FACT #1: Scriptures clearly and explicitly state that Jesus Christ is the antitype of the levitical sacrificial offering. No philosophical speculation here just plain and simple explicit scripture:
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. - Jn. 1:29
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Ac 8:32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Re 5:6 ¶ And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Re 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
No philosophic speculation, just plain clear scriptures - Jesus is the antitype of the Levitical sacrificial lamb. Indeed, he is the antitype for all five Levitical offerings in Leviticus 1-10.
FACT#2 - The Legal basis for atonement is by the shedding of blood in the Sacrificial offering was unto death and it is that blood that is for the atonement. No philosophic speculations just plain clear scriptures.
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
FACT #3 - The book of Leviticus provides the LEGAL BASIS (the law) for atonement by substitution by a what symbolizes a righteous party (animal without spot or blemish - righteousness). The figure behind the day of atonement sacrifice is representative of Christ and the death of Christ. In this figure the animal(christ) is not being put to death due to any fault found in the animal (christ) but the animal (christ) is being offered as an atonement in the place "for the people" and "because of the uncleaness of teh children of Israel and because of their transgressions in ALL THEIR SINS." No philosophical sepculation but simple clear and explicit scriptures:
Leviticus 16:15 ¶ Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:
16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.
17 And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel........
Take note that this animal (christ) is not merely put to death for sins but for the people committing those sins. Hence, death of Christ is penal satisfication for the people and their sins. (prove penal satisfaction later).
FACT #4 - A clear and explicit symbolic act of the animal (Christ) being "made sin for us" as a legal act as a SUBSTITUTE:
Lev.16: 21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:
2 Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Isa 53:4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isa 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah is referring to the LEGAL BASIS for substitionary atonement as established by God's LAW in Leviticus where a righteous person (symbolized as a lamb) can LEGALLY BEAR the sins of others and make atonement for them and their sins by his own death. Leviticus is THE LAW AND THUS THE LEGAL BASIS FOR AN INNOCENT MAN (symbolized as a animal) STANDING IN THE LEGAL POSITION OF SINNERS AND BEARING THEIR SINS IN HIS OWN BODY.
FACT #5 - Sin is the violation of God's Law
FACT #6 - There is legal condemnation for violating God's Law
FACT #7 - That LEGAL CONDEMNATION OR PENALIZATION for sin IS DEATH AND THEREFORE THE ATONEMENT MUST INVOVLE DEATH AS SATISFACTION OF THE LEGAL PENALTY FOR SIN:
Gen. 2:17 - death is the penalty of sin
Rom. 5:12 - death is due to sin
Heb. 9:22 - there is no remission/atonement for sin except by shedding of blood unto death.
No philosophial speculation above, just plain simple clear and explicit scripture that actually states penal substitionary atonement in synonmous language.