Letter to the Hebrews Volume 83

 Limitations of the Earthly Service Part 2

Hebrews 9:8 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: KJV

The actuality of only the Hebrew high priest being permitted into the second (2) room of the tabernacle and he only being allowed to do so once every year was then a testimony to the then Hebrew people that the way directly to God the Father was not yet made available to them or to anyone on the earth at that time, as it is written by the writer of Hebrews with these words, "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:" (Hebrews 9:8) (KJV). In Hebrews 9:8, the writer of Hebrews uses the English word 'signifying' which is translated by the Greek word dēloō meaning to make plain (by words): - declare, shew, signify. God the Holy Spirit is the One making it clear and plain to us that during that time in human history God the Father was not allowing humanity access directly to Himself. It is quite often difficult for many of us to understand why God/Jehovah/Yahweh required all the meticulous detailed physical forms and items or instruments of worship depicted for us in the tabernacle by the Hebrew people and also the very detailed commands given to Moses for the type of materials that he must use in constructing the then tabernacle and later the Temple where the Hebrew/Jewish people would gather to worship. The English word 'way' used in Hebrews 9:8 is translated by the Greek word hodos meaning (as used here) figuratively a mode or means. In other words, the method by which a sinful human being could be granted access to the Throne of God was not yet appropriated. Job asked a couple of very relevant questions when he said, "Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? (Job 4:17) (KJV) and the answer to each one ofcourse is no. God the Father through the Old Testament way of worship for the Hebrew/Jewish people meant to, made clear, and  manifested the absolute reality of His purity and holiness by His unobtainable access in order to create a desire within the Hebrew/Jewish people to want full access to Him preparing them for the only way, that is, the only Person who could give them this unobstructed access to His Throne. God is so pure that He cannot and does not allow sinful human beings access to Himself without a covering for their sin and that covering thankfully now has been provided, that being the Blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ our Lord. God the Father chose the timing that He did in sending our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ to the earth to be not only the Messiah or the Deliverer for the Hebrew/Jewish people, but indeed the Deliverer for all of humanity who will accept Him and His sacrificial, solitary, and substitutionary death for each and everyone of us sinful human beings and make us acceptable to God the Father and allow us unfettered, unchained, and uninterrupted access to the Throne of God as this same writer of Hebrews declared to us earlier in this same letter with these words, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:14-16) (KJV).

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of Hebrews 9:8, "Who appointed all this. The whole arrangement in the service of the tabernacle is represented as having been under the direction of the Holy Spirit, or this was one of His methods of teaching the great truths of religion, and of keeping them before the minds of people. Sometimes that Spirit taught by direct revelation; sometimes by the written word, and sometimes by symbols. The tabernacle, with its different apartments, utensils, and services, was a permanent means of keeping important truths before the minds of the ancient people of God. That is, showing this truth, or making use of this arrangement to impress this truth on the minds of people that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest.n Into heaven - of which the Most Holy place in the tabernacle was undoubtedly designed to be an emblem. It was the place where the visible symbol of God - the Shekinah - dwelt; where the blood of propitiation was sprinkled, and was, therefore, an appropriate emblem of that holy heaven where God dwells, and whence pardon is obtained by the blood of the atonement. The way to heaven was not opened or fully understood. It was not known how people could appear before God, or how they could come with the hope of pardon. That way has now been opened by the ascension of the Redeemer to heaven, and by the assurance that all who will may come in His name. While as the first tabernacle was yet standing - As long as it stood, and the appointed services were held in it. The idea is, that until it was superseded by a more perfect system, it was a 'proof' that the way to heaven was not yet fully and freely optioned, and that the Holy Spirit 'designed' that it should be such a proof. The Apostle does not specify in what the proof consisted, but it may have been in something like the following. (1) It was a mere 'symbol,' and not the 'reality' - showing that the true way was not yet fully understood. (2) It was entered but once a year - showing that there was not access at all times. (3) It was entered only by the High Priest - showing that there was not free end full access to all the people. (4) It was accessible only by Jews - showing that the way in which all men might be saved was not then fully revealed. The sense is, that it was a system of types and shadows, in which there were many burdensome rites and many things to prevent people from coming before the symbol of the divinity, and was, therefore, an 'imperfect system.' All these obstructions are now removed; the Saviour - the great High Priest of His people - has entered heaven and 'opened it to all true believers,' and all of every nation may now have free access to God."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…