WHAT ABOUT THE
SACRIFICES?
It is often taught that sacrifices
are not done today, because sacrifices are part of the law and the law
has been abolished. This is then supported by the explanation that scripture
says the law has been fulfilled, and that fulfilled means completed, finished,
ended. Not so!
As used in the scriptures, "fulfill"
means: [Strongs 4137] to make complete, nothing missing, "to
bring to perfection." It does not mean to end, to abolish, or to
destroy. As an example, you might think of a car engine that is tuned so
that it can perform better, not so that it can be turned off.
Matt 5:17 (NIV) "Do not think that I have come to
abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to
fulfill them.
The Greek word translated as "fulfill", above, is pleroo
[#4137]. It is the same word for "fulfill" used in the following
verse:
Matt 3:15 (NIV) Yahshua replied, "Let it be so now;
it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all
righteousness." Then John consented.
Certainly, Matt 3:15 cannot mean that righteousness will
be brought to an end or abolished. In both verses "fulfill" means "to bring
to perfection" (perfect condition and function) so that nothing shall be
wanting.
The whole sacrificial system has
been brought to perfection (fulfilled) by Messiah Yahshua's atoning death.
Yet, the sacrificial system still exists in order for that perfect sacrifice
to be our link to Yahweh. Without accepting that sacrifice for our atonement,
there is no salvation. We must identify with Yahshua as our sacrifice in
order to receive atonement; just as the Old Testament believer had to put
his hand on the head of the animal being sacrificed, to identify with it
in order to receive the atonement.
Since there is no longer a need for the animal sacrifices
to be made, those laws concerning how to make the sacrifices, fall into
disuse and are set aside:
Hebr 10:8 (NIV) First he said, "Sacrifices
and
offerings, burnt offerings and
sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them"
(although the law required them to be made). 9 Then he said, "Here I am,
I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first
to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made
holy through the sacrifice of the body of Yahsua
the Messiah once for all.
Why is it so
important to understand that the Law is not abolished and nothing has been
erased; that the laws for animal sacrifice are still "on the books," but
have fallen into disuse due to the Messiah's perfect sacrifice?
Because it confirms Yahshua's
statement:
Matt 5:18 (KJS) For verily I
say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass,
one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law,
till all be fulfilled.
The Law (Torah) is still in effect,
since heaven and earth have not passed away. Indeed, not one jot or tittle
has passed from the Law.
