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In the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists we find the actual voted beliefs of the Adventist denomination.
Belief 10 s --
In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God's law and the graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and transforming. The resurrection of Christ proclaims God's triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.)
Belief 4 says this
Belief 4. Son:
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God's power and was attested as God's promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17-19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:1-3.)
Heb 8:1-2 "the main point" according to Paul - is that we have Christ as our High Priest seated in heaven - ministering in the Sanctuary in heaven. And in Heb 10 we find that our prayers are going "within the veil" of the sanctuary in heaven. Heb 9 reminds us that there are two veils in the sanctuary.
Seated as "priest and king" as Zech 6:1-13 reminds us.
Question about the Lev 16 scapegoat - addressed in 1957 in the book "Questions on Doctrine" -- Question 35
"We take our stand without qualification on the gospel platform that the death of Jesus Christ provides the sole propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2; 4:10); that there is salvation through no other means or medium, and no other name by which we may be saved (Acts 4:12); and that the shed blood of Jesus Christ alone brings remission for our sins (Matt. 26: 28). That is foundational.
Further, we hold to the recognized principle that no cardinal doctrine or belief should be based primarily upon a parable or type, but upon the clear unfigurative statements of Scripture, and understood and defined in the light of explicit declarations of gospel realities. ...
In Leviticus 16, two goats entered into the service of the great day of Atonement. One, in type, made atonement for sin. The other goat, for Azazel, was not slain, but was kept alive, and hence made no atonement for anyone's sins.
The first goat represented our Lord Jesus Christ, who, on the cross, made atonement for our sins. The other goat, in antithesis, symbolized Satan, who must bear the responsibility not only for his own sins but for his part in all the sins he has caused others, both righteous and wicked, to commit. This live goat, it is to be remembered, was not slain. (Many outstanding authorities support our understanding that the live goat, or Azazel, typified Satan. See Question 34.)
==========================
The Lev 16 model of Atonement includes the "sin offering" slain (Christ the lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world). IT also includes the work of our High Priest in the sanctuary. So the full scope for the Bible definition of "atonement" is not limited to just the "atoning sacrifice for our sins and not for our sins only but for the sins of the whole world" 1 John 2:2 NIV - full and complete at the cross.
Ellen White published several statements affirming the fact that
“As the cross of Calvary, with its infinite sacrifice for the sins of men, was revealed, they saw that nothing but the merits of Christ could suffice to atone for their transgressions; this alone could reconcile man to God. With faith and humility they accepted the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. Through the blood of Jesus they had “remission of sins that are past.” {GC 461.1}
I want to lift up my voice for Jesus and say, Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Go forth from the cave by faith. Look to Jesus, your helper. Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world. Look to your atoning Sacrifice lifted up upon the cross, the Innocent dying for the guilty. . . . {OHC 136.3}
His offering of Himself was full and ample. Nothing was wanting. It was indeed a whole and ample atonement that was made. Then why . . . indicate by words and example that Christ has died for you in vain? After the exhibitions of love that was without a parallel, you say by your words of doubt and mournful discouragement, "He does not love me. He will not forgive me. My sins are of too hard a character to be cured by the blood of Jesus. The offering is not of sufficient value to pay the debt I owe for the rescue of my soul." {OHC 136.4}
Thus from Christ cometh all our blessings. His death is an atoning sacrifice for our sins. He is the great Medium through whom we receive the mercy and favor of God. {OHC 83.5}
Do you realize your sinfulness? Do you despise sin? Then remember that the righteousness of Christ is yours if you will grasp it. Can you not see what a strong foundation is placed beneath your feet when you accept Christ? God has accepted the offering of his Son as a complete atonement for the sins of the world. {YI September 20, 1900, par. 8}
Through the untiring ministrations of the apostles to the Gentiles, the “strangers and foreigners,” who “sometimes were far off,” learned that they had been “made nigh by the blood of Christ,” and that through faith in His atoning sacrifice they might become “fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” Ephesians 2:12, 13, 19. {AA 175.1}
" As the life of Christ and the character of His mission are dwelt upon, rays of light will shine forth more distinctly at every attempt to discover truth. Each fresh search will reveal something more deeply interesting than has yet been unfolded. The subject is inexhaustible. The study of the incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice and mediatorial work, will employ the mind of the diligent student as long as time shall last; and looking to heaven with its unnumbered years he will exclaim, “Great is the mystery of godliness.” {COL 133.4}
=====================
Those who reject the Gospel - pay their own debt of sin in the lake of fire - this is also true of fallen Angels such as Satan. They pay for what they have done and what they have caused others to do in opposition to the Word of God.
"(Satan) must suffer for all the evil that he has done and be punished for the sins that he has caused to be committed. GC 660.2
20 “When he finishes atoning for the Holy Place and the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall offer the live goat.
which is why it says "when he finishes"
"16 He shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the impurities of the sons of Israel and because of their unlawful acts regarding all their sins; and he shall do so for the tent of meeting which remains with them in the midst of their impurities. 17 When he goes in to make atonement in the Holy Place, no one shall be in the tent of meeting until he comes out.
So that he may make atonement for himself and for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel."
which does not include any "sin offering" work done by the scapegoat, since it never does anything as "sin offering" once it is selected.
All verses after vs 20 only deals with the "sin offering" of vs 11-15 - being consumed in fire - reminding us that it is offered up in smoke OUTSIDE the sanctuary AFTER atonement is completed in vs 20, and after the high priest removes His high priestly vestments..
Heb 9 "without the shedding of blood - no forgiveness of sins"
The "non-sin-offfering" part of the service has no subtitutionary atonement value because that part is not "an atoning sacrifice" - but it does complete the larger view of atonement - which includes the wicked that die without providing any atoning sacrifice - burnt offering benefit. They merely show how all sin is accounted for and the books of Rev 20 (and Dan 7) are then fully resolved. (The very Bible doctrine you claim to reject).
==================================
"(Satan) will be declared guilty of all the evil which he has caused them to commit. And as the scapegoat was sent away into a land not inhabited, so Satan will be banished to the desolate earth, an uninhabited and dreary wilderness.{GC88 657.3}{GC 658.1}
Belief 10 s --
In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God's law and the graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and transforming. The resurrection of Christ proclaims God's triumph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.)
Belief 4 says this
Belief 4. Son:
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God's power and was attested as God's promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17-19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:1-3.)
Heb 8:1-2 "the main point" according to Paul - is that we have Christ as our High Priest seated in heaven - ministering in the Sanctuary in heaven. And in Heb 10 we find that our prayers are going "within the veil" of the sanctuary in heaven. Heb 9 reminds us that there are two veils in the sanctuary.
Seated as "priest and king" as Zech 6:1-13 reminds us.
Question about the Lev 16 scapegoat - addressed in 1957 in the book "Questions on Doctrine" -- Question 35
"We take our stand without qualification on the gospel platform that the death of Jesus Christ provides the sole propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2; 4:10); that there is salvation through no other means or medium, and no other name by which we may be saved (Acts 4:12); and that the shed blood of Jesus Christ alone brings remission for our sins (Matt. 26: 28). That is foundational.
Further, we hold to the recognized principle that no cardinal doctrine or belief should be based primarily upon a parable or type, but upon the clear unfigurative statements of Scripture, and understood and defined in the light of explicit declarations of gospel realities. ...
In Leviticus 16, two goats entered into the service of the great day of Atonement. One, in type, made atonement for sin. The other goat, for Azazel, was not slain, but was kept alive, and hence made no atonement for anyone's sins.
The first goat represented our Lord Jesus Christ, who, on the cross, made atonement for our sins. The other goat, in antithesis, symbolized Satan, who must bear the responsibility not only for his own sins but for his part in all the sins he has caused others, both righteous and wicked, to commit. This live goat, it is to be remembered, was not slain. (Many outstanding authorities support our understanding that the live goat, or Azazel, typified Satan. See Question 34.)
==========================
The Lev 16 model of Atonement includes the "sin offering" slain (Christ the lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world). IT also includes the work of our High Priest in the sanctuary. So the full scope for the Bible definition of "atonement" is not limited to just the "atoning sacrifice for our sins and not for our sins only but for the sins of the whole world" 1 John 2:2 NIV - full and complete at the cross.
Ellen White published several statements affirming the fact that
“As the cross of Calvary, with its infinite sacrifice for the sins of men, was revealed, they saw that nothing but the merits of Christ could suffice to atone for their transgressions; this alone could reconcile man to God. With faith and humility they accepted the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. Through the blood of Jesus they had “remission of sins that are past.” {GC 461.1}
I want to lift up my voice for Jesus and say, Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Go forth from the cave by faith. Look to Jesus, your helper. Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world. Look to your atoning Sacrifice lifted up upon the cross, the Innocent dying for the guilty. . . . {OHC 136.3}
His offering of Himself was full and ample. Nothing was wanting. It was indeed a whole and ample atonement that was made. Then why . . . indicate by words and example that Christ has died for you in vain? After the exhibitions of love that was without a parallel, you say by your words of doubt and mournful discouragement, "He does not love me. He will not forgive me. My sins are of too hard a character to be cured by the blood of Jesus. The offering is not of sufficient value to pay the debt I owe for the rescue of my soul." {OHC 136.4}
Thus from Christ cometh all our blessings. His death is an atoning sacrifice for our sins. He is the great Medium through whom we receive the mercy and favor of God. {OHC 83.5}
Do you realize your sinfulness? Do you despise sin? Then remember that the righteousness of Christ is yours if you will grasp it. Can you not see what a strong foundation is placed beneath your feet when you accept Christ? God has accepted the offering of his Son as a complete atonement for the sins of the world. {YI September 20, 1900, par. 8}
Through the untiring ministrations of the apostles to the Gentiles, the “strangers and foreigners,” who “sometimes were far off,” learned that they had been “made nigh by the blood of Christ,” and that through faith in His atoning sacrifice they might become “fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” Ephesians 2:12, 13, 19. {AA 175.1}
" As the life of Christ and the character of His mission are dwelt upon, rays of light will shine forth more distinctly at every attempt to discover truth. Each fresh search will reveal something more deeply interesting than has yet been unfolded. The subject is inexhaustible. The study of the incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice and mediatorial work, will employ the mind of the diligent student as long as time shall last; and looking to heaven with its unnumbered years he will exclaim, “Great is the mystery of godliness.” {COL 133.4}
=====================
Those who reject the Gospel - pay their own debt of sin in the lake of fire - this is also true of fallen Angels such as Satan. They pay for what they have done and what they have caused others to do in opposition to the Word of God.
"(Satan) must suffer for all the evil that he has done and be punished for the sins that he has caused to be committed. GC 660.2
My NOTE inserted here: The mastermind that organizes the story robber and also his team of robbers -- must all be punished for the part they play in the crime. This is no different. One does not expiate punishment for another.
The scapegoat work in Lev 16 happens ONLY after atonement is COMPLETED via the "atoning sacrifice" of the "goat of the sin offering"20 “When he finishes atoning for the Holy Place and the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall offer the live goat.
which is why it says "when he finishes"
"16 He shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the impurities of the sons of Israel and because of their unlawful acts regarding all their sins; and he shall do so for the tent of meeting which remains with them in the midst of their impurities. 17 When he goes in to make atonement in the Holy Place, no one shall be in the tent of meeting until he comes out.
So that he may make atonement for himself and for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel."
which does not include any "sin offering" work done by the scapegoat, since it never does anything as "sin offering" once it is selected.
All verses after vs 20 only deals with the "sin offering" of vs 11-15 - being consumed in fire - reminding us that it is offered up in smoke OUTSIDE the sanctuary AFTER atonement is completed in vs 20, and after the high priest removes His high priestly vestments..
Heb 9 "without the shedding of blood - no forgiveness of sins"
The "non-sin-offfering" part of the service has no subtitutionary atonement value because that part is not "an atoning sacrifice" - but it does complete the larger view of atonement - which includes the wicked that die without providing any atoning sacrifice - burnt offering benefit. They merely show how all sin is accounted for and the books of Rev 20 (and Dan 7) are then fully resolved. (The very Bible doctrine you claim to reject).
==================================
"(Satan) will be declared guilty of all the evil which he has caused them to commit. And as the scapegoat was sent away into a land not inhabited, so Satan will be banished to the desolate earth, an uninhabited and dreary wilderness.{GC88 657.3}{GC 658.1}
My NOTE: All sin offerings are slain - but the scapegoat is not a sin offering, it does not pay debt on someone else's behalf. It is not killed according to Lev 16 so as to make it clear that it is not an atoning sacrifice, not a propitiation for the guilt of another.
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