The following is a basic layout of the 12 Truths paper (http://bible-truths.com/twelve.htm). This is not a substitute for reading the paper, but to amplify the points Ray makes in the paper. I will try to do the other parts when time allows.
12 Truths to Understanding God's Word
#1 'First the Physical, then the Spiritual'
[A] "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the Last Adam [Jesus Christ] was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is NATURAL; and afterward that which is SPIRITUAL" (I Cor. 15:45-46).
[ B ] "It is sown [first] a NATURAL BODY [a physical body which dies]; it is raised [afterward] a SPIRITUAL BODY [which is made immortal and never dies]…" (I Cor. 15:44).
[C] "Who shall change our [first] VILE BODY, that it may be fashioned like unto His [afterward] GLORIOUS BODY…" (Phil. 3:21).
[D] "If I have told you EARTHLY things [first], and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of HEAVENLY [spiritual] things [afterward]?" (John 3:12).
As Paul writes above, God first made mankind into physical beings but for the express purpose of later making us into spiritual beings.
Throughout the Scriptures, God does a physical event to forshadow an eventual spiritual truth. This can be known as a parable, not because the physical event did not literally happen, but because the true worth is found in the eventual spiritual reality. (Examples: trial of Job, Noah's Ark, etc.)
Also, true metaphorical parables are used in scriptures that forshadow an eventual spiritual truth. (Examples: Any of Christ parables, Paul describing 'judgment by fire' [1 Cor 3]).
#2 Jesus Christ taught in Parables only
[A] "All these things spoke Jesus unto the multitude in PARABLES; and without a parable spoke He not unto them" (Matt. 13:34).
[ B ] "But without a PARABLE spoke He not unto them…" (Mark 4:34).
[C] "This PARABLE spoke Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which He spoke unto them" (John 10:6).
Jesus always taught in parables. This is how the gospel was hidden, and has remained so, from the masses of humanity. Not just when He announced He was about to tell a parable but rather ANYTIME He taught, He spoke in the form of parables.
Add in the fact that Christ is the God of the OT, and He does not change [Heb 13:8], this gives us brand new knowledge with our understanding of the scriptures. When God spoke in the Book of Moses, the Psalms, the Prophets, and etc. we understand that even then He taught in parables.
#3 Jesus Christ taught in parables to His disciples and apostles too
[A] "Therefore speak I to them in parables, because they seeing SEE NOT: and hearing they HEAR NOT, NEITHER DO THEY UNDERSTAND" (Matt. 13:13).
[ B ] "How is it that you [disciples] DO NOT UNDERSTAND…" (Matt. 16:11).
[C] "But they [the disciples] UNDERSTOOD NOT this saying, and it was HID from them…" (Luke 9:45).
Even when called, the apostles & disciples did not understand the teachings from Jesus. Even after been given the Holy Spirit, Jesus still used a parable to teach Peter to bring the gospel to the Gentiles [Acts 10:9-16, 24-48].
Jesus Christ does not change [Heb 13:8]. As with His apostles, He will teach YOU by parable. The use of physical examples to relay a powerful spiritual truth for your edification and judgment.
Marques