Serpent
Serpent represents sin.
Scripture begins with the serpent beguiling the human race into sin.
Revelation speaks of that dragon, the serpent who is the devil.
Sin became the condition of the whole human race from which they could not deliver themselves.
Scripture says that
Christ was made "sin for us". (2 Cor. 5:21)Thus the serpent, symbolic of the cures of sin.
Christ took the curse of sin, in our place.
"Gal. 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: To look to Christ and remembering the serpent being lifted up, is to remember that Christ bore our sins, and to believe that as we look to Christ and believe, we are justified, forgiven and can rise to newness of life, freed from sin. (See also Romans 6) We can reckon ourselves free from sin!!!
The transgression of God's law made the death of Christ essential to save man and yet maintain the dignity and honor of the law. Christ took upon Himself the condemnation of sin. He opened His bosom to the woes of man. He who knew no sin became sin for us. {FLB 104.4}
As man's substitute and surety, the iniquity of men was laid upon Christ; He was counted a transgressor that He might redeem them from the curse of the law. . . . He, the Sin-Bearer, endures judicial punishment for iniquity and becomes sin itself for man. {FLB 104.5}
Sin, so hateful to His sight, was heaped upon Him till He groaned beneath its weight. The despairing agony of the Son of God was so much greater than His physical pain, that the latter was hardly felt by Him. {FLB 104.6}
God permits His Son to be delivered up for our offenses. He Himself assumes toward the Sin-Bearer the character of a judge, divesting Himself of the endearing qualities of a father. {FLB 104.7}
Herein His love commends itself in the most marvelous manner to the rebellious race. {FLB 104.8}
The sin of the whole world was laid upon Jesus, and divinity gave its highest value to the suffering of humanity in Jesus, that the whole world might be pardoned through faith in the Substitute. The most guilty need have no fear that God will not pardon, for because of the efficacy of the divine sacrifice the penalty of the law will be remitted. Through Christ the sinner may return to allegiance to God.
{FLB 104.9}
Do you believe that Jesus is your Saviour? that He died on Calvary's cross to redeem you? that He has offered you the gift of everlasting life if you believe on Him? {FW 70.1}
And what is it to believe? It is to fully accept that Jesus Christ died as our sacrifice; that He became the curse for us, took our sins upon Himself, and imputed unto us His own righteousness. Therefore we claim this righteousness of Christ, we believe it, and it is our righteousness. He is our Saviour. He saves us because He said He would. {FW 70.2}