Entering Into The Holiest By The Blood Of Jesus

Having therefore, brethren, 

boldness to enter into the 

holiest by the blood of Jesus,

by a new and living way, which

He hath consecrated for us, 

through the veil, that is to

say, His flesh; and having our 

hearts sprinkled from an evil

conscience, and our bodies

washed with pure water. 

Let us hold fast the profession

or our faith without wavering;

(for He is faithful that promised)

Hebrews 10:19-23

     This is the time of the year that we celebrate the first Advent of Jesus Christ. Some will point out that Jesus was not born on December 25, and even point out that that date is associated with a pagan holiday. Yes, it is not the actual date for the birth of Jesus. I say that because we do not have the actual date. Secondly, yes, there was a pagan holiday associated with this time of the year. When you celebrate December 25, Christmas, do you think of that you are celebrating a pagan holiday, or that it is associated with a pagan holiday? Probably not! Christians are not commanded in Scripture to celebrate the birth of Jesus although we do have the narrative in regards to His birth and the later coming of the magi. The magi brought gifts as was the custom of the day, but they were not under any compulsion to do this for Jesus, they did it because they knew the prophecy and believed that this baby, Jesus, was the fulfillment of prophecy. Whatever date is decided upon to have a birthday celebration for the coming of Jesus is done, as should be, from the heart recognizing that the birth of Jesus was the One God promised to send to the world to pay for sin. We give gifts acknowledging that the greatest gift given is from God: His Only Begotten Son. This Son of God sent to die: for you and me, not because of sin, but because He loves His Father who sent Him, and because as God in the flesh He paid for your sin willingly so you by believing on Him will have eternal life. Let us look back at an earlier Scripture: "By the which will we be sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time" (Hebrews 10:10). This translation found in the Geneva Bible, the King James Bible is translated correctly, but not the New International Bible, they translate the adverb incorrectly and teach a gospel that is not a Gospel. The Greek word: έφάπαξ, an adverb describing the verb, "we are," means "once for all time." The NIV says: "once for all," and it may not seem at first glance to say anything different, but it does, for in "once for all"  this would mean that this applies to a person: it does not, for it is "once for all time," forever, Jesus did it once for all time, never to be repeated. You are sanctified "once for all time," in heaven you have been justified, sanctified, and by faith we live and grow into our sanctification in this life. It is complete, "once for all time." We can draw near to God with full assurance of faith and now we hold fast to our profession of faith without wavering. This happened because a baby was born in Bethlehem, not just a baby, but God come in the flesh to live and die as a man for you and me. No original sin was in Him, and while having all the emotions, and feelings of man for He was a man, in human flesh, died sinless. 

     When we follow a translation that is not a translation from the majority of texts false teaching becomes the way for people to live and exercise their faith. Error, or heresy is not always about Jesus Christ, but about the nature of man, or sin, or judgment, or matter, that which is fundamental to man. This produces at least in some manner antinomianism, It is true that Christians are not under the law, but grace. Yes, we are no longer under the old Law that was completed and finished "once for all time." Yet, if this teaching, which it is in many Churches that Jesus "died once for you," then why obey any moral laws, everything is possible, for Jesus died "once for all," so if a person does sin, then God increases his faith and grace and forgives. Is this true? Allow the Hebrew writer under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit speak to this:"and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another;  and so much more, as ye see the day approaching. FOR IF WE SIN WILLFULLY AFTER THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH, THERE REMAINETH NO MORE SACRIFICE FOR SINS" (Hebrews 10;24-26; Capitals are by me). To not know the truth as can be known from correct translation will lead a person to think that all they have to do is believe and make some attempt to follow God's laws and then go about and do as you please. If you get caught, pray, God will forgive for Jesus "died once for all." WRONG! Jesus came to earth as a baby, born of a woman having both man and God in union in one Person to fulfill the law, the prophecies about Him until the time for Him to die ending "once for all time" the stain of sin. Yes, we must believe to be saved. This belief must be founded on truth, not misleading understanding of Scripture. Belief is true belief when a person sets aside themselves and consecrates their life to Him no matter the cost. Jesus paid the highest cost, He died a sinless man willingly for you, now, go and live a holy and moral life. It began with the birth of Jesus, now it must begin in you a new life. 

     Prepare now to celebrate the first Advent of Jesus and remember it is the first,there is a Second Advent and just as the first was prophecied and fullfilled, the Second One will be fullfilled as well. Christmas, whatever day you celebrate it should be a reminder of all that God has done. The past is the past, the future is what you live for and all the past can do is remind you that in sin, no matter how good or happy it made you feel, did not give you joy, and assured hope. Only Jesus through the Holy Spirit can, all you do is accept and convert to Him. 

I am the LORD your God;

     walk in my statures, 

and keep my judgments,

     and do them; and hallow

My sabbaths; and they shall

     be a sign between me and

you, that ye may know that I 

    am the LORD your God.

                  Ezekiel 20:19-20

Your faith can have full assurance

Richard L. Crumb