God's Amazing Atonement

From the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation the central message of the Bible is atonement. That is, God providing a way for mankind to be restored to a harmonious relationship with Himself. Why does God spend so much time revealing the redemption of man? Think about it for a moment. God spends just three chapters in Genesis talking about His creation of the earth and man. This was the greatest miracle ever accomplish. God spoke and it was. Hebrews 11:3 says, “By Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” But then sin entered His creation, so God spends the rest of the book showing how He is re-creating man into His image and likeness. He reveals how He will eradicate sin and ensure that it will never rise up again. Arguably this could now be considered the greatest miracle in the history of the universe. You see, the attacks of Satan were far greater than just getting Adam and Eve to sin against God, the warfare began in heaven and its focus is God's sanctuary, throne and sovereignty. So, in reality, the atonement is God's way of reconciling more than just man, but the universe to Himself. We might look at the creation story and say that is impossible (creating something from nothing). But taking a broken creation and redesigning it back to its original is a bigger impossibility and therefore a greater miracle, or should we say a greater display of the power of God.

So, let's talk about God's Amazing Atonement plan. One definition of atonement is “the concept of a person taking action to correct previous wrongdoing on their part, either through direct action to undo the consequences of that act, equivalent action to do good for others, or some other expression of feelings of remorse. To be "at one", means to be in harmony with someone. Atonement is closely associated to forgiveness, reconciliation, sorrow, remorse, repentance, reparation, and guilt. It can be seen as a necessary step on a path to redemption.”5 In the case of the atonement of man, I would add to this definition that in this case it is God making atonement for man since he is not able to do it himself. A second definition states that it involves “making adequate compensation for the wrong that has been done.”21a A third definition of atonement defines that “it must not only unite justice and mercy, and reconcile the transgressor to the law (moral), but perpetuity and stability of the government should be the first consideration, as they are first in importance in our relations and duties.”6 Further light reveals that “the words atonement and reconciliation are different words describing one and the same work of Christ.”7 So, the question is, how is God reconciling the universe to Himself? Or how is God making atonement? Most evangelical Christian pastors, teachers, and laymen alike believe that the atonement was completed at the cross. But as we look at the typical sanctuary service of the past, we should be able to see that “other aspects of the atonement are brought to light.”21b I would agree with the evangelical world that Christ’s atoning sacrifice was a one time, all sufficient sacrifice for sin, but, do not agree that the atonement was completed at the cross. All Christians believe that the daily sacrifices that were made in the Old Testament by the priests and the repentant sinner, throughout the year, pointed forward to Christ’s substitutionary work as the Lamb of God. But, are we able to see that His work as priest in the heavenly sanctuary was also being pointed to (foreshadowing) by the priests of the earthly sanctuary? Friend, I want to suggest to you that there is more to the atonement spoken of in scripture, then Jesus Christ dying on the cross. The very definitions of the word, that we just saw, should reveal to us that there is more to it. Think about it for a moment. Are we currently “at one” with God? Are the consequences of sin completely done away with? Are we in complete harmony with God? If we are honest with ourselves, we have to say no. Therefore, the atonement for sin is not yet finished. I want to suggest to you that there are seven phases to the atonement.