DOCTRINE OF PROPITIATION
  1. Propitiation refers to the satisfaction of God's righteousness (+R) and justice as a result of Christ's spiritual death for the sins of mankind, Rom.3:25,26.
  2. The Greek word ~ilasth,rion, hilasterion, means Mercy Seat, the place of propitiation, Heb.9:5.
  3. Propitiation must be understood in light of the Ark of the Covenant, Ex.25:10-22; 37:19; Lev.16; Num.17:810; Heb.9:4,5.
    1. The ark was a box of acacia wood overlaid with gold, speaking of the hypostatic union.
    2. It contained three items.
      1. The tables of the Covenant, which spoke of sin as a violation of God's +R (Jesus Christ kept the Law).
      2. Aaron's rod that budded, which spoke of sin as a rejection of authority, (Jesus Christ is the resurrection).
      3. Pot of manna, which spoke of sin as negative volition to Bible Doctrine (in Him is truth).
    3. The Ark and its contents form a shadow of Christ bearing the sins of the world in His own body, 1Pet.2:24.
    4. The top of the lid was solid gold; on each end was a cherub (this pictures deity with +R and justice, which must be satisfied), cp. Gen.3:24.
    5. Once a year, on the Feast of Atonement, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place and sprinkled blood on the Mercy Seat seven times.
    6. This represented Christ propitiating the Father on the Cross, Heb.9:12-14.
    7. The high priest's reemergence from the Tabernacle portrayed the Father's acceptance of the work of Christ.
  4. Results of propitiation.
    1. It frees God to share His +R with man (imputation).
    2. It frees God to share His life with man (regeneration).
    3. It frees God to offer Phase 2 and Phase 3 blessings to the believer.
  5. Propitiation is related to God's love, 1Jn.4:10 (the motivating factor in the essence of God).
  6. The burnt offering had as its main emphasis the doctrine of propitiation, Lev.1:2-17.
© Copyright 1998, Maranatha Church, Inc.