Gospel Outreach International

Have you ever wondered about the deep significance of the ancient tabernacle and how it relates to our relationship with God today? In Hebrews 9:1-14, we explore the fascinating transition from the old covenant’s physical tabernacle to the new covenant through Christ, revealing how God’s plan for intimate fellowship with His people has been fulfilled in remarkable ways.

Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. Hebrews 9:5

• The First Tabernacle was an earthly sanctuary that served as a copy of the heavenly one, featuring intricate details like the lampstand, table of showbread, and golden altar of incense.
• The Holy of Holies contained the Ark of the Covenant with three items representing rebellion: Aaron’s rod, broken tablets of law, and the golden bowl of manna, all covered by the mercy seat.
• Cherubim played multiple crucial roles including guarding God’s holiness, supporting His throne, and protecting the sanctity of worship, as evidenced by their presence on the temple curtains.
• The failure of the first system occurred when people turned it into a religion rather than maintaining it as a means of relationship with God - a pattern that has unfortunately been repeated in modern Christianity.
• Christ’s death, symbolized by the tearing of the temple veil, established direct access to God for all believers, eliminating the need for intermediary priests or saints.
• The final reality involves the complete Trinity - the blood of Christ, offered through the eternal Spirit, to serve the living God - working in perfect unity for our salvation.

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. Hebrews 9:14

It’s amazing to see how Christ’s sacrifice not only provides unlimited access to God but also elevates us to remarkable spiritual heights. The study reminds us that Jesus isn’t just part of a religion - He’s the living way to intimate fellowship with God, making the old system obsolete through His perfect sacrifice.

Bible References

• Hebrews 9:1-14
• Genesis 3:24
• John 14:6