Jan 28, 2024
Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an
earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared,
the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and
the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place.
3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called
the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of
incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold,
in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that
budded, and the tablets of the covenant.5 Above it were
the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things
we cannot now speak in detail.
6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests
go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual
duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes,
and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he
offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people.
8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into
the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is
still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present
age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are
offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,
10 but deal only with food and drink and various
washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of
reformation.
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good
things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect
tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)
12 He entered once for all into the holy places, not by
means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own
blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if
the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons
with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the
flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God,
purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Key Words: Regulations, Earthly, Symbolic,
Reformation, Greater, Blood, Eternal
Keystone Verse: He entered once for all into the
holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by
means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
(Hebrews 9:12)