Atonement – At-One-Ment. One might wonder if it is a coincidence that the structure of the word “atonement” actually is made up by the words “at-one-ment (meant)”; denoting reconciliation, or the bringing into agreement of those who have been estranged.
And such is the significance of the saving sacrifice of the Redeemer, through which He redeemed the transgression of the fall of Adam (through which death came into the world), and provided means for man’s attainment of immortality through reconciliation with God.
The atonement wrought by Jesus Christ is a necessary sequel of the transgression of Adam. Because of the infinite foreknowledge of God it was clear to Him, even before the creation of Adam that a savior was going to be needed, so the Father in His mercy prepared a Savior for mankind before the world was framed.
Through the fall Adam and Eve all beings that are born of earthly parents are subject to
- bodily death
- spiritual death; which is the banishment from the presence of God.
It was the plan of the Father, before the earth was created, that all men would inherit mortal life through that penalty, which was visited upon our first parents in the day of their transgression.
It would be utterly unjust if mankind would suffer Adam’s punishment forever. There had to be a means of deliverance. Therefore, the promised sacrifice of Jesus Christ was ordained as a propitiation for broken law.
By taking upon him all our sins Jesus died a sinner by proxy, thus Justice could be fully satisfied, which demands the death of the sinner. Mercy could also be left free to exercise her beneficent influence over the souls of mankind as the Atoning One delivers those who make His soul a sacrifice for their sin, by offering a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
