Most people would say, “In the Garden of Eden”. Nope!
It started in Heaven, when Lucifer said in Isaiah 14:13, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne…I will sit also upon…” Jesus said in Luke 10:18, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven”.
How can heaven be cleansed of this rebellion, where one third of the angels went along with this plan against God.
Removed from heaven, Satan began watching God move over the earth. Then God created a being in the image of Himself, called it, “Adam”. What an incredible creation this was…everything was given to him on earth, and it came with a warning. Genesis 1:26-31 God gives the terms to Adam…be fruitful, multiply, subdue, have dominion, etc. Life was amazing, he even received a person who just like him, not like the animals. Satan must have said, “How easy is it to persuade these creatures to rebel against God’s Word”. Genesis 3 – Bam! It happened. Now in order for Adam and Eve to be covered, they had to watch an animal be killed (blood was shed) for them to be covered with it’s hide.
From this point forward a sacrifice had to be made to atone (cover) the sin of disobedience. A animal would take the place of man and give its’ life blood. But there was one coming!
Years later: Enter – Jesus, The Savior
John 3:17 God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. So Jesus became the perfect “lamb” and gave His life for us. Notice after the Resurrection, Mary meets Jesus. He said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go….”
The Book of Hebrews, Chapter 8 tells us why we needed a sacrifice.
Hebrews 9:23 says, “The copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these….” vs 24, “For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands (tabernacle), but heaven itself…” vs 26, “He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”
Hebrews 10:12 “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God…” as you continue to read you realize how powerful the blood Jesus was in cleansing our hearts and cleansing heaven.
The Ark of the Covenant has two parts, the Law and Mercy Seat. God always desires Mercy, not judgment! Jesus’ blood was so powerful that it cleansed heaven of the rebellion and then it created in us a new nature, free of the guilt.
Jesus took His own blood and poured it on the Mercy Seat in heaven, it’s that powerful! Like the High Priest would do once a year to atone for the sins of the entire race of the Israelites, but it only covered for a year, now it’s forever!
So don’t focus on the sin when you miss it, simply ask for forgiveness, receive the forgiveness and apply the blood over yourself, and draw near to God in full assurance of faith!
By Sandy Vought