The Atonement Continued...

1981 Jun -- XIV 6(81) -- LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ATONEMENT - II -- 

As we continue our discussion about the Atonement - and specifically that phase of the atonement which involves man's at-one-ment with God - we shall consider the second step as pre-figured in the earthly type.

In the First Apartment -- In the earthly sanctuary service, all ministry within the first apartment was done by the priests. It was the priest who placed the incense on the golden altar, which stood before the second veil, both morning and evening; and who "dressed" the lamps simultaneously. (Ex. 30:6-8) Prepared by the Levites, the cakes of shewbread were placed by the priests on the Table opposite the Golden Candlesticks, and were renewed every Sabbath day. (Lev. 24:5-8). But while the priests were ministers of the Holy Place, the people were involved in that ministry. They were commanded to provide oil for the lamps (Lev. 24:2); they were assessed an half shekel for the service of the sanctuary. This assessment was considered as "an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls." (Ex. 30:13-16) Thus the very materials purchased by the half shekel, and used by the priests in the ritual of the Holy Place were considered a part of the ongoing atonement.

Theologically, the services and articles of furniture in the Holy Place have been understood to represent the experience called sanctification. In the type by the assessment of the half shekel and the purpose for which it was used, and how the Lord regarded it, we can understand that what we call sanctification is a part of the atonement - man becoming at-one with God.

The people of Israel sensed the typical meaning of the first apartment ritual. The offering of the incense - both morning and evening - was recognized as a time of prayer. (Luke 1:10) Since the lamps were trimmed at the same time, they could perceive a meaning in this act as well - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105) The service connected with the Table of Shewbread reminded them weekly of their responsibilities under the Fourth Commandment.

With the establishment of the New Covenant, the involvement of the ones who had become atone with God through the priestly act of Jesus resulting from the sacrifice of Himself as Substitute was more direct. They are pictured as participants in the ministry before the Throne in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary. There the four and twenty elders have "everyone of them harps, and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." (Rev. 5:8)

p 2 -- Representing the 24 courses of the Levitical priesthood, these 24 Elders are no longer restricted to the tribe of Levi, but have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." (Rev. 5:9) While redeemed members of the human family serve with their great High Priest in the ministry of the first apartment of the tabernacle "which the Lord pitched and not man" (Heb. 8:2); the earthly believer is also considered a part of this royal priesthood, thus becoming a part of the kingdom of priests to which all Israel were called, but to which Israel never attained. (I Peter 2:9; Ex. 19:5-6) The "priesthood of all believers" involves more than mere equality of rank, but involves active participation in the daily "dressing" of the lamps; the offering of the incense morning and evening; and the weekly participation in the renewing of the bread of His presence on the Holy Sabbath.

In this priestly ministry under the New Covenant, the believer has committed himself to a work of a lifetime - daily, both morning and evening, he holds communion with his God; the light of the Spirit guides in his life's decisions; and each week he partakes with his fellow "priests" of the bread of God's presence as found in the Word, and through this fellowship a renewing of their perceptions and commitment. To perceive the depths of this ongoing atonement provided through Jesus Christ, the great High Priest over the household of God, one can find endless insights as the mind is directed by the Holy Spirit in the study of the symbols devised by God in the lesson plans for the earthly sanctuary.

The Bible pictures not only Christ as the minister of the true tabernacle where in its first apartment He ministers as "a Lamb as it had been slain;" but also as the One who has obtained from the Father, the light of the seven golden candlesticks which is "sent forth into all the earth." (Rev. 5:6) It is through this Holy Spirit that where two or three are gathered together in His name partaking of the heavenly Shewbread - He is in the midst of them. This church on earth and the Church of the heavenly Jerusalem become one through the ministry of Jesus "the mediator of the new covenant" and "the blood of sprinkling." (Heb. 12:22-24) From an individual judicial atonement resulting from the acceptance of the Substitute sacrificed "in the court," and the mediation of that blood upon "Mt. Sion," we enter an individual-corporate atonement process in the first apartment ministry, a process which is to be completed in the Most Holy Place as a corporate atonement, or as prefigured in the type - a national atonement.

In the Most Holy Place -- It is of utmost importance to note that 0. R. L. Crosier in his study - "The Sanctuary" - first appearing in the Day Star, Extra, February 7, 1846, and reprinted again in the 1850 Advent Review, a 48-page pamphlet, notes the daily ministry in the earthly sanctuary which pertained to the sin offerings as "the individual atonement," and the once-a-year ministry in the Most Holy Place as "the National Atonement." To this concept, we have given little attention. In simple language, it means a corporate atonement.

Introducing this concept, Crosier used Hebrews 9:7 - "But into the second [apartment] went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people." He emphasized - "errors of the people," defining people as "nation" from the Greek word used - AaoV.

p 3 -- This was to emphasize the corporate idea involved rather than the result to a single individual. This concept is emphasized in the Levitical detailing of the ritual to be performed on the Day of Atonement. The two goats over which the lots were cast were to be taken from "the congregation of the children of Israel." (Lev. 16:5) The one which became the Lord's goat is designated as "the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people." (verse. 15) The atonement was made "because of the uncleaness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins." (ver. 16) The ritual commanded was declared to be an "everlasting statute" by which "to make atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year." (ver. 34) Further, this was noted by God as "the sin offering of atonements" (Ex. 30:10) All previous offerings by which atonement was realized find their ultimate objective in this final atonement. It was national, collective, and corporative.

This atonement of atonements involved "the holy place within the vail", because "of the uncleanness of the children of Israel." (Lev. 16:2,16) It involved "the tabernacle of the congregation" [the first apartment]; "the altar that is before the Lord" (ver. 18); and the priests and "all the people of the congregation." (ver. 33) Its purpose - that the people "be clean from all [their] sins before the Lord." (ver. 30)

In this study of the services of the Day of Atonement, it must be clearly understood that the people's involvement in the ritual of this day, whether considered collectively, or individually was absolutely nil. It was the blood of the goat designated as "the Lord's goat" (See Lev. 16:8-9) which accomplished the atonement. It was the High Priest arrayed in his holy garments who entered the Most Holy Place alone to minister the atonement of atonements.

This Day was to be to the people a holy convocation (Numbers 29:7) As they assembled, and throughout the day, they were to "afflict their souls." (Lev. 23:27, 32) In it they were to do no work - for if anyone did he would be destroyed from "among the people." (ver. 30) This people as they assembled, assembled as "forgiven sinners" not as "cleansed saints." That was to be the result of the atonement made on this Day. Even though throughout the year, they had assembled morning and evening at the time of prayer; even though they had diligently sought to know and practice the precepts of the Lord, they still were unclean before the Lord. And nothing which they could do on the Day of Atonement could gain them merit. They were to do no work, and anyone who attempted to accomplish something by his works was to be destroyed from among the people. The blood of the Lord's goat, and the ministry of the High Priest alone would attain the atonement of atonements. This was the type.

In the great antitypical Day of Atonement in the sanctuary which the Lord pitched and not man, our great High Priest, with His perfect holiness and by His own blood will accomplish the cleansing of not just one individual, but the cleansing of His people. This cleansing will be of a people who know they have been forgiven, and that at the foot of the Cross - before the altar of the court - is the highest place they can attain; a people who are not seeking perfection by their own works, but who find in their communion with God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit that humility of soul, that distrustfulness of self which God delights to honor. "Blessed are they who know their spiritual poverty, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5:3 RBV)

p 4 -- It must also be recalled from the type given that as God made a covenant with Moses as representative of the people - a covenant to which the people did not assent to as a nation, but which through the "daily" services of the sanctuary they individually acknowledged by the bringing of their sin offerings, so Christ has been accepted by the Father as the representative of the individuals who accept Him as their Substitute - their Sin-Offering. For these people - collectively - He will make the atonement of atonements. They are His people. As a Representative of them, He has covenanted to "make a man more precious than gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir." (Isa. 13:12)1 This He will do; but it must be kept in mind that He and He alone will do it! He does it in and for those who recognize themselves as sinners, not perfected saints. It was this He made painfully clear to the "religious" during the days of His earthly ministry. He said "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Matt. 9:13)

As our High Priest, Christ will obtain from the Father all power necessary for the accomplishment of His part of the covenant so that the ultimate objective of the at-one-ment may be realized - "Father, I will that they also, whom thou has given me, be with me where I am." (John 17:24) For who is like unto our heavenly Father, who "pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy. He will [respond], He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; [He] will cast all [our] sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:18-19) And when this shall have been accomplished in the atonement of the atonements, then we shall see His face, and His name shall be in our foreheads. In that hour we shall experience the fullness of the atonement (Rev, 22:4)

Our Father, as He sees the host of the redeemed - His earth-born children come home - will rejoice over [them] with joy, He will rest in His love, He will joy over [them] with singing." (Zeph. 3:17)

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1 Isaiah 13:12 is a very important text. The promise to make a man more precious than fine gold is placed in a time setting in context with "the day of the Lord." Following the fulfillment of the prophecy - "the sun shall be darkened in his going forth" (verse 10) - and before "the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, I and in the day of His fierce anger" - this promise is to be fulfilled. Thus between the Dark Day, May 19, 1780, and the close of human probation, Christ will make a man as precious as the golden wedge of Ophir. Thus the timing of this promise coincides with the antitypical Day of Atonement - the Day of the Atonement of the Atonements. (See Isa. 13:9-13; Dan. 8:14)

"Let no one take the limited, narrow position that any of the works of man can help in the least possible way to liquidate the debt of his transgression. This is a fatal deception. If you would understand it, you must cease haggling over your pet ideas, and with humble hearts survey the atonement. This matter is so dimly comprehended that thousands upon thousands claiming to be sons of God are children of the wicked one, because they will depend on their own works."

(Ms 50, 1900; 6BC: 1071)