CHAPTER 9

VS 1
1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

Let me point out that the word "Then," is translated from the Greek oun.
It is an adverb, used as a conjunction from the former chapter's statements.

This points out that the "first covenant" included the tabernacle (and later
the temple) for "divine service."

It was a place where service was done to acknowledge sin and beg forgiveness.

Now, we go on to a more detailed description of the tabernacle/temple.

Vss 2-5

2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table,
and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold,
wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables
of the covenant;
5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak
particularly.
6 Now when these things were ordained, the priests went always into the first tabermacle,
accomplishing the service of God.

The tabernacle itself is a symbol of God's Holy Presence in the world.
The veils (curtains) represent the fact that God is separate from
the world and sin. We must "draw nigh" unto God beyond our sins. And
the only way to do that is to beg God's forgiveness.

((See my commentary on Exodus 26 https://linktojesus.org/devotions/02_Exodus/Chapter_26.html))

Under the frist covenant, people were to carry sacrifices to the priest, and he would
offer them for their sins.

Each year, the priest would offer a sacrifice for himself.
Then, he could enter the Holy of Holies and offer sacrificial blood for the people.

VS 7
7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood,
which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

But, the high priest could ONLY go in their ONCE per year.
AND, he MUST go in there once per year.

VS 8
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest,
while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

The genuine "holiest of all" was only symbolized by the Holy of Holies in that
tabernacle!!

The way INTO that genuine "holiest of all" had not yet been OPENED!!
The entrance to the pure, awesome Holiness of God was NOT YET open!

VSS 9-10
9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices,
that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal
ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

These offering were by "meats and drinks, and fivers washings, and carnal
ordinances, impose on them UNTIL the time of reformation!"
That word "reformation" is from the Greek diorthosis.
It means thoroughly purified; restored completely!

As long as the tabernacle (or temple) was standing, and the priests offering the people's
sacrifices, it was only a SYMBOL of what was TO COME!!

BUT GOD!!!!

VSS 11-12
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more
perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the
holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

PRAISE GOD!!
God incarnate, in Jesus Christ, FULFILLED the PURPOSE!!
By His OWN blood!
Let me say this again: When Jesus died on that cross, He offered
GOD'S BLOOD TO GOD for man's sins!!

JESUS is the ONLY "Anointed One" Who can forgive sins and wash men
perfectly pure!!

HE, JESUS, is the One Who ENTERED the "PERFECT TABERNACLE!!"
Jesus provides ETERNAL RESTORATION to a PERFECT RELATIONSHIP with God!

In Lk 22:31-32, Jesus told Peter,
"31 And the Lord said, 'Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you,
that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have PRAYED FOR thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted,
strengthen thy brethren."

The word for "converted" is from the Greek epistrepho.
It means to revert, or turn again.

Peter already had faith, for he believed Jesus was the LORD!
(See Matt. 16:18)
But, we can all have doubts.
Peter certainly had doubts when Jesus died on that cross.
But, when he saw Jesus appear in that upper room, he REVERTED!!

Peter's faith did NOT fail, because Jesus had prayed for him!
And, Christian, take note of this:
"Wherefore He is ABLE also to save them to the UTTERMOST that come unto
God by Him, seeing He EVER LIVETH to make INTERCESSION for them!!"

When we are doubting, we need to pray.
Jesus is ALREADY praying for us!
Therefore, we can TURN BACK to our faith in Christ; and,
we are enabled to "strengthen" the brethren!

VSS 13-14
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean,
sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself
without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

The law of ordinances, like offering a "heifer" and being sprinkled by the water
mixed with the ashes, cleansed one in "the flesh."

But Jesus purifies BY His Spirit, IN our Spirit!!
Jesus can "purge", CLEANSE, your "conscience"!
Surrender to Jesus makes one clean and holy, and WHOLLY clean!

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for
the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are
called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

"for this cause," or with the former in view.
The former being the FACT that we NEED purging from our "dead works"
and, we need INSPIRATION to SERVE God!

Christ's perfect sacrifice allows man to be considered pure INternally and ETERNALLY!

Men in the Old Testament were cleansed temporarily, but would be eternally cleansed,

Jesus' sacrifice on that cross allowed ALL those under the Old Testament, who truly believed
God, so that they could have the "promise of eternal inheritance."

His sacrifice is also for ALL those who believe in Him as LORD today!

THUS, BOTH will be saved together under the blood of Christ.

VS 16
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

The word "testament" is translated from the Greek diatheke.
It probably would be translated a little more meaningful today as
contract or covenant.

The one who forms the testament is a "testator."

Jesus is the One Who forms the testament in full agreement with God the Father
and God's Holy Spirit.
Therefore, like and employer sets forth a contract for the employee, Jesus and the
wholeness of God sets forth the contract for mankind.

VSS 17-18
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while
the testator liveth.
18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

To form this particular covenant for mankinds salvation, it is affirmed here, that
Jesus had to shed His blood - or die.

The blood and life of the anmimal offered in the Old Testament was necessary for
the forgiveness of sins.

I must say this, the word "men" in verse 17 does not appear in the Greek.
But, the "testator" is GOD!!!
He is the One making the covenant with the people!

VSS 19-20
19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law,
he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and
sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

Moses introcuded God's covenant with the sprinkling of blood from "calves and
of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book,
and all the people."

And, Moses declared that to be the "testament which God hath enjoined to you."

That was the blood of an animal SUBSTITUTE!!

And that testament, arrangement, covenant was something the people had to
embrace what God had commanded!

Vs 21-22
21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is
no remission.

Moses sprinkled the tabernacle and all the vessels used in it with blood.
(See Ex. 11)

WE must, by the same manner, ACCEPT the FACT that the CHURCH, and all its
parts are CONSECRATED to service for the Lord!

The purging by blood in the Old Testament signifies that "without shedding of blood
there is NO remission" of sins!

NO SINNER can have hope for forgiveness from God except by the shedding of blood
of His Christ!

ALL people are on a LEVEL in regard to receiving salvation!
One must come to Christ WILLING to RELY upon the merits of His blood for our forgiveness!

VS 23-24
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified
with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures
of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

The "pattern of things" means the people and the tabernacle and all the service
vessels.

But the "heavenly things" must be purified with BETTER sacrifice that that of
animals!

JESUS is that BETTER sacrifice!

The sanctuary (or tabernacle) into which Jesus entered is HEAVEN!
That doesn't mean that heaven was UNholy before!!
It means that NOW, when men enter that Holy place, they must be MADE Holy
by the blood of Jesus!

Christ, FULLY HOLY in Himself, has ENTERED that place on OUR BEHALF!!
He is there making intercession for those who have COMMITTED to Him!

VSS 25-26
25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place
every year with blood of others;
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in
the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Jesus does not have to enter more than ONE for all men!
He is THERE, and will REMAIN there!
He has suffered for us, and it shall NOT be repeated!

And, in "the end of the world" He has PUT AWAY sin!!

He has removed the punishment for sin by His vicarious sacrifice!
He has offered PARDON to ALL who will surrender to Him!
And, for those, He will remove the STAIN of sin from their souls!!

Vs 27
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

The condemnation of sin is DEATH! (Rom. 6:23)
Death means separation from LIFE! Jesus IS LIFE!! (John 14:6)

Jesus has offered mankind a GIFT of ETERNAL LIFE!! (Rom. 6:23)

We have this ONE physical life to live!
And, it is APPOINTED to men, after this life, to DIE!!
And, after that death, we will ALL report to God for JUDGMENT!!

The judgment will be BY CHRIST JESUS!!
And our eternal destination will be decided by whether we have
believed, received, and lived by HIS decree!

God is GOOD ALL the TIME!!
He DESIRES man to be saved SO MUCH that He made the PERFECT sacrifice
for our sins.

We must ENTER into His COVENANT by surrender to Jesus as LORD of our lives!
(Luke 9:23)