In Hebrews 9:15-29 the writer explains the covenant from the viewpoint of a promised inheritance. Christ is seen both as the will-maker who dies, making the inheritance possible, and the executor who administers the eternal inheritance. Consider the following highlights of this teaching.

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He makes us beneficiaries so as to equip us to serve the living God

Hebrews 9:14,15 "... to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, ..." (KJV)

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His bequest is the promised eternal inheritance

Hebrews 9:15 "... they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. " (KJV)

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His death makes our inheritance possible

The covenant could only take effect upon the death of the will-maker (Hebrews 9:16-17 ). The same principle is argued to have been in operation with the first covenant (Hebrews 9:18-22 ). Everything connected with the tabernacle was sprinkled with the blood of the dead animal (Leviticus 8:15,19,30 ). Without the shedding of blood, even then, there could be no forgiveness or anointing for service. Hebrew s refers to the scene of Exodus 24:7-8 where the people accepted the covenant and promised their obedience. But they could only participate in His covenant by the shedding of blood, which, sprinkled on them marked them with the blood of the substitute, instead of the mark of death (Exodus 24:8 ).

Hebrews 9:22 "And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission." (NKJV)

God's commitment to new covenant people is only possible by the atoning death of Jesus (Mark 14:24 ). Christ Jesus purified for us a way into the heavens, because He entered with the better sacrifice of His own blood (Hebrews 9:23-24 ). Animal sacrifices could be used for earthly copies, but only with His own blood could Jesus our Melchizedek enter the Holiest of heaven.

Hebrews 9:24 "For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;" (NKJV)

(See also 1 John 2:1 ).

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His blood is the one sufficient and awesome sacrifice for you and me

Hebrews 9:26 "He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." (NKJV)

The present age of the good news is the last of a series ( 1 Peter 1:20 ). Jesus Himself foretold the events which will occur "at the end of the age" (Matthew 24:3 ) in Matthew chapters 24 and 25. All the unsaved have a certain appointment with death and judgment (Hebrews 9:27 ). Judgment for sin has been removed by the sacrifice of Christ for those whose faith is in His blood to save them.

Hebrews 9:28 "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; ... " (KJV)

(John 3:18 ). Christ Jesus will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. (Hebrews 9:28; 2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:13 ). When He appears, salvation will be complete in the resurrection or transformation (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ) of the bodies of those who wait for Him.

Hebrews 9:28 "... and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. " (KJV)

Interestingly this is the only place in the New Testament where the return of Jesus Christ is called a second coming. The thought of His return should motivate living that glorifies Him (1 John 3:2-3 ). Because of our living executor we have a sure tomorrow!