Imputation and Transformation 4

"Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel, and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and he shall lay them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who stands in readiness. (Leviticus 16:21—NASB)

Transformation includes redemption, which is total deliverance from the person and works of Satan, and growth in the image of Christ and in union with God.

Redemption has to do with our deliverance from the hand of the enemy.

It is very important to understand that redemption is as a line segment. This means it has a point at which it begins and a point at which it ends.

Our growth in Christ and our entrance into untroubled rest in God through Christ is as a ray. This means it has a definite point of beginning but no end. There will be no end to our growth in Jesus Christ. It will continue for eternity. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end.

It is our point of view that the spiritual fulfillment of the Day of Atonement, the sixth of the feasts of the Lord, has begun today and will extend throughout the coming thousand-year rule of Jesus Christ.

Two major acts were performed during the Day of Atonement. The first act was the forgiveness of sins through the blood of a slain goat. This was part of the atonement, the reconciliation. The sprinkling of the blood of the slain goat portrayed the forgiveness of guilt on which our assigned righteousness is based.

The second act was the portraying of the removal of our sins as the scapegoat, while yet alive, was led out of the camp.

The time has come now for the spiritual fulfillment of the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur ) to take place. As we have said, the process of redemption, of deliverance, has begun and will continue throughout the thousand-year Kingdom Age.

Everlasting righteousness will characterize the new world that is coming.

Total redemption includes the absolute removal of sin from the believer, from his spirit, his soul, and his body. The three great divisions of sin are worldliness, the passions and lusts of the body, and self-will. As was true of Jesus in the wilderness, each of the sons of God is tested rigorously in each of these three areas.

Redemption is a finite work. We are to be delivered totally. There shall be no sin in the Kingdom which is coming.

The work of redemption has begun now with a firstfruits of the Church. According to our understanding the purpose for the thousand-year Kingdom Age is to redeem the entire Church. The firstfruits, having the birthright, have now a double portion of the calling of God on them. The purpose of the double portion is that they may assist the other members of the Body in the work of redemption.

The strong are to bear the infirmities of the weak.

Here we have a Gideon's army getting the victory for all Israel.

An arm of the Body of Christ will get loose and then untie the rest of the Body.

Continued. Imputation and Transformation 5