The Tabernacle (Hebrews 9)

Was the earthly tabernacle a picture of heaven? Did Christ enter through the greater and more perfect tabernacle into heaven? Does the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Is a covenant like a last will and testament, involving a death? Let’s discuss this in Hebrews 9.

What was the earthly tabernacle like under the old covenant?

Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, (Hebrews 9:1-3 NKJV)

What was in the holy of holies? Were there statues of cherubs there? Were they bowed down to like icons?

having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tablets of the covenant. And above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. (Hebrews 9:4-5 LSB)

Who entered the holy of holies? Was that just once a year?

When these things were all in place, the priests regularly entered the first room as they performed their religious duties. But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. (Hebrews 9:6-7 NLT)

Was the entrance to the most holy place freely open as long as the old system was in place? What did the Holy Spirit want to teach us in this?

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: (Hebrews 9:8 KJV)

Were those old practices in place until a reformation, a new covenant and better way?

This is a symbol of the present age, where gifts and sacrifices are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscience, of making the worshiper perfect, being only (with meats and drinks and various washings) fleshly ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation. (Hebrews 9:9-10 WEB)

What has Christ done? Is heaven the more perfect tabernacle?

But Christ has appeared as the high priest of the good things that have happened. He passed through the greater and more perfect meeting tent, which isn’t made by human hands (that is, it’s not a part of this world). He entered the holy of holies once for all by his own blood, not by the blood of goats or calves, securing our deliverance for all time. (Hebrews 9:11-12 CEB)

Why is Jesus’ blood much more powerful than that of animals? Can we now serve God and not worry about death?

According to the Law of Moses, those people who become unclean are not fit to worship God. Yet they will be considered clean, if they are sprinkled with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a sacrificed calf. But Christ was sinless, and he offered himself as an eternal and spiritual sacrifice to God. This is why his blood is much more powerful and makes our consciences clear. Now we can serve the living God and no longer do things that lead to death. (Hebrews 9:13-14 CEV)

Who is the mediator of this new covenant? Who does it redeem from transgressing the old covenant?

Therefore he [Christ] 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. (Hebrews 9:15 ESV)

Are the covenants similar to a last will and testament? Is that why blood ratified both covenants?

Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will is valid only when people die, since it is never in force while the one who made it is living. That is why even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood. For when every command had been proclaimed by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll itself and all the people, saying, This is the blood of the covenant that God has commanded for you. (Hebrews 9:16-20 HCSB)

Did sprinkling blood symbolize cleansing and forgiveness? Did this point to the cross?

In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and everything used in worship. In fact, under the Law almost everything is cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of the blood there is no forgiveness. (Hebrews 9:21-22 ISV)