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Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat—Satan or Christ? (Part One)
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeThe Book of Enoch, an apocryphal Jewish work composed in the last few centuries before the Christian era, significantly influences certain interpretations of the azazel goat in Leviticus 16. Though bearing the name of one of God's faithful servants, this book was not written by the prophet Enoch but by individuals during the …
Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat— Satan or Christ? (Part Five)
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeThe Book of Enoch, an apocryphal Jewish work, is referenced by some, including Seventh-Day Adventist scholars, to support the doctrine that the azazel goat in Leviticus 16 represents Satan. In this text, Azazel is depicted as a demon blamed for all the sins of mankind, though not the chief demon, being subservient to another …
Inventing Goddesses and Demons (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe Hebrew word azazel appears to be a compound noun, so the possibility exists that it is a name. Between the testaments, Jewish folklore invented a lesser demon named Azazel, who was blamed for all human sin. A millennium after Leviticus 16, the word azazel had been turned into a name. Many Jews of this time used a saying that …
Azazel: Beginnings
Sermon by David C. GrabbeWhile there is a handful of common starting places for understanding the azazel, none of them has multiple witnesses of Scripture. We must begin elsewhere.
Azazel: Endings
Sermon by David C. GrabbeOne goat had to die for cleansing; the other goat had to remain alive for bearing the sins away. Jesus fulfilled both roles. Satan's binding atones for nothing.
Who Fulfills the Azazel Goat—Satan or Christ? (Part Two)
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbeOn the Day of Atonement, the live goat bears the sins of the nation. Many think this represents Satan as the source of sin, yet Scripture reveals the truth.
Who Is Responsible For Sin?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThough Satan influences, the choices an individual make are totally his own, even for those without God's Spirit. We sin when we are drawn away by our own desires.
Atonement Goats and Passover Lambs
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe Day of Atonement is not about Satan, but about the complete cleansing from sins through Christ. The Passover is not a sin offering, but a peace offering.
Inventing Goddesses and Demons
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe Jews turned a Babylonian myth of Lilith into a fabrication about a woman before Eve. Some translations suggest Israel sacrificed to a demon named Azazel.
Biblical Canonicity
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughMany believe the Catholic Church determined the biblical canon. However, the Bible contains internal protocols to ensure its 66 books are the Word of God.
The Intertestamental Period
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Intertestamental Period spans approximately 400 years from Malachi to the appearance of John the Baptist, creating the environment for Christ's ministry.
God Expects a Return on His Investment (Part Five)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasThe sanctification process is slow and methodical with no dazzling pyrotechnics. Each of us are given a basic set of gifts to serve our spiritual siblings.
Jude
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe book of Jude, a scathing indictment against false teachers, may be the most neglected book in the New Testament. False teachers twist grace into license.
Did Angels Marry Human Women?
'Ready Answer' by StaffGenesis 6:2 does not suggest some angel/human hybrid, but intermarriage in defiance of God's law, as is seen from the Bible's internal evidence.