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Does Israel's Creator Require Blood To Atone For Sin?

 

Does Israel's Creator Require Blood To Atone For Sin?
What exactly does the CREATOR require of us to atone for our sin?

(Hebrews 9:22)[1] (ESV) Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

The central theme of 'Christianity' and the [New Testament]™ is the sacrificial offering of the blood of 'Jesus Christ' as atonement for the sins of the entire world. They say, "The blood of 'Jesus' was shed in our stead, and is the only means of obtaining atonement for our sins". Is this claim truly consistent with The Holy Scriptures [OT, or Torah]?

'Christianity claims, that the absolute need for blood for the atonement of sin, is rooted in the Law of Moses [the Torah]. Traditionally they will often cite the book of Leviticus as proof:

(Leviticus 17:10-11) (KJV) ¹⁰And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among you, who consumes any blood, I will set My face against that person who consumes blood, and will cut him off from among his people. ¹¹For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul. Therefore, I say to the children of Israel, 'No one among you shall consume blood, nor shall any stranger who sojourns among you consume blood.

What should be immediately apparent here, is that this passage is concerned first and foremost with the prohibition against consuming blood. The subject of atonement is secondary. We are told that the reason for this prohibition is that the blood contains the life or vitality of the animal[2].

Another reason is that consuming blood[3], was a very important part of the idolatrous religious practices of the people and nations surrounding Israel. Israel was clearly instructed by The Holy One of Israel through Moses not to imitate this abhorrent pagan practice in any manner[4].

Since this passage is predominately concerned with the prohibition against consuming blood, we must look elsewhere in The Holy Scriptures for instructions concerning atonement for sins. This passage in Leviticus will become clearer later on. The passage does say that since blood symbolizes the life of the animal, it can be used as a means of atoning for our sins. It does not say, however, that blood is the only means of atoning for sins. Indeed, The Holy Scriptures tell us of several other things that can be used instead of the blood of a sacrificial ram or bullock.

Other Means of Atonement.

(Numbers 16:46-47) (KJV) ⁴⁶And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from [YHWH]; the plague is begun. ⁴⁷And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.

Here, incense can be used to atone for sins in the same manner as the blood sacrifices of animals. Notice what else could be used in place of blood:

(Exodus 30:15-16) (KJV) ¹⁵The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto [YHWH], to make an atonement for your souls. ¹⁶And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before [YHWH], to make an atonement for your souls.

The phrase "to make atonement for your souls" in these verses is the same expression as in (Leviticus 17:11):

(Numbers 31:50) (KJV) We have therefore brought an oblation[5] for [YHWH], what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before [YHWH].

In these passages, money could be used to make atonement for the children of Israel. The principle here is not that atonement can be bought [this was the practice of the great universal church whose priests routinely sold forgiveness]. Rather, this is about doing charitable things with money. In this case, the money was to be used for the physical maintenance of the temple building.

Does Blood Cover All Sins?

According to The Holy Scriptures, blood sacrifices held only limited atonement capabilities. Foremost among it's limitations was that blood sacrifices were only brought for unintentional sins. If a person committed some sin out of ignorance, such as doing work on the Sabbath when perhaps they mistakenly thought it was Sunday, then atonement could be made through a sacrificial sin offering. Sacrifices did not help to atone for sins that were done intentionally. Notice the instructions to the priests concerning this:

(Leviticus 4:1-7) (KJV) ¹And [YHWH] spake unto Moses, saying, ²Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of [YHWH] concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them: ³If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto [YHWH] for a sin offering. ⁴And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before [YHWH]; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before [YHWH]. ⁵And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation: ⁶And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before [YHWH], before the veil of the sanctuary. ⁷And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before [YHWH], which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

The claim that, only blood could atone for sins raises many questions. What happens if someone could not afford to purchase a ram or bullock for his sin offering? Is it possible that a loving CREATOR would institute a system of atonement that could only be used by the wealthy?

(Leviticus 5:7) (KJV) And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto [YHWH]; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.

So, if a person could not afford the sacrificial ram or bullock for a sin offering, certain types of small birds could be used instead. However, what if someone was so destitute, that he couldn't afford even these small birds?

(Leviticus 5:11) (KJV) But if his means are insufficient for two turtledoves or two young pigeons, then for his offering for that which he has sinned, he shall bring the tenth of an ephah[6] of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall not put oil on it or place incense on it, for it is a sin offering.

This is very interesting, and seriously damaging to the 'christian' doctrine that without a blood sacrifice, there is no forgiveness. If birds could not be afforded, some simple flour could be used instead and would be just as effective in the eyes of Israel's CREATOR. The scriptures are quite clear on this. Since flour could be used for a sin offering, it is evident that blood is not the sole means of atonement. The 'christian' position that, only the shed blood of 'Jesus' could atone for our sins, is falling by the wayside faster than an anchor falls from a ship, in light of what The Holy Scriptures just stated. Considering the fact that he claimed he only spoke what his father told him to speak, and so knowing all the above, you have to wonder why 'Jesus' would commit suicide sacrifice himself for anyone in the first place. Perhaps his father is not who he would have us believe he is.

What if there was no Temple or Aaronic Priesthood?

While the Temple stood, it is without question that sacrifices served as part of the atonement process. What, though, was to be the fate of the people who did not have access to the Temple? What were the Israelite people supposed to do after 586 BCE when the first Temple was destroyed and they were exiled to Babylon? What did the Jewish people do in the times of the Maccabees when the Syrian-Greeks were in control of the Temple and did not allow sacrifices?

After king Solomon completed the spectacular temple building in Jerusalem, he dedicated it with a very moving speech. This lengthy and very beautiful speech can be read in the books of (1 Kings 8) and (2 Chronicles 6). Notice, however, that Solomon doesn't speak about sacrifices at all! If sacrifices were the focal point of the temple, this omission would be very curious. Rather, the focus of the Temple was shown to be the Ark, containing the Laws which our CREATOR wanted us to live by. The Temple was first and foremost a symbol of the Shekinah, or presence of The Holy One of Israel.

(1 Kings 8:13) (KJV) I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.

(Exodus 25:8) (KJV) And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

Toward the end of the speech, Solomon addresses the subject of the Israelite people being denied access to the temple:

(1 Kings 8:48-50) (WEB) ⁴⁸if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies, who carried them captive, and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city which you have chosen, and the house which I have built for your name; ⁴⁹then hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven, your dwelling place, and maintain their cause; ⁵⁰and forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions in which they have transgressed against you; and give them compassion before those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them.

This passage helps us understand (Leviticus 17:11) properly. The Holy Scriptures clearly teaches that, blood sacrifices were not necessary in order to atone for sins. Prayer and repentance are shown to be the effective means of atonement. Certainly, when the Temple stood, and if one could afford an animal, a sacrifice was brought as part of the atonement process for unintentional sins. What (Leviticus 17:11) teaches us is that when we bring such an animal as a sacrifice, we are not allowed to consume its blood, because as the life force, it is the part of the animal that affects our atonement. In addition, we were not to consume the blood because this was the practice of the pagan people who worshipped the 'sun-god, baal'.

Was 'Jesus' an Acceptable Sacrifice?

Another focal point of the [New Testament]™ is the 'christian' claim that, the crucifixion of 'Jesus' served as the final atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. However, if the sacrificial instructions set forth by the Law of Moses are examined closely, and you see the guidelines set forth for how sacrifices are to be brought, it will be clear that 'Jesus' could never serve as an atoning sacrifice. Clearly, not just any blood shed in any manner would satisfy the biblical requirements for atonement. Notice the instructions set forth in the Torah concerning sacrifices:

(Leviticus 17:11) (KJV) 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.

Notice that the blood of the acceptable sacrifice, was to be shed upon the holy alter of the temple, and not on the pagan symbol of the cross. Clearly, not just any spilled blood is acceptable as a sacrifice. The CREATOR of Israel set forth very meticulous rules and laws governing acceptable sacrifices brought to Him. The crucifixion of 'Jesus', may qualify as an atonement according to the Greek Testament of Mithraism, but since his blood was not offered on the altar, it is not in compliance with what The Holy Scriptures of Israel's CREATOR requires.

There are many other factors that would render the crucifixion of 'Jesus' an unacceptable sacrifice according to scriptural guidelines. According to the Biblical rules in Leviticus, all sacrifices had to be offered by a Levite Priest, a descendant of Aaron. According to the so-called 'gospel' accounts, 'Jesus' was killed by pagan Roman soldiers.

Biblical law also prohibited any sacrifice that was blemished or maimed:

(Leviticus 22:19-22) (KJV) ¹⁹Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats. ²⁰But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you. ²¹And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto [YHWH] to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein. ²²Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen [cyst], or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer these unto [YHWH], nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto [YHWH].

Here, we have another problem. The so-called 'gospels' of the [New Testament]™, clearly teach that 'Jesus' was beaten and whipped, which would have made him blemished and maimed and therefore an unfit sacrifice.[7] Frequently, 'christians' react to this line of reasoning by protesting that it is improper to be so literal, and that the death of 'Jesus' was more of a symbolic or spiritual sacrifice. Really? There is nothing symbolic about being dead. Moreover, 'christians' will insist, indeed the [New Testament]™ itself makes the claim, that 'Jesus' was literally our Passover sacrifice. Remember in the book of John, when the Roman soldiers pierced 'Jesus' [after he was already dead, mind you]? Here we are told that they did not break his legs[8] because this would violate the rules of the proper Passover sacrifice:

(John 19:32-36) (NASB) ³²So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; ³³but coming to 'Jesus', when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. ³⁴But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. ³⁵And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. ³⁶For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, "Not a bone of Him shall be broken".

The gospel of John portrays 'Jesus' as the Passover lamb which was not supposed to have any of its bones broken. Compare: (Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12). If 'christians' insist that 'Jesus' was the literal Passover sacrifice, and his blood atoned for our sins, then 'Jesus,' as that sacrifice, was subject to the same literal guidelines set forth by the Law of Moses, as given by The CREATOR of Israel, governing an acceptable sacrifice. On the one hand, they claim that not a bone was broken, but on the other hand, they claim that being blemished and maimed was of no consequence, when clearly the ETERNAL says it is! 'Christians' always seem to want to have it both ways. The [New Testament]™ itself proposes that 'Jesus' was a literal sacrifice. When confronted with the clear Biblical instructions on how acceptable sacrifices were to be offered, they will often complain that this is just legalistic nit-picking.

Human Sacrifice Is An Abomination And Abhorrent Behavior To The Eternal!

Digging deeper, when shown clear irrefutable proof, that The Mighty One Of Israel, the Almighty CREATOR considers all human sacrifice an abomination which profanes His name, 'christians' suddenly have nothing to say:

(Leviticus 18:21) (ESV) You shall not give any of your children to offer them to 'Molech', and so profane the name of your CREATOR: I am the ETERNAL.

(Deuteronomy 18:10) (ESV) There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering...

(Deuteronomy 12:30-31) (KJV) ³⁰Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their 'gods', saying, How did these nations serve their 'gods'? Even so will I do likewise. ³¹Thou shalt not do so unto the ETERNAL CREATOR: for every abomination to the ETERNAL, which he hateth, have they done unto their 'gods'; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt [sacrificed] in the fire to their 'gods'.

(2 Kings 3:27) (ESV) Then he took his oldest son who was to reign in his place and offered him for a burnt offering on the wall. And there came great wrath against Israel.

(2 Kings 21:6) (ESV) And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the CREATOR, provoking him to anger.

(Jeremiah 32:35) (ESV) They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to 'Molech', though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

(Hosea 6:6) (ESV) For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of the ETERNAL rather than burnt offerings.

(Micah 6:7) (ESV) Will the CREATOR be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

Moreover, they don't want you to know these facts, so they slap the ETERNAL (and you) right in the face, by claiming that the CREATOR's Holy Scriptures are the [Old Testament], and that their so-called [New Testament]™, unholy book of Lies and Deceptions, have superseded them with nonsense like this:

(John 3:16) (ESV) For 'god' so loved the world, that he gave his only Son ['jesus'], that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Well maybe [the 'christian'] 'god' was willing to kill and sacrifice his only son to himself, but do you really think the Almighty ETERNAL CREATOR, would tell you just how much He hates the abomination of human sacrifice, specifically the sacrifice of sons and daughters, then turn right around to profane His own name, and do the very thing He hates most, and sacrifice His only son [assuming He has one]? Does that even remotely sound like something our loving CREATOR would even consider, especially after telling you in His own words that it is something: which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind? The claim of (John 3:16), in and of itself, is one of the biggest [New Testament]™ lies of them all!

Why was 'Jesus' patterned after the Passover Sacrifice?

It really does not make sense to claim 'Jesus' as the Passover sacrifice. We know from (Exodus 12) that the Passover sacrifice did not serve as atonement for sins, it merely commemorates the exodus from Egypt. Even when the lamb was slaughtered in Egypt, and its' blood smeared on the door posts, that blood did not serve to atone for the sins of anyone. It was merely a sign, for the angel of death to pass over Israelite homes during the plague of the first-born. The only people in danger that night, were first-born males. The blood wasn't a help to other members in the family, and it didn't serve as an atonement for the first-born. But being the only 'nail' on which to hang their theoretical claim, the 'christians' took it and ran with it.

It would have made much more sense to type 'Jesus' after the Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) sacrifice, which actually was an atonement for the sins of all the people. The problem here was that according to (Leviticus 16:10, Leviticus 16:21-22), the animal that atoned for the sins of the nation was not killed, but sent alive out into the desert. Again, the followers of 'Jesus' have another problem. According to the prophecies of ancient Israel, The Mashiach [a Hebrew term (Strong's #H4886 meaning to anoint), which was twisted into the false concept of the 'christian Messiah]', was not supposed to die before completing His mission. The followers of 'Jesus,' who claimed that he was Israel's Messiah, now have to deal with the embarrassing death of 'Jesus', at the hands of the Romans. So they incorrectly correlated him, with the slain Passover sacrifice. This tap dance around the scriptures to try and legitimize 'Jesus' as the Messiah, cannot negate the clear instruction from Leviticus or the Day of Atonement that, the shedding of blood is not a pre-requisite for the atonement of sin.

Can 'Jesus,' or any Other Man, Atone For Your Sins?

Where did the idea originate that one man, or that anyone for that matter, could atone and pay for the sins of one or more people? It should be perfectly clear by now, that such notions stem from the Babylonian mystery religion of ancient Mesopotamia. What is certain, is that the idea that an innocent person can be killed instead of those who are guilty, is not consistent with what the Hebrew Scriptures teach. After the sin of the golden calf, the CREATOR of Israel was so outraged, that His intentions were to totally annihilate and destroy the just created Israelite people. However, Moses offers to die in their place. Notice the response to Moses' suggestion:

(Exodus 32:32-33) (KJV) ³²Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; ...and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book [the book of life] which thou hast written. ³³And [YHWH] said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, HIM will I blot out of my book.

Interestingly, [New Testament]™ 'christians' either haven't read, don't understand, or just plain ignore the fact that throughout the Holy Scriptures, Israel's CREATOR says that one person cannot atone or die for the sins of another:

(Deuteronomy 24:16) (KJV) Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin.

(Jeremiah 31:30) (KJV) But everyone will die for his own sin; each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth will be set on edge.

(Ezekiel 18:20) (KJV) The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father's iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.

(Proverbs 17:15) (KJV) He who justifies the wicked [*as 'christians' claim 'Jesus' has done], and he who condemns the righteous [** as 'Jesus' does with this, his boldest lie], both of them are an abomination to the ETERNAL.

(Psalms 49:7) (NIRV) No man ['Jesus' included] can pay for the life of anyone else. No one can give the ETERNAL what that would cost.

Expanded upon here:

*[Sinners are wicked by breaking the laws of the ETERNAL. Yet the sacrifice of 'Jesus' is said to justify our sins in the eyes of the ETERNAL!]:
**[The righteous know better; i.e. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, the Prophets, and anyone obeying the commandments of the ETERNAL etc.]:

*(Romans 5:8) (ERV) But 'christ' died for us while we were still sinners, and by this 'god' showed how much he loves us.

**(John 14:6) (KJ21) 'Jesus' said unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Unlike the Greek Testament, The Holy Scriptures of the One True CREATOR of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob clearly teach that we are responsible for our own actions and sins. We alone must account for, and pay the price for, our own sins. No alleged virgin born savior deity from Babylonian [New Testament]™ mythology, can contradict the clear instructions of The ETERNAL CREATOR, and SOVEREIGN of the universe. Now the reader is faced with the question of why two opposing theologies are evident, when the Holy Scriptures [Old Testament], are compared with the so-called [New Testament]™? For more in-depth study on this, see the article: Are We Saved By Grace?

The Big Question.

Here is a question that 'christian' ministers have danced around for two thousand years, but have never truthfully answered. If indeed 'Jesus' came as the final sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world, why do The Holy Scriptures proclaim that a 'Third Temple' will be built, and sacrifices resumed during the Messianic era? The vast majority of average 'christians' are completely ignorant of these prophecies, as they have been cleverly hidden by their ministers. Notice the clear teachings of The Holy Scriptures regarding this:

(Isaiah 56:7) (KJV) Even those I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.

(Zephaniah 3:10) (KJV) From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, My dispersed ones will bring My offerings.

(Isaiah 60:7) (KJV) All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you, the rams of Nebaioth will minister to you; they will go up with acceptance on My altar, and I shall glorify My glorious house.

(Ezekiel 37:26) (KJV) And I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.

(Malachi 3:3-4) (NASB) ³He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to [YHWH] offerings in righteousness. ⁴Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to [YHWH] as in the days of old and as in former years.

And here, we come to the white-hot clincher:

(Ezekiel 45:17) (KJV) And it shall be the prince's [Mashiach's] part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.

Evidently, dear readers and truth seekers, the suicide alleged self-sacrifice of 'Jesus', did not make atonement for the sins of all the world. If the death of 'Jesus' had atoned for all sins for all time, why will peace offerings, burnt offerings, meat offerings, drink offerings, and especially sin offerings, still need to be made for reconciliation and atonement during the coming messianic era?

How do you 'christian' ministers of falsehood, plan to dispute the true words of the Almighty ETERNAL CREATOR, when He confronts you on your lies and deceptions, assuming that such an answer was even possible?

The Holy One of Israel and Mercy.

The 'christian' claim, that only through bloodshed can atonement be made, shows that 'christians' are unfamiliar with how compassionate and merciful the Holy One of Israel really is. Sometimes, He forgives us simply because He is kind, loving, compassionate and merciful. Even when we don't seek our CREATOR appropriately, He has the ability to reach out to us with love and forgive us:

(Micah 7:18) (KJV) Who is a [SOVEREIGN] like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy.

(Psalms 78:37-39) (NASB) ³⁷For their heart was not steadfast toward Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant. ³⁸But He, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them; And often He [b]restrained His anger And did not arouse all His wrath. ³⁹Thus He remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passes and does not return.

(Isaiah 43:23-25) (NKJV) ²³You have not brought Me the sheep for your burnt offerings, Nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not caused you to serve with grain offerings, Nor wearied you with incense. ²⁴You have bought Me no sweet cane with money, Nor have you satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices; But you have burdened Me with your sins, You have wearied Me with your iniquities. ²⁵I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.

By His very nature, the Holy One of Israel is a just and merciful SOVEREIGN.

Let's Ask The Prophets.

Assuming that the 'christian's' claim, that one must be covered by the shed blood of a so-called Messiah, in order to make atonement for our sins is valid, why can this claim not be validated by the writings of the prophets? Time and time again, the writings of the prophets emphasize prayer and repentance as the method to atone for sins. I challenge any 'christian' to produce any verse from The Holy Scriptures [OT], that teaches us that we must believe in the atoning sacrificial blood of a so-called 'Messiah', in order to obtain salvation. What the prophets DO teach us, is that our own personal obedience to the laws of the ETERNAL CREATOR, combined with sincere repentance and prayer for our own personal forgiveness, is what will atone for our sins, if done with the proper attitude of humility.

(Jeremiah 36:3) (KJV) That every man will turn from his evil way, then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin.

(Isaiah 55:7) (KJV) Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return to [YHWH], and He will have compassion on him; and to our [CREATOR]. for He will abundantly pardon.

(2 Chronicles 7:14) (KJV) And if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

(Ezekiel 18:21-22) (KJV) ²¹But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. ²²All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

(Ezekiel 18:27) (KJV) Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

(Ezekiel 18:30) (KJV) Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the ETERNAL SOVEREIGN. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

(Proverbs 16:6) (KJV) By loving kindness and truth, iniquity is atoned for.

(Job 22:23-27) (NIV) ²³If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent ²⁴and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines, ²⁵then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you. ²⁶Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to the ETERNAL. ²⁷You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows.

Clearly, the central teaching of The Holy Scriptures is that, we must break away from our sinful past and sincerely repent. This is the only way to restore our relationship with the Holy One of Israel. If one strays from the path set forth by the laws of our CREATOR, then one must repent and return to the path. This is how forgiveness is obtained. Even when sacrifices were offered, they in and of themselves did not effect atonement. The sacrifice was part of the process; it helped bring them to the core of atonement, which is achieved by repentance. What is repentance? Returning to the ETERNAL by forsaking our evil ways and praying for forgiveness. The prophets were constantly correcting the Israelite people, for relying on blood sacrifices as the essential element of atonement, instead of their personal repentance and obedience to the ETERNAL's laws:

(Isaiah 1:11-18) (NASB) ¹¹What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says [YHWH]. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. ¹²When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts? ¹³Bring your worthless offerings no longer, Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies, I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly. ¹⁴I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. ¹⁵So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. ¹⁶Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, ¹⁷Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. "Let Us Reason" ¹⁸Come now, and let us reason together," Says [YHWH], "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.

(Proverbs 15:8) (KJV) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to [YHWH].

(Proverbs 21:3) (KJV) To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to [YHWH] than sacrifice.

(Hosea 6:6) (NASB) For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of [ETERNAL] rather than burnt offerings.

(1 Samuel 15:22) "Has [YHWH] as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of [YHWH]? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken more than the fat of rams.

(Micah 6:6-8) (NASB) ⁶With what shall I come to [YHWH] And bow myself before the ETERNAL on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? ⁷Does [YHWH] take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? ⁸He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does [YHWH] require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your CREATOR?

Do you now begin to see what the very wise king Solomon was trying to explain in (1 Kings 8), when he said that even though the Israelite people may not always have access to the sacrifices and the Priesthood, they would always have access to the Holy One of Israel. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, as a gift of The CREATOR of Israel, understood that personal repentance and not blood, is the true Scriptural path to atonement.

Remember the story of Jonah? He was sent to the evil city of Nineveh to warn them of their impending destruction. Jonah does not come into the city and tell the people that unless they begin offering sacrifices they are doomed. He does not tell them that unless they accept on faith that the shed sacrificial blood of Israel's Messiah will atone for their sins they are lost. No! He warns them all to personally repent. Their response to his warning is: they fast, pray, and turn from their evil. What was our CREATOR's response to their repentance?

(Jonah 3:10) (KJV) When [ETERNAL] saw their deeds that they turned from their wicked way, then [ETERNAL] relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

How did Daniel advise king Nebuchadnezzar to atone for his sins?

(Daniel 4:27) (KJV) Therefore, O king, may my advice be pleasing to you: Redeem your sins by doing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor.

The True Power of Prayer.

After the ten northern tribes split away from Judah, a civil war prevented most of Israel from Temple worship. The prophet Hosea addressed this situation and instructed the people accordingly:

(Hosea 14:1-2) (NASB) ¹Return, O Israel, to [YHWH] your Mighty One, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity. ²Take words with you and return to [YHWH]. Say to Him, 'Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously, for we will render as bullocks the offerings of our lips.

We are able to approach our CREATOR directly, through personal prayer between us and Him, which is possible at all times and regardless of the size of our bank accounts, and we can not be prevented from doing so by some self-proclaimed 'son of god' wannabe, who insists that 'no man cometh unto the Father but by me'. He assures us that sincere prayer, can achieve forgiveness for our sins:

(Psalms 51:14-17) (DARBY) ¹⁴Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O [YHWH], thou SOVEREIGN of my salvation: my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. ¹⁵[YHWH], open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise. ¹⁶For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering. ¹⁷The sacrifices of [YHWH] are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O SOVEREIGN, thou wilt not despise.

(Psalms 69:30-31) (KJV) ³⁰I will praise the name of [YHWH] with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. ³¹This shall please [YHWH] better than an ox or bullock that has horns and hoofs.

(Psalms 86:5-6) (KJV) ⁵For You, [YHWH], are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon You. ⁶Give ear, O [YHWH] to my prayer, and give heed to the voice of my supplications.

(2 Chronicles 6:21) (KJV) And listen to the supplications of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; hear from heaven Your dwelling place, hear and forgive.

The Holy Scriptures are very clear. Prayer, a humble attitude, and above all, sincere heartfelt repentance is what the Holy One of Israel requires of His people in order to atone for their sins. No doubt He knew thousands of years in advance that there would come a time when many would wrongly rely on the pagan falsehoods of a so-called [New Testament]™, and the 'blood of a deified human self-sacrifice', to vicariously replace obedience to His laws. It should be abundantly evident by now, to anyone with eyes to see, that a comparison between The Holy Scriptures [OT], and the so-called [New Testament]™ book of deception, will reveal two entirely different religions. One is dedicated to the One True SOVEREIGN of Israel, the Almighty ETERNAL CREATOR of the universe; while the other is dedicated to just another of many mythological 'baalism' savior 'gods' of the Babylonian mysteries.

The time will come when Israel's true Mashiach [King David], will usher in an era of peace, when all nations will believe in and seek to worship, the only true Holy One of Israel, and of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. At that time, the proponents of 'christianity' will finally repent of the days when they taught the descendants of Abraham, the Mighty One's beloved Hebrew nation of Israel, to break the first commandment and worship a self-proclaimed, self-sacrificed, 'man-god' of the ancient Babylonian mystery religion.

Footnotes:

[1] [a] All scriptural links point to the Bible Gateway, A Searchable Online Bible In Over 100 Versions And 50 Languages, located at "BibleGateway.Com", a vast biblical resource containing all the major texts and reference materials useful for in-depth bible studies. Most scriptual quotations are from the (KJV) of the Bible, however versions noted in (parentheses) should also be consulted. [b]All Strong's scriptural references point to the Blue Letter Bible Lexicon, located at "BlueLetterBible.Org", another vast biblical resource which has over 4,000,000 links available, pointing to more than 165,000 pages of concordances, lexicons, dictionaries, commentaries, images, and several Bible versions.

[2] #H3722. Kaphar; Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon explains this to mean (1)to cover over, to over spread as with pitch. (2) to obtain forgiveness. (3) to make expiation for an offender, to free him from charge.

[3] Compare (Genesis 9:4 and Deuteronomy 12:23).

[4] Although the actual blood was later to be substituted with wine in many of the sacred banquets of pagan religions, there is ample evidence to support the claim that literal blood was consumed as part of the ritual worship of pagan deities, and this as a form of atonement.

[5] Compare (Deuteronomy 12:23-25 and Deuteronomy 12:30).

[6] #H7133. qorban, kor-bawn'; or qurban, koor-bawn'; from #H7126; something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present: oblation, that is offered, offering.

[7] As a dry measure of grain, it is one-tenth of a homer and equal to one bath of liquid (Ezekiel 45:11). It is also equal to 10 omers (Exodus 16:36). Thus it is about 40 liters, though we do not have enough information to make precise estimates. Estimates place it about half a bushel. So here a tenth of an ephah is about 4 liters, or about two gallons.

[8] See: (Matthew 27:26, Mark 15:19, and John 19:3). The legs of the crucified were sometimes broken to hasten death. It was necessary that crucifixion victims must prop themselves up using their legs in order to facilitate breathing. This could prolong death for days at times. The legs were broken so that proper breathing could be prevented, and the lungs crushed the diaphragm and breathing was extremely difficult.