The Earthly Sanctuary
1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and Ex. 25:8; (Heb. 8:2; 9:11, 24)the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 Ex. 26:31–35; 40:3and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the Lev. 16:12golden censer and Ex. 25:10the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which wereEx. 16:33the golden pot that had the manna, Num. 17:1–10Aaron’s rod that budded, and Ex. 25:16; 34:29; Deut. 10:2–5the tablets of the covenant; 5 and Ex. 25:17, 20; Lev. 16:2; 1 Kin. 8:7above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
Limitations of the Earthly Service
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, Num. 18:2–6; 28:3the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone Ex. 30:10; Lev. 16:34; Heb. 10:3once a year, not without blood, which he offered for Heb. 5:3himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that (John 14:6; Heb. 10:20)the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered (Gal. 3:21); Heb. 7:19which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— 10 concerned only with Lev. 11:2; Col. 2:16foods and drinks, Num. 19:7various washings, Eph. 2:15and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
The Heavenly Sanctuary
11 But Christ came as High Priest of (Eph. 1:3–11); Heb. 10:1the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not Heb. 10:4with the blood of goats and calves, but Is. 53:12; Eph. 1:7with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place Zech. 3:9once for all, (Dan. 9:24)having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if Lev. 16:14, 15; Heb. 9:19; 10:4the blood of bulls and goats and Num. 19:2the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for 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, 1 John 1:7cleanse your conscience from Heb. 6:1dead works Luke 1:74to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason Rom. 3:25He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that Heb. 3:1those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
The Mediator’s Death Necessary
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For Gal. 3:15a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Ex. 24:6Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, Ex. 24:5, 6he took the blood of calves and goats, Lev. 14:4, 7; Num. 19:6, 18with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, (Matt. 26:28)"This is the Ex. 24:3–8blood of the covenant which God has commanded you." 21 Then likewise Ex. 29:12, 36he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and Lev. 17:11without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Greatness of Christ’s Sacrifice
23 Therefore itwas necessary that Heb. 8:5the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Heb. 6:20Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, whichare copies of Heb. 8:2the true, but into heaven itself, now Rom. 8:34to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as Heb. 9:7the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— 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. 27 Gen. 3:19; Eccl. 3:20And as it is appointed for men to die once, (2 Cor. 5:10); 1 John 4:17but after this the judgment, 28 so Rom. 6:10Christ was Is. 53:12; 1 Pet. 2:24offered once to bear the sins Matt. 26:28of many. To those who 1 Cor. 1:7; Titus 2:13eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.