Question #66
Did Jesus go into heaven and sprinkle blood on the mercy seat?
Did Jesus go into heaven and sprinkle blood on the mercy seat?
The Answer:
I assume that the question is directed to Hebrews 9:23-26 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” The “holy places made with hands” are those into which the High Priest entered in performing the services of the Tabernacle. When the High Priest entered the most Holy Place, he was said to appear before God or to draw near to God, because the presence of God was manifested over the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies. God was represented and was envisioned by Israel as sitting enthroned upon the Mercy Seat. The High Priest in the Tabernacle or Temple appeared before God and offered the blood of animals for expiation on the Day of Atonement. As our High Priest, Christ entered into the reality that was prefigured by the Tabernacle and Temple. Because it is impossible for the blood of animals to take away sin (Heb. 10:4), Christ appeared with his own blood to procure pardon for us. Having offered a “better sacrifice” (v. 23), he did not need to offer himself often, that is, offer a sacrifice year after year. He put away sin, won the victory, by the sacrifice of himself.
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