#6   (THE "WITHOUT" SERIES)

 

"WITHOUT THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD THERE IS NO REMISSION OF SINS!"

 

TEXT:         Heb. 9:11-28

 

INTRO:       Without the shed blood of Jesus Christ there could be no forgiveness of our sins!  Some people get uncomfortable with a religion that talks so much about blood; in fact some protestant denominations today have taken out of their hymnbooks songs that have words about the "blood of Christ" in them thinking that this is too primitive a theme for the day we live in, they find this theme primitive and offensive!

 

ILLUS:      AT THE CLOSE OF A GOSPEL SERVICE AN INTELLIGENT LOOKING MAN CAME TO THE MINISTER AND SAID, "I DO NOT SEE ANY NECESSITY FOR THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IN MY SALVATION.  I CAN BE SAVED WITHOUT BELIEVING IN OR TALKING ABOUT HIS BLOOD SHED FOR ME!"  THE MINISTER RESPONDED, “VERY WELL, HOW THEN DO YOU PROPOSE TO BE SAVED?”  THE MAN ANSWERED, "BY FOLLOWING JESUS' EXAMPLE, WHICH IS ENOUGH FOR ANY MAN."  THE MINISTER REPLIED TO HIS SURPRISE, "I SUPPOSE IT IS, AND YOU PROPOSE TO DO JUST THAT IN YOUR LIFE?"  HE ANSWERED, "I DO!  AND I AM SURE IT WILL BE ENOUGH!"  THE MINISTER THEN CONTINUED, "I AM SURE THAT YOU WILL WANT TO BEGIN RIGHT WHERE THE BIBLE SAYS THAT ‘JESUS, WHO DID NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY GUILE FOUND IN HIS MOUTH’ HE WAS SINLESS, SO I SUPPOSE YOU WILL BEGIN HERE!  YOU CAN SAY THIS ABOUT YOURSELF CAN'T YOU?"  THE MAN BECAME VISIBLY EMBARRASSED AND REPLIED, “WELL, I CANNOT SAY THAT EXACTLY, I HAVE SOMETIMES SINNED.”  THE PASTOR THEN ADDED, “THEN MY FRIEND, IT APPEARS THAT YOU DO NOT NEED AN EXAMPLE, BUT A SAVIOR, AND THE ONLY WAY YOUR SINS CAN BE FORGIVEN IS BY THE SHED BLOOD OF CHRIST!”  -- Source Unknown

 

We cannot get around this important doctrine of salvation; it is only by the blood of Christ that remission of our sins is possible!

 

There is one way in which Christianity is very different from other religions of the world concerning the shedding of blood for sins!

 

ILLUS:      IN RELIGIONS OF THIS WORLD, ALL EXCEPT CHRISTIANITY HAS THE BLOOD FLOWING FROM THE DEVOTEES TO THEIR GODS IN ORDER TO APPEASE THEIR SINS, BUT IN CHRISTIANITY THE BLOOD FLOWS FROM GOD TOWARD US WHO ARE HIS FOLLOWERS TO CLEANSE FROM SIN!  THIS IS A VAST DIFFERENCE!!!  -- Source Unknown

 

Even with Christian martyrs who have shed their own blood they are not saved by their blood being spilled; it still is by the blood of Christ that they are saved!  In many religions of this world the followers are taught that if they perish or allow themselves to be blown to bits they are guaranteed a place in heaven, how tragic will be their entrance into eternity when they realize their own blood has no saving properties, only Christ's sacrifice and shed blood has any power to save!

 

PROP. SENT:  The Bible teaches us that salvation comes only through the blood of Christ, not in any other way can our sins be forgiven!

 

I.    INFERIOR SACRIFICES    9:11-13

 

A.   Careful Copies!    9:11-12

1.  The Old Testament pattern for worship was only a shadow of the real message of salvation.

a.   The high Priest was only a token of the great High priest that one day would come.

b.   The Holy of Holies in the man made tabernacle was only a shadow of the real Holy of Holies where God's presence dwells, namely Heaven!

c.   The blood of bulls and goats were only tokens of the real "lamb of God" which would come and sacrifice His life for the sins of the world.

2.  All these things were only lessons pointing to the greater realities that would be fulfilled later, but they were to be carefully followed!

3.  These were but temporary stop gap measures to get a message across, the real thing would come and once and for all take care of the problems of sin!

a.   These sacrifices in the Old Covenant were repeated over and over again, a constant reminder to the people of their repeated sinfulness!

b.   Each year the High Priest would have to enter the presence of God in the Holy of Holies to offer blood for the sins of the people, he first would offer sacrifice for his own sins, then for the people lest he died while in God's presence!

c.   All Israel would wait to see if the High Priest came back out alive, the sign that God had accepted their offering each year!

4.  Jesus however entered the real Holy of Holies with His own blood and He only did this once since His sacrifice was perfect!

a.   He came back to prove His blood sacrifice was acceptable with His father for us.

b.   The animals used for blood sacrifices had to be without any physical defect, as perfect outwardly as possible in the Old Covenant!

c.   Jesus however was perfect inwardly, thus a superior sacrifice!

d.   This opened the door for more than just ceremonial cleansing or outward cleansing, it made possible inward cleansing!

5.  Have we thanked God for making possible the greater reality that the blood of Christ makes for us?

 

ILLUS:      DURING THE WAR A PASTOR WAS WALKING DOWN A STREET IN LONDON WHEN HE NOTICED A WOUNDED SOLDIER COMING TOWARD HIM; THE SOLDIER WAS BANDAGED UP, BLOODY AND HOBBLING ALONG ON CRUTCHES.  THE PASTOR STOPPED HIM AS HE APPROACHED AND SAID, "THANK YOU FOR BEING WOUNDED FOR ME!"  THE SOLDIER LOOKED AT HIM IN SURPRISE!  HE SAID TO THIS PASTOR, "PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN ME CIGARETTES, MEDICAL SUPPLIES, EVEN ENTERTAINMENT FOR MY SACRIFICE, BUT NO ONE HAS EVER THANKED ME FOR WHAT I HAVE SUFFERED ON THEIR BEHALF."  THEN THE MINISTER CONTINUED, "I KNOW SOMEONE WHO WAS WOUNDED FOR YOU!"  THE MAN SAID, "WOUNDED FOR ME, WHO COULD THAT BE?"  THE PASTOR SAID, "IT WAS JESUS CHRIST, THE BIBLE SAYS HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS." AND WITH THAT THE PASTOR MOVED ON TO LET THE MAN THINK ABOUT WHAT HE SAID,  I WONDER IF HE EVER THANKED JESUS FOR BEING WOUNDED FOR HIM, HAVE YOU?  -- Source Unknown

 

B.  Ceremonially Cleansed     9:13

1.  These Old Testament sacrifices with their constant repetition merely made a sinful man or woman ceremonially clean; it still did nothing for their conscience.

a.   The elaborate ceremonies and rituals allowed them back into the tabernacle area, back into the camp, and back into right terms with God!

b.   But their repeated rituals reminded them again and again that they were failures, that their restoration was more an outward thing than an inward thing!

2.  If they had contact with a dead thing they could not come into the camp unless the ashes of a heifer were sprinkled on them with water to ceremonially mark them as clean again, but this did not deal with their conscience!

a.   It outwardly cleansed them, but it could not restore their heart!

b.   We needed something more than just ceremonial cleansing to take care of sin!

c.   Each ritual had to be followed to the letter if they were to be declared “clean” again!

3.  The emphasis was on the outward appearance, they could go through the right motions but not necessarily have a change of heart!

4.  It was merely the shadow of the real substance to come, they needed more than just an outward appearance!

a.   The old law was written on tablets of stone lived out under strict rules and guidelines.

b.   Under Christ’s covenant however it would be written in flesh, our hearts and lived out under the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

ILLUS:     IT IS TOO EASY TO APPEAR TO BE ONE THING WHILE IGNORING THE REALITY BEHIND IT!  A SINGLE YOUNG MAN WHO WAS LOOKING FOR A WIFE WAS TRAVELING BY PLANE.  TO HIS DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY WHO APPEARED TO BE SINGLE SAT DOWN BESIDE HIM ON THIS TRIP.  WANTING TO FIND A WAY TO CAPTURE HER HEART HE DECIDED TO FIND OUT WHAT PLEASED HER.  IN CONVERSATION HE ASKED HER, “WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN A MAN?”  SHE SAID, "WELL, I LIKE INDIAN MEN, THEY ARE TALL AND DARK, AND SILENT, I JUST LOVE AMERICAN INDIANS ... BUT THEN AGAIN, I LIKE JEWISH MEN TOO, THEY ARE GOOD BUSINESS MEN AND SMART.  THEN AGAIN, I LIKE THE OUTDOOR TYPE TOO, THOSE WHO LIKE TO FISH AND HUNT AND WHO DRESS IN FLANNEL SHIRTS, THE GOOD OLD BOY TYPE."  THEN TURNING TO THIS YOUNG MAN SHE ASKED, "BY THE WAY, WHAT'S YOUR NAME?"  HE SMILED AND SAID, "MY NAME IS GERONIMO GOLDBERG, BUT MY FRIENDS JUST CALL ME BUBBA!"  HE WAS MORE IMAGE THAN SUBSTANCE HOWEVER AT THIS POINT!  -- Source Unknown

 

II.    SUPERIOR SACRIFICE!   Heb. 9:14-28

 

A.   Clear Conscience!       9:14-15

1.  Christ's blood sacrifice could finally do what no bull or goat's blood could do!

a.   It removed sin; it did not just cover it temporarily!

b.   It also removed the guilty conscience of the believer; it did not just make us outwardly clean it took care of the inward heart too!

2.  Christ's blood was clean; it therefore could remove once and for all the sins of the one who accepts His blood sacrifice!

3.  This frees us from just an outward acceptance, it gives us an inward power to break the hold sin has on us so that we don't do the deeds of death anymore!

4.  Christ therefore has created a better and newer covenant!

a.   This new covenant needs no repetitive sacrifices!

b.   The new covenant does not just clean from a ritualistic or ceremonial position, it cleans the heart and mind too!

c.   It is superior in this way!

5.  Those that are in Christ are free from guilt and can enjoy a clear conscience!  Our sins covered by Christ’s blood are not just covered over they are cleared away!

6.  Christ's sacrifice changes our heart far more than some dumb animal’s blood could ever do!

 

ILLUS:     YEARS AGO IN THE MOUNTAINS OF VIRGINIA THERE WAS A CERTAIN SCHOOL WHICH NO TEACHER COULD HANDLE.  THE BOYS WERE SO ROUGH THAT THE TEACHERS ALL RESIGNED SHORTLY AFTER TEACHING.  A YOUNG MAN APPLIED AND THE OLD DIRECTOR TRIED TO WARN HIM, "YOUNG FELLER, DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ASKING?"... YOU'RE ASKING FOR A TERRIBLE BEATING!" EVERY TEACHER HAS LEFT."  THE YOUNG MAN SAID, "I'LL TAKE THE POSITION!" THE DAY CAME TO START, ONE BIG KID NAMED TOM LEANED OVER TO ONE OF HIS FRIENDS AFTER CHECKING THIS NEW TEACHER OUT AND SAID, "I WON'T NEED ANY HELP FROM YOU GUYS, I CAN LICK HIM MYSELF!"  THE YOUNG TEACHER STARTED THE CLASS WITH A "GOOD MORNING BOYS, WE HAVE COME TO HAVE SCHOOL!"  THE WHOLE CLASS IMMEDIATELY BEGAN SCREAMING AND YELLING!  HE CONTINUED, "I WANT TO HAVE A GOOD SCHOOL, BUT I CONFESS I DON'T KNOW HOW, UNLESS YOU HELP ME MAKE UP THE RULES, YOU TELL ME THE RULES AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THE BOARD FOR US ALL."  SOMEONE YELLED OUT, “OK TEACH, NO STEALING!”  SO HE WROTE THIS ON THE BOARD.  ANOTHER KID YELLED, "BE ON TIME!” ETC. THEY ENDED UP WITH 10 RULES.      NOW THE TEACHER ASKED, "O.K. WE HAVE RULES NOW, BUT HOW DO WE PUNISH SOMEONE IF THEY BREAK ANY OF THESE?”  THE ANSWER SURPRISED HIM; THE BOYS YELLED OUT, "BEAT HIM 10 TIMES WITH A STICK ON A BARE BACK!"  THE TEACHER SAID, "THAT'S A LITTLE SEVERE BOYS, DON'T YOU THINK?" BUT THEY BARKED “NO” AND SAID TO GET ON WITH THE SCHOOL LESSONS!  A COUPLE OF DAYS INTO SCHOOL BIG TOM HAD HIS LUNCH STOLEN.  HE FINALLY DISCOVERED WHO TOOK IT, A BOY NAMED JIM, A TINY KID ONLY 10 YEARS OLD!  THE TEACHER THE NEXT DAY CALLED JIM FORWARD TO RECEIVE THE AGREED UPON PUNISHMENT!  HE CAME TREMBLING TO THE FRONT AND PLEADED, "TEACHER, YOU CAN LICK ME AS HARD AS YOU LIKE, BUT DON’T MAKE ME TAKE OFF MY COAT!"  BIG TOM YELLED OUT THOUGH, "TAKE IF OFF, YOU HELPED MAKE THE RULES!”  SLOWLY UNBUTTONING THE COAT HE REVEALED NO SHIRT ... AND BRACES ON HIS BONY BODY.  THE TEACHER THOUGHT, HOW CAN I WHIP THIS CHILD?"… BUT HE KNEW HE HAD TO OR ANY HOPES AT ORDER WERE GONE!  THE TEACHER ASKED LITTLE JIM AS EVERYONE GOT REAL QUIET, “HOW COME YOU DON’T HAVE A SHIRT?”  THE BOY ANSWERED THAT HIS FATHER HAD DIED YEARS AGO AND HIS MOTHER WAS VERY POOR, HE ONLY HAD ONE SHIRT AND HIS MOTHER HAD KEPT IT HOME THAT DAY TO WASH IT … HE HAD BORROWED HIS BROTHER’S COAT TO HIDE THAT FACT.  THEY WERE POOR AND HUNGRY AND THAT WAS WHY HE STOLE BIG TOM’S LUNCH THE OTHER DAY!  AT THIS HE BENT DOWN FOR HIS WHIPPING WHEN SUDDENLY BIG JIM JUMPED UP AND SAID, “TEACHER, IF YOU DON’T OBJECT I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE JIM’S LICKING!”  THE TEACHER EXPLAINED THAT BY LAW SOMETIMES SUBSTITUTES CAN BE MADE AND HE ASKED THE CLASS IF THEY ALL AGREED TO THIS.  THEY DID!  BIG JIM TOOK OFF HIS COAT AND BENT OVER, THE STICK BROKE ON THE 5TH HIT ON HIS BACK, AND THE TEACHER COULDN’T TAKE WHAT HE WAS DOING ANY MORE ANYWAY.  THE TEACHER BURIED HIS FACE IN HIS HANDS AS THE WHOLE CLASS BEGAN TO SOB OVER THE EXAMPLE OF TOM FOR JIM.  AT THAT MOMENT LITTLE JIM REACHED UP AND THREW HIS ARMS AROUND THE NECK OF BIG TOM AND SAID, “TOM, I LOVE YOU FOR THIS, I’M JUST SO HUNGRY, I’LL LOVE YOU TILL I DIE FOR TAKING MY LICKING, YES, I’LL LOVE YOU FOREVER!”  THE CLASS WAS NEVER THE SAME AGAIN, AND THE TEACHER SUCCEEDED!  HOW CAN WE NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH JESUS WHO TOOK OUR PUNISHMENT FOR SIN?  HIS BLOOD WAS POURED OUT TO CLEANSE US OF OUR SINS.  -- Source Unknown

 

B.   Cleansed Condition!      9:16-28a

1.  Christ's death made his New Testament real, it brought it into reality!

a.   For God's Will to take effect, like all wills, it happens after the person who makes the will dies!

b.   Christ died for us to put into effect the New Testament, God's will for salvation!

2.  This New Testament CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN, it does not just cover all the sins, it cancels all our past sin!

3.  Nothing else can do this, not the blood of bulls and goats or any rituals!  Only the blood of Christ can do this!

 

ILLUS:     A TEACHER IN A CHEMISTRY CLASS ONCE CHALLENGED HIS STUDENTS TO SEE WHAT IT TOOK TO DISSOLVE SOLID GOLD IN DIFFERENT KINDS OF ACID.  THEY PUT THE PIECES OF GOLD INTO SEVERAL DIFFERENT VERY POWERFUL ACIDS AND LEFT IT OVERNIGHT TO SEE HOW IT DID.  THE NEXT MORNING THEY WERE ALL SHOCKED TO DISCOVER THAT NOT ONE SAMPLE OF THE GOLD HAD BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ACIDS, EVEN THE STRONGEST ONES!  EVEN COMBINATIONS OF ACIDS DIDN'T WORK; THEY FINALLY CONCLUDED THAT GOLD MUST NOT BE ABLE TO BE DISSOLVED.  HE SMILED AND EXPLAINED THAT HE ALREADY KNEW WHAT THEY HAD DISCOVERED, BUT HE SAID THERE WAS ONE SUBSTANCE THAT COULD DISSOLVE THE GOLD, A SUBSTANCE CALLED, "ROYAL WATER" (NITROMURIATIC ACID OR AQUA REGIA).  HE POURED SOME OVER THE GOLD AND SURE ENOUGH, QUICKLY THE GOLD DISSOLVED!  THE GOLD HAD FOUND ITS MASTER, “ROYAL WATER!”  THE NEXT DAY THIS TEACHER WHO WAS A CHRISTIAN ASKED HIS CLASS, "DO YOU KNOW WHY THEY CALL THIS "ROYAL WATER?"  THEY GUESSED CORRECTLY BY STATING THAT THIS ONE SUBSTANCE HAD MASTERED THE GOLD USED BY ROYALTY, THEREFORE ITS NAME!  THE TEACHER THEN ADDED, "BOYS THERE IS ONE OTHER SUBSTANCE THAT IS AS IMPERVIOUS AS GOLD, IT TOO CANNOT BE DISSOLVED BY ANYTHING EXCEPT “ROYAL WATER.”  IT IS CALLED SIN, AND IT RESISTS EVERYTHING PUT TO IT TO DISSOLVE IT, EDUCATION WON'T DESTROY IT, RICHES WON’T, SUCCESS WON’T, CULTURE WON’T, IT RESISTS EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, THE “ROYAL WATER” OF GOD!  -- Source Unknown

 

4.  Nothing has the power of Christ's blood, nothing can better it, so there is no need to repeat the sacrifice over and over again like under the old Covenant!

a.   There is nothing like Christ's blood in any other religion.

b.   There is no power on earth or in heaven like Christ's blood or sacrifice!

 

ILLUS:     AN OLD HINDU PRIEST SAT ON THE GROUND WITH THE REST OF A GATHERED CONGREGATION.  HE BECAME INCREASINGLY RESTLESS AS THE PASTOR PREACHED ABOUT THE SACRIFICE CHRIST MADE AND HIS BLOOD SHED FOR OUR SINS.  WHEN THE PASTOR MENTIONED CHRIST'S MOMENTS ON THE CROSS AND JESUS' WORDS, “FATHER FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.”  THE OLD HINDU COULDN'T STAND IT ANY LONGER, HE JUMPED UP AND RAN TO THE PASTOR FALLING PROSTRATE ON THE GROUND BEFORE HIM AND HE EXCLAIMED LOUDLY TO THE PASTOR, "WE WANT YOU TO LEAVE INDIA!  WE WANT YOU TO LEAVE INDIA!"  WHEN THE PASTOR ASKED HIM WHY, HE ANSWERED, "BECAUSE WE HAVE NO STORY LIKE THIS, NO SAVIOR WHO LIVED A SINLESS LIFE, DIED FOR HIS ENEMIES AND PRAYED FOR THOSE WHO TOOK HIS LIFE.  IF YOU KEEP ON TELLING THIS STORY TO OUR PEOPLE, THEY WILL FORSAKE OUR TEMPLES AND FOLLOW YOUR SAVIOR JESUS!" -- (Reported in the Evangelical Christian)

 

5.  Christ's blood cleanses us from all our sins!  Without the blood there is no forgiveness of sins!

a.   It is a shame that Christian churches want to eliminate the mention of blood from their hymns and their worship!

b.   Jesus is not just a moral teacher, not just a good example, He is the "lamb slain" whose blood cleanses us from our sins!

6.  Unlike other religions however Christianity is not about the blood of its followers trying to please their gods, it is about God who shed His own blood to pay the price of our salvation!

a.   It was therefore a one time deal!

b.   There is no other sacrifice necessary or workable!

c.   Since Christ's sacrifice was perfect He need not die over an over again!

7.  In Him we are clean and our conscience can be clean too!

 

C.   Coming Conclusion   9:28b

1.  Like the High Priest in the Old Testament, the people waited anxiously outside the Holy of Holies to see if the Priest returned, his return meant their sacrifice was  accepted by God and they could return to their duties declared "clean."

2.  Jesus has gone to the real Holy of Holies and with His own blood sacrifice in the presence of God for our sins, all we do now is await His return to realize the full revelation of the plan of salvation, the redemption of our bodies as well as our souls!

a.   When Jesus comes this next time it won't be for our sins, it will be to finalize our salvation!

b.   He will bring the full benefits of our salvation when He comes again, no more struggle against sin, no more sickness or pain, no losses!

3.  Christ is coming for those who are waiting for Him!  Are you?

 

ILLUS:     WHEN CYRUS RULED AS KING OF PERSIA HE PUT IN PRISON THE WIFE OF ONE OF HIS MOST TRUSTED GENERALS WHILE HE WAS ON THE BATTLEFIELD.  WHEN HE RETURNED HE WAS SHOCKED TO DISCOVER THAT SHE HAD BEEN SENTENCED TO DEATH WHILE HE HAD BEEN GONE.  HE QUICKLY WENT TO THE KING WITH HIS WIFE AND PLEADED THAT SHE MIGHT BE SPARED.  CYRUS HAD ALREADY PRONOUNCED THE DEATH SENTENCE, BY BEHEADING, WHEN HE FELL BEFORE THE MONARCH AND ASKED THAT HIS LIFE BE GIVEN FOR HIS WIFE'S!  THE KING WAS DEEPLY MOVED BY THIS GESTURE AND ORDERED THE EXECUTION TO BE STAYED!  LATER AS THIS GRATEFUL GENERAL WAS WITH HIS WIFE HE ASKED HER, "DID YOU SEE THE KIND LOOK IN THE EYES OF THE EMPEROR AS HE PRONOUNCED YOUR PARDON?"  SHE ANSWERED HER BELOVED HUSBAND, “I DID NOT SEE HIS FACE AT ALL; THE ONLY FACE I COULD SEE WAS THAT OF THE MAN WHO WAS WILLING TO DIE FOR ME!”  H0W ABOUT YOU?  -- Source Unknown

 

4.  It does not matter what the world thinks of the blood of Christ, but it does matter a great deal what you think about it!

 

ILLUS:     IN THE EARLY 1920'S, NIKOLAI BUKHARIN WAS SENT FROM MOSCOW TO KIEV TO ADDRESS A VAST ANTI-GOD RALLY.  FOR AN HOUR HE ABUSED AND RIDICULED THE CHRISTIAN FAITH UNTIL IT SEEMED AS IF THE WHOLE STRUCTURE OF BELIEF WAS IN RUINS.  HE INVITED QUESTIONS, AND AN ORTHODOX PRIEST CAME TO THE MICROPHONE AND FACING THE CROWD UTTERED THREE WORDS, AN ORTHODOX EASTER GREETING THAT GOES LIKE THIS: “CHRIST IS RISEN!” INSTANTLY THE ENTIRE VAST CROWD STOOD TO ITS FEET AND GAVE THE TRADITIONAL RESPONSE WITH A LOUD VOICE: “HE IS RISEN INDEED!”  SO MUCH FOR THE RALLY AGAINST GOD!  -- Source Unknown

 

CONCLUSION: What a great day to live in!  In Christ we can be free from sin and a guilty conscience!  Like the High Priest in the Old Testament Jesus has entered the real Holy of Holies as both Priest and sacrifice, all we do is await His return to complete our salvation and celebration!  Because of His blood, our sins are gone ... forever!!