Playlist:

playlist Go to the Blood, Symbolism of (topic) playlist

Filter by Categories

Everlasting Covenant of Blood

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

'Blood is thicker than water' indicates that ties to the family come before any other alliances. Yet the 'blood' could also refer to the sealing of a covenant.

Passover and the Blood of Jesus Christ

Sermonette by

The symbolism of blood in the biblical context carries profound significance, representing various aspects of life and covenant. Blood is essentially synonymous with life, as God declares in Genesis 9:3-4 that the life of the flesh is in the blood, a principle reiterated in Leviticus 17:11 and 17:14, where blood is identified as the life of all flesh, sustains its life, and is not to be consumed with meat. This connection underscores why blood can symbolize the remission of sins, as a death is required to satisfy the legal debt of sin, sometimes through the substitutionary lifeblood of an animal, pointing to a greater worthiness. Blood also serves as a record of life even after biological death, as seen in Deuteronomy 12:23, where God instructs not to eat the blood because it remains the life of the animal, commanding respect for it due to His value of life. This respect extends to the land, which can become polluted through bloodshed, holding a record of lives taken in violence, with blood crying out to God, as with Abel's blood to Him, showing its significance beyond death. Another symbolic usage of blood is in sealing a covenant, representing a life given as a pledge of faithfulness. In Exodus 24:5-8, God's covenant with Israel was sealed with blood from burnt and peace offerings, symbolizing wholehearted dedication and peaceful fellowship, with Moses sprinkling blood on the people as they accepted their obligation to obey, the blood of oxen representing their own lifeblood. In Matthew 26:27-28, Jesus speaks of His blood as the blood of the New Covenant, shed for many for the remission of sins, an aspect tied to the covenant rather than standing alone, encompassing a relationship and fellowship with God, termed eternal life by Jesus, a life of spiritual abundance continuing past the grave. The Passover wine becomes a vivid token of God's commitment to make us complete, as affirmed in Hebrews 13:20-21, where the blood of the everlasting covenant is the vehicle for spiritual completion, a guarantee of God's purpose in us. Finally, in John 6:53-56, Jesus emphasizes that drinking His blood is essential for eternal life, representing a sinless, supreme quality of life due to His perfect connection with the Father. Partaking of Christ's undefiled blood begins internal change, manifesting in how we live, commemorating abiding in God and the spiritual abundance from His faithfulness during Passover. Jesus Christ's blood, with its multiple facets, converges in the wine of Passover, embodying life, covenant, and eternal promise.

The Talking Blood (1994)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The blood of Jesus Christ stands as a profound witness, bearing testimony to His identity and purpose. As stated in I John 5:6 and 5:8, He came by water and blood, and alongside the Spirit and water, the blood agrees as one in affirming the truth of His mission. This blood, shed in His violent death on the stake, marks the culmination of His work to pay for the sins of the world, a significant event that declares, "It is finished." Throughout Scripture, blood emerges as a central symbol, appearing 427 times to underscore the gravity of sin and its consequence—death. It is through blood that atonement is made, a concept rooted in the idea that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. Leviticus 17:11 emphasizes that the life of the flesh is in the blood, given upon the altar to atone for souls, affirming that only blood can cover sin. Hebrews 9:22 reinforces this, noting that under the law, almost all things are purified with blood, and without it, there is no forgiveness. The blood of Jesus speaks, as Hebrews 12:24 describes, offering something better than vengeance. Unlike Abel's blood, which cried out for retribution, His blood speaks of mercy and a superior way of atonement, surpassing the blood of bulls and goats. Isaiah 1:18 illustrates this transformative power, promising that though sins are scarlet, they shall be white as snow when covered by His blood. This atonement, derived from the Hebrew word "kaphar" meaning to cover or shelter, signifies reconciliation and cleansing, as seen in Genesis 6:14 where Noah covered the ark with pitch to protect against judgment. In Matthew 26:27-28, Jesus declares the cup as His blood of the new covenant, shed for many for the remission of sins. Acts 20:28 further reveals that God purchased the church with His own blood, highlighting the immense cost of redemption. Romans 3:23-25 speaks of justification through His blood by faith, demonstrating God's righteousness in passing over sins. I John 2:2 and 1:7 present Jesus Himself as the propitiation for sins, His blood continuously cleansing those who walk in the light, not just as a past act but as an ongoing process. This blood serves as a constant rebuke to the human tendency to minimize sin. It shocks the conscience, revealing the seriousness of sin through the horrific crucifixion of God's innocent Son. Forgiveness, therefore, is not casual but comes at a tremendous sacrifice, as God's justice must be satisfied alongside the sinner's repentance. The blood's testimony is clear: without it, there is no appeasing God's righteousness, no covering for sins, no reconciliation, no redemption, and no hope.

The Talking Blood (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The symbolism of blood holds profound significance within the biblical narrative, serving as a vital element in understanding God's purpose for humanity. Blood figuratively speaks in several places in the Bible, and God hears and interprets its message as a teaching lesson for our benefit, though the benefit is not always immediately obvious. On occasions when blood speaks, it reveals its biblical prominence and immense importance to us. In I John 5:6-9, the apostle John describes blood as a living witness to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Blood, alongside water and the Holy Spirit, bears testimony to His work, specifically referring to His bloody death on the stake to pay for the sins of the world. These elements are not mere events but are expressed as significant witnesses because the Person at the center is the Creator God, and it was His blood that was shed. Their testimony converges upon one truth: that Jesus Christ, the Creator God, came in the flesh, and through Him, we have life—not just any life, but eternal life. Blood is portrayed as a constant witness, always in the present tense for us, as if God ensures we never forget that the blood of His Son was shed so we can live. The Bible itself is likened to a living book, with a red ribbon running through it from Genesis to Revelation, symbolizing that blood is central to the movement of the story. Figuratively, if one cuts the Bible anywhere, it bleeds, underscoring the importance of blood to life and the narrative of salvation. Research indicates that blood is referenced 427 times in Scripture in relation to atonement, emphasizing the principle that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins, no covering or blotting out of transgressions. This repetition—61 times the number seven, a figure of perfection—highlights God's seriousness about sin and its consequence, death, as the only means by which sin can be atoned for. Through this, God hammers into our consciousness the gravity of sin and the sacrificial love demonstrated by His Son's death.

The Talking Blood (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God the Father does not take the minimization of His Son's sacrifice lightly, as some Protestant theologians imply with their cheap grace doctrine.

Why Two Goats on Atonement? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

In Israel, sins were symbolically placed on the altar throughout the year. On Yom Kippur, one goat's blood cleansed the altar; the second took away the sins.

Are You Drinking of the Master's Cup?

Article by Staff

When we partake of the cup of wine at Passover, we usually think of Christ's blood shed for sins. However, the cup and its contents have another meaning for us.

Why Did Jesus Have to Die by Crucifixion?

'Ready Answer' by Staff

Crucifixion is man's most cruel form of punishment. Why did Jesus need to die this way? What does it teach us? And was Jesus stabbed before or after He died?

What is Atonement?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Man's estrangement from God is wholly man's fault. Atonement denotes the way harmony is achieved, making the entire world at one or reconciled with God.

Purge Me With Hyssop

Article by Staff

The Bible frequently uses the hyssop plant as a symbol of cleansing and purification. In relation to Christ's sacrifice, this herb has a connection to the Passover.

Why Two Goats on Atonement? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

In the Day of Atonement ritual, the first goat's blood cleansed the altar of sin while the azazel goat took them away. Christ fulfilled both roles.

How Did They Overcome? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The blood of the Lamb grants us eternal life, as well as entrance to the Holy of Holies, enabling us to come before the throne of the Most High God.

Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Four)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

John 6 has always been a difficult chapter to explain. However, Jesus' teaching is clear. Here is what it means to us.