Jesus has done much for us and today we will learn how he relates to the earthly Tabernacle and to the sacrificial systems of the Old covenant (Moses). Let’s begin by Reading Hebrews chapter 9 verses 1-10
1 Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place. 3 Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 4 having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, 7 but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.
We came to understand that the tabernacle was a shadow and copy of the original one in heaven. One might think ‘it is only a shadow.’ I find this amazing because it is better to have a copy than nothing at all. If the tabernacle was not even a copy, then the theologian would be mythologizing. The theologian does not do mythology here but science, real God’s knowledge. Even a copy of something in heaven gives us insight into heaven and its workings. I think Apollos understood this. Apollos goes into a description of the earthly tabernacle, even as a shadow it explains to us that without the shedding of blood there cannot be forgiveness of sins. The tabernacle was pointing beyond itself, but they do show that a High Priest is needed too as a mediator and his sins and the people’s sins needed to be forgiven.
In verse one we have a key to unlocking some of the secrets of this beautiful book:
‘Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary.’
Obviously, the tabernacle he is talking about is Moses Tabernacle. There was the area of the Holy of Holies in which a high priest came only once a year. He had to be invited by God for this honour. Then of course there was the holy place. At this place, priests were allowed to come, and they didn’t need to fear for their lives. The writer in this verse is actually reminding his readers what they should already know. He is also preparing them for talk about the Christ and preparation for the ‘real tabernacle’ which is in heaven.
In understanding the Holy of Holy the veil is an important symbol which separates heaven and earth (verse 3). The inner tent where the Holy of Holies was, the priest could only enter this once a year.
Verse 8
. 8 The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. NASB
So throughout Judaic history according to Apollos it was a waiting time and preparation. No Levite priest could enter the real Holy of Holies nevertheless God used this means to educate his people. Apollos gives a limit to what can happen:
Verse 9
…Accordingly, both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation. NASB
A reformation is a time of correction. If we think about the real protestant Reformation, it was a time to bring the Church back to a purer Christianity. Obviously if the Tabernacle was a copy, then there was a real need for heaven to break in and really, in truth save us from sin and our corrupt nature. This basic summary is what the Holy Spirit has told us (verse 8)
In the previous chapters we have seen aspects of this reformation. Before we had physical temples but now God is moving in the very spiritual aspects of True Worship. We also know by whom this is going to come through; Namely the Messiah (Our lord and Saviour Jesus Christ).
Chapter 9 verses 11-28.
With special emphasis on verses 11 and 23.
The writer up to this point has led his readers along the road of what they know and understand. But from this moment he is going to reveal the deeper things of God to the readers.
The readers already knew and believed that the Christ was the king of Israel. When Jesus was crucified, and they wrote “The king of the Jews” as a mark of derision. In other words, from the point of the authorities such as the scribes and the pharisees Jesus was seen as a false king but from the point of view of those who trusted in his name Jesus was and is the real king of Israel. The writer to the Hebrews is writing to those who have faith not to those who don’t have faith. So, let us look at these two verses:
Verse 11
“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, he entered through the greater and the more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation”. NASB
Verse 23
“Therefore, it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these” (verse 23).
So, at this point the writer makes a jump from the earthly evidence of the tabernacle into heaven itself. The heavenly sanctuary needs ‘better sacrifices than these.’ It is no accident that Apollos says this.
Verse 24
So, Christ entered Heaven itself ‘in the presence of God the father’ in the Holy of Holies.
Verse 25
In light of verse 28 Christ who offered himself as the sacrifice (only once), It is not necessary for Christ to offer himself every year with sacrificed blood of lambs etc.
Verse 26
At these end times ‘completion of the ages’ Christ became the sacrifice on our behalf by himself. He has been ‘manifested’ revealed (φανερόω / Verb: Perf Mid/Pass Ind 3rd Sing)
The use of this verb ‘manifest, disclose, reveal’ is in the perfect tense. This verb in this context makes perfect sense because Christ is in heaven itself in which God resides. It is not possible for any human to cross this divide outside of Christ. This is not mythology but epistemology. The shadow and copy of the tabernacle on earth is direct evidence to God’s Sanctuary. Through Jesus Christ by faith, even though we are still on earth we get a glimpse of what is going on in heaven. The perfect tense is something that has happened in the past but has consequences today.
Verses 27 & 28
Death is but once and then the judgement, so Christ died once so next time he comes it won’t be referenced to sin but the Judgment as King of Kings. This is a precursor to what Apollos wants to say about Christ as the Sacrifice.
Reflection
In this chapter we have passed some signposts of faith:
| 1. There is the heavenly Sanctuary 2. Jesus is the High Priest, and he is always in office mediating for us all the time. 3. Christ was the sacrifice once and the work of sacrifice was completed through the sacrifice of himself. | 1. The Tabernacle is a copy of the real tabernacle 2. There is a high priest, but he has to be changed every year. 3. Gifts and sacrifices are often made but they cannot make anyone perfect. |
What does this mean for us?
Jesus has done a lot for us so that we can be taken into heaven. This invitation is open to everyone. Jesus is Lord yet he knocks on the door of your heart. He wants by invitation by the Holy Spirit to come into your life and where there was darkness, he brings light. We all want to do things our way but where has this brought you?
Broken promises, betrayals, anger and although there are people all around you there is an emptiness that no one can fill. You cannot even forgive yourself and the road seems to have come to an end. You have made mistakes along the way, but it does not matter how bad you have been God reaches out to you and offers you his grace in Jesus Christ. Jesus has done the work on the cross and while he was on the cross he said, ‘It is finished’ (God’s work has been completed).
If you choose God’s way allow Jesus the Lordship in your life. By the Holy Spirit he will take away you sins, purify you and make you into the person you ought to have been. This process takes a lifetime but becoming a child of God takes a moment.
Whether we just took the invitation and confessed Jesus as Lord we need to remember that this book has shown us that although Jesus is the second person of the Trinity:
He was active in the creation with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit
He is greater than the angels
He is greater than Moses
He is King of Kings
He is greater than all the prophets because they all spoke of him
He is the High Priest in heaven itself
He was the real sacrifice once and for all.
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