The tabernacle had two distinct areas. One was a preparation of heart and one was for the restoration of the heart back to the Lord. Take a look.
Hebrews 9: The Earthly Holy Place
1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness.
2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place.
3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place,
4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.
5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties,
7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people.
8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing
9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,
10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.
Redemption Through the Blood of Christ
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)
12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh,
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
16 For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established.
17 For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive.
18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood.
19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
20 saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you."
21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship.
22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own,
26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Things to think about…
The writer talks about the first section, Heb 9:2 and the second section, Heb 9:3 of the tabernacle. He says that the first section is the present time and place on the earth, or as he describes “this present age” Heb 9:9. The second section is the age to come which is only possible to enter through the blood of Christ. May I suggest that the first section can also be described as those who attend church but do not have a regenerate heart and the second section is for those who have repented of works and have obtained grace and can now enter the holy of holies – where Christ dwells. Enter the second section of the tabernacle and be secure in this age and the age to come.
“The time of Reformation” referred to in Heb 9:10 was not with respect to Luther and the early 1500’s, but when Christ would reform the OT covenant into the NT covenant through His blood. The Jews still miss all of this today and still want to set up a third temple and re-institute the OT law with its sacrifices. But the ‘first section’ the most holy place, Heb 9:3, 8 is not standing, as confirmed in Mt 27:51, the veil of separation was torn and as such we can enter directly into God’s presence ‘through the greater and more perfect tent…securing eternal redemption’, 9:11, 12.
‘Man is destined to die once..after that..judgement’, Heb 9:27, this is the fearful truth, but also one that makes the sacrifice of Christ so wonderful. We don’t escape judgement, but the punishment due to our sin falls on Christ and not upon us. Hallelujah!
As such the hope at Christ’s second appearing is ‘not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him’, Heb 9:28. The return of Christ is therefore a joy for the believer as we ‘eagerly await’.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
For Cell Groups.
Reading was from 1 Title “Who is Christ really”
1. When you read Rev 1:4-20 what are some of the gleanings you understand about who Christ is?
2. Andrew Otte mentioned some of the misunderstandings people have of who Jesus is especially around Christmas. How has this affected the message of the gospel and the effectiveness of the church.
3. When was the last time you had a right fear of Christ and the fact that He is a Judge and the One who will declare to many “Depart from Me I never knew you”. How does this sit with you?
4. Pray for the church and especially the teaching ministry in the church that there is an accurate portrayal of who Jesus is.
Prayer Points
1. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
2. New families as they settle into church.
3. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
4. Getting drawings into council.
5. Sunday’s message – Pastor Jay.
Praise Points.
1. Saturday night men’s movie night. Praise the Lord for the freedom we have in this country.
2. Praise the Lord for Caleb – Recharge, keep praying the Lord reveals His will.
3. Praise the Lord for the Kids@church ministry. Thankyou Maddison.
4. More new folk on Sunday – Praise God.
5. Praise and worship – pray for continued growth and blessing.
6. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
Announcements
1. Recharge Progressive dinner. All high schoolers. Be at church at 6:30pm Friday. $10 to cover costs. Get youth to invite their friends.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
