February 28, 2024
DAILY BIBLE READING – Hebrews Chapter 9
1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
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.
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to 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, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
18 Whereupon neither the first testament 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 of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
King James Version. Public Domain
Commentary
Introduction
Chapter 9 of the Letter to the Hebrews deals with the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ and its significance in comparison to the sacrificial practices of the Old Testament. The author explains how the earthly sanctuary and the rituals carried out there were merely a shadow of the heavenly reality. He emphasizes that, unlike the repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant, Christ as High Priest has accomplished a perfect redemption through His own blood. This contrast makes clear the transition from the old sacrificial service to the New Covenant in Christ.
Commentary
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The earthly sanctuary and its limitations (verses 1–10)
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The passage begins with a description of the Old Testament sanctuary: the “Holy Place” and the “Most Holy Place.”
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The High Priest was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place only once a year, offering a blood sacrifice for the sins of the people.
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However, these sacrifices could not cleanse the human conscience; they were merely provisional regulations until the final redemption through Christ.
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Christ as the perfect High Priest (verses 11–15)
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Christ did not enter an earthly sanctuary but a heavenly one.
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He did not offer the blood of animals but His own blood, thereby obtaining eternal redemption.
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His sacrifice has the power to cleanse the conscience and grant access to God.
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Thus, Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant, through whose death believers receive the promised eternal inheritance.
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Blood as the sign of the covenant (verses 16–22)
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The author explains that a testament only takes effect upon the death of the one who made it.
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Likewise, the Old Covenant was sealed with blood when Moses sprinkled the people with animal blood.
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Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness—this underscores the necessity of Christ’s sacrifice.
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The once-for-all sacrifice of Christ and its ultimate effect (verses 23–28)
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The heavenly sanctuary required a better sacrifice than the earthly one.
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Christ entered the true sanctuary to appear before God on our behalf.
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His sacrifice did not need to be repeated, as it provided atonement for sins once and for all.
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At the end of time, He will appear again, not for atonement, but for the final salvation of believers.
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Summary
Hebrews 9 illustrates the contrast between the old sacrificial system and Christ’s perfect sacrifice. While the Old Testament rituals were only temporary solutions, Christ, through His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, achieved a final and eternal redemption. His blood does not merely cleanse externally but also purifies the human conscience, granting believers direct access to God. The chapter also stresses that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness, and that Christ need not be sacrificed repeatedly. Through His single sacrifice, He laid the foundation of the New Covenant. His future return will no longer be for atonement, but for the completion of salvation for those who await Him.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | Steps to Christ
Chapter 6—Faith and Acceptance
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction
Chapter 6 shows us the path from the awakening of the conscience to the acceptance of divine gifts of grace. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we recognize the destructive power and misery of sin, which separates us from God. This realization arouses in us a deep desire for forgiveness, cleansing, and freedom—yet we cannot obtain these graces through our own efforts, but only through steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, who bestows them upon us as a free gift from God.
Commentary
1.Awakening of the Conscience and Recognition of Sinfulness
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Stirring by the Holy Spirit:
The conscience is awakened by the Holy Spirit, enabling us to perceive the malice, power, guilt, and misery of sin.
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Realization of Separation:
We come to understand that sin has separated us from God and that we ourselves are trapped in a state of helplessness and selfishness.
2.God’s Gifts of Grace and Promises
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Free Gift of Grace:
God offers us forgiveness, cleansing, peace, and love as gifts of grace—things that cannot be bought with money or human wisdom (see Isaiah 55:1).
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Biblical Promises:
Promises such as “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18) and “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26) show that God is able to free us from our sinfulness.
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Jesus as an Example:
Jesus’ healing of the paralyzed man (Matthew 9:6) demonstrates that faith in His words and miracles brings immediate deliverance and healing.
3.Faith and Acceptance of the Divine Promise
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Necessity of Faith:
The text calls us to confess our sins and yield ourselves to God. Only through steadfast faith, not through feelings, can we receive God’s promises.
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Daily Surrender:
It is emphasized that we should daily acknowledge our belonging to Christ and live in His Spirit, thus remaining continually in His grace and mercy.
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Condition of Prayer:
Our requests must be in harmony with God’s will, who wants to cleanse us of our failings and make us His children.
4.The Universal Power of Grace
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Unlimited Forgiveness:
No one is so sinful that they cannot be touched by God’s infinite mercy. God wants to fill us with His blessings—strength, righteousness, and purity.
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The Father-Heart of God:
God’s love is so great that He has accepted us even in our weakness. His immeasurable love and mercy express His eternal desire to redeem and renew us.
Summary
Chapter 6, “Faith and Acceptance,” calls us to acknowledge our own sinfulness and awaken within ourselves a deep longing for divine forgiveness and renewal. It stresses that we cannot achieve sanctification through our own power, but that God’s grace—given freely through Jesus Christ—covers all our shortcomings. By confessing our sins and holding firmly to faith in Jesus’ words and miracles, we become children of God who live in His Spirit and are healed by His mercy. Ultimately, it is unwavering faith and daily surrender that lead us into the fullness of God’s blessings and empower us to live a renewed, holy life.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/28-02-2025-hebrews-chapter-9-believe-his-prophets/
