The simple meaning of Jesus’ seventy-times-seven (verse 22) is that just as God does not give up on anyone, neither should we. God’s forgiveness is limitless therefore, why do we hold on to our sin? Why do we not approach the throne of grace with a heart of repentance?

Furthermore, the multiplied number of seventy-times-seven illustrates a larger point of ongoing forgiveness. Our Lord does remit the guilt of our sin once for all on the cross and admits us into HIS kingdom, but by the same means of remittance, the cross, his forgiveness is ongoing as he preserves and defends us over and over and over again. For what value is God’s pardon if afterward there is no evidence? Therefore, the forgiveness of sin occurs repeatedly and is ongoing. The mercy of our Lord would be worthless if only granted once and never again. For certainly HE has compassion on the many iniquities that we carry and continue to collect throughout our lives of sinful struggle. No one could continue in the kingdom, or the church, if forgiveness only occurred one time and for that one time only.

No, our LORD is teaching Peter, and us, in this passage that forgiveness of sin is perpetual and ongoing and often repeated and most importantly, is always ready.