Lesson 7: The Heavenly Sanctuary (Hebrews 9)
Lesson 7
The Heavenly Sanctuary
(Hebrews 9)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Hebrews 9. This lesson references chapter 8 in Be Confident. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
The Christian is a citizen of two worlds, the earthly and the heavenly. He must render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s (Matt. 22:21). Because he is a citizen of two worlds, he must learn how to walk by faith in a world that is governed by sight.…
This principle of faith must apply to our relationship to the heavenly sanctuary.
—Be Confident, page 115
1. What does it look like in practical terms to “walk in two worlds”? Give an example.
More to Consider: Read the following Scripture passages: Acts 7:45–50; John 4:19–24; Isaiah 57:15; Isaiah 66:1–2. What do these passages tell us about God’s dwelling place in the old covenant and in the new covenant?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Hebrews 9 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here. What strikes you about this verse?
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
While the old covenant was in force, the ministry of the priests was ordained of God and perfectly proper.
—Be Confident, page 116
3. If everything about the old, earthly sanctuary was according to God’s will, what made it inferior to the new, heavenly sanctuary (9:1–14)?
From the Commentary
The writer listed the various parts and furnishings of the tabernacle because each of these carried a spiritual meaning. They were “patterns of things in the heavens” (Heb. 9:23).
—Be Confident, page 116
4. Why does the writer of Hebrews go into such detail in 9:1–5 and then suddenly state “we cannot discuss these things in detail now”? Why discuss them in the first place? In what ways do these descriptions set the stage for his explanation of the new sanctuary?
From Today’s World
If you’ve ever worked in a cubicle or for a large company where privacy is not easy to come by, you’ve probably witnessed (or been privy to) a closed-door meeting. Such meetings could signal anything from impending company changes, to specific employee chastisement, to firings, to birthday-party planning. The only consistent factor in such meetings is that some people are excluded from access to the conversation. This idea of limited access to conversation is not unlike the way the Israelites lived during the Aaronic priesthood. Only the high priest himself could enter the Holy of Holies to speak with God and only once a year.
5. How might this limited access have made the rest of the Israelites feel about their relationship with God? Was there anything valuable they could have learned about God from this limited access? If so, what? Why might the change from limited to full access have been difficult for the Jewish priests to accept?
From the Commentary
The sacrifices offered and the blood applied to the mercy seat could never change the heart or the conscience of a worshipper. All of the ceremonies associated with the tabernacle had to do with ceremonial purity, not moral purity. They were “carnal ordinances” that pertained to the outer man but that could not change the inner man.
—Be Confident, page 120
6. What’s the difference between “ceremonial” and “moral” purity? Why is this difference important to note?
From the Commentary
We need no proof that the blood of Jesus Christ is far superior to that of animal sacrifices. How can the blood of animals ever solve the problem of humans’ sins?
—Be Confident, page 121
7. Why do you think God chose to have the priests sacrifice animals to solve the problem of humans’ sins? Do you think God already had Jesus’ sacrifice in mind when He gave Moses the instructions for the animal sacrifices? Why or why not?
From the Commentary
This verse (Heb. 9:15) makes it clear that there was no final and complete redemption under the old covenant. Those transgressions were covered by the blood of the many sacrifices, but not cleansed until the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross (Rom. 3:24–26).
—Be Confident, page 122
8. What is the difference between being “covered” by the blood of animal sacrifices and being “cleansed”? How does a person live if she is confident that Jesus has cleansed her conscience (9:14)? What are some ways Christians today continue to try to offer sacrifices to cover their sins?
From the Commentary
Through Jesus Christ, we who are sinners can enter into the Holy of Holies in the heavenly sanctuary (Heb. 10:19–22). Physically, of course, we are on earth, but spiritually, we are communing with God in the heavenly Holy of Holies. In order for God to receive us into this heavenly fellowship, the blood of Jesus Christ had to be applied.
—Be Confident, page 124
9. How do we enter the heavenly sanctuary? What challenges do believers face as we attempt to live our earthly lives while communing with God in the Holy of Holies? What role does the Holy Spirit play in our ability to do this?
From the Commentary
Beware of trusting anything for your spiritual life that is “made with hands” (Heb. 9:24). It will not last. The tabernacle was replaced by Solomon’s temple, and that temple was destroyed by the Babylonians. When the Jews returned to their land after the captivity, they rebuilt their temple, and King Herod, in later years, expanded and embellished it. But the Romans destroyed that temple, and it has never been rebuilt.
—Be Confident, page 124
10. What sorts of things do Christians sometimes trust that are “made with hands”? How should we relate to man-made things like church buildings or church programs?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Hebrews 9. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. When you consider the old sanctuary and the limited access to God’s presence, what is the first thought that comes to mind? Is communing with God in the heavenly sanctuary a reality for you or just a theory? Reflect on your experience.
12. What does it mean to you that you have been both covered and cleansed by the blood of Christ? How do you deal with ongoing sins in light of Jesus’ once-and-for-all sacrifice?
13. Think about the church you attend now. Are there any ways you put too much stock in the building or other human-made things? If so, what would it take to change that perspective?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to work on approaching God confidently, knowing that there is no longer a curtain separating you from His presence? Do you need to reflect on what it means practically to commune with God in the heavenly Holy of Holies? Be specific. Go back through Hebrews 9 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Take inventory of those material things you put your faith in. Then review each one to see if your faith is perhaps misplaced. What are ways you can move from trusting “things” to trusting Jesus and those things that are not temporary?
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Hebrews 10. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 9, “The Superior Sacrifice,” in Be Confident.