16 The Two Sancutuaries

In Hebrews chapter 9, the author continues showing how that which is in heaven, is far greater than that on earth.

Once again, we’ll see, that even though it was God who established the Old Covenant, even then, man began adding to it, thus diminishing various aspects of it.

Therefore, the author takes a step-by-step approach to showing how the Old Covenant is inferior to the New.

1 The Aging Old Covenant

Hebrews 9:1-5

When the Lord gave Moses instructions regarding construction of the earthly tabernacle, they were to represent that which is in heaven. And for that reason, everything had to be precisely what the Lord presented, and not based upon man’s interpretations.

Even the Greek word used which we have translated as “earthly” <kosmikon> which means “mundane”; shows us the inferiority and ordinariness of that found on earth.

The author shows that even the earthly temples articles, all of which had been dedicated to the Lord, were still inferior to those they represented in heaven:

Hebrews 9:3-4

In those verses, we see that even things of the highest value on earth, pale in comparison with everything in heaven. They are in effect, merely “shadows” of heavenly things.

2 Limitations of the Earthly

Hebrews 9:6-10

The author referenced the separation between the areas of the earthly tabernacle, where the priest ministered, and the inner area, where only the high priest could enter, but even then, only once per year, when he would pour our sacrificial blood for his sins and those of the people.

• With that, we see how restrictive the earthly temple was. However, even in the case of the high priest, he didn’t enter the tabernacle to fellowship with the Lord, but only to offer sacrifice.

Ancient writings even speak of the high priests being fearful of remaining in the Most Holy Place too long, this showing that they never even considered the prospect of having times of fellowship in the immediate presence of God.

Yet, notice what was even spoken of in the Old Testament scriptures:

Psalm 100:2

In this very epistle of Hebrews, we saw the writer suggest how the believer should go without hesitation before God’s throne:

Hebrews 4:16

• Next, we see the author discussing how the Holy Spirit will give us understanding, even to matters of the Old Covenant.

He therefore shows, that unfettered access to God would not be possible if the earthly tabernacle was in existence.

Therefore, the physical barrier between the holy place and the Most Holy Place was emblematic of the spiritual barriers which exists between God and man (without the cross).

In verse 9, the author mentioned that the old system was symbolic of the “present time”. This shows how the Old Covenant ceremonial system was still in effect when this epistle was written.

The original Greek used an interesting word, which we have translated as “symbolic”. The original Greek word is <parabole> from which we get our word “parable”. Which shows that the Old Covenant was in essence pointing to deeper truths which would be revealed.

When Jesus breathed His last upon the cross, the veil in the temple, which separated the holy place from the Most Holy Place, was torn from top to bottom, not only symbolizing the barrier between sinful man and Holy God being removed, but that it was torn by God Himself:

Mark 15:37-38

The author therefore stated that the regulations of the Old Covenant, were only sufficient until the “time of the reformation” which spoke of when Jesus instituted the New Covenant.

3 The Heavenly Sanctuary

In the next passage, the author then spoke of how the heavenly sanctuary is a fulfillment of the “types” found in the earthly sanctuary:

Hebrews 9:11-15

The author once more shows how the heavenly tabernacle is distinguished from that which was on earth, in that the heavenly tabernacle was not constructed by human (imperfect and sinful) hands.

Therefore, it would make perfect sense, that Jesus would only minister in a superior (perfect) heavenly sanctuary.

For the Jewish readers, all they need do, was to think back to how the very Law itself, was inscribed upon tablets by God Himself.

• Which pictured the purity and perfection of the original Law.

We see that in Scripture:

Proverbs 30:5

In verse 12, the author then spoke of how as High Priest, Jesus doesn’t offer sacrifices as did the Levitical high priests, but rather, He became the sacrifice, a nd His blood the offering:

Revelation 1:5

Only the perfectly sinless blood of Jesus would be acceptable to the Father, as the propitiation for our sins:

Romans 3:24-25

Therefore, Jesus has become the Mediator of a New Covenant, thus reuniting us with God, and providing us with eternal life.