THE OLD COVENANT
We will first examine blood purification under what is commonly called the "Old Covenant". This is the covenant between Yahweh and Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses. Most people believe that the sacrificial system started with Moses. Actually, the first sacrifice was performed by Yawheh, Himself when He made garments for Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness. We know that Abel's sacrifice was accepted while Cain's was not. There are many other patriarchal examples of sacrifices. Moses was just the first to codify it (write it down).
The key to understanding blood sacrifices, is recognizing the differences between physical impurity and spiritual impurity. Physical impurity can be more than just a dirty face. Breaking the law doesn't cause a dirty face, it causes a dirty heart (spiritually). But more than that, it may be a physical sin and have both spiritual and physical consequences and penalties.
Spiritual sins cannot be seen (they aren't physical) but their consequences may be physical and/or spiritual.
Physical sins are visible (the sin itself can be seen). They cause physical and/or spiritual consequences.
Sin is transgression of the law. (1 John 3:4)
The consequences of breaking the law affect the transgressor and even the earth (physically):
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Isaiah 24:5
Likewise, keeping the law has physical rewards:
But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely (physically) live, he shall not die (prematurely). Ezekiel 18:21
This same verse applies spiritually:
But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely (spiritually) live, he shall not die (shall live eternally). Ezekiel 18:21
There is life (physical and spiritual) now and eternally in following Yahweh and His law.
This is a demonstration of the "law of cause and effect".
PHYSICAL PURIFICATION OF PHYSICAL SIN
Using the rule that physical blood can only purify physical impurity, we can better understand the sacrifices given to Israel.
We all know about the sacrificial system and realize that it required the shedding of physical blood. Any belief that it could actually purify spiritual sin is a mistaken, pagan doctrine. However, physical purification can be the result of pardon, forgiveness and/or remission for physical sin.
For example, there is a law against stealing. If I stole your ox, that sin (transgression of the law) would result in physical consequences. Your ox would be missing and I would have an ox that didn't belong to me. These are physical consequences, aside from any spiritual effects. If you found that I had your ox, you might attack me to recover it. I could get hurt or die. These are physical results known as cause and effect.
According to law, I must physically atone for my sin. Atonement is composed of two parts. The first requirement for physical purification is restitution. I must physically return your ox. The second part is an apology. These are the two parts of atonement. 1) restitution and 2) peace, accord, unity.
The physical sacrifice helped prove (sealed) the sincerity of my apology and led me to the desire for physical repentance. It may (or may NOT) also lead me to spiritual repentance, which could lead to the promise of spiritual purification. Similar concepts can be used for any physical sin. The process helped keep each person upright, honest and honorable. These, would live long and prosper.
The dishonorable tend to disrepute and bad endings. These are the results of the law of cause and effect.
SPIRITUAL PURIFICATION OF SPIRITUAL SIN
The physical act of sacrifice could not / cannot / can never actually cleanse any spiritual sin or any spiritual component. All the "Days of Atonements" put together cannot result in even one tiny spiritual cleansing. Instead, the entire sacrificial system was a type (example) to ILLUSTRATE what would finally happen. If physical sacrifices had any efficacy, a redeemer, the salvation of Yahweh, would not have been required and paganism would be proven true.
And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: Hebrews 10:11
By faith in the promise of the coming perfect atonement and the Better Sacrifice, the people were "as if" they had been purified. They received conditional forgiveness - forgiveness of promise. This means that their guilt was removed from their hearts and minds. They had clean consciences. They had performed their two parts of atonement 1) restitution and 2) were at peace, accord, unity with Yahweh. The only thing lacking was the actual (future, promised) purification.
PHYSICAL PURIFICATION OF SPIRITUAL SIN
This is an impossible pagan concept.
THE NEW COVENANT
Things changed massively under the New Covenant.
PHYSICAL PURIFICATION OF PHYSICAL SIN
Blood sacrifices were stopped at Yahushua the Messiah's victory over Satan. Better sacrifices are made, instead, now. These better sacrifices which may still be works, are much more spiritual. But works STILL cannot remove spiritual impurity.
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. Hebrews 9:23
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to יהוה [Yahweh, our god] by Yahushua the Messiah. 1 Peter 2:5
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 9:13
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of יהוה [Yahweh], that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto יהוה [Yahweh], which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1
SPIRITUAL PURIFICATION OF SPIRITUAL SIN
Under the new covenant there is a large difference in the area of spiritual purification. The better sacrifice has now been made. Does this mean that the physical blood of the Messiah now purifies our spiritual sin? No! Physical blood, even that of the Messiah, can never remove spiritual impurity. That is STILL a pagan concept.
Does that make the Messiah's sacrifice for naught? or reduce its importance? Absolutely not.
Let us reason together.
Can anyone explain HOW spiritual sin is cleansed? How sinners are made pure? The legal principal by which sin is removed? Examining that will help us understand.
We know that physical blood doesn't purify spiritual sin. Purification of spiritual sin by physical blood is a pagan concept.
Yet, there are all these texts speaking about atonement for sin and remission of sin through the blood of the lamb, etc. How can this be resolved?
The key is understanding the PROCESS of purification of sin. It isn't difficult or hidden. Only Satan hides "mysteries" in paganism and the occult. Yahweh has revealed all.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins so then cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
That's it! It's that simple.
Before the Messiah's victory, all spiritual forgiveness was conditional - conditional promises based on the hoped for success of Yahweh's plan for salvation. If the plan had failed, those conditional cleansings would have failed. By FAITH the people accepted Yahweh's forgiveness based on the promise and HOPE that He would be victorious.
But wait! Didn't you just admit that His death (sacrifice) purifies us?
No! The death of the Messiah gave Him victory over Satan by proving it was possible to live a sinless life and that Satan's claims were false. His death also invoked His last will and testament. Through His will and testament we receive our promised inheritance. Our inheritance is the promised land and cleansing from all unrighteousness and eternal life. A will is made by the testator to pass something (goods or whatever is promised in the will) to the testator's heirs at his death. A will has no validity until the death of the testator.
"Inheritance" is mentioned over 300 times in the Bible. Some inheritances involved physical death of someone's father and inheritance by his son. But many involve inheritance of "promised land" or "eternal life" or equivalent which are promises to us. Have you ever considered or wondered HOW we could inherit promised land or eternal life or ANYTHING, without someone's death? We are called "heirs of His Kingdom". Heirs can ONLY claim their inheritance after the death of the testator.
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto Yahweh, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:18
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but Yahweh gave it to Abraham by promise. Galatians 3:18
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: Ephesians 1:11
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:15
For example:
Romans 4:13,14, 8:17, Galatians 3:29, 4:7, Titus 3:7, Hebrews 1:14, 6:17, 11:7,9, James 2:5, 1 Peter 3:7, Genesis 15:7, 28:4, Exodus 15:17,18, 32:13, Deuteronomy 4:20, Judges 2:6, 1 Samuel 2:8, 1 Kings 8:36, 1 Chronicles 28:8, 2 Chronicles 6:27, Psalms 16:5, 25:13, 33:12, 37:9,11,18,22,29,34, 69:36, Proverbs 3:35, 8:21, Isaiah 49:8, 57:13, 60:21, 65:9, Matthew 5:5, 19:29, 25:34, Mark 10:17, Acts 20:32, 26:18, Galatians 3:18, Ephesians 1:11, Colossians 1:12, 3:24, Hebrews 6:12, Hebrews 9:15, 1 Peter 1:4, Revelation 21:7.
ETERNAL SALVATION (see "Yahweh" is the ONLY Name that Saves)
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:27-28
Yahushua is telling us that his shed blood (and his broken body as represented by the breaking of bread, just before) would cause his death, which would invoke His last will and new testament. THIS is the basis of our salvation, not works of the flesh performed by a surrogate lamb. We are heirs of the Kingdom (Matthew 25:34, James 2:5). Heirs of His will and testament - forgiven (cleansed of all unrighteousness) as the gift of grace written in his will.
At the death of Yahushua the Messiah, Satan was conquered and the war (the great controversy) was won. The King was victorious and came into His Kingdom. Yahweh was Grantor/Testator of the original covenant (the one with Abram - not the one with Abraham, even though He also mediated that inferior contract) This covenant contained NO physical requirement of us, only promises. This contract has never been revoked. It is STILL in effect and provides our inheritance of salvation.
As victor, Yahweh (the Messiah's heavenly name) is legally able to grant forgiveness (spiritual forgiveness of spiritual sin) to the beneficiaries of the will and covenant. Without His death (sacrifice or not, blood or not) the will would not have been invoked, there would be no inheritance.
This covenant/will and forgiveness and spiritual purification are all free gifts granted by GRACE and accepted by FAITH. In NO instance can salvation or forgiveness be sold or purchased or substituted.
The blood is used to illustrate the similarities of the two systems NOT to indicate a legal, substitutionary pagan sacrifice.
Can you point to a text that says "Offer blood sacrifices and you will be saved?
or
"Only if Jesus offers Himself as a physical blood sacrifice, can your sins be legally purged"?
or, even
"Atone all your sins and you will be saved"? At most, we will be forgiven our sins, but our SALVATION is an inherited gift from Yahweh. (see "Yahweh" is the ONLY Name that Saves)
None of these concepts make any sense (legally) and all are pagan (spiritually).
ALL these are works of the flesh. Works of the flesh CANNOT purchase salvation. Salvation is a free gift.
If salvation is the result of faith and/or grace and/or Yahweh's Holy name (and it is all of these), it can't be the result of my making atonements, or of anyone making sacrifices or of someone else making a sacrifice for me, or even a blood sacrifice of Yahushua the Messiah, Himself.
The sacrifice that the Son made, was leaving Heaven, setting aside His Majesty and putting Himself in Satan's way which resulted in His death. That death concluded the proof that Satan had lied and was conquered. That implemented His last will and testament so that I could inherit His Kingdom. The "cross" was incidental. It was His sinless LIFE (which allowed resurrection) that has significance.
The only thing His actual blood sacrifice can do is PROVE His vast love for me and LEAD me to Yahweh. LEAD me to repentance. My repentance results in Yahweh's forgiveness and THAT is the only true SPIRITUAL PURIFICATION.
Symbols are important. The source of those symbols is even more important. The cross is a pagan symbol. The symbols that Yahushua, the Messiah gave use were bread and wine, representing His body and blood. His death is important because through it we receive our inheritance. The cross is nothing but a cruel tree (Deuteronomy 21:23).