Hebrews 9:24-28, November 6-12, Year B:

Straight AheadAs Arthur Pink notes, this passage shows how the "nobler victim" was morally necessary to pay the sacrifice for our sin. In other words, the sacrifice of goats and lambs, and the atonement of the high priests of Judaism as they entered the Holy of Holies in the temple was not permanently or completely sufficient to satisfy the justice of a holy God. Christ paid the price once for all. He didn't have to be offered up time after time for our sins, but only suffered once on the cross to pay the penalty and endure the punishment we deserve. This was necessary for God's glory and for our good. Ultimately, the Holy of Holies, as represented here, is Christ's ascension into Heaven, where He sits on the right hand of God. He is anointed. By right, He rules with the heavenly Father. He serves in the office of priest and He alone has the "ability," the capacity to be our High Priest and Saviour. He is unique. His offering was His suffering. Again, the author of the epistle to the Hebrews continues to pound away at the comparison of the imperfect Jewish priesthood with the perfected priesthood of Christ. Through Christ, and only through Christ, there truly is remission of sin. The only way the blessing of forgiveness can be conferred is through Christ--hence, the necessity for accepting Him as the Son of God and the Saviour. I should point out before I close that this passage clearly eliminates any speculation about reincarnation for the Christian since it reminds us that "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:...." (Hebrews 9:27.) Belief in reincarnation is not in harmony with Christian teaching.