By Nick Bibile
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
— Hebrews 9:12
This verse reveals the greatness of Christ's priesthood and the perfection of His saving work. The apostle contrasts the sacrifices of the Old Testament with the sacrifice of Christ.
Under the Law of Moses, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place every year on the Day of Atonement. He could not enter without the blood of sacrificed animals. The blood of goats and calves was brought into the earthly sanctuary as a temporary covering for sin (Leviticus 16:14-16).
But Christ came as the true and better High Priest. He did not enter an earthly tabernacle made by human hands. He entered heaven itself, the true sanctuary where God dwells (Hebrews 9:24).
More importantly, He did not enter by means of animal blood. He entered by virtue of His own blood—that is, through the sacrifice of Himself upon the cross.
The blood of animals could never remove sin. It only pointed forward to the coming Redeemer.
"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."
— Hebrews 10:4
Christ's blood alone has infinite value because He is both fully God and fully man. His sacrifice was perfect, complete, and sufficient to satisfy divine justice.
This phrase does not mean that Christ literally carried His physical blood into heaven. Rather, it means that He entered heaven on the basis of His finished sacrifice.
John Owen Puritan theologian explains that Christ's entrance into heaven was the public presentation of His completed atonement before the Father. His shed blood had already accomplished redemption at Calvary. His ascension and heavenly intercession declare that the sacrifice was accepted.
The Father received Christ into glory because the work of redemption had been perfectly accomplished.
"When he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high."
— Hebrews 1:3
His presence in heaven continually testifies that the debt of His people has been fully paid.
The earthly high priest entered repeatedly because his sacrifices were imperfect and temporary.
Every year another sacrifice was required. Every year more blood had to be shed.
Christ, however, entered heaven "once."
This word is full of comfort. It teaches that His sacrifice never needs to be repeated.
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."
— Hebrews 10:14
Nothing can be added to Christ's work.
No
priest can improve it.
No church can supplement it.
No
human effort can complete it.
The work is finished.
"It is finished."
— John 19:30
Because Christ's sacrifice is perfect, He remains forever seated at the Father's right hand. His sitting signifies that His atoning work is complete.
The redemption Christ purchased is not temporary but eternal.
The Old Testament sacrifices provided ceremonial cleansing for a season, but they could not permanently free the conscience from guilt.
Christ's redemption reaches much deeper.
He redeems His people from:
The guilt of sin (Romans 8:1)
The curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13)
The wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
The dominion of sin (Romans 6:14)
The power of Satan (Colossians 1:13)
Eternal condemnation (John 5:24)
The word "obtained" teaches that redemption was actually secured by Christ. He did not merely make salvation possible. He accomplished it.
John Gill great Baptist theologian emphasizes that Christ purchased redemption at the full price required by divine justice. Nothing remains unpaid.
The ransom has been
accepted.
The debt has been cancelled.
The captives have
been purchased.
This redemption is eternal because its value never fades, its effectiveness never diminishes, and its blessings never end.
Because Christ obtained eternal redemption, the salvation of His people is secure.
Their acceptance before God does not rest upon their works, feelings, or performance.
It rests entirely upon the finished work of Christ.
The believer's confidence is not found in himself but in his Savior.
Christ's blood never loses its power.
His priesthood never ends.
His intercession never ceases.
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
— Hebrews 7:25
If Christ has obtained eternal redemption, then no other sacrifice is needed.
Trust not in religious ceremonies, personal goodness, or human merit.
Trust only in Christ and His finished work.
Believers do not possess a partial salvation waiting to be completed.
Christ has secured a full and eternal redemption.
Because Christ has entered heaven as our High Priest, believers may come boldly before God.
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace."
— Hebrews 4:16
The repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant have ended because the perfect sacrifice has come.
The cross accomplished what thousands of animal sacrifices could never accomplish.
Christ has forever removed the guilt of His people and secured their eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 9:12 stands as one of the clearest declarations of the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work. Unlike the priests of the Old Covenant, Christ entered the true heavenly sanctuary only once. Unlike animal sacrifices, His own blood truly satisfied God's justice. Unlike temporary ceremonial cleansing, He obtained eternal redemption.
The believer's hope rests upon this glorious truth: Christ has finished the work, entered heaven as the victorious High Priest, and secured forever the salvation of all who trust in Him.
"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain."
— Revelation 5:12