Dec6-12: Benefits of Christ’s Atoning Sacrifice

Resurrection and Ascension

1. What would not be possible if Jesus was not raised from the dead?

• 1Cor. 15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

• 1Cor. 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

• 1Cor. 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

ANSWER:

• Atonement (pardon and blotting out of sin).
• Resurrection.

2. Where did Jesus go after His resurrection in order to complete the work of salvation?

• 1Pet. 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

• 1Pet. 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

ANSWER:

• To “the right hand of God.”

3. What is Jesus doing at the right of God in heaven?

• Rom. 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

ANSWER:

• Intercession.

4. What is Jesus’ role at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens?

• Heb. 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

ANSWER:

• High Priest.

5. What is the work of a high priest?

• Heb. 7:25 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.

• Heb. 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens

ANSWER:

• Intercession.

6. What would be the ultimate purpose of the work of intercession?

• Rom. 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

OBSERVATION:

• Notice how the work of intercession protects us from condemnation.

• Condemnation and justification are opposites.

  • Matt. 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

  • Rom. 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

ANSWER:

• To justify the believers.

7. Why was Jesus resurrected from the dead according to Romans 4:25?

• Rom. 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

ANSWER:

• For our justification.

CONCLUSION:

• Jesus was resurrected from the dead in order to intercede for us so that we might receive justification which is both pardon and blotting out of our sins which is the work of atonement.

Mediation of Christ and Atonement

1. What does God required in order for Him to justify us?

• Rom. 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

• Heb. 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

• Rom. 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Rom. 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

ANSWER:

• The blood of Jesus.

2. What can the blood of Jesus do for our sin?

• 1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

ANSWER:

• “Cleanseth us from all sin” (Same as justification).

3. What is the condition for our sins to be cleansed?

• 1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

ANSWER:

• “If we confess our sins.”

4. Who stands and listens to us when we confess our sins?

• 1John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

• 1John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

ANSWER:

• “Advocate” – Intercessor or Mediator. Notice that the word “propitiation” means atonement.

5. How many mediators do we have for our salvation?

• 1Tim. 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

ANSWER:

• One Mediator, Jesus Christ.

6. What promise does the Mediator have for us?

• Heb. 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

• Heb. 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

• Heb. 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

ANSWER:

• Better covenant – the new covenant.

7. What is the new covenant?

• Heb. 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

• Heb. 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

ANSWER:

• “I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.”

  “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”

8. What does God need to do for us in order for Him to write the law in our hearts?

• Psa. 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

ANSWER:

• Create a clean heart.

9. What does God need to do with our sin in order for Him to not remember our sins?

• Is. 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

ANSWER:

• Blot out our sins.

10. What can God declare about us when our sins are blotted out?

• Is. 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

• Is. 43:26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

ANSWER:

• Justified.

CONCLUSION:

• Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant.

• Jesus is the Mediator because He shed His own blood.

• Jesus is mediating in our behalf so that we may receive:

  • Forgiveness of sins.

  • Cleansing of our sins.

  • A clean heart.

  • A heart that follows God’s law.

  • Blotting out of our sins.

  • The complete and final justification, the final work of the atonement.

• Until then we are justified by faith. Rom. 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Rom. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Rom. 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Mediation of Christ in the Heavenly Sanctuary

1. Where did Jesus go after His death and ascension?

• Heb. 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

ANSWER:

• Jesus “set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2. What is Jesus doing at the right hand of God?

• Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

ANSWER:

• To give repentance and forgiveness of sins.

EXTRA OBSERVATION:

• Jesus was exalted as “a Prince and a Saviour.” Jesus, as a Prince, is called Michael in the Bible. (Dan. 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince).

3. Besides a Prince and a Savior what is the other title for Jesus when He sat at the right hand of God?

• Heb. 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens

ANSWER:

• High Priest.

4. Where does Jesus minister in our behalf as our High Priest?

• Heb. 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

• Heb. 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

• Heb. 9:24 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

ANSWER:

• Heavenly sanctuary.

NOTE:

• Heb. 8:3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

• Heb. 8:4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

• Heb. 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

• The earthly sanctuary was a “shadow” of the heavenly sanctuary.

5. Based upon the “shadow” in the earthly sanctuary, what was the ultimate work of a high priest in the sanctuary?

• Heb. 9:7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

• Lev. 16:30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.

• Lev. 16:31 It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.

• Lev. 16:32 And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest’s office in his father’s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments:

• Lev. 16:33 And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.

ANSWER:

• To make an atonement, “to cleanse” the people, which is the blotting out of sin.

6. Read the following verses.

• Rev. 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; Rev. 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

• Rev. 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. Rev. 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.

• Rev. 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

CONCLUSION:

• The book of Revelation shows that Jesus worked and is working as our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. The true atonement will be completed in the heavenly sanctuary with the blood of Jesus in the most holy place. Here we see the connection between the mediation work of Jesus and the heavenly sanctuary. Therefore the work of salvation was not done at the cross. The shedding of blood was completed at the cross but not the whole work of salvation. Salvation was secured at the cross but the work needed to go on into the heavenly sanctuary by Jesus as our High Priest.

Mediation of Christ and the Work of the Spirit

1. What reason did Jesus give to His disciples regarding why He is going back to heaven?

• John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

• John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

• John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

ANSWER:

• “To prepare a place for you.”

  “That where I am, there ye may be also.”

OBSERVATION:

• The final result of the work of atonement is to be one with Christ and God.

2. Read John 14:4. Why did Jesus say that His disciples knew the way where He was going?

• John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

• John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

• John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

• Psa. 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

ANSWER:

• Because they know Jesus.

• Because they know sanctuary.

• Jesus wanted the disciples to put together the work of the Messiah and the sanctuary service.

EXTRA OBSERVATIONS:

• The way – entering into the sanctuary through the altar of burnt sacrifice: The Cross of Jesus

• The truth – John 17:17 “Thy word is truth”. Word of God is the “bread of Life”: The table of shewbread in the holy place.

• The life – Heb. 9:4 “the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.”

  • Manna is connected to the Sabbath and the Sabbath is connected to the creation of life. Aaron’s rod that budded represents the resurrected life through recreation of life. The Ten Commandments are connected to life (Read Matt. 19:16, 17; Rev. 22:14).

3. What did Christ promise the disciples?

• John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

• John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

ANSWER:

• The Comforter – the Spirit of truth.

4. What is the Greek meaning of the word “comforter?”

• 3875. parakletos, par-ak´-lay-tos; an intercessor, consoler: — advocate, comforter.

ANSWER:

• An intercessor, advocate.

OBSERVATION:

• The Holy Spirit is also involved in the work of intercession.

• Rom. 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

• Rom. 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

5. What is the function of the Spirit of truth?

• John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

• John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

• John 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

• John 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

• John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

ANSWER:

• He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.

6. What does it mean when Jesus said, “of sin, because they believe not on me?”

• John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

• John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

• John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

• John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

• John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

• John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

• John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

ANSWER:

• According to the book of John, Jesus is the Word of God who came in our flesh to be offered as the Lamb of God on the cross so that those that believe in Him should have everlasting life. Therefore the Spirit will convict us of our sin because we need the dying Savior on the cross. This was already revealed through the altar of burnt sacrifice in the sanctuary.

7. What does it mean when Jesus said, “of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more?”

• Righteousness means 1343. dikaiosune, dik-ah-yos-oo´-nay; from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification: — righteousness.

• Rom. 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

• Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

• Heb. 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; Heb. 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

ANSWR:

• Righteousness for the believer is based upon the work of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary. Jesus was raised from the dead and went to the sanctuary in heaven for our justification (righteousness). Therefore the Spirit will convict us of righteousness because our own righteousness will not get us to heaven but only the mediation work of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary will make us righteous in the sight of God. This was already revealed through the Holy Place service in the sanctuary.

8. What does it mean when Jesus said, “of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged?”

ANSWER:

• The prince of this world is Satan:

  • Eph. 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.

  • 1 John 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

• During the judgment of the world, the prince of this world was cast out when Jesus died on the cross. (Read John 12:31, 32).

• “Judged” means 2919. krino, kree´-no; properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish: — avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

  However Satan will not be punished until the work of judgment is finished in heaven.

  In other words, judgment was already announced at the cross for Satan but it will be carried at the end of the investigative judgment. This was already revealed through the “scapegoat” on the Day of Atonement in the sanctuary.

9. Read Acts 17:31. Compare it with John 16:7-11.

• Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

COMPARISON:

• Jesus died and resurrected for our sin.

• Jesus went up to heavenly sanctuary to offer the gift of righteousness to us.

• Therefore we may be prepared when the world will be judged in righteousness.

CONCLUSION

• The Comforters role is to help us to understand and to experience the complete work of atonement:

  • Jesus died for our sin.

  • Jesus offers His righteousness.

  • Jesus judges to declare us just.