Chapter
9 We close chapter 8 with the promise that the new covenant is far better than
the old. Now as we open the ninth chapter, we see a description of Moses' tabernacle
with it's furniture. A full explanation of what divine truths these pieces of
furniture symbolized would take an entire book in itself. And that is not our
purpose in this message. The first 5 verses take us through the tabernacle, from
the candlestick (or lampstand) in the sanctuary, into the Holy of Holies and the
cherubims of glory. The next 5 verses go on to show that all these things were
only types and shadows imposed upon us until eternal reality came, which is Christ.
Let me give you just an example of the depths of truth contained in these
few verses. Let us take just once piece of furniture, the Golden Altar of Incense,
and see a beautiful revelation in this ninth chapter. You will notice in the King
James translation, that the Golden Altar is not mentioned as being in the tabernacle
at all. But when we begin to examine the word in verse 4 translated as "golden
censer", we uncover a marvelous mystery. But first let us see what the Bible says
about "censers".
The Work of the Censers
There were censers of brass
(Numbers 16:39), and the censers of pure gold (1 Kings 7:50). The brass was to
be used in the outer court, and the gold in the sanctuary. The true fire of God
that was to be put into the censer and carried to the Golden Altar of Incense,
was to come from the fire put under the burnt offering on the Brazen Altar. This
shows us that no worship or intercession is acceptable unto God unless it comes
as a result of a work of Calvary in the life of the believer. "Strange fire" comes
from the works of the flesh and the operation of the carnal mind. The true fire
of God results from a crucified life, through a true knowledge of the work of
Calvary.
The censer was a small vessel used to carry fire from the Brazen
Altar to the Golden Altar of Incense. There were times when the incense was put
right into the censer while the priest carried it, as in Numbers 16:46, where
Aaron took fire from the altar, put it in the censer, put in incense and ran among
the people to stay the plague. A marvelous picture of intercession for a people
under judgment.
Since there was no place provided on the Golden Altar for
fire to be placed or ashes to be carried out, no fire pans, shovels, etc., It
is obvious that the priest took the censer of live coals and sat it on top of
the Golden Altar. He then dropped the incense into the censer sitting on the altar,
and a cloud of incense would rise up out of the fire. This is the picture we see
in Revelation 8:3-4, where the smoke of the incense ascended up "out of the angel's
hand", or from the censer. This was what the Golden Altar was for, a place to
set the censer in the Tabernacle, for it was not to be set upon the floor. There
was a crown around the edge of the Golden Altar, to keep the censer from sliding
off. That is why they took the Golden Altar behind the veil into the Holiest of
Holies on the Day of Atonement.
Where was the Golden Altar?
Perhaps
that last statement surprised you. Just where did they put the altar? And was
it ever moved? Why? What is this symbolic of? Let us look into the scriptures.
Turn to Exodus 30:1-10. "And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of
shittim wood shalt thou make it." (verse 1). Where to put this altar is given
in verse 6: "And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony,
before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.
And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning". Let us read that same
scripture in the Amplified translation: "You shall put the altar of incense in
front and outside of the veil that screens the ark of the testimony, before the
mercy seat that is over the testimony (the law, the tables of stone), where I
will meet with you. And Aaron shall burn on it incense of sweet spices; every
morning when he trims and fills the lamps he shall burn it." We find King Uzziah
(2 Chronicles 26:19) standing beside the incense altar with a censer in his hand,
ready to burn incense. Azariah the chief priest, and 80 other priests were there
with him, so we know that this was not in the Holiest place. It was in the sanctuary.
So these scriptures make it plain that the regular resting place of the Golden
Altar was in the holy place with the lampstand and table of shewbread where the
priests ministered daily.
But now we see what seems to be a conflicting
scripture in Hebrews 9. For in verses 1 through 4 we read: "Then verily the first
covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly (earthly) sanctuary.
For there was a tabernacle made; the first wherein was the candlestick, and the
table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second
veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holies of all; 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."
Now notice, please, that the Golden Altar of incense is not mentioned as being
in either place. And what is this "golden censer" which is said to be in the Holy
of Holies? The word translated "censer" here is not the same Greek word used for
censer in Revelation 8:3-5. The word censer is only found 3 times in the New Testament.
2 times in Revelation 8 it is the Greek word "Libanotos", which means a small
vessel for burning incense. But in Hebrews 9:4 it is the Greek word: "Thumiasterion"
which is a place of fumigation, i.e.: altar of incense in the temple.
So
we see that Hebrews 9 tells us that the Golden Altar of incense was actually located
behind the vail, in the Holy of Holies. Now to confirm this, let me read from
other translation, Hebrews 9:3-4:
PHILLIPS: "Inside, beyond the curtain,
was the inner tent called the Holy of Holies, in which were the GOLDEN INCENSE
ALTAR and the gold covered ark of the agreement."
REVISED STANDARD VERSION:
"Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the
GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE, and the ark of the covenant."
NEW ENGLISH BIBLE:
"Beyond the second curtain was the tent called the Most Holy Place. Here was a
GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE, and the ark of the covenant."
BECK: AN AMERICAN
TRANSLATION: "Behind the second curtain was the part of the tabernacle called
the most holy place with the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE and the ark of the covenant."
Moffatt: "But behind the second veil was the tent called the Holy of Holies,
containing the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE, and also the ark of the covenant."
WILLIAMS:
"But behind the second curtain is the tent that is called the Holy of Holies,
with its GOLDEN INCENSE ALTAR and the chest for the covenant."
WEYMOUTH:
"And behind the second veil was a sacred tent called the Holy of Holies. This
had a GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE, and the ark of the covenant."
ROTHERHAM:
"But after the second veil a tent, that which is called the Most Holy: having
a GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE and the Ark of the covenant."
AMPLIFIED NEW TESTAMENT:
"But inside, beyond the second curtain or veil there stood another tabernacle
(division) known as the Holy of Holies. It has the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE and
the ark (chest) of the covenant."
So here we have 9 different translations
plus Strong's Concordance and Berry's Interlinear Greek-English New Testament
that confirm the fact that the Greek word "Thumiasterion" translated in the King
James as "golden censer", is actually the Golden Altar of Incense. And it is located
inside the Holy of Holies, behind the veil.
Why in the Holy of Holies?
Is there a contradiction? We read that the Golden Altar was to be placed
outside the veil, in the sanctuary, and that the priests were to minister before
it daily. Now in Hebrews we read that it is inside the veil, in the Holy of Holies,
where no one but the high priest is allowed to enter, and that only once a year.
Notice also that in Revelation 8:3 the Golden Altar was "before the throne", which
is behind the veil. (Read Hebrews 9:7).
The answer is given by several
authorities. ALFORD'S GREEK NEW TESTAMENT, WUEST'S STUDIES IN HEBREWS, the AMPLIFIED
NEW TESTAMENT, as well as the Jewish MISCHNA all explain that the Golden Altar
was not kept permanently in the Holy of Holies, but taken in on the Day of Atonement,
the 10th day of the 7th month, when the high priest went in to make atonement.
The reason was that the high priest might have a place to set the censer of burning
coals of fire from the brazen altar, so he would not have to set it on the ground
inside the Holy of Holies. Most certainly he would not set it on the mercy seat.
He could not hold the censer of fire in his hands while he ministered the blood
upon the mercy seat.
We get the picture in Leviticus 16. When the Day of
Atonement comes, the day when someone passes through the vail and all sin is removed
from Israel, we see the high priest washed and properly dressed. All the other
priests that usually minister in the sanctuary before the candlestick and the
shewbread, are moved back out to the outer court. First he takes the Golden Altar
behind the vail. Then he brings the censer of burning coals from the brazen altar
and puts it on the Golden Altar. He then comes in with both hands full of incense
(Leviticus 16:12 Amplified), which he puts on the fire, creating a cloud of incense.
He then brings in the blood of the bullock and sprinkles it on the mercy seat.
Then he kills the goat of the sin offering and brings his blood in to put on the
mercy seat also. (Leviticus 16:12-15). In addition to putting the blood on the
mercy seat, he also puts some of it on the horns of the Golden Altar of Incense
(Exodus 30:10). Meanwhile, while all this is going on, NO PRIEST IS ALLOWED IN
THE SANCTUARY (Leviticus 16:17), but all must retreat to the outer court.
What
Does this Mean Today?
We see from this that there is an hour coming when
a people pass through the vail of this adamic nature, this human covenant, and
into the presence of almighty God. They will no longer minister in the "part realm"
of Pentecost. No one will be in the area of the candlestick in that day. Those
who do not go on in God, will revert back to the outer court ministry of sweat
and judgment. "When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part
shall be done away". (1 Corinthians 13:10) And the glory of God shall be manifested
in it's fulness!
Here we are studying about the tent, or tabernacle, of
Moses. Later a greater and more glorious temple was built by Solomon, and a new
order established on Mount Moriah. We see inverse 4 that at this time (of the
tent), the Ark of the Covenant contained 3 things: the golden pot of manna, Aaron's
rod that budded, and the 10 commandments or tables of the covenant. But at the
dedication of Solomon's temple in 2 Chronicles 5:10 we find that there was nothing
in the Ark except the 2 tables of the covenant. This is confirmed in 2 Chronicles
6:11. Where was the pot of manna? And Aaron's rod? An answer to that will be found
in another message entitled: "The Hidden Manna".
The New Order
Verses
8, 9 and 10 make it plain that the glory of that old order was only temporary.
And the way into the Holy of Holies was not even revealed as long as that first
order stood. No wonder the temple and it's order of worship had to be destroyed.
Jesus said: "Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown
down". In Moffatt's translation, verse 8 says: "By this the Holy Spirit means
that the way into the Holies Presence was not disclosed so long as the first tent
(which foreshadowed the present age) was still standing." Verse 10 tells us that
those carnal ordinances were imposed on them until THE TIME OF REFORMATION, or
"setting things right." Moffatt says: "till the period of the New Order". And
in the Amplified Bible it says: "Until the time of reformation, of the complete
NEW ORDER when Christ, the Messiah, shall establish the reality of what these
things foreshadow, a better covenant".
And now the next few verses show
that Christ has come as a high priest of the good things to come. He did this
by coming through a greater and more perfect tabernacle. The tent He used was
not one made with hands, but a tent, or body, given to Him by God. "A body hast
thou prepared me." He took the blood from that "tabernacle" right into the Holiest
place and offered it up for our sins. His blood was offered once, and once for
all. Nothing more was needed. Hallelujah!
In verse 12 we find that Christ
has "obtained eternal redemption for us." Then inverse 15 it says that "they which
are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." Without eternal
redemption there can be no eternal inheritance. For we are children of Adam, and
can only inherit his nature and his promise, which is death. But when Christ redeems
us, buys us back from Adam's fallen state, we then receive Christ and He gives
us the right or privilege to become sons of God (John 1:12).
The Conscience
Purged by the Blood
Through the eternal Spirit, Christ offered His own
blood up for us. And that blood has the power to cleanse our sins and purge our
conscience. No use now to continually beat ourselves for our past sins. If the
blood has been applied, our conscience is clean, no matter how horrible our sins
have been. "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah
1:18). Yes, Jesus saves from the "guttermost to the uttermost"!
Dead works
will never do it. The blood of Christ is the only cleansing agent, administered
by the Holy Spirit. Then we can truly serve the living God out of a pure heart.
Though the memory of sins committed linger on, yet our conscience is no longer
tormented. Praise God! When I see people who are continually tormented and torn
by their conscience, it is evident that they have not applied the blood of Jesus
to those sins.
This is why Jesus had to die. The testament had no power
(verse 16) until the death of the testator. Even under the old covenant, all things
had to be purged with blood. In that case it was the blood of animals. But in
our case, to receive eternal redemption and eternal inheritance, it was necessary
for us to have better blood. We have the precious blood of Jesus!
The Three
Appearances of Christ
In verses 24, 26, and 28 we read that 3 times Jesus
appears FOR US. Past, present, and future. In verse 26 (Amplified) we see that
Jesus HAS ALREADY appeared to put away sin by means of Calvary. "But as it now
is, He has once for all at the consummation and close of the ages appeared to
put away and abolish sin by His sacrifice of Himself". This was His appearing
in a flesh and blood body here on this earth. Living among men, being mocked,
scourged and crucified. He appeared. It was a very real appearance. He was really
tempted. He really suffered pain. He was made like unto us, "made in the likeness
of men" (Philippians 2:7). But never again shall He appear in this body of humiliation.
For now He has a body of glory. Once and once for all He poured out His blood
and suffered death. Never again. Once was enough.
Now (verse 24) he appears
in Heaven, in the very presence of God, for us. "FOR US"! That says to me that
He intends to bring us eventually unto that very place. So until we get there,
He is now appearing there for us. This tells me that the man Jesus was really
resurrected, and is really appearing in His body of glory, there in heaven itself.
Glory to God! It confirms without denial that we, too, shall put on a body of
glory and appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4). Some shall come forth from
the grave, and others shall pass from this mortal into the immortal. Not all shall
die. Some shall pass from this corruptible dying life into the glorious life of
God. And to insure that this is so, He appears NOW, for us, in the very presence
of God.
To Full Salvation
His final appearance shall be when out
of the glory of that presence He appears upon earth again, to bring the Kingdom
of God victoriously to earth. Verse 28 in the Amplified makes that so clear that
no one should misunderstand: "Even so it is that Christ having been offered to
take upon Himself and bear as a burden the sins of many once and once for all,
WILL APPEAR a second time, not carrying any burden of sin nor to deal with sin,
BUT TO BRING TO FULL SALVATION those who are eagerly, constantly and patiently
waiting for and expecting Him."
The second time. But didn't we say this
would be the third time He appears? Yes, but only the second time that He appears
on this earth. He did appear on the earth. He does now appear in heaven. He will
yet appear again on the earth. And every time He appears, it's for us! And this
final appearance is to bring us to full salvation. Full deliverance from every
earthly bondage. This is that "final salvation" spoken of by Peter in 1 Peter
1:5 (Amplified), where it tells us that there is an inheritance reserved in heaven
for you "who are being guarded by God's power through your faith till you fully
inherit that FINAL SALVATION that is ready to be revealed for you in the LAST
TIME."
Come Out of her, My People
So chapter 9 starts by showing
the glory of the old covenant, then proves that glory has to fade and be replaced
by the permanent order of reality in Christ. Then we close by seeing that the
return of Christ to this earth, His appearance to those who look for Him, is to
bring them to full salvation or deliverance. Not to escort them to a home up in
heaven somewhere, but to bring His salvation, His inheritance, and His reward
to them here. (Revelation 22:12).
For those who hear His call and come
out, there is a final salvation, a full deliverance. He will appear to them once
again. Glory! Get ready for chapter 10, for here we shall find some strong warnings
and tremendous promises. If you feel we have not done full justice to chapter
9, you are right. But we are not trying to give a complete commentary or dig out
all the revelation in this great chapter. We are only trying to open some doors,
so that you may continue the study and dug out more glorious truths for yourself.
Press on, saints of God! It has been glorious thus far, but there is much more
ahead for us!
Bill
Britton Hebrews the book of better things