Christ in all the scriptures The Law of the offerings

 Christ in all the scriptures

The Law of the burnt offering  Leviticus 6v8-13

"The fire shall ever be burning on the altar; it shall never go out" 

We remind ourselves that all the offerings are symbolic of the one offering of Christ once for all-Hebrews 10v10v12v14

The burnt offering was the primary offering, upon which all the other offerings were placed; without this the others would be meaningless.  It is that aspect of the sacrifice which satisfied all the demands of God, leading to the reconciliation of man.  In the burnt offering Christ gave Himself totally to God (all on the altar-Leviticus 1v9-refer Exodus 29v18).  The other offerings simply enhanced the flame that continually ascended to God.  From this flows all the blessings to us.  The law of the burnt offering was the instruction to the operating priest to carry out the procedure precisely.  God is not only concerned with what is done, but how it is done.  The death of Christ was primarily for God, and thus we are the beneficiaries.  The law of the offering was precise: the priest must be properly clad, and remain with the offering the whole time.  The fire must be kept burning continually, three times this is repeated in the verses (6v9, 6v12, 6v13).  Emphatically, the fire must never go out.  According to Leviticus 9v24, the fire was initially kindled by a bolt from heaven, and it was never to be extinguished even throughout all their journeys.  The fire that God kindled on the death of His Son will never be extinguished!  God's fire from heaven upon a sacrifice symbolised His unreserved acceptance and delight (refer 1st Kings 18, particularly v38-39, the story of the exoneration of Elijah on Mount Carmel in opposition to the 450 prophets of Baal).  The fire of the Lord fell and consumed the sacrifice on Elijah's altar, signifying the Lord's approval and acceptance.  The same fire fell on the first burnt offering in Leviticus 9v24, "And there came a fire out from before the Lord and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces".   The whole congregation knew that this was God's approval of the sacrifice, and that they were now in tune with the Almighty.  This fire which fell on the first offering must never be extinguished, for all other fire would be classed as "strange fire", and not of God (refer Leviticus 10 v1-2).  The ashes that resulted from the flame of the altar had to be taken outside the camp to a clean place by a priest with changed clothes.  The fire speaks of the death of Christ, the ashes of His burial, which was done in "a new sepulchre wherein was never man yet laid"-John 19v41.  The symbolism of His death and burial is perfect, and God declared His approval in His resurrection three days later. 

God has enthroned Christ to the highest place of judicial authority, thus proclaiming His sacrifice accepted for the sanctification of man.  As a result of this, the flame will never go out, the abiding value of the sacrifice will rise continually to God as a sweet savour.  The scriptures are emphatic that God's acceptance of a perfect work will have eternal benefits.

As a result of the unreserved offering of Christ the flame will rise continually.  In the words of the hymn, "Thy praise shall never, never fail, throughout eternity!"; or, "To Him shall endless prayer be made, and endless blessings crown Hus head-inspired by Psalm 72v15, "...daily shall He be praised!"

Psalm 41v13 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting.  Amen, and Amen"

Psalm 72v19 "And blessed be His glorious name forever, and let the whole earth be filled with His glory; Amen and Amen".

Psalm 89v52 "Blessed be the Lord for ever more.  Amen and Amen".

Psalm 106v48 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord"

Psalm 150v6 "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.  Praise ye the Lord".

THE NEW TESTAMENT ALSO CONTRIBUTES....

Matthew 6v13 "...for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever, Amen".

Romans 1v25 "...the Creator who is blessed for ever, Amen".

Romans 9v5-6 "Who are the Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is over all God blessed for ever".

Romans 11v36 "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever.  Amen.

Romans 16v27 " To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever.  Amen".

2nd Corinthians 11v31 "The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which is blessed for evermore..."

 Ephesians 3v21 "Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.  Amen".

Philippians 4v20 "Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever.  Amen".

1st Timothy 1v17 "Now unto the King, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory forever and ever.  Amen".

2nd Timothy 4v18 "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me until His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever.  Amen".

Hebrews 13v21  "Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen".

1st Peter 4v11 "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen".

1st Peter 5v11 "To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen".

2nd Peter 3v18 "But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  To Him be glory both now and for ever.  Amen".

Jude 1v25 "To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.  Amen".

Revelation 1v5-6 "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 5v13 "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever".

Revelation 7v11-12 "And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto God for ever and ever.  Amen".

The Greek Phrase, eis tous aionos ton aionon (for ever and ever-unto the ages of the ages) describing the endless ages of eternity, depict the endless blessing of Christ's cross work in three hours during indescribable darkness, when Christ offered Himself without spot to God.

The fire shall never go out!!

The sacrifice is over; there is no more offering for sin, but the blessings are for ever.