Why can Christians tell lost people that they have already been reconciled to God?
Reconciliation for iniquity was accomplished through Christ’s death on the cross, where sin was defeated and the work was finished. Because this reconciliation has already been made possible, the ministry of reconciliation tells the lost that it is already accomplished; they need only believe it, and God will reckon them as reconciled.
Les explains that the prophecy concerning the 490 years determined upon Israel and Jerusalem included finishing transgression, making an end of sins, and making reconciliation for iniquity. That was all accomplished in the work of the cross. When Christ died, reconciliation was made possible, as Paul brings out in 2 Corinthians chapter 5: “be ye reconciled to God.” Les teaches that believers now have the ministry of reconciliation, so they can tell a lost world, “you’ve already been reconciled.” It has all been accomplished; the lost are told to believe it, and God will reckon them as reconciled. Sin was defeated at the cross, and Satan was utterly defeated there, though he is still alive and well; for the believer, his power has been broken as a result of the work of the cross.