Tuesday, April 1, 2014

May we believe

'The Basic "Gospel" In Leviticus --

'The Covenants and the Sanctuaries -- Light  from the Throne -- (Continued) -- WWN '

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)

Lev 1:3  If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.

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)

Lev 1:4  And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

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)

Lev 1:5  And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

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)

Lev 1:7  And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:
Lev 1:8  And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:
Lev 1:9  But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

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 Golgatha'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), 1 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.

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)

Dan 7:10  A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

 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)

Lev 4:21  And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn him as he burned the first bullock: it is a sin offering for the congregation.

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

*******

By the grace of God may we comprehend truly that sin will never exist again. It is only through Christ we can have any hope of salvation. Our God is a just God, a merciful God, a truthful God, a God who has promised much and every promise will be fulfilled.  Sin will be no more.

By our Savior's love may we make the willful choice to believe in HIM.  May we BELIEVE.


No comments: