John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
Hebrews 9:1-12 “Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
I think the key Bible verse in order to understand the Old Testament is Hebrews 10:1, “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” The Old Testament ritualistic system of the law, tabernacle, holy of holies, priests, Sabbath Days and sacrificial offerings; they were all A SHADOW OF GOOD THINGS TO COME. That is, they were the earthly prototypes of the real one's up in Heaven.
You see, there is a Tabernacle up in Heaven. Inside there is a Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant is located. Above the ark are two cherubim looking toward the center where the presence of God dwells. Inside the ark is the inspired Word of God, the Table of Shewbread and the Golden Candlesticks. We read in Hebrews 9:12, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Christ Himself, after He raised up from the dead and ascended into Heaven, entered once into the Holy Place with His blood. Jesus sprinkled His blood upon the Mercy Seat (Hebrews 9:22-24; 12:24).
The price for the sins of all mankind was not paid in full by the precious blood of Jesus Just as the Old Testament high priest entered into the holy place with a lamb's blood, so also did Jesus do the same in Heaven. But there was one BIG difference—Jesus didn't apply the blood of bulls or goats to the heavenly Mercy Seat; but rather, His own perfect blood, which ONCE AND FOR ALL made the payment for man's sins.
The Old Testament sacrifices were only temporary, which in theology is called “atonement” (meaning, “to cover”). The same Hebrew word for “atonement” is used for the word “pitch” that Noah used ”to cover” the ark. But Jesus' didn't atone for our sins, He forever took them all away, to those who BELIEVE on Christ. You see, Jesus has already paid for EVERYONE'S sins, but you personally must appropriate that gift. That is, you must receive it by faith! I can prove it with the Scripture. 2nd Peter 2:1, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Please notice the words: “the Lord that bought them.” Jesus purchased these false prophets, dying on the cross for them too, even though they still denied Him. Wow! That a great Savior!
You see, Jesus is the Savior of all men, even of those who deny them. Let me prove it again with the Scripture. 1st Timothy 4:10, “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” I love that! Jesus is THE SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, especially of those who BELIEVE. So whether you believe or not, He is still the Savior. In order for Him to become YOUR Savior, you need to personally accept Him as such. John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
By the way, someone years ago criticized my ministry's use of the modern spelling of “Savior.” So, I did a Bible study on this. Pastor Al Lacy in his excellent sermon called: “The NIV Bible And The New Age,” had said that there is only one “Saviour,” but many “saviors.” So this led to some confusion over my website's name: (Jesus-is-Savior.com). Although Dr. Lacy is theologically correct, Grammarly he is incorrect! The truth is that the Hebrew and Greek words used for “Saviour” throughout the Holy Bible, are the same exact words used in the Bible when referring to men in general who saved people. So the argument is mute. I understand that it is every preacher's nature to seek to find all ammunition possible when trying to prove their position, so I don't fault Dr. Al Lacy one bit. I don't agree with him, but I understand why he said what he did, trying to defend the King James Bible. I love the guy with all my heart!!!
Here is a wonderful excerpt from Michael P. Bowen's helpful book titled: “I NEVER KNEW YOU: The Horror Of The Great White Throne Judgement And How You Can Avoid It”:
Here is the gospel: God says that we are sinners and that no amount of good works or behavioral changes on our part could ever make us holy enough to enter heaven. God sent His Son to pay for all of our sins. Jesus paid for our crimes by dying on the cross for us all. His dead body was buried in a grave. On the third day, Jesus arose from the dead. The instant you believe this, He knows it and He saves you. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life”(John 6:47). The free gift is based solely upon your trust in what Jesus did for you and has nothing at all to do with what you do for Him. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). ~ Michael P. Bowen, “I Never Knew You,” p. xii
There you have it friend, how to know that you're going to Heaven in just 30 seconds!
Beware Of The Devil's Bibles!
Tragically, all of the modern Bible revisions remove THE BLOOD OF JESUS from numerous passages! For example: Let's compare Colossians 1:
KING JAMES BIBLE (KJB) - Colossians 1:13-16, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV) - Colossians 1:13-16, “in whom we have redemption [THROUGH HIS BLOOD IS GONE!!!], the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
CHRISTIAN STANDARD BIBLE (CSB) - Colossians 1:13-16, “He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. In him we have redemption [THROUGH HIS BLOOD IS GONE!!!], the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him.”
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) - Colossians 1:13-16, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption [THROUGH HIS BLOOD IS GONE!!!], the forgiveness of sins. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”
Sadly, HUNDREDS of the Devil's modern English Bible perversions completely REMOVE the important words: “THROUGH HIS BLOOD.” Why would anyone remove those critically important words? If you check and compare other New Testament passages which mention “the blood,” you'll also discover that the modern Westcott and Hort based Bible versions butcher these passages. Critics who defend the modern versions, will tell you that there's only less than a 3% difference between the major and minor ancient texts.
But what they won't tell you is that those small changes, omissions and additions all brutally attack the deity of Jesus, obliterate the Godhead, diminish Jesus' preeminence and secularize the Bible! It couldn't be more obvious to anyone who truly loves the Lord Jesus Christ, that Brooke Westcott (1825-1901) and Fenton Hort (1828-1892) didn't love Him!!! Critics will claim that the modern Bibles aren't really based upon the 1881 work of Westcott and Hort, but that's is a lie of the Devil. All this garbage, messing with the Holy Bible, started with Westcott and Hort. If you doubt what I say, go look inside the front cover of the Jehovah's Witness New Testament, and you'll see that they credit Westcott and Hort's work as the basis of it. (By the way, beware of the popular website: GotQuestions.org, because they preach hardcore Lordship Salvation, requiring that people turn away from your sin to get to Heaven, which is an accursed false gospel according to Galatians 1:6-9 and Galatians 3:1-3.)
There Is No Salvation Unless The Lamb's Blood is Applied
In the Old Testament, I'm sure that you're familiar with the story of Moses and the Hebrews in Egypt. For 430 years the Hebrews dwelt in Egypt, beginning with Joseph's family, who had moved from Canaan to Egypt during a horrific 7-year famine. There is an alleged discrepancy here in the Bible. The Bible tells us:
Exodus 12:40, “Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.”
Acts 7:6, “And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.”
Whoa! So was it 400 or 430 years that the Hebrews dwelt in Egypt? Well, both. They spent 430 years total living in Egypt, but for 400 of those years they were enslaved to Pharaoh. The Egyptians did entreat them EVIL for 400 years! That is such a sad commentary on both the Jews and Egypt. God had brought goodness to Egypt through Joseph and his family. Things went well for 30 years. But when Joseph died and the next generation (of both Jews and Egyptians) came alone, they went back to their old carnal ways.
Now, what I am about to say is only speculation. That is, Stewology (my last name is Stewart). This is merely my opinion, and I cannot prove it with the Bible. But I think we need to consider the level of spirituality of the Jews. When God had delivered them our of slavery, the Jews didn't appreciate it. They complained and moaned continually in the Wilderness, which angered the Lord. Ten times they griped to Moses, until God finally decided that they wouldn't enter into The Promised Land. Only those age 19 and under were able to later go into The Promised Land. Anyone age 20 or older couldn't go!
My speculation is this—seeing that the Jews had such bad attitudes in the Wilderness, I cannot help but conclude that they had the same poor attitudes in Egypt. I'll bet they complained and moaned about everything in Egypt too! Could it be that the Egyptians got tired of the ungrateful spirit among the Jews? I mean, if God Himself lost patience with these stubborn, spoiled and stiffnecked people, it makes sense that the Egyptians did too! But where the Bible is silent I choose to remain silent. I simply do not know!
Ah, but what I DO know is that the blood saves! Amen. When God sent Aaron and Moses to deliver the Hebrews from bondage, God hardened Pharaoh's heart so that he refused. Now, that is very interesting. First, please understand that God did not predestinate Pharaoh to Hell. No way! God NEVER chooses who will or won't be saved. Calvinism (all five tenets) are a lie of the Devil. Calvinism refers to the core life's teachings of a man named John Calvin (1509-1564). Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) does a great job refuting Calvinism.
What God DID do is harden Pharaoh's heart concerning releasing the Hebrews. God already knew that Pharaoh wasn't going to get saved. This is not predestination. It just means that God is omniscient and He knows the future. So God decided to use Pharaoh for His purpose and plan. The Bible says that God deliberately hardened Pharaoh's heart, to refuse to release the Hebrews, so that God could work His mighty miracles and be glorified. Who are we to question our great, faithful and good God?
The last of the Ten Plagues became know as the Passover. This name is befitting of the event that happened. The Lord through His servant's Moses and Aaron warned everyone in Egypt (both Jew and Egyptian alike) of the coming last plague. The firstborn of all families, even of the family's livestock, would die when the Lord PASSED OVER!!! Thus, the holiday of the “Passover.” God PASSED OVER any family that obeyed the Lord, by applying THE BLOOD of a slain lamb to the lintel (the plate above the door that kept bricks from falling on your head), and door posts of the home. Exodus 12:23, “For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.” Do you see those two beautiful words: “PASS OVER”???
The killing of the lamb wasn't enough! Please don't miss that, because this is where I am going with this blog. THE BLOOD HAD TO BE APPLIED!!! It is not enough that Christ died on the cross for our sins, the blood of Christ needed to be applied to the Mercy Seat in Heaven. We don't hear enough about this truth nowadays from America's church pulpits. What saith the Scripture? ...
Exodus 12:13, “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.”
Dear friend, this same truth applies today. God is still looking for the BLOOD!!! The blood needed to be applied. Thankfully, approximately 2,000 years ago Jesus ascended up into Heaven after He raised up from the dead, and he entered into the Holy Place into the presence of God the Father, and sprinkled His blood upon the heavenly Mercy Seat for our sins. Hallelujah!!! It is only because of Christ's blood on the Mercy Seat that any human being can come to Christ and be saved by faith alone. The price for our sins has already been paid! The price was Jesus' BLOOD. The place is the heavenly MERCY SEAT. The Lamb's blood has successfully been applied!!!
Dear reader, that is why you and I can freely receive God's gift of forgiveness of sins by simply taking it. That is why we don't even need to “ask” Christ to save us. God is already freely offering His gift of eternal life to us. Just take it friend, if you haven't already, and it is yours forever! Eternal life is a FREE GIFT (Romans 5:15-18, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9). You don't have to start doing anything to be saved. You don't have to stop doing anything to be saved. You simply need to BELIEVE that Jesus did it for you! Acts 16:30-31, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
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