Atonement:

Atonement in the Old Testament

The commandments are God’s government, laws, and statutes. When anyone sinned, it was a violation of a commandment of God.  To violate even one of God’s commands, was rebellion against God and required a punishment.

But, God granted the sinner under the law, the privilege to have a substitute to be sacrificed and to cover the sin (or sins). Not just for an individual, but also for the whole congregation.

When one admitted that they had sinned, they were required to bring a sin offering to the priest.

The sin was confessed while the priest had his hands on the head of the sacrifice.

This was symbolically transferring the sin(s) to the animal that was to be sacrificed.

It was then slain; some of the blood was placed on the horns of the altar; then the blood poured out at the bottom of the altar.

When the priest and whole congregation had sinned, how was the ceremony to be conducted?

Leviticus 16:15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:

Note: The priest enters into the Holy of Holies (behind the veil) first for himself, and his house.

Leviticus 16:17 And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.

Note: The priest entered a second time for the sin offering that is for the people and sanctuary. If the atonement was unacceptable, the priest died. The atonement was not completed when the priest slew the sacrifice; not when he entered the first or the second time; but when he appeared the second time.

(It is very important for all, to read and study the Bible for themselves about this practice. (See Ex., Lev., and Deut.)

Atonement in the New Testament

Who is our high priest today?

Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; :12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

What was the priesthood and sanctuary designed to be?

Hebrews 8:5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things,

Has Christ fulfilled the sacrifice for sins?

Hebrews 9:26 since it had behoved him many times to suffer from the foundation of the world, but now once, at the full end of the ages, for putting away of sin through his sacrifice, he hath been manifested;

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Note: The atonement for sin was not completed when the sacrifice was slain, or when the priest entered into the Holy place, but when he appeared the second and final time.

Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Has Christ, the sacrificial offering, appeared for us to God?

Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; :25 nor was it that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood not his own. :26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. :27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, :28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

Note: Christ first appeared to God for us.  Then Christ was to appear a second time (for our salvation) without sin for them that await him.

The second appearing of Christ is the fulfillment of the atonement of sin, just as the second appearing of the Old Testament priest was the sign and proof of God’s acceptance of the sacrifice.

If the appearing of Christ is to be in our future, and not as Jesus said in Matthew24:34, Luke 21:32, Mark 13:30, then these three conclusions could be made:

1. The atonement has not yet been completed, and we have no salvation in Jesus Christ [yet].

2. (Or worse), it was not accepted by God.

3. Jesus did not fulfill the law and the prophets.  (See Matthew 5:18 and note: the old law could not pass until all is fulfilled.

If only part (or even most) of the law is fulfilled, then we are still under the old law, and Jesus Christ has to be a false prophet.)

Summary

1. The second appearing is a sign and proof that God has accepted the Atonement for sin.

2. Jesus Christ fulfilled the law, and he was the final sacrifice and offering.

3. Christ must appear a second time or our salvation is still in the old law and ordinances. Therefore, we have to continue with the old sacrifices to obtain salvation, or the Bible is in error.

4. If Christ has not yet returned and his prophecies are not fulfilled, then this is proof that Christ is a false prophet, according to the teachings of the Bible.

If Christ has not yet appeared a second time, Atonement is a fable.

[See: 'Is All Prophecy Fulfilled?']

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