Q: Did the Father really forsake Christ?

Published: July 16th, 2010

When Jesus was dying a terrible death on the cross, He cried out, just before He died, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46). Did He really mean it? Did the Father forsake Him at that moment? If so, why? And if not, why would Jesus have uttered those words?

Some, not understanding the significance and deep meaning of Christ's words, say that He just shouted out these words to fulfill a prophecy from Psalm 22:1. They contend that Jesus repeated the words written down by David in the Old Testament, just to show that He was the Messiah.

Q: Would you please explain Hebrews 13:9? Doesn't Paul teach here that we are free to eat whatever "meat" we want?

Published: October 22nd, 2010

Let us read Hebrews 13:9 in context, including verses 10-16:

Q: Did animal sacrifices provide for forgiveness of sin?

Published: April 8th, 2011

We read in the New Testament that animal sacrifices did not forgive sin, nor did they clean or purify the ancient Israelites from an evil conscience. That was never the purpose of the animal sacrifices. Forgiveness of sin and the opportunity to inherit eternal life was only made possible through the supreme Sacrifice of Jesus Christ (John 3:14-17).

Hebrews 10:1-4 makes it very clear that animal sacrifices were just reminders of sins, but that they could not take away or forgive sin. They were foreshadowing the death of Christ. We read:

Q: What exactly did Christ do for us, and what can and should we do in return?

Published: March 9th, 2012

As we approach the Passover season, it might be a good time to analyze exactly what Christ did for mankind, and how we can reciprocate, and what we ought to do for God.

Q: Why will there be animal sacrifices in the future? Did not Christ abolish them when He died?

Published: March 16th, 2012

The Bible shows that at the beginning of the Millennium, after Gog’s armies were destroyed (compare Ezekiel 38 and 39), God will reinstitute animal sacrifices at a newly built temple in Jerusalem. It is possible that the Jews will build a third temple PRIOR to Christ’s return, which will survive the partial end-time destruction of the city of Jerusalem and which will be identical with the millennial temple, described in the book of Ezekiel (compare our Q&A http://www.eternalgod.org/qa/5352 , answering the question whether the Jews will build a temple in Jerusalem prior to Christ’s return. Compare also another Q&A on the same topic, http://www.eternalgod.org/qa/782 ).