The Symbol of Jesus' blood on Calvary was Primarily and Focused to the Sanctuary Services' System. The Secondary reason for "eating no Meat" was to prevent all diseases from animals to be from mans thoughts and actions.  You would never have their corrosive conditions mentally, physically, nor connected to "the spiritualized  intoxication" in man. 

1.       The Primary Reason:

          The Israelites were forbidden to eat the fat or the blood. "It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood."  This law not only related to beasts for sacrifice, but to all cattle which were used for food.  This law was to impress upon them the important fact that if there had been no sin there would have been no shedding of blood. The blood flowing from the victim in idolatrous sacrifices was frequently eagerly drank by the people, and confused ideas was the result._

          Jesus, speaking from the cloudy pillar, gave special directions to the children of Israel, saying, "It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwelling, that ye eat neither fat nor blood." (Leviticus 3:17. "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, of sheep, or of goat"(Leviticus 7:22, 23).  "For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord, even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people.  Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.  Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people" (Leviticus 7:25-27._

          The blood of the Son of God was symbolized by the blood of the slain victim, and God would have clear and definite ideas preserved between the sacred and the common.  Blood was sacred, inasmuch as through the shedding of the blood of the Son of God alone could there be atonement for sin.  Blood was also used to cleanse the sanctuary from the sins of the people, thus typifying the blood of Christ which alone can cleanse from sin.  The fat was to be used in sacrificial offering with the beasts, but in no case was it a suitable article of food.  If used, disease would be the sure result._

          WHEN A SIN OFFERING WAS PRESENTED FOR A PRIEST OR FOR THE WHOLE CONGREGATION, THE BLOOD WAS CARRIED INTO THE HOLY PLACE AND SPRINKLED BEFORE THE VEIL AND PLACED UPON THE HORNS OF THE GOLDEN ALTAR.  THE FAT WAS CONSUMED UPON THE           ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERING IN THE COURT, BUT THE BODY OF THE VICTIM WAS BURNED WITHOUT THE CAMP. SEE LEVITICUS 4:1-21._

          In some cases the blood was not taken into the holy place: but the flesh was then to be eaten by the priest, as Moses directed the sons of Aaron, saying: "God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation."  Leviticus 10:17. Both ceremonies alike symbolized the transfer of the sin from the penitent to the sanctuary._

2.       The Secondary Reason:        

          As a family, you are far from being free from disease.  You have used the fat of animals which God in His word expressly forbids:  "It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood."  "Moreover, ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.  Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people."_

          Your family has partaken largely of flesh-meats, and the animal propensities have been strengthened, while the intellectual have. been weakened.  We are composed of what we eat, and if we subsist largely upon the flesh of dead animals, we shall partake of their nature.  You have encouraged the grosser part of your organization, while the more refined has been weakened.  You have repeatedly said in defense of your indulgence of meat-eating, "However injurious it may be to others, it does not injure me, for I have used it all my life."  But you know not how well you might have been if you had abstained from the use of flesh-meats._

Our fare is simple and wholesome.  We have on our table no butter, no meat, no cheese, no greasy mixtures of food.  For some months a young man who was an unbeliever, and who had eaten meat all his life, boarded with us.  We made no change in our diet on his account: and while he stayed with us he gained about twenty pounds.  The food which we provided for him was far better for him than that to which he had been accustomed.  All who sit at my table express themselves as being well satisfied with the food provided.

          But since the Lord presented before me, in June, 1863, the subject of meat-eating in relation to health, I have left the use of meat.  For a while it was rather difficult to bring my appetite to bread, for which, formerly, I have had but little felish.  But by persevering, I have been able to do this.  I have lived for nearly one year without meat._

          The Lord has given clear light regarding the nature of the food that is to compose our diet: he has instructed us concerning the effect of unhealthful food upon the disposition and character.  Shall we respond to the counsels and cautions given? Who among our brethren will Sign a Pledge to dispense with Flesh Meats...?  I Ask you at this Time, will you not Circulate Such a Pledge?  The means saved by such a sacrifice if used for the furtherance of the cause of God would be blessed to the salvation of many souls._

          The Church in General at Battle Creek has not sustained the Institute by their example.  They have not honored the light of health reform by carrying it out in their families.  The sickness that has visited many families in Battle Creek need not have been, if they had followed the light God has given them.  Like ancient Israel, they have disregarded the light, and could see no more necessity of restricting their appetite than did ancient Israel.  The children of Israel would have flesh meats, and said, as many now say, we shall die without meat.  God gave rebellious Israel flesh, but His curse was with it.  Thousands of them died while the meat they desired was between their teeth.  We have the example of ancient Israel, and the warning for us not to do as they did.  Their history of unbelief and rebellion is left on record as a special warning that we should not follow their example of murmuring at God's requirements.  How can we pass on so indifferently, choosing our own course, following the sight of our own eyes, and departing farther and farther from God, as did the Hebrews?  God cannot do great things for His people because of their hardness of heart and sinful unbelief. (see EGW. Counsels on Diet and Foods. Flesh Meats (Proteins Continued).ch. 23. p. 378. pp. 03.

_E.G.White. The Signs of the Times,  Sacrificial Offerings, (07-15-1880) pg. 10.

_EGW. Manuscript Releases Volume Seven, The Effects of Meat Eating on Man, Ch. 525, pp. 01, p 424.

_EGW. The Sighs of the Times,  (07-15-1880). p. 11.

_EGW. Patriarchs and Prophets Ch. 73. p. 354. Note 6. Appendix p. 761.     

_EGW. The Great Controversy. What is the Sanctuary? Ch. 23. p. 418. pp. 01.

_EGW. Counsels on Diet and Foods, Flesh Meats (Proteins Continued), ch. 23. p. 393.

_EGW. Testimony Studies on Diet and Foods Flesh Meats. ch. 16. p.76. pp. 09.

_EGW. Counsels on Diet and Foods, Teaching Health Principles. ch. 25. p. 49. pp. 01.

_EGW. Spiritual Gifts. Experience. Vol. 4A. ch. 40. p. 153. pp. 03.

_EGW. Backsliding in Health Reform.(1908) pp.(PH128). p. 1.

_E. G. White. The Signs of the Times,  Sacrificial Offerings, (07-15-1880) pg. 10.

_EGW. Manuscript Releases Volume Seven, The Effects of Meat Eating on Man, Ch. 525, pp. 01, p 424.

_EGW. The Sighs of the Times,  (07-15-1880). p. 11.

_EGW. Patriarchs and Prophets Ch. 73. p. 354. Note 6. Appendix p. 761.     

_EGW. The Great Controversy. What is the Sanctuary? Ch. 23. p. 418. pp. 01.

_EGW. Counsels on Diet and Foods, Flesh Meats (Proteins Continued), ch. 23. p. 393.

_EGW. Testimony Studies on Diet and Foods Flesh Meats. ch. 16. p.76. pp. 09.

_EGW. Counsels on Diet and Foods, Teaching Health Principles. ch. 25. p. 49. pp. 01.

_EGW. Spiritual Gifts. Experience. Vol. 4A. ch. 40. p. 153. pp. 03.

_EGW. Backsliding in Health Reform.(1908) pp.(PH128). p. 1.

John H. Tillman, Jr.

When eating fruit, think of the person who planted the tree.  

---Vietnamese Proverb