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Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth |
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The annual Day of Atonement was one of the most important days in Old Testament times. Its redemptive ritual is described in Leviticus 16. The high priest would sacrifice a bull. He would take some of its blood into the Most Holy Place, the innermost and most sacred part of the tabernacle. No one but the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and he could do so only on this day. In the Most Holy Place was the ark of the covenant, covered by the mercy seat, over which the presence of God resided. The high priest would sprinkle the blood of the bull on the mercy seat to make atonement for his own sins. He would afterward return with the blood of a goat, which he would sprinkle on the mercy seat to make atonement for the sins of the people. This ritual had to be performed every year in the same manner.
This ritual was a typical representation of the saving work of Messiah. This truth is set forth in Hebrews 9, especially verses 11f: "But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation [cp. 8:2; 9:24]. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption."
Jesus Christ has "obtained eternal redemption." Contrary to many theological liberals, He did not come to earth to merely serve as good example for us, nor to die as an exemplary martyr for a noble cause. And contrary to great hosts of the Jews in His day, and certain millennarians in our own day, He did not come to establish an earthly Jewish kingdom which would subdue Gentile powers and restore Israel to the glory it had enjoyed in former times.
Rather, He came to perform that work which had been typified on the Day of Atonment. The high priest on that day made a sacrifice for the sins of Israel, the chosen people of God. So has Jesus Christ. He came to earth "as the Son of Man ... to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28), "for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). He came to redeem His chosen people.
Jesus Christ has "obtained eternal redemption." Old Testament sacrifices had to be repeated annually for centuries because they never obtained redemption. They were but typical representations of the one redeeming sacrifice Messiah would make. "[S]o Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many"; "with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:28,12). He therefore shouted in victory as He died, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). He has obtained redemption for every soul for whom He died.
Jesus Christ has "obtained eternal redemption." His redeeming work was performed "once for all" (Hebrews 9:12). Every soul redeemed once by the blood of Jesus Christ shall be redeemed for all time. None of them shall perish in the lake of fire. Every one whom He has redeemed shall sing His praises in glory for all eternity: "For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood" (Revelation 5:9).
This glorious truth of "eternal redemption obtained" is denied by those who assert Christ made a universal atonement. They say He paid the price of redemption for all mankind. But they deny He obtained redemption for them. They say He only made their redemption possible, and that His redemption is worthless unless sinners make it effectual through an act of faith. They therefore of course deny He obtained eternal redemption, admitting that many of those He tried to redeem will nevertheless perish.
We present an infinitely better Redeemer to you! Jesus Christ has "obtained eternal redemption" for a great host of sinners. Every one of them will through faith receive the blessings of redemption, and for eternity sing praise to the Redeemer. Will you?
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
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