Too often, we accept the traditional ordinances of divine service and a worldly sanctuary as our means for entering into the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all. Perhaps, it's because the traditional religious sacraments have been entrenched in meats and drinks and diverse washings, and cardinal ordinances for so long that we just accept such things as truth.
From Hebrews 9, we understand that these emerged from the first covenant or the old testament. We also learn that these were to be imposed "until the time of reformation." (Hebrews 9:10) That this was a figure for the time then present (again the old testament) in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience.
This is why it is critical to understand that a time would come when the Holy Ghost would signify that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing. (Hebrews 9:8)
Note that the old testament then was a figure for the time then present.
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, neither by the blood of goats and calves, by by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:11-12)
Why is this important? For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh, then 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. (Hebrews 9:13-14)
"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." (Hebrews 9:15; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:28; I Timothy 2:5; I Timothy 3:16)
The promise? "To wit that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." (II Corinthians 5:17)
This also explains why a testament (or a last will and testament) is of force only after the men are dead. Otherwise, as the scripture states, it is of no strength at all while the testator lives." (Hebrews 9:16-17) It was also necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these,
Note the purchase, There had to be a purchaser and the price paid. As the scripture states, "This is the blood of the testator which God hath enjoined unto you." (Hebrews 9:20)
Now we can come unto the throne of grace wherein Jesus sits -- for He hath obtained a more excellent ministry - "By how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there should no place have been sought for the second.
However, as the Lord God had said from the beginning, there would come a time when He would say (this signifying!), "Behold, the days come," saith the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they continued not in My covenant ..." (Hebrews 8:6-9)
But a time when the Lord God would be merciful in our unrighteousness, a time when He would remember our sins and iniquities no more. "In that He saith, "A new covenant, for He hath made the first old. Now that which decay and waxes old is ready to vanish away." (Hebrews 8:12-13)
For the law having a shadow of good things to come!
And now, we can enter into the covenant that the Lord said He will make with us after those days, when He puts His laws into our hearts and minds. We have the promise in Jesus, who paid the ultimate price for you and I (with His precious, holy blood) so that we might have abundant, everlasting life in Him.
Don't miss this opportunity to know that we live in the new testament dispensation of grace, wherein the Lord will remember our sins no more, when we decide to follow Jesus as both Lord and Christ, and seek His counsel and wisdom in all things.
Much more to come, but for now, let it suffice to understand that when the Lord paid the price, He did so because He loves us. The Good Shepherd laid down His life for you and I.
Stand in the offering plate.
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