Recapping from yesterday - The gospel's principles are in the Sanctuary given back in the desert to Moses. We tend to think of the gospel only in a New Testament way- the Gospel as the good news of Jesus. Taking a bit from yesterday we'll see otherwise...
Basic Principles From God's Viewpoint -- Light From the Throne -- Continued William Grotheer --
The Basic "Gospel" In Leviticus -- The unfolding of the "gospel" revealed in the sanctuary is found in the book of Leviticus. In the instruction for the first offering - the law of the burnt offering - fundamental principles were enunciated.
First, the offering was to be "voluntary" - no coercion. (Lev. 1:3) Even as God freely provided for man's redemption, so man's acceptance of the means of redemption must be from a willing heart.
Secondly, it was to be offered at "the entrance of the tabernacle of the congregation." A significance of this rule will be seen when we study the sin offerings in particular.
Thirdly, the offerer "put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering." (Lev. 1:4) The Hebrew word, samach, means "to lean upon in full support." This word is also used in Amos 5:19 describing a man who leaned with his hand upon a wall. This placing of the hand in full support upon the offering signified total dependence.
Fourth, the offering was "accepted for him to make atonement." This principle is fundamental and applies to all offerings wherein the hand is laid upon the victim. It is especially significant when understood in relationship to the sin offering. In the Hebrew, one word - chatta' th - is used for both "sin" and "sin offering." The sacrificial animal became sin, and was accepted in the place of the offerer. In the elementary burnt offering and in the sin offering, the one offering sacrifice slew the victim. (Lev. 1:5) The disposition of the blood differed, and in the elementary burnt offering, the whole of the animal was burned on the altar. (Lev. 1:7-9) Of Christ, Paul wrote - God "hath made Him to be sin for us." (II Cor. 5:21) Jesus is accepted in our stead to make atonement. Upon Him, we must place our full dependence.
There is deep meaning in the fact that the one bringing the offering, slew the sacrificial victim.I, by my sin, slew the Lamb of God.I, at Calvary, pounded the nails;I, too, pierced His side.I placed the crown of thorns the curse because of sin (Gen. 3:18) upon that holy brow.I mocked;I derided;and I scoffed...because my pride would not accept such a provision.
In all the actions and the attitudes of the people who literally surrounded Golgathal's hill, I can see myself as I am, or ought to be. But when I am willing to go "without the camp, bearing his reproach" (Heb. 13:13), I will find peace with God once more at one with Him - at the altar.
What Is Sin ? -- The basic purpose of the sanctuary rituals was to deal with the sin problem so that communion between God and man might be restored - an at-one-ment be realized.
God desired to dwell among His people whom He had chosen.
In the services prescribed were outlined how man could approach God; and God revealed through them how He planned to eradicate that which had separated -sin.
But first, what is sin? We have a very pat definition for sin -- "Sin is the transgression of ;the law. " But it is more than that. The text reads - note all the words: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (I John 4;3)
Sin is more than merely the outward act by which the law is violated.
Consider, what God is, not who He is.
In the song of Moses, God is declared to be "a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He." (Deut. 32:4)
He with whom sin began "abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him." (John 8:44)
Deviation from truth leads to sin, and thus separation from God, who is truth., The way back to God must be a way of truth. That way is in the sanctuary. (Ps. 77:13) This is why the sanctuary truth as entrusted to Adventism is so vital. ((I'm going to interject here in the thought paper and say it is vital to us ALL. Not just Adventists.))
Because God is just and right, He demands that justice be met. Every sin must be accounted for. None - not a single one, no matter how small - dare be overlooked.Every vestige must be ultimately removed from the universe - root and branch. (Mal. 4:1) To ensure this, the most meticulous record system ever devised was set up in Heaven. There the record of every sin is recorded and by whom committed; for all must give an accounting. The Bible is specific that there are books in heaven and the nature of the records contained therein. (Dan. 7:10; Rev. 20:12) With our knowledge of computer technology and recording devices, a text strikes at us: Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice." (Eccl. 5:6)
In this time when we wish to project God as only a God of love, we must keep in mind that the Bible plainly teaches - "Our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29'); and "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31). God is just and requires that justice be meted out against sin and those who persist in sin.
In the first two categories of the law of the sin offerings, the bullock which had been accepted for those confessing was burned without the camp. The text says: The skin of the bullock, and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung, even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, ... and burn him on the wood with fire. (Lev. 4:11-12; See also verse 21)
The symbol is very clear. Either a substitute was to be "accepted" for the sinner, or else he himself would suffer extinction. God is serious about the sin problem. It will never arise the second time.
In the sanctuary of the Heaven of heavens, all sin will be accounted for, and all sinners will give an accounting.
The earthly sanctuary, as a parable, was cast down beside to show how a sinner can escape the final judgment of God against sin.
For just as surely as we live, we face a judgment.
There is only one exception to this rule. Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life - the living tabernacle in flesh - declared - "Verily verily, I say unto you, He that is hearing my word, and is believing on Him that sent Me, hath life eternal, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24, Greek)
While the Heavenly Sanctuary involves the whole universe, the earthly "model" pictures a way - light from the Throne -- whereby those who enter into covenant relationship with Christ as "minister ... of the true tabernacle" and "mediaor of a better covenant" escape the wrath of God against sin.
(The Sanctuary Studies will be continued in Commentary, Vol. III, Number 2.) --- End --- 1989 Special 1 -- Light From the Throne -- Part 1
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There is a way of escape from sin for all of us. The price paid beyond our imagining. As we continue studying the more enlightened we can become with the Holy Spirit guiding us, by the grace of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
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