The Epistle to the Hebrews

Lesson 15There is Power in the Blood

Hebrews 9:18-28

“Without Shedding of Blood There is No Remission”

• Blood is mentioned 12 times in Hebrews 9• The old covenant was dedicated by blood (9:18-20)

– Moses sprinkled blood on both the book itself and on the people (9:18-20; cf. Exodus 24:1-8)

• The tabernacle was also sanctified with blood (9:21; cf. Exodus 40:9-11)

• Under the old covenant almost all things are purified with blood – without it there is no remission (9:22)– Blood must be shed because it contains life (Lev. 17:11)– The penalty for sin is death – the giving of life

(Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 6:23)

The Sacrifices of the Old Covenant Foreshadowed a Better Sacrifice

• The “copies” of the heavenly things were purified and dedicated with the blood of animals, but heavenly things demand better sacrifices! (9:23)– Christ’s blood is the blood of the New Covenant

(Matthew 26:28; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25)– “Heavenly things” refers to things in the true

spiritual realm. • This realm includes spiritual blessings like forgiveness

(Ephesians 1:3, 7) and our covenant relationship with Christ (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:3)

Christ has Entered Heaven Itself with His Better Sacrifice

• Christ did not enter a mere copy of the Holy Place, but into heaven itself (9:24)– He now appears in the presence of God for us!

• Christ did not have to enter repeatedly with the blood of another (9:25)– His better sacrifice opened up the way into the

presence of God permanently!

Christ has Entered Heaven Itself with His Better Sacrifice

• His sacrifice put away sin once for all (9:26)

– It paid our penalty & removed our guilt (9:14; Isaiah 53:1-7)

– His one sacrifice was sufficient to remove all sin for all time (1 John 2:2; John 1:29)

– His atoning work was “once for all” (9:12, 26, 28; 10:10)

– It was accomplished “at the end of the ages” for all ages instead of “often since the foundation of the world” (cf. Hebrews 1:2; Galatians 4:4-5)

He Shall Appear a Second Time

• Two appointments everyone must keep (9:27)– Death (Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 8:8; 12:7)

• Christ has kept His appointment with death!

– Judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10)

• Christ is coming again, not to sacrifice Himself, but to save those who are looking for Him in faith (2 Peter 3:11-13; Revelation 22:20)