The Power of the Blood of Jesus (Updated and Annotated)

1. The Blood of Jesus: God's Consistent Theme from Eden to Eternity

Clearly, no single scriptural theme from Genesis to Revelation is kept in view more consistently and prominently than that expressed by the words the blood.

Foundational truth. From the very beginning of God's revelation to humanity, the concept of blood stands as a foundational truth, demanding attention and remaining unchanged across dispensations. It appears at the gates of Eden with Abel's sacrifice, at a new beginning with Noah's burnt offering after the flood, and in the most solemn hour of Abraham's life with the substitutionary ram on Mount Moriah. This consistent emphasis underscores its unique place in God's heart and His plan for humanity.

Old Testament foreshadowing. The Old Testament meticulously details the role of blood in establishing covenants and enabling access to God. The Passover blood protected Israel from judgment, and the Sinai covenant was ratified "not without blood." The Tabernacle and Temple services, with their altars and Holy of Holies, constantly pointed to the necessity of blood for fellowship with a holy God, signifying that without blood, there could be no approach for sinful man.

New Testament fulfillment. With the coming of Jesus, the shadows of the Old Testament gave way to the substance. John the Baptist announced Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world," emphasizing His dual office of sacrifice and Spirit-giver. Jesus Himself declared the necessity of shedding His blood for redemption and life, stating, "Unless ye . . . drink his blood, ye shall have no life in you." The apostles, from Paul to Peter and John, consistently glorified the blood as the central power of eternal redemption, a theme that resounds even in the heavenly visions of Revelation, where the redeemed sing of being "redeemed us unto God by thy blood."

2. Redemption's Power Resides in the Infinite Value of Christ's Blood

The power of that blood in its various effects is nothing less than the eternal power of God Himself.

Life in the blood. The unique power of Jesus' blood stems from the biblical truth that "the soul (or life) of the flesh is in the blood." Unlike the blood of animals, which held limited value, the blood of Jesus carried the eternal life of the Godhead itself. This divine life, poured out in perfect obedience to the Father's will, gave His blood infinite worth and atoning virtue, making it sufficient to redeem and accomplish everything necessary for salvation.

Atonement and satisfaction. The shedding of Jesus' blood was not merely a physical act but a profound spiritual transaction. It represented His life given up to death for the satisfaction of God's law, bearing the punishment for sin. By this act, sin was entirely covered and atoned for, rendering it powerless. This perfect fulfillment of the law's demands by Christ's sacrifice made His blood the ultimate means for removing sin and opening the way to heaven for sinners.

Almighty effects. The power of Jesus' blood is demonstrated in its ability to overcome the greatest barriers. It "opened the grave," as God raised Jesus from the dead through the blood of the eternal testament, destroying the power of death, the devil, and hell. It "opened heaven," allowing Christ to enter the sanctuary for eternal redemption and establishing the throne of grace. Furthermore, this blood is "all powerful in the human heart," ransoming sinners from the bondage of sin and initiating a complete deliverance that culminates in the resurrection of the body.

3. Reconciliation: The Blood Removes Sin's Guilt and Restores Fellowship

God purposed for reconciliation through faith in his blood for the manifestation of his righteousness, for the remission of sins that are past.

Sin's twofold effect. Sin has a devastating impact not only on man but, more terribly, on God. It is an act of disobedience and contempt that awakens God's holy wrath, making fellowship impossible. Man's guilt before God creates a debt that must be paid, and until this guilt is abolished, a holy God cannot admit the sinner into His presence. Reconciliation, meaning "to cover," is God's ordained solution to remove this guilt and restore the original relationship.

God's holiness satisfied. Reconciliation is rooted in God's holiness, which encompasses both His holy love and His holy wrath. While His love desired to redeem man, His wrath demanded that the law be upheld and sin punished. The only way to satisfy both was through substitutionary atonement. The Old Testament sacrifices were mere shadows; the reality came with Jesus' blood, which, by its infinite value and His perfect obedience, became a real, perfect, and eternal covering for sin, blotting it out from God's sight.

Perfect pardon and peace. Through the blood of Jesus, a profound change has occurred in the heavenly realms. For those who receive this reconciliation, sin has been brought to nothing, and God's wrath is turned away. The sinner who believes in Christ is declared entirely righteous, with nothing to hinder his approach to God. This perfect acquittal results in the "pardon of sin," allowing man to draw near to God in blessed assurance, experiencing His love and good pleasure, and finding complete peace.

4. Cleansing: The Blood Purifies from Sin's Defilement for Intimacy with God

The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Beyond pardon. While reconciliation deals with the guilt of sin before God, cleansing addresses the pollution and defilement sin brings to our inner being. In the Old Testament, cleansing ceremonies, distinct from offerings, focused on purifying individuals from ceremonial uncleanness, signifying an inward change. David's prayer, "cleanse me from my sin," and Ezekiel's prophecy of sprinkling "clean water upon you" both point to this deeper, internal purification.

Ongoing purification. In the New Testament, cleansing is an inward condition produced in the heart as a result of pardon, not merely a one-time event. "If we walk in the light... the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7), indicating a continuous process for believers. This cleansing purges the conscience from dead works, removing self-condemnation and bearing witness to a complete redemption. It also cleanses the heart, including understanding and will, subduing sinful lusts and desires.

A ceaseless fountain. The blood of Jesus operates with a divine power, hindering the old nature and making even unconscious sins powerless. It is not merely a remedy for future sins but an ever-flowing "open fountain" (Zechariah 13:1) that continuously purifies the soul. By faith, we can place ourselves under this constant flow, allowing the blood to cleanse, strengthen, and preserve us, ensuring that our hearts remain pure and ready for intimate fellowship with God.

5. Sanctification: The Blood Separates and Unites Us to God's Holiness

Therefore, Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate.

God's holiness imparted. Sanctification, distinct from cleansing, concerns the impartation of a new life and union with God. God's holiness is His supreme goodness, which He desires to impart to His creatures. Holiness in man is a disposition in entire agreement with God's will, a oneness with Him. This process involves three aspects: separation, personal consecration, and the impartation of God's own holiness.

Christ's self-sanctification. Jesus' sufferings and death were central to our sanctification. He "sanctified himself" (John 17:19) by perfectly surrendering His will to the Father's, even to the point of bearing the curse of the law. This perfect obedience and self-sacrifice became the meritorious cause and the living power for our sanctification. Through His blood, we are united with Him, becoming "of one" with the Sanctifier, sharing in the same divine life and purpose.

Living in consecration. The blood of Jesus proclaims our separation to God, signifying that we are His purchased possession, set apart for His service. It also works within us a spirit of utter self-sursurrender, mirroring Christ's own consecration. As we live under the realization of being sprinkled by His blood, we are empowered to hold nothing back, yielding our entire being to God's holy will. This leads to God taking possession of us, filling us with His glory, and making His abiding place in us, which is the essence of true holiness.

6. Access to God's Presence: The Blood Grants Boldness to Serve the Living God

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, let us draw near.

Priestly privilege. The ultimate blessing secured by the blood is the right to intimate communication with God, to "draw near" into His very presence. In the Old Testament, only priests, consecrated by blood, had this privilege. Now, through Jesus, our Great High Priest, every believer is made a "king and priest" unto God, granted boldness to enter the spiritual sanctuary. This access is not merely a hope but a deep, spiritual reality for those who know the full power of the blood.

Dwelling in His presence. This privilege includes the right to dwell continually in God's immediate presence, enjoying His love, fellowship, protection, and guidance. It fosters humility, holy caution, and transforms character, making us "partakers of his holiness." This constant communion with God is the highest blessing, enabling us to hear the softest whispers of the Holy Spirit and understand the slightest sign of the Father's will, leading to a life of perfect rest and peace.

Spiritual service and intercession. Intimacy with God empowers us for service. As priests, we offer spiritual sacrifices pleasing to Him: honoring the blood, unceasing prayer, and performing all our daily actions to His glory. Our earthly work becomes a priestly service, sanctified by His presence. Furthermore, this nearness grants us the power to acquire blessings for others through intercession, enabling us to pray with faith until answers are obtained, and to become instruments through whom God's blessing flows to those around us.

7. Life in the Blood: Intimate Union and Sustenance Through Christ's Life

Whosoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

Eternal life imparted. Jesus' teaching about "drinking His blood" signifies a profound, intimate connection with His life, far surpassing mere cleansing. It means receiving a new, heavenly, eternal life that He possesses and imparts. This "drink indeed" is the true sustenance for the soul, nourishing and sustaining the divine life within us, and even assuring the immortality of our physical bodies, promising resurrection at the last day.

Perfect union. Eating His flesh and drinking His blood effects the most perfect union with Christ, where "He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." This union is as real and intimate as that between the Father and the Son, extending to our very bodies, which become temples of the Spirit. It is a mystery where, through the Holy Spirit, we are so nourished by Christ's heavenly body and blood that our entire being partakes in the power of eternal life.

Thirst and appropriation. To experience this blessing, a deep longing for full union with Jesus is essential. This "thirst" is the best preparation for drinking His blood. It is the Holy Spirit who makes this divine mystery a living, powerful experience within us, enabling us to absorb all that faith reveals about redemption, cleansing, and sanctification. By quiet, strong, and settled expectancy of faith, we can appropriate the life-giving power of the blood, allowing the life that was poured out to become our very own.

8. Victory Over Satan: The Blood's Decisive Triumph, Once and Forever

They have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Satan's downfall. For millennia, Satan, the accuser of the saints, held authority over humanity due to sin and the law. However, Jesus' death, seemingly a victory for darkness, proved to be Satan's ultimate downfall. By shedding His blood, Christ fulfilled the law's demands and destroyed "him that had the empire of death, that is, the devil." This act resulted in Satan being cast out of heaven, his authority and rights stripped away, marking a decisive, once-for-all victory.

Ongoing earthly conflict. While Satan's heavenly authority is broken, he has been cast down to earth with great wrath, persecuting the church and individual believers. The victory gained by the blood of the Lamb in heaven must now be carried out on earth. Throughout history, from the martyrs of the early church to the reformers who rediscovered justification by faith in the blood, believers have overcome Satan's power by glorifying the blood of the Lamb, demonstrating its power to transform even the most darkened hearts.

Shared victory through faith. To share in this victory, believers must recognize that they live in enemy territory and that the conflict is spiritual, "against principalities, against powers." However, the battle is not fought in our own strength; Jesus is the Victor. Our victory comes "through faith" in the blood of the Lamb, which inspires courage and joy. By living in constant fellowship with the blood—experiencing its reconciling, cleansing, and sanctifying power—we maintain an unbroken experience of triumph over Satan and his temptations, ruling as conquering kings.

9. Heavenly Joy: The Blood as the Eternal Basis of Salvation and Love

These are those who came out of great tribulation and have washed their long robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Right to heaven. The vision of the great multitude in heavenly glory reveals that the blood of Jesus is not only our hope in this world but also the eternal basis of our salvation in heaven. The elder's explanation, "Therefore, they are before the throne of God," emphasizes that their place in glory is owed entirely to the blood of the Lamb. This signifies that the blood grants the believing sinner a legal right to heaven, having fully satisfied God's righteous demands concerning punishment and obedience.

Fitness for heaven's pleasures. Beyond merely granting a right, the blood of Jesus divinely prepares us for heaven's blessedness. Heaven's joy consists in nearness to and fellowship with God and the Lamb. The blood works within us to create the necessary inner agreement and capacity for this intimacy. It cleanses from sin's defilement, kills sinful lusts, and sanctifies us by imparting Christ's spirit of utter surrender. This ongoing work of the blood on earth molds us for heaven, making our hearts a dwelling place for God's glory.

The eternal song of love. In heaven, the "blood of the Lamb" remains the ceaseless power that awakens the redeemed to their song of joy and thanksgiving. It is the eternal seal of Christ's self-giving sacrifice and the inexhaustible fountain of heavenly bliss. The phrase "Him that loved us and washed us from our sins with his own blood" reveals that the blood is the sign, measure, and impartation of His incomprehensible love. By yielding to the blood's power on earth, our lives can become a foretaste of this heavenly joy, a continuous song of praise to Him who loved us and redeemed us.

Last updated: August 12, 2025