Hebrews 9:15

And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

This shows that the real value of the old types and shadows lay in the perfect realization of them through Christ, their redemption, no less than ours, depending solely upon his atoning death. As Robertson expressed it, "So then the atoning sacrifice of Christ is the basis for the salvation of all who are saved before the cross and since."[13] No sin, in all the history of humanity, was ever forgiven except upon the basis of Christ's atonement; and this is so mountainous a truth that God was said by Paul to have justified his "passing over the sins done aforetime" through the means of setting forth his Son to be a propitiation (Romans 3:25). The author shows here that Christ made an atoning death for the forgiveness of the sins under the old order, thus actually accomplishing their forgiveness, a thing which the old law could not achieve. This being done, the author continues, God is free to usher in the new covenant as prophesied by Jeremiah 31:31ff. The absolute cancellation of the old covenant is implicit in this truth concerning Christ. Since not even the noblest under the law could ever possess true forgiveness apart from Christ, it logically follows that "Jesus only" is the basis of all further drawing near to God. "They that have been called" is not exclusive but relates to the world-wide invitation of the Master that "whosoever will may come."