INTRODUCTION.

THE RESPONSIBLE AGENT.

IDENTIFICATION OF THE SCAPEGOAT.

THE ATONEMENT.

SATAN DOES NOT BEAR UNCONFESSED SINS.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

 

In Leviticus, Chapter 16, in particular, verses 7-8, we have listed “two goats.” One is “for the LORD” and one will be “the Scapegoat.” We can understand Christ as representing the Lord’s goat and bearing our sins.  But how is it that the “Scapegoat,” being also without blemish, is to bear sins?

 

According to Leviticus 1:10 and Deuteronomy 17:1 and First Peter 1:19, the animal that was to be sacrificed was to be “without blemish and without spot.” The fact that “lots” were “cast,” Leviticus 16:8, lets us know that each goat was without spot; for the lot could fall upon either one and it would be acceptable before the Lord.  There would be no need for the casting of lots if one had a blemish.

 

 

THE RESPONSIBLE AGENT

 

 

When considering Satan’s sin, let’s go to Matthew 18:7: “Woe unto the world because of offences!  For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” In other words, whomsoever causes one to sin, it is worse for him.  Luke puts it this way in 17:1: “Then said He unto the disciples, It is impossible but the offences will come:  but woe unto him, through whom they come!”

 

Second Corinthians 4:4 teaches us that Satan “blinded the minds” of those who refused to believe.  He thus, will be responsible for their sins.  Compared to Ephesians 2:2, believers who were once in this group, are now free from Satan’s deceptions.  Plus, “the spirit [Satan] that now worketh in” the disobedient, will once again be responsible for their sins.  And Isaiah 14:16-17 tells us that once Satan has them in his grasp, he does not let them go easily.

 

However, consider that the wicked will also be responsible for their own sins, even though or if another helped them to commit the sin[s].  This is played out from the very beginning.  In Genesis 3:13-14, we see that Satan tempted Eve.  And Eve fell into the temptation.  Both parties are guilty. “And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the Commandments of the LORD; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.” Leviticus 5:17. Also, “Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.” Leviticus 24:15. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:20. “Because they. . . caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity. . . they shall bear their iniquity.” Ezekiel 44:12. “The wags of [the individuals] sin is death.” Romans 6:23.

 

 

IDENTIFICATION OF THE SCAPEGOAT

 

 

Again, in Leviticus, Chapter 16, in particular, verses 7-8, we have listed “two goats.” One is “for the LORD” and one will be “the Scapegoat.”

 

Verse Nine becomes very important.  The “LORD’S” goat will be “offered” as “a sin offering.” It is very clear Biblically that Christ bears all the obedient believer’s sins (Isa. 53:5 & 12; 2Co. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; Heb. 9:28; 1Pe. 2:24).  And in Leviticus 16:15, it teaches us that in bearing the faithful’s confessed sins, Christ will die for those redeemed.  While Leviticus 16:16, teaching us that this is a type of “atonement.”

 

By contrast, the Scapegoat is “to make an atonement,” Leviticus 16:10, for confessed sins.   And Leviticus 16:21, teaches us that “Aaron [representing Christ] shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat [Scapegoat; representing Satan], and confess over him all the iniquities of the children.” In other words, Christ transfers all of the confessed sins of believers, to, or upon, the head of Satan; who is the real representative of the Scapegoat.

 

As pointed out, Satan will die for his sins and all the sins which he inspired anyone else to commit.  According to First John 1:7, Christ’s blood “cleanseth us [believers] from all sin.” See also First Corinthians 15:3.  And Hebrews 9:22 teaches us that “without [the] shedding of blood [there] is no remission [of sin].”

 

In Leviticus 16:8, the Hebrew for “Scapegoat” is “H5799; Azazel,” and in Jewish thought is “a demon or evil spirit.” In particular, Satan.  And in Psalm 7:15 we learn that “He [Satan] made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.” Isaiah 14:15 confirms that this “pit” which Satan made is “hell.” Also, Psalm 7:16 tells us that, “His [Satan’s] mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own” head.

 

Eventually, Satan’s “head” Genesis 3:15, will be cast “into the lake of fire and brimstone,” Revelation 20:10, which “is the second [eternal] death.” Revelation 20:15.  Because “sin shall not rise [up] a second time,” Nahum 1:9.  Hence, Christ will “put away sin [forever] by the sacrifice of Himself,” Hebrews 9:26.

 

But again, how is it that the Scapegoat, that is “without spot or blemish,” is representative of Satan?  Ezekiel 28:15 teaches us that Satan originally “wast perfect in thy ways.” The Hebrew word for “perfect” used here as applying to Satan before his fall is “H8549; tamim,” meaning, “without blemish,” as used in Leviticus 22:19.

 

According to First Peter 1:19-20, Christ “was foreordained before the foundation of the world” to be a sacrifice for the believer’s sins.  So we see that Jesus was first chosen before any sins had been committed.  Compare with Revelation 13:8.  In other words, Christ was considered slain before sins were committed, because God knew the future and needed a plan of redemption for when that would occur.  This is spelled out and understood in Romans 4:17.

 

Looking back at Satan, in the beginning he was “perfect,” Ezekiel 28:15.  And according to John 8:44 and First John 3:8, sin originated with him.  Looking more closely at John 8:44, when was Satan “a murderer from the beginning?” Who did he “murder?” The answer is in the verse.  When he “abode not in the truth.” In other words, he not only “murdered” himself, he “murdered” Christ

 

Therefore, our God, knowing the future events before they would take place, established Christ as the believer’s sin bearer and Satan as the one whom would receive upon his head (Gen. 3:15) the confessed sins of believers, all established before the fall of Satan.

 

 

THE ATONEMENT

 

 

A correct understanding of the “Atonement” would be in order hear.  Simply put, Christ takes upon Himself the confessed sins of the righteous (see above) and then those sins are transferred to Satan.  The ungodly bear their own sins as will be clearly shown below.

 

According to the Book of Leviticus, when the Priest puts his hand upon the “head” of the sin offering, he is in symbolism representing the transferring of sin from the Priest [in symbolism Christ] upon the “head” of the offering [in symbolism Satan].  See Leviticus 1:4; 3:2 & 8 & 13; 4:4 & 15 & 24 & 29 & 33; 8:14 & 18 & 22; 16:21; 24:14.

 

But notice something very important here.  The Lord’s goat is sacrificed for sin.  By contrast, the Scapegoat is NOT sacrificed for sin, but is lead out into the wilderness (Lev. 16:10) to die for confessed sins that were placed upon it.  Satan dies as a result of being the originator of sin and drawing others with him.

 

 

SATAN DOES NOT BEAR UNCONFESSED SINS

 

 

Joshua 2:19: “And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if anyhand be upon him.”

 

First Samuel 25:39: “. . .for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head.”

 

First Kings 2:32: “And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword.”

 

First Kings 2:37: “For it shall be, that on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.”

 

First Kings 2:44: “The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head.”

 

Second Chronicles 6:23: “Then hear Thou from Heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head.”

 

Nehemiah 4:4: “Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity.”

 

Esther 9:25: “But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.”

 

Psalm 7:13 & 15-16: [13] He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; He ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. [15] He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. [16] His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate [Hebrew, “H6936; scalp,” meaning, “head”].”

 

Proverbs 25:22: “For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.”

 

Ezekiel 7:3 & 8: “[3] Now is the end come upon thee, and I will send Mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense upon thee all thine abominations. [8] Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and will recompense thee for all thine abominations.”

 

Ezekiel 9:10: “And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head.”

 

Ezekiel 11:21: “But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD.”

 

Ezekiel 16:43: “Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted Me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.”

 

Ezekiel 22:31: “Therefore have I poured out Mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath:  their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.”

 

Ezekiel 33:4: “. . .his blood shall be upon his own head.”

 

Ezekiel 44:12: “Because they ministered unto them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.”  Translation!  If you cause somebody to sin, you “shall bear their iniquity.”

 

Obadiah 1:15: “For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen:  as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee:  thy reward shall return upon thine own head.”

 

Joel 3:4: “Yea, and what have ye to do with Me, O Tyre [Hebrew H6865, the same personage, the same code name for Satan, as in Eze. 28:12], and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render Me a recompence? and if ye recompense Me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head.”

 

Matthew 18:6-7: “[6] But whoso shall offend [Greek G4624, “causes one to sin; entices one to sin”] one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. [7] . . .but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”

 

Mark 9:42: “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.”

 

Luke 17:1-2: [1] Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! [2] It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”