing and the wilderness temptation. Mark reports mostly on Jesus in Galilee, his parables, healings, miracles and the power of faith.
Of the parables, especially the parable of the Sower and Soils, Jesus told his disciples, "Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them (Jer.5:21). And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word.
Mark 4:11-13. Jesus explained everything to his disciples privately to prepare them for their work when he was gone. Mark also reports on Jesus' teaching on things to come and his return. Mark places a sense of urgency in his writing.
Book of Luke--Theme-the Savior
The theme of this book can be summarized in Jesus' words to Zachaeus, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" Luke 19:10. Jesus was to be "A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." Luke 2:32. He tells the full story of the birth of John the baptist and Jesus. It isn't until chapter 3 that he tells of Jesus' genealogy to Mary, his mother. The parables reported by Luke are those of the lost sheep, lost coin, the lost prodigal son and the parable of the Good Samaritan. His focus is on the fact that Jesus is the one and only Savior!
Book of John--Theme-the Word-Logos (Divine Expression)
John is the only one who tells us about Jesus' promise of a Comforter. I think Ecclesiastes 4:1 presents a good definition of why we need a comforter. "So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter."
Who or what is the Comforter? Jesus told his disciples--"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" John 14:26.
The Bible is the written Word of Yahavah inspired by the Spirit of Yahavah.
The Book of John could also be called the Gospel of the Spirit of Yahavah, a.k.a. Holy Spirit and Holy Ghost.
Getting to know Jesus
Revelation 4:5-7 (KJV)
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts (Living Creatures) full of eyes before and behind.
7 And the first Creature was like a lion, and the second Creature like a calf, and the third Creature had a face as a man, and the fourth Creature was like a flying eagle.
Faces of the Four
Living Creatures
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Son of David
Son of God
The Savior
Eternal Son-Logos
Lion (of Judah)
Face of a man
Ox
Eagle
Gospel Theme Living Creature Prophesied
Promised Davidic King
Born of a Virgin
Last Sacrifice for Sin
Promised Paraclete
Christians For Life Ministries
Bringing the Body of Christ Together in One Mind in the Spirit of YHVH --Ephesians 4:1-16
Golden Lampstand
Exodus 25:31-40
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