God has always been as merciful and forgiving God, for by his own nature he is love. The difference, however, in the old and new covenant is that the blood, by which the covenant was established.

The forgiveness we have received through the blood of Jesus is not a temporary atonement. The freedom that we receive through the blood of Christ is the remission of our sins.

Remission is the cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty. Through the blood of Jesus, the indebtedness for our sins and the sins of all have been canceled! However, it must be appropriated by faith. 

Listed below are some of the important truths taught by scripture regarding the remission of our sins in contrast to the old testament atonement.

• It was impossible for the blood of animals – offered under the law – to cleanse man’s conscience from sin and guilt (Hebrews 9:9; 10:1-5, 11)

• The blood of Jesus cleanses our conscience from guilt. (1 John 1:7,9; Hebrews 7:19; 9:9, 13-14, 22;  10:1-2, 14, 19-22;  12:23)

• The sacrifices under the Law were repeated over and over again and were a continual reminder that sin had not been permanently dealt with. (Hebrews 10:1-6)

• Jesus does not need to offer himself for our sins over and over again. Jesus’ one sacrifice provides cleansing for sins forever. (Hebrews 7:25-28; 10: 5-22)

• The priests, under the Law, who offered the sacrifices on the behalf of the people could not abide continually in the presence of God (Hebrews 9:6-8), neither could they continue in their priestly ministry indefinitely because they were subject to death. Therefore there were many priests who succeeded one another (Hebrews 7:19-23). Under that system of worship, man was separated from God because the way into God’s presence was not yet opened (Hebrews 9:6-10). The Law could only give a foreshadowing of good things to come – an illustration of something better that itself (Hebrews 10:1-5).

• Christ is our great high priest. In and through him, the good things which the law could only foreshadow have become reality. Unlike the entrance of the priests under the old testament who served in a temporary tabernacle,  Jesus has entered a greater and more perfect tabernacle. Christ entered the tabernacle of God in Heaven (Hebrews 9:12).  Jesus did not enter this tabernacle with the blood of animals, but with his own blood, securing our permanent redemption. (Hebrews 9:12-14, 24-28; 10:10-14)

• Under the law, the offerings of sacrificial animals could only provide ceremonial cleansing from impurity.  However, the Blood of Jesus Christ purifies our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. (Hebrews 9:6-14)

• Under the old covenant, the priests stood and ministered before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, and those sacrifices could never take away sins. Jesus Christ, our high priest, offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, forever. He then sat down at the right hand of God, reigning as King till all his enemies are made his footstool. His one offering is the perfect sacrifice for all people forever. Now we can enter boldly into the Most Holy Place (the presence of God) because of the blood of Jesus. Jesus has consecrated this new and living way to God for us. Through the blood of Jesus Christ we now can draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (see Hebrews chapters 7-10)