Jesus is Coming Again - Leviticus 1-3 and Matthew 42:1-28
As soon as the Tabernacle was completed, God spoke to Moses and instructed him about the proper ways to worship God through sacrifices. Each of these sacrifices pointed to Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice for our sins, once for all. The animal had to be without blemish, because Jesus never sinned. The offering was given as a freewill offering of each person, since each of us has to come to Christ freely. The offering was for the atonement of sin, as was the death of Jesus. The blood was the focal point, since it was needed to forgive sin. Jesus' blood is the only thing that can completely cleanse us from sin. There was never any leaven in the grain offerings, since leaven symbolized sin, but there was always salt to show the preservation of the covenant with God. What a detailed picture of how to do the sacrifices in God's house and what a wonderful picture of Jesus. Each sacrifice was a soothing aroma to God, because He loves to have His children worship Him according to His will.
However, in Matthew 24 we read that the Temple, God's house, would be destroyed, so the animal sacrifices would cease. Now, we know that this happened in AD 70. Jesus was telling His disciples what would happen in the future. He told them that they would be persecuted. Then, a terrible time in history would come. This time of tribulation will be so bad that everyone on earth would die if it had not been shortened. It will come right before Jesus returns to the earth Himself. We need to be ready for this Day. We need to know Christ, follow Him, and faithfully keep His commands until we see Him. When will this all take place? No one knows the time, but we can see the signs that tell us it is getting closer all of the time. I pray that Jesus will find us being faithful if He comes in our lifetime.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 4-5 and Matthew 24:29-51.
However, in Matthew 24 we read that the Temple, God's house, would be destroyed, so the animal sacrifices would cease. Now, we know that this happened in AD 70. Jesus was telling His disciples what would happen in the future. He told them that they would be persecuted. Then, a terrible time in history would come. This time of tribulation will be so bad that everyone on earth would die if it had not been shortened. It will come right before Jesus returns to the earth Himself. We need to be ready for this Day. We need to know Christ, follow Him, and faithfully keep His commands until we see Him. When will this all take place? No one knows the time, but we can see the signs that tell us it is getting closer all of the time. I pray that Jesus will find us being faithful if He comes in our lifetime.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 4-5 and Matthew 24:29-51.