Two goats were used during the annual Day of Atonement. The first goat was slain and its blood sprinkled upon and before the Mercy Seat to make an atonement for the tribes of Israel.

The second goat was "presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with him." Notice carefully that the blood of the second goat was not offered. The goat remained alive and yet it was part of the atonement.

What is this telling us?

The Lord Jesus is the spiritual fulfillment of both goats. The Lord Jesus was slain to make an atonement by the sprinkling of His blood. The Lord Jesus also remains alive and His Life is an important part of the atonement.

The first part of the atonement, that of appeasing God's justice by means of the shedding of the innocent blood, has been preached faithfully and clearly throughout the centuries of the Christian Era.

The second part of the atonement, the removal of sin from the camp, may not have been as clearly understood. Perhaps now is the time when the second part of the atonement will be preached and experienced.

The Lord Jesus has saved us in our sins. Now He is ready to save us from our sins.

The Lamb of God has made an atonement for the sins of the world. Now He is ready to take away the sins of the world.

Several passages of the New Testament reveal that the program of our salvation is past, present, and future. The Bible speaks of a future hope, a future salvation to come in the last days. We are saved by hope, the hope that our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Christ was offered to bear the sins of many. It is written that He shall come the second time without sin unto salvation.

Malachi predicts the coming of One who will purify the sons of Levi, the royal priesthood.

It is clear from Scripture that when the Church is presented to the Lamb it will be without spot or wrinkle. We have faith that a glorious Day of Redemption is soon to appear in which we who have patiently followed the Lord will be like Him.

We think the coming Day of the Lord is casting its shadow beforehand, that the Lord is ready to help us cast off the graveclothes of sin and self-will so we will be ready to appear with Him in glory. Lazarus has been summoned from the dead still bound.

We are not to fret ourselves when we see the maturing of the tares in the world. God will give us more grace and glory, and the tribulations and persecutions produced by the maturing of wickedness will serve to press the believers into the Person and image of the Lord Jesus. Where sin abounds, grace will much more abound. All things are still working together for good!

A salvation that forgives the guilt of our sin is marvelous beyond words. A salvation that not only forgives our sins but actually removes them is even more marvelous and beyond all we could hope or think.

Be encouraged in the Lord. Forget the things that are past. Confess your sins to the Lord and see for yourself if the strength is there to enable you to turn away from them.

You yet will be free from your graveclothes and will dance on the mountains of spices with the Lord!