Learn more about ActiveChristianity, or explore our theme pages for more
What is propitiation?
The wages of sin is death, but through Christ’s sacrifice we have been given the possibility for eternal redemption.
2 min · Aksel Smith
What is propitiation?
It is quite simply this: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him …” Isaiah 53:5. He took upon Himself the punishment we should have had. This was the great work that took place on Calvary, so that we might have peace. That is the propitiation.
Who is the propitiation?
Who is the atoner? The Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)
Jesus did not just finish the act of atoning for sin; now we meet His very Person as the living, exalted Christ at the Father’s right hand, and in that connection it says about Him, “He Himself is the propitiation for our sins …” 1 John 2:2. He has not only atoned for our sins, but He Himself is the propitiation. What surety this is for salvation!
Continue reading below ↓
Like what you’re reading?
What is the result of propitiation?
With His own blood Jesus entered the Most Holy Place, into heaven itself, to be manifested before God’s face for our sake, and obtained eternal redemption.
What Jesus did on earth, God acknowledged in heaven. There Jesus’ blood speaks better things than Abel’s, for Abel’s blood called out from the ground, and God cursed Cain away from off the face of the earth because he had killed his brother. (Genesis 4:10-11) Jesus’ blood does not call out from the earth as Abel’s did, because Jesus went with His own blood into heaven itself before God’s face for our sake. Jesus’ blood calls out in heaven before God’s face, and God does not curse us from the face of the earth as He did with Cain, but He is merciful and saves. Therefore Jesus’ blood speaks better things than Abel’s.
When Jesus walked on earth, it was said about Him, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” John 7:46. And we say, “Neither has anyone spoken in heaven as He has!” Therefore He is the most excellent One. He speaks to us on earth through His Spirit, and by means of His blood He speaks in heaven. What a consolation and what a salvation this is!
This article has been translated from Norwegian and was first published in BCC’s periodical Skjulte Skatter (Hidden Treasures) in March 1914. (Original English title: “What is the Atonement?”)
© Copyright Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters Forlag
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, unless otherwise specified. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.