Lamb Of God Part 2

In Defense of God’s Forgiveness

On the other side of the coin, so-to-speak, are the verses that defend the forgiveness of God and of Jesus:

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins (Isa 43:25)

the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins (Mat 9:6)

Is one’s sins forgiven and taken away or not?

This is very confusing. Is one’s sins forgiven and taken away or not? It seems that the bible says both. However, even though God and Jesus forgive sins, the bible shows that one must pay for his own sins. (See: Lamb of God Part 1) If there is no demand of punishment for offenses, then how is it that a man must reap what he sows, receive things done in his body whether good or bad, few or many stripes for unfaithfulness whether worthy of punishment or not?

I’m not a critic, I am a truth seeker

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a critic, I am a truth seeker. But I do not accept things on blind faith. To trust in something I must have proof that it is true and factual or at least very strong evidence. If I don’t do that then I could be believing in something that is untrue, which is the same as being deceived. Jesus said: “Take heed that ye be not deceived” (Luk 21:8)

Believing in something that is untrue is the same as being deceived

Take away as remove, subtract, deduct. So the expression “take away” couldn’t possibly have the meaning of forgiveness, if one must pay for things committed in this life.

Substitutionary Atonement

Now the idea of Jesus taking the punishment for the whole world’s sins past, present and future goes completely against the Old Testament. Taking the world’s sins on himself couldn’t have been a reason that he was executed. According to the OT, no man could die for the sins of another, only his own sins.

The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the father. Every man shall be put to death for his own sin. (Deu 24:16)

The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. (Eze 18:20)

The doctrine that says Jesus bore the iniquity of the whole world on the cross is plainly false. This is obviously has to be a fabrication of Paul (or whoever), perpetuated by the orthodox church, which is contradictory to old testament which Jesus was in compliance to. So the only meaning “take away” could have is to remove, and not by vicarious atonement.

The way God “takes away the sins of the world”: The Process of Purification

It doesn’t seem to be the case that God punishes for sins, rather there is a process of purification that takes place, which is this: “for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”. This process of purification takes place over a period of time, in the form of experiences that creates situations which provides one the opportunity to learn lessons, make progress and pass the next level.

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (Heb 12:10)

…whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Gal 6:7-8)

According to the writer of Hebrews we are made righteous through God’s chastisements or punishments and that this is one of the ways he cleanses us from unrighteousness and that is for our benefit. But how is this done and when? There are Christians who have done wickedly all their lives — and there are lots of them! They just go to Heaven in peace and happiness because they believe?

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 5:20)

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Mat 5:48)

The sufferings of this life are the things that creates perfection in us.

It can only be that it will take many lifetimes to obtain the righteousness that Jesus speaks of. God is merciful and doesn’t submit any of his children of suffer the torment of Hell for eternity. Hell is a false doctrine created to generate fear. The whole idea behind this process is to perfect and make man righteous.

“For them that persist in evil there is no rest, but they go out and in, and suffer correction for ages, till they are made perfect. But for them that have done good and attained to perfection, there is endless rest and they go into life everlasting. They rest in the eternal.” (Gospel of the Nazirenes 69:3)

Why was Jesus crucified then, if it wasn’t to take away the sins of the world?

Obviously, Jesus was an innocent man executed without just cause. And perhaps he permitted them to execute him for a reason, but that reason could not possibly have been to “take on himself the sins of the whole world” or “take away” the sins of the world, in that sense. But there must have been a reason that he purposely allowed them to execute him. He evidently did come and risked his life, but for what?

Here are the reasons he said he came — which ultimately cost him his life:

1. He came to bring teachings from God.
2. He came to call sinners to repentance.
3. He came to gather together the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
4. He came to cause the animal sacrifices to cease.

I have come to end the sacrifices and feasts of blood, and if you don’t cease offering and eating of flesh and blood, the wrath of God will not cease from you (Gospel of the Nazirenes 21:8)

They, whose hands are stained with blood, or whose mouths are defiled with flesh, or they who partake of benefits which are gotten by wronging one of God’s creatures, cannot be righteous; nor can they touch holy things, or teach the mysteries of the kingdom.” (Gospel of the Nazirenes 38:2)

And He would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel of blood through the temple, or that any animals should be slain. (Gospel of the Nazirenes 71:4)

Conclusion:

How does the lamb of God take away the sins of the world? The truth is that the whole doctrine of vicarious atonement get-saved-easy doctrine is false. Vicarious atonement says that Jesus came to die for the sins of the world and to take upon himself all the past, present and future sins of humanity — that somehow magically takes them away and we have become perfect automatically. On the day of the “rapture” — in some strange way our rotted bodies are resurrected and “meet Christ in the air” when he returns. All falsehood!

Sins are “taken away”, purified through the sufferings of multiple lifetimes: Reincarnation!

Blessed are the dead who die in me, and are made perfect in my image and likeness, for they rest from their labors and their works do follow them. They have overcome evil, and are made pillars in the temple of my God, and they go out no more, for they rest in the eternal.” (Gospel of the Nazirenes 69:3)

• “they go out no more”: the birth/life/death cycle of Reincarnation is broken and they no longer “go out”. and there will be rest for “the righteous into life eternal” (Mat 25:46)

For them that persist in evil there is no rest, but they go out and in, and suffer correction for ages, till they are made perfect. But for them that have done good and attained to perfection, there is endless rest and they go into life everlasting. They rest in the eternal.” (Gospel of the Nazirenes 69:4)

• For those who have “attained to perfection” through sufferings “go into life everlasting” — they enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (Rev 3:12)

• They that “overcome” no longer “go out” to be born again into a new life to “suffer correction” and work on overcoming evil. Whether or not one is a so-called “Born-Again Christian” believer.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Mat 7:21-23)

• It takes more than just believing in Jesus to “enter into the kingdom of heaven”. Many Christians will hear “depart from me, ye that work iniquity”

And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. (Lk 12:46-47)

• Disobedient believers will share the same fate with the unbelievers, but “faithful servants will enter into the joy of the Lord”.

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. (Luk 12:43)

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Mat 25:23)

Next: Who Was Jesus Part 2 | Jesus: Priest, King and Prophet