After passing through the gate into the fenced court, the worshiper was confronted with one Brazen Altar (Altar of Burnt Offering). Sin had to be punished by the death of the sinner or by providing an acceptable substitute of an unblemished animal so that its death would allow God to forgive the sinner. All the sacrifices, the Altar, and the Officiating Priest illustrated the Sinless Savior Jesus Christ who died for our sins. The sacrifice symbolized the end of the old life and the beginning of the new life. "Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (II Corinthians 5:17). Our Lord was both "THE LAMB OF GOD, WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD (John 1:29; Ephesians 2:13; I Peter 2:24), and also our High Priest. "We have such an High Priest..., on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens (Hebrews 8:1; 9:11-14).
