Chapter 7—The Ensign of Christ’s Kingdom
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John
1:29
.
To Daniel was given a vision of fierce beasts, representing the powers
of the earth. But the ensign of the Messiah’s kingdom is a lamb. While
earthly kingdoms rule by the ascendancy of physical power, Christ is to
banish every carnal weapon, every instrument of coercion. His kingdom was
to be established to uplift and ennoble fallen humanity.
To Adam, the offering of the first sacrifice was a most painful ceremony.
His hand must be raised to take life, which only God could give.... As he
slew the innocent victim, he trembled at the thought that his sin must shed
the blood of the spotless Lamb of God. This scene gave him a deeper and
more vivid sense of the greatness of his transgression, which nothing but
the death of God’s dear Son could expiate. And he marveled at the infinite
goodness that would give such a ransom to save the guilty.
The types and shadows of the sacrificial service, with the prophecies,
gave the Israelites a veiled, indistinct view of the mercy and grace to be
brought to the world by the revelation of Christ.... Only through Christ can
man keep the moral law. By transgression of this law man brought sin into
the world, and with sin came death. Christ became the propitiation for man’s
sin. He proffered His perfection of character in the place of man’s sinfulness.
He took upon Himself the curse of disobedience. The sacrifices and offerings
pointed forward to the sacrifice He was to make. The slain lamb typified the
Lamb that was to take away the sin of the world....
The law and the gospel are in perfect harmony. Each upholds the other.
In all its majesty the law confronts the conscience, causing the sinner to
feel his need of Christ as the propitiation for sin. The gospel recognizes the
power and immutability of the law. “I had not known sin, but by the law”
(
Romans 7:7
), Paul declares. The sense of sin, urged home by the law, drives
the sinner to the Saviour. In his need man may present the mighty arguments
furnished by the cross of Calvary. He may claim the righteousness of Christ;
for it is imparted to every repentant sinner.
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