Man has dissected and grouped and categorized atonement. This may be useful for studying, classifying and understanding strengths and errors but it is NOT how the Bible teaches atonement. The Bible tells us here a little and there a little, slowly unfolding one grand plan. We could spend hours studying all the Biblical references to atonement, especially reading Paul and the Gospels and studying and comparing with the sacrificial system of atonement. We could spend hours trying to answer all the objections and trying to show harmony in seemingly conflicting verses.

But all that is unnecessary. This page will quickly and efficiently describe true atonement as presented by the Son, Himself.

ATONEMENT is Yahweh's plan for ending the great controversy with Satan, ending the reign of sin, by reconciling man back into the family of Yahweh, united in Spirit with Him.

Yahushua (Jesus) described atonement clearly and concisely, using descriptive parables:

Finding the lost sheep, bringing the last, lost one back into the fold. (Luke 15:03-07, Matthew 18:11-14)

Searching until the lost coin is found. (Luke 15:08-10)

The great banquet prepared at the return of the lost son. (Luke 15:11-32)

All these speak to Yahweh's great final goal, restoration of all that was lost. This will be the end result of atonement.

But atonement also includes the MEANS of accomplishing that goal. HOW can the shepherd return his lost sheep to the fold if he doesn't go search for them?

The entire atonement is summed up and completely and accurately explained in Yahushua's (Jesus') parable of the wicked tenants:

And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the master of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. Mark 12:1-9

Yahweh created the world (planted a vineyard). He gave it's care to man. Adam (the first tenant caretaker) disregarded Yahweh and recognized Satan, instead of Yahweh, as the owner. He obeyed (worshiped - paid rent to) the usurper. Adam's offspring continued to obey the usurper (pay him the rents - worship) that is due Yahweh (the true land owner).

Yahweh repeatedly (many times) sent His many prophets (servants) to turn the minds of the people (collect the rents and regain His claim of ownership).

But man (the squatter husbandmen) treated the prophets (servants) badly and sent them away empty handed, they killed His prophets (servants).

Finally, Yahweh (the land owner) sent His own, only Son, His wellbeloved, NOT to be offered as a blood sacrifice to appease the Father, but to regain what was lost, to win back mans' worship (collect the just rents). To remove Satan (a usurper) from his position of control over His people (the tenant husbandmen).

Satan (the usurper) urged man (the tenant husbandmen) to murder the Son (exactly as the story narrated).

The key to understanding the atonement and this story is to realize that the "sacrifice" that the Christ made, was NOT death on the stake. His sacrifice was:

Let this mind be in you, which was also in the Messiah Yahushua [Jesus]: Who, being in the form of Elohim [God], [1] thought it not robbery to be equal with יהוה [Yahweh, our god]: But [2] made himself of no reputation, and [3] took upon him the form of a servant, and was [4] made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he [5] humbled himself, and [6] became obedient unto death, even [7] the death of the stake [mistranslated cross]. Wherefore יהוה [Yahweh] also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Philippians 2:5-9

The Son's leaving His Father, traveling to a far land, attempting to regain what was lost is the "sacrifice" implied in Mark 12:1-9. That resulted in His MURDER (NOT a blood sacrifice to appease anyone). It didn't HAVE to result in His murder (even though that outcome was known in advance). The murder was NOT the plan, even though it was known. The murder / execution was committed by man under the influence of Satan.

Yahushua COULD have died sinless, of natural causes of old age, and the result would have been no different (except for it being less reconciling). Satan would still have been defeated by Yahushua's sinless life. The atonement would still have been made. Satan's defeat was caused by Yahushua's sinless life. Death simply marked the end of Satan's ability to tempt Him to sin. That is why there is victory in death (Isaiah 25:8, 1 Corinthians 15:54,55)

"It is finished" (John 19:30) meant more than just the end of the Son's suffering on the cross. It referred to the end of the whole great controversy. It referred to the end of the plan of salvation. It referred to the end to the atonement. It referred to Satan's defeat. It referred to His victory. It referred to Satan's last and final hope for victory. It referred to the end of Satan's continued ability to tempt, cajole or convince Him to sin. "It is finished"

How could the controversy and atonement be explained more clearly? What is not to understand? There is nothing more!

Only man (under the influence of the usurper) could make it difficult and confusing. If you are still confused or unsure, ask for the Spirit's guidance and then re-read the Biblical account in Mark 12:1-9.

How then, does salvation result from the atonement?

Because Yahushua Messiah (Jesus Christ) defeated Satan, He is given all authority (save over the Father, who gave it).

For as in Adam all die, even so in the Messiah shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: the Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are the Messiah's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to יהוה [Yahweh], even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that יהוה [Yahweh] may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15:22-28

Yahu Yahweh, the Son, has authority to forgive sins (purify men, 1 John 1:9). This He does for everyone who calls on the Holy name of Yahweh.

This is our SALVATION! (see SPIRITUAL PURIFICATION OF SPIRITUAL SIN).