"You all seem (correct me if I am wrong) to believe that this is a continuance of the sacrifice Christ made on Calvary. Yet, somehow it appears that many do not believe that Christ's sacrifice was for the purpose of paying the penalty for our sins as our substitute. So, what is it for?"
Its late and I'll answer in more detail, probably patristic detail, tomorrow, but quickly, it has to do with The Evil One and bondage to death wrought by sin.
If it is a ransom paid the devil, I don't believe this is Scriptural. God owes Satan nothing. Period. Other than a swift kick in the butt into the lake of fire. But, I will await your answer.