The Perfect Pattern – Reproduced

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” - I Tim. 1:15-16.

The apostle Paul was inspired to write, that “God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery…which is Christ in you the hope of glory” – Col. 1:27. He wrote “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” That is quite an amazing statement. He further wrote, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, Christ liveth in me.” Thank God that our apostle Paul was not a “Man’s man, nor his own man, doing his own thing. For his transformed life was conformed to a pattern, and was to be a pattern to others of like faith, on a like course.

Galatians 1:15-16 states, “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.”

The pattern of Paul’s life was not his own, but Christ’s. It wasn’t laid out by his own wisdom, nor carried out by his own determination. He had Jesus Christ always before him, filling his vision, occupying his attention. How about us? These things can also be true on our course of life.

God’s Plan for Humanity: Before the foundation of the world, God designed a way to bring many sons to glory in conformity to the image of His perfectly beautiful, altogether lovely Son. He is so completely different from any earthly role-model that the mind of man would perpetrate. I appreciate His description in Hebrews 7:24-26. “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher then the heavens;” We then are entreated by; “Be ye not conformed to this world;” i.e. don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.

Out of the dust of the earth God formed man, and breathed into him the breath of life. Then sin deformed us. Education may inform us. Legal religion will try to reform us, but Jesus Christ came to give His life for us, to us, and to live in us. He did this that He might transform us from the inside out. While Jesus is being revealed to us, He is also to be revealed in us. As His life is being formed within – Gal. 4:19. We are also to be growing up into Him in all things – Eph. 4:15. Our Father at this moment is making all things work together for our good, that we might be conformed to the image of His dear Son. GLORY TO GOD, HALLELUJAH! (Rom. 8:28-29)

I am persuaded also that it is in this way He develops His kings and priests (Rev. 1:6) that shall reign with Him over the earth. God’s Son is soon to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16). What a marvelous pattern. As we submit, our lives are made to fit that pattern. As Jesus Christ is being revealed to our hearts by His Word, we are being changed from one degree of glory to another (II Cor. 3:18). Our part is to feed on the Word, believe it with our heart, and completely submit to the working of the Holy Spirit.

“We shall be like him; for we shall see Him as He is” – I John. 3:2.

What does the Bible say?

About Redemption

Mankind’s old nature that he is born with, that was passed down by Adam and Eve is totally bad. The Apostle Paul sums it up by these statements: “both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin; there is none that seeketh after God; none doeth good, no, not one; there is no fear of God before their eyes; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3). God gave man His holy Law so he could see his need of redemption (Rom. 3:19-20). Man was at a loss, being a sinner he could not keep it. But God was not at a loss, for He planned man’s redemption in eternity past, before He created the world, before He created man. It was not an afterthought. Acts 2:23 tells of the Divine counsel that was held in the foreknowledge of God, that through Christ, man would be redeemed.

To “Redeem” means ‘to purchase, to liberate by payment, to clear, to release from blame, to free from bondage, to rescue.’ Christ is our Redeemer (Title 2:14). Redemption is the act or process of redeeming (Eph. 1:7). It is defined as ‘the forgiveness of sins.’ Calvary is between us and our sins. Our sins are sent away, we are divorced from them.

There are several terms in Scripture that are applied to Redemption in different phases. One is “Propitiation” – Rom. 3:25, “Whom God hath set forth (foreordained) to be a propitiation through faith in His blood.” Propitiation means, ‘atoning victim.’ Christ was the atoning sacrifice for our sins, by means of “Atonement.” Another term applied to redemption (Rom. 5:11). It means ‘to cover by a sin offering.’ It is also translated “Reconciliation” implying grave variance between two parties and means ‘to restore, a through change from.’ “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself” – II Cor. 5:18-19. Atonement makes satisfaction between them. It appeases the wrath of the offended party by bearing the penalty due the offender. Through Christ’s death, man has received the atonement.

Another term is “Ransom” (I Tim. 2:5-6). It means ‘a covering or to cover by a sin offering, a consideration paid or demanded for redemption of a captured person. The price paid was the shed blood of our Lord Jesus (I Pet. 1:18-19). We are covered, secured by His precious blood. 

There are two sides to Redemption, God’s side and man’s side. God’s remedy for sin is Redemption which is provisional. He has provided that man be counted just by imputing Christ’s righteousness unto man. God is the Justifier (Rom. 3:26). It is all by His grace (Rom. 3:24). It was accomplished by the blood of Christ (Rom. 5:9), and by His resurrection (Rom. 4:25). Faith is the connecting link for Justification to be made real to man. Works of faith are proof of our justification. Redemption is God’s provision and Salvation is our appropriation. ‘Regeneration,’ simply put is the process of being born again (Titus 3:5-6), the washing of water by the Word (Eph. 5:26). Read II Cor. 5:17 and Eph. 1:6.

THE LAST DAYS

Anita Clark

“But of the times and seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober” I Thessalonians 5:1-6.

This is the warning of the Apostle of the Church Age, that we should not be asleep to the signs and warnings in this end-time. We are warned to not allow the Lord to come to take His precious “jewels” without our being aware of it. There are many signs of the end-time in the world today that speak loudly that Christ’s coming is at anytime.

ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT ON THE WAY – The goal is set for 2030 to have a total unification program of the various nations of the world. In the UN’s meeting in 2015 virtually the entire planet signed up for the promotion of this One World Agenda of seventeen items for unification. These would radically transform the world. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon spoke at the UN of “a dream of a world of peace and dignity for all.”

This year beginning in March, 2016, a new UN Secretary General will be selected. The one selected could well be the Antichrist spoken of in God’s Word in Revelation 13 & 17. The world is ripe and ready for this man to become prominent. Daniel 9:27 tells us that this leader will make a covenant or treaty with Israel, no doubt guaranteeing their safety. He will break that agreement and “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (great tribulation) will follow. I will refrain from speculation on who this man may be. He will be a well known man, whom all the world likes and will follow, and no doubt is in the world today.

WORLD STRIVING TO GET RID OF CASH – Revelation 13:17 says, “...And that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” In order for this to take place there needs to be a world-wide financial system whereby everything bought and sold is through electronic means, not cash. This is possible in our day with all the advancements of electronic forms of payment. It is now reported by the news that several countries are close to being cashless societies, i.e. Sweden, Nigeria, and Israel. Many other countries report that large percentages of cashless sales are attributed to the broad movement away from cash. Countries like Brazil, Poland and South Africa are now in transitioning stage, and are quickly shifting away from cash. Recently the most rapid shift from cash was observed in China. In a relatively short time the world economy could be totally shifted to cashless which is said to be a more modern, efficient payment system than the old fashioned paper and coinage system. This will work right into Satan’s plan to promote the “mark of the beast.”

TERRORISM INCREASING – “Men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26). Jesus spoke these words in regard to the end-time scenes, how there would be fearful things happening that would bring anxiety to people in these last days. According to Wikipedia the world experienced 140,114 terrorist attacks from 1971 through 2015. In Noah’s day, (:11) God said, “The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Jesus said in Matthew 24:37, “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Just the violence of crime is despicable, but the brutality of man in terrorist acts, killing innocent people, and maiming others is just beyond what our minds can grasp sometimes. Our trust and reliance on the Lord, helps us to not be afraid. God is faithful!

GOSPEL PREACHED TO THE WORLD – Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all . 24:14). This is being fulfilled today, as God’s people are preaching the true gospel of salvation throughout the world through the internet, TV and satellite, radio, in the pulpit, and through print. A quote from Bible Readings for the Home reads, “Had no more rapid means of conveyance and communication been found than existed a century ago, it would have been impossible to communicate such a message to one generation, but because of rapid transit, and lightening couriers to bear the tidings to various parts of the earth, this last generation everywhere is hearing the message.” Ministries like Faith Comes by Hearing provides a free audio app that shares the Bible in 883 languages! And that number is growing all the time. How wonderful that many people of the world are being reached with the Word of God. I Timothy 2:3-4 says, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

We may wonder why the Lord has not come yet. II Peter 3:9 states, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Even during the tribulation of seven years of judgment, He will send an angel flying through heaven “...having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, kindred, and tongue, and people.” What a loving God we serve!

These are just some of the signs of Christ’s coming as recorded in I Thessalonians 4:13-18. Verse 16-18 reads, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” Note that at this coming, believers will “...go up to meet the Lord in the air.” This is before the tribulation coming upon the earth. Later in I Thessalonians 5:9, he says, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath...” The believers who fully overcome (called the Bride of Christ) of this Church Age will not go into the tribulation, but will be caught up before that time starts. Later, in the book of Revelation, we see the 144,000 Jewish believers taken to heaven, and the “great multitude” of chapter 7 taken up to heaven. In Revelation 19:1-8, we see the people of God from this age there in heaven with the Lord, and in verse 9 we see them rejoicing at “the marriage supper of the Lamb.” In verses 11-16, we see Jesus coming back with His saints with Him as His army. Note: His people are already with Him. This will be the Second coming when His feet touch on the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:1-5). He will come and put the Antichrist and False Prophet in the Lake of fire (Rev. 19:20). The battle of Armageddon will then be fought, and Jesus will be Lord of lords and King of kings. His kingdom upon earth will then begin for a one thousand year reign.

Believers, be stirred up in your hearts! The time for the trumpet sound is so near. He will catch up to heaven those who are truly watching and waiting for Him. Will you be ready? He will make you ready if you will yield to Him and let Him. He will not go against your will, but He will do the work in you if you will yield your will to Him.

Where Should I Look?

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

In the previous chapter, Paul speaks to us about being dead with Christ to this world, and here he reminds us that we are also risen with Christ (Romans 6). And, since this is true, we should have a new perspective. We have new life in Christ Jesus, and that new life leads us to see things differently, and to look in a different place.

So where do we look? We look in a higher place. A place out of this world, so to speak. We should be looking to our Lord, and the things that He makes available to us. From Ephesians 2:6, we find that we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Why go looking elsewhere?

So, what are we looking for? Wisdom? Understanding? Guidance for our daily lives? Knowledge of our beloved Lord? All of these and much more. Everything we need we find in God’s Word. This is where we seek the eternal things.

Proverbs 2:1– 4 speaks of those that have an earnest interest is seeking wisdom and understanding from God’s Word. Not just a passing glance or superficial interest, but a deep desire that moves one to incline the ear and to call out and seek out as if it was the most valuable of treasures.

The promise to such is to gain a deeper understanding of the fear of the Lord; a deeper reverence for who God is and what He means to us. Greater knowledge of God is the end result. And nothing can compare to that kind of gain.

In Jeremiah 9:23–24 we read, “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”

If there is anything worth boasting about it is our Lord. If there is anything to glory in, it is our Lord. How will we truly be able to praise Him and tell others about Him if we do not know Him? In Hosea 6:6 we read “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Even religious ritual has no value, only knowing God.

Man is continually searching for something that satisfies; something fulfilling. They search and they study and they philosophize. And yet, they have not found it in the things of the world. Nothing satisfies like Jesus. Nothing fulfills like a life yielded to the lover of our soul.

We are risen with Christ and as such, we should be seeking those things which are above. We will never be truly contented with anything else.

Gordon Crook

RUTH

Debra Isenbletter

Ruth 3:7 – “And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.”

We see the carefulness with which Ruth watches Boaz and all that he does, all in obedience to Naomi’s instructions. She saw him eat, drink, and his joy, she saw him rest, all from a distance, waiting for the moment she could draw closer to him.

Boaz ate and drank: His eating and drinking was a time of celebration, of the abundance of the harvest. The famine was over, the harvest showed the Lord had given “his people bread” (Ruth 1:6). This may have been the first good harvest after years of famine. The Targum (Jewish explanation of scripture) explain this celebration by Boaz – “He blessed the name of the Lord, who had heard his prayer, and removed famine from the land of Israel.” His eating and drinking were part of his reward for his labors. He knew his work was finished and had been accepted by God because of the harvest. Eccl 9:7: “Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.”

This time of eating and drinking pictures what sustained and satisfied Boaz, and is a picture of what sustained and satisfied the Lord Jesus. In John 4 there was a wonderful response to the testimony of the woman of Samaria that Jesus met at the well. She had gone into the city and told everyone about Jesus and “they went out of the city, and came unto him.” (v. 30). While this was going on His disciples urged Jesus to eat and His response was that He had eaten and He was satisfied (John 4:32) and they couldn’t understand where He had gotten the food. But it was the crowd that came to hear Him so eagerly that was His food and drink and Jesus told His disciples that doing and finishing the work of His Father was His food and drink, what sustained and satisfied Him. (vs. 32-34). The whole purpose and desire of Jesus was to do the will of God (Jn 6:38; Heb 10:9). This satisfied Him more than natural food or drink.

Finally, I see in this time of eating and drinking, a time of communion and conversation. Boaz looks like he is alone, but he is not, there is Another there with him. Boaz is giving thanks to God and rejoicing. It is a wonderful picture of Jesus alone with the Father, rejoicing in that wonderful time of prayer just before Calvary. There He told the Father, “I have finished the work” (Jn 17:4). Boaz had finished the work and rejoiced and was satisfied, Jesus finished the work and rejoiced and was satisfied!

Boaz rejoiced: his heart was merry (glad, content) knowing the work was finished. This is about the finished work, the end of the harvest. The storehouse would be full and he would “prove” the Lord and the Lord would “open the windows of heaven” (Mal 3:10) and pour out an unexpected blessing! His joy was part of his reward for his labors. Aren’t we glad when we complete a task? “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor” (Eccl 2:24). This joy at the end of his labor was a gift from God. “And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.” (Eccl 3:13). His joy is a picture of the joy Jesus felt when His work was finished. He declared it (John 19:30) and knowing it was finished He saw “the joy that was set before Him” (Heb 12:2). He knew that “whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever” (Eccl 3:14).

Boaz rested: it is because his work is finished, it is all about the finished work. There is also another important point, notice where Boaz is resting. It is “at the end of the heap of corn.” He will not let it out of his sight; he will guard it and not let anyone steal anything. Jesus is resting for the same reasons, the work is over and He guards what is His, He guards us! Jesus is resting on the promise of the Father, on the Word of God, for God has said and this is His will, “that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing.” (John 6:39). Jesus is resting at the right hand of God making intercession for us, that is part of how He guards what is His. The result of that intercession, that guarding is that none can condemn! (Ro 8:34). The result of that intercession and that guarding is that He saves “to the uttermost,” and He can do this tirelessly and eternally because “he ever liveth to make intercession” (Heb 7:25). Jesus is resting and waiting for that “good work” to be completed in us, it is being done until the day He returns. (Phil 1:6). Jesus is resting and waiting for His Ruth to come to Him and lay claim to Him!

Now our eyes turn to Ruth and what she does:
She came secretly: “came softly” The word “softly” means “secretly” or “quietly,” this is how she came into the presence of Boaz. Ruth has entered into a “secret place” and there she abides and waits. “For in time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion, in the secret (place) of his tabernacle (canopy, covering, tent, shelter)” (Ps 27:5). It is a place of shelter from the storm and a place of fellowship. “Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence” (Ps 31:20). It is a place of hiding. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow…” (Ps 91:1) This is the place she has chose to abide, she will not leave it! It is a place of refuge. (Song 2:14) “O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.” Can anything be more precious than entering into that secret place of watching and waiting and knowing in our hearts that our Boaz is also waiting to see our face and hear our voice!

This place Ruth came to so quietly, softly and secretly is a picture of a personal and private place. It is a place she will come to and gain everything. It is this same place we come to in our relationship with Jesus, our Boaz. We come into His presence to rest and to wait. We come to a place of shelter, a place of hiding, of refuge and a sweet place of fellowship. We come to a place of rest and promise, a place of security. We come to this place, knowing that our Boaz will both guard and reward us.

She came boldly: “uncovered his feet.” This was a bold action on Ruth’s part, it took faith and courage for her to do this. She comes close and she “uncovers” the feet of Boaz by faith. To “uncover” means “to reveal, to discover, to open.” It is this action that will ultimately wake Boaz up. To “uncover” his feet and lay down, she must take a portion of his garment over herself. She lays claim to what he has promised by faith. She will cover herself with this small portion of his garment. When he awakes, she will ask for the full garment, for the full blessing. This act of uncovering is a picture of laying hold of the promises of the Word and laying claim to them. This place at his feet is a place of submission and of subjection. It is the place Mary came to willingly and received abundantly (Lk 10:39-42). Mary’s testimony was that she did two things, she “sat at Jesus’ feet” and she “heard his word.” Jesus’ words concerning her action was that she did what was “needful,” it is what is needful to maintain that love. Mary made a choice and Jesus said she “hath chosen that good part (better portion).” Taking the lowest place will elevate us to the highest place! Finally, this place at his feet is a place of revelation. In the uncovering we see that something is “revealed,” “discovered” or “opened.” Paul experienced this as he waited on the Lord, he received a “revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal 1:12). It is the “revelation of the knowledge of Him” (Eph 1:17) that he prayed we would have. It is the “revelation of the mystery” (Eph 3:3,6) and this revelation is what will “establish” us. (Ro 16:25-26). This is the uncovering of “the depth of the riches” that Paul speaks of. (Ro 11:33). We see the fullness of this mystery revealed when we are at Jesus’ feet! We lay hold of the fullness of this mystery and revelation while we are at rest, waiting on Him to fulfill His promise to us!

She came submissively: “laid her down.” Ruth had been working all day, just as Boaz had been, now she was ready to rest. She rested at the right time, in the right place, according to the words of Naomi. We can find this same rest when we lie down at Jesus’ feet. It is a place of rest from our trials, our burdens, and our labors. It is the promise give to us by Jesus, He said “I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28) and only He can do this. It is a rest for the “people of God” (Heb 4:9-10). It is a rest for “you who are troubled” (2 Thess 1:7). It is a rest seen in “the patient waiting for Christ” (2 Thess 3:5). Finally, as Sister Mary Bodie writes, it is rest from sorrow:
 “Observe too, beloved, that it was at night when Ruth slipped into the threshing floor, to the feet of Boaz. It pictures the time of sorrow which drives us to the feet of Jesus. There we learn more of His love and compassion in those few short hours of trial than in all the bright days, or years of prosperity which have proceeded.”
Praise the Lord for inviting us to come and uncover his feet and lay ourselves down and wait on Him!
to be continued

The Scapegoat

Earlene Davis

We find the account of the scapegoat in chapter sixteen of Leviticus. It is a very weighty chapter for it presents The Great Day of Atonement. There was no other day in the year like it for Israel. It established and maintained for a year Jehovah’s relationship with His people with all their sins atoned for. The blood sacrifices formed that basis – so that a holy God could take up His abode in their midst and deal with them in grace and mercy.

We learn from this portion that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest. It all pictured the promised Redeemer to come. God was hidden behind a vail “I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat;” man was at a distance. Aaron the high priest could not enter that holy place within the vail just any time or he would die (V. 2).

There were strict instructions from God as to how Aaron could enter on that one day a year. He had to have a sin offering and a burnt offering. He had to have on the holy garments of the high priest and his flesh washed in water (Vs. 3 & 4).

Two goats were required from the congregation (V. 5). One for a sin offering to God and the other for the peoples sins to be carried away. First Aaron had to offer a sin offering for himself, for his sins (V. 6). The two goats were presented before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle (V. 7). They represented two grand aspects of Christ’s atoning work, unlike the sacrifices of the Old Testament offered yearly and were only a shadow of good things to come; Christ’s perfect atoning work was eternal, once for all meeting our deepest need (Heb. 9:25-26).

“The Lord’s lot” fell upon the one goat and the other lot for the scapegoat (Vs. 8-10). The Lord’s lot represented Christ dying for us. Verses 15 & 16 the goat was killed for the sin offering and his blood sprinkled upon the mercy seat within the vail; making an atonement for the children of Israel because of their transgressions in all their sins.

In that, God has been perfectly glorified in respect to sin. For in Christ’s death there is eternal good even though no sinner were ever saved. Bear in mind how God has been despised, His authority condemned; His majesty slighted; His law broken; His claims disregarded; His name blasphemed; His character defamed. Christ’s death has made provision for all this. It has perfectly glorified God, vindicating His holiness, meeting all the claims of His throne.

The sacrifice of Christ is God’s remedy for all the sin introduced into the universe. It is the ground on which God can act in grace toward all. Psalm 85:10, where “mercy and truth meet together and righteousness and peace kissed each other.” John 1:29, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” I John 2:2, “…he is the atoning victim for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” I Timothy 2:1-6, “…Who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth…Who gave himself a ransom for all…”. God’s grace is free to all for Jehovah’s lot fell upon God’s beloved Son.

We have been occupied with “the goat on which the Lord’s lot fell. Next in order would be the scapegoat, which gives the other great aspect of the death of Christ, its application to the sins of the people. Verses 20 through 22, a fit man took the goat away. Christ is the “fit man.” Hebrews 2:9, “we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death…that he by the grace of God tasted death for every man.”

Aaron put both hands upon the head of the live goat and confessed over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, putting them on the head of the goat. Then sending him away by the hands of a fit man into the wilderness, a land not inhabited and there let the goat go. The full and final forgiveness of the people. For if the death of Christ forms the foundation of the glory of God; it also forms the foundation of perfect forgiveness of sins to all who put their trust in His death for them. God’s glory is first and chief, our salvation is second. God is eternally glorified in the putting away of our sins. They were put away by that act of Christ upon the cross (Col. 2:13).

So the two goats on the day of atonement gives a double aspect of the one act. The one is as perfect as the other. We are as perfectly forgiven as God is perfectly glorified by the death of Christ. This beautiful ordinance of the scapegoat, hold good, in the fullest way to every soul that believes on the Lord Jesus Christ.

How many of the sins of Israel did the scapegoat bear away? “All.” Not one left behind. Where did he bear them? Into a land where they could never be found, because no one was there to look for them. The land was not inhabited.

This shall come to pass for the saved remnant of Israel in the future. They shall be blessed with a Sabbath rest when that mourning remnant shall truly repent and call upon their God (Heb. 8:12). Isa. 38:17 - “Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.” Jer. 50:20 – “In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.” Micah 7:19 – “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

Jesus says, “Surely I come quickly” (Rev. 22:20). Everything tells us, that day is at hand. May we be sober and watch unto prayer for it, keeping ourselves unspotted from the world and ready to meet our heavenly Bridegroom.
E. J. D.