Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Heb 8.1 and. Indeed, the ancient Sinai covenant was once broken through Israel’s fault. A new covenant, announced in Jer 31:31-34, will be made with this people. Since man is proved incapable of keeping a commitment to God, this new covenant will no longer require him to fulfill any conditions (Rom 11:24-27).
Note that the first two verses are a summary of everything that the author of the epistle said about the wonderful subject of the sovereign priesthood of Christ in heaven. This topic continues in the rest of the epistle with things such as rest, profession, etc. This summary is the glorious fact of the sovereign sacrificature of Christ in the holy places, heaven, where he sat at the right hand of the throne of majesty, that is, in the supreme position of greatness. These holy places, this true tabernacle that the Lord has erected, and not man, are in contrast to the earthly tabernacle erected in the wilderness, and where the priests officiated according to the law. In the true heavenly tabernacle, officiate on our behalf, through his intercession, the One who, after offering himself as a victim, entered it and was hailed as high priest for eternity.
This great fact introduces a new economy that puts an end to the old, no longer only in relation to the Levitical ordinances, but also to the covenant that was attached to it and which is set aside to make way for a new and better covenant. The office of the high priest was to present gifts and sacrifices to God for the people. So “this one,” Jesus, must also have had something to offer. He offered himself on the cross, and this sacrifice being accomplished, he presents to God for us his intercession in heaven(Hb 7. 25, 27).
But the author insists that it is not on earth. There were priests who offered gifts according to the law for an earthly people. The Holy Spirit wants to detach the Hebrews more and more from the earth and introduce them into the more excellent things of heaven. Theservice of the priests according to the law related to “the figure and shadow of heavenly things.” Everything was prescribed by God, everything had to be done exactly to respond to his thought, this had been repeated four times to Moses by Jehovah (Ex. 25. 9, 40; Ex 26. 30; Ex 27. 8), but they were only figures of heavenly things, “holy places and the true tabernacle” of which Christ is a minister. What, then, should the Hebrews, shadows, or reality prefer? This heavenly reality is in Christ, the “Mediator of a better covenant” than the one to which the sacrificature and Levitical ordinances related.
The author has previously touched on this subject of the covenant in these words: “It is of a covenant all the better that Jesus was made the guarantor.” He resumes here the subject that he will in the following, to treat in a complete way. But let us notice as in all things the glory of Christ comes out, erasing all the glories of the previous economy, which the Hebrews could have asserted. For voilà the Aaronic priesthood set aside and replaced by his heavenly priesthood. And the covenant treated with the fathers through the mediation of Moses,what happens to it? It is also set aside to make way for a better one, whose Ombudsman is much bigger than Moise and “which is established on better promises”. The promises of the old covenant were based on obedience to the law. Those of the news are unconditional, having as their source the grace of God alone and based, as for their fulfillment, on the sacrifice of Christ(Hb 9).
In the words of Jeremiah 31, the new covenant, as the old covenant, is established with Israel, the earthly people, and not with us Christians. Covenants relate to God’s ways and government in relation to men who are with Him in a condition of earthly relationship. There are no covenants in heaven. For us Christians, our position and blessings are in heaven (Eph 1. 3). Moreover, the character of our relationship with God and with Christ does not involve a covenant. For therelationship of child to father, nor that of wife to husband, are not alliances. To be united in glory, by the Holy Spirit, to the Mediator of the new covenant is far from being a covenant. But we are saved by the blood of the covenant. We enjoy, before the coming residue of Israel, the essential privileges of the new covenant, which God laid on the blood of Christ, but it is in spirit and not according to the letter.
Let’s also note the difference between Moses, mediator of the old covenant, and Christ, Mediator of the new. Moses was an intermediary between God and the people, to transmit to them the content of the contract he accepted as made with God, and he announced the penalties attached to the violation of the law.
The following verses are compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
The ancient cult outdated:
- The throne of God, symbol of God’s sovereignty
Ps 45:7 Your throne, O God, is forever; The scepter of your reign is a scepter of fairness. Ps 103:19 Jehovah has established His throne in heaven, and His reign dominates over all things. Mt 5:34 But I tell you not to swear by heaven, because it is the throne of God; Rev 4.2 Immediately I was delighted in spirit. And behold, there was a throne in heaven, and on that throne someone was sitting.
- Heavenly abode, the final abode of the righteous
-A safe deposit for treasures Mt 6:20 but amass treasures in the sky, where ringworm and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not pierce or steal.
Contains a record of the righteous Luke 10:20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits are submitted to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
-A place for all believers Jn 14:2 There are many dwellings in my Father’s house. If it were not, I would have told you. I will prepare a place for you.
-The glorified Christ entered the heavenly abode Acts 7:55-56 But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, and staring at heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said: Behold, I see the open heavens, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.
-Built by the hand of God 2 Cor 5:1 We know, in fact, that if this tent where we dwell on earth is destroyed, we have in heaven a edifice that is the work of God, an eternal dwelling place that was not made by man’s hand. Hb 11:10 For he was waiting for the city that has solid foundations, the one of which God is the architect and builder.
-The redeemed of all nations gathered in the heavenly abode Rev 7:9 After that, I looked, and behold, there was a great crowd, which no one could count, of any nation, of any tribe, of any people, and of any language. They stood before the throne and the lamb, dressed in white robes, and palms in their hands. Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and the sea was no more.
Obedience, a condition for entering the heavenly abode Rev 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, in order to be entitled to the tree of life, and to enter through the gates into the city!
- Superior Dispensation
Hb 8:6 But now he has obtained a ministry all the more superior as he is the mediator of a more excellent alliance, which was established on better promises. Hb 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary, in imitation of the true, but entered heaven itself, in order to appear now for us before the face of God. Hb 11:40 God having in mind something better for us, that they may not achieve perfection without us. Hb 12:22, 27 But you have approached the Mountain of Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, the myriads that form the choir of angels, 27 These words: Once again, indicate the change of shaken things, as being made for a time, so that the unshakable things may remain.
- God’s forgiveness, promised
Isaiah 43:25 It is I who erase your transgressions for the sake of me, and I will no longer remember your sins. Is 55:7 Let the wicked abandon his way, and the man of iniquity his thoughts; May he return to the Lord, who will have mercy on him, to our God, who never tires of forgiving. Hb 8:12 Because I will forgive their iniquities, and I will no longer remember their sins. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all iniquity.
From all of the above, we note that Christ dies for the nation (John 11. 50-52), and his death comes for the ransom of the transgressions that were under the first covenant. Thus the foundation of all the blessing of the new covenant is laid; not the obedience of sinful men, but the death of Christ for sinners. Another difference between the first covenant and the new one is that the first was established with the people (“with their fathers”); there were two contracting parties. On the contrary, the news will be established not with them, but for them (“I will establish for the house of Israel”). For the new covenant, God is alone and can bless on the foundation of the perfect redemption accomplished by Christ. Its only basis will be the blood of Christ, called “the blood of the covenant” (Mat 26:26-30). Four points will characterize it:1)The Lord’s commandments will be written on hearts, that is, will appeal to love. 2) Israel will regain its relationship as the people of Jehovah (Zac 8:7-8). 3)The knowledge of the Lord will be common to all (Isaiah 54:11-14). 4) God will no longer remember their sins or iniquities. Christians as far as they are concerned are not under a covenant (is there a need for a contract between a father and his children?). But they are already enjoying, and beyondallthese blessings promised to Israel. The Divine Word is implanted in them (2 Cor 3:2-3). They are now children of God. They know the Lord through the Holy Spirit who dwells in them. They are assured that their sins are blotted out forever. Beloved,are these privileges also yours? Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow “a better sanctuary.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.