STATEMENT OF BELIEF – ADDENDUM B
Assembly of Yahweh, Cascade, an Assembly of True Yisrael (Israel)
Addendum B - Non-Scriptural Replacement theology:
The Almighty Sovereign Creator’s relationship with Adamic man was never limited to animal sacrifices (animals killed and presented as payment) for a penalty because of a violation of the law, nor was it ever the only means by which Adamic man obtained forgiveness from Him for violating his Commandments, i.e., for sin against Him. The centrality of the animal sacrifices (animals used for payment of penalties) ceased, not with the second destruction of the third Temple by the Romans, but rather with the first destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians.
We must remember that the vast majority of Yisraelites (Israelites) of the Southern Kingdom of Yahud never returned to the Promised Land under Cyrus of Persia. They became dispersed, and entered into Western Europe to join the rest of the Northern Kingdom of Yisrael (Israel). By the time Yahshua HaMashiach (Messiah) was born, most of the Yisraelite (Israelite) communities (Lost Tribes of Yisrael) already lived outside of the Promised Land in Western Europe under the name of the Jutes, Danes, Saxons, Angles, Vikings, Celts, Normans. These white European ‘Caucasian’ people’ were at that time paganized, and could not have cared less about the cessation of the animal sacrifices in the Ancient Promised Land.
When the Temple was reestablished, the Yahudi of Babylonia made an annual financial gift for the maintenance of the Temple, and the land, but were never worried that Elohim (Mighty One) was not going to forgive them their sins without a blood sacrifice, as do the Diaspora Yisraelites (Israelites) of today. The reason why they had no such fear, was that Scripture makes it explicitly clear that no blood sacrifice (blood payment) is necessary for the forgiveness of sins, or that the exclusive means for YHWH’s (Yahweh’s) relationship with Adamic man was through animal sacrifices.
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life." (Leviticus 17:11).
The whole context of this verse is in reference to abstaining from eating the blood of a sacrifice and nothing more. YHWH (Yahweh) commanded the abstaining from eating or drinking blood because most other pagan religions ate the blood of their sacrifices as a way to incorporate their gods (many of which were animals) into their physical bodies and into their lives. In this convoluted way, they were "eating god." But the Holiness of the People of Yisrael (Israel) requires them to not practice the pagan ways and not to hold the same beliefs of their pagan neighbors.
The whole quotation from Leviticus 17 reads:
“Any Israelite or any alien living among them who eats any blood-- I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from his people. For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life. Therefore I say to the Israelites, `None of you may eat blood, nor may an alien living among you eat blood. Any Israelite or any alien living among you who hunts any animal or bird that may be eaten must drain out the blood and cover it with earth, because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, `You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.'"
Many might insist that blood is needed to atone for sins. But there are many examples in the Tanakh where other things besides blood can atone for sins. If you are poor and unable to afford a blood sacrifice (blood payment) Elohim (Mighty One) allows you to use flour (which has no blood and is not an animal). If the poor were not able to offer a sacrifice (penalty payment) of flour, forgiveness would only be for the wealthy. Elohim (Mighty One) would never exclude his people from obtaining forgiveness on the basis of wealth.
“If, however, he cannot afford two doves or two young pigeons, he is to bring as an offering for his sin a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He must not put oil or incense on it, because it is a sin offering. He is to bring it to the priest, who shall take a handful of it as a memorial portion and burn it on the altar on top of the offerings made to YHWH (Yahweh) by fire. It is a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for him for any of these sins he has committed, and he will be forgiven. The rest of the offering will belong to the priest, as in the case of the grain offering.” (Leviticus 5:11-13).
Here, right in the middle of the commandments concerning the sacrifices (penalty payments) for sin, Scripture tells us we do not need any blood sacrifice (blood payments) for the forgiveness of sin. This proves that the idea that one needs a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin is not Scriptural.
Additional passages of non-blood sacrifices (penalty payments not requiring animals):
So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them (Numbers 16:47).
In the following passage jewelry is offered for atonement, but no blood is shed.
So we have brought as an offering to YHWH (Yahweh) the gold articles each of us acquired-- armlets, bracelets, signet rings, earrings and necklaces-- to make atonement for ourselves before YHWH (Yahweh) (Numbers 31:50).
It is obvious, that a blood sacrifice (blood payment) is not needed! Another example is that Isaiah had his sin removed by a live coal:
Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, see, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for (Isaiah 6:6-7).
Some will say, that without a Temple, there cannot be any kind of blood sacrifice. This is true. That is why Elohim (Mighty One) gave many different methods of atonement to the Yisraelites (Israelites). There was a time in Israel's history when they became all too consumed with the sacrificial (penalty payment) ceremonies. For this, Elohim (Mighty One) rebuked them. Elohim (Mighty One) reminded them that the Laws of Elohim (Mighty One) were more important than the sacrifices.
For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices (penalty payments), but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your Elohim (Mighty One) and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. (Jeremiah 7:22-23).
Out of all the methods Elohim (Mighty One) gave to us for atonement, the sacrifices were the weakest, because sacrifices only made atonement for one kind of sin. Some may point out several verses that show that there needs to be a sacrifice for sins. They often point out these verses that show that sacrifice does atone for sin. But they seem to leave out just what sins are covered by these sacrifices, and that is, only UN-intentional sins:
YHWH (Yahweh) said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites: `When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of YHWH (Yahweh)'s commands--" (Leviticus 4:1-2).
If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of YHWH’s (Yahweh)'s commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, they were guilty (Leviticus 4:13).
When a leader sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the commands of YHWH (Yahweh) his Elohim (Mighty One), he is guilty (Leviticus 4:22).
If a member of the community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of YHWH (Yahweh)'s commands, he is guilty (Leviticus 4:27).
When a person commits a violation and sins unintentionally in regard to any of YHWH (Yahweh)'s holy things, he is to bring to YHWH (Yahweh) as a penalty payment a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value in silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. It is a guilt offering (Leviticus 5:15).
He is to bring to the priest as a guilt offering a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value. In this way the priest will make atonement for him for the wrong he has committed unintentionally, and he will be forgiven (Leviticus 5:18).
Now if you unintentionally fail to keep any of these commands YHWH (Yahweh) gave Moses-- " (Numbers 15:22)……
...and if this is done unintentionally without the community being aware of it, then the whole community is to offer a young bull for a burnt offering as an aroma pleasing to YHWH (Yahweh), along with its prescribed grain offering and drink offering, and a male goat for a sin offering." The priest is to make atonement for the whole Israelite community, and they will be forgiven, for it was not intentional and they have brought to YHWH (Yahweh) for their wrong an offering made by fire and a sin offering. The whole Israelite community and the aliens living among them will be forgiven, because all the people were involved in the unintentional wrong. "`But if just one person sins unintentionally, he must bring a year-old female goat for a sin offering. The priest is to make atonement before YHWH (Yahweh) for the one that erred by sinning unintentionally, and when atonement has been made for him, he will be forgiven. One and the same law applies to everyone who sins unintentionally, whether he is a native-born Israelite or an alien. (Numbers 15:24-29).
But if someone were to commit a sin intentionally, he would be punished!
But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien blasphemes YHWH (Yahweh), and that person must be cut off from his people (Numbers 15:30).
For some intentional sins, the punishment was severe:
While the Israelites were in the desert, a man was found gathering wood on the Shabbat/Sabbath day. Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly, and they kept him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him. Then YHWH (Yahweh) said to Moses, "The man must die. The whole assembly must stone him outside the camp." So the assembly took him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as YHWH (Yahweh) commanded Moses (Numbers 15:32-36).
Elohim (Mighty One) is a righteous judge. For intentional sins to be atoned for there had to be repentance and restitution and often punishment because the sins were committed on purpose!
A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft... If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in another man's field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard... If a fire breaks out and spreads into thorn-bushes so that it burns shocks of grain or standing grain or the whole field, the one who started the fire must make restitution... But if the animal was stolen from the neighbor, he must make restitution to the owner... If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while the owner is not present, he must make restitution (Exodus 22:3, 5, 6, 12, and 14).
Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a man must be put to death (Leviticus 24:21).
Say to the Israelites: `When a man or woman wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to YHWH (Yahweh), that person is guilty and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution for his wrong, add one fifth to it and give it all to the person he has wronged (Numbers 5:6-7).
Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a society where, if a criminal stole and stripped your car, he would have to replace it, and then give you 20% in addition to what it was worth?
There were other methods used to receive atonement that were superior to the sacrificial system. This is what Elohim (Mighty One) truly desires from us, Teshuvah, which means repentance and return to Elohim (Mighty One).
..if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
But if from there you seek YHWH (Yahweh) your Elohim (Mighty One), you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 4:29).
He prays to Elohim (Mighty One) and finds favor with him, he sees Elohim (Mighty One)'s face and shouts for joy; he is restored by Elohim (Mighty One) to his righteous state (Job 33:26).
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (Ps 34:14).
YHWH (Yahweh) is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Ps 34:18).
It is true repentance and prayer that Elohim (Mighty One) wants from us, NOT sacrifice!
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of Elohim (Mighty One) are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O Elohim (Mighty One), you will not despise (Ps 51:16-17).
Remember, the Psalms were written to sing praises to Elohim (Mighty One) in the Temple, right where the sacrifices themselves were to be performed. They understood quite well Elohim (Mighty One)'s attitude towards the sacrifices:
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require (Ps 40:6)
Elohim (Mighty One) wants us to pray for forgiveness, and it is prayer that replaces the sacrifices, just as Elohim (Mighty One) commanded us to do as Hosea stated:
Take words with you and return to YHWH (Yahweh). Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the bulls of our lips” (Hosea 14:2).
Note: Many English translations intentionally mistranslate this passage. The Hebrew is quite clear, "Pa-reem S'fa-tay-nu, the bulls of our lips." Instead they mistranslate the Hebrew as if it said, "Pay-rote S'fa-tay-nu, the fruit of our lips." This means that for the specific purpose of misrepresenting what the Bible says that Elohim (Mighty One) accepts prayer in place of sacrifices, thereby they have changed the word of Elohim (Mighty One)!
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy (Proverbs 28:13).
Another superior method is charity:
Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of YHWH (Yahweh) a man avoids evil. (Proverbs 16:6).
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to YHWH (Yahweh) than sacrifice (Proverbs 21:3).
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of Elohim (Mighty One) rather than burnt offering (Hosea 6:6).
The following quotations all come from I Kings 8, in which King Solomon dedicates the only Temple in the world to the One True Elohim (Mighty One). It was in this very Temple that the sacrifices (penalty payments) were to take place. Yet even at the dedication of this very Temple, Solomon knew that one need only pray to Elohim (Mighty One) for forgiveness, after repenting, and Elohim (Mighty One) would forgive:
...and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel-- each one aware of the afflictions of his own heart, and spreading out his hands toward this temple--then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men)... (1 Kings 8:38-39).
The Non-Yisraelites (Non-Israelites) were also to pray directly to Elohim (Mighty One) for the forgiveness of their sins, and without the need of any sacrifice!
As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your name -- for men will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm -- when he comes and prays toward this temple, then hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel and may know that this house I have built bears your Name. (1 Kings 8:41-43).
Notice here, that Elohim (Mighty One) allowed the Non-Yisraelites (Non-Israelites) to pray directly to him, without the need of a mediator. Elohim (Mighty One) never did exclude anyone from Him. All Elohim (Mighty One) asks for is a contrite heart, and the willingness to follow Elohim (Mighty One)!
Remember, still, that the whole of the sacrificial (penalty payment) system was centered at the Temple.
Solomon continues:
When they sin against you -- for there is no one who does not sin--and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, `We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their conquerors to show them mercy (1 Kings 8:46-50).
So if you repent, Elohim (Mighty One) will save you!
YHWH (Yahweh) is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).
And he will restore your righteousness! Even though you sinned!
He prays to Elohim (Mighty One) and finds favor with him, he sees Elohim (Mighty One)'s face and shouts for joy; he is restored by Elohim (Mighty One) to his righteous state (Job 33:26).
Elohim (Mighty One) has clearly shown us that sacrifice is NOT necessary for atonement. Elohim (Mighty One) has made it abundantly clear to Israel what we are to do for atonement:
With what shall I come before YHWH (Yahweh) and bow down before the exalted Elohim (Mighty One)? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will YHWH (Yahweh) be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does YHWH (Yahweh) require of you? Only to do Justice, and to love Mercy and to walk humbly with your Elohim (Mighty One) (Micah 6:6-8).
Copyright October 09, 2006,
by A.O.Y., Cascade, Mount Vernon, WA 98274
http://assemblyoftrueisrael.com/
e-mail: AOYCascade@assemblyoftrueisrael.com
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