Why did blood have to be shed for the remission of sin?
Because the life of the flesh is in the blood, and it was death for life. God gave blood upon the altar to make atonement for souls. Blood had to be shed and applied—sprinkled on the altar and Mercy Seat—to make atonement, as Leviticus 17 declares.
Les teaches that the reason blood had to be shed is that the life of the flesh is in the blood. Leviticus 17 says God would set His face against anyone who ate blood, because blood represents life. The blood had to be sacrificed for the remission of sin—it was death for life. God gave the blood upon the altar to make atonement for souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. Les further explains that blood had to be applied: in Old Testament sacrifices it was sprinkled on the altar, on the Ark of the Covenant, the Mercy Seat, and Christ also presented His blood in heaven. So even under grace, God still demands that we do not partake of these things.
For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
More Questions
What had to be done with the blood for it to become an efficacious atonement for sin?
For blood to become an efficacious atonement for sin, it had to be applied—sprinkled on the altar, on the Ark of the Covenant, and on the Mercy Seat—and Christ also had to present His blood in heaven.