Chapter 147—The Blood of the Covenant
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord
Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the
everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his
will.
Hebrews 13:20, 21
.
To many it has been a mystery why so many sacrificial offerings were
required in the old dispensation, why so many bleeding victims were led
to the altar. But the great truth that was kept before men, and imprinted
upon mind and heart, was this, “Without shedding of blood is no remission”
(
Hebrews 9:22
). In every bleeding sacrifice was typified “the Lamb of God,
which taketh away the sin of the world” (
John 1:29
).
Christ Himself was the originator of the Jewish system of worship, in
which, by types and symbols, were shadowed forth spiritual and heavenly
things. Many forgot the true significance of these offerings; and the great
truth that through Christ alone there is forgiveness of sin, was lost to them.
The multiplying of sacrificial offerings, the blood of bulls and goats, could
not take away sin....
A lesson was embodied in every sacrifice, impressed in every ceremony,
solemnly preached by the priest in his holy office, and inculcated by God
Himself—that through the blood of Christ alone is there forgiveness of sins.
Anciently believers were saved by the same Saviour as now, but it was
a God veiled. They saw God’s mercy in figures.... Christ’s sacrifice is the
glorious fulfillment of the whole Jewish economy.... When as a sinless
offering Christ bowed His head and died, when by the Almighty’s unseen
hand the veil of the temple was rent in twain, a new and living way was
opened. All can now approach God through the merits of Christ. It is because
the veil has been rent that men can draw nigh to God. They need not depend
on priest or ceremonial sacrifice. Liberty is given to all to go directly to God
through a personal Saviour.
The whole mind, the whole soul, the whole heart, and the whole strength
are purchased by the blood of the Son of God.
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