Rom 3:25 KJV reads: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Propitiation is from the Greek word “hilasterion” and it means the gift which procures propitiation or that which expiates.

The words “set forth” in that scripture means to publicly display and this means that while under the laws of Moses, the mercy seat was not seen by the people; only the high priest went into the holy of holies to sprinkle blood upon the mercy seat. Yet Jesus was publicly offered as the satisfaction for sin’s consequences. By this public “setting forth”, God is made it clear that our sins are forgiven – past, present and future.

The righteous sentence of the law has been executed. Christ completely satisfied the just demands of a holy God for judgement on sin by His death on the cross. God, foreseeing the cross, is declared righteous in forgiving sins in the OT period as well as in justifying sinners under the new covenant.

Propitiation is not placating a vengeful God but rather it is satisfying the righteousness of a Holy God thereby making it possible for Him to show mercy righteously.

When did Jesus shed his blood? Over 2000 years ago. At that time the sins of the whole world was paid for. So the death of Jesus became a significant event in history when the old testament saints by faith look towards the cross and the new covenant saints look back to the cross – by faith.

Question – if God could overlook the sins of the past “on credit” because of the death of Jesus that was to come in the future, how much more will He pardon sin of the new covenant believer because of the death of Jesus that has now happened?

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