The first covenant had rules for worship and an earthly sanctuary. The tabernacle had a Holy Place with the lampstand, table and show bread, and an inner Holy of Holies with the ark of the covenant. Above it were cherubim of glory over the mercy seat. The high priest alone entered that inner room once a year.

These gifts and sacrifices could not make the worshiper’s conscience perfect. They were outward rules until a time of reformation. But Christ came as a high priest of the coming good things. He entered once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. His offering of himself can cleanse the conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Christ did not enter a copy made with hands. He entered heaven itself, to appear before God for his people. He came once at the end of the ages to put away sin, and he will appear a second time to save those who wait for him.

Hebrews 9:1-10 walks through the tabernacle. The first room, the Holy Place, held the lampstand, the table, and the show bread. Behind the second veil was the Holy of Holies, with the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant holding the jar of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets. Priests served daily in the outer room, but the high priest entered the inner room alone, once a year. The Holy Spirit is indicating this, that the way into the Holy Place wasn’t yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing.

Verses 11 to 14 contrast that system with Christ. He came as high priest through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands. He entered once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption. If the old cleansing rituals made the body ceremonially clean, Christ’s offering of himself without defect to God will cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. The goal of forgiveness is freedom to serve.

Verses 15 to 28 explain why a death was needed. A will takes effect only after the death of the one who made it. Even the first covenant was dedicated with sacrifice. According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission. Christ did not offer himself often. Now once at the end of the ages, he has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. People die once and then face judgment, and Christ was offered once and will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.