The Promise of Restoration
Adam and Eve were given a perfect life, but their disobedience led to the loss of everything: their health, riches, fellowship with God, protection, and peace. Humanity suffered the consequences of their fall for centuries. However, in the fullness of time, a Redeemer was born—Jesus, the Word made flesh. His arrival marked the beginning of restoration, a promise fulfilled.
Luke 4:14-19 describes Jesus returning from His wilderness temptation, victorious over the devil’s schemes. He entered the synagogue in Nazareth and read from the book of Isaiah, proclaiming, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me…” He declared His mission—to heal the brokenhearted, to deliver the captives, to restore sight to the blind, and to proclaim liberty to the oppressed. His words pointed to the Year of Jubilee, a divine reset when all losses are restored.
In biblical times, the Year of Jubilee occurred every fifty years, granting people the return of lost possessions, freedom from bondage, and restoration of wealth. Jesus, however, declared Himself to be the embodiment of the Jubilee. Through Him, believers no longer needed to wait for another cycle to regain what was lost. Healing, deliverance, and restoration were now available through faith in Him.
This message of redemption is not limited to the past but extends to all who believe. In Christ, what was lost—health, wealth, freedom—can be reclaimed. His sacrifice ensures that restoration is possible for anyone who reaches out in faith. His redemptive work is complete, leaving no aspect of life outside His power to renew. In Him, every promise is affirmed, and every loss can be reversed.
Atonement and Redemption
The Old Testament provides numerous types and foreshadows of Jesus’ redemptive work, particularly in the concept of atonement. One striking example is found in Numbers 16, in the account of “atonement for the plague.” The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with 250 influential leaders, demonstrated how sin leads to destruction. Their defiance against God’s chosen leaders resulted in the earth swallowing them whole. Despite this dramatic judgment, the remaining congregation still murmured against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of wrongdoing.
Their rebellion brought divine wrath, and a plague broke out among them. Recognizing the urgency, Moses instructed Aaron to take a censer with fire from the altar, add incense, and make atonement for the people. Aaron stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. This act symbolized the role of Jesus, our eternal High Priest, who stands as our mediator, preventing destruction from reaching us.
This account reinforces the necessity of divine atonement. The Lord does not actively seek to destroy; rather, it is sin that removes His protection, exposing individuals to destruction. Jesus, like Aaron, intercedes for us, shielding us from judgment. Hebrews 4:14 emphasizes that we have a “great high priest” in Jesus, who has passed into the heavens, advocating on our behalf.
Confession plays a vital role in experiencing the fullness of redemption. Jesus has already accomplished the work, but what we declare determines how much we walk in its reality. If He says we are forgiven, healed, and blessed, our confession should align with His words. Speaking in faith activates His promises, ensuring that we receive the restoration available through His atoning work.
Through Jesus, believers stand protected, redeemed, and restored. His role as our High Priest ensures that we have continual access to the benefits of salvation. When we confess His truth, we declare victory over loss, sickness, and oppression, embracing the fullness of redemption He has provided.