In this issue:
Origins and Issues
David Clayton
Quest for freedom
We can only rightly understand our place in this world and fulfill our God-given responsibilities in it when we understand the bigger picture of what is really happening in the world and in the universe. There is a tremendous universal conflict taking place which involves every single human being who has ever lived on this planet. This great conflict has been ongoing for thousands of years and continues until today. This is what we will be looking at in this series of articles. I consider this great battle to be of such a magnitude that I want to entitle this series, “The mother of all wars.” We will investigate the origin, the source and the cause of all the wars that have ever taken place, and all the evil that has ever existed and try to understand our proper role in it.
It is true that we are not saved by doctrinal belief, only a relationship with Christ will save anyone. But it is also true that doctrine lays the foundation for that relationship with him, because if we have wrong doctrine we will have a wrong relationship, so correct doctrine is vital to the relationship. Of course, sometimes people focus on doctrines that are minor and inconsequential and their religion becomes wearisome and legalistic, but still, true biblical doctrine is important.
The Ultimate Reality
The first and the greatest truth is the reality that, there is a God! Why do I even need to say this? If we go back to the furthest beginning point that our minds can imagine, that point focuses on the question, is there a God? The way we answer this question determines how we see life, what we see as our purpose in life, and determines where are we heading in life.
From the time that I was a small boy this question and others related to it were continually agitating my mind. I always wanted to know, how did I end up here, what was my purpose and what would be my final destiny? As I grew older and I was able to think more clearly I was more conscious of certain inescapable realities: I exist, I am here and my very existence emphasized the reality that there had to be a God. We had to come from somewhere, we didn’t create ourselves, so the conviction that there had to be a God, a supernatural, great being who ultimately created everything, fixed itself firmly in my mind. It is a fact that the more we honestly examine nature, and science and philosophy, and theology, the more we are compelled to recognize that there is a God. So the ultimate reality is God, an almighty being who is the source of all things.
Most people in the world believe in the existence of God. Of course there are some who don’t and who believe that we all by some mysterious, impossible series of events, originated from a mixture of chemicals billions of years ago! It really is much easier to believe in fairy tales than to believe in such fanciful, illogical and unreasonable ideas. But the tragedy is that even among those who believe in God there are a great many confused ideas as to what he is like and who he really is. Some people believe he is some kind of impersonal cosmic force, some believe he is a combination of the universal consciousness of all living beings, some believe that instead of one God, there is a pantheon of many different gods. My own faith has settled on the reality that the Bible is the word of God and it is the biblical concept of God which I have embraced as the true concept of God.
According to the Bible there is only one person who is God in the ultimate sense, one great source of all things, a being who was before all things. This biblical teaching makes logical and reasonable sense and is supported by the evidence of thousands of years of human interaction with this God.
A perfect universe
The Bible does not tell us a lot about what the universe was like before the world was created, but it tells us enough so that we are able to get a fairly good picture of what things were like back there in the distant past before time began.
The first thing we discover is that in that distant past, the universe was in a state of unmarred happiness. In Revelation 21:4 we are told,
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Rev 21:4)
This verse is speaking of a future state, the condition the universe will be in when God restores all things to its original flawless state. But it shows us God’s ideal, it reveals his intention that the universe should be a place of unshadowed happiness, so it is safe to assume that this is the way he created it originally.
The second thing for us to consider is that there was a reason for this unmarred happiness. This state of peace and joy was not something which simply existed by itself, there was a source from which all of this flowed and it is very, very important that we understand this and recognize what this source was. If we don’t understand the reason for things, then it is not possible for us to relate to them in a proper way. We can only understand this “mother of all wars,” when we understand the foundation principles of why things were the way they were in the beginning.
The formula for perfection
What was the source of this beautiful harmony, peace and joy that filled the universe? This condition was not something which simply existed by itself and was self-sustaining. There was a source and a reason for it. The foundation of this state of happiness and harmony was that every intelligent being in the universe lived in voluntary submission to God and as a result, God was able to live in each person, sharing his life with every single being, thereby imparting his own nature and character to each one.
I emphasize that this relationship was based on a voluntary submission to God. This happiness was not based on God forcefully imposing himself on his subjects, such a relationship would not have resulted in happiness, it would have been a condition of slavery and would have brought only dissatisfaction and resentment. The rebellion and fall of Satan reveals that this condition where God dwelt in each person, was a voluntary condition. If it were not voluntary, then Lucifer could never have exercised his will in choosing to reject God’s government. God provides everything which is necessary for us to live this life of happiness and perfection, but one thing God will not do and that is take away our power of choice; that is absolute! This is a foundational truth: We may say respectfully that this power of choice is the weak spot in perfection. It is necessary to happiness, it is one of the greatest gifts that God has given to his subjects, but in spite of this, it creates an open door for rebellion to enter.
God gives us everything we need, it is the power of God, it is the life of God, it is the enabling of God, it is the will of God, but in my life, I have the final say because I was made free! This is the formula for perfection: God lives in us because we voluntarily chose to have him govern our lives and the result of this is, perfection!
But why should we voluntarily submit ourselves, body, soul and spirit to God? Why should we as intelligent beings completely give up our will to God and allow him to completely control us? This voluntary submission arises from trusting God (having faith in him) and loving him. This is the only reason why an intelligent being would willingly submit, unconditionally to another person.
Love and trust
So the formula for perfection is:
(a) We love and trust God
(b) So we submit to God
(c) Therefore God gives us himself and his life
(d) This leads to living holy lives in a state of happiness.
One thing is connected to the next thing, it is the chain of happiness, the formula for a perfect universe. Jesus said,
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21)
Why do we keep his commandments? It is because we love him. This is the basis on which God establishes his kingdom. Love and trust are at the foundation of our relationship with God and our service for him. This is the reason why faith is so prominent in the Bible – especially the New Testament, it is when we love and trust God that his kingdom is secure. If we don’t love God, then we won’t trust God and if we don’t trust God we won’t submit to God and if we don’t submit to God we won’t know peace nor happiness and the universe will never be safe. The people who surrender and accept God into their lives are the people who love and trust God. This is how it was in the beginning when the universe was perfect. So then it is obvious that everything was focused on personal relationship with God
Many people believe that the issue was obedience to a set of rules, they think that conformity to instructions was the primary issue in the universe, but the problem was not obedience to rules, the issue was love and trust, the commandments were secondary and were not even an issue in that perfect state.
Conflict arises
The Bible teaches us that something disastrous happened; there was a rebellion – a rebellion made possible because of the gift of free-choice given to all intelligent beings. In John 8:44 Jesus gives us some insight into the nature of this original great rebellion. Referring to the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus said,
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)
From the beginning Satan was driven by a murderous, lying spirit. This is not referring to the beginning when Lucifer was created, but to the beginning of his rebellion. Somehow in that perfect paradise where there was no sin, something happened in him, somehow his character became perverted and he not only became a deceiver, but he developed the desire to eliminate God and to take his place. Of course, it is impossible to kill God and Satan knew this, but he attempted to destroy his reputation – to dislodge him from his place as the great center of the universe because in his heart, he desired to get rid of him. Jesus declared that the one who contemplates an evil action is just as guilty as the one who actually performs the deed. Satan was a murderer, even if he never actually was able to kill God. The prophet Ezekiel gives us some further insight into the fall of this beautiful and once perfect angel:
Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. (Ezek 28:14-17)
Here we see that Satan is described as, “the anointed cherub that covereth,” and this suggests that he had a special role in heaven. He was privileged to stand and to minister in the very presence of God, anointed and set apart in a very special place, to a very special work. But more than this, we see that Satan was perfect in all his ways from the day that he was created. He was living in a personal relationship with God, he trusted God, he loved God, he submitted to God and so God was able to live in and through him, therefore he was perfect.
But amazingly the passage goes on to tell us that one day, iniquity was found in this perfect angel! The question is, how did this iniquity arise? Where did it come from? Iniquity was found in him and since God did not place it there it must have arisen from within him! The only possible explanation for how this could have happened is that it happened because he had the power of free choice. God never made him to be a sinner, but when God made him free to choose, God gave him the capacity to become a rebel and a sinner. The potential and the possibility was always there. It had to be this way because he was made free and it was from this freedom that iniquity eventually arose.
If we look at the four points in the sequence of perfection we can see the progression in Satan’s fall. Here they are again:
(a) We love and trust God
(b) So we submit to God
(c) Therefore God gives us himself and his life
(d) This leads to living holy lives in a state of happiness.
The prophecy in Ezekiel tells us that Satan’s heart was lifted up because of his beauty. He became so absorbed in himself that he started trusting himself more than he trusted God. The more he was exalted in his own mind, the more he trusted in himself and the less he trusted in God. This is an inevitable sequence, there is no way to avoid it and it did not happen only to Satan, it has continued to happen to many other intelligent beings wherever sin exists. So the sequence in Satan’s fall was,
a. He lost his love and trust for God
b. Consequently he would not submit to God’s spirit
c. As a result he separated himself from God
d. He became an unholy and miserable person
This is how it happened, it started with losing trust and love for God. This continues to be and always will be the source of sin and evil. We can all understand this because the same principle plays out in the lives of people all around us every day. We see relationships break up because people stop trusting one another. Sometimes they even still have some degree of love in the relationship, but they stop trusting one another. One no longer can understand the behavior of the other person, they no longer have confidence in each other and as a result we see the relationship breakdown and fall apart. When this happens they no longer voluntarily submit to each other, the harmony goes out of the relationship, happiness disappears and the consequence is that the relationship breaks up.
Self-centeredness
In the case of Satan he became so absorbed in looking at himself, in growing in his admiration for his abilities that he stopped looking at God. In his own mind he gradually came to the place where he thought he was wiser than God! He trusted in himself so much that he set his own ideas above those of God and basically, turned away from God. God made Lucifer free as he made all intelligent beings; free to decide, free to choose and this was the open door through which sin found a way into the universe.
There is danger associated with freedom to choose and yet, there is no other way. If God had removed free choice in the universe then all he would have is a universe filled with mindless robots, essentially programmed slaves. There would be no possibility of development in personality, in happiness, in genuine love and affection.
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isa 14:12-14)
This passage in Isaiah gives us a very good understanding of what was the real focus of this rebellion of Lucifer. Five times it mentions what Lucifer desired to do; the focus is on himself:
- I will ascend into heaven
- I will exalt my throne above the stars of God
- I will sit upon the mount of the congregation
- I will ascend above the heights of the clouds
- I will be like the Most High.
Focus of the Rebellion
Now it is clear that Satan’s problem was self-centeredness, but it should be evident that this self-centeredness, this effort to put his wisdom above God’s would find a way to manifest itself. It was not just something he kept locked up in his heart, it found an outlet, a way to reveal this desire to usurp God.
There is a popular idea that this rebellion became focused on the ten commandment law. I have even heard it said that Satan declared that it was not possible for anyone to keep the law of God (the ten commandments). This is a strange and unbiblical idea; there is no hint anywhere in the Scriptures that the ten commandments were an issue in heaven and in fact, there is biblical evidence that the Ten commandments were not even recognized as any kind of law in heaven.
What the Bible reveals is that Lucifer became self-centered, totally absorbed in himself and developed the desire to be like God, to dethrone God in some way. Jesus says that Satan was a liar from the beginning and if we go back to Genesis 3:4,5 we can see Satan’s lying spirit in action and here, we can get some kind of idea as to what he was really attacking:
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Gen 3:4-5)
God told Adam and Eve in the plainest language that in the day that they ate of the fruit, they would die, Now Satan tells them categorically that they will not die. In plain language, he is lying, but he is also accusing God of being a liar! He is trying to bring them to the same condition that he is in and he is using lies to accomplish his purpose. He doesn’t trust God and he doesn’t love God and he knows that if he can bring them to the same condition, then they will no longer submit to God, they will break their connection with him and he, Satan, will have a world which operates on the same principle as himself; the principle of independence and separation from God. Yes, ultimately Satan led Adam and Eve to break God’s commandment to not eat the fruit, but let us not bypass what happened first, before they actually performed the act of disobedience. It began when Satan broke their confidence in God and they became persuaded that God was a liar! The real problem was the fact that they came to doubt God. It goes without saying that when confidence and trust are gone from a relationship it starts going downhill. It is not long before the persons involved no longer respond to the wishes and the desires of one another. We should always keep these principles in mind, it is a sobering thing to consider that doubting and questioning God always leads a person to the place where his relationship with God becomes shaky and uncertain and the sure consequence of such a relationship is that he begins to live a life in opposition to the will of God.
Satan’s lie was even more effective because he presented the idea that God was not only lying to Adam and Eve, but he was deliberately doing it in order to keep them in ignorance, to deprive them of certain privileges. “God knows,” he said, “that in the day you eat the fruit you will become exalted, elevated to the place of Gods! You will attain hidden knowledge, the knowledge of good and evil!” Here, he turned their eyes to themselves and created the feeling that they were being unfairly treated and kept back from something good because of God’s selfishness.
In this assault against God, Satan attacked two things:
1. First, he attacked the character of God
2. Secondly, he attacked the government of God.
We find Satan attacking God’s government in the story of what happened to Job. Satan accused Job of serving God only because of the benefits that God was providing and here we find him attacking God’s method of obtaining loyalty. He is saying, “the way you go about doing things is unfair and unreasonable. It’s not your way of life, it’s not your character which Job admires, Job is only serving you because of the benefits that he can get from you. We are not given every detail of the arguments and the issues involved in this conflict, but we can see from what Satan said to Adam and Eve in the garden, and from his accusations against God here in the book of Job that his attack was against God’s character as he tried to make out that God is a liar who operated in an unfair way.
God’s system of government
Ultimately though what is most important is that we understand the great foundation of God’s government. Firstly, we submit to God and consequently God comes to live inside of us. This is God’s system of government. Why do we submit to God? Because we love and trust him, but if that love and trust can be broken then nobody will submit to God! They might go through the forms of serving him as many Christians do, but they don’t really submit to him, their hearts don’t really belong to him, they don’t have a relationship with him! They get involved in, “formula religion.” They go through the formula, they practice the ceremonies but that is all they know, they do not know God. That is the danger in religion today; going through the motions of worship without actually knowing God.
A third issue
There is another issue that came into the picture afterwards and became a major focus of the battle between God and Satan. That third issue was,
3. The salvation of humanity.
The salvation of human beings became an issue because we got caught in the middle of this conflict between God and Satan. We were victims who got caught in the crossfire. In Satan’s warfare against God, he attacked humanity, made in the image of God, and brought the entire race under his dominion. As a result all human being are born into a world ravaged by the disease of sin, with each one of us naturally deformed and handicapped by the effects of that disease.
These are the three issues which are before God and before the universe.
Revealing the character of God
Vindicating the government of God
The restoration of humanity
Everything that is of any importance revolves around these three things. Our salvation is included, because in the work of restoring the universe God has included the task of saving those who got caught in the middle of this great conflict.
With this understanding of the background to our existence and our present condition, we can better appreciate how we should relate to the cosmic battle which is really what determines the way we live today and the destiny of every one of us. We don’t have to be simply ignorant, mindless pawns in this “mother of all wars.” Now we understand the issues involved we can seek to find our proper place in it, to engage not as ignorant puppets, but as intelligent individuals who have the power to choose where we stand.
As we delve deeper into this subject in subsequent editions of the newsletter, we pray that each one of us may come to a closer relationship with the God who created us for himself and is fighting this greatest of all battles in order to bring us back to that place.
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Tribute to “Hermie”
I don’t know if it was coincidence, or providence. But one of the last conversations I had with Auntie Herm was about the issue of life after death. We were talking about my grandparents and my uncle, all of whom had already gone to sleep, and she expressed how anxious she was to see them again.
‘I wonder what’s the first thing I will say when I see mama, daddy and Tony again,’ she remarked. ‘I can’t wait to see what they all look like in their new spiritual forms.’ ‘I wonder if daddy will walk with the same upright air, or if Tony’s perennial smile will look the same. It’s a good thing mama will have no house work to worry about, and will finally get the vacation of bliss she so greatly deserved.’
Auntie Herm always had a vivid imagination, and she played with the ideas in her mind of what it would be like to finally see our loved ones again face to face. She ended by telling me, ‘Dan, I am not afraid to die. The only people who fear death, are those who do not know Him who defeated death! I’m glad I know him.’ I’ve known auntie Herm all my life and have had countless conversations with her, but this one I will cherish and remember above all! It was the one which assured me she was safe and secure in her relationship with the Master, and ready for eternity!
Losing someone you love is the hardest thing to deal with in this life. The aching, constant pain in your heart is real, pulsating, almost tangible. For a long time you cannot see how blue the sky still is, how beautiful the sunshine is, cannot appreciate the joy of laughter or music. Every day seems dark and endless, every night is haunting and sleepless. The emptiness is deep and torturous, and nothing can fill the void.
I will miss auntie Herm more than words can ever say! She was truly one of the sweetest persons you could ever meet. She had a knack for making friends so easily, and making everyone feel comfortable around her. She would always try to say the right things to ensure that no one was offended, and everyone felt welcome and at ease. She would go out of her way to write the most beautiful, genuine thoughts to each member of the family on their birthdays and special occasions, making each one feel like the most wonderful person in the world. My next birthday just won’t be the same without her!
She loved to read, write and sing, and my, how she could sing! She would walk into a room, where the singing sounded like a funeral, and the moment she opened her mouth, everything changed! That voice would resonate in the entire building, brighten any day and bring any choir to life! Singing was her joy and her passion, and she used her inimitable voice to magnify and praise the one she loved all her life.
She was a fun person! I remember not too long ago, she challenged her sister, Annette to a race. The rest of the family were made aware of this ‘Olympic sized’ event, and looked forward to the day with bated breath. Leading up to the occasion, to the amusement of all of us, they both trash talked each other, and sent veiled threats as to how devastating their performances would be on the day. I still laugh when I remember seeing the video of the race, watching them both huffing and puffing up the hill, lost in the illusion that they were moving at lightning speed, while in reality barely moving faster than a brisk walk.
I don’t remember who the eventual winner was, but I’m sure they both had sore muscles for days after that. It was fun, and the entire family had belly-fulls of laughter for a long time. Auntie Annette, I know you remember that race, and I know there is a huge, empty hole in your heart today. You had a special relationship with her, she was your partner in crime, your confidante, your fiercest rival in family squabbles, but always ready to have your back no matter what. The tears just aren’t enough. But keep your chin up. You and your sister will race again, but the next time you will be doing it on tireless wings of light! And this time, you both will actually be moving fast!
I will miss her deeply. I will miss watching her walk up the driveway with that slow, unbothered gait, unconcerned that she was late. I will miss seeing the slightly flustered hair, black rimmed spectacles perched proudly on her nose, always with two or three bags on her shoulders. I always wondered why she needed to carry so many bags, but that was just her. It was just her to take almost an hour to eat her meal, and to take her sweet time doing everything. It was just her to be loyal to a fault! I will miss how she was willing to sacrifice her whole heart for her kids and grandkids, and how amused I was by some of her conspiracy theories.
But to you my family, and especially to her children, Darieux, Debbie and Dylan, I say, all hope is not lost! Even though it hurts so badly now, and though we miss her more than words can express, be of good cheer, for there is One who can, and will bring her back! He is the resurrection and the life, He has defeated death and hell, and no power in this universe can keep her in the grave. She sleeps now, but only for a short time, and when she opens her eyes again, just imagine what she will see!
For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. She will burst from the grave beside grandma, grandpa and uncle Tony, and the rest of us will rise up to join them in the glory of eternal joy! And she will finally join the choir where that voice has always belonged!
Hold on to the great memories you have of her, the unique little things about her personality, and the wonderful person that she always was. Listen to her songs and smile in the assurance that she is not dead, but sleeping. Remember that weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
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Identifying the Scapegoat
David Clayton
Nearly four thousand years ago God gave the Jews a system of worship which included many different ceremonies and rituals which they were required to perform as a part of their religion. Christians have come to understand that these practices were almost entirely representations or shadows of greater events which were to take place in the future, under the ministry of Jesus Christ after he, the Son of God became a human being. Prominent among these practices were the seven feasts which they were commanded to observe every year. These seven feasts were:
1. The Passover
2. The feast of unleavened bread
3. The wavesheaf or firstfruits
4. The day of Pentecost
5. The blowing of Trumpets
6. The day of Atonement
7. The feast of Tabernacles
What events in the ministry of Christ did these feasts represents? The first four of these feasts are straightforward and easy to interpret because the Bible makes it plain that these were fulfilled during the first year of the existence of the apostolic Church.
1. The Passover represented the death of Christ
2. The feast of unleavened bread represented that Jesus put away sin forever as he lay in the grave.
3. The wavesheaf or firstfruit represented Jesus being received by God as the firstfruit of the harvest of mankind when he ascended to God on the morning of the resurrection.
4. And of course the day of Pentecost was the day when Christ poured out his life and power upon the early Christians.
However, it is the last three feasts which cause a lot of confusion and disagreement and this is particularly true of the day of atonement. It was on the day of atonement that two goats were chosen for a special ritual. They were identical goats, so lots were cast on these goats and one was chosen for “the lords’ goat,” while the other was chosen to be the scapegoat. The Lord’s goat was sacrificed, but at the end of the service of the day of atonement, the sins of the people were confessed on the head of the scapegoat and he was led away into the wilderness by a fit man, and released there.
A disagreement
Most Christians teach that the day of atonement was simply another view of the events which occurred on the day when Christ died. As a consequence of this, they believe that the scapegoat was a symbol representing Jesus. They believe that the leading away of the scapegoat represents the fact that Jesus removed sin permanently from his people. However, a few hold to the different opinion that the scapegoat represented Satan and not Christ. In this article we want to focus on some significant points which the Bible makes concerning the Scapegoat in connection with the day of atonement to see if we can arrive at a reasonable, biblical conclusion concerning this matter.
A unique day
The first thing I will point out is that the day of atonement involved certain rituals which were different from anything that happened on any other day. Here are a few examples of these unique ceremonies:
1. Two sacrifices were taken – not one
2. The only time, the high priest entered the most holy place
3. Blood was sprinkled 7 times
4. Much incense was offered
5. The people afflicted their souls
6. The people were cleansed of all sin
7. The furniture of the sanctuary was also cleansed
8. The priest changed garments
9. Sins were confessed on the head of the scapegoat
10. The scapegoat was banished from the camp forever
11. A fit man took the goat away
The word, “Atonement”
An important question is, what does the word “atonement” mean? Primarily it means to be “reconciled.” It carries the idea of two parties who have been alienated from each other, coming together again. The Greek word translated “atonement” is from the word “katallasso” which means “reconcile.” However, the same word is used when Paul says that if a wife departs from her husband she should remain unmarried or be “RECONCILED” to her husband (1 Cor 7:11). In other words, there should be an “atonement” between them! The word does not necessarily involve a sacrifice, although popular theology always puts it in that context! We need to consider the complete meaning of the word, “atonement,” and not confine ourselves to the idea of a sacrifice.
The Oxford Reference Dictionary gives the following definition of the word “atonement.”
The word comes (in the early 16th century, denoting unity or reconciliation, especially between God and man), from at one + the suffix -ment, influenced by medieval Latin adunamentum ‘unity’, and earlier onement from an obsolete verb one ‘to unite’.
Notice that the word “atonement” comes from “AT-ONE-MENT,” meaning to unite. Jesus made it possible for us to reunite with God, but it is important to understand that this process of at-one-ment does not simply involve the saving of the human race; The issue of sin is bigger than the salvation of mankind, it involves the reconciliation of the entire universe to God. Passages such as Colossians 1:20 and Ephesians 3:10, give us a clue that this restoration involves the complete solving of the problem of sin and THIS WAS NOT COMPLETED ON THE CROSS! If it was, why are we still here being battered by Satan and sin?
The atonement was completed on the cross as far as man’s salvation is concerned, but as far as the problem of sin is concerned it was not completed. That is why there is a DAY of atonement, separate and apart from the Passover event which brought salvation to mankind. It is not about the saving of humanity, it is about the vindication of God’s government before the whole universe.
Issues in the conflict
Most Christians see the work of Christ as involving only the salvation of man. This is a very limited view and ignores the reality that Satan’s rebellion began in heaven and was an attack on God himself. Before there was sin on earth, there was sin in heaven and there can be no complete solution to the problem of sin which involves only the salvation of man. A complete solution must also involve the resolution of the rebellion which began at the very center of the universe, in heaven itself. The work of Christ involves settling the question of who is ultimately to be blamed, who is ultimately responsible for the terrible experience of sin.
There are three very clear issues involved in the conflict between Satan and God.
1. There was an attack on God’s character
2. There was an attack against God’s government
3. There was the enslavement of the human race.
Propaganda warfare
It goes without saying that the attack of Satan upon God could not have been a physical attack, not a contest of strength against strength. Such an attempt by Satan would have been more than futile, God could have destroyed him with just a snap of his finger. Obviously, Satan’s attack was based on propaganda and lies. He slandered God in an effort to turn the opinion of everyone against God and to win support and loyalty to himself. It was not a conflict based on force of might, but a conflict based on propaganda.
Jesus said that Satan was a liar from the beginning and we can clearly see his line of attack when he encountered Eve in the garden. He claimed that God was a liar, God claimed that if they ate of the fruit they would die, but according to him it was a lie, God was not telling the truth. He claimed that God’s motives were selfish because God was actually keeping them from something good. God was keeping them from becoming gods like himself!
The timing of the day
When we step outside of the limited understanding that makes it all about man’s salvation, then it will be easier to see that the scapegoat represents Satan. The truth is, he does not bear the PENALTY for sin, but he absolutely bears RESPONSIBILITY for it.
The scapegoat is connected to the Day of Atonement so the first question to be asked is this: When did, or will the day of atonement take place? A careful examination of the feast days given to Israel will reveal that all of these days took place in a sequence which involved an entire year. Each one followed the other in a definite sequence and each one was a representation of some major task of Christ in the work of bringing the rebellion of Satan to an end.
The day of atonement does not take place on the same day as the Passover, it is much later in the sequence. Therefore it involves a work of Christ much later in time than the day when he died. This feast day sequence makes it clear that the day of atonement is an end-time event. This demonstrates that the scapegoat experience represents something that happens to someone at the end of time, not in AD31. Jesus dealt with sin comprehensively and conclusively in AD31, but the scapegoat belongs to an experience at the end.
Sequence of the feasts
Let us again look at the sequence of the feasts:
1. Month 1, day 14 – Passover (Christ sacrificed)
2. Month 1, day 15 – Unleavened bread (Christ in the grave)
3. Month 1, day 16 – Firstfruits (Christ resurrected)
4. Month 3, day 6 – Pentecost (Christ glorified – church empowered)
5. Month 7, day 1 – Blowing of Trumpets (Christ lifted up in a final, great awakening and preaching)
6. Month 7, day 10 – Day of atonement (Christ’s government vindicated in the 144,000)
7. Month 7, day 15 – Feast of Tabernacles (Christ’s people taken to be with him)
Please notice that the first four feasts which have been clearly fulfilled, were all fulfilled in the EXACT SEQUENCE laid out by God in the instructions given to Moses. This was how it was every year in the Jewish service. It should be clear then that it must be the same with the final three events? How can we logically remove any of these events from their place in the sequence and put them somewhere else?
A simple understanding of the meaning of the feast of tabernacles makes it even more certain that the day of atonement is at the end of time. The feast of tabernacles is the last of the seven feasts. It is clearly stated that the feast of Tabernacles is to take place “after the harvest is gathered in (Lev 23:39).” The harvest is the separation of the wheat from the tares followed by the gathering of the wheat into the barn. This is used several times in the Bible to represent God’s people being taken to heaven at the coming of Jesus. This puts the feast of Tabernacles AFTER the coming of Jesus and it represents the time that God’s people spend with him in heaven. So since the day of atonement and the blowing of trumpets take place immediately before the feast of Tabernacles (actually in the same month), we can see clearly that they are events that take place shortly before the return of Jesus.
The day of Atonement did not occur on the day that Jesus died, at the same time as the Passover. It is quite illogical to remove the day of atonement from its place and put it all the way back at the time of the death of Christ. There is a reason why God put these feasts in the order in which they existed, and the fulfillment of those which are already past gives us a template for understanding those which come later in the sequence.
Why similar goats?
The two goats that were taken on this day were to be exactly alike. This was something that God specified and it was only by casting lots on the two, that one was chosen to be sacrificed while the other was chosen to be the scapegoat, to carry away the sins of Israel. Why were both goats to be exactly alike if one represented Jesus while the other represented Satan? The answer is, Jesus was “made to be sin (2 Cor 5:21).” Jesus took upon himself the very essence of Satan’s condition when he took our place on the cross. This does not mean that Jesus became evil like Satan, it means that he was placed in the same position as Satan, totally abandoned by God and cut off from his spirit so that he was left utterly alone with nothing to depend on but his own character. This has been Satan’s condition since his rebellion against God and it was Jesus’ condition when he bore our sins on the cross. So in this sense the two goats had to be exactly alike. The similarity between the goats does not indicate that Satan is like Jesus, no, it represents the fact that Jesus was made to be like Satan in that he was “made to be sin.” This is why goats were chosen instead of lambs. A goat has always, universally been a symbol of Satan, even until today. So it was not Satan who stepped up to Christ’s place, it was Christ who stepped down to Satan’s place of separation from God.
As for the fact that both goats were to be unblemished, this was necessary since any one of them could have represented Christ. The choice of either one was determined by the casting of lots. If both were to represent Christ then it is difficult to see why it would even be necessary to choose one above the other. But the goat has always been a symbol of sin, while the fact that they were unblemished allows for either one to represent Christ. He was made sin, yet he was unblemished because he never actually committed sin.
A sin offering
In giving instructions to Moses, God specified that the scapegoat was to be a “sin-offering.” This is pointed out by those who believe that it is a symbol of Christ. How can we explain the fact that it was said to be a “sin offering?” Surely Satan was never a sin offering, for only the life of Christ could have been an offering for sin. This seems to be a good argument, but a little consideration will solve the problem. The fact is that the sin offering was never actually an “offering,” in the sense that it was intended to expiate for sin. The language of the law gives the impression that a sacrifice was needed to appease God or to appease the law. If this were literally true it would cast a terrible shadow over the character of God in that it would indicate that he is the one who demanded a sacrifice and that it took death to appease his displeasure at man for simply disobeying him.
In actual fact what happened was far deeper and far more complex than that. If you would like to delve more deeply into this question then I recommend that you watch my presentation entitled “The Broken Curse.” You can find it on our “Open Face Fellowship” YouTube channel.
The phrase, “sin offering” with respect to the scapegoat, simply means that this goat was a part of the process of settling the sin problem, it was a way of answering the questions posed by the sin rebellion. It does not mean that it was offered as a sacrifice to God or anybody. The placing of blame on the head of the devil is certainly one of the necessary aspects of the process of ultimately settling the 6000 year old sin problem. The difficult questions about the origin of sin will finally be answered on the day of atonement. It will be demonstrated through God’s people (the church), that all the blame for sin, all responsibility for sin does not rest on God, neither does it rest on humanity; it rests on Satan. Therefore the blame for all sin will be laid on his head and he will be removed from all access to the people of God from that moment, forever.
Another question which is raised is, why then do we need a sacrificed animal on this day of atonement? This is unquestionably a symbol of Christ’s death and this is an event which occurred two thousand years ago at Calvary. Doesn’t this sacrificed animal indicate that this day of atonement was also the same day as the Passover and simply a different way of representing the same event? Not necessarily:
There is nothing involved in the work of God in restoring the universe that is not dependent on the great work of Christ in dying on the cross. Every day of the Jewish year there were two sacrifices, evening and morning, but this does not mean that Christ was killed twice daily, yet, the offering of animals every day in the Jewish pattern would suggest that it was so. The day of Pentecost was 50 days after Calvary, yet in the type, there was always a sacrifice on the day of Pentecost. Additionally, in the book of Revelation, in a scene representing an event at the end of time, many centuries after Christ actually died, Jesus is represented as a slain Lamb. This does not mean that Jesus dies again, it simply means that the blood of Christ is the perpetual constant, the ever present reality in every work of God. So of course on the day of atonement – regardless of when it occurred, there would be the offering of a sacrifice. How else would the blood of Christ be represented?
A fit man
Further study of the scapegoat ritual reveals an amazing truth. God specified that the scapegoat was to be led away by the hand of a “fit man.” Not just any man, but a “fit” man.
And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: (Lev 16:21)
In Revelation chapter 20 the same event is represented and we are told that Satan is bound in the bottomless pit by “an angel.” In the book of Revelation angels are often used to represent the work of Christ through his people. For example, the preaching of the three angels’ messages in Revelation 14, is clearly a work of God’s people and not the work of literal angels. It is the same with this angel in Revelation 20, he represents the work of Christ through his people in binding Satan and removing his access to Israel forever. The “fit man” mentioned in the book of Leviticus, represents the church of Christ (at this time, the 144,000). It is through his work in the church that Christ will eventually succeed in completely discrediting Satan and his accusations. In bringing his church to a state of total victory over Satan, Jesus will stifle the accusations of Satan and demonstrate the perfection of his system of government. Thus Satan’s propaganda will be completely discredited. The scapegoat will be bound and removed from Israel forever.
This work of Christ in bringing his people to an elevated state of purity is highlighted several places in the Scriptures. First of all we see Jesus’ plan outlined by the apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians:
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ . . . . But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Eph 4:11-15)
Paul declares that God’s plan through Christ is to bring the church to the place where it fully measures up to the stature of Christ. Today we have a situation where Christ may be represented as a man with a big head, but a deficient, malnourished body. Things are not to remain this way forever, we have the promise that through the gifts of Christ the church is to “grow up into him in all things!” Why is God so focused on doing this? We already have salvation in Christ, even with our failings, so why is he so determined on bringing the church to this state of purity? Again Paul gives us the answer in the following verses:
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (Eph 3:9-10)
It is for the purpose of revealing the “manifold wisdom of God!” This is for the glory of God, for the vindication of God’s name, not for the salvation of men. The salvation of men was accomplished at the death and resurrection of Christ two thousand years ago. This is no longer an issue and will never again be an issue, but there is still unfinished business in the cosmic conflict with Satan, still unresolved issues in the sin rebellion and God’s purpose through Christ, is to use his church as his ultimate weapon in striking a final death blow to the kingdom of darkness.
The book of Revelation outlines this final battle between the forces of good and evil and we see that God finally obtains what he has been seeking to accomplish in his church.
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. (Rev 14:1)
These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Rev 14:4-5)
The kingdom restored
When we understand the meaning of the day of atonement we are able to gain an understanding of the amazing plan of God in reconciling not just humanity, but the entire universe to Himself. This is the work of Christ, not the work of man, it is the final step in the great task given to the Son of God to put all things under his feet, before handing the kingdom back to God.
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. (1Cor 15:24-25)
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (1Cor 15:28)
This is the last great work of Christ, his task is not yet over and will not be over until he hands the kingdom back over to his Father, once again perfected and clean. Now we can see clearly that the work of Jesus was not finished at Calvary and that, in fact, Calvary was the beginning of the final task of Christ, not the end.
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The Benefits of Cold Showers
Lenworth Frankson
Cold showers, once regarded as an unconventional practice, have gained popularity due to their numerous health benefits. Beyond the initial shock of plunging into cold water, this invigorating ritual can yield a wealth of advantages for both the body and mind. From improved circulation and enhanced immunity to better sleep and skin health, cold showers are emerging as a powerful addition to daily wellness routines. For many, it’s not a welcomed idea, even during the hot sunny summer. Yes! a cold shower can, indeed, be suicidal in an unfavorable climate and for people with special conditions. However, what you may not know is that it offers tremendous benefits, too. From keeping you fit to helping to relieve pain, you may have missed plenty of goodies that this ancient practice packs. In this article, we delve into the compelling health benefits of embracing the chill and taking cold showers. This article is not suggesting cold showers as a replacement for a healthy lifestyle. Instead, it portrays it as a catalyst or an accompaniment to help you achieve your body goals. You must still exercise moderately and regularly, eat correctly, and follow the medical counsel to record success. If you can follow the science-backed recommendations, you can best use this natural and cost-effective therapy to address many of your health needs. If, during your course of trying cold showering, you encounter anything you consider abnormal, you should not hesitate to stop and ask questions pertinent to your worries.
1. Improved Circulation
Cold showers play a significant role in improving blood circulation. When exposed to cold water, blood vessels constrict, directing blood away from the extremities towards vital organs to maintain core body temperature. This temporary constriction, followed by dilation upon exiting the cold shower, creates a “pump effect,” facilitating better blood flow throughout the body. Improved circulation not only promotes cardiovascular health but also aids in reducing blood pressure while ensuring optimal oxygen and nutrient delivery to all tissues.
2. Enhanced Immunity
Cold showers have been associated with a strong immune system. The exposure to cold water triggers the body’s stress response, leading to an increase in the production of white blood cells and other immune cells. These immune cells play a pivotal role in protecting the body against infections and diseases, thereby fortifying the immune system. Regular cold showers can provide an added layer of defense against common illnesses. Following the antigen-antibody interplay that operates in the body, you can elicit the release of disease-fighting agents in your system by having cold showers. Cold showers deliver a shock to your body, interpreted as an antigen. The cells that fight infections, called leukocytes, then get released, mopping up common colds, flu, and other viral infections you may already have.
No wonder ancient wisdom had it that the best way to overcome cold is to bathe in cold water. The water doesn’t have to be insanely cold, but you are sure it isn’t warm or lukewarm. At first, you will shiver and maybe experience shock. But with a successful cold shower, you get a tremendous release of leukocytes that boost your immunity.
3. Muscle Recovery
For athletes and fitness enthusiasts, cold showers can be a natural and drug-free way to accelerate muscle recovery. Cold water helps reduce inflammation and muscle soreness by constricting blood vessels and flushing out metabolic waste products accumulated during exercise. The cold shower’s effect on muscle swelling can lead to faster healing and a quicker return to physical activity.
4. Mood and Mental Clarity
Taking cold showers can work wonders for your mental well-being. The shock of cold water triggers the release of endorphins and norepinephrine, which act as natural mood boosters and stress relievers. As a result, cold showers can reduce feelings of anxiety, improve mental clarity, and leave you feeling refreshed and energized after each session.
5. Resilience to Stress
Regularly subjecting oneself to cold showers can improve the body’s resilience to stress. Cold showers act as a form of controlled stress, helping the body adapt and become more resilient to various stressors. This phenomenon, known as hormesis, strengthens the body’s stress response system, leading to increased mental toughness and improved ability to handle stress in daily life.
6. Shiny Hair and Healthy Skin
Cold showers can also work wonders for your external appearance. The cold water seals the cuticles of your hair, preventing moisture loss and leaving your locks looking shinier and healthier. Additionally, cold showers promote better blood circulation to the skin’s surface, reducing inflammation and tightening pores, resulting in a more radiant complexion.
7. Better Sleep
Surprisingly, cold showers can aid in achieving better sleep quality. As the body’s temperature drops after exposure to cold water, it signals the body that it’s time to rest. This natural cooling process can help improve sleep onset and overall sleep quality, leading to a more refreshing and restorative night’s sleep.
8. Improves Metabolism
Here is one fact that may excite you if you are obese: cold showers, coupled with an improved lifestyle, can tremendously help you eliminate those unwanted body fats. A cold shower does this by significantly raising your body’s metabolism. A 2021 study puts the percentage metabolism increase at 50%, helping to burn up to 1 lb. in well-trained athletes.
Dietary and medical experts categorize body fats into two: white and brown. The white type is responsible for obesity, while the brown type is present in every healthy person in a moderate quantity. As it goes, a healthy brown fat in the right amount also means a healthy white fat because the brown controls the white. Findings have shown that cold showers help to metabolize brown fat, bringing it to a normal level. Thus, if you shower with cold water regularly, you can hasten your weight loss process if you’re enrolled in one. It doesn’t work in isolation from healthy lifestyle practices, but combined with your regimen, you are on your way to looking 16 years again.
9. An Incredible Way to Strengthen Your Mind
One of the ways cold baths or showers strengthen your mind is by activating the portion of your brain that suppresses impulsivity. Life can become so busy that you get annoyed at the slightest provocation. When such happens, you can ruin a lot of things that took you years to build. But with a regular cold shower, you get a mental signal that can help you remain calm and not overreact whenever stressors occur. That aside, it also helps build tremendous resilience and grip that can transfer into other areas of your life.
Cold showers may be a bit daunting at first, but the myriad of health benefits they offer make them worth the initial discomfort. From boosting circulation and immunity to improving mental clarity and resilience to stress, cold showers have a transformative impact on your overall health and well-being. So, take the plunge and embrace the cold shower experience to invigorate your body and mind for a healthier and more energized life.
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September 2023
Open Face is dedicated to the promotion and the restoration of apostolic Christianity. In particular to the restoration of those truths which have been cast down to the ground and trampled underfoot by the papacy, and adopted by her daughters.
Our purpose is to motivate our readers to commit themselves wholly to the task of personal preparation for the coming of the Lord, and to the taking of the final warning message to every nation, kindred, tongue and people.
Open Face is published bi-monthly, and is sent free of cost to all who desire to receive it.
Editor: David Clayton
Publishing committee: Howard Williams
Karleen Williams
Jennifer Clayton
David Clayton
P.O. Box 23,
Knockpatrick, Manchester,
Jamaica, West Indies
+1 (876) 361-8555
email: vidclay@gmail.com
Website: http://www.restorationministry.com
