Part 15

In addition to the particular covenant that guides him, each and every priest must also have a sanctuary (tabernacle) from which his duties are performed. Like all previous proofs given by Paul in his letter to the Hebrews, Jesus’ priestly sanctuary is likewise far superior to that of all old covenant shadows. But why? Paul gives several reasons.

First of all, Jesus’ sanctuary is far-superior because it’s a heavenly sanctuary. Old covenant sanctuaries were of the earth and Paul called them “worldly” (Heb. 9:1), while the New Covenant sanctuary is that of heaven and thus superior (Heb. 8:2-5; 9:11; 1 Cor. 15:50; Jn. 3:3-6).

Next, our Lord’s sanctuary is a powerful and miraculous sanctuary. All old covenant sanctuaries were directed by God, yet built by men. The heavenly sanctuary is deemed far-more fruitful because it was “not made with [human] hands” but was that which “the Lord pitched, and not man” (Heb. 8:2; 9:11; Acts 7:48).

Thirdly, Paul calls it an accessible sanctuary. The heavenly sanctuary is accessible (Heb. 9:25-28), while the earthly was most-often unapproachable (Heb. 9:6-7). The complete and total redemption that Jesus won upon Calvary’s cross has given us access into rich glory-realms that were before off-limits! The old sanctuary gave such access but once a year, and this privilege was limited to a single high priest. Today we have “boldness to enter” the throne room whenever we please, night and day, and our access is of a corporate nature, as we follow our Lord through the veil which He tore (Heb. 10:19-20; 6:19-20; Mk. 15:38). We now have rich “access… unto the Father” (Eph. 2:18), and entrance into glory (Rom. 5:2).

Furthermore, our Lord’s tabernacle is an eternal sanctuary. This is in sharp contrast to the temporal nature of the earthly tent (Heb. 9:8, 16-23). Because our new sanctuary is eternal, the fruits that are yielded thereof will never wither or spoil (Heb. 13:8).

And finally, Paul declares it to be a most-fruitful sanctuary. Yes, the heavenly is far-more successful than the earthly, and Paul expertly reveals this by his treatise of the tabernacle furniture. In short, the varied articles of furniture found in the earthly tabernacle are used in a symbolic manner to show the heavenly fruit of our new heavenly house. As we journey through the sanctuary, from one piece of furniture to the next, we’re directed toward the certain spiritual fruits that will grow upon the hearts of those made into God’s “spiritual house” (1 Pet. 2:5). What served natural function for natural priests in a natural sanctuary, now serves spiritual function for spiritual priests in a spiritual sanctuary. This is why Moses was told to build the tabernacle with great attention to even the smallest of details: Because it would serve as a “pattern of things in the heavens”, which Jesus would later bring forth in His priests (Exod. 25:40; Heb. 8:5; 9:23). It tells of the glories surrounding our Lord’s spiritual priesthood and the fruit grown among their spiritual disciplines. Let’s now examine them each, one-by-one…

To be continued…