PROPITIATION

 

PROPITIATION - Strongs G2435 - Neuter Noun - hilasterion

DEFINITION - Relating to an appeasing or expiating, having placating or expiating force, a means of appeasing or expiating.

Propitiation is the act of appeasing a god or spirit.  In pagan cultures, it's a common practice for worshipers to make some kind of sacrifice to appease their god.  In some primitive cultures, human sacrifice, usually involving a child or a young virgin girl, would be put to death to avoid some kind of punishment or disaster they believed their god would enact upon them.  Worshipers of Vulcan would create many bonfires and toss live fish or tiny animals into them to prevent their crops from being destroyed by the heat.

In Christianity, Christ became our propitiation through His sacrifice which satisfied God's wrath towards us on our behalf.  His death on the cross paid for the sins of the Elect, but for those who's sins have not been atoned for, they are still under God's wrath and His condemnation and there is no propitiation on their behalf.  They will be responsible for their sin debt.