Hebrews (written)

Monday, 31 December 2018

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Hebrews 9:11

The author now contrasts the earthly sanctuary that he has been describing – meaning its makeup, rituals, offerings, and services – with that of Christ’s. This is evident with the conjunction de, translated here as, “But.” In this contrast, he says, “But Christ.”

In this, we have the contrast between the high priest of Israel under the Old Covenant, meaning Aaron and his sons after him, and Jesus, the “Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6). He, not Aaron, “came as High Priest of the good things to come.” A point of correction: “Of good things to come” is wrong. It is “of good things having come.” One might say, “of the good things realized.” As Vincent’s Word Studies says, it speaks of “Blessings not merely prophetic or objects of hope, but actually attained; free approach to God, the better covenant, personal communion with God, the purging of the conscience.”

Despite the translation, the obvious meaning of this is that what came under the Old Covenant was not “good” in comparison to what has come in Christ. Paul says in Romans 7:12 that “the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.” But Paul continues with the words, “Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.”

Now in Hebrews, the author is here making a contrast between the law and the grace found in Christ. The commandment is good, but its outcome – because of sin in man – is not. In Christ though, the outcome far outshines what the law could produce. The law brought death; Christ brings life. The law highlighted sin; Christ removes sin (see Hebrews 10:1). The law demanded a penalty; Christ grants grace and mercy. Such “good things” are not found under the law, but they radiantly shine forth in the New Covenant.

And, along with these great outcomes, the author says that Christ came “with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands.” This is then a contrast to what he has already said about the tabernacle of the first covenant. In Chapter 8, he said, “there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; ⁵ who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, ‘See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain’” (Hebrews 8:4, 5).

What Aaron served at was an earthly tabernacle, and only a “copy and shadow” of a greater and more perfect tabernacle. Whereas that of Aaron was made by human hands, that of Christ is heavenly. It was “not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.” This is what Paul speaks of in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 –

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, ³ if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. ⁴ For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”

In the fact that what Christ presents is heavenly, we see an undeniable truth. As the sanctuary, the implements in it, the offerings made there, and those who served there – all of it – pointed to Christ, and prefigured Him and His work, and as the author says that all of this is “not of this creation,” then the inescapable truth is that Jesus Christ is not a created being as claimed by cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Though He united with His creation, He is not created. As He is not created, then He must be the Creator, because only the Creator is not created.

Who Christ is, and what He has done for us in the New Covenant, is not just “better than” anything connected with the Old Covenant. Rather, He is infinitely so. There is no comparison which can truly be made between the two when considering both their makeup and their outcome.

Life application: What God established was good and it met its purposes perfectly, which is that we would realize we can never attain righteousness through the law, the temple, or the temple rituals. Rather, Christ fulfilled the law on our behalf, coming “with the greater and more perfect tabernacle.” Consider the glory of God, His absolute splendor. Now imagine how minuscule we are in comparison to creation. In fact, take 6 minutes to watch this video – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17jymDn0W6U

After this, ask yourself the question David asked so long ago, “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:4). Imagine the Creator of all of this caring so much for you that He united with human flesh and humbled Himself on a cross… all for you. When you are feeling low, useless, or lacking value, please remember that God feels completely the opposite about you. Through Christ, He has called you His precious child.

Lord God, Your word reveals that we have true value to You, if we will but come to You in faith. You possess all of the power displayed in the universe, and even more. And yet You loved us enough that You sent Jesus to die for our sins so that we could be restored to You once again. Surely we have value to You, if we will but come to You in faith. Help us to do so, O God. Amen.

Sunday, 30 December 2018

…concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. Hebrews 9:10

In the previous verse, it was explained that the things of the past which were recorded concerning the makeup of the sanctuary, the articles contained within in it, and the rites and rituals associated with it, were “symbolic for the present time.” As noted, the word “symbolic” means “a parable.” They were ineffectual in perfecting the conscience. The author now continues that thought by saying that they were “concerned only with foods and drinks.”

The “foods and drinks” are those things presented to God as sacrifices, gifts, and offerings. They included animal, grain, and wine offerings of various sorts and for various reasons, such as peace offerings, thank offerings, and so forth. Some of these were partially eaten by the priests, some were shared between the Lord and the offerer, and so on.

The “various washings” included washings by the people, by the priests, and even of the sacrifices – all accomplished according to laws prescribed within the law itself. An example for the people would be the washing of oneself after touching the carcass of anything. That is seen in Leviticus 11. An example of a priestly washing would, according to the ordination rites for priests, be found in Exodus 40:12. An example of washing the sacrifices is that of washing the entrails of a burnt offering in Leviticus 1:13. There is seemingly an innumerable number of such washings recorded for various reasons.

These are the “fleshly ordinances” (note that the word “and” is not in the original Greek. It is superfluous and should be omitted. This simply describes the previous thoughts and is not a separate thought). They did nothing to change the people internally, and they were merely symbolic parables looking forward to their fulfillment in Christ. To understand that, literally, every single detail of these things points to the Person and work of Jesus Christ, take the next year or so and watch all of the Superior Word sermons in order from Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. You will see how these fleshly ordinances look to spiritual truths revealed in Christ.

From there, the author says that they were “imposed until the time of reformation.” The word “time” here is kairos. It signifies a particular point in time marked as “the right moment.” God instituted the law in order to effect certain understandings into the minds of the people. However, the law was never meant as a means to an end, except concerning its fulfillment in Christ. Once that was accomplished, then the “time of reformation” could come about. The word translated as “reformation” is one which indicates “to straighten thoroughly.” It is a straightening of something to its natural condition. In this case, it is speaking of the messianic restoration of all things. For those who trust in Christ, that restoration is realized in the sense that all of these shadows practiced under the law are actually accomplished for us in His work. However, such has not yet occurred for Israel. That time lies yet ahead.

These rituals went on, with periods of interruption during the exile and at other times, for about 1500 years. Eventually, though, Christ came and fulfilled His ministry – a ministry which replaced all of these temporary regulations forever. After His fulfillment of the law, there was an overlap of time where the temple still stood in Jerusalem. That finally ended in AD 70 at the destruction of the temple. However, according to Daniel 9:24-27, there are still seven more years offered to the nation of Israel for them to “finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy” (Daniel 9:24, NIV). Even now, the people have prepared the implements for temple worship and each year they attempt to conduct sacrifices on the Temple Mount. In time, it will occur as prophesied. Sadly, they’ve missed the fact that these rituals point to the Person of Jesus.

Life application: Though the time of the reformation spoken of here is realized for the believer in Christ, we have to trust that this is so. Do we accept the premise that we are not required to do the things of the law, or do we fall back on the law (in part or in whole) in an attempt to please God? The Bible says that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for all who believe. Is that something we truly accept? If so, then you must not go back to the law in an attempt to please God. Stand fast on Christ’s complete and final fulfillment of everything necessary to reconcile us to God.

Lord, may You open the eyes of the world to the truth of who Jesus is and why He came. We pray especially for the people of Israel who have, for so long, failed to see that their Messiah has already come and that He is even now holding out His hands to them in love. May Christ Jesus be seen for who He truly is, and may many come to a saving knowledge of Him! Amen.

Saturday, 29 December 2018

It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience— Hebrews 9:9

These words are referring to the sacrifices that were still being conducted at the temple in Jerusalem. If you read it in other translations, you’ll see how various translators choose to state it. Some put it in the tense of “was” and “are;” others choose “is” and “were;” while others choose both verbs to be present tense. Translators choose to decide such things based on what they already believe concerning the 1) date of the original letter, or 2) if the letter was written to Christians in general or to first century Jewish believers in Christ, or 3) that the words are set from the eternal perspective of Scripture where what is stated, even if accomplished, continues on as if in the present tense.

The NKJV is most surely correct because it places the tenses as “was” and “are.” “Was” refers to the state of the sacrifices from their inception, even to the time of the letter. “Are” indicates these sacrifices were ongoing at the time of the letter (the temple had not yet been destroyed), but also because of the eternal perspective of Scripture.

And though the letter was certainly written to first-century Jewish believers, it also will apply to those Jews who will be alive when the temple in Jerusalem is rebuilt. Should they return to these rites and rituals? The author would emphatically tell them, “No.”

Understanding these things, he says, “It was symbolic for the present time.” Here, the word translated as “symbolic” is parabole. It is the same word translated as “parable” in the gospels. The author is saying that the things of the Old Covenant – such as the layout, structure, and materials of the sanctuary, all of the rites associated with that sanctuary, and even the days associated with those rites (such as the Day of Atonement) were teaching aids and living lessons which only figuratively pointed to what Christ would do.

He was writing to a Hebrew audience that had heard of Christ, but which was dealing with the decision of whether they should continue to adhere to temple rituals as well as following Christ. Did they need to make offerings for sin at the temple as prescribed by law? Again, the answer would be, “No.” He then continues by saying of the offerings, “in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered.” The words, “in which,” are referring to those things which are symbolic. A better rendering would be, “according to which.” As noted, the present tense is correct. The temple still stood, and there were Jews who were confused about what to do concerning making gifts and offerings in order to be right with God. And what does he continue saying about those offerings? That they “cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience.”

The words, “him who performed the service,” are speaking of the person coming with his offering, not the priest. The person who takes such a gift or offering to the temple is performing a service in hopes of cleansing his conscience. However, it is not possible that this could happen. The reason why is because as soon as he turned around and walked away from the offering which was intended to cleanse, he might sin again in some way, even before he stepped outside the temple area. If he was honest, he would go get another animal and hurry back to the priest to have the sin corrected. Such a stream of sacrifices would, literally, be never-ending. Unless there was a one-time for all-time Sacrifice, no person would ever dare to leave the area around the temple. Sin in man is that deeply entrenched. The very thoughts in his head are vile and require atonement.

The author will continue with this thought in the next verse, and then he will contrast what is stated here by showing the infinitely superior work of Christ, and its effect for the believer under the New Covenant.

Life application: It’s important to study and understand where translators have done a poor job and why. As the memo in the preface to the original 1611 King James Version says, a “variety of Translations is profitable for the finding out of the sense of the Scriptures.” The reason is, “They that are wise, had rather have their judgments at liberty in differences of readings, than to be captivated to one, when it may be the other.” In other words, if someone sticks dogmatically to a single translation he is unwise. Translators are fallible, and therefore by studying and contemplating multiple translations, one is much more readily able to properly follow what is being said and why. This really is important because the wording and terminology used in the original languages is often difficult at best and sometimes completely unknown to modern scholars.

Lord, how truly blessed we are to live in a day where Your word is translated into thousands of languages; and in some languages many times. We have study tools in abundance including commentaries, devotionals, computer programs, and more. Help us to use these to search out the wonders of Your word! May our knowledge of You be a joyous, lifelong pursuit! Amen.

Friday, 28 December 2018

…the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. Hebrews 9:8

The words here are based on what was just stated in the previous verse. Taken together, they say, “But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.”

As noted, a precept was being taught to the people through the total restriction of entry into the “second part,” meaning the Most Holy Place. As this place signifies a return to paradise that was lost at the fall of man, the people were being instructed that no return to God’s paradise was granted to the people through the Old Covenant. The cherubim on the veil symbolized the cherubim who stand guard at the entrance to Eden.

This is certain because the author says, “the Holy Spirit indicating this.” The Holy Spirit issues forth the words of Scripture, and those same words of Scripture issued forth the instructions for the priestly duties of Israel. Further, the Holy Spirit also illuminates those same words to be understood by those who pay heed. The people were being instructed that even the high priest was not granted a return to paradise because of his office. He was only allowed in to make a picture of what the coming Christ would do in reality. He went in with blood, he left after his duties were complete, and he could not enter again until the next Day of Atonement. This was to show “that the way into the Holiest of All [the Most Holy Place, symbolizing a return to paradise] was not yet made manifest.”

If the way into paradise had been made manifest, then once the rites of the high priest were complete, the veil would have been taken down and the people could have happily come streaming back in, assured of glory. But such was not the case. The high priest departed, the veil remained, and no person was authorized to enter under pain of death. This remained true the whole time that “the first tabernacle was still standing.”

Although getting ahead in the commentary, the veil is said later in Hebrews to represent the body of Christ. Also, in Matthew 27, we read this –

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
⁵¹ Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:50-51

The symbolism is obvious. Christ performed the work of atonement in His suffering and death. When He died, the law died with Him (meaning the Old Covenant). That is seen in Colossians 2:14, where the law is said to be nailed to the cross. In His death, the veil (His Body) was torn. Likewise, the law, of which He is the fulfillment, was torn and ended at that time. At the same time, the veil in the temple (which was a foreshadowing of His Body) was torn from top to bottom, and thus access to Eden is restored once again for all who come through His torn Body. He is “The Way” to this restoration.

As a side note concerning this, the Talmud (an extra-biblical Jewish writing) says that the veil in the temple, which was just before the Most Holy Place, was 40 cubits (60 feet) long, 20 cubits (30 feet) wide, and the thickness of the palm of the hand. It was made of 72 squares which were joined together, and was so heavy that it needed 300 priests to manipulate it. Whether this is an accurate description or not, it was exceedingly large, and yet it was torn “from top to bottom.” Due to its height and size, no human could have done this. Whether it occurred by an earthquake cracking the mantle from which it was suspended or not (as is speculated) is irrelevant. The fact that it occurred the moment Christ died is what is of significance. God was teaching Israel a lesson concerning Christ; we are to pay heed.

Life application: Understanding what occurred in fulfillment of the Old Covenant types and shadows, no person should ever say, “We still need to observe the precepts of the Law of Moses.” The author has explained the same thing again and again. In addition to what he is saying, the words of all of the other New Testament writers are in complete agreement. And even more certain is that of the witness of the Holy Spirit – from both Testaments. We are under a New Covenant and we are in a new dispensation. To reintroduce the law is to reject the work of Christ. Who can do such a thing and be held guiltless? Come to Christ, and put away your arrogant, high handed attacks against the Lord who has already accomplished everything necessary to return His people to paradise.

Lord God, we can only look with astonishment and complete gratitude at the work which you accomplished on our behalf – the death of Jesus – which opened a restored relationship with You! And even more, the resurrection! Now we also have the hope of eternal life! Amen.

Thursday, 27 December 2018

But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; Hebrews 9:7

The words, “the second part,” are speaking of the second and final room within the tabernacle, known as the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies, Holiest of All, etc – based on translation). It is the room where the items of verses 9:4 & 9:5 were described. No person was allowed to enter this room, under pain of death, with the exception of the consecrated high priest. And even he could only enter “alone once a year.” This was on the Day of Atonement.

But even then, there were set restrictions on his entry into this inner room. He was never to come “without blood.” The shed blood signified that something had died in a substitutionary manner in place of the sin-filled offender. In this case, it was inclusive of all of the people in Israel, of whom he was not exempt. As it says, “which he offered for himself.”

The high priest of Israel was a sinner. He was born in sin, and he sinned in his life throughout the year. If he came into this room without blood, he would die. This is not because the blood of an animal could actually cover over his sins, but because of the typology which was pointing to Christ’s perfect substitutionary blood, which alone can truly take away sin. And so the high priest first offered for himself, and then also “for the people’s sins.”

No person was exempted from this. In Leviticus 23, further instructions concerning this day are given. There it says –

“And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God. ²⁹ For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people. ³⁰ And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. ³¹ You shall do no manner of work; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. ³² It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath.” Leviticus 23:28-32

These people could have actually worked, and who would be the wiser? And so it can be seen that these instructions come down to a single word for each person in Israel, which is “faith.” A person who didn’t have faith in what was occurring in the temple in Jerusalem would simply go to work or fail to afflict his soul. But a person who truly understood his deserved penalty for violating God’s law would be obedient to these precepts on this holiest day of the year. In this, it then acknowledges that their sins were “committed in ignorance.”

In other words, and as an example, King David committed adultery with another man’s wife. He further, then, had that man killed. He knew the law and he knew the penalty for it. But his sin, though understood as such, was regarded as a sin of ignorance because of his heart first having gone astray, and then his remorse over his actions when he was confronted with them. Any person who failed to have this attitude on this most holy of days would not receive atonement, because he failed to acknowledge that his sin was deserving of death. Thus, the blood of the substitute was without meaning to him.

This symbolism follows throughout the Bible. There must be a substitution for the sins people commit, or their life is forfeit. Jesus then is that Substitution. It is His blood, and His blood alone, which all of these rituals foreshadowed. Without His life in exchange for an individual’s sin, that individual’s life is forfeit; eternal condemnation awaits. Think on this and understand that you will face God either on your own merits, or on those of Jesus Christ. You will fail on your own; you will prevail in Him.

The instructions for entering this second part of the tabernacle are minutely recorded in Leviticus 16. To understand the significance of each detail of this holiest of days, and how these things point directly to the Person and work of Christ, please refer to these sermons –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KDwl9FXA28

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa5lOoxeF8I&t

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZD4Gi3rR1s&t

Life application: Considering this precept in light of Christ Jesus, we can see that until someone realizes that Christ died for their sins, and then accepts that payment for what he has done wrong, it is to him as if Christ’s death was unnecessary to atone for his life. Thus, his sins are not considered as in ignorance, and he will have nothing to atone for his high-handed sin against God. His condemnation remains, and he will never enter into God’s paradise. It is only through the shed blood of Christ that anyone can enter into that Most Holy Place. Thank God that our High Priest has gone before us to accomplish this on our behalf.

Thank You, O God, for the great blessing of knowing that all sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ our Lord. If we will but look to His great sacrifice on Calvary’s cross as our Substitution, we will be saved. Without that, we stand utterly condemned in Your perfect presence. All glory is from You, for You, and to You alone! Amen.