The Inheritance of the Saints

“And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” Hebrews 9:15.

In the old covenant, they received forgiveness for their sins by the shedding of the blood of animals. In the new covenant, we re­ceive forgiveness for our sins through Jesus’ blood, and thus be­come God’s children. However, we need the service of a mediator, so we can become partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1:12.

We read, “for this reason He is the Mediator of the new cove­nant.” We can therefore say that “for this reason” refers to what was written previously in chapter 9, and is a confirmation of the fact that it takes more than the purifying of the flesh for those who are called to receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. The ministries in the first part of the tabernacle—gifts and sacrifices—are symbolic for the present time, and can only cleanse us to the purifying of the flesh. Verses 8-14.

Those who are not saved need Jesus as an atoning sacrifice; but those who are saved need Him as a mediator and high priest of good things to come. Hebrews 9:11. Religious people have little or no vision of this ministry in our inner man. They do not see that we can be saved much more by Jesus’ life. Romans 5:10. This consists of the quickening of the second Adam in our human spirit. 1 Corinthians 15:45-49. This is necessary so that the saints can be worthy to be heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, through suffering. Romans 8:17.

Once we have received forgiveness for our sins and are crucified with Christ, we walk on resurrection ground in the newness of life in the new covenant. Now the Mediator can begin a ministry in us, and this is the ministry that is so valuable. Paul calls it a “much more glo­rious ministry.” 2 Corinthians 3:7-11. Jesus’ ministry as a mediator is a ministry of the Spirit in the body for the purpose of quickening our human spirit; in contrast to the ministry of the forgiveness of sins, which is a cleansing that serves to the outward purity of the body. Hebrews 10:22.

The ministry of the new covenant is performed within the disci­ples who have forsaken everything; it exists so that those who are called may receive an eternal inheritance. This ministry cannot begin before a death has taken place, redeeming us from the trespasses committed under the first covenant. The redemption from the things that hinder the ministry of a mediator occurred through Jesus’ dying to sin in the flesh. He suffered this death daily in the days of His flesh. Hebrews 5:7 and 1 Peter 3:18. We are qualified to receive the prom­ised inheritance by walking in these steps and by suffering the same death in the flesh.

The lot of inheritance of the saints is in the light, and we receive our training in the light. If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we will—through the ministry of glory—be molded and conformed to the image of Christ. Romans 8:29.

As long as a person sins, he needs Jesus as an atoning sacrifice. 1 John 2:1-2. However, when you are crucified with Christ and have victory, you are in the new covenant and have a share in its promises and in the inheritance of the saints in the light.