Introductory remarks:
In this chapter the High Priesthood of Christ is detailed. "The first tabernacle had rules governing its use. The high priest went into the Holiest of all, where the mercy seat was, once a year. But this was a symbol of something to come and the offerings couldn't truly make man perfect. Christ entered the Holy Place once, offering His own blood to obtain redemption. If animal blood cleansed the outward man, Christ's blood can surely cleanse the inner man and make a man turn from useless works to serving God. The blood of animals was used to purify the earthly tabernacle and its tools, but heavenly things must be purified with something better. Christ's one sacrifice was sufficient to take away sin. So when He comes again it will be with salvation" (A Survey of Hebrews - By Brenda). This chapter may be outlined as follows: The earthly and the heavenly sanctuaries vv. 1-22: Sin put away by Christ's sacrifice vv. 23-28.
The Earthly and the Heavenly Sanctuaries
Verse 1, "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary."
LGT "The first [covenant] had therefore also indeed ordinances of service, and its sanctuary, a sanctuary of this world."
The first covenant had therefore also indeed ordinances of service: all the ceremonies and ordinance practiced in the first sanctuary were symbolic pointing to the real sacrifice offered once for all by Christ Himself. And its sanctuary, a sanctuary of this world: the Greek brings out the true meaning of hagion kosmicon, meaning a sanctuary of this world, contrasted to the heavenly sanctuary. Human hands under God's divine direction made the first sanctuary, and it was full to the brim with ordinances of service, which simply pointed to the heavenly sanctuary under grace.
Verse 2, "For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shew bread; which is called the sanctuary."
LGT "For a tabernacle was prepared, the first, in which [were] both the lamp stand, and the table, and the presentation of the loaves, which is called holy:"
For a tabernacle was prepared: the tabernacle was made by man under God's direction of the things of this world. The first: this refers to the first division; the tabernacle was made of two divisions each called a tabernacle, the outer and the inner. In which were both the lamp stand: the lamp stand represented Christ as the 'Light of the world'. And the presentation of the loaves: this was the table of shewbread representing Christ as the 'Bread of Life.' Which is called holy: the sanctuary was called holy.
Verse 3, "And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all:"
LGT "But after the second veil a tabernacle which [is] called Holy of Holies:"
The second division of the tabernacle was the Holy of Holies separated by a thick veil.
Verse 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:"
LGT "Having a golden censer, and the ark of the covenant, having been covered around with gold in every part, in which [was the] golden pot having the manna and the rod of Aaron that sprouted, and the tablets of the covenant:"
Having a golden censer: this was an altar on which incense was burned giving off a fragrance in the Holy of Holies. And the ark of the covenant, having been covered around with gold in every part: this was a box made of gopher wood and overlaid inside and outside with gold, and on top of the ark was a highly ornamented top called the mercy seat. In which was the golden pot having the manna: the food from heaven prepared for the Israelites in their wilderness wanderings. And the rod of Aaron that sprouted: this represented Christ's resurrection in that the rod was dead and then came back to life. And the tablets of the covenant: the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Sinai: it also represents the fact that Christ fulfilled the letter of the Law.
Verse 5, "And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly."
LGT "And above it [the] cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; concerning which it is not now [the time] to speak in detail."
And above it the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat: there were two in number, made of pure gold (Exo. 25:18-22), one on each side, looking at each other, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings. These cherubim exhibited the glory of God, the place where the people met God, through the high priests ministry. Concerning which it is not now the time to speak in detail: Paul did not think it the appropriate time to go into detail concerning these objects, so I will not go into too much detail. Paul was more concerned at this time to emphasize the priesthood.
Verse 6, "Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God."
LGT "Now these things thus having been prepared, into the first tabernacle at all times enter the priests, accomplishing the services:"
Paul says that in the first part of the sanctuary, the holy place, the priests entered on a daily basis performing their daily sacrifices.
Verse 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."
LGT "But into the second once in the year alone the high priest, not apart from blood, which he offers for himself and the sins of ignorance of the people."
But into the second once in the year alone the high priest: the high priest entered the Holy of Holies only once a year for the remission of sins of the entire nation, which took care of their remission for one year. Not apart from blood: the high priest took a laver of blood from a slaughtered lamb, and sprinkled it on the altar. Which he offers for himself and the sins of ignorance of the people: representing the blood of Christ that would be offered up on the cross; when Christ ascended, he took a laver of His blood and offered it for all believers, which took away all sin forever.
Verse 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."
LGT "This signifying the Holy Spirit, [that] not yet has been made manifest the way of the Holies, the first tabernacle having still a standing."
The veil at the entrance of the tabernacle kept the people out of the first part, the second veil kept the priests out of the Holy of Holies; while the tabernacle was still standing, the entrance to God had not yet been made manifest. After Christ death, the veil of the Holy of Holies was rent in two from the top to the bottom, and then the temple was destroyed, and the out pouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost made the way to God manifest to all believers, who are to come boldly to the throne of grace.
Verse 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;"
LGT "Which [is] a simile for the present time, according to which simile both gifts and sacrifices are offered, not being able according to conscience to perfect him who serves:"
Paul says that the O.T. sacrifice only covered their sins; it did not perfect them until Christ made the supreme sacrifice of His own body on that tree. "The way to God in the tabernacle was actually blocked by the three entrances and compartments. In other words, the people could come only to that outer entrance and bring their sacrifices. If a man brought a little lamb, he would put his hand on it in act of identification since it would die in his place, and then the priest would take it from there. It would be slain and offered upon the brazen altar. The individual who brought the lamb could go no farther than the entrance. Then, as far as the Holy Place was concerned, only the priest could go in there. And the Holy of Holies neither the priest nor the people could go. Only the high priest could enter in there. Therefore, the tabernacle was a temporary, makeshift arrangement. The service of ritual and ordinances was given for just a brief time" (McGee).
Verse 10, "Which stood only in meats and drinks, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation."
LGT "[Consisting] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, [and] ordinances of flesh, imposed until [the] time of setting things right."
These symbolic ordinances were set until the time of reformation when Christ would make things right and bring us into the age of grace, where we have free access to the Father at all times. Warren w. Wiersbe had this outline concerning the sanctuary on earth, quoted by McGee:
It was on earth. It was a worldly sanctuary, that is, it was made of earthly things, material things. It was erected on this earth down here.
It was but a shadow of things to come. It never was the reality. So many of us have things mixed up. We go back and study about the tabernacle, and we really get our interest centered in that earthly tabernacle. But, at best it was just a shadow, a picture of the real one that is in heaven.
It was inaccessible to the people. You just couldn't get in there. If you had been an Israelite in that day, you couldn't go rushing into the presence of God. You would have been stopped at the first entrance. You would have needed a sacrifice there, and you couldn't have gone any farther - the priest served for you. However, today we are a priesthood of believers, and each one of us has access to God. That is one of the great privileges we have because Christ has rent the veil in twain. He has gone into the presence of God, into the face of God. He is right there, my friend, and He is there for us. The Israelites didn't have that privilege under the old covenant.
It was temporary. But the Lord Jesus Christ is going to keep the way open for eternity. The earthly tabernacle was only a temporary arrangement.
It was ineffective to change the hearts of the people. This is the thing I want to emphasize above everything else. The earthly sanctuary had nothing in the world to do with changing people's lives. But today you can come to Christ, and He can change your life. He alone can enable you to worship God in spirit and in truth and make Him a reality in your life. Many folk today just play church - like we played house by the hours when we were kids. I know a lot of Christians who are grown up and have gray hair, and they're still playing church. They go to committee meetings, they're on the board, and some sing in the choir, some teach Sunday school class- they are as busy as termites and just about as effective. They think they are serving God. My friend, you can never serve Him until you have worshipped Him.
Verse 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."
LGT "But Christ having come high priest of the good things that have come to pass, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hand, (that is, not of this creation)."
But Christ having come: Christ's coming to earth and dying for the sins of the world was the great event of history that changed everything (Moffatt). High Priest of the good things that have come to pass: the earthly high priest was a mere shadow of Christ; His coming brought about free access to God to all believers, and the purging of the conscience in connection with the law, giving us communion at any time with our heavenly Father; and best of all, replacing the old covenant with the covenant of free grace. Through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hand, (that is, not of this creation): the emphasis in this verse is on Christ's finished work and not the priesthood or the tabernacle. McGee notes regarding the tabernacle not made with hands:
"This tabernacle is nothing that man built down here. The better tabernacle does not belong to this natural creation as to materials or builders. Let me say this very kindly. All of this business today of trying to sweeten up the worship service with pictures and stained glass windows and candles and crosses ministers to the flesh. It is fleshly - it ministers to the physical side of man. It doesn't minister to his spiritual needs at all. We need to recognize that there is a real tabernacle in heaven; there is a real High Priest there, and there is spiritual worship (I personally believe this personal worship is fellowship with the Father through His Word, and communion with the Son and Holy Spirit). You can worship Him anywhere, and it is wonderful when people can come together in a church and really worship God (I disagree with this last statement because of the inconsistency; worship is really whenever two or more are gathered anywhere to study the Word in Spirit and in truth - the building has absolutely nothing to do with worship - I personally have had fellowship with the Father and other believers in a hotel room in a casino).
Verse 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."
LGT "Nor by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, entered once for all into the Holies, eternal redemption having found."
The high priest went into the Holy of Holies once a year, with a laver of a lamb's blood that had been sacrificed on the altar, sprinkling it on the mercy seat, for the covering of the sins of the people for one year. Christ, by dying on the cross and shedding His blood, entered into God's presence, once and for all, paying the redemptive price for all who believe, securing their eternal salvation. We are not saved by any other way than by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Verse 13, "For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh."
LGT "For if the blood of bulls and goats, and ashes of an heifer sprinkling the defiled, sanctifies for the purity of the flesh;"
The first act of offering the blood of bulls and goats was for the sins of the people; the second of burning a red heifer, and mixing it with the ashes was for the ceremonial cleansing, for instance, of anyone who may have come in contact with a dead body.
Calvin notes:
"This passage has given to many an occasion to go astray, because they did not consider that sacraments are spoken of, which had a spiritual import. The cleansing of the flesh they have explained of what avails among men, as the heathens had their expiation [penance] to blot out the infamy of crimes. But this explanation is indeed very heathenish; for wrong is done to God's promises, if we restrict the effect to civil matters only. Often does this declaration occur in the writings of Moses, that iniquity was expiated when a sacrifice was duly offered. This is no doubt the spiritual teaching of faith. Besides, all the sacrifices were destined for this end, that they might lead men to Christ; as the eternal salvation of the soul is through Christ, so these were true witnesses of this salvation.
When then does the Apostle mean when he speaks of the purgation of the flesh? He means what is symbolical or sacramental, as follows, - if the blood of beasts was a true symbol of purgation, so it cleansed in a sacramental manner, how much more shall Christ who Himself the Truth, not only bear witness to a purgation by an external rite, but also really perform this for consciences? The argument then is from the signs to the signifies [the is, form the symbol to the reality, Christ]; for the effect by a long time preceded the reality of the signs."
Verse 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."
LGT "How much rather the blood of Christ, who through [His] eternal Spirit offered himself spotless to God, shall purify your conscience from dead works to serve [the] living God."
How much rather the blood of Christ: how much more superior is the blood of Christ than the blood of bulls and goats that merely represented the blood of Christ. Who through His eternal Spirit: Christ's death was through His eternal Spirit. This is the reason He became man, and His sacrifice was eternal in that it has eternal benefits for all who believe on Him. Offered Himself spotless to God: Christ is the high priest who lived a perfect life, and gave Himself fully on the cross, not needing assistance from anyone else, Christ died once and for all, so men no longer need to propitiate God with a yearly sacrifice offered by an appointed high priest. Christ satisfied God's justice against sin, removing its eternal penalty forever. Shall purify your conscience from dead works: dead works are works Christians perform thinking they need to please God. Works has never saved man, and it is ridiculous to think that we can add anything to our eternal salvation that was purchased over two thousand years ago on the cross of Calvary. To serve the living God: serving God is our worshipping Him; we worship God when we study His Word and fellowship with Him.
Verse 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, which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."
LGT "And for this reason of a new covenant He is mediator, so that, death having taken place for redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, the promise of the eternal inheritance they who have been called might receive."
And for this reason of a new covenant He is mediator: Christ, by means of His death on the cross, became the mediator, or go between man and God, which is the theme of the New Testament. The Old Testament saints were saved offering their sacrifices, looking forward to Christ's death; the New Testament saints are saved by faith in the finished work of Christ. So that, death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant: the types of the old covenant never saved the transgressor, they only covered the sins until Christ could remove them forever by His own blood; the blood of bulls and goats only temporarily covered sins until Christ went to the cross and shed His own blood. The promise of the eternal inheritance they who have been called might receive: all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are possessors of the eternal inheritance, which is, they are adopted into God's family, and have been secured by God for eternal life, and all believers are designated as called out ones.
Verse 16, "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator."
LGT "For where [there is] a testament, [it is] necessary [for the] death of the testator to come in."
For where there is a testament: This word "testament" gr. diatheke, may be rendered "will." The will is that in the age of grace believers are adopted into God's family, and receive the full inheritance of God's riches of grace. It is necessary for the death of the testator to come: Christ is the testator who has made it possible for all believers to be recipients of God's wonderful grace by His death on the cross.
Verse 17, "For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth."
LGT "For a testament in the case of [the] dead [is] affirmed, since in no way it is of force while the testator is living."
For a testament in the case of the dead is affirmed: The will is made out that all believers become the full-fledged brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ, with all the benefits given the Son, and we are loved with the same love God has for His Son. Since in no way it is of force while the testator is living: Christ has to die for the sins of the world in order for these riches of grace to take affect.
Verse 18, "Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood."
LGT "Whence neither the first apart from the blood has been inaugurated."
The slaying of an animal and sprinkling its blood confirmed the first covenant. This was the way the O.T. saint's sins were covered, looking forward to the slaying of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
Verse 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."
LGT "For every commandment according to the law by Moses, having been spoken to all the people, having taken the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, both the book itself and all the people he sprinkled."
This was the method Moses used in applying the blood of the sacrificial animals by sprinkling the Book [the Pentateuch] and then the people, symbolizing the fact that their sins were covered, 'for without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins." The blood of Jesus Christ runs like a scarlet thread throughout the entire Word of God.
Verse 20, "Saying, this is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you."
LGT "Saying, This [is] the blood of the covenant which God enjoined to you."
Moses said that the blood ratified the covenant. This covenant pointed forward to the new covenant Jesus Christ would bring into being when he died on the cross and shed His precious blood; this new covenant is the covenant of grace.
Verse 21, "Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry."
LGT "And the tabernacle too and all the vessels of the ministration in like manner he sprinkled with blood."
This represented an anointing of the entire tabernacle and everything used by the priests in doing their daily priestly duties. This represented spiritual cleansing.
Verse 22, "And almost all things are by law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
LGT "And I may almost say, all things with blood are purified according to the law; and apart from blood shedding there is no remission."
Paul is saying that almost all things were purified with blood; however, some things were cleansed by other means, but only the blood covered the sins.
Sin Put Away by Christ's Sacrifice
Verse 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."
LGT "[It was] necessary then [for] the representations of the things in the heavens with these to be purified, but the heavenlies themselves with better sacrifices than these."
It was necessary then for the representations of things in the heavens with these to be purified: all the sacrifices and cleansing are symbolic of the perfect sacrifice of Christ. The heavens needed no cleansing. But the heavenlies themselves with better sacrifices than these: this is symbolic of Christ entering heaven with a laver of His own blood presented to His Father, making a way for sinners free access to the throne of grace.
Verse 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."
LGT "For Christ entered not into holies made with hands, [which] are figures of the true [ones], but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us."
This verse clears up the seeming obscurity of the last verse. Christ entered heaven presenting his own blood making a way for us all to come before our heavenly Father without the aid of another, such as a high priest, for Christ is there making intercession for us. We no longer need any types or figures, for we have free access to the throne of grace.
Verse 25, "Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others."
LGT "Not that often He should offer Himself, even as the high priest enters into the holies year by year with another's blood."
All the blood of bulls and goats were representative of Christ's blood, and they had to be offered often; Christ went to the cross and shed his blood once and for all; now there is no longer a need for the sacrifices of men, for Christ's blood propitiated for the sins of the whole world, that is, Christ's blood satisfied the Fathers demand for sin to be paid for.
Verse 26, "For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."
LGT "Since it was necessary for Him often to have suffered from [the] foundation of [the] world: but now once in the consummation of the ages, for [the] putting away the sin by His sacrifice He has been made manifest."
Since it was necessary for Him to have suffered from the foundation of the world: had it not been that Christ suffered once for all for the sins of the world, it would have been necessary for Him to suffer repeatedly from Adam on. But now once in the consummation of the ages: Christ died once for all unto the end of the dispensations of men. For the putting away the sin by His sacrifice He has been made manifest: the sacrificial system dealt with man's individual transgressions, whereas Christ dealt with the principle of sin, that is, He paid the price for all sin for all time; now man goes directly to the Father in confession applying the blood of Christ for daily cleansing by simply naming them to the Father. Christ became man in order to accomplish our redemption, by being made manifest.
Verse 27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
LGT "And for as much as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this judgment;"
Now is the appointed time for men to be born again by the Spirit of God, for after death, there is nothing but judgment. For us who have accepted Christ as Savior we have the Bema Seat of Christ awaiting us, and then eternity with our heavenly Father: for those who neglect so great salvation, the Great White Throne judgment, and an eternity in hell with their father the devil.
Verse 28, "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."
LGT "Thus also Christ, once having been offered for to bear [the] sins of many, shall appear a second time unto those that await him, apart from sin for salvation."
When Christ comes the second time it will be apart from sin", that is, He will not be coming back to settle the sin question; that was settled over two thousand years ago on Calvary. The second time means Christ will come as Savior to those who have accepted Him, and as the judge to those who have rejected Him. Christ paid for all sin, but only believers reap the eternal benefits of this salvation.
The next chapter continues without a chapter break.
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