Once For All

“For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands—the representation of the true sanctuary—but into heaven itself, and he appears now in God’s presence for us. And he did not enter to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the sanctuary year after year with blood that is not his own, for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the consummation of the ages to put away sin by his sacrifice. And just as people are appointed to die once and then to face judgment, so also, after Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, to those who eagerly await him, he will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation.” Hebrews 9:24-28 NET

The Holy of Holies, where Jesus reigns in glory, is positioned on a majestic throne beside the heavenly Father. Jesus oversees a sanctuary that is not fashioned by human hands as the firstborn and unique Son of God. This spiritual kingdom transcends the fleeting nature of our physical reality yet remains accessible through faith in the spirit. We are destined to inherit the eternal kingdom through our connection to Jesus. This heavenly kingdom exists and can be accessed now, but not in its totality; for It to be expressed in its totality is waiting for this world to pass away, which will only happen in God’s timing. This is the now and the not-yet understanding of God’s kingdom, a concept that underscores the divine wisdom and the unfolding of God's plan.

Our present existence is merely temporary, much like the temple. Destined to give way to something eternal, a magnificent new heaven and new earth awaits us. Brimming with boundless hope and promise, our future signals a transformative awakening. This awakening is a profound shift in our understanding and experience of reality, a spiritual and physical rebirth that will extend from the spiritual kingdom into the physical world. Everything will be transformed and renewed in this powerful metamorphosis, vividly reflecting the profound spiritual truth that lies at the very essence of existence, that all things were made from God’s presence of love and reflect it perfectly.

The extraordinary nature of Jesus' sacrifice stands in striking contrast to the offerings made by the priests of the Old Covenant. Unlike the repetitive annual sacrifices required yearly for atonement of sins, which were insufficient to achieve true forgiveness long term, Jesus' sacrifice is unparalleled. If He were confined to the Old Testament law, He would be compelled to continually offer Himself as the atoning sacrifice for sin throughout the ages. However, in His divine humanity, Jesus achieved what no mere mortal could: He conquered the law of sin and death by rising from the dead, delivering the ultimate one-time sacrifice. His body was the perfect fulfillment needed to satisfy and nullify the relentless demands of the law, establishing Him as the ultimate transformative sacrifice for all.

The fact that Jesus sits at the place of honor beside the Heavenly Father illustrates that His mission was not just successful but utterly complete. He has accomplished everything necessary for eternal salvation for all who believe; the grand plan for the salvation of humanity is fulfilled. We have been entrusted with an incredible treasure surpassing human understanding. We have been invited to participate in the glorious wedding feast of Jesus, and astonishingly, we are His bride, the beloved recipients of His unfailing affection and love. As this beautiful verse from Song of Solomon 2:4 (ESV) reminds us, “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”

The Old Testament clearly reveals humanity’s dire state: condemned to death and facing judgment. Yet, everything transformed with Jesus’ extraordinary sacrifice. He bore the full weight of sin’s judgment in His body, offering us liberation from its devastating consequences. This incredible act breaks the chains of sin and fills us with hope.

As stated in 1 John 2:14-15 (NET): “We know that we have crossed over from death to life because we love our fellow Christians. The one who does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his fellow Christian is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”

This powerful message emphasizes the profound impact of love and the new life that Christ offers each of us. Jesus’s cross irrevocably settled our judgment, securing our standing with God for eternity.

Jesus will undoubtedly return—not to judge us, but to graciously bring us the gift of salvation. This promise ignited hope within the early church as they faced intense persecution; they held fast to believing that His return would happen within their lifetimes. Yet, God the Father has chosen to allow time to unfold, not out of forgetfulness, but to gather the fullness of the Gentile nations for the ultimate harvest. The Great Commission is far more than just a task; it is a divine mandate of immense significance that continues to resonate and will endure until that glorious day when Jesus returns. We are called to be vigilant and steadfast, eagerly anticipating that remarkable moment, for no one knows the day or the hour of Jesus’ return—only the Father in Heaven. Let us live with unwavering faith and readiness for that incredible day.

Stephen Barnett