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For Christ did not enter holy places of human construction1 – which are anti-types of true realities2 – but rather into the very heavens,3 now to appear before the person of The God in our behalf.4
| 1 | Christ did not enter holy places of human construction: Or, KJV: holy places made with hands; RHM: Holy Place. The Greek is plural, thus “holy places” – meaning the first and second compartment. Jesus never entered these “during the days of his flesh,” as he was not a Jewish priest. [Hebrews 7:13; 8:2] This would seem to suggest that the entire Tabernacle with both of its rooms or compartments were types of heavenly realities. Some would divide the two and interpret the first compartment [the Holy Place] as related to something earthly or mundane. |
| 2 | Which are anti-types of true realities: Or, figures, pattern, real, reality, symbol, foreshadowed. The Greek is ANTITYPA [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #499]. See footnote above. [Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 10:1] |
| 3 | Into the very heavens: Or, heaven itself; the Celestialum. Compare notes on Hebrews 6:20; 9:12; 10:19. Note the Nazarene’s words at John 6:62; 8:23; 17:5. Research the word “heaven(s)” or the Greek OURANOIS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #3772. Note the KJV uses the singular from OURANON, from which comes the planet Uranus]. The English “heaven” comes from “heaved up” or anything above the ground including the atmosphere in which birds fly. [Genesis 1:20; Revelation 14:6] Paul mentions a “third heaven.” [2 Corinthians 12:2] Note Isaiah 66:1 and related texts. |
| 4 | Now to appear before the person of The God in our behalf: Or, KJV: now to appear in the presence of God for us; ASV: appear before the face of God; GDS: in the very presence of; RH: plainly manifest before the face of God. The word “appear” is from the Greek EMPHANISTHENAI [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1718]. The phrase “person of” is literally “to the face of the.” The Greek is PROSOPO [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4383 PROSOPO, face (from 4314 = towards + 3700, behold, appear)]. There is an echo of Daniel 7:13 here. Compare the heavenly scene upon Christ’s ascension in Revelation chapters 4 and 5. [John 16:28; Romans 8:34] Note: it is very obvious that Paul does not believe Christ is God before whom he appears. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose Hebrews 9:24 as the theme verse of chapter nine – Anti-types. Paul begins by describing the outline of the former covenant’s holy place, that is, the tabernacle of Moses. [1-5] He describes the “first room” or Holy Place with its lampstand and table of bread. Then the curtain that divided the Holy from the Most Holy. The Most Holy contained the Ark of the Covenant which contained a jar of manna, Aaron’’ budding staff, and the tablets of the covenant. On top of this chest were glorious cherubs. However, Paul says it was not the time to go into details regarding all of this.
Paul then describes the priestly services and offerings as functions of the tabernacle. [6-10] He says that this tent was a “parable for the present season.” The old priestly functions were unable to “perfect the consciences” of those worshippers. These former priestly functions were temporary “until the season for straightening everything out.”
Now Christ as a High Priest has entered “the greater and more perfect Tabernacle.” [11-14] This is a heavenly building not of human creation. Christ entered heaven with his own blood and it will “cleanse our consciences from dead works leading to sacred worship of a Living God.” Christ is not only High Priest but also Mediator of a New Covenant. [15-22] Paul draws an analogy with a human covenant or will requiring the death of the maker of the will. He then shows that “everything is cleansed by blood” when he references Exodus 24:8.
Yes, Christ has entered heaven on our behalf. [23-28] Paul writes that the old tabernacle and its priestly functions were “diagrams” of the cleansing of heavenly things. Christ entered the anti-type of true realities in the very heavens. There he appeared before The God on our behalf. Unlike the Jewish priests he only had to do this once. Christ abolished sin by his sacrifice. Humans die once in this life, but will later under go judgment. When Christ “becomes visible a second time” it will include “those earnestly awaiting for their salvation.”
Abba our Father bless those “awaiting their salvation.”
[20 August 2002]
