Podcast 128, Hebrews, “Pt 9, Ch 9”

Podcast 128, Hebrews, “Pt 9, Ch 9”The purpose of the Book of Hebrews is to teach us who Christ is and what exactly he has done for our salvation and exaltation. In the opening chapter we read,Hebrews 1:1-5God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 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; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?In Chapter 1 above we learn that Christ is The Son of God, the heir of all things, the express image of the Father, the atoning one who purged our sins. He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. In Chapters 2-6 we learn that·      He suffered temptation that he might be able to succor them that are tempted. ·      He was the captain of our salvation made perfect through suffering ·      He was the apostle and high priest of our profession3·      Being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. ·      He was called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. In Chapter 7 we also learned the differences between the Levitical Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood. In Chapters 8 & 9 we learn the difference between the First Testament and the Second Testament, also called the Old Testament and the New Testament.  We also learn that perfection can only come both from the Melchizedek Priesthood and the New Testament. For example, let’s review what Paul has said about perfection in the first 9 chapters:1.     Hebrews 2:10 “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.”2.     Hebrews 5:9 “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”3.     Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection...”4.     Hebrews 7:11 “If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood... what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec...?”5.     Hebrews 7:19 “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”6.     Hebrews 9:9 “...in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;”Chapter 9 is divided into 4 parts. Part 1 consists of verses 1-10; Part 2 consists of verses 11-17; Part 3 consists of verses 18-23; and Part 4 consists of verses 24-28. Parts 1 & 3 address the First Testament, also referred to as the Old Testament. Parts 2 & 4 address the Second Testament, also referred to as the New Testament. There is as much difference between the First testament and the Second Testament as there is between the Levitical (also called Aaronic) Priesthood and the Melchisedec Priesthood. The Levitical Priesthood is the heart of the First Testament. The Melchisedec Priesthood is the heart of the Second or New Testament. Only through the Melchisedec Priesthood and the New Testament can we become perfect. Part I Hebrews 9:1-10Then 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 shewbread; 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. 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.Notice the limitation of the First Testament, “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” That reminds us of Hebrews 7:11 “If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood…what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec…?” Everything before Christ was symbolic of Christ but was not Christ himself. He had to be the final sacrifice. There could be no stand-in. In Part I we learn that the high priest alone was allowed into the Holy of Holies once a year to offer sacrifice. But being imperfect he also had to offer sacrifice for himself. It is merely symbolic. Let’s contrast Part 1 with Part 2, where Christ himself is the High Priest with no substitute. Part 2 Hebrews 9:11-17But 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; 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 if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.Notice the emphasis from the above on the following concepts: “more perfect tabernacle,” “eternal redemption for us,” purge your conscience from dead works,” “new testament,” “eternal inheritance.” Christ is “an high priest of good things to come.” The First Testament, meaning the Law of Moses and animal sacrifice, is done away in Christ because it could not bring about perfection. Christ had to offer himself as the final sacrifice. Let’s turn to Part 3, in which Paul continues his discussion of the Levitical Priesthood.Part 3 Hebrews 9:18-23Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.The purpose of the First Testament was to prepare the Children of Israel for the coming of Christ. But they were “patterns of things” and not the things themselves. It was necessary that “the heavenly things themselves “should have “better sacrifices than these.”In Part 4 Paul explains the necessity of Christ himself being the only true sacrifice. Part 4 Hebrews 9:24-28For 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: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.