For Priests Only

Hebrews 9:1-10

When an architect wants to sell a large project, many times he will make a model, usually to scale. With standard architectural drawings, details are found across a number of pages. Most people have trouble assimilating all the details and visualizing them as a whole. By building a model, the buyer, the contractor, building officials, and other interested parties can get a clearer idea of what is proposed. Details may be as complete as scale model furniture in the rooms. Modern architects frequently use a computer generated virtual model rather than a physical one but it serves the same purpose.

The model enables the buyer to better understand the relationship of different aspects of the plan, and identify areas that are not satisfactory for the intended purpose. The contractor and can see details that may cause problems during construction, and the architect can see areas where changes would make the building more aesthetically pleasing. It is much easier to change a model, than a building.

The Old testament Tabernacle was a model to help in understanding what God was doing. It was not the final project, but was designed to convey understanding. The various components resemble the real thing, but are not identical. Just as in the architects model, a paper representation or a computer image may portray a couch, without actually being a real couch, elements of the tabernacle portray without actually being the real object or event. Chapters 9 and 10 of Hebrews focus on the details, explaining how the representation differs from the real thing. We start with a general description of the actual Tabernacle or tent located inside the linen enclosure.

“Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 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; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.” (Hebrews 9:1-5)

The author starts in the Holy place. The curtain at the door was located on the east end. As you entered the sanctuary, or Holy place, the table of showbread was on the right, loaded with bread for the priests to eat.. On the left was the golden candlestick, similar to the Jewish menorah, the only source of light. Straight ahead of you would be the altar of incense.

The imagery here is very powerful, especially as we understand that the author has moved beyond the basics in the book. The outer enclosure represents the righteousness that keeps one out, or in eternal life, with only one entrance, through Christ. The brazen altar, and the laver and the courtyard are about the things mentioned in Hebrews 6:1-3. Remember the goal of the book? “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” Jews who were not priests were able to go into the courtyard, because the sacrifices included them as well, but they could not take part in the offering the sacrifice or use the laver unless they were priests.

The sanctuary or Holy place was reserved for the priests only. Revelation 1:6 says that Christ “hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father;” Moving into the area reserved for priests, we find that the curtain we enter through represents Christ as our means of entry into the spiritual life. The showbread portrays him as the bread of life, the candlestick as the light of the world, and the altar of incense as intercessor and mediator with God, the incense representing our prayers according to Revelation 5:8.

Behind the altar of incense was another curtain, the veil, dividing the tabernacle into two rooms. Only the high priest was allowed to enter or even to see what was in the second room, the Holy of Holies. He could only enter once a year, when he came to sprinkle the blood of the atonement on the Mercy seat, to cover their sins for another year. Notice the description.

“Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 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: 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: 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; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” (Hebrews 9:6-10)

That veil pictured that there were limits under the Old Testament Law, shutting man out from the presence of God. The sacrifices could not complete our access, being based on physical sacrifices and actions which were required until a change was made. Christ freed us from the physical requirements of the law. Romans 10:4 tells us, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” It is true because “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” (Galatians 3:13)

When Christ was crucified, the limits were removed. Believers now have access to the very throne of God, as Mark 15:37-38 portrays. “And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” With his death, Christ offered his sacrifice as our high priest, changing the priesthood, and accordingly the laws. Through him, we were given complete access, not only to the holy place, but to the Holy of Holies. It is now available to every priest, to every believer. Romans 6:11 instructs us to recognize what we have. “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Until we go beyond the courtyard, those basics named in Hebrews 6:1-2, we can never attain the life God has for us, we cannot exercise our full privilege.