The End of the End
for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:26 ESV
The end of the ages – If you read this verse by itself, you might conclude that Yeshua’s death “at the end of the ages” was the sacrifice that removed sin. And since we all know that the “end of the ages” has to be the time that Yeshua walked the earth, this verse seems to say that His death (sacrifice) on the cross was the point where sin was finally defeated. But this same author, in the same chapter, tells us that Christ entered the “greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with human hands, that is to say, not of this creation” (9:11 NASB). The author tells us that in this non-earthly tabernacle he “obtained eternal redemption” “once for all.” Now this is a big problem. Clearly the cross is not a tabernacle. It is certainly part of this creation. It is obviously made with human hands. So how can it be the place of atonement? Nothing in the context of this verse allows us to conclude that the cross is the place of redemption.
But what do we do about the timing of “end of the ages”? First we should notice that this verse does not say anything about the cross. All it says is that he appeared at the end of the ages to put away sin. The Greek verb is phaneroo, here in the perfect passive third person. As a perfect passive, the verb implies that this action was done to the subject in the past but has continuing effects in the present. The verb is not present tense. This action, whatever it is, has already been done but is now revealed in its effect. So when did the action occur? Sometime prior to now-visible effects. It is the effect, not the act, that is seen at the end of the ages. In fact, in the Greek text the verb comes last in the sentence: “as it is once for all the end of the ages put away sin by sacrifice of himself he has appeared.” All of the actions of “once,” “put away,” “sin,” and “sacrifice” are wrapped up in the revelation that is now visible. Does that imply they all occurred at the time of the revelation? No! It is the same as seeing the effects of a stellar explosion like the Crab Nebula, first recorded in 1054, but knowing that the actual explosion happened at least 6523 years prior to that (the time needed for the light to travel to earth).
Think of it like this. The author of Hebrews tells us that the effects of what took place in a tabernacle not of this creation are revealed now, at the end of the ages, and because they are revealed now, we know that sin was put away once and for all. The verse does not conflict with the author’s statement that all of this took place elsewhere. All the author actually says is that now the results are revealed.
The author of Hebrews shows intimate knowledge of the Temple and the Temple rituals. He never indicates that the Temple has been replaced. He only says that the Temple on earth is simply a representation of an even greater reality in heaven. The real sacrifice, the one that removes all defilement of sin, is of a different order than the temporary sacrifices of the priests in the earthly Temple. That does not mean they are not needed. As long as the earth remains in need of restoration, Temple sacrifices are needed, even though sometimes they cannot be performed. But the sacrifice that resulted in putting away sin required a different order and a different setting, one that could not be duplicated on earth. And that means that the event of the cross on this earth must be about something other than the sacrifice needed to put away sin.
Topical Index: cross, sin, appear, phaneroo, Temple, tabernacle, Hebrews 9:26
Skip, I am a bit confused with this post and may not understand at all what your overall point is, but I have some thoughts about this subject, so allow me to think aloud here, even if it seems way off base (and maybe even Greek in thought)! This verse came to mind: “…the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world” (Rev 13:8). It seems that Christ was slain in a “heavenly realm” outside of our earthly, linear time frame–prior to his being slain here on earth 2,000 or so years ago. Physicists theorize there are six additional dimensions (at least–some scientists project up to 18) in the world we occupy, and time is considered a 4th dimension, of sorts. So although our 3D minds cannot wrap around the concept of more dimensions, where God resides could certainly be of greater and vast dimensions, as well as a different “time” frame–if one at all. So in a sense, long before Christ walked this earth, he was slain before the earth was even created, according to Rev. 13:8. If this is the case, it could explain the verse tense you explain in this statement: “This action [sin being taken away once-and-for-all], whatever it is, has already been done but is now revealed in its effect.” Once Christ died on the cross, was resurrected and ascended to “heaven” (where the real tabernacle is–not the earthly, shadow of the real one), he made the once-and-for-all atonement. Could he have placed his blood at the heavenly tabernacle altar that was necessary for permanent atonement? Although this had happened in the spiritual realm before the creation of the world, God had to appear in human form and be slain in linear, earthly time–as representative for “adam” (mankind), manifesting himself in the flesh, dying in the flesh, being resurrected in the flesh, and then receiving his resurrected/spiritual body (See Luke 24 when he appears to people after his resurrection who should recognize him but do not without his aid–he is different and unrecognizable, yet recognizable, in a way–due to his resurrected body).
Jesus’ interaction with Mary post-resurrection is telling when he commands her: “Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father” (John 20:17). Why would Jesus tell her not to touch him, and specifically mention his ascension? Could it be that she would defile him if she touched him–that he must not be touched with human hands prior to his ascension so that he would be the undefiled, pure, spotless sacrificial lamb required for atonement at the heavenly altar?
Another interesting verse that I’ve contemplated a lot is Galatians 3:8: “SCRIPTURE FORESAW that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and ANNOUNCED the GOSPEL in advance to Abraham.” That’s a compound sentence…break it into two and focus on the second half (The Scripture did two things..the 2nd being that it ANNOUNCED the GOSPEL in advance to Abraham). What an unusual statement! Abraham saw/heard (it was “announced”) the gospel of Christ? In some unusual spiritual encounter, the word of God (Torah) revealed to Abraham in some sort of announcement and/or vision (check out root words used for “foresaw” and “announced”–they indicate the Scripture did something visual and audible) that Christ died on the cross, and then was buried and resurrected on the third day (that’s “the gospel” in a nutshell, according to Paul in 1 Cor 15:1-5). Obviously, Abraham lived prior to Christ walking on earth, yet he saw Christ’s gospel “played out” in some sort of visual encounter–revealing that Christ had already died in the heavenly realm well before Abraham (corroborating Rev 13:8 verse).
My point is this: If we are dealing with a physical vs spiritual realm, with each having different dimensions and elements of “time,” with the spiritual realm standing outside of the earthly linear time frame and not bound by its restrictions, could not have Christ died at the cross long before his earthly appearance, yet the event was later manifested here on earth, and THAT is the “end of the ages” in the Heb 9:26 verse when Jesus’ permanent atonement was ‘sealed’ (maybe a poor choice of words–maybe “finalized” is better)? Could this be the point in time where those IN-Christed are no longer slaves to sin through the law but freed by Jesus’ new covenant of grace through his one-and-for-all atoning sacrifice? I’d love your thoughts, Skip. I really, really love your posts that always generate new thinking and new biblical connections. I read your stuff every single day and appreciate that you continue sharing what God continues teaching you. I bless God for you!
I noticed a few assumptions in your response that affect your interpretation of these passages. First, you seem to endorse some kind of dualism (spiritual realm vs. physical realm) that I don’t think fits the Hebraic point of view. Secondly, you assume that time is linear. That is the real issue with these verses. The linear view of time is very Greek and accepting it forces one to draw conclusions about “before” and “after” that may not be reflected in the text. The idea that a spiritual realm has more “dimensions” than the physical, linear time realm is problematic since all of this has to be imported to the text from Greek philosophy. The idea that God occupies a dimension “outside” the physical linear time involves you in logical problems (see my book, God Time and the Limits of Omniscience). Thirdly, you assume that the “gospel” is about the death and resurrection of Yeshua, but even in the New Testament the gospel has a much wider meaning, namely, the good news of peace with God. Abraham is not required to know something about Yeshua in advance in order to be included in the good news of peace with God. Finally, “do not touch me” does not have to be a statement about defilement. In the context of post-resurrection appearances, Yeshua deliberately acts in ways to prove He is not a spirit manifestation (like eating), so it is unlikely that there is any prohibition about defilement here.
Try removing these Greek philosophical conditions and read the verses again.
So…what is the answer to Gaynor’s question: Jesus’ interaction with Mary post-resurrection is telling when he commands her: “Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father” (John 20:17). Why would Jesus tell her not to touch him, and specifically mention his ascension?
And what exactly did Yeshua’s death on the cross accomplish? Christian literature is of course full of ideas: forgiveness, inner and physical healing, divine exchange etc…Sorry…I too am a bit confused. (But I love reading your posts and am learning a lot. Thanks.)
Thank you, Skip. It’s just so hard to wipe this “brain slate” of mine clean with Greek thinking and start over. I’ve sat at the feet of some very godly, knowledgeable mentors over the years who’ve taught me such a great deal, but from a very Greek perspective, it seems. I’ll order your book. I’m in the middle of reading yours about Jesus’ encounters with women. I’m developing a curriculum for your book Guardian Angel to teach women at our church about roles in marriage. I LOVED that book.
I do want to offer free editing for any future books you write because I see some repeated punctuation mistakes (as well as some other editing issues) that “bing” my eye as an English teacher/writer/editor. I would do it for free for you because I think it would “up” your credibility for someone picking up your book for the first time. It’s important to use standard punctuation and grammar when publishing a book. Honestly, the errors make me reluctant to recommend your books because your scholarly work/knowledge do not match your writing that is plagued with errors, and yet the two could easily match up with some fine-tuned editing. I have edited quite a few books, and the authors have always felt their products are greatly improved afterwards. It would be my honor to edit your books prior to publishing or reprinting. It’s a God-gift that I offer to share with you. My email is GLubojasky@aol.com. I wrote you private email a while back and made this offer but never heard back so didn’t know if you got it or not.
I love your work so much and the content is so valuable, and I desire it to be the caliber of a professional writer (which it could easily be). Thanks for responding to me with gentleness, and I hope you can hear my tender heart for what I have said above. Sometimes tone is difficult to “hear” in written form, so know that I am here to help and in no way intend to insult or hurt your feelings. I understand how vulnerable we are with our written work, but I also realize (as a writer and writing instructor) how valuable it is to allow others to critique our written work and improve upon it. If you ever want my help editing anything, just email me! God bless you!!!
Dear Gaynor,
I hardly know how to reply to a critique that says Guardian Angel is “plagued with errors.” I hope that you do not mean it is filled with logical, theological, exegetical or conceptual errors. So far none of the 1000+ readers have made that claim. So I am guessing that you found errors in punctuation, like this (for example) “. rather than .” Maybe you could clarify a bit.
If you want to help, maybe you could give me some examples so I know what we are dealing with. And I welcome any help that will make the book better, although I will say that it was not my intention to write it for the scholarly community (thus no formal bibliography), but rather for a serious reader who didn’t really want to keep flipping back and forth to the end of the book. You could send some suggestions to
skipmoen@mac.com
rather than put it all on the blog site.
Looking forward to improvements.
Thanks
Skip
How will He do what He did what He does when He does what He did what He’ll do? The plan of redemption was foreordained at the foundation of the world. As we have a god who speaks things into existence, proclaims the end from the beginning, and cannot lie, it was as good as done. It was made a physical reality at the cross. It is applied at the end of the ages. A few verses earlier gives the old testament shadow. Moses sprinkles the book of the covenant and the people of the covenant with the blood. In Clay Trumbull’s book “The Blood Covenant” it is explained that in the middle east, “the pouring out of a blood libation is still the mode of completing the marriage covenant. When the marriage day is fixed the bridegroom comes with a lamb in his arms to the tent of the father of his bride, and then, before witnesses, he cuts its throat. As soon as the blood falls upon the earth, the marriage ceremony is regarded as complete. Among the Bed’ween of the Sinai, the bride is sprinkled with the blood of the lamb before she is surrendered to the bridegroom.” I believe what hebrews is describing is the actual wedding covenant ceremony where the bride, the new covenant, and the heavenly tabernacle are sprinkled with the blood of Christ.
You seem to be still in the camp that the cross was about forgiveness, not atonement (there is a difference). And you don’t distinguish between the intention of God’s will and the execution of God’s will (two different Greek verbs). The texts that I read do not say God PLANNED the process of forgiveness before the foundation of the world. They say He executed the process of forgiveness before the foundation of the world, but ATONEMENT (the wiping away of defilement) still needed to be accomplished. “As good as done” is not the tenor of the texts in 1 Peter, Hebrews and Revelation. (See my book on the cross coming out in about a week)
I know most people here are opposed to calvinist/reformed theology, and I part ways with its proponents on some things as well. But Jonathan Edwards explanation on the covenant(s) still makes more sense to me than any thing else I have seen.http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/jonathan-edwards-on-the-covenant-of-grace/
~ Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away (or atone for) sins;
but He,…
having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time,
SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD,
waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET.… ~
Friends, it is a DONE DEAL. – And Yes!- it did happen “At Calvary..”
And “amen” brother Brett, (and others) who have read Clay Trumbull’s “The Blood Covenant!” And even further still (!)- His excellent work, “Friendship: The Master Passion.” Oh how lightly we know or esteem the “Friendship” of our LORD! A world within a word? Look into the etymological roots of “friend!”
For a very quick look at this “covenant of friendship”- the “blood-bond” (a Friend that sticks closer than a brother) may be viewed by all of us in the “relationship” (Yes, this is what it’s all about!) between King David and Mephibosheth, -who was lame in both his feet!. If there ever were a story or “picture” of grace- this is it!
Hallelujah for the cross! and amen! Friends, (according to the Law) without the shedding of blood- there is no remission of sins. And without the virgin birth, there would be no “sinless sacrifice!” Oh the cross of the Chosen One. One who was born to die! His mission, His focus, His purpose (for this cause came I into this world) was the cross. Never-ever-never “discount” the cross, the tslav of The Messiah.
What about this “heavenly Temple?” He was dead and gone for three days! Where was He during this time? (Heaven only knows!- lol!- I wasn’t there!), but the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Inquiring minds, like me, want to know.. ‘why?’
But we can say “this, about that!” Are you listening? Three days later, the (previously-sealed) stone was rolled away!- and there it was,- the empty tomb! We (all) have been invited! ~ Come, see the place where the LORD lay..~
Death, dear ones, was (on that glorious day) forever defeated and dethroned! O Death! Where is your sting? O Grave, where is your victory? Hallelujah, (once again!) for the cross! Hallelujah for the tslav, the execution stake of The Messiah!
What a Love! What a Gift! What a Cost!- We stand forgiven at the cross!
…and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on Earth or things in Heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach–…
(Colossians 1.21,22)
~ For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And He has given unto us this wonderful message of reconciliation ~ (2 Corinthians 5.19)
~having made peace through the blood of His cross.. ~ God and sinners,- reconciled!
But, Carl, while I totally agree that He has reconciled ALL things, the presumption that this occurred ON THE CROSS does not seem to be supported by either the text of the New Testament or the actions of God in the stories of the Tanakh. It is a theological assumption derived from reading the text according to doctrine, not asking what it would mean to a first century JEWISH rabbi.
Yes, it is a gift. But no, if you bifurcate the gospel so that it operates on a different basis in the Tanakh than in the New Testament, then you divide the work of God and create the chasm that Christianity has perpetuated for 20 centuries. How, then, is Abraham called righteous or David called a man after God’s own heart?
Do you really suppose that John 3:16 was written FOR US ONLY? Does Paul not indicate that the action of the crucifixion and resurrection altered the course of the ENTIRE UNIVERSE? Are we so myopically concerned with HUMAN issues that we think it is all about US?
>>Not asking what it would mean to a first century JEWISH rabbi? <<
No, I'm not. But I would imagine trying to explain a microwave oven or a digital camera to a first century rabbi would also be rather difficult. How dare I say, – that was "then" and "this" is now!
It is interesting though, – there were a certain group of men "wise enough" to study the (then existent) scriptures and to travel some distance, guided by a special(?) star appearing in the heavens, to the little town of Bethlehem, looking for a "future" king who was to be born there.
There is not one single doubt in this man's mind what amazing "mysteries, marvels and wonders" -puzzles and conundrums were presented to the "saints of old.."
How much more then are we now responsible to God, on "this side" of Christ and of Calvary? We no longer have any "excuses" or "reasons" for NOT believing! The (long-promised) Messiah has come! The question asked by John the Immerser is a good one: "Are You the Christ?- or shall we look for another?
~ Great beyond all question is the formerly hidden truth underlying our faith:
He was manifested physically and proved righteous spiritually, seen by angels and proclaimed among the nations, trusted throughout the world and raised up in glory to heaven~
(1 Timothy 3.16)
Interesting comparison since the magi traveled to find a KING, not a savior. That was my point. Christianity, which I believe did actually create the chasm – see my work on the formation of the Christian Church – focuses most of its message to the masses on the element of forgiveness of personal sins. But this is only a tiny part of the message of God’s redemption of the universe. The magi looked for a king because they understood that the message was about the KINGDOM of God on earth, a much bigger message than “Jesus died for my sins.”
>> If you bifurcate the gospel so that it operates on a different basis in the Tanakh than in the New Testament, then you divide the work of God and create the chasm that Christianity has perpetuated for 20 centuries <<
Was it "Christianity" who created this "chasm?"- or was it Christ (Himself?)- Matthew 10.34
~ Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them ~ (Matthew 5.17)
No, there is no "bifurcation"- or division in the gospel at all! (Remember the red-thread of redeeming blood that binds this holy Book together!)
The Good News concerning (the) Christ is this: He is the "Final,-once-for-all" fully sufficient- atoning, propitiating Sacrifice for our sins. It is no longer "necessary' for the high priest to enter in to the inner "holy place" of the Temple once per year on the Day of Atonement and sprinkle upon the "mercy seat" the blood of bulls or of calves or birds. Laid upon Him were Jewish sins, and Gentile sins- (for all are "sinners")- and we (all) are in need of (both) a cleansing and a covering! ~ God made this sinless Man to be a sin-offering on our behalf, so that in (blood-covenant) union with Him we might fully share in God’s righteousness ~ (2 Corinthians 5.21)
~ knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a Lamb unblemished and spotless, – the blood of Christ.… (1 Peter1.18,19)
What was the price or cost of our redemption (and subsequent) reconciliation and rejoicing?
How would a first century Jewish rabbi answer this? ~ Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works? ~ (Titus 2.14) There is only One I know who fits this description.. One who did not appear (in the flesh) until the time of His (first) advent some centuries after the creation of the world. And.. ~ these things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority! ~ (Titus 2.14,15)
No, dear ones, -there is no escaping or denying (the) Anointed and an event that did take place some centuries earlier than today, yet the effects are still being felt all over the world!
The Master Theme for our Bible has not changed. It is still today (and to all- to whosoever will, "Behold the Lamb." First, in the shadows of history and then in glorious substance of reality: Christ (in human flesh) did walk this earth- and breathe the very air He created and eat the (no -doubt) "kosher" food His mother lovingly prepared for Him.
The words "which of you convinces Me of sin?" could not be spoken by anyone among us, save One. We must all agree with the confession of Peter: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!"
~ and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, -full of grace and truth! ~ (John 1.14)
~ So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the LORD; and we are being changed into His very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by the Ruach of ADONAI. ~
(2 Corinthians 3.18)
~ The Word (Logos) became a human being and lived with us, and we saw His Sh’khinah, the Sh’khinah of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth ~ (John 1.14)
Once I (too) was blind,- but now I can see!, – The Light of the world is Jesus!
“But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin” Hebrews 9:25
Hmmm
Well if we look at the Bible from End to End, and Judge the performance of Jesus on when
He’d “appeared once and for all at the end of the ages to PUT AWAY SIN by the sacrifice of himself”
We would have to conclude, I think, that Jesus did not do a very good job
It would seem to me that the death of Jesus had about the same impact on removing sin
In the world
As Obama’s “end to end” test had on removing the bugs in our new Health Care system
None
Are you assuming that “put away sin” means “remove it from human existence” or does it mean “provide the means by which is death with”?
If you think it means sin is no longer possible, then your observations are certainly true. But if the text means that Yeshua provided the means by which sin may be overcome, then the observation that the world hasn’t changed much is not evidence against the claim.
to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Hebrews 9:26
Hi Skip,
I obviously must deal with translations, so I’m a bit handicapped, relatively speaking 🙂
My opinion is that to “put away” means to “remove” and “the sacrifice of himself” is “death”
My translation, in The Jerusalem Bible, implies the same meanings in the following passage
And he (Jesus) does not have to offer himself again and again, like the high priest going into the sanctuary year after year with the blood that is not his own, or else he would have to suffer over and over again since the world began. Instead of that, he has made his appearance once and for all, now at the age, To Do Away With Sin By Sacrificing Himself…..
……
so Christ, too, offers himself only once to take the faults of many on himself. And when he appears a second time, it will not be to deal with sin but to reward with salvation those who are waiting for him
The first time I read the Bible, I assumed that Paul had created Christianity in Hebrews
And I was surprised that in my late 20’s and with a degree in Literature that I that never heard
Of Melchizedec, King of Salem, a priest of the God most high in Hebrews 7
Nor did I realize that Christ’s priesthood was higher than the Levitical Priesthood
And that Christ had been a descendant of MD’s priesthood rather than Aaron’s
But it quickly became very clear to me where Catholicism came from
And who created the new religion of Christ, the “Paul” of Hebrews 7
Zed’s dead baby, Zed’s dead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7Yp2L6c2KM
In Pulp Fiction, I’m guessing Tarantino got the idea of the Zed character from Melchizedic
“The author of Hebrews shows intimate knowledge of the Temple and the Temple rituals. He never indicates that the Temple has been replaced. He only says that the Temple on earth is simply a representation of an even greater reality in heaven.”
This explains a lot of the mis-understanding of the book of Hebrews if we really think about it. Another significant verse is: Hebrews 2:5 (CJB) “For it was not to angels that God subjected the ‘olam haba — which is what we are talking about.” The writer is talking about the World to Come.
I first encountered these thoughts in teachings by D. Thomas Lancaster at Beth Immanuel Sabbath Fellowship in Hudson, WI. He did some teaching on the book of Hebrews a few years ago and is currently going through a more in-depth teaching series. These teachings are available FREE online at bethimmanuel.org. It’s a LOT to listen to (he has done 31 teachings at this point and is only in chapter 8) but I would highly recommend it for anyone who wants to understand the book of Hebrews from a messianic Jewish perspective. Here is a direct link to the teachings for anyone who is interested: http://www.bethimmanuel.org/audio/series/145.
Thanks Skip for giving us a perspective that causes us to re-examine some of the ideas we have and things we have been taught that really limit what our Messiah accomplished for us, Things He is still doing, and will continue to do in the World to Come.