Calvary Bible College 1100 Caprice Drive Castle Rock Colorado Tel: Web:

Transcription

1 Calvary Bible College 1100 Caprice Drive Castle Rock Colorado Tel: Web: NT369 The Letter to the Hebrews Spring 2016 Class #8 Hebrews Chapter 9 Chapter Nine Re-do, due to the fact that sound did not record for class #8 on Thursday night April 21, 2016 Hour One John Chapter 9 continues the third section of the first main division of the Book of Hebrews, chapters 1:110:18, which focuses on the Superiority of the Messiah Jesus to the three pillars of Judaism: Angels, Moses and the Levitical Priesthood. The Messiah s superiority to the Levitical Priesthood began in 4:14 and runs to the end of the major theological portion of the book, chapter 10:18. The Messiah s Superiority to the Levitical Priesthood is Divided up into Five Contrasts: 1-Jesus has a better Position: 4: Jesus is a better Priest: 5:1-7:28 3-The New Priesthood is based on a better covenant: 8: The New Priesthood functions in a better sanctuary: 9: The New Priesthood is based on a better sacrifice: 9:11-10:18 9:1-7 The New Priesthood functions in a Better Sanctuary 9:1 Then or Now indeed, even the first or the one before the New Covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. -Notice the combination of divine, Godly, Heavenly service in the earthly sanctuary. -Ordinances or regulations: the design of the Old Testament sanctuary, its contents & what happened there -App: There is a sense that everything we do on our earthly platform/sanctuary is a divine service. v.2 For a tabernacle * was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand (of 100% beaten gold), the table (inner acacia wood, outer overlay with gold), and the showbread (replaced fresh every Sabbath), which is called the sanctuary; -In verse 2, he deals with the Holy Place or the first room, listing two things: (1) The Menorah, the sevenbranched candlestick or lampstand (You shall also make... Ex. 25:31 39; He also made. 37:17 24) and (2) the table of showbread (You shall also make Ex. 25:23 30; He made 37:10 16). * See Exhibit A v.3 and behind the second veil (the first veil being the entrance into the Holy Place from the courtyard), the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 1

2 -The second veil separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies (You shall make Ex. 26:36 37; He also made. 36:37). This second veil was the veil in the Temple that was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died (Mat. 27:51). -From his notes on Ex. 26:31 Scofield says this: This veil, barring entrance into the holiest, was the most expressive symbol of the truth that by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified (Rom. 3:20; Heb. 9:8). Torn by an unseen hand when Christ died (Mt. 27:51), thus giving instant access to God to all who come by faith in Him, it was the end of all legality; the way to God was open. It is deeply significant that the priests must have patched together again the veil that God had torn, for the temple services went on yet for nearly forty years. That patched veil is Galatianism the attempt to put saint or sinner back under law. (Cf. Gal. 1:6 9.) Anything but the grace of Christ is another gospel, and under anathema. v.4 which (The Holy of Holies) had the golden censer -It belonged to the Holiest of All, but was maintained outside of the veil in the Holy Place -The rising incense from the burning coals belonged to the Holy of Holies. -Dr. Arnold says this: its purpose and ministry were for the second room, the Holy of Holies. He is not emphasizing the place where it stood but its liturgical function. This is made obvious in the Greek text, which does not contain the word altar. The Greek simply reads the incense thing. It refers to something connected with the incense, but it does not state exactly what that something is. The author does not say that the Altar actually stood in the Holy of Holies; he simply states that the Holy of Holies had the incense thing since the purpose of the incense was for the Holy of Holies. -Note this: The coals that burnt the incense that rose into the Holy of Holies, came from the Brazen Altar, made of Bronze (which symbolizes judgment). It was the first piece of furniture seen when coming into the courtyard. There the sacrifices of meat and blood were burnt unto the Lord. These blood stained coals were the coals used for the burning of the incense in the Holy Place that would arise pleasing to the Father in the Holy of Holies. There is no pleasing offerings of prayer and praise from the offerer without first making atonement with blood for the worshipper. v.4 cont. and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; -We really only learn of the inner contents of the Ark here. According to the biblical accounts, these objects were deposited in the Most Holy Place before the witness, that is, in front of the ark (Exod. 16:32 34; Num. 17:10 11). Only the tablets of the covenant were actually placed within it (Exod. 25:16, 21; Deut. 10:1 2; see 1 Kings 8:9; 2 Chron. 5:10). -According to v.4 the Ark of the Covenant contained the three things mentioned: the golden pot of manna (Ex. 16:33 34); Aaron s rod that budded (Num. 17:8 11); and the two tables of the covenant (Ex. 25:16 21; 40:20). -Why isn t Aaron s rod that budded and the golden pot of Manna in the Ark at the time of the books of the Kings and Chronicles? -Perhaps this is placing emphasis that this is the Wilderness Tabernacle. The Tabernacle of the first generation that was rebellious, see Numbers The golden pot of manna, and Aaron s rod that budded were wilderness memorials, in good and bad senses. Complaints about Heavenly food, Manna, and God s chosen priesthood leadership, Aaron, will be remembered thru these two memorials. v.5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat or atonement cover. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. -His intent is not to speak of these things point-by-point, individually. His aim is to simply contrast the old and the new. His purpose is not to fill in the details but to provide an outline, a picture of the difficult and repetitive way of approach to God pictured by this Tabernacle. 2

3 Vs. 6-8 That this emphasizes approach, Old versus New is made clear in the following verses. v.6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests (and only the priests) always went into the first part of the tabernacle (The Holy Place), performing the services. Dr. Arnold: The emphasis is on the continual, daily work of the Levitical priest who was to do the same thing each day. Every day, twice a day, the priest had to enter the Holy Place and burn the incense (Ex. 30:7 8). Every day, twice a day, the priest had to tend the lampstand (the Menorah) adding oil, trimming the wick, and making certain that the flame continued to burn (Ex. 27:20 21). Weekly, the showbread had to be changed (Lev. 24:5 8). The emphasis here is upon repetition. Every day, over and over again, the same thing took place. The Levitical priest s work was never finished. v.7 But (in contrast to the daily repetition of service in the Holy Place) into the second part the high priest went alone once a year (and only once a year, and only the High Priest), not without blood, which he offered for himself (this is a special Sin Offering; see Lev. 4:1-5:13 for the basic description of the Sin Offering) and for the people s sins committed in ignorance (this what the Sin Offerings covered); -Only one man, out of one family, out of one clan, out of one tribe, out of one nation, out of one race, out of all humanity ever had access to the Holy of Holies, and only one day a year, on Yom Kippur! -What was the ticket of entry and approach? Blood: for himself and the people. -The Holy of Holies offering was only once a year, but there was still repetition, year in and year out. -What is emphasized is a very limited access to God: only the High Priest; only once a year; and only with new blood each year. v.8 the Holy Spirit indicating (ata declares, shows ) this, -Who is the ultimate authority on the Levitical system? The Holy Spirit. v.8 cont. that the way continuously into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. -Key words here; not yet made manifest, which pointed to a future all access manifestation of a way into the Holiest of All -The Levitical system they the Judean Christians were leaning towards going back to, was limited because they could not enter into God s presence and only their anointed representative, the High Priest could not do so, but once a year. -Dr. Arnold: Moreover, there were a series of exclusions. The Outer Court separated Gentiles from Jews; The Inner Court separated non-levites from Levites; The Holy Place separated non-priest from priest; and The Holy of Holies separated the High Priest from all common priests. Vs The point of his review of the Tabernacle and its contents. v.9 It was symbolic (a model, type, root of our word parable ) for the present time (i.e. the Judean Christians and their peers) in which both gifts and sacrifices are currently being offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience -When the priest walked away after offering his sacrifice, he knew that his sins were covered, but he left with a consciousness of sin still present with him. v.10 concerned only with foods (meal offerings) and drinks (drink offerings), various (ceremonial) washings, and fleshly dependent ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. -When he calls them fleshly or carnal ordinances, he is not passing an ethical judgment. He is saying the old system was dependent upon the strength and performance of the flesh. -It was external only and that is why it was temporary. Why did God enact it? The purpose of its enactment was to serve as a temporary illustration until the time of the restitution or until a time of reformation. Until a new age will come and brings perfection, a total cleansing of the conscience. -Dr. Arnold: The Greek word for reformation is used only here and never again in the New Testament. The root means to make straight, to correct, or to make right, between God and man. The earthly Tabernacle could not do that; therefore, it was enacted temporarily until the final sacrifice 3

4 was made. 9:11-10:18: The New Priesthood is Based on a Better Sacrifice: v.11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, - good things to come was the Christ, the Messiah who came with all that was needed for salvation and life during and after salvation. v.11 cont.. with or thru to the greater (megas, greater in size and importance) and more perfect tabernacle Why is it more perfect?.. because it is. v.11 cont.. not made with human hands, that is, not of this creation, not earthly but Heavenly. -The Messiah serves in the Better Sanctuary the one in Heaven not on earth. The one in Heaven was the original one; the earthly Tabernacle was only a copy. That is why Jesus is superior to Aaron. V. 12 He came into the greater and more perfect tabernacle with.. v.12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with dia, thru His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained (He approached, paid for it, and offers it to us = obtained) eternal redemption. -This contrast shows the superiority of the New Priesthood to the Levitical Priesthood in that the New Priesthood is based on a better sacrifice. -The Old Priesthood was based on the blood of multiple animals, which only provided a temporary atonement, while the New Priesthood is based on the one and only Messiah s own blood, which provides for an eternal redemption. -Another contrast found here is that the priests entered into the earthly Tabernacle with blood, but Jesus entered the Heavenly Tabernacle through blood. The priest had to come carrying blood for his own sins, and the blood he carried was not his own. Jesus had no sins and, therefore, He went through blood, and this blood was His own. -Dr. Arnold: The contrast is not specifically between Jesus and the five Levitical offerings of Leviticus 1 7. It is between the most important day of the Levitical year and what the Messiah accomplished through His death, which became the basis for the ministry of the Great High Priest in Heaven: The Day of Atonement of Leviticus 16. Vs What are the Efficacious Results? v.13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh (the outside, outward ceremonial uncleanness), v.14 how much more than ceremonial uncleanness shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself (voluntarily) without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? -Dr. Arnold: The first result of His sacrifice was purification. The Old Testament background is found in Leviticus 16 and Numbers 19. Verse 13 makes a logical connection: For in light of what he just said in verses he is about to show why the redemption is eternal. The Old Testament sacrifices were limited to temporary outward cleansing; they only cleansed the flesh. But, the work of Jesus avails in the spiritual sphere and results in inward cleansing, a conscience cleansing. Animal blood only cleansed ceremonial uncleanness. The blood of bulls cleansed the ceremonial uncleanness of the priests. The blood of goats cleansed the ceremonial uncleanness of the people. The ashes of the red heifer were used for the cleansing of corpse touching uncleanness and other elements (Num. 19:1 22). The sprinkling of the water was for the unclean, the waters of separation (Num.19:9) Vs Second Efficacious Result: Ratification of the New Covenant v.15 And for this reason (because of the blood of Christ ) He is the Mediator of the New Covenant, 4

5 - New Covenant : First mentioned as such in Jer. 31:31 long after the evident failure of the Mosaic Covenant. It s Failure due to the flesh of men. Next mentioned by Jesus at the Last Supper: This cup is the Blood of the New Covenant. Outside of the Last Supper context mentioned four times in Hebrews contrasting New versus Old, and finally once in 2 Cor. 3:6 which is also a contrast verse. -A Mediator is one who intervenes between two people either to make peace and friendship or to ratify a covenant; in this case, ratifying the New Covenant in contrast with the Mosaic Covenant. While the Mosaic Covenant was able to point out transgressions, it could never bring in the inheritance of the promised blessing. How Was it Signed and Ratified?... v. 15 cont.. by means of a death, for the full redemption payment for release of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called to salvation and they respond by faith, may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. -This answers the question: Does the Cross of Christ redeem those under the first covenant? YES -Animal blood could not remove the sins of the Old Testament saints; it only covered them. That is why, when an Old Testament saint died, he could not go directly to Heaven. He instead went down to the Paradise or Abraham s Bosom section of Sheol or Hades and waited for the death of Jesus, which is the time when the saint s sins were removed. See also Rom. 3:25. Vs From Covenant speak to Last Will & Testament, the Connection being: Eternal Inheritance v.16 For where there is a testament (as in Last Will and Testament that points out the inheritance), there must also of necessity be the death of the testator (the one setting up the will). v.17 For a testament is in force (or is enforced) only after men are dead (inheritance comes after the testator dies), since it has no power at all while the testator (he that made the will) lives. -A will provides for an inheritance BUT only after the one who made the will dies -The contents of the will are only promises until the Testator dies. Death is demanded is an absolute necessity for any eternal inheritance can be executed. Vs He Returns to Covenant Speak and Illustrates the Principle v.18 Therefore not even the first covenant (the one being replaced by the New and better covenant) was dedicated without blood. -A Death of an animal has occurred and the application of the death was thru applying its blood in v. 19 -Jesus ratified a blood covenant with His own blood. He did not ratify it with the blood of animals. He offered better blood. v.19 For when Moses had spoken every precept or commandment to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book of the covenant itself and all the people, 20 saying, This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you. -Dr. Arnold: In verse 19, Moses used a solemn blood ceremony to seal the covenant after he spoke the words of the Law, meaning after he spoke the commandments of Exodus Then in Exodus 24:1 8, he ratified the covenant by sprinkling both the book [of the covenant] and the people with blood. He used the blood of the calves and the goats and he used water and scarlet wool and hyssop. The sprinkling of blood on both the book and the people meant two things: (1) the people were to obey; and (2) if they obeyed, God would bless them. v.21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. -In Exodus there is no statement that says Moses sprinkled the Tabernacle with blood, but it is mentioned by Josephus in his Antiquities of the Jews. Both Josephus and the New Testament confirm that Moses did sprinkle the Tabernacle and the vessels with blood. 5

6 v.22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. -Some things were cleansed by water, most things though with blood, but when it comes to sins and their remission blood is the only cleansing agent. Vs The Third Result: The Ministry in the Perfect Tabernacle. v.23 Therefore it was absolutely necessary that the copies (example, pattern) of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (all those plural sacrifices fulfilled in one sacrifice). -The need for cleansing is found in. -.Ezekiel 28:18 18 You defiled your sanctuaries (plural) [same word for sanctuary as in Ex. 25:8.: make me a sanctuary ] By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore, I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you. v.24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands (earthly sanctuary), which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for or on behalf of us; -He did not enter into a model, that restricted access to the presence of God but into His very presence, face to face, for us! In Hebrews it is clear that he appeared in heaven to intercede on our behalf (see 2:18; 4:15; 7:25, passages that describe what He does for us). -Picture the High Priest going into the Holy of Holies v.25 not that He should offer Himself (As Sacrifice) often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another (similar in that both are imperfect: the H.P. and the Sacrifice) -He entered with a fully complete and forever satisfying sacrifice v.26 If Jesus did have to offer as a Sacrifice Himself Every year. v.26 He then (if He entered into the earthly model) would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; -O Brien: if Jesus sacrifice did call for repetition, he would have suffered death countless times since the creation of the world and that would have been absurd The statement assumes that God s Son existed from before the creation of the world (1:2), when God s works were finished (4:3), and also that sin has been in the world almost since its beginning, so that human beings have needed atonement from earliest times (Rom. 5:12) v. 26 cont. but now, once at the end of the ages (that have unfolded up to Christ s crucifixion, see Gal. 4:4), He has appeared to put away (vanquished: see: Rom. 8:2, 1Cor. 15:56, 1John 3:5) sin by thru the sacrifice of Himself. V. 27 And Unlike Repeated Animal Sacrifices.. v.27 And as it is appointed for men to die once (so Christ only died once, see 1Pet. 3:18), -It was impossible for Christ to sacrifice Himself more than once! but after this the judgment (that judged what they were before they died, and in His case what He is after He raised Himself from the dead), -What is the judgment? concerning Jesus after His death, burial, resurrection (because death could not hold a righteous man). 6

7 -Two things are appointed for mankind in general: Death and Judgment to follow. v.28 so (because of this appointed rule of one death) Christ was offered once (by the Father) to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him (to come down out of the Heavenly Tabernacle) He will appear a second time, apart from sin (atonement for sin), for salvation. -unlike the High Priest that went into the Holy of Holies with the imperfect blood of another, first for himself and then for the nation, and then he came out and the people eagerly awaited his coming out on the same day. But our High priest has entered and not come out as of yet. But we eagerly await His appearance a second time, but not for atonement, but for the restoration of all things, Acts 3:19-21: 19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ (a second time), who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Homework: No written homework, just all of your readings on chapters 10 & 11 7

8 Exhibit A 8

9 Calvary Bible College 1100 Caprice Drive Castle Rock Colorado Tel: Web: NT369 The Letter to the Hebrews Spring 2016 Class #8 Hebrews Chapter 9 Hour Two Dan The temptation facing these believers was that of discounting the complete effectiveness of the work of Christ in favor of trusting in ceremonies and rituals as the deciding factor in their relationship with God. Today missionaries struggle with contextualization, which involves presenting the Gospel in a culturally relevant way. Contextualization requires a balance between maintaining a Biblical worldview, and understanding and appreciating other cultures. However, too much emphasis on cultural adaptation of Christianity can lead to syncretism. Syncretism is the blending of Christian beliefs and practices with those of the dominant culture so that Christianity loses it distinctiveness and speaks with a voice reflective of its culture. Some examples of contextualization and/or syncretism: Good: Paul contextualized the gospel message in Athens (Acts 17:22-34) to gain a hearing Good: Jesus did not require the Gentile woman to conform to Jewish practices (Matt. 15:21-28) Good: Yeshuat Tsion, Denver Messianic assembly with Jewish worship (torah, shofar, dance) Bad: African Tribal Religion (ATR) practices blended with prosperity gospel in central Nigeria Bad: Roman Catholic church in southern Ecuador adapts its message and mixes pagan practices Bad: Politically correct emergent churches in America conforming to the surrounding culture : Jesus Movement hippies (1970, SoCal) combined modern music with Christian faith : Native American Indian believers performing traditional sweat lodge ceremonies : Christians in Castle Rock practicing yoga 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. And for this reason the previous verses stressed that the blood of the new covenant is better than the blood of the old, leading to the conclusion that Christ is the Mediator of the new covenant. A mediator is one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant. Christ ratified the new covenant by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant. That is, just as Christ's death redeems us, it also redeemed OT believers. [BBC] There is a sense in which God saved OT people on credit. They were justified by faith, just as we are. But Christ had not died as yet. Then how could God save them? The answer is that He saved them on the basis of what He knew Christ would accomplish. They knew little or nothing of what Christ would do at Calvary. But God knew, and He reckoned the value of that work to their account when they believed whatever revelation He gave them of Himself. So that those who are called (See Heb. 3:1) may receive the promised eternal inheritance 1

10 16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. Since he mentioned inheritance in verse 15, the author explains that before a last will and testament can be probated, evidence must be submitted that the testator has died. Usually a death certificate is sufficient evidence. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. The testator may have drawn up his will many years previously and kept it secure in his safe, but it does not take effect until he dies. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. Returning to the discussion of the old covenant given by God through Moses, where the readers are reminded that the first covenant was made valid by the sacrificial death of an animal (shedding of blood). The blood was a pledge that the terms of the covenant would be fulfilled. The English words covenant and testament both translate the same Greek word, diatheke. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, See Exodus 24:3-8 Moses arranged the solemn ceremony for the sealing of the covenant. God and the people were the two parties entering into the covenant, or binding agreement. The book was the covenant. The sprinkled blood bound both parties to keep the terms of the covenant. The people promised to obey, and the Lord promised to bless them if they did. 20 saying, This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you. Quoted from Exodus 24:8 As Moses sprinkled the blood he said This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you. This pledged the life of the people if the failed to keep the law. 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. This ritual is not found in the OT (so this text is complementary). In Exodus 40 the tabernacle was consecrated with anointing oil, and in Leviticus the high priest would sprinkle (throw) blood on the sides of the altar for the sin sacrifice. However, the symbolism is clear everything that has any contact with sinful man becomes defiled and needs to be cleansed. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Almost all water, incense and fire were also used to purify (cf Ex. 19:10; Lev. 15:5; Num. 16:46,47; 31:21-24). Those who were too poor to bring even a small animal for sacrifice were allowed to bring fine flour instead (Lev. 5:11). These exceptions dealt with atonement for, or covering of, sin, although generally speaking a blood offering was required even for atonement. See Leviticus 17:11 life is in the blood, and blood makes atonement for sin without shedding of blood there is no remission (or forgiveness, See Matt. 26:28). Remission is a transition word to next section. Remission is used in NT, atonement is used in OT. 2

11 First stanza of two well-known hymns based on 9:22 Nothing but the blood of Jesus by Robert Lowry (1876) What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Just as I am without one plea by Charlotte Elliott (1840) Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd'st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 9:23-28 compares and contrasts the two covenants. 23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. [Wiersbe] Since God has ordained that remission of sins is through the shedding of blood, and since purification comes through the sprinkling of blood, it is necessary that blood be shed and applied if the New Covenant is to be in force. The patterns (the Old Covenant tabernacle) were purified by the sprinkling of the blood. But the originals were also purified! The blood of Jesus Christ not only purifies the conscience of the believer (9:14), but also purified the heavenly things. [Wiersbe] How could the heavenly sanctuary ever become defiled? We can understand how the earthly sanctuary could be defiled since it was used by sinful men. Each year, on the great Day of Atonement, the tabernacle was purified through the sprinkling of blood (See Lev. 16:12-19). But how could a heavenly sanctuary ever become defiled? Certainly nothing in heaven is defiled in a literal sense, for sin cannot pollute the sanctuary of God. But, for that matter, nothing in the earthly tabernacle was literally defiled by sin. It all had to do with people s relationships to God. The blood sprinkled on a piece of furniture did not change the nature of that piece, but it changed God s relationship to it. God could enter into communion with people because of the sprinkled blood. [Wiersbe] Through Jesus Christ, we who are sinners can enter into the holy of holies in the heavenly sanctuary (See Heb. 10:19-22). Physically, of course, we are on earth; but spiritually, we are communing with God in the heavenly holy of holies. In order for God to receive us into this heavenly fellowship, the blood of Jesus Christ had to be applied. We enter into God s presence by the blood of Jesus (10:19). 24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; Although Jesus visited the temple in Jerusalem, He did not enter into the inner sanctuary. These man-made holy places, reserved for high priests, were copies of the true holy place. In heaven itself, Christ is now appearing and interceding before God for us (See Roms. 8:34) Why would anyone want to leave the great High Priest serving in the heavenly sanctuary and return to the priests of Israel serving in a symbolic shadow? 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another Jesus did not make repeated offerings as the Levitical high priests had to do. The human high priest went into the Most Holy Place on one day every year that is, the Day of Atonement (yom kuppur), and he did not offer his own blood but the blood of sacrificial animals (9:7). 3

12 [Guzik] This passage and principle is a direct rebuke to the Roman Catholic practice and theology of the mass. In the mass, the Roman Catholic Church desires to repeat - not remember, but repeat - the atoning sacrifice of Jesus innumerable times. This is absolutely indefensible Scripturally, and denies the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The Scriptures make it plain: not that He should offer Himself often. 26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. If Christ had made repeated offerings, that would have meant repeated suffering, since His offering was His own life. It is unthinkable that Jesus should have suffered the agonies of Calvary every year since the foundation of the world. Under the New Covenant we have: Positive finality He has appeared once for all. The work never needs to be repeated. Opportune timing He appeared at the end of the ages, that is, after the Old Covenant had conclusively demonstrated man's failures and powerlessness. A perfect work He appeared, to put away sin. The emphasis is on the words put away. It was no longer a matter of annual atonement (covering). Now it was eternal forgiveness (remission). A personal sacrifice- He put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. In His own body He bore the punishment which our sins deserved. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Verse present another contrast between the Old Covenant and the New. The law condemned sinners to die once, but after this the judgment. The law was given to a people who were already sinners and could not keep it perfectly. So the law became a means of condemnation to all who were under it. To die once (Eccl. 3:20) is not an absolute principle, since there are rare exceptions (e.g., Lazarus died twice; Enoch and Elijah were caught up without dying). 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. The New Covenant introduces the infinite sacrifice of Christ; He was offered once to bear the sins of many. The New (better) Covenant presents the blessed hope of His imminent second advent; to those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time. The focus of Jesus' first coming was to deal with the sin problem through His atoning sacrifice. But now, having dealt with the sin problem perfectly, He comes again apart from sin for the salvation (in the sense of rescue) of His people. Those who eagerly wait for Him describes all true believers. All the Lord's people look for Him to return (reference Pastor Dave's teachings on rapture) Notice that we have three appearances of Christ in verses Verse 26: He has appeared. This refers to His First Advent when He came to earth to save us from the penalty of sin (the past tense of salvation). Verse 24: He now appears. This is a reference to His present ministry in the presence of God to save us from the power of sin (the present tense of salvation). Verse 28: He will appear. This speaks of His imminent return when He will save us from the presence of sin (the future tense of salvation). 4

13 Calvary Bible College 1100 Caprice Drive Castle Rock Colorado Tel: Web: NT369 The Letter to the Hebrews The Better Aroma Spring 2016 Class #8 Homework: What do you learn about YOUR conscience from the following verses. John 8:9 Acts 24:16 Romans 2:15 Romans 9:1 Romans 13:5 1Cor. 8:7-12 1Cor. 10:29 2Cor. 1:12 1Tim. 4:2 Tit. 1:15 Go no further Remember to do all of your readings for chapter 9 of Hebrews