There are
New Testament texts that speak of Jesus as being a present ιλασμος (propitiation) for our sins, such as 1 John 2:1-2 and Heb 2:17. I
have discussed these passages and others at:
Heb 2:17
itself uses the present infinitive
form of the verb ιλασκομαι “to make atonement” (ιλασκεσθαι), and this present “making of atonement” is “for
the sins of the people” (τας αμαρτιας του λαου).
Paul
Ellingworth, a Protestant, wrote the following about Heb 2:17 and the use of ιλασκεσθαι
(I have added this to the John 19:30 article linked above):
The present verse suggests that he “became”
high priest in order that he might continuously
deal (ἱλάσκεσθαι present) with the people’s sins . . . Ἱλάσκεσθαι
(cf. ἱλαστήριον, 9:5*, “mercy-seat”) is used in the NT only here and in Lk.
18:13**, where ἱλάσθητι means “be merciful” (cf. Est. 4:17h LXX; Dn. Th. 9:19).
The present ἱλάσκεσθαι denotes
continuous activity by one who remains high priest εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα (5:6 =
Ps. 110[LXX109]:4) following his exaltation. (Paul Ellingworth, The Epistle to the Hebrews: A Commentary on
the Greek Text [New International Greek Testament Commentary; Grand Rapids,
Mich.: Eerdmans, 1993], 186, 188, emphasis added)