Jesus' blood reconciles all things

[Mindwrencher]

I have a question and would appreciate any input: Col 1: 9-20[SUP]"9 [/SUP]For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
[SUP]10 [/SUP]That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
[SUP]11 [/SUP]Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
[SUP]12 [/SUP]Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
[SUP]13 [/SUP]Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
[SUP]14 [/SUP]In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
[SUP]15 [/SUP]Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
[SUP]16 [/SUP]For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
[SUP]17 [/SUP]And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
[SUP]18 [/SUP]And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
[SUP]19 [/SUP]For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
[SUP]20 [/SUP]And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."
What "things" in heaven needed reconciliation to God?

 

[ji]

i think its a journey when it comes to mankind.The area where God is showing great Patience to gather the Pearls from among the wicked to store in His treasure chest in Heaven.

 

[Vernon]

what had to be reconciled in heaven is the fallen angels who left their positions with God and followed satan in rebellion.

"And Jesus said: "I saw satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold I have given you authority to tread on serpants and scorpion, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you." Luke 10:18-19

"Now war arose in heaven Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven." Revelation 12:7-8

 

[onehighvoice]

Thank you for such an interesting and challenging question!!! Here is my perspective concerning the reconciliation of things in heaven by Christ's blood:


First, when we leave our bodies we go into the presence of the Lord whose throne is in heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV

We are confident , I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.


Secondly, a couple of scriptures indicate that Jesus preached His gospel to the dead who did not hear it.

1 Peter 3:19 KJV

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

1 Peter 4:6 KJV

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Thirdly, it is difficult to fathom with the natural mind but Christ's blood speaks.
Hebrews 12:24 NIV

to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

And His blood was used to form an eternal covenant.

Hebrews 13:20 NIV

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

Lastly, His blood continues to have meaning in heaven.


Revelation 19:13 NIV

He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.


Revelation 5:9 KJV

And they sung a new song, saying , Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain , and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;



Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down , which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Revelation 5:6 NIV

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 5:12 NIV

• In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
• Revelation 5:13 NIV
  
  Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"

Therefore, the Blood of Jesus (who is the Lamb slain) serves as reconciliation in heaven by being the power behind the eternal covenant.

 

[Mindwrencher]

Thank you for such an interesting and challenging question!!! Here is my perspective concerning the reconciliation of things in heaven by Christ's blood:


First, when we leave our bodies we go into the presence of the Lord whose throne is in heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV

We are confident , I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.


Secondly, a couple of scriptures indicate that Jesus preached His gospel to the dead who did not hear it.

1 Peter 3:19 KJV

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

1 Peter 4:6 KJV

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Thirdly, it is difficult to fathom with the natural mind but Christ's blood speaks.
Hebrews 12:24 NIV

to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

And His blood was used to form an eternal covenant.

Hebrews 13:20 NIV

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

Lastly, His blood continues to have meaning in heaven.


Revelation 19:13 NIV

He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.


Revelation 5:9 KJV

And they sung a new song, saying , Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain , and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;



Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down , which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Revelation 5:6 NIV

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 5:12 NIV

• In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
• Revelation 5:13 NIV
  
  Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"

Therefore, the Blood of Jesus (who is the Lamb slain) serves as reconciliation in heaven by being the power behind the eternal covenant.

Thank you for your insight. Personally I have serious reservations that saints go to heaven immediately after they die based on what Jesus said to the thief on the cross: "This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.", coupled with the story about Lazarus and the rich man. That Jesus' blood is the power behind the eternal (new) covenant I can accept.
However Paul says that Jesus' blood reconciled "things" on earth and "things" in heaven.
And the operative word is "reconciled". So more than just the salvation of man, (or the power behind the new covenant?) has been reconciled. And Paul divides between the two, earth and heaven, signifying that in both places "things" have been reconciled.
Personally I believe that fallen angels and their estate is one thing that was reconciled in heaven. In fact, one of your quotes above is from Rev 10:11-12. But in that passage is the comment where the angel says "Rejoice...but woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has come down to you." So while he tells someone to rejoice, he pronounces woe upon the earth and sea. So his comment raises questions about exactly whom he was referring to when he said "Rejoice, because the accuser of 'our' brethren has been thrown down. I know he follows that with "and they overcame by the blood of the Lamb...", but because he pronounces woe upon the earth, it seems to contrast a difference between heaven and earth. My take on this section of scripture is that until the child ascended into heaven, the devil was allowed to walk upon it's courts. But when the child (the redeemer) ascended to the courts of God, the accuser, Satan, had to go, So the angel shouts to all the heavenly host "Rejoice! for the accuser of "our" (the angelic host) brethren has been thrown down. And "they" overcame him...could refer either to angels or men because sin is a spiritual ailment afflicting both realms, physical and spiritual. " But woe to the earth and sea, (my note: you humans), because he has come down to you." The devil has always been down to us, eg Eve and Job, but the angel is saying he is gone from the heavenly courts, so he can concentrate solely upon you humans now.
The devil accused angels of sin up until that time, but now he no longer roams around heaven, so they are free from him by the atoning power of Jesus.

 

[Mindwrencher]

Thank you for such an interesting and challenging question!!! Here is my perspective concerning the reconciliation of things in heaven by Christ's blood:


First, when we leave our bodies we go into the presence of the Lord whose throne is in heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV

We are confident , I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.


Secondly, a couple of scriptures indicate that Jesus preached His gospel to the dead who did not hear it.

1 Peter 3:19 KJV

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

1 Peter 4:6 KJV

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Thirdly, it is difficult to fathom with the natural mind but Christ's blood speaks.
Hebrews 12:24 NIV

to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

And His blood was used to form an eternal covenant.

Hebrews 13:20 NIV

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

Lastly, His blood continues to have meaning in heaven.


Revelation 19:13 NIV

He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.


Revelation 5:9 KJV

And they sung a new song, saying , Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain , and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;



Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down , which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Revelation 5:6 NIV

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 5:12 NIV

• In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
• Revelation 5:13 NIV
  
  Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!"

Therefore, the Blood of Jesus (who is the Lamb slain) serves as reconciliation in heaven by being the power behind the eternal covenant.

Okay my edit of my response to you took too long, so here is the response with the added part that didn't make it through the editing feature:
Thank you for your insight. Personally I have serious reservations that saints go to heaven immediately after they die based on what Jesus said to the thief on the cross: "This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.", coupled with the story about Lazarus and the rich man. That Jesus' blood is the power behind the eternal (new) covenant I can accept.
However Paul says that Jesus' blood reconciled "things" on earth and "things" in heaven.
And the operative word is "reconciled". So more than just the salvation of man, (or the power behind the new covenant?) has been reconciled. And Paul divides between the two, earth and heaven, signifying that in both places "things" have been reconciled.
Personally I believe that fallen angels and their estate is one thing that was reconciled in heaven. In fact, one of your quotes above is from Rev 10:11-12. But in that passage is the comment where the angel says "Rejoice...but woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has come down to you." So while he tells someone to rejoice, he pronounces woe upon the earth and sea. So his comment raises questions about exactly whom he was referring to when he said "Rejoice, because the accuser of 'our' brethren has been thrown down. I know he follows that with "and they overcame by the blood of the Lamb...", but because he pronounces woe upon the earth, it seems to contrast a difference between heaven and earth. My take on this section of scripture is that until the child ascended into heaven, the devil was allowed to walk upon it's courts. But when the child (the redeemer) ascended to the courts of God, the accuser, Satan, had to go, So the angel shouts to all the heavenly host "Rejoice! for the accuser of "our" (the angelic host) brethren has been thrown down. And "they" overcame him...could refer either to angels or men because sin is a spiritual ailment afflicting both realms, physical and spiritual. " But woe to the earth and sea, (my note: you humans), because he has come down to you." The devil has always been down to us, eg Eve and Job, but the angel is saying he is gone from the heavenly courts, so he can concentrate solely upon you humans now.
The devil accused angels of sin up until that time, but now he no longer roams around heaven, so they are free from him by the atoning power of Jesus.
And then there is another statement made by Paul to the Ephesians: (Eph 3:8-12) "[SUP]8 [/SUP]To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, [SUP]9 [/SUP]and to make all see what is the fellowship[SUP][a][/SUP] of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;[SUP][b][/SUP] [SUP]10 [/SUP]to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, [SUP]11 [/SUP]according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, [SUP]12 [/SUP]in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. [SUP]13 [/SUP]Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory."
So the reconciliation of thing in heaven also is related to making known the manifold wisdom of God to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. So what need do principalities and powers in heavenly places have to know concerning the manifolf wisdom of God? Perhaps that Jesus the Christ's atonement for the spiritual ailment of "sin" also reached into heaven.
Is that why everyone was silent when Eve and Satan had their confrontation in Eden? Adam who was with her said nothing!? God did not step in!? No angel spoke any warnings!? Eve against "The Great Deceiver"? Did anyone really doubt the outcome?
It is something I have contemplated upon because I have read this passage in Colossians many times rather nonchalantly and never really given it any deep thought. It hasn't harmed my faith or stopped me from my Christ related pursuits. It just seems to be something I think needs further discussion.
And once again thank you for your perspective. God bless you and keep you and may His Countenance shine upon you and give you peace,
M

 

[weakness]

Okay my edit of my response to you took too long, so here is the response with the added part that didn't make it through the editing feature:
Thank you for your insight. Personally I have serious reservations that saints go to heaven immediately after they die based on what Jesus said to the thief on the cross: "This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.", coupled with the story about Lazarus and the rich man. That Jesus' blood is the power behind the eternal (new) covenant I can accept.
However Paul says that Jesus' blood reconciled "things" on earth and "things" in heaven.
And the operative word is "reconciled". So more than just the salvation of man, (or the power behind the new covenant?) has been reconciled. And Paul divides between the two, earth and heaven, signifying that in both places "things" have been reconciled.
Personally I believe that fallen angels and their estate is one thing that was reconciled in heaven. In fact, one of your quotes above is from Rev 10:11-12. But in that passage is the comment where the angel says "Rejoice...but woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has come down to you." So while he tells someone to rejoice, he pronounces woe upon the earth and sea. So his comment raises questions about exactly whom he was referring to when he said "Rejoice, because the accuser of 'our' brethren has been thrown down. I know he follows that with "and they overcame by the blood of the Lamb...", but because he pronounces woe upon the earth, it seems to contrast a difference between heaven and earth. My take on this section of scripture is that until the child ascended into heaven, the devil was allowed to walk upon it's courts. But when the child (the redeemer) ascended to the courts of God, the accuser, Satan, had to go, So the angel shouts to all the heavenly host "Rejoice! for the accuser of "our" (the angelic host) brethren has been thrown down. And "they" overcame him...could refer either to angels or men because sin is a spiritual ailment afflicting both realms, physical and spiritual. " But woe to the earth and sea, (my note: you humans), because he has come down to you." The devil has always been down to us, eg Eve and Job, but the angel is saying he is gone from the heavenly courts, so he can concentrate solely upon you humans now.
The devil accused angels of sin up until that time, but now he no longer roams around heaven, so they are free from him by the atoning power of Jesus.
And then there is another statement made by Paul to the Ephesians: (Eph 3:8-12) "[SUP]8 [/SUP]To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, [SUP]9 [/SUP]and to make all see what is the fellowship[SUP][a][/SUP] of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;[SUP][b][/SUP] [SUP]10 [/SUP]to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, [SUP]11 [/SUP]according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, [SUP]12 [/SUP]in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. [SUP]13 [/SUP]Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory."
So the reconciliation of thing in heaven also is related to making known the manifold wisdom of God to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. So what need do principalities and powers in heavenly places have to know concerning the manifolf wisdom of God? Perhaps that Jesus the Christ's atonement for the spiritual ailment of "sin" also reached into heaven.
Is that why everyone was silent when Eve and Satan had their confrontation in Eden? Adam who was with her said nothing!? God did not step in!? No angel spoke any warnings!? Eve against "The Great Deceiver"? Did anyone really doubt the outcome?
It is something I have contemplated upon because I have read this passage in Colossians many times rather nonchalantly and never really given it any deep thought. It hasn't harmed my faith or stopped me from my Christ related pursuits. It just seems to be something I think needs further discussion.
And once again thank you for your perspective. God bless you and keep you and may His Countenance shine upon you and give you peace,
M

This is a complicated subject. But just speaking concerning the revealing of Gods manifold wisdom to principalities, I think God is in the buisness of revealing. TO inlighten or make known the truth . God wants to communcate! Now Satan ,in his pride Thought himself to be God and sit in his seat, Tha his ways were better than Gods ways , His plan better than God the Fathers. Lso it says that the angels in general desire to look into Gods plan and redemsion of his children. I think in the end that it will be revealed to men righteous an unrighteous , to angels, fallen and faithful that God is all Good , sovern ,merciful true and just,that he and his ways are the perfect way. And in the end God will be all in all and perfectly. This is a major pupose in Gods creation,to reveal himself. The mean while proving Satan a liar and the father of lies and will glorify himself in jesus and in his children