Atonement: Christ died for our sins according to the (Old Testament) scriptures

  

Christ bore the all the sins of many

 

Lev.10:17 Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord? (The shoulder of the heave offering was to represent bearing the burden. Lev.10:14-5, Gen.49:15, Ex.29:27, Num.7:9, Jdg.16:3, 1 Chr.15:15, 2 Chr.35:3, Psa.81:6, Isa.46:7, Mt.23:4) 

Lev.16:21-2 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. 

Isa.53:11-12 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 

Heb.9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. V26 ...but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 

1 Pt.2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 

John 1: 29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (In Israel the atonement was unlimited without exception or distinction- Lev.16:16-7, 21-22,24, 33-4) 

1 John 3: 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 

Why was it necessary that Christ bear our sins in order to bring us to God? 

1 Pet.3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 

Isa. 59:1 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (God is angered by sin and disobedience Dt.4:25, 6:15, 7:4, 9:7, 31:29, 32:16, 21, Num.22:22, Judges 2:12, 1 Kin.14:9, 22, 15:30, 16:13, 26, Jer.7:20, 44:8, 2 Chr. 28:25, 33:6, 34:25, 36:16, Isa.1:4, Nah.1:2, Jam.4:4, Jn.3:36, Rom.1:18, Eph.5:5-6, Col.3:5-6, Isa.59:2, 1 Pet. 3:12, Prov. 6:16, 15:8-9, 26, 21:27, 28:9, Psa.11:5, 5:5 Because God is Just Job 8:3, 34:17, 40:8, Dt.32:4, Dan.9:14, Isa.45:19,21, 26:7, Jn.17:25, Psa.145:17, 11:7, 103:6, 33:4-5, 97:2, 48:10, 116:5, 119:137-8, 142, 172, Zep.3:5, Zec.8:8, 1 Jn.1:5, 2:29, Psa.5:5, Heb.1:9, 6:10, 2 Tim.4:8, Ezr.9:15) 

We see again in Lev.10:17 regarding the sin offering goat that God had “given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord”. Leviticus 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” The sin was borne by the sacrifice, and then the blood was shed to make atonement; since the wages of sin is death (Genesis 2:17, Rom.6:23, Ezek.18:4,20, Ex.32:32-3). Sin causes alienation from the life of God or death. (Eph.4:18) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. (1 Jn. 3:5) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (Jn.1:4) He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 Jn. 5:12) Jn.5:26, 40, 6:35, 48, 63, 8:12, 11:25, 14:6, 17:3, Rom.8:2, 6,10, 2 Cor.3:6, Gal 6:8, 1 Jn.1:1-2 

When a rebellion rose up in Israel against Moses and Aaron the LORD’s anger was kindled. Num.16:45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. 

46 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague is begun. 

47 And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. 

48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.  

This was the design of the Levitical priests, in figure of the true priesthood of Christ (Heb. 7) “to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel”. (Num.8:18-20) The plague was by God’s wrath against their sin. (Num.11:33, 14:27, 16:49-50, 25:8, 31:16, Dt.28:58-60, 2 Sam.24:21,25, 2 Chr.21:14, Psa.106:29-30) The atonement money (Ex.30:12-16) was collected "that there be no plague among them".(v12)

In 2 Chronicles 29 when Hezekiah became king, he restored the proper worship of the LORD by the Levitical priests and the temple.  He noted their sinful state starting in v5 “And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place. 

6 For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord, and turned their backs. 

7 Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel. 

8 Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes. 

9 For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. 

10 Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.” 

2 Chronicles 29:23-24 And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them: 24 And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel. 

 We see another instance of atonement stopping God’s wrath is seen in Numbers 25. The whoredoms of Israel provoked his wrath which brake out in their midst in a plague. Verse 3 states “the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.” 4 And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel. 

5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor. 

6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 

7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 

8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. v13 “he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.” 

Atonement propitiates God’s just wrath. All wrath from God is perfect and just. (Rom.2:5, Psa.50:6, 96:10, 13, 98:9, Jer.11:20, Ac.17:31, 2 Tim.4:8, 1 Pt.2:23, Rv.16:5, 19:2,11) Atonement turns away his wrath. (Ex. 32:12, Num. 11:1-2, 25:11, 2 Kings 23:26, 2 Chr. 12:12, 29:10, 30:8, Ezra 10:14)

The fierce wrath of God was propitiated as reconciliation by blood atonement was made by repentant people acting in faith. Just as the pattern given to Moses: Lev.8:14 And he brought the bullock for the sin offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the bullock for the sin offering.15 And he slew it; and Moses took the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured the blood at the bottom of the altar, and sanctified it, to make reconciliation upon it. Imputation through the laying on of hands. (This is milk- Heb.6:2) Again Lev.1:4 “he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.” This happens all through Leviticus, we see it in Ex.29:10,15,19, as in Num.8:12. Also, on the day of Atonement- Lev.16:19 And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel. 20 And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat. 

Clearly this atonement and reconciliation point to Christ offering himself without spot to God on the cross. Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 

Colossians 1:20-22 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:  

Hebrews 2:17 14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  

Christ made reconciliation with the sacrifice of himself. (Eph.5:2, Heb.7:27, 9:28) 

 

Atonement 

The LORD reveals the details surrounding atonement on the feast day of atonement in Lev.23:27-32, and in more detail in chapter 16. The shedding of blood was necessary for the atonement (Lev.17:11, Heb.9:22) as the wages of sin is death. (Eph.4:18, Rom.6:23,16, 5:12,17,21, 7:5,13, 8:2, Ezk.18:4,20, 3:20, 33:11,13, Jam.1:15, 2 Chr.25:4, Dt.24:16, Gen.2:17, 1 Cor.15:22.) And notably on the day of Atonement “ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement”. (Lev.23:28) Not by works of righteousness which are as filthy rags before God (Eph.2:8-9, Tit.3:5, Rom.4:5, Isa.64:6) can we make atonement for our sins. To think so is damnable and no flesh shall glory before the thrice holy God. (1 Cor.1:29, Rom.4:2-3) Lev.23:30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest... And again, Lev.16:29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: 31 It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever. Why? Because Christ is our rest when we cease from our labors. (Mt.11:28-30, Rom.4:5,23-5) 

Next, since we cannot provide atonement for ourselves, we need a holy priest to represent us to God in his just wrath against us. Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you...1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who is the "daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both." (Job.9:33) The Levitical sacrificial system were figures (Heb.9:9,24) patterns (Ex.25:9,40, Num.8:4, Heb.8:5, 9:23) and shadows (Heb.8:5,10:1) of the work of the superior priest Jesus Christ the Lord. (Heb.7) Those who refuse to see this will not leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ and go on unto perfection, leaving repentance from dead works. (Heb.6:1-3) The Levitical priests as figures of the true were not holy enough and needed to atone for their own sins and uncleanness (Lev.4:3-12) before performing the divine service. (Lev.16:6,11) The blood of animals they shed which were only figures would not stay any demand of God’s righteousness. Heb.10:8, Mic.6:6-7, Isa.40:15-7, Hos.6:6, Mt.12:7, Psa.50:8-12, 69:30-1, 1 Sam.15:22. They were simply pointing to Christ who was to come. (Heb.10:1, Gal.3:24-5, Rom.10:4)  

Not only did we need a priest but we needed a sacrifice whereby he could make atonement and propitiate God’s holiness and perfect justice. Some people think blood was not needed and God can just forgive supposing your personal grief reaches a particular level. Why all the blood shed if God can just forgive the repentant? Why does he prescribe tons of bloodshed for millennia? The Old Covenant is filled with blood sacrifices and burnt offerings and the Passover sacrifice and the day of Atonement where blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat. God commands feast days centered around blood atonement yearly; blood sacrifices are all over the place in the law (Numbers 29 for example). Were they not a figure of the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world? If not then why not? There is no other reason. Would there even need to be? Is not the glorious mystery of Christ in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge not enough? How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out! 

Christ is likewise the scapegoat in the day of Atonement. For as we saw above Christ bore all the sins of many Lev.10:17, 16:21-2, Isa.53:11-12, Heb.9:28, 1 Pt.2:24.  Lev. 16:10 But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. After the imputation of all iniquity was accomplished- Lev.16:21-22 According to the scriptures in Leviticus, once imputation to the suitable offering occurs the spotless sacrifice bears the sins to the death, shedding its blood for remission of those sins. The moment this takes place propitiation is made Godward, atonement takes place as the sins are borne away and reconciliation can now happen. God accepts the atonement and we have now received the atonement. (Rom.5:11) This is the point all along; to the praise of the glory of his wonderful grace. That God hath wrought so great a salvation; as far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psa.103:12 ...he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Mic.7:19 ...thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. Isa.38:17 ...as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. Psa.65:3 Our ‘iniquity is bound up; our sin is hid.’ Hos.13:12 

The scapegoat bears our sins far away from the LORD and us. But what about the first goat? Lev.16: 15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: 

16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. 

17 And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel. 

Christ did this by Himself; “when he had by himself purged our sins”. (Heb.1:3, 9:26) Heb.10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. v12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; Heb.7: 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

 

 

Escape the Beginning

 

              

Luke 21: 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. 

 

 What we see from the context here in Luke 21 is that there is a day coming upon the entire earth which will be like a snare. A snare is set without any sign or indication of its presence; thus unawares as the text states. (Prv.1:17, 7:23, Ecc.7:12, Psa.142:3) This is the “hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” (Rev.3:10) The entire world will be overtaken by this sudden snare and sudden destruction, which is marked by the sudden appearing of the Son of Man and a conditional escaping all those things listed by those that are worthy to stand before him. (Mk.13:36-7) “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation... Behold, I come quickly”. (Rev.3:10-11) 

The admonition to watch is to watch for Christ himself to appear. (Mt.24:42-3, 50, 25:13, Mk.13:33-7, Lk.12:37-48, 21:36, Phil.3:20, 1 Thes.5:6, Tit.2:13, 1 Pt.4:7, 2 Pt.3:12, 1 Jn.2:28, Rv.3:3, 16:15) 

“That day” will include “all these things that shall come to pass”, which means the beginning of sorrows or the things that “must first come to pass”. (Lk.21:9, Mt.24:6-8, Mk.13:7-9) “That day” also includes the rest of “all these things” listed in the sermon. (Mt.24:33-4, Mk.13:30,32-3, Lk.21:36) And 2 Peter 3:7-14 reveals that this day of the Lord which will so come as a thief in the night will include not just the last week of Daniel’s prophecy (that day- Zech 12:3-4,8,9,11,13:1-2,14:3-4,8-9), but that day is as a thousand years including heaven and earth passing away a thousand years later. Likewise the resurrection of the just and the unjust are separated by 1000 years but are spoken of as occurring "in the last day". (Rev.20:4,5:11-12, Jn.6:39-40, 44, 54, 11:24, 12:48, 5:28-9) Paul shows according to the wisdom given unto him that the day of the Lord coming as a thief is without “the times and the seasons” even knowable, which is generally how thieves show up in the night; without signs or indications. (1 Thes.5:1-3) (See also notes on #1 here.) 

When we compare Mark and Matthew’s accounts (Mk.13, Mt.24) about watching for the Son of Man, Jesus gave warning to watch for his sudden coming, and that he himself in the days of his flesh did not know when he would return. It could be as in any watch of the night, but that no man could know. (Mk.13:32-7) Matthew recalls that the sudden appearing will be like a thief, without any warnings or indications, as our afore mentioned snare. (Mt.24:42-51) “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” “Watch ye therefore... Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.” He spake this to all. (Mk.13:37) Paul said that they would think they are in peace and safety before the sudden destruction comes. (1 Thes.5:1-3) 

This time is contrasted in that the temptation of the ‘hearts being overcharged with the cares of this life’ (Lk.21:34), is different than the “hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth”. (Lk.21:26) These two contrasting types of temptations mark different times & seasons mentioned in the Olivet discourse. As Belshazzar before and after the handwriting on the wall. (Dan.5:1-6) Also represented in the parable of the sower: 

“And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mk.4:19 

“Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” Mt.13:21

 

The whole earth will be relatively characterized by the cares of this world as it was before the flood, “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” (Mt.24:37-9), “they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded”. (Lk. 17:26-30) Which would not be the conditions describing the end of the 70th week with tribulation and persecution. Those days are described here: 

Dan.12:1 “...there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:”  

Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. v29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 

Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. v24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 

Luke 21:25-26 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 

Acts 2:19-20 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come: 

 

But Daniels 70th week and the restoration of the kingdom to Israel to finish their transgression was to begin without any knowable signs of the times of seasons. (Act.1:6-7) And it is at hand. (1 Pt.4:7, Rev.1:1,3,22:10) The signs of the times and seasons listed in the Olivet discourse will obviously follow a period before any discernible times or seasons. Therefore, it will come a thief in the night (a snare) exactly as Paul stated. (1 Thes.5:1-3) The time of Jacob’s trouble would begin suddenly after a period of relative normalcy. (Jer.30:6-9) If you can discern the face of the sky, then you can discern the signs of those times. (Mt.16:3) 

Before the tribulation of those days, and the beginning of sorrows “there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (2 Pt.3:1) “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” (1 Thes.5:3) This sudden destruction is as the flood of Noah or the fire and brimstone of Lot. (Lk.17:26-8, Matt. 24:37-38) There will be a sudden trigger of the beginning of sorrows which is a woman with travail having sorrow. (1 Thes.5:3, Jer.30:5-7, 13:21, Isa.13:8, Jn.16:21) Peace is suddenly taken from the earth (Rev.6:3-4) when the man of sin is revealed the son of perdition who by peace shall destroy many. (Rev.6:1-2, Dan.8:23-5) For that which witholdeth is taken out of the way.  

Counter claims response 

But what if someone posed an alternative interpretation of escaping as to bear up under or endure? (1 Cor.10:13) And further that to be found worthy is to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will as you endure the tribulation. (Col.1:9-10) So, they interpret Lk.21:36 as ‘Watch and pray for God’s will so you will walk worthy of the Lord and bear up under and endure all the tribulation and stand before Christ at his return to the earth.’  

The first problem with that interpretation is that the promise is conditional and includes standing before the Son of man. When the Son of man returns to the earth there will be an unconditional standing before him of all nations. (Mt.25:31-2) But this is a conditional promise of watching for him to appear suddenly to stand before him and escape all the things listed. 

 Secondly it creates confusion as to the nature of escaping all these things. If you die in the beginning of sorrows, did you escape all? Or if you die towards the end of all these things, do you escape all? Or if you live through the entirety, did you escape all? You escape if you liveor you escape if you die. Holding this interpretation, you would have to say it means all the above.

Another problem is that if you think this passage teaches that if you are found worthy you will survive and endure to the end of the tribulation, then this makes those who die as faithful martyrs unworthy of this promise. (Rev.2:10, 6:9-11, 7:9-17, 12:11, 13:7, 14:12-13) Some say escape means flee as in verse 21. But that would mean escaping one of the things that come to pass to people in Jerusalem, where the text says all these things that come to pass, to all that dwell upon the whole earth. (Zeph.2:3, Rev.3:10) Now immediately it will be insisted that escaping can mean enduring unto death. I have not found escaping used in terms of dying in scripture but rather living on through various troubling situations and snares. But it will be contended, that some overcame the beast unto death  and thus escape means overcome (Rev.12:11- Although here they overcome by the blood and their word). And although I didn’t locate overcome and escape together on any lists of synonyms maybe you could make an overlap on the weaker side of the two meanings if you stretch it. Perhaps you could even apply an example from Dan.3:17 “God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not...”. Could this be what Jesus meant? ‘If you are found worthy you will escape from the fiery trials and from the beast, but if not... we’ll love not our lives unto the death and thus escape.’ Escape would mean whatever happens to those worthy. Or perhaps this tautology, if you are found worthy you will either live or die worthily. That seems to stretch it past what is stated. We won't know if found worthy you will endure (escape) to the end of your faith (die) or the end of the world (context).

 Well, to arrive at that conclusion you would need to disconnect Jesus’ sudden appearing from the escaping of all those things. His appearance wouldn’t be sudden if you knew there were all those things yet to occur for you to endure. And Jesus wants his people to know that he is coming without signs (1 Thes.5:1-3) quickly, (Mk.13:36, Rev.1:1,3,2:5,16,3:3,11,16:15,22:6,7,10,12,20) so that we watch for him. (Mt.24:42-3, 50, 25:13, Mk.13:33-7, Lk.12:37-48, 21:36, Phil.3:20, 1 Thes.5:6, Tit.2:13, 1 Pt.4:7, 2 Pt.3:12, 1 Jn.2:28, Rv.3:3, 16:15) And he will take up to the Father’s house in heaven. (Jn.14:1-3, 1 Thes.4:16-7) 

If they say it means those who are found worthy to endure to the end, do endure to the end, we note that there will be those who are not worthy and also endure to the end and stand before the Son of man when he gathers the sheep and the goats and removes the rebels which have not on a wedding garment and no oil in their lamps. (Ezek.20:34-8, Mt.22:11-13, 25:10-12,19,26,30,32,41, Lk.19:27) 

Taking the accounts of the Olivet discourse found in the synoptic gospels together, we have to conclude Jesus will have an appearing that is like a thief and without indication. Since the revelation of the church was not fully unveiled yet until the apostle to the Gentiles is raised up we do not see the explicit expounding of the rapture of the church here. Rather we see what Jesus taught here can only be properly understood with the fuller revelation of this mystery later given by his Spirit. 

 

Rev.22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

 Works Meet For Repentance

  2 Cor 10:10-11 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of... For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 

 

The question we want to consider today is regarding ‘works of repentance’. Some people claim that to add repentance to the gospel message is to add works to salvation and is anathematized by scripture as another gospel. Others claim to add repentance to the gospel message is to add works to salvation and therefore salvation is in fact by our works! Both err in either self-righteousness or lasciviousness. (These Laodicean days people think Christians have liberty to sin.)  

Jesus said... I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Mt.9:13) and again, I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3,5) After his resurrection he instructed the apostles when speaking of that ‘great salvation’ (Heb.2:3) “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Lk.24:47) Indeed “goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Rom.2:4) Thus, repentance is necessary in order that one not perish in their sins but be converted.  

But it is indeed a fact that we are justified by faith without works as well. (Rom.3:28,4:5,5:1, Gal.2:16,3:11,24, etc.) So, how are we to understand scriptures which state that we are to “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance”? (Matt. 3:8) This can’t be brushed into a hyper-dispensational resolution to the Jews, for Paul “shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” Acts 26:20 And again, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21 And since the gospel was to be preached in all the world to every creature, (Mk.16:15) God “now commandeth all men every where to repent”. (Acts 17:30) “Repent ye therefore, and be converted...” Acts 3:19 

Works suitable or meet for repentance are instructed first by the Lord and then confirmed unto us by them that heard him. But the fruit of repentance must be preceded by a root. Repentance is defined in scripture as to “be persuaded”. Lk.16: 29-31 “Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Once a person is persuaded in their mind of a thing their actions will likewise change. Fruit or works come forth that are suitable for repentance or commensurate to or proportionate with their sin. We naturally are suspect when someone’s grief seems to be inadequate to their loss or pain. Police investigators will suspect a person of foul play whose loved one has been killed when they do not seem to be grieving in a manner that would be natural. In scripture we see various reactions indicating remorse and repentance. We see people in scripture who have godly sorrow and heaviness, abhor and loathe themselves in shame, confessing their sins and praying for mercy and forgiveness. 

Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. 

Jeremiah 31:19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. 

Ezek.36:31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.  

Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 

We are to follow the Lord’s pattern with our brethren regarding repentance and forgiveness. 

Lk.17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. (As the Lord forgives us- Mt.6:14-5, 18:35) 

Prv.28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Confessing sin is also fruit worthy of repentance- Mt.3:6, Mk.1:5, 1 Jn.1:9, Lev.5:5. 

Ezekiel 14:6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. 

Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. V15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 

 

Notice persuasion is in the mind- and repenting is being persuaded: Rom.14:5 Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.  Luke 16:30-1 ... they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Act 19:26 …Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:  Ezek.14:6 …Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.  Ezek.18:30 …Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.v27 "when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed", v28 "he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die." v31 "Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed" 

 

Repentance is a casting down where faith is a rebuilding. 

Matt. 21:29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. v32 and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.  

Ac. 11:18 ... saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. 

2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  

In figure or in type, John the Baptist preceded Jesus Christ just like repentance precedes faith:  Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 

Baptism was a fruit or work of repentance. It was something they did by faith to indicate that they believe God’s counsel declaring He is right. Lk. 7:29-30 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.  

Christians believe the gospel of Jesus Christ after repenting (being persuaded) of their rebellion and are born again. That is, they receive the life of God by His Spirit. (Ac.8:35-8, 1 Jn.4:15, 5:1) They then are baptized by faith to demonstrate their repentance toward God and their faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ. Their justification and new birth are in a moment in the heart when it turns to the Lord in faith. Faith is a simple act of the will in response to the will of the Spirit of God. A union of wills. Faith in your heart follows being persuaded in your mind of the truth of God (repentance). Fruits are then manifested from these roots. 

Regarding 'repentance from what?' how should we respond? Obviously one cannot have faith in Christ until they repent of their unbelief in Christ. (Mk.9:24) Sinners are called to repent. (Mt. 9:13, Mk. 2:17, Luke 5:32, 15:7, 10, 24:47) We do not then put a yoke upon them that cannot be borne by anyone, so what are the necessary things? (Ac.15:9-11, 19-20, 28-9) Considering the Jews and Gentiles had different degrees of revelation (Rom.2) for the work of the law in their hearts they are responsible before God. We see this from Romans 1 as well as the reasons the wicked were driven from Canaan in Lev.18, 20. 

Gentiles would repent of sexual sins and idolatry: 

repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. 2 Cor.12:21 

to repent of her fornication Rev.2:21 them that commit adultery with her... except they repent of their deeds v22

repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols- 9:20 

Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. v21 

The Jews repented of the same as well as their disobedience to the covenant:

repentance from dead works Heb.6:1

Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness; 1 Ki.8:47

no man repented him of his wickedness- Jer.8:6

Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. Ezk.14:6

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Ezk.18:30

Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance... 10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.