Christ-Atonement, 6of6

~ The Atonement of Christ Foreshadowed  ~

Jesus Christ—The Messiah—is clearly seen throughout the Old Testament (i.e., see the Messiah series of ALN posts which are currently occurring each Saturday).  

For your personal studies are some examples to consider in your own personal studies:

Examples of prophecies of Christ (Isaiah 53: 4-12; Daniel 9:26; Zechariah 13:7)  

Examples of foreshadowings of Christ (Genesis 22:8-10; Exodus 27:1; Leviticus 1:3-5) 

Examples of types of Christ of Christ (Genesis 3:21; 4:4; 8:20; Numbers 21:9)

Examples of types of Christ’s atoning death (Genesis 6:14; Exodus 12:6; 30:16; Leviticus 16:19) 

Jesus Christ—The Messiah—is the fulfillment—the completion—of what was predicted in the Old Testament through prophecies, foreshadowings, and types.  For this closing post of this series we will consider some aspects of the foreshadowing in Leviticus 16 and compare them with what we find in Hebrews 10 where the reality is presented. 

In Leviticus one of the first things we see is that the High Priest could not enter the holy place at any time—at the time of his choosing (16:2).  Every year the priest would have to again enter the holy place to provide blood sacrifices for the atonement of sin.  Also, he was given very specific instructions about his personal preparation before We read about his personal preparation before entering the holy place (16:4). 

We must also note that there were four sacrifices (16:3, 6-7).  As you read the chapter it is clear that everything must be atoned for.  The bull was a sin offering to be sacrificed for the priest and his family, and there was a ram to be sacrificed, as well as two goats.  One of the goats was for the Lord and the other goat was the “scapegoat” (16:8).  This scapegoat is led out into the wilderness (16:10). 

This scapegoat will never be seen again—a beautiful picture of what God does with our sin.   “You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19b).  “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25).  “You have cast all my sins behind Your back” (Isaiah 38:17b).  “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).  Aren’t you glad He didn’t say “as far as the north is from the south”!  “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered [atoned for].  Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him” (Romans 4:7-8).

When your sin has been atoned for it is gone forever—you don’t need to bring them up  to Him again.  Your sin was put on the ultimate scapegoat—Jesus Christ—who went outside the city wall to be crucified for you and for me.  Your atoned for sin is under the blood of Christ.  It’s been forgiven.  It’s been atoned for.  God cancels, cleanses, pardons and forgets our sins.  That’s atonement.  That’s reconciliation.

Now consider Hebrews 10.  The opening verses summarize it all:  “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.  For then would they not have ceased to be offered?  For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.  But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.  For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (Hebrews 10:1-4). 

Consider this rendition:  “The old plan was only a hint of the good things in the new plan.  Since that old ‘law plan’ wasn’t complete in itself, it couldn’t complete those who followed it.  No matter how many sacrifices were offered year after year, they never added up to a complete solution.  If they had, the worshipers would have gone merrily on their way, no longer dragged down by their sins.  But instead of removing awareness of sin, when those animal sacrifices were repeated over and over they actually heightened awareness and guilt.  The plain fact is that bull and goat blood can’t get rid of sin.  That is what is meant by this prophecy, put in the mouth of Christ: ‘You don't want sacrifices and offerings year after year; you’ve prepared a body for Me for a sacrifice.  It’s not fragrance and smoke from the altar that whet Your appetite.  So I said, ‘I’m here to do it Your way, O God, the way it’s described in Your Book.’ When He said, ‘You don't want sacrifices and offerings,’ He was referring to practices according to the old plan.  When He added, ‘I’m here to do it Your way,’ He set aside the first in order to enact the new plan—God’s way—by which we are made fit for God by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:1-10, The Message). 

summary:  The human race could not be saved by the sacrifices of the Old Testament, but only by The Messiah’s sacrifice.  “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship Him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world.  If any man have an ear, let him hear” (Revelation 13:8-9).  God does not operate in time like we do—He is eternal—He has always known that His Son would be the ultimate atonement for sin.  The Old Testament gives hints, shadows, types, and prophecies about the coming of the Son of God, as Messiah, to earth. 

But God demonstrated His own love on our behalf, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died as a substitute for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him (Romans 5:8-9). 

note  ~  This series about atonement includes:  

1.  The Concept of the Atonement of Christ for Your Sin

2.  The Basics of the Atonement of Christ for Your Sin

3.  The Facts of the Atonement of Christ for Your Sin

4.  The Results of the Atonement of Christ for Your Sin

5.  7 Benefits of Christ’s Atonement for Your Sin 

6.  The Atonement of Christ Foreshadowed 

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .