Revelation 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast -- all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. (NIV)
Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who died for the sins of the world (John 1:29). Jesus mission became clear to mankind only after He had been crucified on the cross. Yet the scriptures reveals in Revelations 13:8 that "the Lamb was slain from the creation of the world"
Peter repeats this truth in even more detail when he wrote about the precious blood of Christ.
1 Peter 1:18-20 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. (NIV)
The reality is this. The blood of Jesus was shed for us before the creation of the world, but was only revealed to us when Jesus was crucified on the cross, died and rose again. Not even satan knew about the shed blood until then. This truth, once understood, should have great implications for our faith and victorious living over satan, sin and sickness.
Firstly Peter makes it clear (in verses 18 and 19 above) that we are "redeemed from the empty way of life by the blood of Christ" and that this was accomplished "before the creation of the world" In other words, the fall of mankind did not destroy God's purpose in creating mankind. God is omniscient (all knowing) and nothing takes Him unaware nor is He unprepared for any event. God does not go running after Satan trying to sort out the mess he (satan) creates. Rather, the blood of Jesus has already taken care of it.
There is nothing satan, sin or sickness can bring that the blood has not already made provision for. Our redemption is in the blood. The blood is God's answer to everything that satan throws at us. You can be sure that God has made certain that the blood of Jesus has enough authority and power to meet all mankind's needs. And you know what? Not even satan understood the redemptive power in the blood until after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 2:7-10 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" -- 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
The next time you go to the presence of God with a need, don't encourage unbelief by trying to work out in your mind how God will provide the answer. Take comfort in the fact that the blood of Jesus is the answer. The blood is our omnipotent God's provision for all our needs. If Jesus' blood had not been shed from the creation of the world, then we might have had a good reason to worry. God would have overlooked a vital fact. But glory is to God. In His all-knowing wisdom He has slain the lamb before the "creation of the world". The blood has provided for our redemption, every need and provision.
Genesis 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them
The garments of skin are a clear indication of the shedding of blood of an animal (or two). Earlier on in verse seven, Adam and Eve had used leaves to cover themselves. God no doubt found this inadequate. The skin of an animal (or animals) was used instead. The need of sacrifice was gradually being revealed. An animal was killed to pay for the sin of mankind. Needless to say that it was the shed blood, which was of more importance. The blood was covering their sins, physically and spiritually. The first time we witness the blood shed in the Old Testament has to do with the payment of sins. God made this even clearer in Leviticus
Leviticus 17:11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.
The twelfth chapter of Exodus again records God requesting the slaying of an animal for each family to observe the Passover. The significance of the Passover lamb is rooted in the "lamb slain from the foundation of the world". An animal was sacrificed in order to protect the family.
Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: 'On the tenth day of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household.Exodus 12:3 NKJV
In Exodus chapter thirty and Leviticus 16: 3-34, God instructs Moses to have an animal shed for the nation of Israel. Do you get the trend now?
3. Exodus chapter thirty and Leviticus 16: 3-34 - An animal is sacrificed and its blood is shed for a nation.
4. John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God, is sacrificed, and His blood is shed for the world.
God has all along been revealing the "lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world". However this is just the beginning of the revelation. And you know what! The knowledge of this alone, when received into our hearts can cause us to walk in the abundance of riches that Christ's death made available to us.
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