Jesus Christ is the true sacrifice, and in him all sacrificial types that were offered before him are fulfilled. It was about four thousand years from the time of sacrifices until the fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

It was by disobedience that man was separated from his Creator, and was driven from the garden. In this sinful condition sacrifices were offered for the purpose of securing reconciliation, consecration and fellowship with God.

Man is born with the instinct to worship some being, and some have given this as the origin of sacrifice, but it is more in harmony with the teaching of God's Holy Word to think of God giving a direct command to the early people as to what and how to make acceptable offerings. Some hold that Adam and Eve while in this state of self—dedication in the garden offered animals, the skin of which was afterwards used for their clothing. The first offerings that are directly recorded in the Scripture were those of Cain and Abel, which are called “burnt offerings.” Gen. 4:3—5. The term burnt offering in the development of sacrifices during the early period and that of the patriarch was used in a general sense and included all the other offerings. It was not until after the law was given at Mt. Sinai and offerings were more fully developed that this term “ burnt offering ” was used in a specific sense, meaning " access to God ” or consecration. "

After Noah came from the ark made an offering, Gen. 8:20—22, which is also called a burnt offering, which is used in a general sense to express thanksgiving and also to appeal for divine mercy. At the time this offering was made, clean animals were offered, which shows some advancement in the unfolding of this subject. It was not until Abraham had been fifty years in God's service that the Lord asked him to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering. Gen. 22:2. Here the term is used in a more special sense and has in it the idea of definiteness not shown in that of former sacrifices. At this time it was understood that the father owned the children, and in offering his son he would offer that which was most precious to him and a part of himself, which is an example of consecration.

The Israelites are delivered from bondage by Moses, their mediator; however, the passover brings to our mind the passing over of the angel bound on his mission of death. The blood on the doorposts and lintels protected every member and represent ed a real atonement, typical of the sin offering which is more fully developed at Mt. Sinai and fulfilled in that of our Savior, whose blood is to atone for each one of us, protecting us from the destroying angel.

These offerings, made at different times in the history of God's people, show the development of a higher ideal of sacrifice, until the true classification is reached at Mt. Sinai. When Israel came to Mt. Sinai they made their offerings in the following order:

1. Burnt Offerings which express thanksgiving and consecration. Lev. 1 and 2.

2. The Peace Offering which expresses communion or fellowship. Lev. 3.

3. The Sin Offering which expresses reconciliation. Lev. 4 and 5.

After the law was given at Mt. Sinai, the temple built, the officers selected and their duties named, Moses, in order to set apart Aaron and his sons for their mediatorial work, made the following offerings in order, Lev. 8–14:

1. The Sin Offering was brought to secure access to God.

2. The Burnt Offering was brought to dedicate themselves to God.

3. The Peace Offerings were brought to bring them into
close fellowship with God.

It is this order that is followed in the Mosaic and prophetic ages in developing more fully the sacrificial system, until all these offerings have their fulfillment in Christ, our sin offering, burnt offering and peace offering.

1. RECONCILIATION TO GOD.

(1) Sin Offering.

(2) Trespass Offering.

2. CONSECRATION TO GOD.

(1) Burnt Offering.

(2) Meal Offering.

(3) Drink Offering.

3. COMMUNION WITH GOD.

(1) Peace Offering.

1. RECONCILIATION.

The offerings under this head must be brought by every sinner to receive forgiveness so that he may be prepared to make the other offerings.

1. The Sin Offering. Lev. 4:1—35.

(1) The offering consisted of an animal, — a bullock, lamb or goat.

(2) The animal was brought by the offerer before the brazen altar.

(3) The transgressor laid his hands upon the head of the animal and killed it. Lev. 4:4.

(4) The fat, kidneys and caul were always burned upon the altar. Lev. 4:8-10.

(5) The priests ate the flesh of the sin offering in the holy place, Lev. 6:26, except of those animals whose blood was brought into the Tabernacle.

(6) The animals, when the blood was taken into the holy or most holy place, were always burned without the camp. Lev. 6:30; 4:12.

(a) The blood of the Sin Offering for the ruler and the common people was put upon the horns of the brazen altar and poured at its base. Lev. 4:25, 34.

(b) The blood of the Sin Offering for the high priest and congregation was sprinkled seven times toward the veil in the holy place. Some was put upon the horns of the altar of incense and the remainder poured at the base of the brazen altar. Lev. 4:5-7.

(c) The blood of the Sin Offering for the priest and the congregation on the atonement day was sprinkled upon the mercy seat in the most holy place. The blood of these offerings was also sprinkled upon the Tabernacle and its furniture. Lev. 16:14-19.

2. The Trespass Offering.

(1) This offering consisted of a lamb or kid. were permitted to bring turtle doves or some flour. The offerer brought the animal to the brazen altar and laid his hands upon it. The poor

(2) The animal was burnt upon the brazen altar. Lev. 6:9.

(3) The blood was poured at the side and base of the altar. Lev. 6:10.

(4) These offerings were usually made on account of offenses committed against man, but sometimes to make atonement for some sin against God. Before the transgressor could offer his sacrifice he must correct his error, and in case of stealing return the goods and add one — fifth to the value. Lev. 5:14—17.

2. CONSECRATION.

1. The Burnt Offering.

After having fully complied with the directions to secure reconciliation, these offerings must be brought in order to secure self-dedication.

(1) The offering consisted of an animal, — bullock, lamb and, in case of the poor, doves and pigeons. Lev. 1:1-17.

(2) The animal was brought by the offerer to the altar. After laying his hands upon it that it might be a real substitution for himself, the animal was killed.

(3) The skins of these animals belonged to the priests and could be sold by them. Lev. 7:8.

(4) The blood of this offering was sprinkled upon the altar and around its four sides. Lev. 1:10.

(5) The three principal classes of Burnt Offerings are:

(a) The Continual Burnt Offering, offered each morning and evening.

(b) The Sabbath Burnt Offering. Ex. 29:38—42.

(c) The New Moon Burnt Offering. Num. 28:9, 10,

2. The Meal Offering.

(1) This was a vegetable offering consisting of four, corn, oil and frankincense. Lev. 2:1-16.

(2) The Meal Offering was always offered in connection with the Burnt Offering.

(a) When the people brought it, part was burned on the altar and the remainder eaten by the priests.

(b) When the priests brought it, all was burned on the altar. Num. 15:1-11.

3. The Drink Offering.

(1) This offering consisted of wine. Num. 15:5-7.

(2) This was always also offered in connection with the Burnt Offering. Num. 15:10.

3. COMMUNION.

After the sinner had been reconciled unto God and offered the offerings necessary for consecration he was able to enjoy real fellowship by making the offerings that were commanded.

1. The Peace Offering.

(1) It consisted of an animal or vegetable offering.

(a) When an animal was offered it was either a sheep or a goat.

(b) When vegetables were offered, it consisted of cakes, wafers, oil or leavened bread.

(2) This offering was divided into three parts:

(a) The fat, kidneys and caul were burned upon the altar.

(b) The breast and right shoulder belonged to the priest.

(c) The remainder of the animal belonged to the offerer, who could have his household assist in eating it within the court.

(3) The blood was sprinkled upon the altar.

(4) The Peace Offerings were divided into three classes:

(a) Thank Offerings.

(b) Offerings of the Vow.

(c) Free Will Offerings.

(5) A Meal Offering and Drink Offering similar to those described under "Burnt Offerings" were also offered with the Peace Offering. Lev. 7; 12; Num. 15:3.

QUESTIONS.

• Who fulfills all sacrificial types?
• How long from the origin of sacrifice until the fulfillment?
• How was man separated from his Creator?
• Why were offerings made?
• Who made the first offerings?
• What were the first offerings called?
• What was the order of offerings before the law? After the law?
• What were the three great ideas in sacrifices?
• What offerings signified reconciliation to God?
• Of what did the Sin Offering consist?
• What was done with the flesh? What with the blood?
• Describe the Trespass Offering?
• What offering signified consecration to God?
• Describe the Burnt Offering?
• What other offerings were made in connection with it?
• What were the three classes of Burnt Offerings?
• Describe the Meat Offering?
• Describe the Drink Offering?
• What offering signified communion?
• Describe the Peace Offering. What three classes of Peace Offerings?