Hebrews 9:6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 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: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
God reminds us that the Old Testament system was not a mistake. It was corrupted by ungodly priests and prophets and others. God designed that system for His purposes. In that system there was a need for priests. They always went into the first tabernacle to offer sacrifices for the people. There was also the need to keep the light burning in the lamp stand. The shewbread needed to be replaced every day as well. In verse 7 we are reminded that into the second, or the Holiest, only the high priest could enter, and only once a year. He could not enter into that place without blood, which he had to offer for himself as well as for the “errors” or sins of the people. This system was necessary because God said so. However, it was temporary. It had its time span and when the fulness of the time was come:
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
In verse 8 God tells us that the Holy Ghost proved that the way into the holiest was not yet made manifest. While the first tabernacle was standing, that way could not be made manifest. It could not be revealed. Those who truly believed in God during the Old Testament time, did not believe in vain. The vanity was for those who did not believe what God said and chose to make what He demanded, into a ritual. There were many more in that position than the few who believed in God. In verse 9 we are further reminded that the tabernacle and all that was in it was a figure for the time then present. It served its purpose for a specified time. We see that the many gifts and sacrifices made in that system, could not make the person who did the service perfect. Works can never cleanse the conscience. The best that system could do was atone for a person’s sin. Something much greater needed to come to remove the sin. That something was actually Someone. That Someone was Jesus Christ. In verse 10 we see that there were a few limited demands put upon the priests and the high priest. There were carnal ordinances. They were all part of this earth. They were all required by God, but they were never intended to save anyone. A few Old Testament saints understood this. We know that most of the Jews of Eli’s day did not understand this. His sons took the ark of the covenant into battle against the Philistines and It was captured by the Philistines. It had no power in it. It was of some value because it was overlaid with gold. However, it was just a box without God’s presence on it. The nation of Israel found this out. The Philistines found out that it was not just any old box. They found out that God presided over that box and their false god could not stand in His presence. The Philistines were cursed of God for taking that ark and setting it before their false god. Every place they took that ark, the people were plagued by God. That ark was not a good luck charm as Israel assumed it was. It was holy when God placed His presence on it. The Philistines and the Jews learned this. When the Philistines sent it back to Israel, some of the Jews dared to touch it and look inside it. They were killed by God. They needed to learn the fear of the Lord. Eli had failed to teach the truth and his sons defied the living God and He killed them in battle. God raised up Samuel to teach the people the truth. However that system had its limitations. We read in verse 10 of our text that that system was only good until the time of reformation. The reformation spoken of was not the “Protestant Reformation”. That was an act in futility. Many religious groups were formed at that time. They disagreed to some extent with Roman Catholicism, but they still kept some of that corrupt system. A few people like Menno Simons did not accept the Catholic lies. He was converted and then began to teach people the truth. He was not a Mennonite. The people stole his name and became known as Mennonites. Menno Simons was a born again Christian who was known as an Anabaptist. They rejected the Catholic heresies and they were baptized Scripturally upon confession of faith. That baptism was always by immersion. It was not pouring or sprinkling. It also was not infant baptism. The reformation that God spoke of in our text was the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ Who fulfilled the Old Testament typology. He did away with it because when He came, that system was proven to be deficient. Those who trusted in the true God Who gave them that system, were known as Old Testament saints. Jesus Christ shed His blood and they were then released from Abraham’s bosom and brought into heaven. They were saved and set free to serve the true and living God. After Jesus’ death and shed blood, others were added to that number through faith in the same God as the Old Testament saints. They now knew the name of the Saviour, but they were saved by faith in God. They did not have the upper hand over the Old Testament saints. All true saints are saints by trusting in God’s Word and humbly submitting to His Truth. If you are reading this but not yet trusting in God’s provision for salvation, why not turn to Him today and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation. Works cannot save you. Faith in God’s provision is what is required. Pastor Bartel
Older
Top
