Confession that Opens the Doors of Heaven

 November 26, 2024

Tuesday

Hebrews 4:14 (ESV) ¹⁴  Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Jesus, our great high priest, has passed through the heavens. Why is heavens plural? Well, the thought was that the area where the clouds are is part of the heavens. The area where the stars are  is part of the heavens. And the place of God's presence was the third heaven. Thus, when it says that Jesus passed through the heavens, He is passing through where God's holy presence resides.

The high priest would pass through the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur to sprinkle the blood of sacrificed animals on the altar. This is clearly saying that beyond all of the sprinklings of all the high priests who ever walked through the Holy of Holies, Jesus has been the completion of the recognition of sacrifices made. "Passed" is a perfect participle. This means that the action was completed in the past but has forever results. Thus, no other sacrifices will ever be necessary for the forgiveness of our sins.

So, we hold fast or "seize" our confession. That word is the same that was used when those opposing Jesus wanted to arrest Him. They wanted to hold onto Him and never let Him go. This word is in the present tense which means that it is always ongoing. Therefore, we are holding onto our confession and never letting it go.

Confession is singular here. Each person may have a confession but that confession is the same as everyone else's confession. It is simply this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for my sins in whom I believe and follow by repenting of my sins and obeying His commands. This confession opens up heaven's doors for us to the God of mercy and grace.

If you don't make that confession while you are alive and in this body, you will never be able to make that confession to God after you die. Of course, these aren't magic words but they are the confession of our lives that grants us confidence before God.

Can you make that confession now? I hope so.