Hebrews 9:1

Hebrews 9:1 says, Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.  This chapter begins to compare the earthly tabernacle made with hands to the heavenly tabernacle made by Christ.  Just a Jesus referred to His body as the tabernacle of God, as followers of Christ ours should be also.  Our emphasis should always be on our relationship to God and not on the building we worship in.  Verse two adds, For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.  The first tabernacle was divided into two parts.  The first was where everyone could go to worship.  Many of the instruments of worship were there.   People today may enter into a church building where God is being worshipped, but that is not enough to save a person.  Verse three continues, And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;  There was a second veil in the tabernacle which had limited access, called the Holiest of all.  This was not accessible by all the people at all times, and this is the veil that Jesus ripped in two.  We now have full access to God at all times through our faith in Christ, our high Priest.  Verse four states, 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;  In this inner tabernacle were the things most closely related to God.  Verse five adds, And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.  This inner sanctuary contained the mercy seat of God.  We now have access to that mercy seat wherever we are, thanks to the sacrifice of Christ.  Verse six continues, Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.  The priests always had access to the first part of the tabernacle.  Verse seven says, 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:  Once a year, only the high priest could go into the inner tabernacle, the holy of holys, with a blood sacrifice for the people and himself.  This was somewhat of a limited access to God's forgiveness.  Christ, when He came, did not have to offer a sacrifice for Himself, as He was sinless. Verse eight adds, 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:  The Holy Ghost signified that the unlimited access into the inner sanctuary was not yet come.  The people of Israel, God's chosen people, would remain under the law until Christ came.  We today have unlimited access to God due to the sacrifice of Christ.  Verse nine continues, 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;  The Holy Ghost further signified that the tabernacle would remain for the present time, that is before Christ.  Still, it could not make the one that did the service perfect in conscience.  Only Christ can wash away all the effects of our sins.  Verse ten concludes, Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.  The priests were limited to the rituals of worship, whereas through Christ we have a relationship of worship.  We have complete forgiveness and complete access to the heavenly Father through Christ our Savior, but only by accepting Christ in faith of His salvation provided for us.