9.1 the dissolving of the first covenant. This is critical to Christianity. Nowhere in the Bible does it speak of two new covenants. There is only one new covenant. Whatever soteriological position you accept, this fact is established. This argument is paramount to Christianity. The new covenant is founded on Christ and His death. Christ is the perfect sacrifice and the completion of all Old Testament sacrifices (Rom 3.25). All attempts to explain away the creation of a new people in God by Jesus Christ fail when viewed in the light of the new covenant. Paul declared in Romans 2.29 that now a Jew is “he is one inwardly”. Paul also declared in Ephesians 3.6 that the Gentiles “should be fellowheirs, and of the same body”. Then in verse 11 “according to the eternal purpose which he purposes in Christ Jesus our Lord”. One must decide who was this eternal purpose? Was it national Israel that Paul argues was cut off? (Romans 3). No, for Paul states in Romans 3.29, “Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also;”. The new covenant was instituted for the new family created by Jesus Christ when he became the second Adam (Romans 5.14-21). 2 Cor 3.6 Paul declares He is a minister of this new covenant. This new covenant broke down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile. Jesus Christ hath made them both one. (Eph 3.14). The new body of Christ is now one, comprised of Jew and Gentile. The church comprised of both Jew and Gentile, is the heir of Abraham, and shall be joint heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom 4.13-25, Rom 8.17). This is the fulfillment of the new covenant.

9.2-5 the golden censer. Here we see the two chambers of the mosaic tabernacle. There is an issue here because the censer is mentioned as being behind the veil and there is no record of that in the record of the primary golden censer. It seems that the author is most likely referring to the situation in Lev. 16.12-13, where the priest was to take a censer and bring it into the vail, before the mercy seat. The beautiful analogy here is that our High Priest, Jesus Christ does that for us. All censers used in the tabernacle were of gold ( 1 Ki 7.50). Rev 8.3 also reveals golden censers are still the norm for incense.

9.6-10 access to the presence of God. Through this typology, we see the picture of the tabernacle. Man did not have direct access to the presence of God while the first tabernacle stood. That Mosaic tabernacle was a figure, a physical symbol for all to see. Access to the holiest of all was not open. This was imperfect because man was never allowed to see the end result of his sacrifice. Atonement happened inside the tabernacle, and had to be repeated many times in a lifetime. Now, Christ hath entered once and for all to atone for the sins of all mankind.The figure (tabernacle) is now complete with an ever living and interceding High Priest, Jesus Christ. Reality has superseded the type.

9.11-12 a greater tabernacle. This statement alone is worthy of note. To those who had lived a life of Judaism, the temple was the ultimate place of reverence. No place on earth was held in higher esteem. Here the writer establishes this tabernacle is greater and more perfect, made by God himself. This tabernacle is dedicated by the blood of God himself, not the blood of animals. This tabernacle does not provide temporary propitiation, but it offers eternal redemption. Never again will God accept the blood of animal sacrifice, nor the blood of a martyr for redemption, for He has shed His own blood for the salvation of all mankind for eternity. Jesus Christ has obtained eternal redemption for us. It is essential in living under the new covenant to have a superior sanctuary and an infinitely superior sacrifice.

9.13-14 the red heifer. This refers to Num 19. The priest would take a heifer outside the camp, kill it then burn it. As it was burning the priest would throw cedar, hyssop and scarlet wool on it. The ashes would be saved and stored outside the camp. If anyone became ceremonially unclean because of contact with a dead body, these ashes would be mixed with water and sprinkled on the person. This represented the coming day when our sacrifice (Jesus) was taken outside the camp (Jerusalem) and offered as our sacrifice. Out of His side came blood and water, the elements of our salvation. When we are baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ, the water represents His blood and we are cleansed. If an Old Testament Saint could be made clean after this manner, how much more shall the blood of Christ purge our conscience from dead works. The writer continues to prove the superiority of Jesus Christ heavenly ministry.

9.15-18 the mediator. The animal sacrifices in the Old Testament could not take away sin (10.4); they made temporary atonement, a temporary covering for sin. Jesus Christ sacrifice reached back and covered all those sins as well as any future sins that are confessed. Never again will the blood of an animal or human being forgive sin. The ultimate price has been paid and provided. When a person writes a check, the paper itself is worthless. The only value is what is in the account that backs that piece of paper. So Christ was the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. All Old Testament sacrifices were dependent on the deposit made on Calvary. Calvary covered all Old Testament sacrifices. The death of Christ and His blood validate all forgiveness past and present. As John the Baptist proclaimed, behold the lamb of God.

9.19-22 the blood. The importance of blood is included here to illustrate the better covenant of the New Testament. The conclusion is that the blood of animals was temporary. It provided forgiveness until Jesus Christ came. Now the Blood of Jesus Christ is eternal and never needs to be shed again, therefore it is a better covenant. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission (aphesis-pardon). This repudiates the doctrine of just believe on the Lord and you are saved. For the blood to be fully applied you must repent, be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

9.23-28 the pattern. God spent several thousand years laying the foundation of the pattern. All the earthly patterns were set in place to show the heavenly tabernacle. The superiority of the heavenly is that it is once and for all. Christ was once offered. Sin is forever put away once and for all. The only thing that remains is for Christ to return. Now once in the end of the world (age), Christ appeared to put away (athetesis) sin once and forever. It is axiomatic that every person must die. There is also the surety of judgment. There is no second chance, no reincarnation, we only get one chance to prepare for judgment. There is a beautiful analogy in this passage. As man dies once, so Christ dies once also. There is a coming reality beyond death and judgment. Those that look for him, to them shall Christ appear. 

Thanks for reading today….