HEBREWS 9 – THE OLD COVENANT AND THE NEW COVENANT (

)

Features of the Old Covenant (

). (1-10)

(1-5) Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna,Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.

The Old Covenant’s (

) and its (

Reveal Answer

).

The earthly sanctuary: The tabernacle ordained by the Old Covenant was (

) by God, but planned for an earthly (

Reveal Answer

).

For a tabernacle was prepared: The (

) was a tent 45 feet (15 meters) long, 15 feet (5 meters) wide, and 15 feet (5 meters) high, divided into two rooms. The larger room (the first part) was a 15 feet (5 meter) by 30 feet (10 meter) “holy place.” Behind the second veil was the smaller room was a 15 feet (5 meter) by 15 feet (5 meter), called the Holy of Holies.

The (

): This setting for the lamps of the tabernacle had a middle stem and six branches stood in the first part. It was of an unspecified size, made of pure gold and provided the only light for the tabernacle (Exodus 25:31-40).

The (

): This sat in the first part and was made of acacia wood covered with gold, 3 feet long, 1½ feet wide, and 2 feet 3 inches high. It held twelve loaves of showbread, each representing God’s fellowship with the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 25:23-30).

The (

): This refers to the first part, known as the “holy place.” A veil (a thick curtain) separated the first part from the holy of holies, also known as the “Holiest of All” (Exodus 26:31-33).

The golden altar of (

): This was made of acacia wood covered with gold, 1½ feet (½ meter) square, and 3 feet (1 meter) high. It stood at the veil before the “holy of holies” and was used to burn incense (Exodus 30:1-8).

The (

) of the covenant: This stood inside the Holiest of All and was a chest made of acacia wood covered with gold, 3¾ feet long, 2¼ feet wide, and 2¼ feet high, with rings for poles along its side to carry it without touching the ark itself (Exodus 25:10-22).

Inside the ark were the

pot that had the (

Reveal Answer

) (Exodus 16:33), (

Reveal Answer

’s) rod that budded (Numbers 17:6-11), and the (

Reveal Answer

) of the covenant (Exodus 25:16).

The manna reminded Israel of God’s provision and their (

).

Aaron’s rod reminded Israel of their (

) against God’s authority.

The tablets of the covenant reminded Israel of their (

) to keep the Ten Commandments and rest of the law.

The (

) seat: This was the ornate “lid” for the ark of the covenant, made with the designs of cherubim upon it. The blood of sacrifice was sprinkled upon it for the forgiveness of Israel’s sin on the Day of Atonement (Exodus 25:17-22).

As God looked down into the ark, He saw the symbols of Israel’s sin, rebellion and failure. But when the blood of sacrifice was applied to the mercy seat, the blood of sacrifice covered His sight of the sin of Israel.

(6-7) When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

(

) service in the tabernacle under the Old Covenant.

The priests (

) went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services: The priests, as appointed, went daily into the holy place to perform priestly functions such as tending the lampstand and replacing the showbread.

But into the second part the high priest went (

) once a year: The second part – sometimes known as the “holy of holies” – was entered only once a year by the high priest alone, on the Day of Atonement.

The high priest went alone once a year, not (

) blood: His entrance into the second part was not for fellowship, but only for atonement. The atoning blood was first for his own sins and then for the sins of his people.

Access into the Holiest of All was thus severely restricted. Even when someone could enter, it wasn’t for real fellowship with God.

The ancient Jewish Rabbis wrote of how the high priest did not prolong his prayer in the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, because it might make the people think he had been killed. When he came out he threw a party for all his friends, because he had emerged safely from the presence of God.

The people’s sins committed in ignorance: Sins of ignorance were the (

) aim of the Day of Atonement. It was assumed that known sin would be taken care of through the regular sin offerings and the daily sacrifices.

In this respect, Jesus’ work is far greater than the work done on the Day of Atonement. Jesus’ work on the cross is (

) to atone for both the sins we do in ignorance and sins that we know.

(8-10) The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.

The Holy Spirit gives (

) regarding the priestly service under the Old Covenant.

The way into the Holy of Holies was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing: The old had to pass away (

) God’s new way could be revealed.

It was symbolic for the present time: Symbolic is the ancient Greek word parabole. The tabernacle itself and all that the Old Covenant represented were suggestive of deeper truths, parables of the New Covenant.

Cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience: The priestly service under the Old Covenant could not make the priests offering those sacrifices perfect and clean in regard to the conscience.

If the cleansing is (

) for the priest, how much more for the person the priest worked on behalf of!

Fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation: The weakness of the priestly service under the Old Covenant was its inability to address the need for (

) transformation in man. Therefore it was only imposed until the time of reformation.

Features of the New Covenant (

). (11-28)

(11) But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation.

The (

) sanctuary of the New Covenant.

The greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands: Jesus, as our High Priest, ministers in a superior sanctuary – the very throne room of God. This is (

) a place greater than anything human hands could make.

(12-15) He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

The (

) sacrifice of the New Covenant.

The blood of goats and calves: Animal sacrifice was sufficient for a temporary covering of sin, but only a perfect sacrifice could obtain eternal redemption.

Jesus’ sacrifice was (

) in that it was perfect, voluntary, rational, and motivated by love.

With His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all: At the tabernacle, the sacrifice was made outside the veil, at the altar; but the atoning blood was brought into the most holy place, which represents the throne of God. In the same pattern Jesus had to die (

), outside heaven and among sinful men, but the payment his death made had to be satisfied in heaven itself.

He entered the Most Holy Place: The High Priest entered once a year, going through the veil and back again, letting the veil fall behind him as he left – the barrier remained. Jesus tore the veil, and stays in the most holy place, heaven itself, welcoming us in. This is what makes (

) all about access, not barriers.

With His own blood: “Blood in Scripture always includes the two thoughts of a death suffered and a life offered.” (Thomas)

“The Lord Jesus Christ did not come to earth to make a reconciliation by the holiness of his life, or by the earnestness of his teaching, but by his death.” (Spurgeon)

“The Lord Jesus did not bring before God the sufferings of others or the merits of others, but his own life and death.” (Spurgeon)

For if the blood of bulls and goats… sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ: If these imperfect sacrifices were received as sufficient by Israel, then they should much more regard the ultimate sufficiency of the (

) sacrifice.

The ashes of a heifer refer to the remains of a burnt offering that was preserved. The ashes were sprinkled in the laver of washing to provide water suitable for ceremonial cleansing (Numbers 19:1-10).

This was a shadow, fulfilled and done away with when Jesus offered a perfect cleansing. (

) there is no value in “holy water” used by the Roman Catholic Church.

(

), there is a search for a “red heifer” that can be sacrificed, and its ashes used as part or a restoration of priestly functions for a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.

How much more shall the blood of Christ… cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? The sacrifice of Jesus is sufficient to even restore our damaged conscience.

Our conscience is a wonderful tool from God. But it isn’t perfect. Our conscience can be (

) (1 Timothy 4:2). Our conscience can be (

Reveal Answer

) (Titus 1:15). Our conscience can be (

Reveal Answer

) (Hebrews 10:22).

Cleanse your conscience from dead works: The idea behind dead works is probably of sin in (

), in the sense of “works that bring death.” But it must also speak to the (

Reveal Answer

) continuation of Old Covenant sacrifice, which is certainly a dead work – and the very type of thing these discouraged Jewish Christians were tempted to go back to.

To serve the living God: The believer is cleansed, conscience and all, not to live unto (

) but to (

Reveal Answer

) the living God. The ancient Greek word translated serve here is latreuo, which speaks of religious or ceremonial, priestly service.

“And, dear friends, do keep in mind that you are henceforth to ‘serve the living God.’ You that are acquainted with the Greek will find that the kind of service here mentioned is not that which the slave or servant renders to his master, but a worshipful service such as priests render unto God. We that have been purged by Christ are to render to God the worship of a royal priesthood. It is ours to present prayers, thanksgivings, and sacrifice; it is ours to offer the incense of intercession; it is ours to light the lamp of testimony and furnish the table of shewbread.” (Spurgeon)

He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death: Jesus’ work as a Mediator is fundamentally accomplished at His death. His heavenly work of mediation looks back to that perfect sacrifice.

For the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant: Jesus’ payment on the cross accomplished redemption for those under the first covenant. Every sacrifice for sin made in faith under the Mosaic command was an IOU paid in (

) at the cross.

(16-22) In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood,and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

The (

) of Jesus’ death.

For a testament is in force after men are dead: A testament (in the sense of a “last will and testament”) only takes (

) when the person who made the testament dies. Therefore Jesus had to die for the (

Reveal Answer

) – the covenant – to take effect.

“The same word in the Greek is used for ‘covenant’ and ‘testament,’ and although the double use is difficult, there seems to be no doubt that in verse 15 the word means ‘covenant,’ and in verses 16 and 17 ‘testament,’ and then in verse 18 ‘covenant’ again.” (Thomas)

“If there be a question about whether a man is alive or not, you cannot administer to his estate, but when you have certain evidence that the testator has died then the will stands. So is it with the blessed gospel: if Jesus did not die, then the gospel is null and void.” (Spurgeon)

Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood: Clearly, death was (

) to the Old Covenant. Virtually every part of the sacrificial system under the Law of Moses was touched by blood in some way or another.

Without shedding of blood there is no remission: This is a foundational principle of God’s dealings with men. Modern people think that sin is remitted (

) by time, by our good works, by our decent lives, or by simply death. But there is no forgiveness (

Reveal Answer

) the shedding of blood, and there is no perfect (

Reveal Answer

) without a perfect (

Reveal Answer

).

The shedding of Jesus’ blood is God’s answer to man’s problem of sin. In his sermon The Blood-Shedding, Spurgeon began by showing us three fools. The first is a soldier wounded on the field of battle. The medic comes to the soldier, and immediate the solider wants to know everything about the rifle and the soldier that shot him. The second fool is a ship captain, whose ship is about to go under in a terrible storm. The captain is not at the wheel of the ship, trying to guide it through the crashing waves; he is in his room studying charts, trying to determine where the storm came from. The third fool is a man who is sick and dying with sin, about to go under the waves of God’s justice, yet is deeply troubled about the origin of evil. We should look to the

more than to the

Reveal Answer

.

(23-28) It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

The perfect sanctuary (

) a perfect sacrifice.

It was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these: It was acceptable for the copies of the things in the heavens in the earthly sanctuary to be “

” with imperfect sacrifices. But the heavenly things themselves could only be purified with a perfect offering.

“Purification implies not only cleansing from defilement, but also dedication or consecration. All the utensils employed in the tabernacle service were thus purified through incapable of any moral pollution.” (Clarke)

For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands… but into heaven itself: Jesus’ sacrifice was made on earth, but it is the basis for His continuing work as our mediator and High Priest in heaven. The writer to the Hebrews proclaims it: now to appear in the presence of God for us. It’s not hard to believe that Jesus does appear in the presence of God. But to believe that He appears there for us is glorious!

Not that He should offer Himself often: Jesus’ ministry for us continues in heaven, but not in the sense of continuing to atone for our sin. His ministry continues for us in intercession and defending us against the accuser of God’s people (Revelation 12:10). But it does not continue in the sense that He should (

) Himself often. His sacrifice was once-for-all, and perfectly satisfied God’s holy justice.

This passage and principle is a direct rebuke to the Roman Catholic practice and theology of the mass. In the mass, the Roman Catholic Church desires to repeat – not remember, but repeat – the atoning sacrifice of Jesus innumerable times. This is absolutely indefensible Scripturally, and denies the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The Scriptures make it plain: not that He should offer Himself often.

He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world: If the sacrifice of Jesus were not perfect, then it would have to be continual and constant – even since the foundation of the world. (

) sacrifices must be (

Reveal Answer

) continually but a (

Reveal Answer

) sacrifice can be made (

Reveal Answer

) for all time, and genuinely put away sin (not just cover sin, as with sacrifice under the Old Covenant). The (

Reveal Answer

) is clear: He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

This principle of sacrifice explains why the suffering of hell must be eternal for those who reject the atoning work of Jesus. They are in hell to pay the penalty of their sin, but as imperfect beings they are unable to make a perfect payment. If the payment is not perfect, then it has to be continual and constant – indeed, for all eternity. A soul could be released from hell the moment its debt of sin was completely paid – which is another way of saying never.

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many: Just as certainly as we (

) once and then face judgment, so Jesus only had to (

Reveal Answer

) once (not repeatedly, not continually) to bear our sins.

It is not the intention of the writer to the Hebrews to discuss the issue of reincarnation. That is a side issue; he simply brings up the obvious point, it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. Just as that is obvious, so it is plain that Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. For the writer to the Hebrews, the (

) is that: it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment is an indisputable principle.

“A man dies once, and after that everything is fixed and settled, and he answers for his doings at the judgment. One life, one death – then everything is weighed, and the result declared: ‘after this the judgment.’ So Christ comes, and dies once; and after this, for him also the result of what he has done, namely, the salvation of those who look for him. He dies once, and then reaps the fixed result, according to the analogy of the human race, of which he became a member and representative.” (Spurgeon)

Though it was not really the point of the writer to the Hebrews to discuss reincarnation, he (

) and (

Reveal Answer

) denies it here. We do not die and live and die and live, facing an eternal reckoning of some number of lives down the road. This life is it, and then we face judgment. This means that there are no second chances beyond the grave. Now is the time to choose for Jesus Christ, because when we die we simply face the judgment.

It is important to note that the principle of it being appointed for men to die once is not an (

) principle. There are some unique, remarkable exceptions. (

Reveal Answer

) (Genesis 5:24) and (

Reveal Answer

) (2 Kings 2:11) never died once. (

Reveal Answer

) people in the Bible were raised from the dead (1 Kings 17:22, 2 Kings 13:20-21, Matthew 9:25, John 11:43-44, Acts 20:9-11), and therefore died twice. Also, those taken in what some call the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:17) will never die once. Yet these remarkable, unique exceptions do not deny the principle that it is appointed for men to die once; they are exceptions that (

Reveal Answer

) the rule.

He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation: The focus of Jesus’ (

) coming was to deal with the sin (

Reveal Answer

) through His atoning sacrifice. But now, having dealt with the sin problem perfectly, He comes again apart from sin – for the (

Reveal Answer

) (in the sense of (

Reveal Answer

)) of His people.

To those who eagerly wait for Him: It is assumed that all believers will eagerly wait for Him. It’s a sad case that this assumption doesn’t always play out as true.

“It ought to be a daily disappointment when our Lord does not come; instead of being, as I fear it is, a kind of foregone conclusion that he will not come just yet.” (Spurgeon)

VIDEO -

Reveal Answer

Discussion Questions

Read verses 1-5

In what ways did the tabernacle aid worship?

How do we worship God today?

Without looking, what was in the outer tabernacle?

Without looking, what is behind the veil?

Can you remember from your study of Exodus the significance of each of these (go around the table and each person can take one object).

Read verses 6-10

What did the priests have to do before entering the outer tabernacle?

What did the priests do in the holy place? Where were sacrifices offered?

When could they go in to the holy place? Who could go in? What did he do there?

What sins was he making atonement for? (the ones committed in ignorance since willful sins should have been dealt with already)

Do we commit sins in ignorance? Any examples? What should do about this?

What does verse 8 mean?

Why can the sacrifices offered not fully restore the guilty party’s conscience?

What does the “time of reformation” in verse 10 refer to?

Read verses 11-14

What two thoughts does the “but” serve to highlight the contrast between? (see verse 11)

What are the good things that are to come?

What is this tabernacle that is not made with hands?

What place did He enter?

What did He do? What was His mission? What did He accomplish?

Explain the logical flow of thought in verses 13-14 about the goat’s blood and the blood of Christ.

What is conscience? What does a conscience do? Is conscience always right or can it be shaped by our environment? If it can be shaped, how can we shape our conscience so that it is “tuned” correctly?

Should parents shape their children’s consciences? Why or why not? If so, how?

What is the purpose of having a clean conscience? Do you ever ignore your conscience? What do you think will happen if you keep ignoring it?

Read verses 15-17

For what reason is Christ the mediator of a new covenant?

What sins does this passage say Christ’s death redeemed?

What is the first covenant that is referred to here?

Who are those who have been called?

What does verse 15 show us about salvation in the Old Testament?

What does verse 16 mean? Why does there need to be death when a covenant is made?

How can we understand the statement: “A covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives?”

Read verses 18-22

What book was sprinkled?

What was the importance of sprinkling with blood? What was the symbolism of it?

Imagine an unbeliever asks you the following question: “Why do Christians obsess over blood? How can the blood of a man who lived 2000 years ago help you?” What would you say?

Read verses 23-28

What does the “copies of the things in the heavens” refer to?

What did Jesus offer when He (perhaps figuratively) approached the presence of God on our behalf?

What practical impact does the fact that Jesus need only die once have on us? How does this truth effect our lives today 2000 years after His sacrifice for us?

When was the consummation of the ages?

Will you face judgment? Believers do or don’t? What will happen at your judgment? Will you be judged/punished for your sins? How does the fact that there is a judgment after death affect our life on earth now?

How does this well-known verse fit into the context?

Why is it appointed for man to die? Why does God not allow us to keep on living forever?

Explain the phrase “appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin.”

Are you waiting for Him? How should we wait for Him? What should we do while we wait for Him? Is there anything we can do to shorten this wait?