Yes, atonement is vitally important because it is God's sole means of providing protection from judgment and securing salvation for believers.
According to Les Feldick, atonement is central because it demonstrates that only through blood—specifically Christ's blood—can redemption occur. The Passover and Noah's ark illustrate how atonement seals believers from divine judgment, offering complete safety. This protection is not earned but is received through faith.
Romans 3:25 — Paul states that God set forth Christ as a propitiation through faith in His blood, which is the core of atonement.
The Bible reveals that atonement is God's appointed means for dealing with sin and providing redemption. In the Old Testament, the Passover lamb's blood protected the Israelites from the death angel in Egypt (Exodus 12). Similarly, the Day of Atonement involved offering animal blood on the mercy seat, yet this could not actually take away sins—it only covered them temporarily (Leviticus 16; Hebrews 10:4). The New Testament proclaims that Christ became the propitiation for sins through faith in His blood, fulfilling what the Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowed (Romans 3:25). This shows that atonement is essential because without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin (Hebrews 9:22).
Les Feldick explains that atonement is a crucial biblical theme because it represents God's protection from judgment and the security of believers. He draws parallels between the Passover in Egypt, where the blood on the doorposts kept the death angel from the Jewish families, and the blood of Christ, which protects believers from judgment. Furthermore, he uses Noah's ark as an illustration: the pitch that sealed the ark kept the waters of judgment out, just as Christ's blood seals believers from spiritual judgment. Les also clarifies that the Old Testament 'atonement' was actually a covering, not a true removal of sin. Animal sacrifices could only sweep sins under the rug, waiting for the true atonement of Christ's death. Once Christ died, all Old Testament believers' sins were finally atoned for, allowing them to enter glory.
Les Feldick teaches that the Passover in Egypt is a vivid picture of atonement. The blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts guaranteed that the death angel would pass over that home, protecting the family inside. This shows that the blood is what provides safety from judgment, and it is the same for believers today: faith in the blood of Christ secures them from God's judgment.
Les Feldick points out that the pitch covering Noah's ark sealed out the floodwaters of judgment, making the ark a place of safety. Just as the pitch kept water out, the blood of Christ seals believers from spiritual judgment. This illustrates that atonement is not just about forgiveness but about being securely protected from divine wrath.
Les explains that the Old Testament Day of Atonement was misnamed. The Hebrew word 'Kephar' meant to cover, not to remove sin. Animal blood could not actually take away sin, so sins were only covered until Christ's perfect sacrifice. This shows that true atonement required a divine sacrifice, fulfilled in Christ.
Blood as the Only Means of Redemption
Les uses Romans 3:25 to show that faith in Christ's blood is the only way to experience redemption, just as the blood of the Passover lamb secured safety in Egypt.
Pitch as Atonement Sealing Out Judgment
Les connects the pitch of Noah's ark to atonement, showing that it sealed out the waters of judgment, just as Christ's blood secures believers from all judgment.
Old Testament Atonement Was a Covering
Les explains that Old Testament atonement was not effective to remove sins; it only covered them until Christ's true atonement.
Covering vs. Removal of Sin
Les emphasizes that animal blood only covered sin, not removed it, and that Old Testament believers waited for the final atonement of the cross.
Christ's Blood Makes Salvation Secure
Les teaches that the blood of Christ, like the pitch on the ark, makes salvation secure and without it there is no salvation.
The Blood Guarantees Protection
Les stresses that the blood on the doorposts guaranteed the death angel would pass over, and that blood is essential for protection from judgment.
Yom Kippur as a Better Name
Les shows that 'Day of Atonement' is a misnomer because animal blood could not take away sin; the more accurate term is 'covering.'
Atonement as Safety in the Ark
Les explains that the pitch sealed the ark against the waters of judgment, picturing how Christ's atonement keeps believers safe from judgment.
Romans 3:25: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Paul shows that Christ is the propitiation through faith in His blood, which is central to atonement.
Exodus 12:7: And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
The blood on the doorposts was the means of protection from the death angel, illustrating atonement.
Leviticus 16:30: For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
This describes the Day of Atonement, though Les notes it only covered sins.
Hebrews 9:22: And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
This emphasizes that blood is essential for forgiveness, tying to the importance of atonement.
Atonement literally means 'at-one-ment', but Les Feldick explains that in the Old Testament it was actually a covering, not a true removal of sin. True atonement only came through Christ's blood, which takes away sin completely.
Les Feldick teaches that God has always demanded a blood sacrifice for the remission of sin. Without the shedding of blood, there is no redemption. Christ's blood is the only thing that can purchase mankind's redemption.
The Passover lamb's blood on the doorposts protected the Israelites from the death angel. This pictures how the blood of Christ protects believers from God's judgment, giving them safety and security.
The pitch sealed the ark against the floodwaters of judgment, keeping Noah and his family safe. Likewise, Christ's blood atones for sin and seals believers from spiritual judgment.
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