“The Superior

Tabernacle”Hebrews 9:1-15

Superior Tabernacle…•The whole of creation can be divided into two realms– Physical and Spiritual•The conscience is part of the immaterial•The conscience can be honorable, or it can be seared•The majority f Americans are conscientious about their outward appearance…•The OT tabernacle was beautifully adorned, but was an inferior copy of the one in Heaven

“Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place. 3 Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 4 having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 and above it were the

cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

6 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, 7 but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the [i]outer tabernacle

is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through

His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for

the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

Hebrews 9:1-15, NASB

A. The Earthly Tabernacle…•Vs 1-5,

“Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place. 3 Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 4 having a golden altar

of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail.”

Hebrews 9:1-5, NASB

A. The Earthly Tabernacle…•Vs 1-5, The Tabernacle was kind of a glorified tent they carried around the wilderness•The tabernacle was not only a place for the priests to sacrifice, but was full of symbols representing the coming Christ•The following list will explain why God told Moses to make these things His way…

Why God Had Moses make these His way…1. Tabernacle – a tent 45 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 15 feet high, divided

into two rooms•The larger room – 15 feet by 30 feet, called the “Holy Place” •Behind the second veil was a smaller room 15 feet by 15 feet, called the

“Holiest of All” or “Holy of Holies”2. The Lampstand – There is no window inside of the tabernacle tent, so the lampstand provides the only light source for the priests’ ministry in the Holy Place•The lampstand in the Holy Place speaks of Jesus Christ, the Light of the

world-- the oil for the lamps represent the Holy Spirit, who has anointed us• Israel was to be a light to the Gentiles, but they failed in their mission;

today, each believer is God’s light, and each local church is to shine in this dark world

Why God Had Moses make these His way…3. The Table of Showbread – This table was to be made of acacia wood, overlaid with gold – 3 feet long, 1.5 feet wide, and 2 feet, 3 inches high•According to Leviticus 24:5-9, Showbread was made of fine flower, and twelve cakes of Showbread – one for each tribe of Israel – set on the table, sprinkled lightly with frankincense•Once a week, the bread was replaced and only priests could eat the old bread

Why God Had Moses make these His way…•The bread reminds us of God’s provision in the wilderness– both physically and spiritually•Christ, the Life-sustainer•“And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.’ ” John 6:35, NIV

4. The Golden Incense Altar – The actual location of the Incense Altar was right before the second veil that leads to the Holiest of All

Why God Had Moses make these His way…•The Author includes this inside the ‘Holy of Holies’ because on Yom Kippur, the High Priest used coals from the altar to burn incense before Ark of the Covenant– Moses and the author of 1 Kings related the altar to the ark– Davis said this of prayer•“Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice…” Psalm 141:2

Why God Had Moses make these His way…5. The Ark of the Covenant -- according Scripture,

it was the most important single item in the tabernacle, modeled after the throne of God in heaven; the dimensions are 3’ 9” long, 2’ 3” wide and 2’ 3” high– a perfect symbol of Lord Jesus’ deity and His humanity

•Made of Acacia and covered in gold, harder than oak and more resistant to insects– represents a man without sin– Jesus, the God-Man, gold for deity

Why God Had Moses make these His way…•The contents were symbolic as well-- Aaron’s rod that budded speaks of the Lord’s resurrection•The manna speaks of the fact that Christ is the Bread of Life•The Ten Commandments speak of the life He lived on earth fulfilling the Law in all points and fulfilling the prophecies spoken of Him

6. The Mercy Seat– Bema-- It was the pure gold cover for the Ark of the Covenant. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies, where he sprinkled the blood of the sacrifices on the Mercy Seat– atonement for a year

Why God Had Moses make these His way…•The phrase “mercy seat” also means “propitiation”•“…whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed…” Romans 3:25, NIV

B. Inaccessibility of the Earthly Tabernacle…•Vs 6-10,

“ 6 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship, 7 but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the [sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle

is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.”

Hebrews 9:6-10, NASB

B. Inaccessibility of the Earthly Tabernacle…•Vs 6-10, the tabernacle was nothing like a 21st Century church•Folks had to stand outside•Priests only went in the H of H once a year• In contrast, the heavenly tabernacle is open to all of the people of God at all times•Some might get the idea that I’m against all ritual– Yes and No…

C. Jesus, Mediator of the New Covenant…•Vs 11-15,

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit

offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

Hebrews 9:11-15, NASB

C. Jesus, Mediator of the New Covenant…•Vs 11-15, animal sacrifice came from the need to “cover” Adams sin by bloodshed •Genesis 3:21•But when Jesus died, resurrected, and ascended, He replaced the temporary symbol with a permanent reality which is the heavenly tabernacle– not made with hands, the blood shed was His own!•Many Hebrew Christians thought, “If I can just get back to familiar ritual, all will be ok…”

Take Home… •Get rid of religious ritual and experiences– there is no external solution for an internal problem!•Focus on the things God does – in your heart for Him-- Look to Christ, fix your eyes on Him and always let Him be your King who rules your life