Hebrews Chapter 9 - Commentary

Comparisons are made between the earthly tabernacle and the heavenly:

The High Priest had to offer blood sacrifices year by year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), first for his own sins and then for the people of Israel (cf. Leviticus 16:1-34). The High Priest had to take blood and sprinkle it on the Mercy Seat so that it was consecrated by the blood which was the sanctifying agent (vs. 1-7).

This religious ceremony was accepted by God according to Mosaic law, but it was never complete and sufficient to remove sins. It was merely symbolic of what Jesus would do when he offered up himself (vs. 9).

Jesus sacrifice of himself is the ultimate priestly act because it cleanses the soul forever from sin of the one who believes (vs. 10-15).

A couple of glorious things are revealed here:

#1. Jesus made a covenant with his people. In that covenant there’s an inheritance. In order for that testament to have any force , the testator has to die. Jesus sacrificial  death by his blood shed ratified that covenant.

    

       This new testament supercedes the blood covenant during Moses’ time (vs. 16-23)

#2. When Jesus entered into the heavenly Holy Holies, he deposited his own blood  on the heavenly mercy seat which cleansed men of sin forever. He did this once for all. When Jesus returns, we’ll know in real time that God the Father was satisfied with his High Priestly act. Right now, we embrace these truths by faith (vs. 24-28).