FOURTH REASON: THE ATONING BLOOD OF CHRIST LIES AT THE HEART OF THE SUFFERINGS OF
CHRIST
CHRIST
The Blood of Christ is nothing less than the whole redeeming work of Christ in concentrated form. In the crimson gore of Golgotha's agony comes flowing all the passion of the Substitute for sinners. Every symbol of Scripture typology and every prediction of Scripture prophecy relating to the sufferings of Christ refer to the Blood.
- Abel's blood in Genesis has its New Testament counterpart in "the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel," Hebrews 12:24.
- The passover in Exodus has its New Testament counterpart in "Christ our passover sacrificed for us," 1 Corinthians 5:7.
- The sin offering in Leviticus has its New Testament counterpart in the One "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree," 1 Peter 2:24.
- The red heifer which was offered outside the camp in Numbers has its New Testament counterpart in "Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate," Hebrews 13:12.
- The chosen place of sacrifice in Deuteronomy has its New Testament counterpart in "the place which is called Calvary," Luke 23:33.
- The scarlet thread from the harlot's house in Joshua has its New Testament counterpart in the Corinthians, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
- The peace-offering in Judges has its New Testament counterpart in Christ who "made peace for us through the blood of his cross," Colossians 1:20.
- The redemption in Ruth has its New Testament counterpart in "redemption through his (Christ's) blood, even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace," Ephesians 1:7.
- The suckling lamb sacrificed in Samuel has its New Testament counterpart in "The Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world," John 1:29.
- The many offerings in Kings have their New Testament counterpart in "Christ once offered to bear the sins of many," Hebrews 9:28.
- The altar in Ornan's threshing floor in Chronicles has its New Testament counterpart in the "altar whereof they have no right to eat which serve the Tabernacle," Hebrews 13:10.
- The continual offerings in Ezra have their New Testament counterpart in the "one sacrifice for sins forever," Hebrews 10:12.
- The cleansing in Nehemiah has its New Testament counterpart in "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin," 1 John 1:7.
- The lesson of Esther has its New Testament counterpart in the life of the One, "Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God," Hebrews 12:2.
- The intense sufferings of forsaken Job has its New Testament counterpart in the more intense sufferings of Job's Redeemer who cried out on the bloody tree, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46. The anticipations in the Psalms have their New Testament counterpart in the propitiation of the Cross. "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2.
- The wisdom of the Proverbs has its New Testament counterpart in the wisdom of the Cross. "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." 1 Corinthians 1:22-24.
- The preaching of Ecclesiastes has its New Testament counterpart in "the preaching of the cross." "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." 1 Corinthians 1:18 and 21.
- The bride in the Song of Solomon has her New Testament counterpart in the Church. "As Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25-27.
- The sacrificial predictions of Isaiah have their New Testament counterpart at the Cross. "And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst." John 19:16-18.
- The outpoured wrath of God in Jeremiah has its New Testament counterpart in Christ crucified "which delivered us from the wrath to come," 1 Thessalonians 1:10.
- The sorrow of Lamentations has its New Testament counterpart in the Passion of the Christ Who exclaimed, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death," Matthew 26:38.
- The vision of Ezekiel has its New Testament counterpart in the apocalyptic vision, "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth," Revelation 5:6.
- The great prince of Daniel has its New Testament counterpart in "Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen," Revelation 1:5, 6.
- The love of Hosea has its New Testament counterpart in the great Lover of souls Who, "having loved his own, loved them unto the end," John 13:1.
- The day of blood and darkness in Joel has its New Testament counterpart in the darkness of the crucifixion. "From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And the earth did quake, and the rocks rent." Matthew 27:45 and 51.
- The mountains which drop sweet wine in Amos have their New Testament counterpart when we come to the "Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things that that of Abel," Hebrews 12:22-24.
- The deliverance of Obadiah has its New Testament counterpart in the great gospel deliverance. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." Romans 5:8, 9.
- The question of Micah, "Is the spirit of the Lord straitened?" has its New Testament counterpart in the exclamation of Christ, "But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" Luke 12:50.
- The gazing stock of Nahum has its New Testament counterpart in the uplifted Christ. "And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned." Luke 23:48.
- The victory of God in Habakkuk has its New Testament counterpart in the victory of the Cross. "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:15.
- The Lord's sacrifice in Zephaniah has its New Testament counterpart in "the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God," Hebrews 9:14.
- Zerubbabel in Haggai has his New Testament in the Lord of glory, "which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory," 1 Corinthians 2:8.
- The smitten shepherd in Zechariah has his New Testament counterpart in the One who "by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh," (Ephesians 2:16, 17).
The common denominator of all this tremendous testimony of the typical and prophetical descriptions of Christ's sufferings and their actual fulfillment, is the blood. To reject the atoning Blood is to reject the vicarious sufferings of the Incarnate Son of God and to reject these sufferings is to leave mankind hopelessly stranded in the fogs of rationalism and irretrievably wrecked on the reefs of infidelity.
Therefore, I believe in the Atoning Blood of Christ because that Blood lies at the heart of all the sufferings of Christ.
- Abel's blood in Genesis has its New Testament counterpart in "the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel," Hebrews 12:24.
- The passover in Exodus has its New Testament counterpart in "Christ our passover sacrificed for us," 1 Corinthians 5:7.
- The sin offering in Leviticus has its New Testament counterpart in the One "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree," 1 Peter 2:24.
- The red heifer which was offered outside the camp in Numbers has its New Testament counterpart in "Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate," Hebrews 13:12.
- The chosen place of sacrifice in Deuteronomy has its New Testament counterpart in "the place which is called Calvary," Luke 23:33.
- The scarlet thread from the harlot's house in Joshua has its New Testament counterpart in the Corinthians, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
- The peace-offering in Judges has its New Testament counterpart in Christ who "made peace for us through the blood of his cross," Colossians 1:20.
- The redemption in Ruth has its New Testament counterpart in "redemption through his (Christ's) blood, even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace," Ephesians 1:7.
- The suckling lamb sacrificed in Samuel has its New Testament counterpart in "The Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world," John 1:29.
- The many offerings in Kings have their New Testament counterpart in "Christ once offered to bear the sins of many," Hebrews 9:28.
- The altar in Ornan's threshing floor in Chronicles has its New Testament counterpart in the "altar whereof they have no right to eat which serve the Tabernacle," Hebrews 13:10.
- The continual offerings in Ezra have their New Testament counterpart in the "one sacrifice for sins forever," Hebrews 10:12.
- The cleansing in Nehemiah has its New Testament counterpart in "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin," 1 John 1:7.
- The lesson of Esther has its New Testament counterpart in the life of the One, "Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God," Hebrews 12:2.
- The intense sufferings of forsaken Job has its New Testament counterpart in the more intense sufferings of Job's Redeemer who cried out on the bloody tree, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46. The anticipations in the Psalms have their New Testament counterpart in the propitiation of the Cross. "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2.
- The wisdom of the Proverbs has its New Testament counterpart in the wisdom of the Cross. "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." 1 Corinthians 1:22-24.
- The preaching of Ecclesiastes has its New Testament counterpart in "the preaching of the cross." "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." 1 Corinthians 1:18 and 21.
- The bride in the Song of Solomon has her New Testament counterpart in the Church. "As Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:25-27.
- The sacrificial predictions of Isaiah have their New Testament counterpart at the Cross. "And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst." John 19:16-18.
- The outpoured wrath of God in Jeremiah has its New Testament counterpart in Christ crucified "which delivered us from the wrath to come," 1 Thessalonians 1:10.
- The sorrow of Lamentations has its New Testament counterpart in the Passion of the Christ Who exclaimed, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death," Matthew 26:38.
- The vision of Ezekiel has its New Testament counterpart in the apocalyptic vision, "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth," Revelation 5:6.
- The great prince of Daniel has its New Testament counterpart in "Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen," Revelation 1:5, 6.
- The love of Hosea has its New Testament counterpart in the great Lover of souls Who, "having loved his own, loved them unto the end," John 13:1.
- The day of blood and darkness in Joel has its New Testament counterpart in the darkness of the crucifixion. "From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And the earth did quake, and the rocks rent." Matthew 27:45 and 51.
- The mountains which drop sweet wine in Amos have their New Testament counterpart when we come to the "Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things that that of Abel," Hebrews 12:22-24.
- The deliverance of Obadiah has its New Testament counterpart in the great gospel deliverance. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." Romans 5:8, 9.
- The question of Micah, "Is the spirit of the Lord straitened?" has its New Testament counterpart in the exclamation of Christ, "But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" Luke 12:50.
- The gazing stock of Nahum has its New Testament counterpart in the uplifted Christ. "And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned." Luke 23:48.
- The victory of God in Habakkuk has its New Testament counterpart in the victory of the Cross. "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:15.
- The Lord's sacrifice in Zephaniah has its New Testament counterpart in "the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God," Hebrews 9:14.
- Zerubbabel in Haggai has his New Testament in the Lord of glory, "which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory," 1 Corinthians 2:8.
- The smitten shepherd in Zechariah has his New Testament counterpart in the One who "by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh," (Ephesians 2:16, 17).
The common denominator of all this tremendous testimony of the typical and prophetical descriptions of Christ's sufferings and their actual fulfillment, is the blood. To reject the atoning Blood is to reject the vicarious sufferings of the Incarnate Son of God and to reject these sufferings is to leave mankind hopelessly stranded in the fogs of rationalism and irretrievably wrecked on the reefs of infidelity.
Therefore, I believe in the Atoning Blood of Christ because that Blood lies at the heart of all the sufferings of Christ.
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