Hebrews 9:24

Hebrews 9:24

Christ has entered the heavenly sanctuary

Copies, metaphors, allegories, substitutes – it seems harsh to reduce the Jewish religion to such levels after they had spent centuries trying to uphold the Law. After all, it was God who selected them, gave them their orders and oversaw their attempts to keep their side of the Covenant promises. Indeed, many of them still believe that their access to the Lord depends on their efforts and their allegiance to the rituals and regulations handed down by their ancestors. Thank God, that one day, their eyes will be opened. (read Romans 9-11). 

It would not be fair to point the finger at the Jews when the church has been even more dismissive of God’s truth. How many churches teach the Old Testament; to help believers to understand what Jesus Christ really came to do? How many grasp the significance of the replica Tabernacle and its representation of the heavenly reality? How many believers understand the role of our High Priest and their roles as priests who serve Him in the sanctuary? How many are aware of their status and position in the heavenly realms? By dismissing the Jews, we are guilty of dismissing everything that they were elected by God to reveal to us.  The entirety of the Scripture is a revelation of these truths, but few have a clue as to their meaning! 

John’s words in his first letter are appropriate here as a means of confirming that much of the New Testament upholds the Old.  “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2 but please read on to verse 8.) 

Our High Priest has not gone through the curtain of an earthly Tabernacle or Temple, He has entered heaven itself and gone straight to the throne of Almighty God. The glory of the Lord surrounds Him, and he has access to the Father at all times. Indeed, Father and Son are as one. This heavenly reality will only be revealed to us in full focus when we begin to understand what the earthly symbols are telling us. Hallelujah!

 

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