5.18 The Epistles – How was the payment for our redemption made in heaven?
We know that redemption was purchased on the cross but what how was the payment made in heaven? The Gospel of John tells us that Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene on resurrection day, and told her not to cling to Him for he had to ascend to the Father (John 20:17).
But the 4 Gospels do not tell us what happened in heaven after Jesus ascended. This was revealed in the Epistles. The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus entered heaven to appear before God for us, to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
(Hebrews 9:24-26, NKJV)
For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into HEAVEN itself, now to appear in the PRESENCE OF GOD FOR US; … He has appeared to PUT AWAY SIN BY THE SACRIFICE OF HIMSELF.
The tabernacle of the Old Covenant was only a shadow or copy of the true tabernacle of God in heaven. Just as the high priest under the Old Covenant had to enter the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the blood of animals on the Mercy Seat, Jesus our eternal High Priest entered the presence of God to present His own blood to the Father.
Jesus’ blood was better than the blood of animal sacrifices that only covered Israel’s sins for a year, which had no power to wash away sins. But the blood of the Son of God has the power to take away the sin of the whole world, and reconcile mankind to God. The payment for our redemption was settled in heaven between Jesus and the Father. The justice of mankind’s violation of God’s law was satisfied by the sacrifice of Jesus. The blood is the evidence of that payment before God.
Today, you can put your faith in His blood that delivered you. It is better than the blood of animals that delivered Israel’s firstborn from the angel of death in Egypt. Because the payment of your debts has been made, you can experience unshakable peace with God (Romans 5:1). There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ so that we can enjoy a wonderful relationship with Him (2 Corinthians 5:18).
But the 4 Gospels do not tell us what happened in heaven after Jesus ascended. This was revealed in the Epistles. The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus entered heaven to appear before God for us, to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
(Hebrews 9:24-26, NKJV)
For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into HEAVEN itself, now to appear in the PRESENCE OF GOD FOR US; … He has appeared to PUT AWAY SIN BY THE SACRIFICE OF HIMSELF.
The tabernacle of the Old Covenant was only a shadow or copy of the true tabernacle of God in heaven. Just as the high priest under the Old Covenant had to enter the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the blood of animals on the Mercy Seat, Jesus our eternal High Priest entered the presence of God to present His own blood to the Father.
Jesus’ blood was better than the blood of animal sacrifices that only covered Israel’s sins for a year, which had no power to wash away sins. But the blood of the Son of God has the power to take away the sin of the whole world, and reconcile mankind to God. The payment for our redemption was settled in heaven between Jesus and the Father. The justice of mankind’s violation of God’s law was satisfied by the sacrifice of Jesus. The blood is the evidence of that payment before God.
Today, you can put your faith in His blood that delivered you. It is better than the blood of animals that delivered Israel’s firstborn from the angel of death in Egypt. Because the payment of your debts has been made, you can experience unshakable peace with God (Romans 5:1). There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ so that we can enjoy a wonderful relationship with Him (2 Corinthians 5:18).
posted by Joshua Lye @ 6:52 PM
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