Let us examine the scriptures every day 2025
Friday April 11, 2025
It is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to remove sins (Heb. 10:4).
Outside the entrance to the old tabernacle was a copper altar on which animal sacrifices were offered to Jehovah (Ex. 27:1, 2; 40:29). But those sacrifices could not achieve complete forgiveness of the people's sins (Heb. 10:1-3). The animal sacrifices offered regularly in the tabernacle represented the sacrifice that would completely cleanse humanity of sin. Jesus knew that Jehovah had sent him to Earth to give his human life as a ransom for humanity (Matt. 20:28). Therefore, when Jesus was baptized, he showed up to do what Jehovah wanted (John 6:38; Gal. 1:4). He offered his life “once and for all” to atone, or permanently cover, the sins of all who demonstrate faith in him (Heb. 10:5-7, 10). w23.10 26, 27 paras. 10, 11.
On which altar did Jesus offer himself as a sacrifice? (Hebrews 10:5-7, 10).
The reality. Jesus knew that Jehovah had sent him to Earth to give his human life as a ransom for humanity (Matt. 20:28). Therefore, when Jesus was baptized, he showed up to do what Jehovah wanted (John 6:38; Gal. 1:4). It was as if he was offered on an altar. That altar represented the “will” of God, and Jehovah’s will was for his Son to sacrifice his perfect human life. Jesus offered his life “once and for all” to atone, or permanently cover, the sins of all who demonstrate faith in him (read Hebrews 10:5-7, 10). Next, we will talk about the interior of the tabernacle and what some of its elements represent.
Who could enter each section of the tabernacle?
The shadow. Inside, both the tabernacle and the temples built later in Jerusalem were similar in design. There were two compartments: “the Holy Place” and “the Most Holy,” which were separated by a curtain (Heb. 9:2-5; Ex. 26:31-33). In the Holy One there was a golden candlestick, an altar for burning incense and a table for the bread of the presence. Only “the anointed priests” could enter the Holy One to fulfill their sacred responsibilities (Num. 3:3, 7, 10). In the Holy of Holies was the ark of the covenant, which was made of gold and represented the presence of Jehovah (Ex. 25:21, 22). The only one who could go beyond the curtain and enter the Holy of Holies was the high priest. On the Day of Atonement, which was celebrated once a year, he entered with the blood of animals to atone for his own sins and those of all the people (Lev. 16:2, 17). Over time, Jehovah used the holy spirit to reveal what these elements of the tabernacle actually represented (Heb. 9:6-8).
What do the Holy and the Most Holy represent?
The reality. There is a group of 144,000 Christians who have been anointed with holy spirit and enjoy a special relationship with Jehovah. They will serve as priests in heaven with Jesus (Rev. 1:6; 14:1). While they are still here on Earth, God anoints them with his spirit and adopts them as his children. The Holy One in the tabernacle represents this special relationship they have with God (Rom. 8:15-17). The Holy of Holies of the tabernacle represents heaven, where Jehovah lives. “The curtain” that separated the Holy One from the Holy Sacrament represents the human body of Jesus. His flesh was a barrier that prevented him from entering heaven as the great High Priest of the spiritual temple. By giving his human body as a sacrifice on behalf of humanity, Jesus opened the way to heavenly life for all anointed Christians. In order to receive their heavenly reward, the anointed must also leave behind their bodies of flesh and blood (Heb. 10:19, 20; 1 Cor. 15:50). Jesus, after being resurrected, entered the Holy of Holies of the spiritual temple, where eventually all the anointed Christians gathered with him.
According to Hebrews 9:12, 24-26, why is Jehovah's spiritual temple superior?
Without a doubt, the system that Jehovah has established for pure worship based on the ransom and priesthood of Jesus Christ is far superior. The Holy of Holies into which the high priest of Israel entered was made by human hands, and he entered there with the blood of animals. But Jesus entered the holiest place of all: “in heaven itself,” before the presence of Jehovah. There he presented the value of his perfect human life for all of us “to put away sin by his own sacrifice” (read Hebrews 9:12, 24-26). The sacrifice of Jesus, which is the greatest of all, completely cleanses sins. Next, we will see that we can all worship Jehovah in his spiritual temple, regardless of whether we hope to live in heaven or on Earth.
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