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Everlasting Covenant of Blood
Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham'Blood is thicker than water' indicates that ties to the family come before any other alliances. Yet the 'blood' could also refer to the sealing of a covenant.
Passover and the Blood of Jesus Christ
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeChrist's blood does much more than remit sin; it gives eternal life. The Passover wine represents the blood of the covenant, by which we are made complete.
The Talking Blood (1994)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe blood of Jesus Christ stands as a profound witness, bearing testimony to His identity and purpose. As stated in I John 5:6 and 5:8, He came by water and blood, and alongside the Spirit and water, the blood agrees as one in affirming the truth of His mission. This blood, shed in His violent death on the stake, marks the culmination of His work to pay for the sins of the world, a significant event that declares, "It is finished." Throughout Scripture, blood emerges as a central symbol, appearing 427 times to underscore the gravity of sin and its consequence—death. It is through blood that atonement is made, a concept rooted in the idea that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. Leviticus 17:11 emphasizes that the life of the flesh is in the blood, given upon the altar to atone for souls, affirming that only blood can cover sin. Hebrews 9:22 reinforces this, noting that under the law, almost all things are purified with blood, and without it, there is no forgiveness. The blood of Jesus speaks, as Hebrews 12:24 describes, offering something better than vengeance. Unlike Abel's blood, which cried out for retribution, His blood speaks of mercy and a superior way of atonement, surpassing the blood of bulls and goats. Isaiah 1:18 illustrates this transformative power, promising that though sins are scarlet, they shall be white as snow when covered by His blood. This atonement, derived from the Hebrew word "kaphar" meaning to cover or shelter, signifies reconciliation and cleansing, as seen in Genesis 6:14 where Noah covered the ark with pitch to protect against judgment. In Matthew 26:27-28, Jesus declares the cup as His blood of the new covenant, shed for many for the remission of sins. Acts 20:28 further reveals that God purchased the church with His own blood, highlighting the immense cost of redemption. Romans 3:23-25 speaks of justification through His blood by faith, demonstrating God's righteousness in passing over sins. I John 2:2 and 1:7 present Jesus Himself as the propitiation for sins, His blood continuously cleansing those who walk in the light, not just as a past act but as an ongoing process. This blood serves as a constant rebuke to the human tendency to minimize sin. It shocks the conscience, revealing the seriousness of sin through the horrific crucifixion of God's innocent Son. Forgiveness, therefore, is not casual but comes at a tremendous sacrifice, as God's justice must be satisfied alongside the sinner's repentance. The blood's testimony is clear: without it, there is no appeasing God's righteousness, no covering for sins, no reconciliation, no redemption, and no hope.
The Talking Blood (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The symbolism of blood holds profound significance within the biblical narrative, serving as a vital element in understanding God's purpose for humanity. Blood figuratively speaks in several places in the Bible, and God hears and interprets its message as a teaching lesson for our benefit, though the benefit is not always immediately obvious. On occasions when blood speaks, it reveals its biblical prominence and immense importance to us. In I John 5:6-9, the apostle John describes blood as a living witness to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Blood, alongside water and the Holy Spirit, bears testimony to His work, specifically referring to His bloody death on the stake to pay for the sins of the world. These elements are not mere events but are expressed as significant witnesses because the Person at the center is the Creator God, and it was His blood that was shed. Their testimony converges upon one truth: that Jesus Christ, the Creator God, came in the flesh, and through Him, we have life—not just any life, but eternal life. Blood is portrayed as a constant witness, always in the present tense for us, as if God ensures we never forget that the blood of His Son was shed so we can live. The Bible itself is likened to a living book, with a red ribbon running through it from Genesis to Revelation, symbolizing that blood is central to the movement of the story. Figuratively, if one cuts the Bible anywhere, it bleeds, underscoring the importance of blood to life and the narrative of salvation. Research indicates that blood is referenced 427 times in Scripture in relation to atonement, emphasizing the principle that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins, no covering or blotting out of transgressions. This repetition—61 times the number seven, a figure of perfection—highlights God's seriousness about sin and its consequence, death, as the only means by which sin can be atoned for. Through this, God hammers into our consciousness the gravity of sin and the sacrificial love demonstrated by His Son's death.
The Talking Blood (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God the Father does not take the minimization of His Son's sacrifice lightly, as some Protestant theologians imply with their cheap grace doctrine.
Why Two Goats on Atonement? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIn Israel, sins were symbolically placed on the altar throughout the year. On Yom Kippur, one goat's blood cleansed the altar; the second took away the sins.
Are You Drinking of the Master's Cup?
Article by StaffWhen we partake of the cup of wine at Passover, we usually think of Christ's blood shed for sins. However, the cup and its contents have another meaning for us.
Why Did Jesus Have to Die by Crucifixion?
'Ready Answer' by StaffCrucifixion is man's most cruel form of punishment. Why did Jesus need to die this way? What does it teach us? And was Jesus stabbed before or after He died?
What is Atonement?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Man's estrangement from God is wholly man's fault. Atonement denotes the way harmony is achieved, making the entire world at one or reconciled with God.
Purge Me With Hyssop
Article by StaffThe Bible frequently uses the hyssop plant as a symbol of cleansing and purification. In relation to Christ's sacrifice, this herb has a connection to the Passover.
Why Two Goats on Atonement? (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIn the Day of Atonement ritual, the first goat's blood cleansed the altar of sin while the azazel goat took them away. Christ fulfilled both roles.
How Did They Overcome? (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe blood of the Lamb grants us eternal life, as well as entrance to the Holy of Holies, enabling us to come before the throne of the Most High God.
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Four)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughJohn 6 has always been a difficult chapter to explain. However, Jesus' teaching is clear. Here is what it means to us.