Atonement In the Bible
Sacrifice not as important as loyalty to God
For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6.
But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (i.e. Jesus came to call sinners, not to die for them). Matthew 9:13
If only you had known the meaning of 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. Matthew 12:7
And to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, which is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." Mark 12:33
Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22
"I do not reprove you for your sacrifices, And your burnt offerings are continually before Me. Psalm 50:8
To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3
"What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says the LORD. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. Isaiah 1:11
"For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jeremiah 7:22
And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD. Hosea 2:20
Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity And receive us graciously, That we may present the fruit of our lips. Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and of goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for me. Hebrews 10:3-5.
Blood atones for sins
According to the Law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22.
'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.' Leviticus 17:11
Does Israel's CREATOR Require
Blood to Atone for Sin?
By Timothy S. Williams
"...without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."(Hebrews 9:22)
The central theme of Christianity and the New Testament (NT) is the sacrificial offering of the blood of 'Jesus Christ' as atonement for the sins of the entire world. "The blood of 'Jesus' was shed in our stead and is the only means of atonement for sin." Is this claim truly consistent with The Holy Scriptures (OT)?
Christians claim that the absolute need for blood is rooted in the Law of Moses (the Torah). Traditionally they will often cite the book of Leviticus as proof:
"And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among you, who consumes any blood, I will set My face against that person who consumes blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul. Therefore, I say to the children of Israel, 'No one among you shall consume blood, nor shall any stranger who sojourns among you consume blood.'" (Leviticus 17:11)
What should immediately be apparent is that this passage is concerned first and foremost with the prohibition against consuming blood. The subject of atonement here is secondary. We are told that the reason for this prohibition is that the blood contains the life or vitality of the animal 1
Another reason is that consuming blood 2 was a very important part of the idolatrous religious practices of the people and nations surrounding Israel. Israel was clearly instructed by The Holy One of Israel through Moses not to imitate this abhorrent pagan practice in any manner 3
Since this passage is predominately concerned with the prohibition against consuming blood, we must look elsewhere in the Bible for instructions concerning atonement for sins. This passage in Leviticus will become clearer later on. The passage does say that since blood symbolizes the life of the animal, it can be used as a means of atoning for o ur sins. It does not say, however, that blood is the only means of atoning for sins. Indeed, The Holy Scripturestell us of several other things that can be used instead of the blood of a sacrificial ram or bullock.
Other Means of Atonement
"And Moses said unto Aaron, 'Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from [YHWH]; the plague is begun.' And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people." (Numbers 16:46-47)
Here, incense can be used to atone for sins in the same manner as the blood sacrifices of animals. Notice what else could be used in place of blood:
"The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto [YHWH], to make an atonement for your souls. And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before [YHWH], to make an atonement for your souls." (Exodus 30:15-16)
The phrase "to make atonement for your souls" in these verses is the same expression as in Leviticus 17:11:
"We have therefore brought an oblation 4 for [YHWH], what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before [YHWH]." Numbers 31:50)
In these passages, money could be used to make atonement for the children of Israel. The principle here is not that atonement can be bought [this was the practice of the great universal church whose priests routinely sold forgiveness]. Rather, this is about doing charitable things with money. In this case, the money was to be used for th e physical maintenance of the temple building.
Does Blood Cover All Sins
According to the Bible, blood sacrifices held only limited atonement capabilities. Foremost among it's limitations was that blood sacrifices were only brought for unintentional sins. If a person committed some sin out of ignorance, such as doing work on the Sabbath when perhaps they mistakenly thought it was Sunday, then atonement could be made through a sacrificial sin offering. Sacrifices did not help to atone for sins that were done intentionally. Notice the instructions to the priests concerning this:
"And [YHWH] spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of [YHWH] concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them: If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto [YHWH] for a sin offering. And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before [YHWH]; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before [YHWH]. And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood, and bri ng it to the tabernacle of the congregation: And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before [YHWH], before the veil of the sanctuary. And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before [YHWH], which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and sha ll pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation"Leviticus 4:1-7)
This claim that only blood could atone for sins raises many questions. What happens if someone could not afford to purchase a ram or bullock for his sin offering? Is it possible that a loving CREATOR would institute a system of atonement that could only be used by the wealthy?
"And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto [YHWH]; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering." Leviticus 5:7)
Here, if a person could not afford the sacrificial ram or bullock for a sin offering, certain types of small birds could be used instead. However, what if someone was so destitute, that he couldn't afford even these small birds?
"But if his means are insufficient for two turtledoves or two young pigeons, then for his offering for that which he has sinned, he shall bring the tenth of an ephah 5 of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall not put oil on it or place incense on it, for it is a sin offering." (Leviticus 5:11)
This is very interesting, but seriously damaging to the Christian doctrine. If birds could not be afforded, some simple flour could be used instead and would be just as effective in the eyes of Israel's CREATOR. The scriptures are quite clear on this. Since flour could be used for a sin offering, it is evident that blood was not the sole means of atonement. The Christian position that only the shed blood of 'Jesus' could atone for sins is falling by the wayside in light of the Holy Scriptures. Actually, considering the beating and torture which 'Jesus' is said to have suffered at The hands of the Romans, you have to wonder why he didn't just bring a sack of flour to the Romans and let them whip, beat, mock and crucify it instead!!!
What if there was no Temple or Aaronic Priesthood
While the Temple stood, sacrifices without question served as part of the atonement process. What, though, was to be the fate of the people who did not have access to the Temple? What were the Israelite people supposed to do after 586 BCE when the first Temple was destroyed and they were exiled to Babylon? What did the Jewish people do in the times of the Maccabees when the Syrian-Greeks were in control of the Temple and did not allow sacrifices?
After king Solomon completed the spectacular temple building in Jerusalem, he dedicated it with a very moving speech. This lengthy and very beautiful speech can be read in the books of 1 Kings 8 and II Chronicles 6. Notice, however, that Solomon doesn't speak about sacrifices at all! If sacrifices were the focal point of the temple, thi s omission would be very curious. Rather, the focus of the Temple was shown to be the Ark, containing the Laws which our CREATOR wanted us to live by. The Temple was first and foremost a symbol of the Shekinah, or presence of The Holy One of Israel.
"I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever. (I Kings 8:13)
"And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8).
Toward the end of the speech, Solomon addresses the subject of the Israelite people being denied access to the temple:
"If they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who have taken them captive, and pray to You toward their land which You have given to their fathers, the city which You have chosen, and the house which I have built for Your name; then hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven Your dwelling place, and maintain their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against You..." (I Kings 8:46-50)
This passage helps us understand Leviticus 17:11 properly. The Bible clearly teaches that blood sacrifices were not necessary in order to atone for sins. Prayer and repentance are shown to be the effective means of atonement. Certainly, when the Temple stood, and if one could afford an animal, a sacrifice was brough t as part of the atonement process for unintentional sins. What Leviticus 17:11 teaches us is that when we bring such an animal as a sacrifice, we are not allowed to consume its blood, because as the life force, it is the part of the animal that affects our atonement. In addition, we were not to consume the blood because this was th e practice of the pagan people who worshipped the sun-god 'baal.'
Was 'Jesus' an Acceptable Sacrifice?
Another focal point of the NT is the Christian claim that the crucifixion of 'Jesus' served as the final atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. However, if the sacrificial instructions set forth by the Law of Moses are examined closely, and you see the guidelines set forth for how sacrifices are to be brought, it will be clear that ' Jesus' could never serve as an atoning sacrifice. Clearly, not just any blood shed in any manner would satisfy the biblical requirements for atonement. Notice the instructions set forth in the Torah concerning sacrifices:
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls..." (Lev. 17:11)
Notice that the blood of the acceptable sacrifice was to be shed upon the holy alter of the temple, and not on the pagan phallic symbol of the cross. Clearly, not any spilled blood is acceptable as a sacrifice. CREATOR of Israel set forth very meticulous rules and laws governing acceptable sacrifices brought to Him. "Jesus'" crucifixion m ay qualify as an atonement according to the Greek Testament of Mithraisum but since his blood was not offered on the altar, it is not in compliance with what The Holy Scriptures of Israel's CREATOR requires.
There are many other factors that would render the crucifixion of 'Jesus' an unacceptable sacrifice according to scriptural guidelines. According to the Biblical rules in Leviticus, all sacrifices had to be offered by a Levite Priest, a descendant of Aaron. According to the "gospel" accounts, 'Jesus' was killed by pagan, gentile Ro man soldiers.
Biblical law also prohibited any sacrifice that was blemished or maimed:
"Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats. But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you. And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto [YHWH] to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeve s or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen [cyst], or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer these unto [YHWH], nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto [YHWH]. (Leviticus 22:19-21).
Now we have a problem. The "gospels" of the NT clearly teach that 'Jesus' was beaten and whipped, which would have made him blemished and maimed and therefore an unfit sacrifice. 6 Frequently, Christians react to this line of reasoning by protesting that it is improper to be so literal, and that "Jesus'" death was more of a symbolic or spiritual sacrifice. Christians will insist, indeed the NT itself makes the claim, that 'Jesus' was literally our Passover sacrifice. Remember in the book of John, when the Roman soldiers pierced 'Jesus' [after he was already dead, mind you]? Here we are told that they did not break his legs 7 because this would violate the rules of the proper Passover sacrifice:
"But coming to 'Jesus,' when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs...in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled: Not a bone of him shall be broken." (John 19:33-36)
The gospel of John portrays 'Jesus' as the Passover lamb which was not supposed to have any of its bones broken (cf. Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12). If Christians insist that 'Jesus' was the literal Passover sacrifice, and his blood atoned for our sins, then 'Jesus,' as that sacrifice, was subject to the literal guidelines set by the La w of Moses given by CREATOR of Israel governing an acceptable sacrifice. Christians always seem to want to have it both ways. The NT itself proposes that 'Jesus' was a literal sacrifice. When confronted with the clear Biblical instructions on how acceptable sacrifices were to be offered, however, they will complain that this is just legalistic nit picking.
Why was 'Jesus' patterned after the Passover Sacrifice
It really does not make sense to type 'Jesus' as the Passover sacrifice anyway. We know from Exodus 12 that the Passover sacrifice did not serve as atonement for sins, it merely commemorates the exodus from Egypt. Even when the lamb was slaughtered in Egypt and its' blood smeared on the door-posts, the blood did not serve to atone for the sins of anyone. It was a sign for the angel of death to pass over Israelite homes during the plague of the first born. The only people in danger were first-born males. The blood wasn't a help to other people in the family, and didn't serve as an atonement for the first born.
It would have made much more sense to type 'Jesus' after the Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) sacrifice, which actually was an atonement for the sins of all the people. The problem here was that according to Leviticus 16:10, 21-22, the animal that atoned for the sins of the nation was not killed, but sent live out into the desert. Now the fol lowers of 'Jesus' had another problem. According to the prophecies of ancient Israel, the Messiah was not supposed to die before completing His mission. The followers of 'Jesus,' who claimed that he was Israel's Messiah, now had to deal with 'Jesus'' embarrassing death at the hands of the Romans. So they correlated him with the slain Passover s acrifice. This tap dance around the scriptures to try and legitimize 'Jesus' as the Messiah cannot negate the clear lesson from Leviticus and the Day of Atonement that the shedding of blood is not a pre-requisite for atonement.
Can 'Jesus,' or any Other Man, Atone For Your Sins
Where did this idea originate that one man, or that anyone for that matter, could atone and pay for the sins of one or more people? It should be perfectly clear by now that such notions stem from the Babylonian mystery religion of ancient Mesopotamia. What is certain is that the idea that an innocent person can be killed instead of those who are guilty is not consistent with what the Bible teaches. After the sin of the Golden Calf, CREATOR of Israel was so outraged that His intentions were to totally annihilate and destroy the Israelite people. Moses offers to die in their place. Notice the response to Moses suggestion:
"Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin...; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And [YHWH] said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book." (Exodus 32:32-33)
Throughout the Bible, Israel's CREATOR says that one person cannot die for the sins of another:
"Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin" (Deuteronomy 24:16)
"But everyone will die for his own sin; each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge" (Jeremiah 31:30)
"The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself" (Ezekiel 18:20)
"He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, both of them are an abomination to the Lord" (Proverbs 17:15).
"No man ['Jesus' included] can by any means redeem his brother, or give to 'God' a ransom for him" (Psalms 49:7)
Unlike the Greek Testament, The Holy Scripturesof the One True CREATOR of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob clearly teach that we are responsible for our own actions and sins. We alone must account and pay the price. No virgin born savior deity from Babylonian mythology can contradict the clear instructions of CREATOR of Israel. Now the reader is faced with the question of why two theologies are evident when the Old Testament is compared with the NT?
The Big Question
Here is a question that Christian ministers have danced around for two thousand years, but have never truthfully answered. If indeed 'Jesus' came as the final sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world, why do The Holy Scripturesproclaim that the Third Temple will be built and sacrifices resumed during the Messianic era? The vast majority of average Christians are completely ignorant of these prophecies, as they have been cleverly hidden by their ministers. Notice the clear teachings of The Holy Scripturesregarding this:
"Even those I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples." (Isaiah 56:7)
"From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, My dispersed ones will bring My offerings." (Zephaniah 3:10)
"All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you, the rams of Nebaioth will minister to you; they will go up with acceptance on My altar, and I shall glorify My glorious house." (Isaiah 60:7)
"And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever." (Ezekiel 37:26)
"And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to [YHWH] offerings in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasant to [YHWH], as in the days of old and as in former years." (Malachi 3:3-4)
Here is the clincher:
(Ezekiel 45:17) "And it shall be the princes part to provide the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the libations...to make the atonement for the house of Israel."
Apparently, dear reader, 'Jesus' sacrifice did not make atonement for the sins of all the world. If the death of 'Jesus' had atoned for all sins for all time, why will atonement need to be made during the messianic era? How do you answer the true words of Israel's CREATOR, Mr. Christian minister?
The Holy One of Israel and Mercy
The Christian claim that only through bloodshed can atonement be made show that Christians are unfamiliar with how compassionate and merciful the Holy One of Israel really is. Sometimes, He forgives us simply because He is kind, loving, compassionate and merciful. Even when we don't seek our CREATOR appropriately, He has the ability to reach out to us with love and forgive us:
"Who is a [Elohiym] like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy." (Micah 7:18)
"Their heart was not steadfast toward Him, nor were they faithful in His covenant. But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity...remembering that they were but flesh." (Psalms 78:36-39)
"You have not brought Me the sheep of your burnt offerings...or the fat of your sacrifices, but you have burdened Me with your sins...Nevertheless, I will wipe out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins." (Isaiah 43:23-25)
Truly, truly the Holy one of Israel is a just and merciful CREATOR.
Let's Ask the Prophets
If the Christian claim that one must be covered by the shed blood of the Messiah in order to make atonement for his sins is valid, why can this claim not be validated by the writings of the prophets? Time and time again, the writings of the prophets emphasize prayer and repentance as the method to atone for sins. I challenge any Christian to produce a scripture from The Holy Scriptures (OT) that teaches us that we must believe in the atoning blood of a Messiah in order to obtain salvation. What the prophets teach us is that our own obedience to the laws of Israel's CREATOR combined with sincere repentance and prayer for forgiveness will atone for sin if done with the prope r attitude of humility.
"That every man will turn from his evil way, then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin." (Jeremiah 36:3)
"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return to [YHWH], and He will have compassion on him; and to our [Elohiym]. for He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:7)
"And if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (II Chronicles 7:14).
"But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed and observes all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness, he shall surely live; he shall not die. All his transgressions which he has committed will not be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has practiced he shall live...When a wicked man turns away from his wickedness which he has committed and practices justice and righteousness, he will save his life...Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you (Ezekiel 18:21- 22,27,30).
"By loving kindness and truth iniquity is atoned for..." (Proverbs 16:6).
"If you return to [Elohiym] you will be restored; if you remove unrighteousness far from your tent...then you will delight in [Elohiym]..." (Job 22:23-27).
Clearly, the central teaching of The Holy Scripturesis that we must break away from our sinful past and sincerely repent. This is the only way to restore our relationship with the Holy One of Israel. If one strays from the path set forth by the laws of our CREATOR, one must repent and return to the path. This is how forgiveness is obtai ned. Even when sacrifices were offered, they in and of themselves did not effect atonement. The sacrifice was part of the process; it helped bring them to the core of atonement, which is achieved by repentance. What is repentance? Returning to ETERNAL by forsaking our evil ways and praying for forgiveness. The prophets were constantly correctin g the Israelite people for relying on blood sacrifices as the essential element of atonement instead of repentance and obedience to ETERNAL's laws:
"What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me? says [YHWH]. I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed cattle. And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats...Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless , defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Come let us reason together says [YHWH], 'Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they will be like wool, if you consent and obey..."(Isaiah 1:11-18).
"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord." (Proverbs 15:8).
"To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to [YHWH] than sacrifice." (Proverbs 21:3)
"For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of [Elohiym] rather than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6).
"Has [YHWH] as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken more than the fat of rams." (I Samuel 15:22)
"With what shall I come to [YHWH], and bow myself before the [Elohiym] on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Does [YHWH] take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does [YHWH] require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:6-8)
Do you now begin to see what the very wise king Solomon was trying to explain in 1 Kings 8, when he said that even though the Israelite people may not always have access to the sacrifices and the Priesthood, they would always have access to the Holy One of Israel. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived by gift of CREATOR of Israel, understood tha t repentance and not blood is the Scriptural form of atonement.
Remember the story of Jonah? He was sent to the evil city of Nineveh to warn them of their impending destruction. Jonah does not come into the city and tell the people that unless they begin offering sacrifices they are doomed. He does not tell them that unless they accept on faith that the shed blood of Israel's Messiah will atone for their sin s they are lost. No! He warns them to repent. Their response to his warnings is: they fast, pray, and turn from their evil. What is our CREATOR's response to their repentance?
"When [Elohiym] saw their deeds that they turned from their wicked way, then [Elohiym] relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them, and He did not do it." (Jonah 3:10).
How did Daniel advise king Nebuchadnezzar to atone for his sins?
"Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you: Redeem your sins by doing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor." (Daniel 4:27). The True Power of Prayer After the ten northern tribes split away from Judah, a civil war prevented most of Israel from Temple worship. The prophet Hosea addressed this situation and instructed the people accordingly:
"Return, O Israel, to [YHWH] your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take words with you and return to [YHWH]. Say to Him, 'Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously, for we will render as bullocks the offerings of our lips'." (Hosea 14:1-2)
We are able to approach our CREATOR directly with prayer, which is possible at all times and regardless of the size of our bank accounts; and He assures us that sincere prayer can achieve forgiveness for our sins:
"Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O [YHWH], the [Elohiym] of my salvation. And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O [YHWH], open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not delight in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of [Elohiym] are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart. These, O [Elohiym], You will no t despise." (Psalms 51:14-17)"
"I will praise the name of [Elohiym] with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This shall please [YHWH] better than an ox or bullock that has horns and hoofs." (Psalm 69:30-31)
"For You, [YHWH], are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You. Give ear, O [YHWH] to my prayer, and give heed to the voice of my supplications." (Psalm 86:5-6)
"And listen to the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; hear from heaven Your dwelling place, hear and forgive." (II Chronicles 6:21)
The Holy Scripturesof Israel are very clear. Prayer, a humble attitude, and above all, sincere heartfelt repentance is what the Holy One of Israel requires of His people in order to atone for sins. No doubt He knew thousands of years in advance that there would come a time when some would wrongly rely on the blood of a deified human sacri fice to vicariously replace obedience to His laws. It is evident to anyone with eyes to see that a comparison between The Holy Scriptures of Israel and the Greek NT to 'Baal' will reveal two entirely different religions. One is dedicated to the One True ETERNAL of Israel; the other is dedicated to just another of many mythological savior g ods of the Babylonian mysteries. The time will come when Israel's true messiah will usher in an era of peace when all nations will believe in and seek to worship the one true Holy One of Israel of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. At that time, the proponents of Christianity will deeply repent of the day when they taught the beloved nat ion of Israel and the descendants of Abraham to break the first commandment and worship another besides the Holy One of Israel.
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Footnotes
1. 3722. Kaphar; Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon explains this to mean (1)to cover over, to over spread as with pitch. (2) to obtain forgiveness. (3) to make expiation for an offender, to free him from charge.
2. Cf. Gen. 9:4 and Deut. 12:23
3. Although the actual blood was later to be substituted with wine in many of the sacred banquets of pagan religions, there is ample evidence to support the claim that literal blood was consumed as part of the ritual worship of pagan deities, and this as a form of atonement.
4. Cf Deut. 12:23-25, 30.
5. 7133. qorban, kor-bawn'; or qurban, koor-bawn'; from H7126; something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present:--oblation, that is offered, offering.
6. As a dry measure of grain, it is one-tenth of a homer and equal to one bath of liquid (Ezek. 45:11). It is also equal to 10 omers (Ex. 16:36). Thus it is about 40 liters, though we do not have enough information to make precise estimates. Estimates place it about half a bushel. So here a tenth of an ephah is about 4 liters, or about two gallons.
7. Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:19, and John 19:3
The legs of the crucified were sometimes broken to hasten death. It was necessary that crucifixion victims must prop themselves up using their legs in order to facilitate breathing. This could prolong death for days at times. The legs were broken so that proper breathing could be prevented, and the lungs crushed the diaphragm and breathing w as extremely difficult.