THE PRICE: THE RANSOM

 According to the Bible, a ransom is the price paid to bring about atonement and reconciliation. From Jehovah's standpoint, it provides the basis to restore what is lost. In what way? Remember, Adam and Eve lost their perfect life along with the prospect of living forever. So the ransom would need to be a price of equal value to what was lost. (1 Timothy 2:6) It could be paid only by an adult man who (1) was perfect (2) had the potential of living forever on earth; and (3) was willing to give up, or sacrifice, that life for us. Only thing could the life of that person replace, or atone for, the life that was lost.

Consider three reasons why Jesus was able to pay the ransom price. (1) He was perfect-"he committed no sin." (1Peter 2:22) (2) because of that, he had the potential of living forever on earth. (3) He willing to die and give up that life for us. (Hebrews 10:9, 10) As a perfect man, Jesus was the equal of the first man, Adam, before he sinned. (1 Corinthians 15:45) So by Jesus' death, he was able to atone for Adam's sin, that is, to replace what Adam had lost. (Romans 5:19) Jesus thus became "the last Adam." There is no need for another perfect person to come and pay what Adam had lost. Jesus died "once for all time." - HEBREWS 7:27; 10:12.

What, then, is the difference between the atonement arrangement and the ransom? The atonement arrangement is the action God takes to restore a good relationship between him and mankind. The ransom is the price paid to make atonement possible for mankind.  This price is represented by Jesus' precious blood poured out in our behalf. - EPHESIANS 1:7; HEBREWS 9:14. 

Next time: THE RESULTS: REDEMPTION AND BEING DECLARED RIGHTEOUS

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