If you stop and really listen to a lot of modern day preachers, the issue of forgiveness is often presented from the perspective of what “unforgiveness” will do to you, if you allow this attitude to remain in your heart. This definitely a part of the equation, but it is not the totality of why we should forgive.

If we forgive for our sake only we are missing the weight of the teaching of scripture and we are making ourselves the priority.

The scriptural approach to forgiveness is first the fear of the Lord and secondly compassion on the other. Do you remember in the scripture when Jesus gave a parable about the servant who was forgiven much, and refused to forgive his fellow servant of little?

Here is what the scripture says:

Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and kneeled before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’ The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ “So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’ He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him in, and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me. Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’ His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him. So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds” (Matthew 18:23-35).

According to this teaching by Jesus, the motive for forgiving others ought to come from of reverence for God and compassion for those who need forgiveness. In the verses above, the King had compassion on his servant who could not repay him and forgave his debt. The servant should have done likewise to his fellow servant, but when he chose not to do so, he angered the King. Jesus taught this to illustrate how God will respond to us, if we do not forgive others.

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. ~ Genesis 12:1-3 

The words, “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee” (v.3), are often cited by Christian Zionists as a reference to the modern State of Israel. The end result of this interpretation is unwavering support for the modern State of Israel, and any criticism of Israel is condemned as anti-semitic.

Allow me to challenge you with the following observations.

1. These words were spoken to Abraham and not to Israel, for there was no nation of Israel when God said this to Abraham.

2. In the book of Galatians, the apostle Paul applies the words, “in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed,” to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the salvation of the nations.

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. ~ Galatians 3:8

According to Paul, the promises God made to Abraham are confirmed in Christ! See Galatians 3:16-17

3. If the men of God in the Old Testament, men like Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, had believed that it was wrong to criticize Israel, and hold them accountable to the standard of righteousness which God expected, they would have never been able to speak God’s word of rebuke to the nation of Israel.

4. God’s covenant with Israel was established with a curse which was to come upon them if they did not obey God’s voice and keep his ordinances, statutes, and judgments.

Nehemiah 10:28-29 tells us the Jewish captives, upon returning from Babylon, bound themselves with a curse. Why? It is because they were dedicating themselves to God and to the covenant God made with their fathers through Moses.

The Law of Moses was accompanied with the curse of the law. This was Israel’s binding agreement with God and their right to live in the land of Promise was dependant on keeping this covenant. From the time of the exodus and onward, there is no language – anywhere in scripture – which gives Israel the liberty of live in the land of Promise without being under the requirements to keep the Law of Moses.

5. John the Baptist spoke God’s words and called the people of Israel to repentance. He exhorted them not to trust in their physical descendancy and warned them to flee from the coming wrath of God.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. ~ Matthew 3:7-10 

6. Jesus spoke God’s judgment against Jerusalem and the Temple for rejecting the prophets and for rejecting Him as the Messiah, the Son of God.

7. The apostles and the believers in Acts warned the people of Israel of the coming judgment of God on the nation of Israel, and exhorted them to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ.

The concept that we who are believers in Jesus Christ are called to “stand with Israel” in such a way that we turn a blind eye and deaf ear to their sins is contrary to the truth of scripture, and flies in the face of the entire narrative of the Bible.

We are called to judge righteously and stand for the truth. We are called to glorify Jesus Christ in whom all the promises made to Abraham have come to fruition.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to THE PROMISE ~ Galatians 3:28-29

 

The pro- Israel ministries such as Christians United for Israel (aka CUFI) are generally not going to teach their followers sound Biblical doctrine concerning Israel. On the contrary, they have a political agenda and they use the texts from scripture which help support their agenda.

The problem is, the average Christian who feels endeared to Israel will often think that those with a pro Israel agenda (such as CUFI) are giving them the Bible perspective, when in reality they are not.

For example, you probably will never hear a CUFI leader teach that Jerusalem is no longer the place of worship for God’s people. Especially since pro Israel ministries teach that Jerusalem will be the place of worship when Christ returns.

Yet in the Bible, Jesus says otherwise in his conversation with the woman at the well in John 4.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor at Jerusalem, worship the Father….But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. ~ John 4:21, 23

Also those with a Pro- Israel agenda will not tell you that the land promises given to Israel in the Old Testament were conditional. They want you to believe they were unconditional and that is why they only tell you verses which sound as if they are unconditional. Yet when you read and study the Bible you find out they are conditional.

Here are a few Bible facts that many Pro Israel Christians don’t know.

1. If modern Israel truly possessed the Promised Land according to scripture, it would include parts of Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of Saudi Arabia (Genesis 15:18; Exodus 23:31; Deuteronomy 11:24). What we recognize as modern Israel is a very small fraction of the land promise inherited in scripture. Under the reign of King Solomon the Kingdom extended from the border of Egypt to the Euphrates as was promised to Abraham. ~ Genesis 15:18; 1 Kings 4:20-21, 24

You would not know this ^ above ^ unless you studied what the scriptures say about the land and took into account that the Old Testament is an unfolding narrative leading to revelation of Jesus Christ.

2. The land of Promise was the inheritance and rest for Israel in contrast to Egypt which was the place of bondage. This is a type and shadow of the inheritance and rest we have in Christ in contrast to the bondage of slavery to sin and death.

3. The strangers among the Israelites who were circumcised and kept the Passover were to be counted among the Israelites as one born in the land (Exodus 12:48). In other words, those who were not Abraham’s physical descendants also became heirs to the land promise through circumcision and obedience to God’s Laws given to Israel.

4. God never promised the land of Canaan to Israel apart from serving him. ~ Exodus 34:8-16; Leviticus 18:24-30; Deuteronomy 19:8-9; 28:1-3, 7, 10, 15-16, 25, 63-64; Joshua 23:11-16; Jeremiah 7:4

5. God drove out the previous inhabitants of the land because of their sins and wickedness. ~ Deuteronomy 18:12

6. God also promised to drive Israel out of the land if they did not keep His ordinances, statues, and judgments. ~ Exodus 34:8-16; Leviticus 18:24-30; Joshua 23:11-16

7. God told Israel they were only strangers and temporary residents in the land. ~ Leviticus 25:23

8. Through Ezekiel, God rebukes those who think they have the right to the land inheritance because they are physical descendants of Abraham only, rather than doing right in God’s sight. ~ Ezekiel 33:23-26

9. God promised to make the land desolate because of the sins of Israel. ~ Ezekiel 33:25-29

10. Within the boundaries of the Promised Land (Genesis 15), was a place known as Mount Seir. God told Moses that he had given this portion of the land not to the children of Israel, but to the children of Esau.

Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the Lord spake unto me: and we compassed Mount Seir many days. And the Lord spake unto me, saying, Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward. And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. ~ Deuteronomy 2:1-5

Mount Seir is in the desert area known as the Negev in the southern portion of modern Israel. The ancient town of Beersheba is also in the Negev.

If you are a follower of a Pro Israel ministry or organization and you think you have a Biblical perspective of Israel based on what those ministries/organizations are teaching you, my I encourage you to study your Bible.

When you learn what the Bible teaches, across the board, on any biblical truth, it opens your understanding to so many more other truths within scripture.

Recently, I listened to few minutes of a conversation between two pro-Israel advocates as they discussed replacement theology, which is actually a misnomer.

At the beginning of the video, the host minister made a statement about the land of Israel. He commented that there are more than a thousand references regarding the land in the Bible and he made this statement to support his position regarding the modern state of Israel.

He actually offered a proof-text, by the volume, without going into any detail about what those scriptures reveal about the land. His loose and vague handling of scripture was used to promote the idea that the land promises given to Israel were unconditional promises and applying them to modern day Israel.

We must take the time to learn the Biblical narrative regarding Israel and the land of Israel, and not allow anyone to persuade us with their vague proof-texts which often lead to unscriptural ideas about Israel.

Oftentimes the picture is painted that the blessings of God on other nations depends on their support of the modern state of Israel. Yet, in your Bible, God did not judge nations based on their support of Israel or lack thereof. God judged each nation based on their own sin or righteousness. Of course when Israel was right with God, He defended them against those nations that rose up against them. On the other hand, when Israel was in rebellion against God, he allowed other nations to come against them. Israel’s blessings in the land and God’s blessings on other nations, through Israel, was always dependent on their being right with God.

Furthermore, the concept that Israel was only blessed with regards to the land is a very faulty concept. Throughout the Old Testament, the wicked within Israel (not the remnant of righteous Jews) committed all sorts of grievances against God within the land. They committed idolatry by worshipping other gods, they sacrificed their children to idols, they committed all sorts’ sexual sins, and the list goes on. Time and time again, God’s anger and wrath was against Israel within the borders of the land of Israel.

In the book of Ezekiel, God had Ezekiel prophesy to the wicked leaders of Israel and say: “Ye shall fall by the sword; I will judge you in the border of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.” ~ Ezekiel 11:1-2, 10

God told them that He would judge them within the borders of Israel.

In verses 11-12 we read the following: “This city shall not be your caldron (an iron pot of protection), neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst thereof; but I will judge you in the border of Israel: And ye shall know that I am the Lord: for ye have not walked in my statutes neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about you.” ~Ezekiel 11:11-12

All throughout the Old Testament, there was much bloodshed and death in the land of Israel and many times God’s anger and judgment came on the people within the boundaries of Israel. In fact, Israel wasn’t yet even settled in the land, but in the process of possessing it, when God turned against them because of the sin of Achan.

God told Joshua, “Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings. That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.”  ~ Joshua 7:11-12

Notice that within Israel’s borders, God said “Israel has been set apart for destruction” and he would not be with them any longer unless they repented.

From the very outset of God’s covenant with Israel, the promise of the land inheritance was always dependent on Israel’s obedience to God’s law. Many scriptures from the Bible could be provided to prove this. Therefore, the land inheritance was never an unconditional promise, but conditional. If it were unconditional, God would have never driven Israel and Judah out of the land into captivity.

Israel’s right to the Land was completely dependent on their obedience to God, otherwise they were not entitled to the land.

To learn more about Israel’s land inheritance, follow the links below:

IS THE LAND INHERITANCE STILL RELEVANT? 
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2015/06/30/is-the-land-inheritance-still-relevant-today/

THE MEANING OF “MY LAND”
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/the-meaning-of-my-land/

THE PROMISED LAND AND GOD’S REST 
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2015/09/22/the-promised-land-and-gods-rest/

Through the prophet Ezekiel, God called Jerusalem Sodom’s older sister and said that Jerusalem’s sins had surpassed and were more corrupt than Sodom. ~ See Ezekiel 16

In the book of the Revelation, John identified Jerusalem as “spiritually Sodom and Egypt.” ~ Revelation 11:8

In Matthew 10 Jesus sent his disciples throughout the land of Israel to preach the gospel and told them that it would be more tolerable for Sodom in the Day of Judgment than for those cities in Israel which rejected the gospel.

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel… And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. ~ Matthew 10:5,6,11-15 

Jesus also preached to the cities of Israel and condemned them for not repenting and believing the gospel.

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. ~ Matthew 11:20-24

I once had a friend say, in defense of his Zionist theology, “God will use the Law to reveal himself to them once again, otherwise, they will never hear” Yet according to Jesus, they should have “heard and repented” at the preaching of the gospel!

In Matthew 11, Jesus refers to Capernaum’s rejection of the gospel as a greater offence than the sins of Sodom.

In Galatians, the apostle Paul refers to the Jerusalem which now is as being in bondage with her children and speaks of the Jerusalem from above (the heavenly) as being free.

In the Revelation, the apostle John refers to Jerusalem in Israel as “spiritually” Sodom and Egypt.

Under the Old Testament (which was the type and the shadow of the true in Christ) Jerusalem was the beloved City because of the Temple of God was there. After Israel had entered the Promised Land, the Tabernacle was placed in Shiloh. Yet because of the sins of Israel God removed His presence and forsook the Tabernacle.

The Psalmist tells us the following:

“…they tempted and provoked the most high God, and kept not his testimonies: But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow. For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images. When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel: So that He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand. He gave his people over also unto the sword; and was wroth with his inheritance.” ~ Psalm 60:56-62

Later, under the leadership of Solomon, the first Temple was build in Jerusalem and God filled it with his glory. However, in due time both the house of Israel and the house of Judah went astray and were taken captive by their enemies.

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God reminds those who trusted in lying words regarding the Temple, what He had done to the tabernacle in Shiloh.

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are these. For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord. But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. ~ Jeremiah 7:1-12

In Acts 7, Stephen preached the following to the elders of Israel:

“But Solomon built him an house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things? Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers…” ~ Acts 7:47-52 

When God sent John the Baptist to the people of Israel he proclaimed that the Messiah’s coming was at hand and called the people to repentance. Many came and were baptized by John and confessed their sins. Yet, because of the sway of the corrupt “religious institution” which was controlled by the corrupt “religious leaders” many chose to reject the Messiah.

Only a remnant followed Jesus.

The remnant who followed Jesus preached the gospel first to their fellow Israeli kinsmen and God gave eternal life to all who repented and believed the gospel.

With these Jewish followers of Christ, God began building his true temple and in due time Gentiles were added. This true temple continues to be built today as the “body of Christ” consisting of Jews and Gentiles, and is being built together as an habitation of God through His Holy Spirit. ~ See Ephesians 2:18-22

The true house of God will never again be a physical temple in the physical land of Israel. That house has been made desolate because of their sins, and their rejection of all those whom God sent to them culminating in their rejection of Jesus (Matthew 23:37-39). The kingdom of God was taken from them and given to another which brings forth the fruits thereof. ~ See Matthew 21:43

Yet many continue to promote an eschatology that tolerates evil in Israel for the sake of the rebuilding of an apostate temple that they “think” God still wants.

Modern Israel is nearly worshipped by some even though the state of Israel rejects the gospel of Christ, and does evil in the sight of God, such as Tel Aviv, priding itself as the gay capital of the world.

Any American city which does the same, is condemned by evangelicals. Yet with Israel, it is overlooked because of the pervasive “end time theology” which is apostate to the gospel, namely, a third temple with animal sacrifices. 

This is the epitome of  hypocrisy! And it is a “political gospel” rooted in Jewish supremacy rather than the true gospel rooted in Christ.

God’s House, his true temple, is built with living stones of which Christ is the foundation stone. God has no other temple on his agenda for the temple of God is his Holy people who are in Christ!

The promise made to Abraham was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3). God’s covenant with Abraham was with Abraham and his seed which is Christ. This covenant was given to Isaac and Jacob also. Interestingly neither Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob ever inherited the physical land of Israel (Acts 7:5; Hebrews 11:8-13).

The land promise was for the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and was fulfilled under the ministry of Joshua (Joshua 14:1; Psalm 105:44). God’s covenant with Israel regarding the ongoing inheritance in the land was dependent on observance of the law covenant given through Moses (Deuteronomy 27-30; Psalm 105:44-45).

The law covenant was accompanied with a curse which for the nation as a whole would result in banishment (or disinheritance) from the land (Deuteronomy 27-30; Daniel 9:11). One cannot separate the land promises to Abraham from the law covenant and remain true to the narrative. They are inseparable.

Furthermore, Israel’s land inheritance coincided with physical circumcision which was the “sign” of the covenant. All who were uncircumcised were to be cut off (Genesis 17:7-14).

Paul tells us that physical circumcision has been made of no effect and the law abolished. In Christ it is circumcision of the heart (spiritual circumcision) that matters and in Christ all families of the earth become the children of Abraham.

God’s promise to the Messiah was; “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Psalm 2:8).

The land promises given to Abraham were conditional, being dependent on physical circumcision and obedience to the law. Israel in the flesh failed to keep the law and inherited the curse. Jesus the Messiah, redeemed the people of Israel from the curse of the Law, and in doing so the promise expanded beyond the physical borders of Israel to all nations for the blessing of Abraham was now to come on the Gentiles (Galatians 3:13-14).

The uttermost parts of the earth has become the possession of the children of Abraham and in Christ, Abraham has now become the heir of the world (Romans 4:13).

The fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel in the Messiah did not leave them as a physical nation in the land of Israel. The fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel made them a spiritual nation of people in all nations throughout the whole world, beginning in Jerusalem (Acts 1:6-8; 2:1-11).

Now, there is a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:6-13). This new covenant has replaced the former which defined Israel as a physical nation and of which the land of Canaan was the inheritance. In this new covenant the Gentiles from all nations are grafted in with believing Jews as the true Israel of God, and made fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of God’s promise in Christ by the gospel (Romans 11: Ephesians 2:11 -3:6).

 

The land of Canaan is said to be an inheritance for the descendants of Abraham forever. ~ See Genesis 13:15; 17:8

Does this then mean that the promise of the land inheritance has relevance today? If we were to take Genesis 13:15 and Genesis 17:8 at face value without considering the balance of scripture, then we would certainly have to come to a conclusive yes.

Therefore, we need to ask, “does the balance of scripture support our interpretation of the land inheritance?”

To begin, let’s consider the use of the word, forever, elsewhere in the Old Testament. The same Hebrew word translated as “forever” in Genesis 13:15 is translated as “everlasting” in Genesis 17:8 mentioned above (see also Genesis 48:4; Exodus 32:13).

That’s certainly a good start if we are going to build a case that the land inheritance is still relevant.

However, we immediately have our first hurdle before we ever get out of Genesis 17. In verses 10-14, we read that physical circumcision is an everlasting covenant and that the land inheritance coincides with circumcision. The “uncircumcised” have no share in the covenant through which the land was to be inherited.

This immediately becomes problematic in building a defense for the “land inheritance”having relevance today because in the New Testament the apostle Paul tells us that circumcision in the flesh no longer has any value. According to Paul, it is the circumcision of the heart (in the Spirit) which matters.

As we continue through the scriptures we find that the feast of Passover and unleavened bread are said to be an ordinance forever (Exodus 12:14, 17, 24), and the Sabbath was to be a covenant forever. ~ Exodus 31:16-17

Yet the New Testament tells us that these were only shadows of Christ (Colossians 2:16-17) and that Christ Himself is our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7).

The ministry of the Levitical priesthood (Aaron and his descendants) within the tabernacle is said to be a statute forever (Exodus 27:21, Exodus 28:43, Exodus 30:21, Leviticus 24:1-3) and an ordinance forever (Numbers 18:8). The wearing of the priestly garments by the sons of Aaron was also referred to as a perpetual ( forever) statue. The ceremonial washing of the hands of the priests who served in the tabernacle was to be a statue forever. ~ Exodus 30:21

Yet according to the New Testament this priesthood has been abolished and has given way to one that is greater and more glorious, and that is the Priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Law of Moses also declares that the Levites were to be servants to the priests and this was to be a statute forever. ~ Numbers 18:23

The law of the portion of meat offering which belonged to the sons of Aaron was also to be a statute forever. ~ Leviticus 6:14-19

The daily meat offerings offered by Aaron and his descendants was to be a statute forever. ~ Leviticus 6:20

The commandment for Aaron and his sons not to drink wine nor strong drink in the tabernacle was to be a statute forever. ~ Leviticus 10:9

The heave and wave offerings belonging to the Levitical priests and their families was a statue  forever. ~ Exodus 29:28; Leviticus 10:15: Numbers 18:19

Like the Passover, the Day of Atonement was also to be a statue forever (Leviticus 16:29, 34, Leviticus 23:31). Yet according to the New Testament, those things which were done under the Law on the Day of Atonement served as a foreshadowing of Christ (Hebrews 10:1-4) and have now been taken away because Christ has become the High Priest of a greater and a perfect tabernacle.

With regards to sacrifices for sin, the Law of Moses also says that the sin offering of the red heifer was to be a statute forever. ~ Numbers 19:9-11

Yet Hebrews 9:13-14 says, For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

As we can see the use of the language forever as it applied to the Old Testament promises, statues, and ordinances doesn’t mean for all eternity without any change as they originally were.

In studying the scriptures, we should consider the qualifying clause “throughout your generations” and other similar clauses. These should be taken into account when considering those things which were said to be forever.

For instance, Genesis 17 says the covenant of circumcision and the land inheritance is forever in view of the those generations.

In Exodus 12:14 the scripture says; And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever. ~ See also verses 17 and 42

The daily offering of the burnt offering was to be throughout your generations (Exodus 29:42). The yearly consecration of the altar of Incense by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement was to be throughout your generations. ~ Leviticus 30:10

These references (above) regarding throughout your generations are just a few examples of the many times this qualifying clause and others similar to it are mentioned in view of the forevers in the Old Testament.

The Old Covenant was a covenant for God’s people in the flesh and was binding throughout their generations, wherein the revelation of Christ was hidden in a mystery (Colossians 1:26). The forevers were types and foreshadowings of Christ.

God has saved us according to his mercy by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5) and that which was in the flesh has now given way to that which is in the Spirit.

The forevers of the physical covenant has given way and been translated to forever in Christ!

The forever ordinances of things like Passover continues, but now it’s in Christ and not in the outward offering of animals. The same holds true for the land inheritance, the Sabbaths and all other forevers of the first covenant. True inheritance and rest are in Christ!  He is our Passover, He is our Sabbath, He is our promised land!

---

ADDITIONAL NOTES

1. Israel’s right to the land, according to scripture, was dependent on their covenant relationship with God. Physical Israel has no covenant with God today because of their rejection of Jesus. Only believing Jews (those who believe in Jesus Christ) have a covenant with God. Physical Israel is a secular nation like all other nations. Covenant membership is found only in Jesus Christ. The only way that secular Israel could be considered God’s people is for there to be two covenants and two groups of people as the people of God. Dual Covenant theology is heresy.
2. Israel’s right to the land was not exclusive to the physical descendants of Jacob. Throughout Israel’s history, Gentiles were joined to them and inherited full rights as citizens which included land inheritance (see Ester 8:17, Isaiah 56:3-7, Psalm 87:4-6, Ezekiel 47:21-23).
3. When Israel was given the land it was divided among their tribes, which included Gentiles who had joined them. (See the book of Joshua and Ezekiel 47:21-23).
4. The Levites were given no land inheritance.
5. God never meant for Israeli’s only to have access to the land, Israel was required by God to treat those living among them justly and not to oppress them (Leviticus 19:33-34; Jeremiah 7:5-7; Jeremiah 22:3; Zechariah 7:10; Exodus 22:21-24; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 23: 7-8; Deuteronomy 10:19).
6. Supporting Israel in everything is unscriptural. For example, God was angry with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, for making an alliance with Ahab, the King of Israel (See 2 Chronicles 18:1 – 19:2). Also the Apostle Paul tells us that the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and continue to hinder the message of the Gospel are under the wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16).

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more (John 8:10-11).

Why didn’t Jesus punish this woman?

Why didn’t Jesus condemn someone for this woman’s sin?

How could Jesus truly forgive this woman without first satisfying His wrath against her sin?

A fundamental problem with the “theory” of Penal Substitutionary Atonement (remember it’s a theory) is that its definition of the character of God is NOT the character of God which was revealed in Christ.

The concept which says, “God had to first satisfy His wrath before he could forgive sin because justice demands punishment for sin is a very unbiblical view of God.

Yet, it is not uncommon to hear this sort of theology from those who hold to the theory of Penal Substitutionary Atonement – a theology which states that Jesus was sent to the cross to satisfy God’s wrath by dying as a substitute under divine justice.  Those who embrace this theology hold to the view that since God is Holy and Just, His righteousness demands that the sin of the sinner be punished before God can truly forgive the sinner.

However, it is “unrepentant sin” that will be judged, not forgiven sin.

According to the Bible, true justice – God’s justice – delights in showing mercy and forgiveness. Consider the following verses:

As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11).

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:7).

Those who teach according to the theory of Penal Substitutionary Atonement often over look important passages in the Bible; passages such as Stephen’s statement to the religious leaders of Israel, saying they had been the betrayers and murderers of Jesus (Acts 7:52).

If the crucifixion of Jesus was indeed a murder, then how was God’s Justice satisfied?

According to the prophet Isaiah, Jesus was deprived of justice from the time of His arrest until He died on the cross. Only in the resurrection was God’s true justice demonstrated.

Those who killed Jesus did so because they hated Him without a cause (John 15:24-25) and when they condemned Him they were gathered against the Lord (God in Heaven) and against His Christ (Acts 4:26-27).

Acts 4:26-27 (mentioned above)is taken from Psalm 2. According to Psalm 2, it is those who were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ who are under the wrath of God. The words of the apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 agree with this.

It wasn’t the wrath of God which was levied against Jesus in His death, it was the wrath of sinful men as stated in Psalm 2 and Acts 4:

“Why did the heathen RAGE, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.”

Christ was vindicated in His resurrection when God raised Him from the dead and exalted Him at His own right hand. This is why the apostles (throughout the book of Acts) lay blame for the death of Jesus to the people, yet the resurrection they attribute to God in opposition to what the people had done in condemning Him and crucifying him.

In 1 Peter 2, the apostle Peter (who learned firsthand from Jesus what had happened at the cross) reveals that Jesus “suffered wrongfully.” The apostle Peter goes on to tell us that Jesus committed Himself to the ONE who JUDGES RIGHTEOUSLY (a reference to God the righteous Judge). Peter makes these statements in view of the cross saying “Jesus bore our sins in His body.”

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God ENDURE GRIEF, SUFFERING WRONGFULLY. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is ACCEPTABLE with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because CHRIST SUFFERED FOR US, leaving us AN EXAMPLE, that ye should FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he SUFFERED, he threatened not; but COMMITTED HIMSELF TO HIM THAT JUDGETH RIGHTEOUSLY: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (1 Peter 2:19-24).

Notice that the apostle Peter actually says that Jesus is our example of how we are to endure when we suffer wrongfully. According to Peter, Jesus bore our sins as one who suffered wrongly and Jesus committed himself to the ONE who JUDGES RIGHTEOUSLY.

To say that Jesus suffered under God’s righteous wrath would be contrary to the words of the apostle Peter here.

According to the Bible, at the cross God demonstrated his love towards sinners and not his displeasure. At the cross it was God’s mercy and not his wrath that was on display.

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (Romans 5:6-11).

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another ( 1 John 4:9-11, see also verses 12-21).

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16).

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:4-7).

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:4-8).

The Amplified Bible translates Ephesians 2:4 says, “But God—so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us…”

God satisfied His love, not His wrath, when Christ died for our sins.

God did not send his Son to change himself. God sent his son to change us by demonstrating His love, mercy, and grace through Jesus Christ. The Bible never says that God was reconciled to sinners but that sinners were reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5: 19 says, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them…”

When God sent Jesus to the lost sheep of the House of Israel, Jesus taught them that God was their Father. We know this because we have many examples of Christ teaching the people to trust their Father in Heaven. God was their Father via covenant because they were the children of Abraham.

Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we never read of Jesus presenting the gospel to the common people in a “Penal Substitutionary” manner. Jesus did not preach to them that they were sinners and their sins had offended God or that God was too holy to be approached by them.

Jesus was God manifested in the flesh. He was God with and among the people. In the person of Jesus Christ, God himself had come to man – sinful man!

Now please don’t misunderstand this, the common people certainly were sinners and in were need of forgiveness and reconciliation. They were as sheep that had gone astray and they needed God’s mercy. The gospel message which Jesus brought to them was not the message of an offended God who needed to satisfy his wrath. It was the message of a Fathering God who desired their forgiveness, healing, and redemption.

God sent Jesus to save and deliver all who would trust in Him. This is why Peter says that the word which God sent to the children of Israel came through Jesus Christ as he preached peace to them (See Acts 10:36). Jesus’ message was full of the hope of salvation. It was the message of peace with God and was full of the mercy, compassion, and forgiveness that the people needed.

On the contrary however, it was the religious leaders who were oppressing the people with the Law rather than liberating them who were the ones with whom God was dissatisfied.

The spiritual leadership in Israel had gone so far away from the heart of God and instead of ministering compassionately to relieve the oppress and doing justly they used the Law of Moses to their own advantage to burden God’s heritage and this was not pleasing to God.

When Jesus arrived on the scene, he did not come burdening the people. Instead, He brought the Kingdom message of redemption and set many free from oppression. This of course infuriated the hard hearted Jewish leaders. Christ was everything they were not and they hated him because they hated the true God who had sent him.

Jesus had come to do the will of His Father and to finish His work. Jesus did exactly those things which He saw His Father do. Those who believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, were made partakers of His kingdom. Those who rejected Him and refused to repent were condemned.

It is very important to understand that reconciliation and forgiveness is never the result of God satisfying his wrath. Reconciliation and forgiveness is the result of God’s mercy and when God demonstrates his mercy He turns away from his wrath. Psalms 85:1-4 says the following:

Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.

Notice that the scripture reference above ends by saying “TURN US, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.” It is when “we turn” to the lord in repentance that God’s anger and displeasure are turned away.

The theory of Penal Substitutionary Atonement sets forth a very un-biblical view of the wrath of God. The wrath of God is a Bible truth and one that we should take very seriously but one we must also understand correctly.

The Bible reveals that there are specific things which cause the wrath of God to come and the Bible reveals that there are specific things which cause the wrath of God to be turned away.

Those things which cause the wrath of God to come are scripturally attributed to actions such as those expressed by the ones who opposed Christ and put him to death. Yet those things which turn away the wrath of God can be seen in Christ and those who trust in Him for forgiveness.

Throughout the scriptures, the wrath of God comes because of such things as unbelief, rebellion, loving sin, rejecting the truth, worshipping false gods, and forgetting God. On the other hand, the wrath of God is turned away by things such as obedience, intercession, atonement, zeal for righteousness, the fear of the Lord, and repentance.

---

BIBLICAL REASONS THE WRATH OF GOD COMES

• UNBELIEF (John 3:36; Hebrews 3:7-19; Deuteronomy 9-11; Psalm 78:17-33).
• REBELLION (Hebrews 3:7-19; Romans 1:18-32; 2:5,8; Leviticus 10; Numbers 11:32-34; Deuteronomy 9-11; Psalm 78:17-33; Joshua 22:20; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6; 1 Samuel 28:18; Kings 22:13-17).
• LOVING SIN (John 3:17-21; Romans 1:18-32; 2 Peter 2:15; Numbers 11:32-34; Psalm 78:17-33; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6).
• REJECTING THE TRUTH (Romans 1:18-32; 2:5, 8; Deuteronomy 10; Numbers 11:32-34; Psalm 78:17-33).
• WORSHIPPING FALSE GODS (Romans 1:18-32; Deuteronomy 29; Numbers 11:32-34; Psalm 78:17-33; Kings 22:13-17; Kings 23:1-27).
• FORGETTING GOD (Deuteronomy 6:10-15; 8:10-20; Romans 1:18-32).

BIBLICAL REASONS THE WRATH OF GOD IS TURNED AWAY

• OBEDIENCE (Deuteronomy 10-11).
• INTERCESSION (Isaiah 53, Exodus 32:7-14, Numbers 21:5-9; John 3:14-17; Deuteronomy 9).
• ATONEMENT (Romans 3:25; 5:6-11; Numbers 16:46; Numbers 18:1-5; Numbers 25:11).
• ZEAL FOR GOD (Numbers 25).
• THE FEAR OF THE LORD (Jeremiah 32:40).
• REPENTANCE (Acts 13:39-41; Kings 22:18-20; Kings 23:1-27).

---

THE LANGUAGE OF SCRIPTURE

Simply, there is no – out in the open – language in the New Testament that clearly tells us that God poured out His wrath on Jesus. That is the image that those who condemned Jesus desired to portray.

There is no place in the New Testament where any of the writers explicitly says: “God poured out His wrath on Jesus,” or “God satisfied His anger when Jesus died on the cross.” It simply isn’t there. Yet, there is an abundance of scripture in the New Testament which reveals – out in the open – that God’s disposition in giving His Son was love, mercy, grace, and kindness.

In Jesus we have exactly what we needed, for in him God has reveled His love, and mercy, and grace towards us and will continue to reveal it to us.

In Matthew 12 the scribes and Pharisees came to Jesus and tempted him. They asked him to give them a sign to prove that he is the Messiah. Jesus responded by saying the following:

An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. ~ Matthew 12:39-41

The reference to the sign of the prophet Jonas (Jonah) can be found in Matthew 12:38-41, Matthew 16:1-4 and in Luke 11:29-32 and is an expression employed by Jesus to describe his death and resurrection, which was “the sign” to that generation that he indeed is the Messiah.

The scriptures foretold that the Messiah would be rejected by his generation and resurrected after suffering at their hands.

In Matthew 12:38-41, Jesus says that Nineveh repented in response to the preaching by Jonah after Jonah had spent three days and three nights in the belly of the whale. According to Jesus, the people of Nineveh are going to rise up in the day of Judgment and condemn those who rejected Jesus during his generation because they would not repent.

For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. ~ LUKE 11:30

According to Jesus, the only sign God was giving to the unbelieving Jews was his death and resurrection. If they refused to repent upon hearing the gospel preached in the power of the Holy Spirit, they would not be saved.

After his resurrection, Jesus enabled the apostles as well as other believers to give testimony to his resurrection through the power of the Holy Spirit. Throughout the book of Acts, those who preached the gospel suffered much persecution from the religious Jews who wanted to stop the work of the Holy Spirit from giving testimony and witness to Jesus’s resurrection.

The hatred for Jesus by the wicked leaders of the Jewish people and the religious Jews who refused to repent, is the context in Matthew 12 and the context of the unpardonable sin which is mentioned in verse 31. When Jesus speaks of the sin against the Holy Spirit he is referring to the sin committed by the religious Jewish leaders who rejected Christ as Messiah.

In his presence they called him Master (v.38) but behind his back they called him the instrument of Beelzebub because they wanted to destroy him (v.14). However, Jesus knew how truly wicked they were and called them  “a generation of vipers” (v.34).

They did not have it in them to speak well of him because their hearts were evil and unrepentant. They resisted the Holy Spirit and spoke against him by their speaking against his work through the Son of God.

When Jesus made the statement about the unpardonable sin it was to the hard hearted unrepentant religious Jews who refused to repent. They resisted the Holy Spirit in Christ and despised the Spirit of grace working through him; and they persecuted his followers (their Jewish brethren) in the Book of Acts.

It is within this context that Jesus says, there is no forgiveness for them. They rejected the one whom God sent and anointed. This is not a sin that can be committed in ignorance, or accidentally. It refers to the deliberate rejection from their hearts of Jesus whom the Holy Spirit had anointed. They so hated Jesus that they spoke evil against the work of the Holy Spirit in and through Jesus. They had no fear of God in them.

This happened just as Isaiah the prophet had predicted.

Go, and tell this people, hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed  (Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 13:13-15;Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:40; Acts 28:26-27; Romans 11:8; 2 Corinthians 3:14-15).

Jesus said to them: “If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, we see; therefore your sin remaineth”. ~ John 9:41

This is what happened to the leaders of Israel who rejected Jesus and put him to death. They closed their ears, they shut their eyes, and they hardened their own hearts. They refused to believe on the one whom God had sent.

Jesus warned them that the queen of the south would rise up in the judgment against them and condemn them because “she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon; and He who is greater than Solomon was in their midst.” (v.42)

He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. ~ Genesis 3:21; Revelation 13:8

He is the more excellent sacrifice offered by Abel. ~ Genesis 4:1-10; Hebrews 11:4

He is the sweet smelling savor offered by Noah: providing mercy, favor and covenant. ~ Genesis 8:20-22: 9:1, 8-17

He is Abraham’s burnt offering, which the Lord provided. ~ Genesis 22:1-13

He is the Passover lamb, whose blood redeems us.  ~ Ex 12; Numbers 9:1-14; 2 Chronicles 30:1; 1 Corinthians 5:7

He is the burnt offering; wholly consecrated for to God. ~ Leviticus 1

He is the meat offering; holy and perfect and without sin. ~ Leviticus 2

He is the peace offering; the free gift of grace to be received with thanksgiving. ~ Leviticus 3; Colossians 1:20-22

He is the sin offering, who bore the sins of the world.  ~ Leviticus 4; 1 Corinthians 5:21

He is the trespass offering. The one who daily cleanses us from sin. ~ Leviticus 5&6; 1 John 1:7-9

He is the continual burnt offering: our once for all sacrifice, eternal and everlasting. ~ Exodus 29:38-42; Leviticus 6:9-13

He is the fire that must never go out, burning continually upon the upon the coals of our heart . ~ Leviticus 6

He is the consecration ram: His blood is applied to us, his priests for hearing, service, and fellowship. ~ Exodus 29; Leviticus 8

He is the drink offering who poured out His life for us all. ~ Exodus 29; Isa 53:12; Ps 22:14

He is the scapegoat who took our sins away. ~ Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9:26; Isaiah 53:6

He is the cleanser of the Levites in purifying us for service. ~ Numbers 8

He is the perpetual truth in the daily ministrations: the continual burnt offering ever rising to the Father, the lamp in the tabernacle always giving light, and the incense ever rising in the prayers of those who seek God with the whole heart. ~ Hebrews 10:11; Exodus 29:38-42; Ex 30:7-9

He is the cleanser of the leper: He restores the outcast to fellowship. ~ Leviticus 14-15

He is salvation to the Gentiles: Rahab’s true token.~ Joshua 2:12-21

He is the glorious sound of the ram’s horn: This was heard before the shout that knocked down flat the walls of Jericho. ~ Joshua 6

He is the burnt offering offered by Gideon: Gideon received insight from the Lord. ~ Judges 6

He is the peace offering: Hanna’s vow was answered. ~ 1 Samuel 1-2

He the burnt offering offered by Samuel: God thundered upon the Philistines. ~ 1 Samuel 7

He is the ram that was offered: out of His horns Samuel poured the anointing oil upon David to be King. ~ 1 Samuel 16:1-13

He is the burnt offering offered by David, which atoned for sin and stopped the plague. ~ 2 Samuel 24:18-25; 1 Chronicles 21-22; 1 Chronicles 21:26

He is Solomon’s burnt offering by which Solomon sought God and asked for wisdom which truly is the principle thing. ~ 2 Chronicles 1:1-12

He is the offering at the dedication of the tabernacle and the temple causing the house to be filled with the Glory of God. ~ Leviticus 9:22-24; 1.Kings 8:62-64; 2 Chronicles 7:1-2

He is Elijah’s burnt offering triumphing over all our enemies. ~ 1 Kings 18:21-46

He is Jehoshaphat’s meat offering: the one who sanctifies. ~ 2 Kings 2:30

He is Job’s burnt offering: He turns captivity through intercession. ~ Job 42:7-17

He is Jonah’s thanksgiving (peace) offering: Jonah gave thanks by faith from the belly of the whale. ~ Jonah 2; Ho 14:2; 1 Kings 8:38-39; Mt 12:40-41; Ps 16:9-11; Acts 2:25-28

He is the peace offering, by whom we give thanks as in the case of Hezekiah. ~ Ps 103:1-5; Ps 116:12-19; 2 Chronicles 32:24-26

When Jesus made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, he fulfilled the scripture which says; “Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt’”. ~ Matthew 12:5 TNLT

The Pharisees then declared; “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!” ~ John 12:19 TNLT 

Jesus was in complete control for the Father had placed all authority into his hands. The gospel of John tells us the following:

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. ~ John 13:1-4

Instead of making himself King for his own glory, Jesus chose to lay down his life for the Glory of God by giving us an example to follow. He did not exalt himself to be King but instead surrendered his life to the will of his Father to be the offering for our sins. He gave his life as a ransom for many and by giving his life for us, he glorified God. ~ John 13:31-32). Jesus is the Servant-King!

The cross of Jesus Christ is not about the wrath of God being diverted from sinners and being taken out on his Son. The cross of Christ is about the sacrifice of the Son of God bearing witness to the truth in sacrificial love as He gave His life as an offering for our sins.

Jesus laid down his life so that the world would know that he loves the Father (John 14:29-31). He glorified God by giving his life as a ransom for our sins (John 13:31-32). The gospel repeatedly describes his death as His “departure” and his “going to the Father” (John 13:1, 3; 16:5-7, 10, and 28). He described the laying down of his life as that of a corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying which afterwards brings forth a great harvest. ~ John 12:24

Jesus never failed to show the world who the Father really is. He did this in everything he said and did including his death ~ John 13:32. All the works which Jesus did, he did in the name of his Father (John 10:25) and just prior to lying down his life he had prayed, “Father, glorify thy name”.  In response to this prayer the Father answered: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again” ~ John 12:28. By this, the Father was speaking of the works he had already done through his Son and the work he was about to accomplish through his death and resurrection.

Jesus had said to those Jews who wanted to kill him from the beginning, “when you have lifted up the Son of Man (on the cross) you will know that I AM HE” ~ John 8:28-29. His death and resurrection was the final and greatest statement that he is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God. Everything Jesus did, he had learned from the Father and when he laid down his life, he gave it as the good Shepherd giving his life for the sheep; this also he had learned from his Father!

Jesus laid down his life because of his love for us (John 15:13; 1 John 3:16) and death could not hold him because he is the resurrection and the life (John 11). He gave his life to redeem us with his precious blood and he conquered death in His resurrection.

Jesus laid down his life for His friends (John 15:13) and he is our example of how we should lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16).

Jesus laid down his life for the sheep because He knew the Father (John 10:11, 15, 17-18) and was taught so by the Father (John 10:17-18; 13:1-3; 14:29-31). He did only what he saw His Father do (John 5:19). This commandment – to lay down His life and take it up again – He received from the Father (John 10:18).

In John 10:17 Jesus says, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.” In his death for you, Jesus did what He had learned from the Father: He gave himself in true sacrificial love!

Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. ~ 1 Peter 2; 24-25

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. ~ John 10:11