He is Risen

Darkness is defeated but it

is not through with us.

Psalm 24

Leviticus 5-6

Covered by Grace

In Leviticus 4, unintentional sin is “temporarily” covered by animal sacrifices. Unintentional means to stray into a sinful situation, but not necessarily by surprise. Unintentional sins are usually considered sins of neglect or omission, and viewed as involuntary. These sins were later covered “eternally” by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, through the grace of God, "if" the one who sinned was genuinely repentant and a true believer. He would be called an Old Testament saint.

In Numbers 15:30-31 intentional sin was discussed. There was no temporary covering for intentional sin, which was characterized as presumptuous, and came from a defiant attitude. These sins were committed knowingly and deliberately (voluntary) and were blasphemous because they were arrogant acts of insubordination against the Lord’s laws. The punishment was death or banishment from the people. But was there any hope for the one who sinned intentionally?

Could there be eternal covering for the one who intentional sinned? By the grace of God, the answer is “yes.” Jesus said in Matthew 12:31-32, “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men…and to anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him…” The presumptuous, arrogant, defiant, sinner in Numbers 15 could receive eternal covering, “if” there was genuine repentance, and sincere faith in God.

In the past, you and I have committed many intentional and unintentional sins, and “if” we have repented and turned to Christ for salvation, those sins have been fully forgiven, covered eternally by the grace of God. All our sins have been forgiven, past, present and future. And as we live out our lives, we have this continued blessing when we sin. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” 1 John 1:9.

The 23 Psalm

Temporary Cover

The burnt offerings, sin offerings, and the trespass offerings discussed in Leviticus 1-5 were temporary covers for the forgiveness of sin, but did not eliminate sin or later judgment. However, they pointed forward to the sacrifice of the Messiah, who would give eternal cover for the forgiveness of sin. The Jews were to look forward to the Seed of the woman who would come and destroy Satan, sin and death, Genesis 3. From Genesis 3, it was 4,000 years until the Seed of the woman, Jesus Christ, would come to deal with sin.


Leviticus was written 1,450 years before Christ was born and gives a temporary cover for sin. In Isaiah 53, written 700 years before Christ was born, it says that One would come and die to give an eternal cover for the sins of His people. The Jews today have not acknowledged that that One was Jesus Christ. But a day is coming when they will repent, believe and be redeemed.


The coming of the Messiah was prophesied to occur in two parts. The First Coming was as the Most High Priest, the sacrificial Lamb to die for the forgiveness of sin; this was an everlasting, eternal forgiveness for sin.


The Second Coming will be as the Lion of Judah, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. When He comes this second time, it also will be in two parts: The first part will be for the Rapture of the saints. Here, He will judge all who have believed in Him in terms of rewards for service to Him (Bema Seat Judgment). In the second part of the Second coming, it will be as the reining King, and all power and authority will be given to Him for judgment. And in 1,000 years, He will judge all who have not believed in the Son of God and pronounce eternal punishment on them (The White Throne Judgment).

Crying for Jesus