Sacrifice and Offering

“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and

without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

-Hebrews 9:22

                The book of Leviticus is full of laws that God told Moses to give to His people. It draws its name from the Levites. The tribe of Levi was one of the twelve tribes of Israel and they performed the religious functions in ancient Israel. After the people of Israel were led out of Egypt, the firstborn of all men and animals were turned over to God.  The Levites were in charge of offerings. When the Promised Land was divided among the tribes, the Levites did not get a whole territory but received cities in each territory to maintain the tabernacle.  The first religious laws set down in Leviticus are the giving of offerings to God through priests. They were designed to bridge the gap between a holy God and a sinful man.  There were five main types of offerings.

                The burnt offering (Leviticus 1; 6:8-13; 8:18-21; 16:24) is the first offering mentioned, was a sacrifice for wrongdoing. The price was a male bull, lamb or goat, or a young pigeon or dove. The animal had to be perfect without defect. If the person could not afford an animal he could offer tenth of an ephah of fine flour. After presenting the animal, the sinner would place his two hands on the animal and therefore, it was accepted as a sin offering. This act, in essence, transferred the sin from the human to the animal. They would kill the animal and then the priest took over. The priest would bleed the animal and cut it up ceremonially. They sprinkled the blood on the altar and then they washed the internal organs and legs. The whole animal would be burned on over wood on the altar and the aroma was said to be pleasing to the Lord. 

“He washed the inner parts and the legs with water and burned the

whole ram on the altar as a burnt offering, a pleasing

aroma, an offering made to the Lord by fire, as the Lord commanded Moses.”

-Leviticus 8:21

                The grain offering (Leviticus 2) was meant for voluntary worship and thanks. The grain was ground into flour and it could be put into bread or cakes. Olive oil and incense were added to it by the priests and yeast and honey were forbidden. The grain baked grain offerings had to be sprinkled with salt and a small portion was burnt on the altar.

                The fellowship offering (Leviticus 3; 7:11-34) was a voluntary at of worship, thanks, and fellowship. Any clean, perfect animal, male or female, could be offered. If it was an offering of thankfulness, then cakes and bread both with and without yeast and mixed with oil were also to be offered. This offering was to be eaten as well. The offering was presented at the gate of the tent and the blood was sprinkled on all sides of the offering. The internal organs, fat, and liver were burned as a food offering. Whatever was left after two days that wasn’t eaten was to be burned, or else the offering wasn’t accepted.

                The sin offering (Leviticus 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30; 8:14-17; 16:3-22) was for when some unintentionally sinned and then recognized that sin. There were different rules for a priest, a whole community, a leader, and a member of the community. There were also different rules for different sins. If you were guilty of premeditated transgression and infraction, the offerings didn’t help you. Priests and whole communities had to bring a young bull while a leader had to offer a male goat. A member of the community had to bring a female goat or lamb without defect. If the people could not afford the animals, they could offer two doves or pigeons-one for a sin offering and one for a burnt offering-or a tenth of an ephah of fine flour. The blood was sprinkled on the altar and at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. The fat, kidneys, and liver were burned on the altar. The hide, flesh, head, legs, inner parts, and offal were burnt outside of the camp in a place ceremonially clean.

                The guilt offering or repayment offering (Leviticus 5:14-6:7; 7:1-6) was for doing something against God, like holding back your tithe, or in regards to someone else’s possession. A ram or lamb was brought to be sacrificed and the debt would be paid, plus an additional twenty percent.

                Eventually, these offering were no longer enough. They would give these offerings but then continue to live their sinful ways. You see, it’s like how it’s not enough to go to church on Sundays but then live sinfully the rest of the week. Or even to just pray to God when we need something and then forget Him the rest of the time. We’re supposed to give God 100 percent of us-not 80 percent or 50 percent or 20 percent.

“The multitude of your sacrifices-what are they to me?’ says the Lord. ‘I have more than

enough burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no

pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats…stop bringing meaningless

offerings!...Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves cleans. Take your evil

deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!”

-Isaiah 1:11…13…15-17

                God gave His people a chance to repent and change their ways. They still chose to disobey His decrees and commandments. Therefore, He separated himself from them and when they cried to Him, He did not listen.

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so

that he will not hear. For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt.”

-Isaiah 59:2-3

“You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until wickedness was

found in you. Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and

you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O

guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.”

-Ezekiel 28:15-16

                You might think that this means that God does not love. This doesn’t mean that God didn’t love them still though. What He wanted them to do was repent and bring glory to His name. You may say God is selfish, but He’s not. He created all things-He created you. He has every reason to be praised and glorified. You wouldn’t be sitting where you are right now reading this if it weren’t for Him. Because God loved us, He sent His son to earth to pay for our sins on the cross (John 3:16; Isaiah 53:5). He wants us to have a way to have a relationship with Him and that was possible only through Jesus.

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

-John 14:6

                Through Jesus we were reunited to God. He is the bridge we needed to draw closer to God. He was the final blood sacrifice for all mankind, covering all generations (Hebrews 9:26-28). He is worth more than any animal sacrifice or the annual blood sacrifice that the priests would offer. They offered blood that was not theirs, which was meant to be a reminder of how they should live. Jesus came through a holy place (Hebrews 9:11-12).

“The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are

ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will

the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God,

cleanse out consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”

-Romans 9:13-14

                His crucifixion brought an end to the blood sacrifices that were once required. Hebrews 10:5-7 says that God didn’t desire sacrifices and offerings nor was He pleased with burnt offerings and sin offerings. There is only one sacrifice that we can give to Him, and that is our bodies as His temple. We are to give our time and our will to God so that we can find everlasting life.

“…and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

-Matthew 10:38-39

Understanding the Book of Revelation: The River of Life

                Now we will look at the final chapter of Revelation: The River of Life and the Coming of Jesus.

                In the Garden of Eden man became like God knowing good and evil, but he was cut off from the tree of life. He became his own God and his source of life was within himself rather than coming from God resulting in futility and emptiness. As a result of this emptiness people fill their lives with things, pleasures and idols. Here in Rev 22 we now find God and the Lamb as the source of life for man, man is no longer cut off from the life of God as Adam and Eve were. Man could eat from the tree of life and live forever because God lives forever.

                There is so much life in this one river. The water of life is a symbol of the Spirit flowing into the redeemed people to be their life supply. Instead of water being used for judgment it is used as a source of life. The water saturates the city, filling it with the divine power of God. The water purifies us since it is bright as crystal, having no dimness. It’s a source of nourishment and is similar to the river that was in the Garden of Eden mentioned in Genesis 2:10. In verse 2 we see the tree of life mentioned, the same tree that was in the Garden of Eden. In saying that the tree of life was on both sides of the river indicates that it spreads for all of God’s people to enjoy. The redeemed can have access to this tree now, unlike pre-Christ. 

                There will be no more Adamic curse on God’s people. The curse is now revoked so that mankind can take hold of the fruit of the tree of life and live forever. The throne of God and of the Lamb is not remote in heaven but on earth in the New Jerusalem, God's dwelling place is with man, heaven has moved to the earth. Instead of painful toil His servants will serve him as they also served him on the former earth. To have His name on their forehead in verse 4 means that they will be His people, loyal to Him. We will reap the benefits of following the prophecies of Revelation. 

                John uses the phrase 'I John' also at the start of the book, in Revelation 1:9. John once again emphasizes the fact that he heard and saw these things; he did not make them up. The first time that John fell at the angel’s feet to worship him was after the scene of the great multitude singing Hallelujah to God, and blessing on those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb and the angels confirmation that these are the true words of God (Revelation 19:1-10). Again John sees stunning visions of heaven and again the angel confirms that these words are trustworthy and true, Jesus announces that he is coming soon and John is so overwhelmed by these visions that he attempts to worship the angel who brought the visions to him. On both occasions he is rebuked because the angel is a fellow servant and John is told to worship God. 

                Verse 10 warns John to not keep the prophecies of Revelation a secret. Although some parts of the book may be hard to understand, we are meant to know these words because the time is near. Compare to Daniel 12:4 where he is told to keep the words of the scroll hidden because the time is distant. At the point that the New Heaven, Earth, and Jerusalem are completed, everything is set into eternity. That is why verse 11 says to let everything stay as it is. There is no room for repentance or change now. In verse 12, Jesus once again announces his coming himself. His reward for believers is everlasting life and the rewards that are foretold in Isaiah 40:10 and 62:11-12. This expresses personal responsibility. 

                The only answer to man's sin is to find forgiveness through the blood, which is through the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. Each person who wants to enter the city must enter through the gate (Jesus) and have eternal life must first wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb. The robes symbolize the conduct of the believers. To wash their robes is to keep their conduct clean through the washing of the blood of the Lamb. When verse 15 says outside, it means outside of the kingdom and the New Jerusalem of God. Both the Spirit and the church are involved in the gospel invitation, the Church speaks and the Spirit makes it effective. This is a final offer of salvation.

                Verses 18-19 warn us not to tamper with these words. The words of the book are of God and we have no place in altering them. Jesus once again announces His coming which indicates that the coming is near and we need to heed the warnings. Verse 21 is a final reminder to us that it is only by grace that we are able to have eternal life with Jesus and God.

God's Not Just a Myth

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

-Genesis 1:1

                Many people in today’s society deny the presence of God and the Holy Spirit. They say he doesn’t exist and one atheist told me that the only reason Christians believe in God is because they are weak and need something to have hope in. We are not completely independent, we need God. That must make us weak. I don’t think so. I think it makes us stronger to come to terms that there is something greater than us. The complexity of the design of man, the Earth, and the solar system point to intelligent design. Creation.  Not evolution. How is it that Earth is the only planet that can sustain life? And if we came from monkeys then how come there are still monkeys swinging in the trees? And if we came from fish then does that mean we are eating out third cousin whenever we eat a tuna sandwich? How come humans have not changed much over thousands of years besides not needing our appendix and spleen and such? How are we the most intelligent creation on this earth!?!? My God, OUR God is not a myth. He is real and lives in each and every one of us if we allow Him to. 

                If God was not real and the Bible was a fiction story then how could hundreds of prophesies come true and continue to come true? An atheist might try to bring up the prophesies that did not come true but how can they ignore the ones that did? We are going through so many of the birth pains of the Rapture and Tribulation that will lead to the end of the earth that we know.

“I have revealed and saved and proclaimed- I, and not

some foreign god among you. You are my

witnesses- declares the Lord- that I am God.”

-Isaiah 43:12

                He says it right in the bible! There will be people who refuse to accept the Lord so He brings up the point that He was the one who prophesied all that happened. How? Because He is the one who plans all things from the beginning to the end! Matthew 24:4-32 describes a few of the signs of the end of age.

-          false prophets

-          wars and rumors of war

-          famines

-          earthquakes

-          “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me…the love of most will grow cold.” – Matthew 24:9-12

-          the image of the antichrist will appear in the most holy place (the Middle East) This hasn’t happened yet but it will soon occur.

               

                We have seen so many false prophets declaring when the end of the world will happen. Right now they are saying the world will end in December. However, they are false because the bible states in various places that no one, I repeat no one, will know when the Son of Man will come (Just a little side note, Jesus is called the Firstborn of the dead in Revelation 1:5 because our spirits were once dead and he was the first to be spiritually born. He was the ultimate sacrifice that we needed to be able to obtain life in Heaven.). There has been an increase of wars in the past few centuries. There are many countries that are what we know as third-world that has thousands of children who have no food for weeks. In the past year or so there has been an increase in earthquakes. Christians are more hated now than ever. Sure, you can say that there have always been earthquakes and Christians have always been hated. But all I can say is EXACTLY! The birth pains don’t all happen at once! They gradually grow closer and closer together and that’s exactly what’s happening. So don’t try to deny the fact that the Bible is right and prophesied many things that are coming true. In Revelation it talks about the earth being consumed by fire before the Rapture. There are so many wildfires around the United States and around the world.

                The bible even describes how the people will act in 2 Timothy Chapter 3.

-          people will love themselves

-          be lovers of money

-          boastful

-          proud

-          abusive

-          disobedient

-          ungrateful

-          unholy

-          unloving

-          unforgiving

-          slanders

-          no self-control

-          treacherous

-          conceited

                Have you been paying attention to people around you? All they want is money, money, and more money. Look at the politicians and Fortune 500 companies. Everyone is always so proud and boastful about what they have and what they’ve done, always competing with friends, family, and neighbors to see who can have the best stuff. Otherwise known as “keeping up with the Joneses”. People are abusive not only to the people around them but all to substances like drugs and alcohol. The children disobey their parents and people who don’t have Christ as their savior disobey the Maker and Creator of heaven and earth. They are ungrateful for what little they have and don’t read the bible or live it out. They show no love to their fellow human being, laughing at the disabled and telling the homeless man to go get a job instead of standing on the corner. They don’t know if he already tried getting a job. They don’t forgive anyone either. In my own life, my grandmother cannot find it in her heart to forgive my father for stating facts. They give in to their earthly desires so easily, living dangerous lives joining gangs and walking the streets selling their bodies. 

                Some will say that the bible states that Jesus will save His people, the Jews, because of His crucifixion. But today many of the Jews still have not converted to believe in Jesus as their savior (Romans 11:26- And so, all Israel shall be saved.)This prophesy is not false though. Not all Jews will be saved. Paul, in his writing to the Romans said, “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sands of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved, for the Lord will execute His word upon the earth, thoroughly and quickly.” (Romans 9:27-28). Now mind you, there is no idea of time in Heaven. Everything happens in its right time. There is no blanket of salvation for the Jews although Jesus, on the cross, said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” The only way they would have been saved is if they accepted Jesus as their final sin sacrifice. John 14:6 says, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” How can someone believe in God but not Jesus? Jesus was God’s creation as the final sacrifice we needed. Zechariah 9:9 says that upon the coming of the King of Kings, Israel shall never fall again. This is a future prophesy! Not a prophesy that should have already happened. For only 4 of the 7 biblical feasts have been completed.

                What are the 7 biblical feasts you ask?

-          Passover: This feast celebrates the deliverance of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt. The Passover Lamb’s blood is applied to the doorsteps of their houses. Jesus became that Passover Lamb when he was crucified on the cross willingly to become our redemption.

-          Unleavened Bread: This is a seven day period that prohibits the eating of leavened bread as leaven is a symbol of sin. Jesus fulfilled this when he was buried and became our righteousness.

-          Firstfriuts: This feast celebrates the bringing of the firstfruits of the winter harvest to the Temple indicating there would be more to come. This feast was fulfilled when Jesus rose from the dead to be presented to God as the first of the harvest. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23.

-          Feast of Weeks: Known as Pentecost, this feast shows anticipation and desire of serving God. This feast was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit entered the disciples of Jesus in the Temple. It represents the beginning of Christ’s followers on earth, being set apart as holy.

-          Rosh Hashanah

-          Yom Kippur

-          Feast of Tabernacles

                Look at the battle between Isaac and Ishmael. It started in biblical times and the battle between the Arabs and Israelis is still going on! And the "end" as we know could NOT have happened before one of the major prophecies came true. It happened on May 14, 1948 - when the world briefly felt sorry for the Jews and returned Israel to them - The Jews became a nation again in ONE DAY, just as predicted in the Old Testament. Furthermore, the Old Testament prophesied that when the Jews again owned Israel, the Land would arise from a barren desert into a prosperous land. Which it did! Before that (please check history books) it was nothing but a desert, good for absolutely NOTHING. Even the Arabs didn't want it. But, suddenly, when the Jews entered back into the picture, BAM! The Six Day War! And who won? The way-outnumbered Jews! Why? Because God kept His promise! Israel is coming up with many technological advances and is one of the top ten profitable countries. 

                The Bible is not a science book, yet it is scientifically accurate. All the other stuff about the Big Bang is not science. It is someone’s own belief that has spread to others. Ask yourself this concerning the world around us: Why is it that the earth is made up of mostly water and that it is critical for our very survival. Explain why trees remain intact as something we can use for fire, shelter, build houses, and make paper? Why do atoms stay together? Why is there just enough gravity on earth to keep us from being squashed like bugs or floating into space? How can this be just "coincidence"? For more of science and the bible: http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/science.shtml
 

                Some atheists choose to come up with the fact that Luke and Matthew have 2 genealogies that differ with certain names. The careful Bible student is likely to conclude that Matthew and Luke present two different genealogies. Following through the genealogies, one will notice that there are some names which are common to both, but also, a great number of differences. Matthew begins at the patriarch Abraham, and works his way to Jesus the Messiah. Luke begins at Jesus, and works his way back to Adam. There are two genealogies, with two distinct purposes. Matthew, it appears reveals the genealogy of Joseph, and Luke, presents the genealogy of Mary. Although Mary was a virgin Joseph was still considered Jesus’ father. His lineage proved Jesus’ right to be the Messiah because of the royalty in the genealogy. The genealogy shows Christ’s humanity.

                If God is real then the bible is real. Therefore, Christ is the Messiah and Savior of mankind, not sent to judge but to save mankind from eternal damnation. Nobody can force anybody to believe in God or the Bible. In reality, the existence of God cannot be proven or disproved absolutely. If you cannot come to terms that God is real than the only way to find out that God really exists is to die. But you can’t say that “you didn’t know”. That won’t save you from his wrath and judgment.

Do You Believe?

                 Christians, to this day, still face persecution and mockery from non-believers, those dead in the spirit who have not yet seen the joy that only the Lord can pour upon them. This often intimidates us and causes us to fade into the background and not disclose to many our beliefs. So what if they call me a Jesus freak? That’s right, I love Jesus and I am a Jesus freak! Just remember the reward you have waiting for you if you remain faithful. But we are not to fear men.

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.

Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

-Matthew 10:28

                I know sometimes there might be that urge to say that you are not a believer. The students at Columbine who were shot for their belief in God can be an inspiration to others. They knew they were in danger but chose to continue to pray and confess their belief when asked by the shooters if they believed in God, only to be shot. We cannot deny Jesus to the world. We will be punished for it.

“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also

acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.

But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him

before my Father in heaven.”

-Matthew 10:32

                Most of us do not face the possibility of death for our belief. All we face is mocking, which is nothing in comparison. We should be proud to bear this mockery for believing in something good and holy.

“Do not be surprised at the painful trials you are suffering,

as though something strange were happening to you.

But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so

that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because

of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the spirit of glory

and of God rests on you…However, if you suffer as a Christian, do

not be ashamed but praise God that you bear that name…”

-1 Peter :12-16

“So, do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord,…but join with me in

suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has

saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but

because of his own purpose and grace…yet I am not ashamed, because

I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able

to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.”

-2 Timothy 1:8-12

                We need to persevere through these moments. They are just trials and with God guiding us we are safe. How much greater our life in Heaven will be! All we have to do is live by God’s word and have faith in him that we will have everlasting life. How much more grace can there be? He has an abundance of grace for you and for me. No other man can give you the same grace or the same love. The scoffers are just men and cannot give you salvation.

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves

also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered

in his body is done with sin.”

-1 Peter 4:1

                Now mind you, this does not mean that we are no longer sinners or perfect. For it is even said:

“Therefore, no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law;

rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”

-Romans 3:20

                All that means is it is God’s discipline for our earthly body to remain faithful and obedient.

“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will

should commit themselves to their

faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

-1 Peter 4:19

                So, remember, there will always be those who choose to mock believers of God. But, don’t let them distract you and keep you back from living a holy life and spreading God’s word.

“In the last times there will be scoffers…

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy

faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s

love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord

Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”

-Jude 18-21

                Is what one man says on Earth more important to you than what God has in store for you? Will you give up eternal life just because you want to be accepted here on earth? Jesus was not accepted; therefore the world will not accept you. But you always have a friend in Jesus and in fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We are the body and need each other to build up one another. We were not placed on this earth to please those who love the world but rather to live for God and earn a place in heaven.

 "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?"

-Hebrews 13:6