The Doctrine of Redemption is the crux of Christianity. It is the central theme of God's Grace solution to the problem of sin after the Fall. Jesus Christ provided redemption of all mankind from the slave market of sin through his substitutionary spiritual death on the cross. The power of redemption does not arise from the blood of bulls and goats or the literal blood of Jesus Christ but from His substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.
Promise of Redemption
Redemption from Egypt
Imputation – Redemption – Forgiveness
Jesus Christ the Redeemer
Bought with a Price
Redemption and Sanctification
Redemption after Salvation
Redeemed from a Life of Sin and Death
Ultimate Redemption
Relationship with the Resurrected Redeemer
Rejection of the Redemption Solution
Knowledge of Good and Evil
Definition
Genesis 2:16-17By obeying the Lord's command, the man and woman enjoyed a wonderful life with fellowship with God. They had no desire to eat the forbidden fruit until Satan came along and tempted them. Satan lied to the woman and convinced her to eat the forbidden fruit. When she ate it, she died spiritually per the command, "dying (spiritually), you will die (physically)." Then she gave the fruit to Adam. Even though he was not deceived, he ate it anyway and also died spiritually.
16 The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may freely eat;
17 but from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil you shall not eat from it, for in the day that you eat from it, dying, you will die."
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil represented the conscience of the man and woman. Before they ate the fruit, they had no conscience in their soul. They did not know evil from Good. However, when they ate the fruit, they experienced evil and could differentiate between good and evil (or bad). Their new conscience consisted of two parts, one on the left and one on the right side of the frontal lobes. One part was able to judge good and the other was able to judge evil (bad).
Because the man and woman received a conscience, they were ashamed of their nakedness and made loin cloths for themselves from fig leaves (Gen 3:7). When the Lord came to visit them in the Garden, they hid themselves among the trees (Gen 3:8). Adam later explained to the Lord that he hid himself because he was afraid because he was naked (Gen 3:10). He had a guilty conscience. Fear was a sin from the Old Sin Nature (OSN).
When the man and woman sinned, they died spiritually, lost their fellowship with God, and became Satan's slaves. Adam had previously been the ruler of the world, but he became the slave of Satan. The man and the woman were no longer free but slaves in the Cosmic System of Satan. In spiritual death, they lost all fellowship with God. After they sinned, they needed to be redeemed.
In this miserable condition, the Lord came into the Garden and offered Adam and 'Ishah the Redemption Solution. They were offered Salvation if they would believe in the Lord who would redeem them. If they would believe in the Lord, they would receive Eternal Life and be redeemed from their sins. The Lord would come again and pay the price for their redemption. He would pay for their sins.
To seal the agreement, an animal was sacrificed. The skin of the animal was used to make clothes for the man and the woman (Gen 3:21). The death of the animal symbolized the death of the Savior who would die in their place as a substitute for their sins. Their sins would be placed on the animal, and it would die. Later, the Lord would return, and their sins would be placed on Him and Judged. By paying for their sins, the Lord would redeem the man and the woman from slavery to sin.
The redemption solution was the promise to Adam and the woman in the Adamic Covenant that they would be redeemed from their sins. The promise was extended to the human race and fulfilled by Jesus Christ on the cross.
1 Corinthians 15:22Adam's Original Sin was imputed to all of the progeny of Adam and they were Judged with real spiritual death. All babies are born physically alive but spiritually dead. The exception was Jesus Christ, who did not come from an Earthly father. Jesus Christ, the Last Adam, was born from a virgin without sin and was therefore, able to bear the sins of the world. He fulfilled the redemption solution when He paid for the sins of the world on the cross.
For as in Adam all die, even so by agency of Christ shall all be made alive.
The Greek word for redemption is ajpoluvtrwsi" (apolutrosis), from (ajpov, from) + (luvtrwsi", ransom, redeem, liberate). Originally this was used for buying back a slave or captive, making him free by payment of a ransom.
The meaning of redemption was illustrated in the Mosaic Law by the law for an ox that gored someone. If an ox killed someone, and the ox had been in the habit of goring, and the owner had been warned but did not confine it, then the ox should be stoned and the owner put to death (Ex 21:29). However, since there was no criminal intent, a ransom could be demanded of the owner, and if he paid the ransom, he could redeem his life.
Exodus 21:30Redemption is symbolized by the color red, for blood. The coverings of the Tabernacle were red, and red was one of the four colors in the curtains, including the Gate and Door (Ex 26:1, 14, 31, 36; 27:16). Red is also the color associated by the Gospel of Luke, which has the theme of redemption.
If a ransom is imposed on him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is imposed on him.
Redemption is symbolized by the Redeemer Planet (Eph 1:7).
Symbolized by Passover Blood
Redeemed from Slavery
Passover
Old Testament Sins Passed Over
The blood of the Passover lamb symbolized atonement and the future blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:19), which is His substitutionary spiritual death (Luk 22:20; Heb 10:12). The lamb symbolized Christ, our sacrifice for sins (Jn 1:29). The blood on the lintel and doorposts symbolized redemption and reconciliation of those covered by the blood.
The true price of redemption was not silver and gold, but the Blood of Christ (Acts 20:28; Eph 1:7; 1 Pet 1:18-19; 1 Jn 1:7).
1 Peter 1:18-19Not even silver or gold could redeem an unbeliever. The price of redemption of man from sin is the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, who was without sin and therefore able to bear the sins of the world. The Blood of Christ is a metaphor for His substitutionary spiritual death for the sins of the world.
18 Having known that you were not redeemed with perishable things, such as silver or gold, from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the Blood of Christ!
Deuteronomy 7:8The Lord delivered the nation of Israel from slavery in Egypt with the plagues which destroyed Egypt and the Passover in which all the firstborn of Egypt were killed (Ex 13:3; Deut 9:26; 13:5; 15:15; 24:18).
but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh, King of Egypt.
Exodus 13:3The Lord delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt with a powerful hand. Israel was to remember that day as a memorial and not eat any leavened bread. The memorial would later become the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Moses said to the people, "Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out from the house of slavery; for by a powerful hand the LORD brought you out from this place. And nothing leavened shall be eaten."
Exodus 13:15When the Lord killed the firstborn of Egypt on the night of the Passover, He redeemed the firstborn of Israel. The nation of Israel was born on the first Passover, redeemed from slavery in Egypt, and Egypt was destroyed.
It came about, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of cattle. Therefore, I sacrifice to the LORD the males, all the first offspring of the womb, but all the firstborn of My sons I redeem.
Psalm 49:7-8No man had the power to satisfy the Judicial requirements of a Holy God for the sins of his brother. The price of redemption of a man's soul was far beyond the ability of a man to pay. Only the Grace of God could solve the problem of man's sin.
7 A man is not able by any means to redeem his brother,
Nor can he give to God a ransom for him,
8 For too costly is the redemption of their soul,
And he must cease trying forever;
Romans 3:23Everyone has sinned and falls short of the glory and Righteous Integrity (Holiness) of God. Therefore, all of us are debtors.
for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:24All mankind was justified by the free gift of God's Grace when Jesus Christ provided redemption for all mankind through His substitutionary spiritual death on the cross for the sins of the world. God provided the redemption solution for mankind in Grace. Justification occurs as a result of the cross (Rom 5:16, 18). It was provided at the cross. Redemption was provided by the Blood of Christ on the cross.
being justified as a gift by His Grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus
Romans 3:25God displayed the Crucifixion of Christ publicly for all the world to see. "His blood" refers to Christ's death on the cross. "Through faith" means the Blood of Christ has a Spiritual meaning. The Blood of Christ is a metaphor for His substitutionary spiritual death for the sins of the world. Believing that He died physically through Crucifixion has no Spiritual value, but believing in Jesus Christ who died spiritually as a substitute for our sins is efficacious for Salvation.
whom God has displayed publicly by His (Christ's) blood (death on the cross) as a propitiation through faith, a demonstration of His (God's) Righteousness, because of the passing over of previously committed sins by the clemency (delay in judgment) of God;
"Propitiation" is the Greek iJlasthvrion (hilasterion), which literally means Mercy Seat, the place of propitiation, and therefore propitiation. Propitiation means expiatory satisfaction. It means the payment of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world satisfied all of the demands of Righteousness and Justice of the Holy God. God the Father was completely satisfied with the work of Christ on the cross.
God the Father demonstrated His absolute Righteousness by approving the Judgment of Jesus Christ on the cross. "Demonstrated" is the Greek e[ndeixi" (endeixis), which means proof; demonstration; proof test; qualification test; acceptance test (Rom. 9:17). "Righteousness" is the Greek dikaiosuvnh (dikaiosune), which is Righteousness that demands Justice. The suffix sune means that Righteousness is raised to a higher power. This is God's absolute Righteousness that requires His perfect Justice.
In waiting until the coming of Christ to Judge the sins of the world for all of human history, God the Father granted clemency to the Old Testament saints. He passed over their sins and delayed their Judgment until Jesus Christ could come into the world in the fulness of time and be Judged for them. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He paid for the sins of all of human history, past, present, and future.
Galatians 4:4-5Jesus Christ came in the "fulness of time," the right time in human history. He was born from a woman with no Earthly father so that He was not contaminated with the sin of Adam. He was born under the Dispensation of Israel under the Mosaic Law. He fulfilled the Law. He kept it perfectly and died in keeping with the meaning of the Law. The Law defined sin and its penalty, death. Because of Christ's substitutionary spiritual death, He provided redemption to those who had been condemned by the Law.
4 But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born out from woman, born under the Law,
5 in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
This opened the way for Church Age Believers to receive "the adoption of sons." They are received into the Family of God as members of His Royal Family. The "adoption of sons" was a ceremony in which a Roman leader adopted a son from outside the family to receive the family inheritance. The adopted son became the family heir when he became an adult at age 12 or 13. We are sons of God by adoption (Gal 3:26). This promise was fulfilled for the Church at Pentecost (Acts 1:5-8).
Galatians 4:6The Holy Spirit of God is given to Church Age Believers as evidence of being members of the Royal Family. Thus, we can call God, Father. "Abba" is Aramaic for Father. It was used in prayer.
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit from His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
Redemption Precedes Forgiveness
Redemption of the Eternal Inheritance
Blood of Christ
Animal Sacrifices
Pattern of the Tabernacle
Colossians 1:14 RedemptionThis is an Attic Greek double accusative of direct object and result. The direct object is redemption, which was provided by the substitutionary death of Christ on the cross. The result is forgiveness of our sins when we believe at Salvation.
in Whom (Christ) we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Redemption, which is the Greek ajpoluvtrwsi" (apolutrosis), means deliverance on the basis of paying a ransom. The Blood of Christ, which was His substitutionary spiritual death on the cross, freed mankind from slavery to sin (Rom 8:15; Gal 5:1). However, forgiveness did not come on the cross. It comes later at the moment of Salvation. When a person believes in Jesus Christ, then his pre-Salvation sins are forgiven (Eph 4:32; 1 Jn 1:7). Post-Salvation sins are forgiven through Rebound (1 Jn 1:9).
The only sin for which Christ could not die is the sin of unbelief. Man must have volition (free will) in order to accept or reject the Grace gift of Eternal Life. Although the sins of the unbeliever have been judged and will never be mentioned at the Great White Throne Judgment, he will be condemned to the Lake of Fire on the basis of the sin of unbelief, and his dead works will not be good enough to redeem him (Rev 20:12-15). His name will not be in the Book of (Eternal) Life because he did not believe in Jesus Christ (Jn 3:36).
Ephesians 1:7 RedemptionThis is also an Attic Greek double accusative of object and result. Redemption comes before forgiveness. Redemption comes through the Blood of Christ, which is His substitutionary spiritual death on the cross for the sins of the world. "Blood" is a metaphor for Christ's death, which was both spiritual and physical. He suffered spiritual death when the sins of the world were poured out upon Him and Judged (Matt 27:46). He died physically when He dismissed His soul (called spirit, Lk 23:46).
In Whom (Christ) we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His (God's) Grace.
Redemption was provided for all mankind at the cross. Forgiveness comes later at Salvation. "Trespasses" is the Greek paravptwma (paraptoma), from (parav, beside) + (ptw'ma, fall, dead body, corpse) (fall beside, or aside) = false step; transgression; trespass; equivalent to sin.
Sins are forgiven at Salvation by God when a person believes in Jesus Christ. At Salvation the believer receives Positional Sanctification, which means he is entered into union with Christ in Heaven, where he is free from sin. His sins are forgiven because of the work of Christ (Eph 4:32). His sins will never be held against him for Salvation. Although he can still sin in this life, he has complete forgiveness (Lev 4:20; Matt 1:21; 9:2-6; 26:28; Lk 24:47; Jn 1:29; Acts 10:43; 13:38; Rom 4:7; Col 1:14; 2:13; Heb 9:22, 26). His pre-Salvation sins are forgiven when he believes in Christ, and his post-Salvation sins are forgiven when he Rebounds. If he dies without Rebounding, he still goes to Heaven and has forgiveness of sins. This is all from the riches of God's Grace.
Ephesians 1:14The Holy Spirit is given to the Church Age Believer as a sign of royalty. Being born again in the Church Age makes a person a member of the Royal Family of God. He will be a member of the Royal Family forever as part of his Eternal inheritance.
Who (Holy Spirit) is the down payment of our inheritance for the redemption of God's possession, to the praise of His glory.
The Holy Spirit is the down payment on our future inheritance (2 Cor 1:22). The down payment is "for the redemption of God's possession." The Holy Spirit indwelling us means we belong to God. We are His possession, and He will redeem us by giving us the glory of our Eternal inheritance in Heaven, which includes being members of the Royal Family of God in union with the Lord Jesus Christ, our King, forever.
Hebrews 9:12 Blood of Christ
And not by means of the blood of goats and young bulls, but by means of His own blood He has entered once and for all into the Holy of Holies, having obtained eternal redemption.
The
blood of goats and young bulls refers to the animal sacrifices under the
Mosaic Law. "His own blood" refers to the Blood of Christ.
This is a representative analogy between the physical death of the animal
and the spiritual death of the Lord Jesus Christ. After the animal
was sacrificed on the Brazen Altar, the High Priest entered the Holy of
Holies with the blood of the animal to sprinkle on the Mercy Seat (Lev
16:14, 15). He did this yearly on the Great Day of Atonement (Lev
16:30, 34).
Similarly, Jesus Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice for sins and then ascended into Heaven itself. The Holy of Holies symbolizes the Throne Room in Heaven. "He (Christ) has entered once and for all into the Holy of Holies (Heaven)." The "Holy of Holies" symbolizes the Throne Room in Heaven.2 Entering the Holy of Holies means that the Great Day of Atonement symbolized the unlimited atonement and propitiation of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world. The High Priest, who carried the blood into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled it on the Mercy Seat, symbolized Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the reality of the symbol of the Great Day of Atonement.
"Once and for all" is the Greek ejfavpax, (ephapaz), from (ejpiv, over all) + (a{vpax, once), meaning once and for all (Rom. 6:10; Heb 7:27; 10:10). This means the model of animal sacrifices must stop. The sacrifice of Christ was efficacious for all of human history. At the time of writing apostate Jews were still offering animal sacrifices (Heb 6:6).
"Having obtained eternal redemption" – Jesus Christ went to Heaven after He had obtained eternal redemption on the cross for all mankind. "Redemption" is the Greek luvtrwsi" (lutrosis), meaning redemption, ransom. Mankind was redeemed from the slave market of sin by the work of Christ on the cross.
Hebrews 9:13"If" is a first class condition in the Greek, meaning if, and it is true. The animal sacrifices of the Mosaic Law purified those who were ceremonially unclean. The blood of goats and bulls was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat to make atonement for the sins of the people. "The ashes of a heifer" refers to the Red Heifer Offering (Nu 19:9, 17). A heifer was a young (female) cow between a calf and a full-grown cow.
For you see, if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have become ceremonially unclean, sanctify for the purification of the flesh,
Under the Mosaic Law, a person who touched a corpse or anything associated with death, such as a tombstone, was considered unclean and was therefore, not allowed to participate in worship services. The purification ceremony required killing a Red Heifer and burning it outside the camp. The ashes were mixed with water to form an alkali (potassium carbonate), which was the sprinkling water for purification. The people who had been sprinkled were sanctified and their flesh was purified. The elaborate purification ceremony indicates the putrefaction, dark destruction, and utter doom of death as a consequence of sin and separation from the Holy God.
Hebrews 9:14The blood of animal sacrifices and the ashes of a heifer were effective for purifying Old Testament saints from sins. However, the Blood of Christ is even more effective since it is the reality for which the animal sacrifices were only a symbol. The literal blood of the animal symbolized the Blood of Christ, which is a metaphor for His substitutionary spiritual death (Acts 20:28; Rom 3:25; 5:9; 1 Cor 10:16; Eph 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2, 19; 1 Jn 5:6; Rev 1:5).
How much more will the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself blameless to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
The "eternal Spirit" refers to the Holy Spirit, who sustained the Lord Jesus Christ in Hypostatic Union on the cross when He paid for the sins of the world. God the Father imputed the sins of the world to Christ and Judged them through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ was able to bear the sins of the world because He was blameless. "Blameless" is the Greek a[mwmo" (amomos), from (a, not) + (mw`mo", blemish), meaning without blemish, blameless. Jesus Christ in Hypostatic Union was impeccable.
The Blood of Christ is able to "purify our conscience from dead works." The conscience of man judges Good and evil (bad). Therefore, it must be able to distinguish between Divine Good and dead works. This is only possible through regeneration. The conscience of the unbeliever can only distinguish between human good and evil (bad) – not Divine Good. To recognize Divine Good the conscience must be Spiritually regenerated, and the person must learn Bible Doctrine to discern between Divine Good and evil (Acts 23:1; 1 Tim 1:5, 19; Heb 5:14; 13:18; 1 Pet 3:16, 21).
After Salvation a person will be able to recognize "dead works" as not Divine good (Heb 6:1; 1 Cor 3:12; Rom 6:1-23; Gal 2:19-20; 5:24; 6:14; Eph 2:15; Col 2:20; 3:3; 1 Pet 2:24). Dead works are produced by the uncircumcised in heart (Lev 26:41; Jer 9:26; Acts 7:51; Col 2:13). Dead works, such as trying to keep the Law in the Church Age, must be purged from the standards of the conscience (Col 2:14).
The New Spiritual life after Salvation requires a New purified conscience "to serve the living God." Serving God is the function of the Royal Family of God. Ways in which the believer serves God in the New Spiritual life include:
Hebrews 9:15Because of the New Life for the Church Age Believer based on the work of Christ on the cross, Jesus Christ became the "Mediator of a New Covenant." The New Covenant is the new mystery doctrine for the Church contained in the 21 epistles to the Church (Rom 16:25; 1 Cor 2:7; Eph 1:9; 3:3, 4, 9; 6:19; Col 1:26-27; 4:3; 1 Tim 3:9, 16). The New Covenant to the Church supersedes the first covenant (Mosaic Law).
And because of this, He is the Mediator of a New Covenant, in order that since a death has occurred for the purpose of redemption of the transgressions against the first covenant (Mosaic Law), those who have been called (to salvation) may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
The substitutionary death of Christ on the cross which provided redemption was the Judgment for the sins defined by the Mosaic Law. Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law and suffered death as a consequence of the sins of the people. The Mosaic Law defined sin and its penalty, which was death. Therefore, after death it is possible for the Church to receive a new inheritance. The new inheritance of the Church includes becoming members of the Royal Family of God for all eternity.
Before the Mosaic Law, animal sacrifices were expressions of gratitude to God for His blessing and requests for His continued Grace. However, under the Mosaic Law sacrifices were associated with absolution of the penalty and guilt of sin. Animals were sacrificed under the Mosaic Law for individual and collective sin and guilt. There were many different procedures depending upon the sin and the type of offering. However, the basic elements of the animal sacrifices were:
Leviticus 5:5If a person was guilty of committing any of the categories of sins enumerated in the previous verses (Lev 5:1-4), then he must acknowledge his sin to God. After acknowledging the sin, he was to bring an animal to sacrifice to pay for the sin.
So it shall be if he is guilty in any of these, that he shall acknowledge the sin he has committed.
Leviticus 5:6The guilty person had to bring an animal for a guilt offering to sacrifice to the Lord. He should present the animal to the priest, who would offer the sacrifice on the person's behalf. If the guilty person couldn't afford an animal, he could substitute turtledoves, pigeons, or even fine flour (Lev 5:7-12).
He shall also bring his guilt offering to the LORD for his sin which he has committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat as a sin offering. Then the priest shall make atonement on his behalf for his sin.
"Make atonement" is the Hebrew rp^k* (kaphar), which means to cover over a thing, and thereby to handle a problem. It means to cover over sin or make expiation. This is accomplished by transferring the sin to an animal and sacrificing the animal as a substitute. With the sin problem handled there can be reconciliation and resumption of fellowship with God.
Leviticus 5:13The Levitical Priest, who was the mediator between the guilty person and God, would make atonement in various ways depending upon the type of sacrifice. For atonement with an animal, the guilty person would bring the animal to the North side of the Brazen Altar (Lev 1:3, 11), and place his hand on the head of the animal (Lev 1:4). Then he would slay it (Lev 1:5), and the priest would collect the blood in a bowl. The priest would then sling the blood against the altar, pour it out at the base of the altar, or sprinkle the blood on the altar. The pouring or sprinkling of the blood symbolized the death of the animal, since the life of the animal was in the blood. Then the offerer would skin the animal and butcher it (Lev 1:6). The fat portions of the animal would be burned on the altar.
Thus, the priest shall make atonement for him for the sin which he has committed from any one of these (sins), and he will be forgiven; then the rest shall become the priest's, as in the grain offering.
As the blood was offered or the animal burned, God accepted the sacrifice of the animal as a substitute for the guilty person. The person's sin had been identified with the animal. So, when the animal died, the sin was paid for, corresponding to expiation and redemption. When the atonement procedure was complete and the animal was dead, God forgave the person's sin. The priest was allowed to keep the portion of the sacrifice that was left over.
Thus, for various categories of animal sacrifices, the animal was sacrificed to make atonement for sins. When the atonement was complete, there was redemption, which was followed by forgiveness (Lev 4:20, 26, 35; 5:10, 13, 18; 6:7).
In addition to special sacrifices, the basic types of sacrifices were:
Exodus 24:4
Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Then he arose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve pillars according to the twelve Tribes of Israel.
Moses
set up twelve pillars, probably in a circle to symbolize a covenant.
The pillars symbolized the twelve Tribes of Israel. The altar was
probably an earthen mound inside the pillars. The Lord would meet
with the children of Israel on the altar (Ex 20:24).
Exodus 24:5Moses sent young men of Israel to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings. The young men were not priests, but they acted as mediators. The burnt offerings were offered first, and while they were burning, the fat of the peace offerings were placed on them.
He sent young men of the people of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD.
Exodus 24:6Moses took the blood from the sacrifices and put it into two basins. He took the first basin and threw the blood upon the altar. The blood poured out upon the altar symbolized the substitutionary death of the animal for the sins of the people. The Lord met the people at the altar.
Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and he threw half of the blood upon the altar.
Exodus 24:7Moses read the Covenant of the Law to the people, and they promised to obey it.
Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!"
Exodus 24:8Then Moses sprinkled blood from the other bowl on the people. This identified the people with the blood on the altar, which symbolized the substitutionary death for their sins. Thus, the people had their sins forgiven and were able to have fellowship through the Covenant (Law) with the Lord. And the people became a holy nation, set apart to God.
Then Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words."
Then the elders of Israel went up the mountain and saw the God of Israel (Ex 24:9, 10). And they ate and drank the sacrificial meal of the peace offerings (Ex 24:11). This symbolized the Marriage Feast of the Lamb at the Second Advent.
The writer of Hebrews recalls how Moses used the blood of sacrifices to dedicate the Law.
Hebrews 9:18The Mosaic Law was inaugurated with the blood of animal sacrifices.
For which reason, not even the first covenant (Mosaic Law) has been inaugurated without blood.
Hebrews 9:19This is a more detailed description of how Moses sprinkled the blood with hyssop. The hyssop was bound with a piece of woolen twine or strip of cloth to make a brush. Hyssop was also used as a brush for applying the blood to the doorposts at the first Passover (Ex 12:22). Moses also used water to thin the blood and to clean the hyssop brush as he sprinkled the people and the Book of the Law with blood. Note, the blood of young bulls is in this verse, but "and goats" is not in the best manuscripts.
For after every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of young bulls with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
Hebrews 9:20The blood of the covenant was the blood of the bulls that were sacrificed during the dedication of the Law. The blood purified the people from their sins so they could have covenant fellowship with God. Thus, the blood made it possible for the people to be a holy nation in fellowship with God. The covenant (Mosaic Law) contained God's commandments.
saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you."
The main point here is that just as the Mosaic Law was inaugurated with the blood of bulls, the New Covenant to the Church was inaugurated with the Blood of Christ (Heb 9:12-14). The Blood of Christ, which is His substitutionary spiritual death, is far superior to the blood of animals.
Under the Law the blood of animal sacrifices was used for purification from sins. It was sprinkled on the Brazen Altar, Mercy Seat, the Tabernacle, furniture, and people (Ex 24:6; Lev 1:5; 8:15, 19; 16:14–16; Heb 9:21). After Christ died on the cross there was no longer a need for additional sacrifices (Heb 7:27; 10:10).
Hebrews 9:22Under the Law blood was widely used for purification. The soul-life of the animal was in the blood (Lev 17:11); therefore, the pouring out of its blood killed the animal, paid for the sins identified with the animal, redeemed the sinner, and resulted in forgiveness.
And according to the Law, almost all things are purified by blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
So, under the Law, "without the shedding of blood (redemption), there is no forgiveness." However, sins were never really paid for by the blood of animals. The sacrifice of animals only symbolized the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who provided the only efficacious sacrifice for sin. He offered Himself for sin. And His sacrifice did not involve bleeding to death. The Blood of Christ is a metaphor for His substitutionary spiritual death on the cross for sins.
Whereas, the types of Heavenly things on the Earth (e.g. the Tabernacle) were purified with blood, the actual things in Heaven cannot be purified with blood. Things that go to Heaven, namely people, require a better sacrifice (Heb 9:23). Jesus Christ was that sacrifice (Heb 9:24-25). He handled sin once and for all by the sacrifice of Himself (Heb 9:26). The power was not in His literal blood but in His Spiritual life.
The Brazen Altar is associated with the Judgment for sin. Portions of the fat of animals that had been sacrificed were burned on the Altar. As the sweet-smelling savor rose to Heaven, God was propitiated, or satisfied, with the sacrifice. His acceptance of the sacrifice meant the sin was forgiven.
However, a person who sins is also defiled by various types of wrongdoing, including human good, evil, dead works, and lust. These defile the person. After God forgives a person's sin at the Altar, He will also sanctify him at the Laver. Sanctification means purification, or washing away defilement. It means separation from the world and consecration to God. It includes being forgiven from wrongdoing. After sins are forgiven at Salvation, the Holy Spirit sanctifies the believer. Sanctification involves separating the believer from the world and entering him into union with Christ in Heaven. This is called Positional Sanctification.
Although the believer's standing in Positional Sanctification is never lost, he can still sin. When a believer sins after Salvation, he loses fellowship with God even though he is permanently saved. In the Church Age, he loses the filling of the Holy Spirit. Restoration to fellowship is accomplished through Rebound. When the believer names his sins to God, God forgives him the sins, and purifies him from all wrongdoing (1 Jn 1:9). The forgiveness of sins is associated with the Brazen Altar. The sins are forgiven because Jesus Christ paid for them. And the purification from wrongdoing is associated with the Laver. The believer is separated and purified from the world and consecrated to God. The filling of the Holy Spirit and fellowship with God are restored.
Blood from animal sacrifices was carried into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled on the Mercy Seat once a year on the Day of Atonement. The Lord as the Shekinah Glory dwelt between the cherubs above the Mercy Seat in the Tabernacle (Ex 25:21, 22) where He appeared in a cloud (Lev 16:2). The blood on the Mercy Seat on the Day of Atonement symbolized the Lord's blood, which propitiated God the Father. The blood, which symbolized redemption, atoned for the sins of the nation of Israel for a year (Ex 30:10; Lev 16:30).
The Tabernacle is the pattern of God dwelling among His people as He will do in the Eternal State. After the Fall fellowship with God required solving the problem of sin. The Outer Court with the Brazen Altar and Laver symbolizes Salvation and Sanctification. Sin must be forgiven at the Altar before the believer can be sanctified and welcomed into the Family of God with great blessing.
The Holy Place symbolizes the function of the Royal Priest in fellowship with God. He feasts on the Word, walks in the Light, and offers prayers to God.
The Holy of Holies symbolizes the Throne Room in Heaven where the Lord Jesus Christ sits on the Throne of God ruling over all Creation (Psa 11:4). The Ark of the Covenant symbolizes Christ our all and in all. The content of the Ark symbolizes the essence of God with His Divine Love, Happiness, Authority, Righteousness, Holiness, and Good. And the Mercy Seat symbolizes the Throne of Grace. By Grace God has provided a way for man to enjoy fellowship with Him.
Brazen Altar
Redemption (Rom 3:24; 1 Cor 1:30; 6:20; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14;
1 Tim 2:6; 1 Pet 1:18-19)
Reconciliation (Psa 4:8; Lk 2:14; Rom 5:10; 2 Cor 5:19;
13:11; Col 1:20, 22; 1 Pet 1:2)
Atonement (Lev 5:6, 10, 13, 16, 18), Unlimited (Jn 4:42;
11:51-52; 2 Cor 5:14-15; 1 Tim 2:6; 4:10; Tit 2:11; Heb 2:9; 1 Jn 4:14)
Imputation (Rom 4:25; 8:3; 2 Cor 5:21)
Expiation (Rom 6:6; Gal 2:20; 5:24; 6:14)
Justification (Rom 5:1, 9, 16, 18; 8:30; 1 Cor 6:11;
Gal 2:16; Tit 3:7)
Propitiation (Rom 3:25; 1 Jn 2:2; 4:10; Heb 2:17)
Efficacious Grace (Rom 10:9; Eph 1:13; 2:8-9)
Salvation (Acts 4:12; Rom 1:16; 10:9; 2 Cor 7:10; Phil
2:12; 1 Thess 5:9; 1 Pet 1:5)
Righteousness (Rom 3:22; 5:18; 6:19; 1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor
5:21; Phil 3:9)
Purification from sins (Eph 5:26; Tit 2:14; Heb 1:3;
2 Pet 1:9; 1 Jn 1:7)
Forgiveness (Lev 4:20; Matt 1:21; 9:2-6; 26:28; Lk 24:47;
Jn 1:29; Acts 10:43; 13:38; 26:18; Rom 4:7; Col 1:14; 2:13; Heb 9:22, 26;
(Israel, Heb 10:17-18); 1 Jn 1:7; 2:12; 3:5; Rev 1:5)
Ultimate Redemption (Rom 8:23; 2 Cor 5:5; Eph 1:14; 4:30)
Eternal Security (Jn 3:18; 5:24; 6:37, 39; 10:28-29;
1 Pet 1:5)
Laver
Positional Sanctification (Rom 15:16; 1 Cor 1:2, 30; 6:11;
Heb 10:10, 14, 29; 13:12)
Experiential Sanctification (Jn 17:17; Rom 6:22; 1 Cor
7:14; 2 Cor 6:17; Gal 5:22-24; 1 Thess 4:3-7; 1 Jn 1:9; 2:15-16)
Ultimate Sanctification (Resurrection) (1 Cor 15:23,
51-52; 2 Cor 5:2, 4; Eph 4:30; 1 Thess 4:17; 1 Pet 1:3)
Regeneration (Jn 3:3; Tit 3:5)
Eternal Life (Jn 3:5, 15-16, 36; 20:31; 6:51, 58; 11:26;
Rom 6:23; 1 Jn 5:11–13)
Spiritual life (Rom 8:2, 5, 6, 9, 13; 1 Cor 2:14, 15;
3:1)
Baptism of Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5; 2:3; 11:15-16; Rom
6:3; 1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:27; Eph 4:5)
Indwelling (Trinity, Rom 8:9)
- Father (2 Cor 6:16; Eph 4:6)
- Son (Rom 8:10; Gal 2:20; Col
1:27)
- Holy Spirit (Rom 8:11; 1 Cor
3:16; 6:19)
Sealing of Holy Spirit (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30)
Son of God (Rom 8:14; Gal 3:26; 4:5-6)
Royal Family of God (2 Tim 2:12; Heb 1:8; 1 Pet 2:9;
Rev 1:6; 2:26; 3:21; 5:10) (Brothers of Christ, Rom 8:29; Heb 2:11)
Member of Body of Christ (Rom 12:3-5; 1 Cor 12:12, 27;
Eph 1:23; 4:12; Col 1:18, 24; 2:19)
Bride of Christ (Rev 19:7; 21:9; 22:17)
Royal Priest (1 Pet 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6; 5:10)
Royal ambassador (2 Cor 5:20; Eph 6:20; Philem 1:9)
New Spiritual Species (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15; Eph 2:15,
4:24; Col 3:10)
Inheritance (Acts 20:32; Eph 1:11, 14; Col 3:24)
Escrow Blessings for Time (Rom 9:23; Eph 1:18; 3:8, 16)
and Eternity (Eph 2:7; Col 3:24)
Spiritual gifts (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:7-11; 28; Eph 4:7-8)
Election (Deut 7:6; Lk 18:7; Rom 8:33; Eph 1:4; 2 Thess
2:13; 1 Pet 2:9)
Predestined (Acts 13:48; Rom 8:29-30; Eph 1:5)
Citizens of Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22; 28:31; Rom 14:17;
Col 4:11; 2 Thess 1:5; Jas 2:5; Rev 1:9)
Filling of Holy Spirit (1 Cor 2:15; Gal. 5:16; Eph 5:18)
Spiritual Freedom (Jn 8:32, 36; Rom 8:2, 15; 2 Cor 3:17;
Gal 2:4; 5:1, 13; Heb 2:15; 1 Pet 2:16)
Holy Place
Grace orientation (Rom 5:1-2; 6:14; 11:6; 2 Cor 9:8; 12:9;
Eph 4:7; Tit 2:11; Jas 4:6; 2 Pet 3:18)
Faith (Psa 119:103, 105; Jer 15:16; Rom 12:2; 1 Tim 4:6;
2 Tim 3:16; Heb 4:12; 1 Pet 2:2)
Priesthood (Psa 141:2; Rom 12:1; Eph 5:19-20; Phil 4:6-7;
1 Thess 5:18; Rev 5:8; 8:3-4)
Light (Psa 119:105; Jn 8:12; 9:5; 1 Tim 6:16; 1 Jn 1:7)
Holy of Holies
Fellowship with God, Christ, Holy Spirit (Jn 14:23, 26;
1 Cor 1:9; Phil 3:10; 1 Jn 1:7; 2:24; 3:24; 4:13)
Divine Love (Matt 22:37-39; Jn 3:16; 1 Cor 13:13; Gal
5:22; Eph 5:25; 1 Jn 4:8, 19)
Divine Authority (Deut 27:10; 28:1-2; Psa 83:18; Matt
11:29-30; Phil 2:8; 1 Pet 5:6)
Divine Happiness (Psa 19:8; Isa 55:12; Matt 5:3-11; Jn
15:11; Gal 5:22; Phil 4:4; 1 Thess 5:16)
Divine Good (Psa 1:3; 1 Cor 3:12-14; Eph 2:10; 5:9; Col
1:10; 2 Thess 1:11; 2 Tim 1:9; Tit 2:14; 3:5, 8)
Righteousness (Psa 89:14; Jn 17:25; Rom 1:17; 2 Cor 9:9;
Jas 1:20; 1 Jn 2:1, 29; 3:7; Rev 15:3-4; 16:5; 19:11)
Holiness (Deut 26:15; 1 Sam 2:2; Isa 5:16; Matt 6:9;
1 Pet 1:15-16; Rev 4:8; 15:4)
Throne of Grace (Deut 13:17; Psa 145:8-9; Rom 9:15-16,
18, 23; 15:9; Heb 2:17; 4:16; 1 Pet 2:10)
Pre-Incarnate Redeemer
Redeemer of Israel
Jesus Christ the Reality
Forgiveness of Sins
Jesus Christ the Substitute
The Redeemer in Heaven
Job 19:25Job knew that the Redeemer of his soul lived and that He would stand on the Earth (literally dust) in the end. This will be fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ at the Second Advent and Great White Throne Judgment.
I know my Redeemer lives,
And in the end He will stand upon the Earth (dust),
In his speech to Job, Elihu drew an analogy of a man like Job who was dying the Sin Leading to Death.
Job 33:22The man was near the grave. "Those who bring death" are the angels of death, destroying angels (Ps 78:49, 2 Sam. 24:16).
Then his soul draws near to the grave,
And his life to those who bring death.
Job 33:23 Mediator"Angel" is the Hebrew Ea*l+m^ (male'ak), meaning messenger and referring to an angel as a messenger of God. This could be the Angel of the Lord, the pre-incarnate Christ. Elihu postulates a high level angel as a mediator with God. This idea came true in history in Jesus Christ, who became the Defense Attorney (1 Jn 2:1) and Mediator (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 8:6). "One out of a thousand" indicates that this angel would be rare and very high ranking. "To declare to a man what is right for him" – refers to the way of Salvation.
If there is an angel as a mediator for him,
One out of a thousand,
To declare to a man what is right for him.
Job 33:24 RedeemerThe high ranking angel would be gracious to the man dying the Sin Leading to Death. He would demand that the man be spared "from going down to the pit" (Sin Leading to Death). He should be spared because the angel had found a "ransom," meaning Redeemer. The ransom (Redeemer) would later be Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2:6), and the price of ransom would be the Blood of Christ (Matt 26:28; 1 Pet 1:18-19; Rev 1:5).
He is gracious to him and says,
"Spare him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom (Redeemer)."
Only the Mediator who is equal with God can deliver. Elihu postulated deliverance of the man by a high ranking angel. To spare from death the angel would have to be equal with God and the Lord of the Elect Angels. This later became Jesus Christ, the Mediator (Psa 34:7).
Then the dying man was redeemed and restored to health.
Job 33:25His health was restored to youthful vigor. And he was restored to fellowship with God.
His flesh swells with the freshness of youth,
He is restored to the days of his youthful vigor;
Job 33:26 Restored to FellowshipGod forgave the man's sin and restored his Righteousness. Then the man went around giving his testimony of how he was redeemed from death.
Then he will pray to God, and he will find favor with Him,
He will see His (God's) face with a shout of joy,
For He will restore to man His Righteousness.
Job 33:27 His TestimonyThis is not the confession of sins in Rebound. It is the man's testimony. He was dying the Sin Leading to Death, but he was healed. "It was not recompensed to me" means he didn't get what he deserved.
Then he goes around before men and says,
I have sinned and perverted what was right,
But it was not recompensed to me.
Job 33:28 Redeemed from the Sin Unto DeathGod redeemed the man's soul from the Sin Leading to Death. "Going down to the pit refers to going to the grave from the Sin Leading to Death. Consequently, the man will rejoice in the Light of God. "Rejoice" is actually the Hebrew ra'ah, which means to see and is an idiom, meaning to look at with pleasure.
He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,
And my life shall rejoice in the Light.
Now this actually happened to Hezekiah. When Hezekiah was dying the Sin Leading to Death, he prayed to God and asked for more time. When Isaiah interceded for him, he was redeemed. He recovered his health and lived 15 more years. He gave his testimony after he recovered. This is one of the things he said.
Isaiah 38:17 Hezekiah Delivered from the PitHezekiah was bitter due to his suffering. However, the Lord redeemed him and delivered him from the pit of destruction, the Sin Leading to Death. Thus, it is possible to be redeemed from the Sin Leading to Death (Psa 103:4). The Lord cast all his sins behind His back (Is 43:25; Jer 31:34; Mic 7:19). This is the result of Rebound. God forgives sins.
Behold, for my welfare, I had great bitterness.
But, in Your Love, You have delivered my soul from the pit of destruction.
For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.
The Lord, who is the pre-incarnate Christ, is also known as the Redeemer (Psa 19:14; 34:22). As the Redeemer, He is symbolized by the Redeemer Planet, whose orbit interlocks with the Mediator Planet to symbolize a chain of slavery.3 The Redeemer frees mankind from the slave market of sin. He is the Redeemer of the soul.
As the Redeemer who was promised to Adam in the Adamic Covenant, the Lord is the "Last Adam" (1 Cor 15:22; Rom 5:14-18). He also Redeemed us from the curse of the Law, which defined sin and cursed all sinners with spiritual death (Gal 3:13). Thus, we are free and do not have to obey the Mosaic Law.
Isaiah 41:10Those who are angry at Israel with anti-Semitism will be shamed and confounded. Those who contend with Israel will perish (Isa 41:11). None of Israel's enemies have survived.
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously gaze about, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; yea, I will help you;
Surely, I will support you with My victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:14The common name of Jacob was changed to Israel when he was promoted to Spiritual Maturity. Thus, Jacob is the common name of the nation of Israel. And "worm" is a term of reproach for the nation as the prophetic reference to Jesus Christ, who was crushed on the cross (Psa 22:6). In spite of its problems the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, will help the nation.
"Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel;
I will help you," declares the LORD, "your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
Even though the Lord raised up Babylon to conquer Judah, He will redeem Israel and destroy Babylon (Isa 43:14). As the Redeemer of Israel, the Lord could have made Israel prosperous, but the people refused to listen to Him (Isa 48:17-19). Nevertheless, He will redeem the captives of Israel from the Chaldeans.
Isaiah 48:20The captives of Israel will be freed from slavery in Babylon. They will leave in haste shouting for joy. They will not be running in fear. The message should be preached that the Lord will redeem Jacob (Israel).
Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans
with shouting for joy. Declare this; preach it;
Send it forth to the end of the Earth;
Say, "The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob."
The Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, helps the one who is despised and rejected in the nation, just as Israel is rejected among the nations, and the Lord Jesus Christ was later rejected by the leaders of Israel.
Isaiah 49:7The Servant of the LORD (Jesus Christ) (Isa 46:5) came from the nation of Israel and had to endure the same oppression from the world as the servant nation. "The servant of tyrants" refers to the slave of the world. Kings and princes will arise and prostrate themselves in worship of the LORD. They will recognize Jesus who was despised and rejected as their Light and Salvation and the chosen One of Israel.
Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, His Holy One,
To him of despised soul, to the abhorrence of the people,
To the servant of tyrants, "Kings shall see and arise;
Princes, and they shall prostrate themselves
For the sake of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, that He has chosen You.
The Lord, as the Redeemer of Israel, will rescue the people from their captors and the nation from its enemies.
Isaiah 49:25-26When the Lord delivers Israel, the whole world will know He is its Redeemer and the Mighty One of Jacob.
25 Surely, thus says the LORD,
"Even the captives of the mighty man will be taken away,
And the prey of the tyrant will be rescued;
For I will contend with the one who contends with you,
And I will save your children."
26 "I will feed your oppressors with their own flesh,
And they will become drunk with their own blood as with new wine;
And all flesh will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior
And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."
The Redeemer of Israel is its Husband and the God of the whole Earth (Isa 54:5). Even though the Lord had to punish Israel, as its Redeemer, He says, "But with everlasting unfailing Love, I will have compassion on you" (Isa 54:8).
The Redeemer of Israel has blotted out the sins of the people.
Isaiah 44:22The sins and transgressions of Israel have been blotted out. Therefore, they should return to the Lord because He has redeemed them.
"I have blotted out your transgressions like a dark cloud
And your sins like a mist (cloud).
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."
Isaiah 44:23The heavens and all of Creation can shout for joy because the Lord has redeemed Israel.
Shout for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done it!
Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the Earth;
Break forth into a shout of joy, you mountains,
O forest, and every tree in it;
For the LORD has redeemed Jacob
And in Israel He shows forth His glory.
At the birth of John the Baptist, his Father Zecharias prophesied in the power of the Holy Spirit that the Lord had brought redemption to Israel through John's birth. Zecharias said:
Luke 1:68Zecharias said that the Lord had brought redemption to the people of Israel. Even though there were connotations of Spiritual redemption, Zecharias was speaking of redemption of the nation of Israel from its enemies (Lk 1:74).
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited us and brought redemption to His people,
Similarly, when Jesus was presented in the Temple, the prophetess Anna spoke about Jesus to those waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:38Anna spoke to those looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. They wanted Jerusalem to be delivered from Roman power. Jerusalem was the capital of Judah. Israel needed a Savior and Bible Doctrine, but the people in apostasy were preoccupied with their political problems.
At that very moment coming up, she (Anna) was giving thanks to God, and continued speaking about Him (Jesus) to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Redemption at the Second Advent
The Lord will redeem Israel when it is under attack at the Second Advent. He will rescue Israel when it is surrounded by foreign armies (Zech 12:6). He will tread upon the enemies of Israel like one treading a wine press (Isa 63:2, 3; Rev 19:13, 15). It will be a day of vengeance and a year of redemption (Isa 63:4).
Before the Second Advent there will be signs in the heavens and great tribulation on Earth.
Luke 21:25The "signs in the Sun, Moon, and stars" refer to planetary configurations pointing to the Second Advent as well as unusual harbingers of doom, such as the Sun being darkened, the Moon appearing blood red, and asteroids hitting the Earth (Joel 2:31; Matt 24:29; Mk 13:24; Acts 2:20; Rev 6:12; 8:12).
There will be signs in the Sun, Moon, and stars, and upon the Earth national distress and anxiety because of the roaring of the sea and the tidal waves,
The Great Tribulation, which precedes the Second Advent, will also be a time of national distress and anxiety. The sea will be roaring from storms and upheavals caused by earthquakes. And there will tidal waves and storm surges (Rev 16:20).
Luke 21:26Men will faint, literally quit breathing, from fear and panic about the doom they are expecting to befall the world. The powers that control the smooth operation of the heavens will be disrupted. It will appear that the Universe is out of control.
men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the controlling powers of the heavens will be disrupted.
Luke 21:27Then the Lord Jesus Christ will return to Earth at the Second Advent. He will come in the sky, literally "in the sphere of the cloud." "Cloud" is anarthrous, which calls attention to the quality of the noun. This is described with various prepositions in other scriptures and refers to the sphere of the cloud, which is the sky (Dan 7:13; Matt 26:64; Rev 1:7). The Lord will appear with light and a vapor trail as He orbits the globe so every eye can see Him (Rev 1:7). And He will be followed by the Church and the Angelic Army, which also have light and vapor trails. So, the Second Advent will be the greatest astronomical spectacle.
Then at that time they will see the Son of Man coming in the sky with power and great glory.
Luke 21:28 Redemption of IsraelWhen the Jews on the Earth see these signs, they should look up and pay attention because the redemption of the nation of Israel is imminent. The Lord will deliver Israel from its enemies at the Second Advent. He will keep His promise to Israel to be their Redeemer even though the nation is surrounded and facing annihilation by its enemies. When the enemies of Israel are destroyed, the Old Testament saints will also be redeemed. They will receive Resurrection bodies (Is 26:19; 66:14; Hos 13:14; Jn 5:29; 11:24; 1 Cor 15:21).
But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is imminent.
Sinful man could not solve his problem with sin. Therefore, God must find a solution. God's solution was to send His Son to pay for man's sin and redeem him from the slave market of sin. There was no simpler solution, or God would have found it. In order to be the sin bearer, the Son must be perfect humanity without sin. He must be a human in order to die because God cannot die. In order to be a mediator, He must be a human to represent humanity, and He must be God to represent God.
Since God knows all things, He knew all this in Eternity past. He knew man would sin and need a Savior. Therefore, the Lord as the second person of the Trinity agreed to become a man and pay for man's sins. Then at the right time Jesus was born from a virgin. Being born without a human father meant that He was born without the sin of Adam. God did not impute the sin of Adam to Him at birth and judge Him with real spiritual death. Therefore, He was born without sin. He must remain without sin in order to be the sin bearer.
Jesus Christ had two natures inseparably united in Hypostatic Union. The two natures were Divine and human. He was undiminished Deity and perfect humanity combined in one unique person. The two natures remained separate although they existed in the same person. Jesus lived in His humanity under the power of the Holy Spirit except in a few cases when He performed miracles from His Deity. In other words, He used the power of the filling of the Holy Spirit rather than His Deity to execute His Spiritual life. Thus, He executed the prototype Spiritual life as a model for Church Age Believers, who have the same Spiritual life with the filling of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ was tempted to sin, but He did not sin. He remained perfect and sinless. He was the lamb without spot or blemish and the unleavened bread. He lived a life of sinless perfection. Thus, He was uniquely qualified to bear the sins of the world.
It was God's will for Jesus to go to the cross, and He was obedient to the will of the Father even to the point of death. Satan incited a conspiracy to put Jesus to death. Even that played into the Father's Plan. When Jesus Christ was hanging on the cross for all the world to see, at noon the sky suddenly darkened. Although Jesus had maintained perfect composure throughout the ordeal of Roman scourging and crucifixion, He began to scream out as the sins of the world were imputed to Him.
For the last three hours on the cross, God the Father imputed all of the sins of human history to Jesus Christ and then Judged them, causing spiritual death. Jesus accepted each sin even though it was disgusting and shameful for such a Holy and Righteous One to taste anything so heinous. With every sin Jesus also accepted the Judgment for that sin even though He was not guilty. Thus, He paid for the sins as a substitute for mankind.
When Jesus had finished bearing the sins of the world, He stopped screaming and said, "Finished" (Jn 19:30). This means He had finished bearing the sins of the world, and His mission had been completed. All the sins of the world had been paid in full. Mankind had been redeemed from the slave market of sin. Then He bowed his head forward and dismissed His spirit (His soul) into the hands of the Father (Lk 23:46).
The departed soul (including the human spirit) of Jesus went to Paradise in the heart of the Earth because that was the place for departed Old Testament believers. Paradise is also called Abraham's Bosom (Luk 16:22-23). In Paradise Jesus announced that the sins of the world had been paid for (Eph 4:9; 1 Pet 3:19). Then He escorted the saints in Paradise to Heaven in a Triumphal Procession that included parading Satan and his demons as conquered foes (Eph 4:8; Col 2:15).
The first Adam sinned and passed his sin to all the human race. Jesus Christ as the Last Adam paid for all those sins (1 Cor 15:22; Rom 5:14-18). He didn't just die for the elect, but He died for everyone. This was unlimited atonement (Jn 4:42; 11:51-52; 2 Cor 5:14-15; 1 Tim 2:6; 4:10; Tit 2:11; Heb 2:9; 1 Jn 4:14). By offering Himself Jesus Christ provided redemption from the slave market of sin for the entire human race for all human history.
God the Father was satisfied with the offering of Jesus Christ and rendered the verdict that mankind was justified before God (Rom 5:16). Nothing could prevent man from being forgiven of his sins, receiving Eternal Life, and living with God forever except his own volition. Man was still free to choose Salvation by faith in Jesus Christ or reject it. Salvation required a positive decision to believe in Jesus Christ. If man chose to reject Jesus Christ as his Savior, he would die in his sins and be condemned to the Lake of Fire with Satan and the fallen angels.
Jesus Christ provided the redemption solution. God the Father accepted it. Now, there is nothing to prevent anyone from receiving Eternal Life except his own negative volition. The door is wide open for Salvation. Salvation is fully paid for and available to everyone, but the decision to accept or reject it still belongs to the individual. Salvation is received by believing in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. To receive Salvation requires an active decision. Failure to make a decision leaves a person in spiritual death and facing condemnation in the Lake of Fire. Jesus Christ is the only solution for man's sin, and there can be Salvation in none other (Acts 4:12).
If a person sins after Salvation, he loses the filling of the Holy Spirit and falls back into spiritual death. He appears like an unbeliever, except he still has Eternal Life. He will never lose his Eternal Life even if he dies in sin. However, if he wants to return to fellowship with God, he must use the recovery procedure, which is Rebound. If he names his sins to God, then God will forgiven his sins and purify him from all wrongdoing (1 Jn 1:9). Forgiving the sins is justified because they were paid for on the cross. Purification from all wrongdoing includes purification from human good, evil, and dead works committed in the Cosmic System while out of fellowship.
Just as the animals were sacrificed as a substitute for sinners, the Lord Jesus Christ was sacrificed as our substitute.
Mark 10:45Jesus Christ gave "His life a ransom as a substitute for many." Here the Greek ajntiv (anti) + poluv" (polus) means as a substitute for many. Jesus ransomed the human race by dying spiritually as a substitute for them (Matt 20:28; 26:28).
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom as a substitute for many.
Romans 5:8 God's Love in Christ's Death"Christ died as a substitute for us." This is the Greek uJpevr (huper) + ejgwv (ego), genitive of advantage = "as a substitute for us."
But God demonstrates His own Love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died as a substitute for us.
Romans 8:32Christ was delivered "over as a substitute for us all." This is the Greek uJpevr (huper) + ejgwv (ego), genitive of advantage = "as a substitute for us."
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over as a substitute for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things?
Galatians 1:4Jesus paid for our sins in order to "rescue us from the present evil age." Sanctification at Salvation rescues a person from the Kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of God (Acts 26:18).
who (Christ) gave Himself as a substitute for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
Galatians 2:20 Crucified with ChristChrist "delivered Himself up on behalf of me." This is the Greek uJpevr (huper, on behalf of) + ejgwv (ego) = on behalf of me, as a substitute for me. Paul lives each day in fellowship with Jesus Christ and remembers through faith (doctrine in the Edification Complex of the Soul) what Jesus Christ did on the cross for him. Christ lives in Paul's ECS where He is at home (Eph 3:17).
"I have been crucified with Christ. Now I no longer live, but Christ lives within me; and the life which I now live in the body, I live by the faith in the Son of God who loved me and delivered Himself up on behalf of me."
1 Timothy 2:6 Substitutionary AtonementThis is an Attic Greek double accusative of object and result.
who (Christ) gave Himself as a ransom (redeemer), a substitute for all, the testimony given at the proper time.
"The testimony given at the proper time" – the payment for sins on the cross occurred at the proper time in human history. The testimony of the cross is the focal point of human history.
1 Peter 2:24Jesus carried our sins on the cross as a substitute for us.
He Himself carried our sins in His own body on the cross that we might die to sin and live to Righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
1 Peter 3:18 Substitutionary DeathChrist suffered substitutionary spiritual death. "As a substitute for" is the Greek uJpe;r (huper) + a[diko" (adikos, unrighteous) genitive of advantage = "as a substitute for the unrighteous ones."
For Christ also suffered death once for sins: The Righteous One as a substitute for the unrighteous ones, that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the human body but made alive by the Spirit.
Titus 2:14Jesus Christ gave Himself as a substitute for us on the cross. This is the Greek uJpevr (huper) + ejgwv (ego) = "as a substitute for us." He gave Himself to redeem us "from every lawless deed." Lawless deeds are sins. "And purify for Himself a people" refers to sanctification. This is the Positional Sanctification of the Church, "a people for His own possession." The people should be "eager for Divine Good production." Divine Good is produced in Grace.
who (Christ) gave Himself as a substitute for us that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, eager for Divine Good production.
In the Book of Revelation the Lord Jesus Christ is symbolized by the Lamb who stands in the Throne Room in the presence of God and directs the Judgments of the Tribulation according to God's Sovereign Design (Rev 5:6). There the Lamb is also worshipped as God (Rev 5:11-14).
Author: Larry Wood, Released - Apr. 5, 2014 - Revised May 14, 2014
| Top | Author | Comments | Home |
