Originally posted by cbgoding
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Here's how I understand the topic of animal sacrifice, since you brought it up - animal sacrifices have ended because Jesus Christ was the ultimate and perfect sacrifice. John the Baptist recognized this when he saw Jesus coming to be baptized and said, ?Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!? (John 1:29). You may be wondering, why animals? What did they do wrong? And therein lies the rub ? since the animals did no wrong, they died in place of the one performing the sacrifice to atone for the sins of men (prior to Christ, in the OT).
Jesus Christ also did no wrong but willingly gave Himself to die for the sins of mankind (1 Timothy 2:6). Jesus Christ took our sin upon Himself and died in our place. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, ?God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.? Through faith in what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross, we can receive forgiveness.
Animal sacrifices were commanded by God so that the individual could experience forgiveness of sin. The animal served as a substitute?that is, the animal died in place of the sinner, but only temporarily, which is why the sacrifices needed to be offered over and over. Animal sacrifices have stopped with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrificial substitute once for all time. (Hebrews 7:27)
God does not change his mind, contrary to what you may think (Malachi 3:6). The Scriptures that are interpreted as God seeming to change His mind are human attempts to explain the actions of God. God was going to do something, but instead did something else. To us, that sounds like a change. But to God, who is omniscient and sovereign, it is not a change. God always knew what He was going to do. God does what He needs to do to cause humanity to fulfill His perfect plan.
If you'd like additional alternate views to your own on the topic of God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit, please let me know. If you prefer your view of God, thank you for listening, and good luck to you as well!
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