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hebrews 9
Haystack bible commentary"Stacks and stacks of commentary...."
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==Hebrews 9:1:
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Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary.
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Tthe first covenant (referring to the Old Covenant with its laws and rituals) included rules for worship and an earthly sanctuary, a tabernacle set up by human hands. This sacred tent was a physical representation of God's presence among His people and served as a placeholder for the true, heavenly tabernacle, which Christ later entered on behalf of believers. Regulations for worship: The first covenant had specific rules and ordinances for priests to follow in their service to God. An earthly sanctuary: This was a tangible, physical tent, the tabernacle, where God's presence was made manifest. A symbolic structure: The tabernacle was divided into two sections: the Holy Place (containing the lampstand, table, and showbread) and the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies). A representation of God's dwelling: The entire tabernacle system was a copy of the true heavenly tabernacle, demonstrating that God's dwelling is not a man-made structure but a divine reality. The passage contrasts the earthly sanctuary with the greater, more perfect tabernacle in heaven that Christ entered. It highlights that the rituals and sacrifices associated with the earthly tabernacle could not perfect the worshippers' consciences or provide true atonement. It sets the stage for Christ's ultimate sacrifice, through which He offered His own blood to achieve eternal redemption and open the way to God. |
==Hebrews 9:2:
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For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary;
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This passage sets the stage to contrast the earthly sanctuary with the heavenly realities of Christ's sacrifice, emphasizing the inferiority of the old covenant's physical place of worship compared to the new covenant's spiritual access to God. The author of Hebrews explains the structure of the Tabernacle, a physical tent that was a central part of the old covenant system of worship. The outer part of the Tabernacle was designated as the Holy Place. Inside the Holy Place were the lampstand (or menorah), the table for the bread, and the bread itself, known as the bread of the Presence (or showbread). This area was accessible to the priests for daily service, but it was only a precursor to the greater spiritual access that Christ provides. This verse is part of a broader argument comparing the Old Covenant with the New Covenant, using the Tabernacle and its worship rituals as illustrations to show the superiority of Jesus' sacrifice. |
==Hebrews 9:3:
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and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All,
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The full context of the verse and the surrounding passage helps explain its significance.
Hebrews 9:3 is part of a passage where the author describes the layout and function of the Old Testament tabernacle, which was a movable tent used for worship. The tabernacle had two main sections: the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The "second curtain" separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, the most sacred area. This barrier highlighted the separation between people and a holy God. Access to the Most Holy Place was restricted to the high priest, who could only enter once a year on the Day of Atonement to offer sacrifices for sins. This old covenant system of limited access and temporary sacrifices serves as a backdrop for the author of Hebrews to explain the significance of Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Jesus' death is presented as the ultimate sacrifice that opened direct access to God for believers, symbolized by the tearing of the temple curtain. |
==Hebrews 9:4:
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which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;
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Tthe golden altar of incense and the gold-covered Ark of the Covenant, which contained a jar of manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. This passage is part of a larger explanation in the Book of Hebrews that contrasts the Old Covenant with the New Covenant in Christ. Hebrews 9:4 describes the contents of the second chamber, the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies), where only the high priest could enter once a year. The objects mentioned in this verse were tangible symbols of God's presence and covenant with Israel. The Golden Censer/Altar of Incense was the altar where incense was burned, producing a fragrant smoke that rose before God. The Ark of the Covenant was a gold-covered wooden chest that contained: The golden pot of manna, a pot holding manna, the miraculous food provided by God in the wilderness. The rod that miraculously sprouted leaves and almonds, signifying God's choice of Aaron. The tablets upon which God wrote the Ten Commandments. The author of Hebrews contrasts the earthly sanctuary and its rituals with the superior reality of Christ's sacrifice. The ritualistic sacrifices of the Old Covenant could not perfectly cleanse the consciences of the people, but Christ's sacrifice, symbolized in part by these items, brought true forgiveness and a way into God's presence. |
==Hebrews 9:5-26:
and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.
7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance;
8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.
9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—
10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,
14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.
19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.”
21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—
26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.
7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance;
8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.
9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—
10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,
14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.
19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.”
21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—
26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
==Hebrews 9:27:
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And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
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"It is appointed unto man ONCE to die." Cemetaries give silent testimony to this fact. Its an indisputable law of nature. Jesus broke the law of nature by bringing Lazarus back. That is the nature of "miracles." They break laws of natural law. Jesus is not bound by natural law. Events can look naturally dark, but never unhopeful because God rules by unbounded authority and not by natural law. |
Some have promoted the idea of a second chance after death. But the Bible does not indicate that people get an opportunity to repent or to put faith in Jesus after they die. Hebrews 9:27 says, “People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”
Jesus said that people will be judged based on what they did during their lives. In Matthew 16:27, Jesus said, “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”
Some point to John 5:25 as evidence that those who have died will have the gospel preached to them: “Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”
But this interpretation takes the verse out of its context. The entire passage is John 5:25-29, which makes clear that the context is the final judgment. The passage reads as follows:
“Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. ‘Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out– those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.’”
Verses 27-30 make it clear that the context is final judgment. Everyone, including those in the graves will “hear his voice” and then be raised from the dead either to a resurrection of eternal life with God or to a resurrection of condemnation where they are separated from God. -Andrew McClurg; Grand Canyon University
Jesus said that people will be judged based on what they did during their lives. In Matthew 16:27, Jesus said, “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”
Some point to John 5:25 as evidence that those who have died will have the gospel preached to them: “Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”
But this interpretation takes the verse out of its context. The entire passage is John 5:25-29, which makes clear that the context is the final judgment. The passage reads as follows:
“Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. ‘Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out– those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.’”
Verses 27-30 make it clear that the context is final judgment. Everyone, including those in the graves will “hear his voice” and then be raised from the dead either to a resurrection of eternal life with God or to a resurrection of condemnation where they are separated from God. -Andrew McClurg; Grand Canyon University
Since we have determined by God’s Word that God knows when we will die, another question now can be answered – Is our death appointed? I suppose you could break this down even further and ask if God has any control over when we die? The Bible teaches us that we all are appointed to die: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Likewise, Jesus even said to Peter that if He willed that John would live until He returned, what is it to Peter (John 21:20-23)? Some have used this verse to support the notion that God allowed John to live until He saw the second coming of the Lord in his Revelation vision from Christ. Verse 23 says specifically that this is not what Jesus meant. However, it does illustrate the point that Jesus had the power to determine how long we shall live. (See also Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 3:1-2; Ecclesiastes 8:1-8; Ephesians 6:1-3).
Is there an appointed way we will die?
In addition to us being appointed to die, God also has appointed that many of us will die in specific ways for specific reasons as He did with the Apostles, “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men” (1 Corinthians 4:9). God appointed that Judas would die a certain way and his lineage would be cut off (Psalms 69:21-28; Psalms 109). (See also Numbers 14:35; Numbers 26:64-65; Psalms 136:10-13; Romans 9:17-22). -Michael Williams; What Christians Want to Know
Is there an appointed way we will die?
In addition to us being appointed to die, God also has appointed that many of us will die in specific ways for specific reasons as He did with the Apostles, “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men” (1 Corinthians 4:9). God appointed that Judas would die a certain way and his lineage would be cut off (Psalms 69:21-28; Psalms 109). (See also Numbers 14:35; Numbers 26:64-65; Psalms 136:10-13; Romans 9:17-22). -Michael Williams; What Christians Want to Know
"Our attitude to all men would be Christian if we regarded them as though they were dying, and determined our relation to them in the light of death, both of their death and of our own. A person who is dying calls forth a special kind of feeling. Our attitude to him is at once softened and lifted on to a high plane. We then can feel compassion for people whom we did not love. But every man is dying, I too am dying and must never forget about death."
-Nikolai Berdyaev; The Destiny of Man
-Nikolai Berdyaev; The Destiny of Man
We also know that there is no second chance to be saved after physical death because our author says that “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (v. 27). He doesn’t say that after death comes yet another opportunity to be saved.
Whereas it is true that physical death is not the end of our existence, it is most assuredly the end of all opportunity to be reconciled to God. Contrary to those who argue for naturalism or that the only reality is physical or material in nature, when we die we do not simply go out of consciousness and decompose in the ground. --Sam Storms
Whereas it is true that physical death is not the end of our existence, it is most assuredly the end of all opportunity to be reconciled to God. Contrary to those who argue for naturalism or that the only reality is physical or material in nature, when we die we do not simply go out of consciousness and decompose in the ground. --Sam Storms
==Hebrews 9:28:
so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.