ETERNAL REDEMPTION. Hebrews 9:11-12 Rules and traditions do not cleanse the conscience. They reveal what is wrong, even if someone works as hard as possible to try to make themselves pure before a holy God. In the old covenant and tabernacle, blood was sprinkled or poured out at the altar; once a year on the mercy seat; and on occasions, sprinkled on individuals — on the priests and on the lepers [Lev. 8:30; 14:25]. Ashes of the burnt heifer were sprinkled on an unclean person [Num. 19:18-19]. This cleansing allowed a person who had physical contact with a dead body or similar contamination to regain access to the Tabernacle courts and participate in God's service and worship. Now, the blood of Christ addresses the sin of spiritual defilement and grants access to the Father. Christ was the Anointed of God, the Son of man, the Son of God, equal with the Father, of infinite worth and dignity. The value of Christ is infinite. The conscience is cleansed — no condemnation.
The Spirit of God, through the word of God and the rituals of the law given to Moses, provided Jewish believers with types and shadows of redemption—what was done, why it was done, how it was done, and the results. The children of Israel were “looking through a dark glass” for four things: the priest to represent them, the sanctuary where they could prepare to meet God, the blood that ratified the covenant between them and God, and the way to enter into the Holiest of Holies where they could be accepted by God.
All these elements come together in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has opened the way into the true tabernacle in heaven, where God dwells. The true tabernacle was not made by creation, because God Himself is eternal in His being. The true tabernacle has always existed. The sanctuary where our Great High Priest ministers is not part of this creation, which had to have two parts: one for God and one for man, separated by a thick veil. When the blood of Christ was shed for our sins, four thousand years after the separation occurred, and fifteen hundred years after the veil was hung in the tabernacle, the way was opened into God's presence. Those who repent of their sins and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can enter into God's presence in the true tabernacle in heaven, where God dwells.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, in His sinless perfection, who died on our behalf, opened the way into heaven, a real place, with His own blood. He didn’t need ceremonial cleansing for Himself because in Him is no sin; He did no sin, nor could He sin. He entered into the Holiest of all, the presence of the just and holy God (His position), and remains there as the one who represents us. He has been there for two thousand years, having paid the price of our eternal redemption.
He entered that place of Holiness with the memorial of His own sacrifice, and the virtue of “the precious blood of Christ” that has redeemed us. The blessed fact is that God is satisfied with what He did on our behalf! We have been made “the righteousness of God in Him,” and God is satisfied with us!
Christ took our place and died for our sins so that we would not face eternal death. The Holy Spirit has given us the reality of that eternal life, which has been granted to us because our Lord Jesus Christ paid the price for our eternal redemption. How distant are the blessings of grace from the sin- polluted works of human hands!
No religious denomination, labor, or sacrifice we make—nothing we do—can add anything to what the blood of Christ has accomplished for us. On the Day of Atonement, Aaron offered a calf for himself and a goat for the people and sprinkled their blood on the mercy seat and before the ark to make atonement for their sins. Our Lord Jesus Christ, through the worth and power of His own blood, entered into the presence of God on our behalf, and that once-for-all sacrifice has cleansed us from our sins for all eternity!
People watched the yearly ritual as the priest moved behind the veil. With blood in hand, he enters, bearing the weight of life or death. A Holy God meets holy people here to deal with sin. If the blood is accepted, a year passes, and then it happens again.
Angels watch, all the hosts of heaven, as the King-Priest enters in. This is not just a ritual; it is greater—once and for all, He has dealt with sin. His own blood was shed—complete remission and the price of eternal redemption are paid. We now have access to the holy place through the sacrifice He made. There, the Mediator of the new covenant appears in God's presence for us. Now, it’s no longer impossible but a reality—an eternal inheritance we are blessed with. Once for all, when our Lord appeared, He legally dealt with sin. He has provided everything needed—sin cannot demand any other price.
Settled in heaven, whole and complete, nothing more for sin’s remission required. There, He appears in the presence of God, no longer enemies, accepted in Him. Continually there on our behalf, what a comfort and joy to know He is there. Physically separate but joined in the Spirit, He appears in heaven for us. We now partake of the eternal inheritance, a small taste of what is to come. We wait for Christ’s appearance in the air to gather us to Him around the throne. Oh, glorious future, when salvation is complete—a kingdom of priests with the Great High Priest, fellow heirs of the Lord Jesus, gathered around Him, worshiping at His feet.