CHAPTER 9
A tabernacle
was prepared.
In
its
first room
were
the
lampstand,
the
table,
and
the
consecrated
bread.
This
was called
the Holy Place.
containing
the golden
altar of incense
and
the
gold-covered
ark
of the
covenant.
Inside
the ark
were the gold
jar
of
manna,
Aaron’s
staff
that
had budded,
and
the
stone tablets
of the
covenant.
Above
the ark
were the cherubim
of glory,
overshadowing
the
mercy seat.
But we cannot discuss
these things
in
detail
now.
When
everything
had been prepared
in this way,
the
priests
entered
regularly
into
the
outer
room
to perform
their
sacred duties.
But
only
the
high priest
entered
the
inner room,
and then only once
a year,
and never
without
blood,
which
he offered
for
himself
and
for the
sins the people had committed in ignoran
By this arrangement
the
Holy
Spirit
was showing
that the
way
into the
Most Holy Place
had not yet
been disclosed
as long as the
first
tabernacle
was
still
standing.
It is
an illustration
for
the
present
time,
because
the gifts
and
sacrifices
being offered
were unable
to cleanse
the conscience
of the
worshiper.
They consist only
in
food
and
drink
and
special
washings—
external
regulations
imposed
until
the time
of reform.
But
when Christ
came as
high priest
of the
good things
that have come,
He entered
the
greater
and
more perfect
tabernacle
not
made by hands
(that
is,
not
of this
creation).
He did not enter
by
the blood
of goats
and
calves,
but
He entered
the
Most Holy Place
once for all
by
His
own
blood,
thus securing
eternal
redemption.
For
if
the
blood
of goats
and
bulls
and
the ashes
of a heifer
sprinkled
on those who are
ceremonially unclean
sanctify them
so that
their
bodies
are clean,
how much
more
will the
blood
of Christ,
who
through
the eternal
Spirit
offered
Himself
unblemished
to God,
purify
our
consciences
from
works
of death,
so that
we may serve
the living
God!
Therefore
Christ is
the mediator
of a new
covenant,
so that
those who
are called
may receive
the
promised
eternal
inheritance,
now that He has died
to
redeem them
from the
transgressions committed
under
the
first
covenant.
because
a will
does not take effect
until
the one who
made it
has died;
it cannot be executed
while
he is still alive.
For when
Moses
had proclaimed
every
commandment
of
the
Law
to all
the
people,
he took
the
blood
of calves
and
goats,
along with
water,
scarlet
wool,
and
hyssop,
and sprinkled
the
scroll
and
all
the
people,
According to
the
Law,
in fact,
nearly
everything
must be purified
with
blood,
and
without
the shedding of blood
there is
no
forgiveness.
So
it was necessary
for the
copies
of the heavenly
things
to be purified
with these sacrifices,
but
the
heavenly things
themselves
with better
sacrifices
than
these.
For
Christ
did not enter
a man-made
copy
of the
TRUE
sanctuary,
but
He entered
heaven
itself,
now
to appear
on our behalf
in the
presence
of God.
Nor did He enter heaven
to
offer
Himself
again and again,
as
the
high priest
enters
the
Most Holy Place
every
year
with
blood
that is not his own.
Otherwise,
He
would have had
to suffer
repeatedly
since
the foundation
of the world.
But
now
He has appeared
once for all
at
the end
of the
ages
to
do away with
sin
by
the
sacrifice
of Himself.
so
also
Christ
was offered
once
to
bear
the sins
of many;
and He will appear
a second time,
not to bear
sin,
but to bring
salvation
to those who
eagerly await
Him.