3565-The Scapegoat by J. R. L.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 26, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 38.

3565—The Scapegoat

By J. R. L.

What did the scapegoat represent? Leviticus 16.

It seems evident that the scapegoat did not represent our Lord, altho some contend that it did. You will note in the 5th verse that Aaron was to take of the congregation of the children of Israel two he-goats. Verse 8. Upon these goats lots were to be cast—one lot for Jehovah and the other lot for Azazel—not scapegoat, as in our common version. Azazel, we are told by different authorities, means "the strong one who revolted"—a type of Satan. The goat for Jehovah was a type of Christ. Upon one rested the Lord's name; upon the other was placed Azazel's name. Satan, or the devil, the one who revolted, the Azazel of the type, was the one who led God's people into sin. Christ Jesus was the one who was to save them from their sins. The Lord's goat was slain, his blood was taken into the sanctuary, and the sanctuary was cleansed from all its sins and uncleannesses of the children of Israel. The sins due to Satan, represented by the scapegoat, were laid upon his head, and he bore them away into a land of forgetfulness, or oblivion. This is a type of Satan when upon him will rest the sins of which he is guilty, not only in his own life, but which he has induced others to commit. That time in Satan's experience will occur at the beginning of the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20.