The Bible speaks of two sanctuaries. In Exodus 25, God spoke to Moses, laying out detailed plans for a sanctuary, saying, “that I may dwell with them.” In Hebrews 9, the author gives a brief description of the earthly tabernacle before plunging into its significance. He discussed the limitations of it, and speaks of another sanctuary, a heavenly sanctuary, and the role of Jesus as the eternal sacrifice.
Limitations of the Earthly Tabernacle
First, the earthly tabernacle had its limitations. Within it, priests performed the services in the first area, but only once a year, and only with the shedding of blood for his own sins and the unknown sins of the people, did he enter the Holy Place beyond the veil. The Holy Spirit showed it was symbolic while the old covenant remained. The earthly system could not cleanse the conscience and only dealt with fleshly things such as food and drink, various washings, fleshly ordinances, things imposed until the reformation.
A Heavenly Sanctuary
Second, the author writes of a heavenly sanctuary which is greater, perfect, and beyond this creation. Jesus Christ came as the High Priest of this sanctuary. He entered the Holy Place by the sacrifice of His own blood. Heaven’s power exists when the blood of Christ, through the eternal Spirit, a spotless sacrifice, enters to cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the Living God. Thus, Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant in which those who are called receive an eternal inheritance.
An Eternal Sacrifice
Third, Jesus became the eternal sacrifice. The law given to Moses by God required the shedding of blood for purification. The earthly system was a copy of heaven’s things where all is superior. Jesus has entered the heavenly tabernacle into the presence of God, beyond a copy but to the true, once at the end of time, to put away sin. He has dealt with sin. The author of Hebrews says, “We eagerly wait for Him. He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
God required the blood of His Son, to break the wall between us and God. Earth could not do what heaven had to do for our redemption.
