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

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Christ in the Pentateuch

~ Jesus Christ is the Theme of the Entire Bible ~

The Bible is a book of the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ (John 5:39) and contains many “types” of things to come. Biblical types are metaphors or symbols of something else. Types are not only interesting but are part of the reason why the Bible is such an integrated whole. While a collection of 66 books, the Bible is in a very real way one book, one story, and one integrated package. For example, there are many amazing parallels between the Old Testament contents and that which is found in the New Testament writings.

Jesus Christ can be seen in every book of the Bible. Consider for example the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

Genesis ~ In chapter 22 (many consider it one of the top ten chapters of the Bible) we see a father (Abraham) offering up his mature son (Isaac was not a small boy but was in his 30s) as an offering for sin. It took them three days to arrive at the place of sacrifice. Isaac was dead in Abraham’s mind for three long days! Isaac carried the wood for his death and Christ carried His own cross. Isaac was spared after the three day journey. Christ rose from the dead after three days.

Exodus ~ In chapter 12 we find the lamb slain and its blood sprinkled upon the houses as a shelter for men who are facing the judgment of God. The blood of the slain lamb is a type of the future blood of the Lamb of God. Each individual family member was required to receive a part of the lamb (12:4)—a picture of how every individual must accept the sacrifice of Christ for themselves—it is a personal decision. No one was saved because of being in the right house. Today no one is a child of God because they have Christian parents or live in a “Christian nation.” The fire (12:8-9) represented judgment which is still ahead for those of us living today. Bread made without yeast (yeast symbolizes sin) represents Christ, the bread of life. It is important to note that no one was saved because of “doing good” or “doing the best they can.”

Leviticus ~ Chapter 16 presents the ordinances of the Day of Atonement, which is a type of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament God did not remove sin but covered it, waiting for the only truly acceptable sacrifice—Jesus Christ. Only the high priest could provide this atonement and in doing so he laid aside his beautiful garments. Christ our great high priest laid aside His glory in heaven to come to earth to provide a sacrifice for us.

Numbers ~ The serpent of brass which is lifted up for all to see in chapter 21 is a picture of Jesus Christ who would be lifted up on the Cross of Calvary for all to see. To be saved they were required to look up at the serpent in faith just like today we must look up to the Cross in faith. To be saved one must begin by acknowledging their need if a Savior because of their sin.

Deuteronomy ~ In chapter 21 we find a man who was murdered outside the city—Jesus Christ was murdered outside the city of Jerusalem. You and I and the entire human race are responsible for His death. He died in our place so that we might live eternally.

Additional Comment ~ Jesus Christ while on earth quoted from all five books of the Pentateuch.