November 11, 2006 - Jeremiah 50 and Hebrews 8
Jeremiah 50 tells us that once the Israelites cried out to God, He would defeat the Babylonians, and Babylon would be destroyed never to be inhabited again. (v.5,13) That was a prophecy that came true 500 years before Christ, and Babylon is still uninhabited 2,500 years later. It will never be inhabited, because God said it wouldn't. He always tells the truth. This and other prophecies show that His Word is truth. We need to learn that God never lies, and we can trust whatever He says. It is amazing to me that all God was waiting for was for His children to cry out to Him. Then, He would overthrow the greatest military power the world have ever known by sending the Medes and the Persians. What could God do today if His children would cry out to Him?
Hebrews 8 tells us that after Jesus died for our sins and arose from the grave He went to the true tabernacle in heaven to minister for us. (v.2) Could it be that He took some of His precious blood and sprinkled it on the mercy seat to atone for the sins of all the people the way that the High Priest had done once a year in the Old Covenant? The difference would have been that His blood and His sacrifice were perfect, so this atonement only had to be done once. I believe He did something like this to seal the new covenant in His blood. Now, the Old Covenant has passed away as the author says in verse 13, it was about to do. What was he referring to? I believe he was referring to the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. Now, the Jews can't carry out the Old Covenant, because the Temple is the only place to make sacrifices and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Therefore, God brought a dramatic end to the old covenant to show all people that the new covenant is here to stay.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 51-52 and Hebrews 9.
Hebrews 8 tells us that after Jesus died for our sins and arose from the grave He went to the true tabernacle in heaven to minister for us. (v.2) Could it be that He took some of His precious blood and sprinkled it on the mercy seat to atone for the sins of all the people the way that the High Priest had done once a year in the Old Covenant? The difference would have been that His blood and His sacrifice were perfect, so this atonement only had to be done once. I believe He did something like this to seal the new covenant in His blood. Now, the Old Covenant has passed away as the author says in verse 13, it was about to do. What was he referring to? I believe he was referring to the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. Now, the Jews can't carry out the Old Covenant, because the Temple is the only place to make sacrifices and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Therefore, God brought a dramatic end to the old covenant to show all people that the new covenant is here to stay.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 51-52 and Hebrews 9.