In Hebrews chapter 9, the author shows the superiority of the new covenant over the old covenant. The old covenant under the law of Moses was only a shadow of good things to come. The author gives a detailed account of the Tabernacle and it's ordinances to show their inefficiency to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper.Tabernacle was the earthly sanctuary erected in the wilderness where God's presence was visible.
It had two rooms. The outer room was called Holy place and the inner room, the Holy of Holies. They were separated by a veil.In the Holy place were the golden candlestick, the table of show bread and the alter of incense. Inside the Holy of Holies were the ark of the covenant with it mercy seat and the cherubim of glory where God's presence was manifested. The Ark contained the table of the covenant, golden pot of manna and the Aaron's budded rod.The author mentions the placing of the golden alter within the Holy of Holies because of it"s close association with the ritual(Lev16). The alter of incense was a type of Christ and His intercessory ministry.
Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year with the blood of atonement offered for his sins and for the sins of the people(Lev 16).The sin mentioned here is the unintentional sin(Num 15:27,28). There was no sacrifice for intentional sins(Num 15:30,31; Heb 10:26). The Holy of Holies was inaccessible to people except the high priest. Therefore fellowship with God was not possible until the death of Christ and the veil was rent from top to bottom. Thus the sacrifices offered under old covenant could not cleanse the conscience of the worshiper.They were temporary ordinances of flesh and not spirit. Only through Christ we can have perfect fellowship with God.
From verses 11 to 22, the author shows the contrast between the atonement of the law and the atonement of Christ.Christ serves in a greater and perfect tabernacle. The earthly tabernacle was symbolic and temporary. He did not offer the blood of goats and calves but His own life. Thus He obtained eternal redemption for us.The blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of heifer could only cleanse the flesh and not the conscience (Num 19). But the blood of Christ is able to cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God(9:13,14). Christ is the mediator of the new covenant and guarantees a perfect salvation. A covenant is sealed and made effective by death. So Christ's death was necessary to make the new covenant effective. Under the old covenant the earthly things were cleansed with blood(Ex 24:8). Without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. The author concludes that the heavenly things are to be cleansed by a better sacrifice. Christ instituted the Lord"s Supper by saying"this is My blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the forgiveness of their sins"(Matt 26:28). Let us observe it with reverence.
From verses 23 to 28, we read about three appearances of Christ. First He came to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. His incarnation was to suffer and die for our sin. Then He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God as our mediator and intercessor. He is able to help us in times of need to enjoy fellowship with God and serve Him(4:16).Unlike the Old covenant, Christ does not have to appear again and again because He put away sin by one sacrifice. Then again he shall appear a second time in power and glory to culminate the salvation for all those who eagerly waiting for Him. Christ came once to bear our sin and die for us. Now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation(2 Cor 6:2). It is appointed for all men to die once. After that there is no opportunity for salvation, only the judgment. Do you know Jesus Christ as your savior?May God help you..
It had two rooms. The outer room was called Holy place and the inner room, the Holy of Holies. They were separated by a veil.In the Holy place were the golden candlestick, the table of show bread and the alter of incense. Inside the Holy of Holies were the ark of the covenant with it mercy seat and the cherubim of glory where God's presence was manifested. The Ark contained the table of the covenant, golden pot of manna and the Aaron's budded rod.The author mentions the placing of the golden alter within the Holy of Holies because of it"s close association with the ritual(Lev16). The alter of incense was a type of Christ and His intercessory ministry.
Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year with the blood of atonement offered for his sins and for the sins of the people(Lev 16).The sin mentioned here is the unintentional sin(Num 15:27,28). There was no sacrifice for intentional sins(Num 15:30,31; Heb 10:26). The Holy of Holies was inaccessible to people except the high priest. Therefore fellowship with God was not possible until the death of Christ and the veil was rent from top to bottom. Thus the sacrifices offered under old covenant could not cleanse the conscience of the worshiper.They were temporary ordinances of flesh and not spirit. Only through Christ we can have perfect fellowship with God.
From verses 11 to 22, the author shows the contrast between the atonement of the law and the atonement of Christ.Christ serves in a greater and perfect tabernacle. The earthly tabernacle was symbolic and temporary. He did not offer the blood of goats and calves but His own life. Thus He obtained eternal redemption for us.The blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of heifer could only cleanse the flesh and not the conscience (Num 19). But the blood of Christ is able to cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God(9:13,14). Christ is the mediator of the new covenant and guarantees a perfect salvation. A covenant is sealed and made effective by death. So Christ's death was necessary to make the new covenant effective. Under the old covenant the earthly things were cleansed with blood(Ex 24:8). Without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. The author concludes that the heavenly things are to be cleansed by a better sacrifice. Christ instituted the Lord"s Supper by saying"this is My blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the forgiveness of their sins"(Matt 26:28). Let us observe it with reverence.
From verses 23 to 28, we read about three appearances of Christ. First He came to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. His incarnation was to suffer and die for our sin. Then He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God as our mediator and intercessor. He is able to help us in times of need to enjoy fellowship with God and serve Him(4:16).Unlike the Old covenant, Christ does not have to appear again and again because He put away sin by one sacrifice. Then again he shall appear a second time in power and glory to culminate the salvation for all those who eagerly waiting for Him. Christ came once to bear our sin and die for us. Now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation(2 Cor 6:2). It is appointed for all men to die once. After that there is no opportunity for salvation, only the judgment. Do you know Jesus Christ as your savior?May God help you..
