Surety for the Human Race, December 31

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans 6:23JNN 383.1

Then the portals of the city of God are opened wide, and the angelic throng sweep through the gates amid a burst of rapturous music.JNN 383.2

There is the throne, and around it the rainbow of promise. There are cherubim and seraphim. The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds, are assembled. The heavenly council before which Lucifer had accused God and His Son, the representatives of those sinless realms over which Satan had thought to establish his dominion,—all are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify their King.JNN 383.3

But He waves them back. Not yet; He cannot now receive the coronet of glory and the royal robe. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails. He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming. He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy over one sinner that repents; who rejoices over one with singing. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant to redeem men and women if they should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the Surety for the Human Race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, “It is finished,” He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, “I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am” (John 19:30; 17:24).JNN 383.4

The voice of God is heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. Satan is vanquished. Christ’s toiling, struggling ones on earth are “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).—The Desire of Ages, 833, 834.JNN 383.5

Further Reflection: How does the acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice by God and the vanquishing of Satan empower me to walk in victory every day until Jesus comes?JNN 383.6