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- Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.
- A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place.
- Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,
- which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
- Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
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- Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly 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 Holiest 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;
- And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
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- When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry.
- But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
- The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.
- This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.
- They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings--external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
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- Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
- 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:
- 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:
- 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;
- Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
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- When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation.
- He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
- The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.
- How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
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- 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;
- 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.
- 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:
- 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?
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