1. The Epistle to the Hebrews Lesson 15 There is Power in the Blood Hebrews 9:18-28

2. “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)

3. 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)

4. 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!

5. 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)

6. 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)