I see the sense in not requiring animals, God said He wanted mercy not sacrifice. Still I have some question that sacrifices are completely over because of this description of the Messianic Age:
Ezekiel 45:17 And it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.
So I think, maybe it is just symbolic of what Jesus does spiritually.
Or, maybe in that 1000 years after his return, Jesus makes all the Israelites follow Torah perfectly – Satan is bound at the time so it should be easier not to sin – then when they have, the end comes, earth and heaven pass away, then Torah is no more.
We Catholics believe we have been in the Messianic Age since Jesus’ coming, and His sacrifice was an eternal one.
Since the earliest days, the Church has understood the Crucifixion and Resurrection as “the Lord’s Passover” The Eucharist, in turn, is the memorial of the Lord’s Passover.
That’s why during the Mass the priest presents the consecrated Host (bread) to us and declares: “This is the Lamb of God…Happy are those who are called to His supper.” The Liturgy is yoking together two New Testament passages.
John 1:29
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Revelation 19:9 *Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These words are true; they come from God.” *
Are you familiar with the sacrament of the Eucharist? We believe Jesus fulfilled Ezekiel 45:17 for us eternally.
Luke 22:15-20 *He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it (again) until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you (that) from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “
This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "
This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you. *
Then after His resurrection.
Luke 24:29-31
But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.
Do you see the parallel with Ezekiel 45:17? It is fulfilled for us at every Mass when His, once for all, sacrifice at calvary is re-presented.
1 Cor 11:26
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.
How familiar are you with these ideas?
Peace,
Ryan
