Settled and secured

Settled and secured

That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals. For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice. And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:23-28 NLT

Because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, believers now can enter the holy presence of God. The holy of holies which is in the heavenly abode of God is where we were granted access when His blood cleansed us from our sin. We can now engage with God in heavenly fellowship for we were made right through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Once again, the writer of Hebrews emphasized the superior nature of the New Covenant compared with the Old Covenant. “For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven” (Hebrews 9:24). This is why we do not rely on what was made by human hands for nothing on this earth can contain the glory and holiness of God. This is what Paul had told the people in Athens when he saw that they are worshiping gods made out of the materials in this world. “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples” (Acts 17:24). Things made in this world will not last. When Jesus Christ appeared in this world, He fulfilled all that was prophesied about His role as the Savior. Three times in today’s passages, the word “appear” was used referring to the completed work of Christ. “He has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice” (Hebrews 9:26). “He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf” (Hebrews 9:24). “Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him” (Hebrews 9:28 NASB). Now that we have seen what Christ had accomplished on behalf of those who trusted Him as Lord and Savior, we cannot remain neutral for He requires of ask to totally commit our lives to Him. We need to live our lives following His will and trust Him that no matter what happens in this world, our place with Him in heaven is settled and secured.

Blessings,