From animal sacrfices to Christ?
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Greetings @MRoe
I can answer knowingly that God's plans and timing are always perfect.
The animal sacrifices foreshadowed the once and for all perfect sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I will invite a couple of Christian brothers to minister a more comprehensive Biblical response to you @Christ4Ever @Br. Bear
I can answer knowingly that God's plans and timing are always perfect.
The animal sacrifices foreshadowed the once and for all perfect sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I will invite a couple of Christian brothers to minister a more comprehensive Biblical response to you @Christ4Ever @Br. Bear
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Greetings again ,
Looking at your post, one might ask why did God send His Son?
What was the purpose of sacrifice?
We read in Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
So what does it all mean?
Bless you ....><>
Looking at your post, one might ask why did God send His Son?
What was the purpose of sacrifice?
We read in Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
So what does it all mean?
Bless you ....><>
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Staff Member
Greetings again ,
But aftir that the fulfilling of tyme cam, God sente his sone Galatians 4:4 (Wycliffe)
John Wycliffe translated the Bible around 1384 and today we can read recent translations which declare the same message. Galatians was written about 1300 years before Wycliffe translated it.
In the fullness of time ...
There were ways that the LORD dealt with the children of Israel which were according to the covenant promise with Abraham yet in the words of Jesus,
O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Matthew 23:37
Animal sacrifices pointed to Christ Who was yet to come. The sacrifices themselves were not able to fulfil the Law, neither could they replace the Arc of the LORD. However they were part of the keeping of Israel.
Galatians 3: 23-26
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Yet, in the fullness of time ...
For Thou hast made Him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned Him with glory and honour. Psalm 8:5
There is also the need for redemption to consider. Not until the time that God appointed could our Redeemer come and purchase our redemption.
Titus 2:13-14
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works
While I understand your questioning we could also apply the same logic in questioning many things both in and out of Scripture.
Perhaps this might help,
When one plants a seed, as keen as they may be to harvest the fruit bourne from that seed, a time of waiting must precede. With the wait must often be a tending to the plant that grows as well as many diverse events and change, usually also seasons, particularly that which ripens the fruit. Insects often must simultaneously be borne through the process peculiar to them, remembering that all insects start off as grubs (like us!) and yet in due time they appear to help with fertilization which must happen before any fruit can set. Or it might be simply a breeze that is required for fertilization but that breeze itself must come from a place which no man knows.
In the case of trees, often years of pruning is required in order for good yield to be had.
Imagine if we could simply water seed, wait a moment and then eat ripe fruit!
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.
Matthew 9:35-38
In fullness of time God sent His Son.
Bless you ....><>
But aftir that the fulfilling of tyme cam, God sente his sone Galatians 4:4 (Wycliffe)
John Wycliffe translated the Bible around 1384 and today we can read recent translations which declare the same message. Galatians was written about 1300 years before Wycliffe translated it.
In the fullness of time ...
There were ways that the LORD dealt with the children of Israel which were according to the covenant promise with Abraham yet in the words of Jesus,
O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Matthew 23:37
Animal sacrifices pointed to Christ Who was yet to come. The sacrifices themselves were not able to fulfil the Law, neither could they replace the Arc of the LORD. However they were part of the keeping of Israel.
Galatians 3: 23-26
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Yet, in the fullness of time ...
For Thou hast made Him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned Him with glory and honour. Psalm 8:5
There is also the need for redemption to consider. Not until the time that God appointed could our Redeemer come and purchase our redemption.
Titus 2:13-14
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works
While I understand your questioning we could also apply the same logic in questioning many things both in and out of Scripture.
Perhaps this might help,
When one plants a seed, as keen as they may be to harvest the fruit bourne from that seed, a time of waiting must precede. With the wait must often be a tending to the plant that grows as well as many diverse events and change, usually also seasons, particularly that which ripens the fruit. Insects often must simultaneously be borne through the process peculiar to them, remembering that all insects start off as grubs (like us!) and yet in due time they appear to help with fertilization which must happen before any fruit can set. Or it might be simply a breeze that is required for fertilization but that breeze itself must come from a place which no man knows.
In the case of trees, often years of pruning is required in order for good yield to be had.
Imagine if we could simply water seed, wait a moment and then eat ripe fruit!
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.
Matthew 9:35-38
In fullness of time God sent His Son.
Bless you ....><>
Loyal
@MRoe
Our friend @Br. Bear has given you some good words, but I will try to go more directly to the heart of your question. Effectively you have asked why God bothered with the type or shadow of animal sacrifices instead of going immediately to the real necessary thing, the sacrifice that really did pay the price.
God does know all things and that includes,[and has always included], all of the details of His plan for you and me and the other guy. In the scriptures all of the answers needed are present, but not everyone who reads the scriptures will see all of those answers needed immediately. In some cases a person may never see them.
On the other hand, very possibly God did do just exactly what you suggested as an alternative.
As an all knowing all powerful God could He not have made all of the types and shadows appear to be reality in order to teach us? I am not saying that is what He did, but how would you or I know if God did not bother to tell us?
What is God's plan? Why is it that you want to know something that He has only shared in part to many others on this forum and elsewhere since the beginning of man's time? Why should He share all of it with you now?
What would it take for Him to share it with anyone when we consider His Words in the following verses?
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" Isaiah 55:8-9
The only way you or anyone will really understand even in part His plan begins with faith rather than knowledge or understanding. The following verse clarifies that if I have not:
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Heb 11:6
And "...faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb 11:1.
Our friend @Br. Bear has given you some good words, but I will try to go more directly to the heart of your question. Effectively you have asked why God bothered with the type or shadow of animal sacrifices instead of going immediately to the real necessary thing, the sacrifice that really did pay the price.
God does know all things and that includes,[and has always included], all of the details of His plan for you and me and the other guy. In the scriptures all of the answers needed are present, but not everyone who reads the scriptures will see all of those answers needed immediately. In some cases a person may never see them.
On the other hand, very possibly God did do just exactly what you suggested as an alternative.
As an all knowing all powerful God could He not have made all of the types and shadows appear to be reality in order to teach us? I am not saying that is what He did, but how would you or I know if God did not bother to tell us?
What is God's plan? Why is it that you want to know something that He has only shared in part to many others on this forum and elsewhere since the beginning of man's time? Why should He share all of it with you now?
What would it take for Him to share it with anyone when we consider His Words in the following verses?
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" Isaiah 55:8-9
The only way you or anyone will really understand even in part His plan begins with faith rather than knowledge or understanding. The following verse clarifies that if I have not:
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Heb 11:6
And "...faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb 11:1.
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The short answer is because He is God, and we are not; therefore as God He can do things the way He wants too, and no man can put anything to it, nor take anything from it.
The Lord Jesus Christ, the son of the living God is our example of what to respond to how His Father does things, when He mention how that God decides to hide "these things" namely the Truth from the wise and prudent, and instead reveal them to babes (Matthew 11:25), and Christ's response was "Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight." (Matthew 11:26) And so it should be in the same manner for us.
The Lord Jesus Christ, the son of the living God is our example of what to respond to how His Father does things, when He mention how that God decides to hide "these things" namely the Truth from the wise and prudent, and instead reveal them to babes (Matthew 11:25), and Christ's response was "Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight." (Matthew 11:26) And so it should be in the same manner for us.
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God chose animals to sacrifice because He knew nobody would want a human sacrifice. That price is too high!
When he requested Abraham to sacrifice his own son Isaac, He knew that would be asking too much because Isaac was the promised son! But Abraham obeyed...it actually was a test, because the angel stopped him and a lamb was sacrficied instead. Abraham actually knew that God would provide a lamb. God was seeing if Abraham would obey.
The thing is it is actually Satan that comes to steal, kill and destroy. God did not sacrifice Jesus, actually it was Satan and those in his kingdom that wanted Jesus dead. See Jesus, even when he was crucified was raised from the dead God did not keep Him down.
God requires obedience, not sacrifice. Any sacrifice we make is a living sacrifice, ie. our lives given to Him, and in return He gives us eternal life.
At Passover, a lamb is sacrificed. Jesus died at passover and represents the lamb of God. He didnt actually want to die but those who didnt believe were baying for his death. So he suffered! But good news is, nothing could keep Him down! Plus, his blood paid for all the sins of man, so that animal sacrifices were not needed anymore...and to this day there are no more sacrifices to be made...Jesus paid it all.
When he requested Abraham to sacrifice his own son Isaac, He knew that would be asking too much because Isaac was the promised son! But Abraham obeyed...it actually was a test, because the angel stopped him and a lamb was sacrficied instead. Abraham actually knew that God would provide a lamb. God was seeing if Abraham would obey.
The thing is it is actually Satan that comes to steal, kill and destroy. God did not sacrifice Jesus, actually it was Satan and those in his kingdom that wanted Jesus dead. See Jesus, even when he was crucified was raised from the dead God did not keep Him down.
God requires obedience, not sacrifice. Any sacrifice we make is a living sacrifice, ie. our lives given to Him, and in return He gives us eternal life.
At Passover, a lamb is sacrificed. Jesus died at passover and represents the lamb of God. He didnt actually want to die but those who didnt believe were baying for his death. So he suffered! But good news is, nothing could keep Him down! Plus, his blood paid for all the sins of man, so that animal sacrifices were not needed anymore...and to this day there are no more sacrifices to be made...Jesus paid it all.
Member
It was pictorial of the Messiah, as the Lamb of God, to come for the Jews so they should of excepted him as God's greater Passover Lamb and that the Messiah's shed blood would bring real salvation from sin and death.
BT
Member
This is an amazing question, and still no one has given an answer in satisfactory conditions, enough to satisfy the one asking such an amazing question. From all answers read, all one can witness is blind sheep leading blind sheep. This is a question that will take some prayer, and deep conversation with our Lord and Savior. MRoe pray on this yourself, and as soon as you hear, let us know. Any revelation that will be offered will be shared here as soon as it is given. Let us pray.
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Because The word of God says
remission of sins required the shedding of blood.
And we are mankind not animal kind.
He had to prepare a holy nation that was to bring forth the messiah.
1 John 5:11
And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son
remission of sins required the shedding of blood.
And we are mankind not animal kind.
He had to prepare a holy nation that was to bring forth the messiah.
1 John 5:11
And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son
Active
Firstly, let's clarify the fact that Jesus and the cross was planned before the foundations of the earth. God creating mankind was always to be part and parcel with Him needing to lay His life down for them. Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.
So, the cross becomes a discussion on timing. Why did God choose the date He did for the cross? The question you are asking can be amended to ask 'why earth'? Why does God go through the motions of earth? Why were we not simply first created with Him in heaven and then like the angels, we choose to stay or leave.
There is something about God that not all can grasp. I will try my best to explain it. God is who He is. All He does is limited to who He is. Just because God can do anything, does not mean He does all things. Who is He? He is good Psalm 136:1. He is light with no darkness in Him at all 1 John 1:5. He is impartial Acts 10:34. Can God do something evil, yes. Does God do evil, no. Free will to a highly intelligent being is good. No free will to a highly intelligent being is evil. Does / Should a good God allow true free will, yes. Is there true free will, yes.
So humans are lessor creations to angels. As such He saw it fit to allow them a period of time and space to make up their minds. We don't instantly decide to hate God full measure. There is a theme throughout the bible of God's anger to mankind being built up before His wrath comes. Just look at plagues, they are always at increasing levels of severity. Space and time was a gift from God to humans. Earth is that gift. Adam and Eve were created, on earth.
Back to the timing of Jesus. I believe (after understanding who God is) that He needed to wait for the 'right time'. He could foresee a 'right time'. As such there are many OT prophecies about the setting and timing of Jesus. But He would not fully grasp how it would all transpire, because of true free will. A hint of this is Jesus asking God if it were possible for the cup to be removed from Him. Why would He ask that?
So.....God needed to wait for an Abraham. He could then choose a Jacob. He could then protect and govern a line for His Son. It pleased Him to do this. God does what pleases Him Psalm 115:3. All we can grasp is that Him doing what pleases Him, points to free will, better wisdom, insight and always reveals evidence of goodness and love.
Why not before Moses? The flood was 2304 BC. His laws must have been passed down in detail from Adam, Eve and Adam's direct family. They all lived for many hundreds of years. They would all have known of Jesus to come and the laws by which they should live. I also believe God wanted the flood to be a warning to all future generations / us / the second batch of mankind. There is so much to learn from the flood. God started the arc project because people were extremely wicked. God still gave them the 100 years it took to build the ark, to repent and turn from wickedness. God is not beating around the bush on the fact that sin upsets Him. Jesus is our arc.
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@SearchforBelievers
Greetings,
How are you going with your "prayer, and deep conversation with our Lord and Savior"?
Do you have any answers yet? Since "all one [you] can witness is blind sheep leading blind sheep," perhaps you are not so blind or deaf and can help us all understand your problem with the answers? And then maybe give something better than you have?
Surely you could only know what was written in all answers was blindness if you had clear vision on the subject. Otherwise your comments are empty being based on guess work at best.
If you would like to write such things where you label every one as blind, then surely you do not have a problem with being held accountable for your words. It would appear that you are unable to give "an answer in satisfactory conditions" so why, therefore, did you bother to reply at all?
Bless you ....><>
Greetings,
How are you going with your "prayer, and deep conversation with our Lord and Savior"?
Do you have any answers yet? Since "all one [you] can witness is blind sheep leading blind sheep," perhaps you are not so blind or deaf and can help us all understand your problem with the answers? And then maybe give something better than you have?
Surely you could only know what was written in all answers was blindness if you had clear vision on the subject. Otherwise your comments are empty being based on guess work at best.
If you would like to write such things where you label every one as blind, then surely you do not have a problem with being held accountable for your words. It would appear that you are unable to give "an answer in satisfactory conditions" so why, therefore, did you bother to reply at all?
Bless you ....><>