A WORLDLY SANCTUARY
Hebrews 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 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; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
Even though this was “A Worldly Sanctuary,” it was important while it was useful to God in order to display good things to come. For it was that which he instructed Israel to make, for his dwelling among them. Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
Therefore it spoke of the humanity of God, made by God, for him to dwell among the human race. Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
That word “dwelt” is derived from the word “tabernacle” in the following verses. 2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Therefore as the tabernacle, which was a tent placed in the midst of the camp of Israel was where God dwelt, so the humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ was God dwelling, or ‘tabernacling’ among us.
And as the tabernacle was finally folded up for the last time, and the veil of the temple was torn, so at the time of the tearing of the body of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, all believers then had access to the holy place. Then Christ transcended into the glories of heaven, not to be seen by the world again, until his return at the end of the age. John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
And all believers, throughout time and the world are given access to God through Christ’s exalted mediation! Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
But remember that the Holy Spirit was revealing that while that tabernacle was still standing on earth, the access into the holy place was not made available. Hebrews 9:8 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: Therefore the Lord Jesus, being the tabernacle of God among us, must of necessity ascend into the heavens, in order for the Holy Spirit to come and bring all the believing elect into the spiritual presence of the Holy God! John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Christ’s ascension was essential! John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Our faith and hope of eternal salvation is dependent upon his resurrection and ascension into his glory. 1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
The Lord Christ has received all authority in heaven and in earth, as he has fulfilled his purpose on earth and returned to the Father. 1 Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. For being received up into glory is just as important as his Incarnation! For without his reign, his work would not be complete. 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
His ascension has given him the power and authority over all things that he might benefit his Bride; the church on earth! Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
That 22nd verse did not say that he was head of the church. Which we know he is! But it clearly states that he is Sovereign Ruler over all things TO the church! That is, he rules over all things, in every realm, for the benefit of the church. Psalm 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
Dear Reader, if Christ had not ascended he could not have been our High Priest. For to remain on earth, he would not have been allowed to enter into that Worldly Sanctuary, as he was of the wrong tribe! Hebrews 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Hebrews 9:24 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:
And that is but one of the good things to come, which the Hebrew writer reveals in this same chapter. Hebrews 9:11 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; 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. For Lord Christ HAS entered into heaven itself, to appear, not in the section of the Jewish tabernacle call the Holiest of holies, but now to appear in the presence of God for us.
That means that he entered into the very presence of God with his holy blood to both satisfy God the Father, (Isaiah 53:11), and to atone for all those whom the Father had given him! And he went in as a fully accomplished High Priest. The Jewish High Priests were sinners and therefore had to offer sacrifices for themselves first, and then to offer for the people. Hebrews 9:7 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:
But Lord Christ is said to have entered in “for us!” Hebrews 9:24 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: Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
He had already been made a perfect captain of our salvation! Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
And although he was already the perfect Son, yet it was through his sufferings that he became a perfect author of eternal salvation! Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Therefore he entered into the presence of God as the perfect, and completely accomplished High Priest! – There had never been another high priest like him!
Another good thing is that he put away sin! He made an end to sins, and finished the transgression! Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. And when he had done so, he reported to the Father from the cross that the transgression was finished! John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
And remember, no man could take his life! He, alone, had power to lay it down and to take it up again! John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. Therefore he would not lay down his life and “give up” his spirit until he had finished the transgression! Praise his holy name!
Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Worthy is the Lamb! Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
He shall make of all the redeemed to be ‘crown casters!’ Revelation 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Psalm 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Pastor Gene Breed
September 5, 2017