[:en]Our Daily Verse (2/20/20)[:]

[:en]SCRIPTURE:  HEBREWS 9

“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him” (Hebrews 9:27-28)

The writer gave the reasons why the Sanctuary in the Old Covenant was inferior compared to the Sanctuary in the New Covenant:

  1. The Old Sanctuary was established on earth with earthly materials.  The New Sanctuary is of the new heavenly creation.
  2. The things inside the Old Sanctuary were shadows of things to come.  Christ Himself is the spiritual reality that is being fulfilled in the New Covenant.
  3. The Old Covenant Sanctuary was inaccessible.  Only the priest could minister in the court and holy place and only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies.  The New Covenant Heavenly Sanctuary is opened to all people that belong to Christ.
  4. The Old Covenant Sanctuary was temporary and restricted with the distance of veil between men and God.  When Christ died, the veil was torn apart and abolished.  We can  come to God and experience His presence.
  5. The ceremonies that dealt with the externals were administered in the Old Covenant Sanctuary.  The blood of the animals could not change the hearts and conscience of the worshipers.  Only the blood of Jesus in the New Covenant is effective in changing hearts.
  6. The Aaronic priests ministered in the man-made tabernacle that is temporary.  Christ is ministering in heavenly sanctuary that fulfills Old Testament practices.
  7. The Old Testament Jews had no access to God’s immediate presence because they could not enter the Holy of Holies.  Christ completes the work in the cross and opens the path for us through Him.

LESSON:

Today, we are very fortunate to be in the Sanctuary of the New Covenant because Christ made His heavenly ministry for us through His sacrifice on the cross.  His blood cleansed us from all iniquities.  Have you trusted His blood to save you?   Do you have a daily devotion with Him?  Are you serving Him faithfully?[:]