Ceremonial Law Fulfilled in Christ
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished
In the Old Testament, God called Israel to a life of holiness: “Be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). Through the laws given to Moses, they were set apart as His people. Unlike moral law, which reflects God’s eternal standards for right and wrong, or civil law, which governed Israel’s societal and judicial practices, ceremonial laws were specific to Israel’s worship practices, sacrifices, festivals, and rituals. However these ceremonial practices were more than just religious rules—they were designed to foreshadow a future Savior who would offer true spiritual cleansing and restore the broken relationship between humanity and God.
When Christ came to Israel, they had been uniquely prepared through Ceremonial Law to recognize Him as their Messiah. Their ceremonies pointed to His work in unmistakable ways: the sacrifices foreshadowed His atoning death as the Lamb of God, the priesthood mirrored His role as our perfect mediator, and the purity laws pointed to the complete spiritual cleansing He offers. The Ceremonial Law was “a shadow of the good things to come,” all of which were fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 10). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus accomplished what those rituals could only point toward: true holiness and redemption. In Him, the call to holiness is no longer about rituals but about transformation—being set apart to reflect God’s character and to see His hand at work in the world around us.
In this Bible study we’ll go through the things that God set apart as holy under the Old Covenant and trace their fulfilment in Christ in the New Covenant to give us a deeper understanding of God’s law and how it relates to us today.
Contents
Holy Places
A holy place is a space dedicated to encountering God’s presence and set apart for His purposes, it is marked by reverence and devotion. In the Bible, examples include the temple, tabernacle, and other sacred sites where God dwelled. In the New Testament, this idea expands to include believers themselves, who are described as “temples” of the Holy Spirit.
Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”
The Tabernacle
The tabernacle literally translates from Hebrew מִשְׁכָּן (mishkan) as a dwelling place. It was a holy place built from the Israelites' freewill offerings of their most valuable possessions, such as gold, silver, precious stones, and fine materials. This freewill offering indicated that God's presence among His people was dependent upon their relationship with Him. The tabernacle built from these offerings became a holy dwelling place where God could dwell in the midst of His people.
1 Then Yahweh said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him. 3 This is the offering you are to accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze; 4 blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair; 5 ram skins dyed red and fine leather; acacia wood; 6 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 7 and onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. 8 And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. 9 You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you.
16 Moses did everything just as Yahweh had commanded him. 17 So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The tabernacle served as a shadow of God's ultimate plan to dwell among His people, culminating in Jesus Christ. Every element and function of the tabernacle points to Jesus as the permanent and perfect embodiment of God's presence, mediation and sacrifice. Remarkably, the Tabernacle was first set up in the month of Nisan-the same month as Jesus' first coming, during the Passover Feast. This timing reveals how Jesus' coming fulfilled the prophetic timeline of God's dwelling among His people in a new way. Through Jesus, believers now experience a direct, intimate relationship with God. Just as the tabernacle was built out of freely given offerings, the Holy Spirit now dwells in those who come to God through willing, heartfelt surrender in Christ.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made…14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form. 10 And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (dwelling place) with him.
The Temple in Jerusalem
The Temple represented a permanent dwelling place for God’s presence, reflecting Israel’s transition from wandering to a settled nation with Jerusalem as its spiritual heart.
2 And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim. 3 When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, 4 and they brought up the ark of Yahweh and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up. 5 There, before the ark, King Solomon and the whole congregation of Israel who had assembled with him sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. 6 Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. 7 For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. 8 The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day. 9 There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where Yahweh had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt. 10 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of Yahweh 11 so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh. 12Then Solomon declared: “Yahweh has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. 13 I have indeed built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever.”
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The Temple in Jerusalem symbolized God’s permanent presence with His people, a dwelling dedicated during the fall feasts that prophetically align with Christ’s future return and His millennial kingdom. This Temple pointed forward to greater realities fulfilled in Jesus Christ and the unfolding of God’s eternal plan.
In the gospel of John, Jesus declared that His body is the true Temple, a sign of God's presence among humanity. His death and resurrection revealed that God's dwelling is no longer limited to a physical structure but found in Christ Himself. Beyond this, the Church—built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ as the cornerstone—becomes a living Temple where God dwells by His Spirit.
Prophecy in Ezekiel 40-48 speaks of a millennial Temple, a physical structure where Christ will reign on earth and all nations will come to worship. This millennial Temple is a step toward the ultimate fulfillment in the eternal state. In the new heaven and new earth, described in Revelation, the concept of a physical Temple reaches its culmination as God's glory fills new heaven and earth eternally as He dwells with His people.
Thus, the journey of the Temple—from its physical structure in Jerusalem, to the body of Christ, to the Church as His spiritual Temple, to the millennial Temple, and finally to the eternal reality of God Himself as the Temple—shows the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan to dwell fully and visibly with humanity forever.
18 On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?” 19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” 20 “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” 21 But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body. 22 After He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. Then they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
19 Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.
16 Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
22 But I saw no temple in the city (Heavenly Jerusalem), because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
The Holy of Holies
The Holy of Holies was the most sacred part of the tabernacle and later the temple. Separated by a thick veil, it housed the Ark of the Covenant and could only be entered by the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement. Before entering, the high priest would undergo thorough purification rituals to atone for both his own sins and those of the people. On that day, the high priest sprinkled the blood of a sacrifice on the mercy seat of the ark to secure atonement and renew the relationship between God and His people.
The Holy of Holies represented not only God's holiness and majesty, but also His mercy, while the strict regulations governing its access made evident the profound separation between the divine and the human caused by sin. The rituals and restrictions associated with the Holy of Holies were a powerful reminder of both the holiness of God and the continuing need for atonement in order to approach Him.
33 And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. 34 Put the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place.
16 He partitioned off the twenty cubits at the rear of the temple with cedar boards from floor to ceiling to form within the temple an inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. 17 And the main hall in front of this room was forty cubits long. 18 The cedar paneling inside the temple was carved with gourds and open flowers. Everything was cedar; not a stone could be seen. 19 Solomon also prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant of Yahweh there. 20 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
Jesus, as the ultimate High Priest, removed the barrier between humanity and God by offering Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice. Unlike the high priests, who entered the Most Holy Place annually with the blood of goats and calves, Jesus entered the true, heavenly Most Holy Place once and for all, securing eternal redemption by offering His own blood. His sacrifice was complete and perfect, accomplishing what animal sacrifices could only point to, as it cleansed humanity from sin and reconciled them to God. Through His death on the cross, Jesus opened a "new and living way" into God’s presence.
12 He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
The City of Jerusalem and Mount Zion
In the Old Testament, Mount Zion and Jerusalem are depicted as places of profound holiness, chosen by God as His earthly dwelling. Jerusalem is often called the "city of God" and "holy city," while Mount Zion, a part of Jerusalem, is where God’s presence uniquely resides among His people.
1 Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain. 2 Beautiful in loftiness, the joy of all the earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King.
1 He has founded His city on the holy mountains. 2 Yahweh loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are ascribed to you, O city of God.
11 Yahweh swore an oath to David, a promise He will not revoke: “One of your descendants I will place on your throne. 12 If your sons keep My covenant and the testimony I will teach them, then their sons will also sit on your throne forever and ever.” 13 For Yahweh has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His home: 14 “This is My resting place forever and ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired this home. 15 I will bless her with abundant provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will sing out in joy. 17 There I will make a horn grow for David; I have prepared a lamp for My anointed one. 18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown upon him will gleam.”
2 In the last days the mountain of the house of Yahweh will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem.
16 Yahweh will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will tremble. But Yahweh will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. 17 Then you will know that I am Yahweh your God, who dwells in Zion, My holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy, never again to be overrun by foreigners.
3 This is what Yahweh says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of Yahweh of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.”
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
Prophetically, Jerusalem and Mount Zion point to a future Millennial Kingdom of Christ and finally, to the "New Jerusalem" descending from heaven, the perfect, eternal dwelling place of God with His people. This heavenly Jerusalem will be filled with God’s light, life, and holiness, fulfilling His redemptive plan as His people live in His presence forever.
22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels 23 in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Revelation 21:1-2,10-11 (Isaiah 65:17–25)
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband…10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal.
Holy Objects
The concept of being "Most Holy to the Lord" implies a level of sanctity and dedication that is absolute. It reflects the idea of something being entirely set apart for God's purposes, not for common or profane use. Sacred objects were placed in the most holy place, all of them in one way or another foreshadowing Christ.
Ark of the Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, contained the tablets of the Law, the jar of manna and Aaron’s staff. It measured approximately 1.1 m x 0.7 m x 0.7 m and had a golden lid, the mercy seat, flanked by two cherubim, symbolizing God's presence. It was placed in the Holy of Holies within the Tabernacle and later the Temple, and could only be approached by the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement.
2 Chronicles 35:3 (Exodus 25:10–16, Exodus 37:1–5)
3 To the Levites who taught all Israel and were holy to Yahweh, Josiah said: “Put the holy ark in the temple built by Solomon son of David king of Israel. It is not to be carried around on your shoulders. Now serve Yahweh your God and His people Israel.
3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, 4 containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of glory, overshadowing the mercy seat…
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
In Christ, the Ark of the Covenant’s symbolism and purpose find their ultimate and perfect fulfillment, making Him the living embodiment of God's covenant with humanity.
Stone Tablets
The Ark housed the stone tablets of the Law, the symbol of God's covenant with Israel, and served as the place for atonement through sacrificial blood. Jesus, as the Mediator of the New Covenant, through His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross provided eternal redemption fulfilling the sacrificial requirement of the Old Covenant.
17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill (to make full, to complete) them. 18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished (to come into being, to happen, to become).
15 Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
Manna
Inside the Ark was also a jar of manna, the bread God provided to sustain the Israelites in the wilderness, which is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the true Bread from Heaven who offers spiritual nourishment and eternal life.
47 Truly, truly, I tell you, he who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that anyone may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.”
Aaron’s rod
Aaron’s rod, placed in the Ark as a sign of God’s chosen priesthood, symbolized life and authority, which is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest who brings life out of death, just as Aaron’s dead rod miraculously budded with life, and continually intercedes for believers.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
23 Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
The Veil of the Temple
The veil separated the Holy of Holies, where God’s presence dwelled, from the rest of the Temple. Only the High Priest could enter in once a year during the Day of Atonement.
31 Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it. 32 Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood, overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. 33 And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. 34 Put the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place. 35 And place the table outside the veil on the north side of the tabernacle, and put the lampstand opposite the table, on the south side.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The veil in the Temple foreshadowed Christ’s own body, which would be torn to open a way for all people to enter into God’s presence. At the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross, the veil in the Temple was torn ‘from top to bottom’—a divine act showing that God had removed the separation between Himself and humanity. Through Christ’s sacrifice, believers are no longer required to approach God through an earthly priest. Instead, they now have direct access to the Father through Jesus, our ‘great high priest’.
Matthew 27:-50-51 (Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45)
50 When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. 51 At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
The Table of Showbread
The Table of Showbread, found in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, was a sacred table that held twelve loaves. These symbolized God's provision and His covenant with the twelve tribes of Israel, serving as a continual reminder of His presence and sustenance for His people. The Hebrew term "lechem panim" literally translates to "Bread of the Face," signifying the idea of being in God's presence.
Exodus 25:23–30 (Exodus 37:10–16)
23 You are also to make a table of acacia wood two cubits long, a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. 24 Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it. 25 And make a rim around it a handbreadth wide and put a gold molding on the rim. 26 Make four gold rings for the table and fasten them to the four corners at its four legs. 27 The rings are to be close to the rim, to serve as holders for the poles used to carry the table. 28 Make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, so that the table may be carried with them. 29 You are also to make the plates and dishes, as well as the pitchers and bowls for pouring drink offerings. Make them out of pure gold. 30 And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times.
5 You are also to take fine flour and bake twelve loaves, using two-tenths of an ephah (about 2.6 kg or 4.4 lt) for each loaf, 6 and set them in two rows—six per row—on the table of pure gold before Yahweh. 7 And you are to place pure frankincense near each row, so that it may serve as a memorial portion for the bread, an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 8 Every Sabbath day the bread is to be set out before Yahweh on behalf of the Israelites as a permanent covenant. 9 It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in a holy place; for it is to him a most holy part of the offerings made by fire to Yahweh—his portion forever.”
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
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12 loaves of showbread for 12 tribes Israel
The 12 loaves of showbread represented the 12 tribes of Israel, symbolizing God’s covenant with His people and His continual provision for the nation. Jesus, the "Bread of Life" (John 6:35), offers spiritual sustenance not only to the descendants of Israel but to all who come to Him. The 12 loaves also foreshadow the calling of the 12 apostles, who represent the new people of God in Christ. Just as the 12 tribes formed the foundation of Israel, the 12 apostles form the foundation of the Church, which is grafted into Israel and becomes part of God’s people.
19 Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
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Offering of frankincense with the bread
Frankincense was offered with the showbread as a symbol of the prayers and worship that rose to God. Christ’s life and sacrificial death were a fragrant offering to God, fulfilling what the offerings and incense of the Old Covenant pointed toward. Christ’s continual intercession on behalf of His people rises like incense before God as well as prayers of the saints.
24 But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
8 When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
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Setting out the Showbread every Sabbath before Yahweh as a permanent covenant
The bread was set before Yahweh every Sabbath as a sign of the continual covenant between God and His people. Jesus is the "Lord of the Sabbath", and through Him, believers enter into a true rest and a permanent covenant with Him.
5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent? 6 But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. 7 If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
9 There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.
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The bread belongs to Aaron and his sons
The bread was reserved for Aaron and his sons, the priests, who ate it as part of their sacred duties. Only the priests, who were consecrated, could partake of this holy bread. Jesus, our High Priest, is the true bread given for His people. In the New Covenant, all believers are made priests through Christ. The bread, which belonged to the priests under the Old Covenant, now belongs to all who are part of Christ's royal priesthood.
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
…To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood, 6 who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
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The priests have to eat the bread in a holy place
The bread had to be eaten in a holy place by the priests, emphasizing the sacredness of their service and the need for purity. In the New Covenant, believers are called to partake of Christ in a holy manner. The Church, which is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, is itself the new "holy place" as well as each believer, partaking of the Bread of Life.
19 Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (1 Corinthians 6:19)
16 Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
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It is the most holy part of the offerings forever
The showbread was considered the most holy part of the offerings. Jesus is the ultimate and most holy offering, the sacrifice that fulfills all the offerings of the Old Covenant. Through His death and resurrection, Christ becomes the eternal Bread of Life, the most holy part of the New Covenant.
8 In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law). 9 Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet, 14 because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.
The Lampstand
The Lampstand was a seven-branched gold lamp in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, symbolizing God's light and presence among His people.
Exodus 25:31-32 (Exodus 25:31–40, Exodus 37:17–24, Numbers 8:1–4)
31 Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. 32 Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
Jesus fulfills the symbolism of the menorah as the ultimate light, bringing life, guidance, and salvation to all, while His followers continue to shine His light in the world.
1 “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations…6 “I, Yahweh, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, 7 to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house.
14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
12 Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven Spirits of God.
23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Altar of Burnt Offering
The Altar of Burnt Offering was a large bronze altar in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, where animal sacrifices were made to atone for the sins of the Israelites, representing their devotion and repentance before God.
Exodus 29:37 (Exodus 27:1–8,Exodus 38:1–7)
37 For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will become most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy.
10 If anyone from the house of Israel or a foreigner living among them eats any blood, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from among his people. 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The Altar of Burnt Offering finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. While the Old Testament sacrifices were temporary and repeated, Jesus' death on the cross was a once-for-all atonement, fulfilling the requirements of the law and bringing eternal reconciliation with God. His sacrifice was the culmination of what the burnt offerings foreshadowed—atonement, substitution, and the removal of sin.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
12 He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!
Incense Altar
The Incense Altar was a small, gold-covered altar located in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and Temple, where aromatic incense was burned twice daily as a symbol of prayer, worship and intercession rising to God.
Exodus 30:10 (Exodus 30:1–10, Exodus 37:25–29)
10 Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on the horns of the altar. Throughout your generations he shall make atonement on it annually with the blood of the sin offering of atonement. The altar is most holy to Yahweh.”
34 Yahweh also said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense—in equal measures, 35 and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. 36 Grind some of it into fine powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. 37 You are never to use this formula to make incense for yourselves; you shall regard it as holy to Yahweh. 38 Anyone who makes something like it to enjoy its fragrance shall be cut off from his people.”
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The Altar of Incense is fulfilled in Jesus as the Great Intercessor who brings believers' prayers before God and is the fragrant offering whose sacrificial death was pleasing to the Father. Through Him, the prayers of believers rise as incense before God.
34 Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.
3 Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel.
Anointing Oil
The oil used to consecrate the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests. In the Old Testament, kings and prophets were also anointed with oil to signify their God-ordained role and empower them for it through the Holy Spirit.
25 Prepare from these a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a sacred anointing oil. 26 Use this oil to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the Testimony, 27 the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, the altar of incense, 28 the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand. 29 You are to consecrate them so that they will be most holy. Whatever touches them shall be holy. 30 Anoint Aaron and his sons and consecrate them to serve Me as priests. 31 And you are to tell the Israelites, ‘This will be My sacred anointing oil for the generations to come. 32 It must not be used to anoint an ordinary man, and you must not make anything like it with the same formula. It is holy, and it must be holy to you. 33 Anyone who mixes perfume like it or puts it on an outsider shall be cut off from his people.’ ”
39 Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!”
15 Then Yahweh said to him (Elijah), “Go back by the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. 16 You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
In the New Testament, the anointing oil carries deep symbolic meaning, relating to Jesus’ role as the Messiah and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon believers. The term 'Messiah' (Hebrew: Mashiach) and 'Christ' (Greek: Christos) both mean 'Anointed One,' reflecting Jesus’ divine appointment and mission. Just as kings, priests, and prophets in the Old Testament were anointed with oil to signify their calling and consecration, Jesus’ title as the Anointed One emphasizes His fulfillment of these roles. Furthermore, the anointing oil signifies the presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus imparts to His followers, equipping them for lives of faith and service. This symbolism points to a new covenant, in which the Holy Spirit dwells within believers, marking them as part of God’s chosen people and empowering them to carry out His work.
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then He rolled up the scroll, returned it to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him, 21 and He began by saying, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
37 You yourselves know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee with the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.
8 But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”
21 Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, 22 placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.
Priestly Garments
The priestly garments were specifically designed for Aaron and his sons to serve as mediators between God and His people in the Tabernacle. These garments included the breastpiece, ephod, robe, tunic, turban, and sash—each rich with spiritual significance under the Old Covenant, symbolizing holiness, intercession, and service. Isaiah later gives a prophetic glimpse of the Messiah clothed with righteousness like a breastplate and a helmet of salvation, signifying His role as the ultimate High Priest. Under the New Covenant, these physical garments take on a deeper spiritual meaning, transforming into the believer’s inner reality. As Paul explains in Ephesians, believers are called to put on the full armor of God—truth, righteousness, salvation, faith, and the Word of God—equipping them for spiritual battles and uniting them with Christ.
4 These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests.
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The Ephod (Exodus 28:6–14, Exodus 39:1–7)
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The Breastpiece of Judgement (Exodus 28:15–30, Exodus 39:8–21)
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The Robe (Exodus 28:31-35, Exodus 39:22–25)
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The Holy Crown (Exodus 28:36-38, Exodus 39:30–31)
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The Tunic, the Turban and the Sash (Exodus 28:39-40, Exodus 39:27–29)
16 He saw that there was no man; He was amazed that there was no one to intercede. So His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him. 17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.
13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The priestly garments symbolized holiness, mediation, and service. Jesus fulfills these symbols in the New Covenant as our ultimate High Priest. His sinless life, sacrificial death, and ongoing intercession fulfill every aspect of the priestly ministry. He bears His people before God, intercedes for them, and serves as the mediator of a better covenant (Hebrews 8:6), thus perfectly fulfilling the role represented by the priestly garments.
1 The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. 3 And since every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer. 4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are already priests who offer gifts according to the law. 5 The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises.
11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation.
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…
Holy Offerings and Sacrifices
Under the Old Covenant, sacred offerings and sacrifices were central acts of worship that served as expressions of faith, repentance, gratitude, and devotion. These practices often involved the ritualistic giving of animals, grains, wine, incense, or other valuable items to God. Sacrifices were seen as a way to atone for sins, seek forgiveness, and restore one’s relationship with God.
1 Then Yahweh said to Moses, 2 “Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings that the Israelites have consecrated to Me, so that they do not profane My holy name. I am Yahweh. 3 Tell them that for the generations to come, if any of their descendants in a state of uncleanness approaches the sacred offerings that the Israelites consecrate to Yahweh, that person must be cut off from My presence. I am Yahweh.
The Burnt Offering
The burnt offering was a ritual symbolizing complete dedication to God. In this practice, the entire animal—be it a bull, goat, sheep, or bird—was entirely burned on the altar. This differed from other sacrifices where parts of the animal might be consumed by priests or the worshiper. The total burning of the offering represented that every aspect of the worshiper’s life—thoughts, actions, possessions, and intentions—was to be fully surrendered to God's will, leaving nothing for personal use or gain.
Leviticus 1:3-4 (Leviticus 1:1–17, Leviticus 6:8–13)
3 If one’s offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before Yahweh. 4 He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The burnt offering is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who fully submitted to God's will. His life was a perfect sacrifice of obedience and devotion to God's plan for humanity. Unlike the animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant, Jesus' sacrifice is final, sufficient, and eternal.
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.”
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.
The Grain Offering
The grain offering represented an offering of the fruits of labor and an expression of gratitude to God. It involved flour, oil, and incense, symbolizing the work of human hands consecrated to God.
Leviticus 2:1-3 (Leviticus 2:1–16, Leviticus 6:14–23)
1 “When anyone brings a grain offering to Yahweh, his offering must consist of fine flour. He is to pour olive oil on it, put frankincense on it, 2 and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to Yahweh. 3 The remainder of the grain offering shall belong to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the offerings made by fire to Yahweh.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The grain offering was made of fine flour, which was to be free from leaven. Leaven in Scripture often represents sin, and the offering's requirement to be without leaven is a picture of Jesus' sinlessness. Jesus Christ is the sinless, pure offering, the bread of life, and the source of spiritual sustenance.
The grain offering was made of fine flour, which was specifically required to be free from leaven. In Scripture, leaven is often associated with sin and corruption. For instance, in Matthew 16:6, Jesus warns His disciples to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees," referring to their teachings and hypocrisy. Therefore, the absence of leaven in the grain offering serves as a representation of purity and holiness. Jesus is not only the perfect sacrifice but also the source of spiritual sustenance for all who believe in Him. In John 6:51, He states, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever."
Thus, the grain offering points to the purity and sinlessness of Christ, who offers eternal life and sustenance to those who follow Him. Through His sacrifice, believers are nourished spiritually, empowered to live a life reflective of His holiness.
35 Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
The Drink Offering
The drink offering involved the pouring out of wine alongside other offerings, symbolizing the complete surrender of one’s life, as well as the outpouring of joy, dedication, and fellowship with God. It was typically presented alongside burnt offerings, grain offerings, and peace offerings, reflecting a holistic act of worship.
Numbers 15:6-7 (Exodus 29:40)
6 With a ram you are to prepare a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of olive oil, 7 and a third of a hin of wine as a drink offering, a pleasing aroma to Yahweh.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The pouring out of Jesus' blood on the cross directly connects with the symbolism of the drink offering. His blood, poured out for the remission of sins, fulfills the typology of wine being poured out as part of worship in the Old Covenant.
12 Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.
27 Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
The Peace Offering
The peace offering symbolized reconciliation and fellowship between God and the worshiper. Part of the animal was consumed by the worshiper, symbolizing communion with God.
Leviticus 3:1-2 (Leviticus 3:1–17, Leviticus 7:11–21)
1 “If one’s offering is a peace offering and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he must present it without blemish before Yahweh. 2 He is to lay his hand on the head of the offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood on all sides of the altar.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
Christ’s atonement brings true and lasting peace with God, which the Peace Offering foreshadowed.
5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.
The Sin Offering
The sin offering was made to atone for unintentional sins. The blood of the animal was shed to purify the people and the sanctuary.
Leviticus 4:1-4 (Leviticus 4:1–5:13, Leviticus 6:24–30)
1 Then Yahweh said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to do as follows with one who sins unintentionally against any of Yahweh’s commandments and does what is forbidden by them: 3 If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to Yahweh a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed. 4 He must bring the bull to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before Yahweh, lay his hand on the bull’s head, and slaughter it before Yahweh.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The sin offering in the Old Testament finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ as the ultimate, perfect sacrifice for sin. This concept is central to the New Testament's teaching on salvation and the atonement.
6 We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. 8…He was stricken for the transgression of My people. 11…By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures…
27 Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.
2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.
The Guilt Offering
The guilt offering required restitution in cases of wrongdoing or damage, emphasizing the need for justice and reconciliation between the offender, the victim, and God. It was required when someone committed a sin involving sacred things, defrauding a neighbor, or some other form of social or spiritual wrongdoing. The sinner had to bring a ram without blemish and also make restitution, adding a fifth of the value.
Leviticus 5:14-16 (Leviticus 5:14–19, Leviticus 6:1–7, Leviticus 7:1–10)
14 Then Yahweh said to Moses, 15 “If someone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally against any of Yahweh’s holy things, he must bring his guilt offering to Yahweh: an unblemished ram from the flock, of proper value in silver shekels according to the sanctuary shekel; it is a guilt offering. 16 Regarding any holy thing he has harmed, he must make restitution by adding a fifth of its value to it and giving it to the priest, who will make atonement on his behalf with the ram as a guilt offering, and he will be forgiven.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
Jesus as the ultimate guilt offering, was crushed for the iniquities of humanity, making restitution for sin and providing reconciliation with God. He canceled the debt of sin—spiritually restoring what had been lost through human sinfulness. His death on the cross is the ultimate act of restitution, reconciling humanity with God.
10 Yet it was Yahweh’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of Yahweh will prosper in His hand.
13 When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, 14 having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross!
10 For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!
The Day of Atonement Offering
On the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to make atonement for himself and the people. This sacred ritual took place only once a year and required the blood of a sacrifice. Two goats played central roles: one as a sin offering and the other as the scapegoat, symbolically carrying Israel’s sins into the wilderness. This ceremony temporarily reconciled God and Israel, allowing the covenant to endure despite the people's sins.
8 After Aaron casts lots for the two goats, one for Yahweh and the other for the Azazel, 9 he shall present the goat chosen by lot for Yahweh and sacrifice it as a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before Yahweh to make atonement by sending it into the wilderness (desert) to Azazel…
21 Then he is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the iniquities and rebellious acts of the Israelites in regard to all their sins. He is to put them on the goat’s head and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man appointed for the task. 22 The goat will carry on itself all their iniquities into a solitary place, and the man will release it into the wilderness…
29 This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you shall humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you— 30 because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before Yahweh. 31 It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute. 32 The priest who is anointed and ordained to succeed his father as high priest shall make atonement. He will put on the sacred linen garments 33 and make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, and for the priests and all the people of the assembly. 34 This is to be a permanent statute for you, to make atonement once a year for the Israelites because of all their sins.”
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The atonement accomplished by Jesus on the cross is the foundation for the removal of sin. Through His death, Jesus bore the sins of humanity, offering complete forgiveness for those who place their faith in Him. However, the presence of sin in the world and in human lives continues. The final and complete removal of sin—both in terms of its power and presence—occurs in the end-times during and after the final judgment.
Hebrews 2:14 (1 John 3:8)
14 Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
11 Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. 4 ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”
13 But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
What about the two goats?
The Sacrificial Goat or the “Goat for Yahweh” was offered as a sin offering, atoning for unintentional sin or breaking of any of God’s commandments.
The Scapegoat or the “Goat for Azazel” had the sins of Israel symbolically transferred to it and then driven into the wilderness. The Hebrew word for Azazel is made up of two words “עֲזָ” - the goat and “אזֵל” which means to be used up, to be exhausted, to be finished, to have run out. If we pay attention to the main points of the scapegoat ritual we can see how it is different from the sacrificial goat which foreshadows Christ. The scapegoat foreshadows Satan being cast out into the lake of fire.
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All sin of Israel was confessed over the scapegoat
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It was sent into the wilderness/desert by the appointed man
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The goat had to carry on itself all the sin into the uninhabited place (Luke 11:24, Matthew 12:43)
31 Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.”
7 When the thousand years are complete, Satan will be released from his prison, 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore. 9 And they marched across the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them. 10 And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 11 Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.
Holy Times
In the Bible, sacred times—such as the Sabbath and Appointed Feasts—are integral components of God's calendar, marking specific periods designated for worship, rest, and remembrance of His covenant and redemptive work throughout history. These holy days not only commemorate past events but also serve as prophetic milestones within God's prophetic timeline, foreshadowing future fulfillments in His divine plan.
The Sabbath
The Sabbath is a sacred day of rest and worship observed on the seventh day of the week, symbolizing God’s completion of creation and the need for spiritual renewal, while also serving as a covenant sign between God and His people forever.
Genesis 2:3 (Exodus 16:23, Exodus 20:11)
3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.
12 And Yahweh said to Moses, 13 “Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must keep My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you. 14 Keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Anyone who profanes it must surely be put to death. Whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from among his people. 15 For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to Yahweh. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death. 16 The Israelites must keep the Sabbath, celebrating it as a permanent covenant for the generations to come. 17 It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days Yahweh made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’ ”
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The Sabbath finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ in several profound ways. He is the Lord of the Sabbath, offering spiritual rest, healing, and restoration. His redemptive work on the cross fulfills the symbolic meaning of the Sabbath—rest from works. As believers, we are now called to rest in Him. The New Testament shifts the focus from observing a specific day to embracing the person of Jesus, who embodies the ultimate Sabbath rest for His people. Given that the Sabbath is an appointed time in Scripture and that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, it is likely that He will return for His Millennial Reign on this day, often referred to as the Day of the Lord.
27 Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
15 “You hypocrites!” the Lord replied. “Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it to water? 16 Then should not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be released from her bondage on the Sabbath day?”
3 Then Jesus said to the man with the withered hand, “Stand up among us.” 4 And He asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
16 Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body (that casts it) belongs to Christ.
Jubilee Year
The Jubilee Year is a sacred year that occurs every 50 years beginning with Israelites entering the promised land, during which debts were canceled, slaves were freed, and land was restored to its original owners.
1 Then Yahweh said to Moses on Mount Sinai, 2“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land that I am giving you, the land itself must observe a Sabbath to Yahweh. 3 For six years you may sow your field and prune your vineyard and gather its crops. 4 But in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of complete rest for the land—a Sabbath to Yahweh. You are not to sow your field or prune your vineyard. 5 You are not to reap the aftergrowth of your harvest or gather the grapes of your untended vines. The land must have a year of complete rest. 6 Whatever the land yields during the Sabbath year shall be food for you—for yourself, your manservant and maidservant, the hired hand or foreigner who stays with you, 7 and for your livestock and the wild animals in your land. All its growth may serve as food. 8 And you shall count off seven Sabbaths of years—seven times seven years—so that the seven Sabbaths of years amount to forty-nine years. 9 Then you are to sound the horn far and wide on the tenth day of the seventh month, the Day of Atonement. You shall sound it throughout your land. 10 So you are to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be your Jubilee, when each of you is to return to his property and to his clan. 11 The fiftieth year will be a Jubilee for you; you are not to sow the land or reap its aftergrowth or harvest the untended vines. 12 For it is a Jubilee; it shall be holy to you. You may eat only the crops taken directly from the field.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The Jubilee Year was a prophetic foreshadowing of the greater redemption and release that would come through Jesus, who was likely born during the 29th Jubilee. As the fulfillment of this appointed time, Jesus proclaimed a spiritual Jubilee at the beginning of His ministry by reading from Isaiah 61, which is prophetically linked to the coming of the Messiah. This passage foretells a figure anointed by the Spirit of the Lord to:
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Preach good news to the poor
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
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Proclaim freedom for the captives
34 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
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Release the oppressed
38 But Jesus answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns so I can preach there as well, for that is why I have come.” 39 So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
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Proclaim "the year of the Lord’s favor"
16 Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read, 17 the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then He rolled up the scroll, returned it to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him, 21 and He began by saying, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
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The second coming of Christ or the Day of the Lord, which Isaiah calls the day of vengeance, is expected to occur during another Jubilee or the year of recompense.
8 For Yahweh has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.
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Prophetic fulfilment of Jubilee culminates in the final restoration of all things in the New Heaven and New Earth after the Millennium marking the last Jubilee.
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. 4 ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.” 6 And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life. 7 The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.
Appointed Feasts
These sacred times are marked by specific festivals each holding deep spiritual significance. These occasions are set apart for worship and remembrance, they also point to and foreshadow Messiah’s role in human history of redemption. For more detailed look at the feasts you can visit these pages: Biblical Feasts and Feasts Fulfilled.
These are Yahweh’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
The Hebrew word for "feasts" (moadim) translates to "appointed times," highlighting that these festivals are divinely ordained events within God's plan, reflecting His purpose and timing. The first four feasts, which occur in the spring—Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Weeks—were prophetically fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament, with His death, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit aligning perfectly with these feast days. The final three feasts—Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles—which take place in the fall, point toward future fulfillment, symbolizing key events related to the Lord’s second coming and the ultimate restoration during the end times. Through these feasts, God's redemptive work is both commemorated and anticipated, bridging past, present, and future in His divine plan.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
Vowed Items
Vowed items are possessions or offerings that people irrevocably dedicate to God through a solemn promise, often in gratitude or in response to a specific need, symbolizing complete devotion; such offerings— which may include firstborn livestock, tithes, and devoted persons or property— are considered most holy to God and cannot be redeemed or substituted.
The Firstborn
The dedication of the firstborn is rooted in the Law of Moses, where God commanded Israel to dedicate their firstborn sons and livestock to Him. This practice recalled God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt, particularly the sparing of Israel’s firstborn sons during the final plague.
Exodus 13:2 (Exodus 13:12-16, Deuteronomy 15:19–23)
2 “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”
26 But no one may consecrate a firstborn of the livestock, because a firstborn belongs to Yahweh. Whether it is an ox or a sheep, it is Yahweh’s. 27 But if it is among the unclean animals, then he may redeem it according to your valuation and add a fifth of its value. If it is not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation. 28 Nothing that a man sets apart to Yahweh from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to Yahweh. 29 No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death.
11 Again Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to Me, 13 for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They are Mine; I am Yahweh.”
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
In the New Testament, Jesus is recognized as the ultimate Firstborn who is set apart and consecrated by God, leading others into spiritual adoption as God’s children.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. 19 For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross.
28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
The Tithe from the Land
The tithe from the land represented an acknowledgment of God’s provision and the people’s dependence on Him. It was a tenth of the produce from the land, which was to be given to the Levitical priesthood, who served as mediators between God and the people.
Leviticus 27:30-33
(Deuteronomy 14:22–29; Deuteronomy 26:1–15; Nehemiah 13:10–14)
30 Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to Yahweh; it is holy to Yahweh. 31 If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value. 32 Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to Yahweh. 33 He must not inspect whether it is good or bad, and he shall not make any substitution. But if he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute shall become holy; they cannot be redeemed.’ ”
19 All the holy offerings that the Israelites present to Yahweh I give to you and to your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. It is a permanent covenant of salt before Yahweh for you and your offspring.” 20 Then Yahweh said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. 21 Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
Jesus embodies and transcends the symbolic role of the tithe, becoming the ultimate holy offering, eternal mediator, and divine provision for all who belong to Him.
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Holiness: Jesus' life and sacrifice embody the holiness symbolized by the tithe, as He offers Himself entirely to God for humanity’s redemption.
For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth.
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Redemption’s Cost: The cost of redemption, seen in the tithe’s extra fifth, is fulfilled as Christ gives Himself completely and sacrificially to redeem humanity.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
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Unconditional Dedication: Christ’s perfect and irreplaceable sacrifice meets the requirement of a holy offering that cannot be substituted.
And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
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Provision and Priesthood: Jesus provides spiritual sustenance and acts as our eternal High Priest, embodying the role and inheritance of the Levites.
Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.
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God as Inheritance: Through Jesus, believers now share directly in a relationship with God, with Jesus as their spiritual sustenance and eternal portion.
And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.
And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Ritual Purity
The ritual purity laws (Leviticus 11–15) were given to teach Israel about holiness and separation from impurity, reflecting God’s holy nature. These laws addressed clean and unclean animals, bodily discharges, leprosy, and contact with the dead, serving as a means for Israel to approach God in worship. Ultimately, these laws foreshadowed the need for a deeper, spiritual purification that Jesus would accomplish.
43 Do not defile yourselves by any crawling creature; do not become unclean or defiled by them. 44 For I am Yahweh your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground. 45 For I am Yahweh, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt so that I would be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.
⁃ Fulfilment in Jesus
Jesus fulfilled the ritual purity laws by embodying perfect purity, demonstrating authority over impurity, providing ultimate purification through His sacrifice, and establishing a New Covenant that redefines purity in spiritual terms. Through Him, believers are made clean, not by external rituals, but by His blood and Spirit.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!
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Jesus as the Embodiment of Purity
4 Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
26 Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
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Authority Over Impurity
Jesus interacted with and healed those considered ritually unclean under the law, demonstrating His authority over impurity and revealing the deeper spiritual purification He came to bring. He touched and healed a leper, cleansing the man without becoming unclean Himself. A woman with a long-term bleeding disorder was healed through her faith when she touched Him, and instead of being defiled, Jesus made her pure. He also raised the dead, overcoming both death and impurity.
⁃ The Leper
(Leviticus 14:1–32; Mark 1:40–45; Luke 5:12–16)
1 When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 2 Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.”
⁃ The Bleeding Woman
(Leviticus 15:25-27; Mark 5:21–43; Luke 8:40–56)
20 Suddenly a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If only I touch His cloak, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take courage, daughter,” He said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that very hour.
⁃ Dead Bodies
Contact with the dead made someone unclean (Numbers 19:11-13), yet Jesus raised the dead (Jairus’s daughter in Mark 5:35-43 and Lazarus in John 11), demonstrating His authority over death and impurity.
Conclusion
In our exploration of the Old Testament ceremonial laws, we've uncovered their profound purpose: to set Israel apart as a holy nation and to foreshadow the coming Messiah. These laws highlighted the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement, serving as a guide for worship and daily living. Jesus Christ fulfilled these laws through His perfect life and sacrificial death, embodying their deeper meaning and providing a path to true holiness.